The regular Session of the 90th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks, and will our guests in the galleries please rise? Our prayer today will be given by Reverend Jeff Chitwood, Southside Christian Church, Springfield, Illinois. Reverend Chitwood.
(Prayer by the Reverend Jeff Chitwood)
Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Sieben.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Sieben)
If I could have your attention for a moment, and I would hope that all of our Senators would come up here to the Floor. We're going to have a little special moment here shortly, and everybody will want to participate. So if everybody would get out of their offices and get up here to the Floor, I would certainly appreciate it. Reading of the Journal. Senator Butler.
Mr. President, I move that reading and approval of the Journals of Tuesday, March 11th, and Wednesday, March 12th, in the year 1997, be postponed, pending arrival of the printed Journals.
Senator Butler moves to postpone the reading and the approval of the Journal, pending the arrival of the printed transcript. There being no objection, so ordered. Committee Reports.
Senator O'Malley, Chair of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports Senate Bills 678, 679, 680 and 1045 Do Pass. Senator Fitzgerald, Chair of the Committee on State Government 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Operations, reports Senate Bills 203, 265, 561, 689, 693, 737, 740, 747, 777 and 855 Do Pass; Senate Bills 165, 404, 593, 773 and 799 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 537 Be Approved For Consideration. Senator Klemm, Chair of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Bills 79, 175, 657, 712, 944, 945, 959, 1005, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016 and 1017 Do Pass; Senate Bills 159, 228, 428, 723 and 910 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Resolution 21 Be Adopted, as Amended; Senate Joint Resolution 18 Be Adopted, as Amended; and Senate Amendment 1 to House {sic} Bill 626 Be Adopted. Senator Butler, Chair of the Committee on Local Government and Elections, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 25 Be Adopted; Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 213 Be Adopted; and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 373 Be Adopted. Senator Sieben, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, reports Senate Bills 305, 306 and 604 Do Pass; Senate Bills 304, 580 and 908 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Mahar, Chair of the Committee on Environment and Energy, reports Senate Bills 287, 778, 791, 934 and 968 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 54, 299, 431, 475, 483, 545, 700, 814, 815, 930, 939 and 1001 Do Pass, as Amended. And Senator Peterson, Chair of the Committee on Revenue, reports Senate Bills 435 and 937 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 48 or, 46, 81, 374, 436, 522, 524, 549, 618, 645, 677 and 1094 Do Pass, as Amended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Messages from the House, Mr. Secretary.
A Message from the House by Mr. Rossi, Clerk. Mr. President I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following 2 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bills 72, 131 and 202. All passed the House, March 12th, 1997.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) House Bills 1st Reading, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 202, offered by Senator Maitland. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 36, offered by Senator Viverito and all Members. It's a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Consent Calendar. I would encourage all the Members that are in their offices to to come to the Senate Floor. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 37, offered by Senators Jacobs, Jones, Philip and all Members...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Beg your pardon, Madam Secretary. I -- you know, we're -- we have a Member who is leaving us today, and that's what this resolution is for, and I think we ought to give him the respect he deserves. So I would appreciate it if everybody leaves the Floor. All staff off the Floor, and the Members in their seats. Thank you. Madam Secretary, would you start over with the resolution, if that's not too much trouble.
3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day Certainly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Thank you.
March 13, 1997 Senate Resolution 37, offered by Senators Jacobs, Jones, Philip and all Members. (Secretary reads SR No. 37)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Jacobs moves to suspend the rules for purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution 37. Those in favor, say Aye. Any opposition? Hearing none, the rules are suspended. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Senator Carroll.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Just very briefly, those of us who've had the great distinction of serving with Tom understand what a great Senator he has been for this last decade, and how well he served not only his constituents, but, truly, the people of Illinois. I had the extra pleasure and distinction of having been his office mate for almost half of that time, and I can say, without any equivocation, that based on my knowledge that I've learned during that almost half decade of being his office mate, that we will very, very, very sorely miss Bonnie and the girls. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Petka.
It Thank you very much, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. was a few months ago that I was attending a Christmas party and a person came up to me and said, "You know, there's going to be a new associate judge in Will County", and I -- I asked the question about, "Well, okay, there's a vacancy. What -- what's going on?" 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 And they said, "Well, Tom Dunn has applied for it." And I just said, "Well, I don't think so." Put this in perspective: We have, in Will County, six circuit court judges and they're all Republicans. Well, a week later I ran into our Chief Judge in one of my infrequent visits to the courthouse, and as I was walking up to him, he said, "Yes, the rumor is true." I didn't ask the question, but -- but he must have... In any event, when the announcement was made that Tom had been selected to serve as an associate judge, quite candidly, it did not come as a surprise to myself the fact that all six circuit court judges recognize that -- what many of us -- in fact, all of us recognize down here in Springfield. Tom has truly been a devoted servant of the people that he represents. Joliet is going to miss a very strong voice that -- that Tom has consistently shown throughout the ten years. This is not to say that Tom and I throughout our political careers have enjoyed a lovefest. Tom knows that that's not true, but, you know, the partisan politics do enter into the fray. But in all those times that we've had joint appearances, those few times that we've appeared together on talk shows and -- and had to explain our parties' positions, the one thing that I know about Tom Dunn, and the one thing I'm -- have the absolute amount of confidence in, is that he has always conducted himself as a gentleman with civility and that he truly is a very kind and gentle person. You know, Judge, I'm going to be appearing before you so I -- this isn't -- and some may -- may think I'm trying to get a head start on -- on that first decision that you're -- you're going to be making, but, you know, the fact of the matter is that any barrister who appears before Judge Dunn can rest assured that their case is going to be handled with complete competency, with integrity, with honesty, and hopefully with some of the same lightheartedness that he has shown from time to time. I know that, like my wife, Bonnie has been a political widow on our trips 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 down to Springfield. My wife has told me that she is very envious of the position that Bonnie now finds herself in, and now having perhaps a full-time husband, as opposed to a part-timer. But, Tom, with all sincerity and straight from the heart, the very, very best to you. You deserve it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Berman.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm going to say some nice things, and I want this Body to know that I would say them even if I wasn't a practicing attorney. We've been all very lucky to have had the companionship of Tom Dunn for these past ten years in this great Body. His constituents have been fortunate to have an articulate, hardworking Senator. We've been lucky to have a gentlemanly colleague. And I have been very lucky to have a good friend. That's one of the benefits of serving in this Body, is that we build friendships. We're going to miss Tom. We'll probably miss Bonnie and the girls more. But I know that he will do a great job. The Judiciary's gain is the Senate's loss. But on behalf of all of us, we wish Tom, Bonnie, the girls and the people of his district, and the new judicial constituency that he will be ruling upon will be very fortunate, we wish them all the best for all -- for many, many years to come.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Geo-Karis.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I -- I am sorry to see Tom go, although I think he will enjoy his new duties. But one thing about -- about Tom that I have always found is, he'll tell you a straight story. If -- if he can help you with a bill, he'll tell you. If he can't, he'll tell you no. And if he's no, he means no all the way. And -- but by the same 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 token, he's always been a gentleman, and his wife, Bonnie, whom I've known for ten years, and the girls, who are now, I think, in college, the oldest one, when they were this high when they first came here, certainly have been a wonderful family. And the family of Tom Dunn has shown great civility in this Senate, and I, myself, will miss you, Tom, but maybe I will get to come down and see you some day preside. And I probably won't have a case, but if I do, I'll probably have to have a change of venue, because we might have a conflict of interest. But anyway, I wish you the best, and I know you'll do a great job on the bench.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Severns.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I had the privilege of entering the Senate the same year, the same class, as Tom Dunn, and I knew early on that not only did he seem to be a voice of independence and reason and moderation, but also was delighted - I guess we took it as a compliment - when Governor Thompson, quite a few years ago, included us in a group of what he called "five commonsense Democrats". Tom and I know that two of the Democrats are gone, and we were trying to remember who the fifth is. So I think he's been a welcome voice sometimes in the wilderness, but as -- as it has been written, one voice with courage can be a majority, and I think so it has been with Tom Dunn. You've not only brought honor to the arena, you've been a great servant and -- and great friend to many of us here. I think that once in a great while that which should happen does, and and I must say that to have our friend and seatmate and colleague go from Senate to the Judiciary, I'm just -- I'm just delighted that you have the opportunity, but you're going to be sorely missed. And I just want to wish you and Bonnie and the kids Godspeed and -- and congratulations. 7 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Karpiel.
Well, thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to rise, which I don't normally do on occasions like this, but I wanted to say good-bye to Tom, 'cause I missed your going-away party last night. And I think it's always sad to lose a colleague in this Body of whatever party or for whatever reason, because we're we're kind of a small, tight-knit group, and it's always sad to lose anybody from this -- from the Senate. But it's -- it's particularly sad to lose Tom, because occasionally he gave us a vote and -- and when he did get up and -- and debate a bill or argue a case, whatever, he was always a gentleman, as was said. He was always low-key, not highly partisan, not shrill, not insulting, but always to the point and gentlemanly. And we're going to miss that. And also, I do have to say, and I'll probably get in trouble with my Leadership, but I -- my secretary in my district office lives in Joliet, and frankly, Tom, I suspect that she has voted for you 'cause she has always said what a great Senator you are for that area.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Karpiel, you are in Leadership, by the way. Senator Karpiel.
Do you think I'll stay in?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Well, there's someone wishing to speak here. I notice his light's on. Maybe he'll make a determination. Senator Hawkinson, further discussion.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. I, too, came to the Senate at the same time as Tom Dunn, and it's been my pleasure these past 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 ten years to work with him in the Judiciary -- the Judiciary Committee, rather than the Judiciary he's going to -- first under Tom as Chairman of the Committee, and the last four years as the Minority Spokesman. And in both cases, he was always someone who was fair, whose word you could trust, who cooperated, who made the committee run smoothly. We've had many meetings and I think much of the credit that the committee's got over the past decade goes to Tom Dunn, because he's always willing to work hard, he has a great legal mind, an excellent attorney, an even better Senator. And, Tom, we're going to miss you. We wish you well. You've been a good friend, and -- and I'm proud to have served with you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Jones.
Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. You know, this Body, the General Assembly, is a great universe -- a great university. We meet people from all walks of life. We learn quite a bit. One of the things that happened to me a few years ago is that I received a call at that -- about ten years ago and said, "We've got a young fellow down here in Joliet running for office and can you help him?" I didn't know Tom Dunn then. Matter of fact, I didn't even meet him. But we got together some people to go down and work, because I felt he could be a great Democrat. We needed a Democratic seat being partisan. And subsequent to that, he got elected and everything and I met him here in Springfield. And I know my good friend, Doris, talked about the votes that he gave the other side. Sometime, Tom, you gave too many. But this is a great place. You meet people. You establish relationships and great friends, and -- and one thing that hurts the most is when you lose a colleague for -- whatever side of the aisle, because this is a place where you bond together in common interest of the people that we represent. And he's done an admirable job 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 representing the people of his district in which he was elected. Tom, we wish you well. I recall his young daughters. One who played baseball, whom I got to know. You establish these relationships -- type of family relationships. And I'm quite certain you will do well in your new endeavor and everything, and I hope I don't have to appear before you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Philip.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Just sitting here listening to everybody's comments and listening to the resolution and all of your accomplishments and all the things you've done in life, I -- I think the thing that I, of course, being a Marine, think very highly of -- of is you being a Marine. There's only three of us here. Now there's only going to be two here. But you have certainly served your district well. You've been one of those good guys, as far as I'm concerned. Always a man of your word. Very principled. I'm happy surprised -- happily surprised that the Republican judges in Will County, to their credit, decided to make you an associate judge. I think that you're honest, you're sincere, hardworking and you will do what's right, and you will reflect well on the Senate and reflect well on the system. You know, you -- you're very lucky to have a very nice wife and a great family. That certainly reflects well on you, and you will do extremely well. And of course, we all wish you the best of luck.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Jacobs.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senator Dunn -- Tom, my friend -- you know, I'm not an attorney and I don't plan on being in Joliet in the near future, so I don't 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 have to kiss your posterior. So -- and I just want you to know that. But I also want you to know that you wrote the resolution quite well. It sure wasn't the Tom Dunn that I know. It -- it said nothing about your affable way. It said nothing about your ultraliberal philosophies, and it said nothing, of course, about your charming personality. And nor did it address the fact that you are controlled by the distaff side of the family: Bonnie, Meagan, Moira and Kiely. You know, having grown up and -- and been in the area of the Quad Cities whenever Tom was going to Saint Ambrose, I know a few more things than you may know. I can remember when Tom left Saint Ambrose, the mothers all unlocked their children from the doors. They let 'em go outside. The older ones, of course, Tom. Seriously though, Tom, you have been a -- a friend; you have been a confidant; and you've been a true partner in this political process. Tom and I sometimes are considered a little bit of renegades because of our independent nature, and I know that Tom appreciates being in that stature, and -- as I do. You most certainly will do a tremendous job as an associate judge of Will County, and I want to thank you strictly for just being you. And we will miss you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Judge Tom Dunn.
Thank you, Mr. President, colleagues. I appreciate your comments deeply. Just to show you what kind of a guy Ed Petka is, we had a very hotly contested State's attorney race in '76, and Ed won by, I think, a hundred and forty-one votes out of a hundred and ten thousand. It was a close race. It was a hard race. We -- we both really worked like dogs. And when Ed became State's attorney, when I would have a case representing someone, nobody treated me more fairly than Ed Petka did. And that said a lot about him, to me. So I appreciate your comments and -- and 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 everyone else's comments, as well. This has been a very rich experience for our family, to come to Springfield. My children have slept in the Mansion. Something I've never done. Never slept in the Lincoln bedroom either, by the way. And, you know, after listening to all this, I -- I feel like I can skip my funeral because they could just -- they could play the tape of this, certainly. You know, for the first three years I was down here, and I was one of those people like Senator Link who's not supposed to be here, but I showed up. And for the first three years, Pate called me "Lucky". Every time I'd see him, I'd walk by him and there was this huge hulk that would say, "How you doing, Lucky?" And it wasn't real friendly, to be honest with you, but I -- I knew that Phil Rock really respected Pate Philip, considered him a close friend and genuinely liked him. And I found that I had reason to feel the same way about Pate Philip over the years, and -- and we grew, as I've grown with many of you, to be close. And when the whistle blows at 5, my philosophy always was, let's go to Sam's and get a drink, whether it's orange juice or 7-Up, or Crown Royal and water, like I drink. But I think that's the way it should be. I think we see today some of the lack of civility, not here, but in other places, in other bodies, and that's not healthy. It's not good. I want to thank the staffs -- both staffs. I had a wonderful relationship with both staffs and enjoyed working with both staffs. They're just outstanding people, and I know that if anyone ever asked me the question about looking at someone who listed on their resume that they worked in the Senate, I would consider that a great -- a great plus. I couldn't have done what I have done without my secretary, Bev, at home, who ran the office and handled all the problems, and the same is really true of Rhonda, here in Springfield. I want to thank the press. We've had a -- a good relationship. As far as I'm concerned, they always did their job, 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 and they did it honorably. I want to thank my colleagues. I've enjoyed serving with you a great deal. I've been the recipient of your graciousness many times. I've relied on many of you for personal advice, because we all get in binds in this place, whether it's personal or political. You need advice. And it's a good place to get advice, because the quality of people that are here, in my judgment, is extremely high. It's a period I will not forget, not for the hoopla, but for this institution, it's people, the people who sent me here, the people who trusted me then, and the people that trust me now. Thanks so much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Jacobs has moved for the adoption of Senate Resolution 37. Those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, No. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We're going to go to the Order of 2nd Reading. Page 2. I would make sure that those of you look at your Calendar, know where your bills are, be prepared to move them. Time is getting late. We are going to 2nd Reading, page 2. And Senate Bill No. 1. Senator Pate Philip. Senator Philip. Senator Philip, would you like to have Senate Bill 1 called, sir? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2. Senator Philip. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 4. Senator Karpiel. Out of the record. Senate Bill 5. Senator Radogno. Out of the record. Senate Bill 6. Out of the record. Senate Bill 7. Out of the record. Senate Bill 9. Out of the record. Senate Bill 13. Senator Luechtefeld. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 13. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Has there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 30. Senator Parker. Senate Bill 30. Out of the record. Senate Bill 63. Senator Madigan. Out of the record. Senate Bill 65. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. Senate Bill 74. Senator Lauzen. Senator Lauzen on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 75. Out of the record. Senate Bill 86. Senator Mahar. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 86. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 107. Senator Dudycz. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 107. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Read the bill, on Senate Bill 120. Senator Hawkinson. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 120. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 123. Senator Hawkinson. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 123. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
15 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 128. Senator Donahue. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 128. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Any Floor amendments that have been approved?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 131. Senator Madigan. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 131. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 132. Senator Madigan. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 132. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 138. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 138. (Secretary reads title of bill) 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 140. Senator Radogno. Senator on 140? Out of the record. Senate Bill 141. Senator Mahar. Out of the record. Senate Bill 156. Senator Jacobs. Out of the record. Senate Bill 171. Senator Farley. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 171. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Mr. Secretary, I believe Senator Farley would like to have that taken out of the record and held on 2nd Reading. Senate Bill 172. Senator Cronin. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 172. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Rauschenberger, on Senate Bill 182. Out of the record. Senate Bill 194. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 194. (Secretary reads title of bill) 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 196. Senator Madigan. Read the bill.
Senate Bill 196. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 198. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 198. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Carroll on the Floor? Senator Carroll, for Senate Bill 209? Senator Carroll. Out of the record. Senate Bill 218. Senator del Valle. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 218. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 225. Senator Parker. Senator Parker. Out of the record. Senate Bill 226. Senator Cronin. Senator Cronin. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 226. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senate Bill 218. 3rd Reading, on Senate Bill 209. Senate Bill... 3rd Reading, on Senate Bill 226. Senate Bill 240. Senator Karpiel. Out of the record. Senate Bill 250. Senator Rea. Out of the record. Senate Bill 278. Senator Collins. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 278. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 285. Senator Luechtefeld. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 285. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 303. Senator Fitzgerald. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 303. 19 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 307. Senator Viverito. Senator Viverito, are you on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 314. Senator Parker. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 314. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 317. Senator Syverson. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 317. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Public Health and Welfare adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) March 13, 1997 3rd Reading. Senator Philip. Senator Philip, on Senate Bill 319. 319, sir. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 319. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Public Health and Welfare adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 327. Out of the record. Senate Bill 331. Senator del Valle. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 331. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 340. Senator Cronin. Senator Cronin on the Floor? Yes. Would... Oh. Yes, sir. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 340. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1. 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 341. Senator Cronin. You're up at the plate again. Hit 'em out.
Senate Bill 341. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 345. Senator Cronin. Out of the record. Senate Bill 350. Senator Jacobs. Out of the record. Senate Bill 351. Senator Carroll. Senator Carroll on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 356. Senator Parker. Out of the record. Senate Bill 358. Senator O'Malley. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 358. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 363. Senator Hawkinson. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary. 22 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
Senate Bill 363. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 366. Out of the record. Senate Bill 369. Senator Dudycz. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 369. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Local Government and Elections adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Burzynski. Senator Burzynski, on Senate Bill 372. Senator Burzynski on the Floor? Senator Burzynski. Out of the record. Senate Bill 378. Senator Mahar. Senator Mahar on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 381. Senator. Fawell. Out of the record. Senate Bill 406. Senator Rauschenberger. Out of the record. Senate Bill 418. Senator Cullerton. Senator Cullerton on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill. 429. I would like to seek leave to return to this 23 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 Order of Business at a later point in time. Senate Bill 438. Senator Parker. Out of the record. Senate Bill 445. Senator del Valle. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 445. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 450. Senator Demuzio. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 450. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 452. Out of the record. Senate Bill 454. Senator Fawell. Out of the record. Senate Bill 459. Senator Luechtefeld. Out of the record. Senate Bill 467. Senator Burzynski. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 467. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. We are now on page 6. Page 6 of the Calendar. Senate Bill 493. Senator Weaver. Out of the record. Senate Bill 495. Senator Geo-Karis. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 495. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Amendment No. 1. 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) I beg your pardon, Mr. Secretary. She's changed her mind. Please hold the bill. Out of the record. Senate Bill 496. Senator Geo-Karis. That one she'd like to have read.
Senate Bill 496. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 497. Senator Madigan. Senator Madigan. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 497. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 408. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary. I beg your pardon. It's 508.
Senate Bill 508. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 521. Senator Jones. Senator Jones, on Senate Bill 521? It's your call, sir. Out of the record. Senate Bill 529. Senator Cronin. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 529. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 531. Senator Walsh. Out of the record, Mr. Secretary. Senate Bill 543. Senator Dudycz. Out of the record. 547. Senator Dillard. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 547. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 550. Senator Parker. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 550. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported. 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 558. Senator Peterson. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 558. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 560. Senator O'Malley. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 560. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) There any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 569. With leave of the Body, we'd like to go back to that at a later point. Leave is granted. Senate Bill 574. Senator Obama. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 574. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) March 13, 1997 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 595. Senator del Valle. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 595. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 599. Senator Donahue. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 599. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 600. Senator Cullerton. Is Senator Cullerton on the Floor? Out of the record. Moving on to page 7. Senate Bill 605. Senator Madigan. Out of the record. Senate Bill 608. Senator Madigan. Go ahead and run that one, Mr. Secretary. 28 22nd Legislative Day
STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 Senate Bill 608. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. record. Senate Bill 610. Senator Burzynski. Out of the Senator Senate Bill 648. Senator Rauschenberger. Rauschenberger, on Senate Bill 648. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 648. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
(SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Lauzen on the Floor? Senate Bill 658. Senator Lauzen. Senator Out of the record. Senate Bill 659. Senator Madigan. Out of the record. Senate Bill 664. Senator Butler. Out of the record. Senate Bill 665. Senator Maitland. Out of the record. Senate Bill 666. Senator Maitland. Out of the record. Senate Bill 667. Senator Madigan. Out of the record. Senate Bill 672. Out of the record. Senate Bill 674. Senator Sieben. Senator Sieben on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 685. Senator Walsh. Out of the record. Senate Bill 686. Out of the record. Senate Bill 691. Senator Butler, on Senate Bill Bill 709. Senator Fitzgerald. Out of the 711. Out of the record. Senate Bill 713. of the record. Page 8. Senate Bill 720. the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 720. record. Senate Bill Senator Dudycz. Out Senator Cronin. Read (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 730. Senator Fawell. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 730. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 738. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 738. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 755. Senator Obama. On the Floor... Out of the record. Senate Bill 762. Senator Dudycz. Senator Dudycz. 762. Out of the record. Senate Bill -- 772. Senator Halvorson. Out of the record. Senate Bill 776. Senator Hawkinson. No, it's Halvorson. I beg your pardon. Out of the record. Senate Bill 780. Senator O'Malley. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 780. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 30 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 781. Out of the record. Senate Bill 795. Senator Sieben. Senator Sieben on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 796. Senator Dillard. Out of the record. Senate Bill 798. Senator Fawell. Senator Fawell, do you wish to call 798, ma'am? Out of the record. Senate Bill 800. Senator Fawell. Senator Madigan. Out of the record. Senate Bill 806. Senator Lauzen. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 806. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The -- or, the Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 807. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 807. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 818. Senator Fawell. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 818. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate -- we're on page 9. Senate Bill 827. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Senator Radogno. Out of the record. Senate Bill 843. Senator Cullerton. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 843. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Lauzen, for...
Thank you, Mr. President. Just a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Please state your point.
I -- this weekend Springfield has the privilege of hosting the Youth in Government Program, and I'd like to welcome actually two of the participants in the program this year. Those are above just where you -- above you in the gallery: Bob Sampson, who's a teacher of psychology and government at Aurora Christian High School; and then my intern for the second semester, Emily Haas. If you'd rise, we'd like to greet you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Very good. Welcome to Springfield. Senator Burzynski, on Senate Bill 857. Out of the record. Senator Burzynski, on 858. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 858. 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) There any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 859. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 859. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Mahar, on Senate Bill 860. Senator Mahar. Out of the record. Senate Bill 861. Senator Mahar. Out of the record. Senate Bill 866. Senate Bill 866 through 875, by the request of the sponsor, will be out of the record. 878. Senator Watson. With leave of the Body, we'd like to hold that bill till further time. Leave is granted. Thank you. Senator Bowles, on 890. Senator Bowles. Out of the record. Senator Molaro, on Senate Bill 895. Out of the record. Senate Bill 897. Senator Madigan. Senator Madigan. Out of the record. Senator Madigan, would you like to go back to 897, sir? Please read the 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day bill. 897.
Senate Bill 897. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 899. Senator Madigan. Out of the record. Senate Bill 901. Senator Burzynski. Out -- please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 901. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Revenue adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 902. Out of the record. Senate Bill 909. Senator Luechtefeld. Senator Luechtefeld, on Senate Bill 909? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 909. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. Committee on Revenue adopted Amendment No. 1. 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997
(SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
(SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 912. Senator Berman. Senator Berman, do you wish 912 called? Out of the record. Senate Bill 918. Senator O'Malley. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 918. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
(SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
(SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 920. Senator O'Malley. Please read the bill. Out of the record. Senate Bill 929. I beg your pardon. Senate Bill 921. Senator Shadid. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 921. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
(SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
(SENATOR WATSON) 35 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 922. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 922. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) I beg your pardon. The Senator has changed his mind. He'd like that out of the record. Senate Bill 927. Senator Rauschenberger. Senate Bill 927. Out of the record. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary. 927. Please read the bill.
Senate -- Senate Bill 927. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Rauschenberger, for what purpose do you rise?
I rise to move to table Senate Bill 928.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger moves to table Senate Bill 928. All those in favor, say Aye. Anybody opposed? Ayes have it. Motion carries. The bill is tabled. Senate Bill 929. Out of the record. Senate Bill 936. Mr. Secretary, read the bill, please.
Senate Bill 936. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 950. Senator Fawell. Out of the record. Senate. Bill 951. Senator Parker. Please read the bill, 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 951. (Secretary reads title of bill) March 13, 1997 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Amendment No. 1.
(SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Dillard, on Senate Bill 952. Out of the record. Senate Bill 954. Senator Fawell. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 954. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 955. Senator Fawell. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 955. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 996. the record. Out of Senate Bill 1000. Senator Philip. Senator Philip, on Senate Bill 1000? Senator Philip, you wish that bill called? Read -- read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill: 1000. 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Local Government and Elections adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1002. Senator Shaw. Senator Shaw on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 1018. Senator Butler. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary. I'm sorry. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1019. Senator Karpiel. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1024. Senator Severns. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 1024. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1031. Senator Burzynski. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 1031. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1032. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1041. Senator Parker. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1044. Senator Geo-Karis. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 1044. (Secretary reads title of bill) 38 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Financial Institutions adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1048. Senator Jones. Senator Jones on the Floor? Out of the record. Page 12 on the Calendar. Senate Bill 1052. Senator Parker. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1053. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1058. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1059. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1070. With leave of the Body, we'd like to go back to that Order of Business. Leave is being granted. Senate Bill 1072. Senator Berman. Senator Berman on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 1075. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 1075. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1076. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1084. Senator del Valle. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1097. Senator Dillard. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 1097. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1099. Senator Parker. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1103. Senator Severns. Please read the 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 1103. (Secretary reads title of bill) March 13, 1997 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Environment and Energy adopted Amendment No. 1.
(SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
1108. (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Dudycz. Out of the record. Senate Bill Please read the bill. Senator Butler.
Senate Bill 1108. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Local Government and Elections adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) approved for 3rd Reading. 1109. Senator Klemm. Senator Klemm on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 1118. Senator Severns. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1118. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Local Government and Elections adopted Amendment No. 1. 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1120. Senator Bowles. Senator Bowles. Out of the record. Moving on to page 13. Senator Bomke, on -- I beg your pardon. That's 3rd Reading. We have completed...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) With leave of the Body, we will return to the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading. Senate Bill 429. Senator Watson. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 429. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 569. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 569. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 878. Mr. Secretary, read the bill. 41 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT
Senate Bill 878. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1070.
Senate Bill 1070. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we will now proceed to page 20 to the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bill 281. Senator Watson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 281. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 3rd Reading. If you turn your Calendars to page 15 to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, we will begin where we left off yesterday. Will Senators Cullerton, Klemm, Burzynski, Severns, Madigan and Fawell be ready to have your -- debate your bills on 3rd Reading? The Members are reminded about the necessity for keeping decorum in the Chamber. Will the staffs please remove themselves unless you are absolutely necessary to the Order of Business on the Senate Floor, and will all Senators please be in their seats? Senate Bill 465. Senator Cullerton, do you wish -- out of the record. Senate Bill 469. Senator Klemm. Senator Klemm. Senate Bill 479. Senator Burzynski. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 479. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 479 addresses a situation with vending machines throughout the State -- lottery vending machines. And basically what we're doing is setting some guidelines up for their distribution throughout the State, where they may or may not be placed. Be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 479 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay, and the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 1 Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 479, having received the required 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 484. Senator Severns. Senate Bill 490. Senator Madigan. Senate Bill 500. Senator Klemm. Senate Bill 501. Senator Fawell. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 501. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Fawell.
Thank you very much. This is a fairly simple bill and it is a permissive bill. But it has come to my attention that we are spending, at the State level, for -- monies for buses for children who live within a mile and a half of schools because these children are subject to hazardous conditions. In my district and in many of the districts, particularly in the collar counties, that hazardous condition consists of no more than the fact that they don't have sidewalks. I have found out that last year we were asked to reimburse the schools to the tune of a hundred and fifty-nine thousand five hundred and fifty-one dollars and twelve cents. My feeling is, if we put the sidewalks in, we might not have this expense. The school -- the local schools also do not get fully reimbursed, so they, too, have an expense. And my -- my bill -- all the bill does is says, "Schools, if you can put in sidewalks to eliminate this particular hazard so it's a onetime cost, you will save money, the State will save money, and the kids will still get to school safely." That's all the bill does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Berman.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 I rise in opposition to this bill. I don't argue with what Senator Fawell is trying to accomplish, and that is to get our children to school safely, but I would just suggest to you that the school districts in each one of our districts have responsibilities to educate our children. They do not have the responsibility of going a mile or mile and a quarter, or a block less than a mile and a half, away from their school buildings and install sidewalks. That's what this bill does. If there is a dangerous situation on a road to get to the school, what should be done is to gather your voters, the parents of these children and lobby your township officials, your city officials, the people that are elected to maintain the sidewalks, to maintain the streets. And they're the ones that should spend their money township money, city money, municipality money to take care of the needs of those people to get to and from not only schools, but everyplace else. I just suggest to you that this is not a necessary or an additional burden that should be put on the schools. It should be assumed and carried out by the municipalities, whose responsibility it originally is and should continue to be, not the schools. I urge a No vote.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any further discussion? If not, Senator Fawell, to close.
Thank you very much. Senator Berman, having born and been born and raised in Oak Park, I understand what you are talking about, because we always had sidewalks and we walked a mile and a half to school, and I don't think it killed any of us. Unfortunately, I am now in a county where we do not have sidewalks, and quite often in the collar counties whole subdivisions go up without sidewalks. Twenty, thirty, forty years later we realize the mistake and perhaps too late, where the 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 townships or the counties or the municipalities do not have the funds necessary to install these -- these sidewalks. Personally, I think it would make a lot more sense if we built the darned sidewalks, let the kids walk, take the money out of the transportation fund on a onetime basis, and let the kids walk, if indeed that is the only hazard -- so-called -- that is preventing these children from walking right now. That's all this bill does. It is permissive. It would have to be up to the school board to decide, indeed, if they want to do this. I just think it's a way for the State and the locals to save some money. If you want to vote against it, be my guest, but I hope I have enough colleagues who understand the commonsense approach and vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The question is, shall Senate Bill 501 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 26 Ayes, 28 Nays, and 2 voting Present. And Senate Bill 501, having not received the required constitutional majority, is declared failed. With -- with leave of the Body, we shall return to Senate Bill 484. Senator -- Senator Fawell, what purpose do you rise?
Would you put that on Postponed Consideration, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Fawell seeks leave to put Senate Bill 501 on Postponed Consideration. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Senate Bill 484. Senator Severns, do you wish this bill returned to 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment? Senator Severns seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 484 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 484. 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Peterson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Peterson.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a technical amendment added to the bill to bring it in conformity with some other legislation and the Statutes, and recommend adoption of the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. On the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 509. Senator Shadid. Senator Shadid. Senate Bill 515. Senator O'Malley. Senator Shadid, do you wish that bill called? Senate Bill 515. Senator O'Malley. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 515. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator O'Malley.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the -- of the Senate. Senate Bill 515 amends the Property Tax Code to increase the 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 amount of the homestead exemption. Under current law, property taxpayers may be eligible for a homestead improvement exemption for increases in the assessed valuation of a parcel, subject to certain limitations. The amount of -- of the homestead improvement is -- is limited to the fair cash value of the improvement up to a maximum of thirty thousand. What Senate Bill 515 does is increase the amount of the improvement to -- to forty-five thousand. The current limit of thirty thousand has been in effect since 1984. The average market value of residential property has increased by seventy percent since 1984. This is just adjusting the -- the maximum level of the exemption, and I'd appreciate your support. Would be happy to answer any questions there may be.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 515 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay, and 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 Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 515, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we shall return later to Senate Bill 528. 533. Senator Walsh. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 533. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Walsh.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 533 allows the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to use modern terminology 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 in the Section defining the duties of the Director of Personnel in determining eligibility for promotional examination. The bill also clarifies that the Director of Personnel may establish lines of promotion so that service in various lower classifications will allow an incumbent to be eligible to compete for promotion where the experience in the lower classification may tend to qualify the incumbent and... to perform the duties of the higher classification,
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 533 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay, and 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 Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 533, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Walsh. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 535. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Walsh. (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senate Bill 535.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 535 amends the Property Tax Code to codify existing law which provides that the obligation of a lessee of a governmental unit to pay the taxes on the leasehold does not revert to the governmental entity, but remains on the lessee. I would just ask for a favorable vote. (SENATOR DUDYCZ)
Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 535: pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 will vote Nay, and 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 Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 535, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Top of page 16 is -- in the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 537. Senator Walsh, do you wish this bill returned to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment? Senator Walsh seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 537 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 537. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Walsh.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Walsh. END OF TAPE TAPE 2
The amendment is very simple. It just changes from twelve to eighteen months. I'd ask...
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
50 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. On the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 544. Senator Walsh. Senator Walsh. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 544. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Walsh.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 544 also amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act to use modern terminology in the Section concerning classification of the position by the Director of Personnel. The amendment substitutes the term "classification" for "grades" and "positions" for "offices and places of employment", and I'd ask for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, Senator -- the question is, shall Senate Bill 544 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay, and 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 Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 544, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 548. Senator O'Malley. Senate Bill 557. Senator Cronin. Senator Cronin. Senate Bill 559. Senator Watson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 559. 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Watson.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President. This bill was one in which the IEA, the School Management Association, the Chicago School Board groups got together on an amendment, came up with an agreement. It flew out of committee 8 to nothing. It deals with the process by which teachers will be dismissed. Clarifies that hearing officers -- some of their responsibilities. And it provides that removal of a hearing officer's name from a list for failure to render a decision within thirty days shall not be for more than twenty-four months, rather than less. Like I say, this was pretty well agreed to, and I don't know of any opposition. If there's questions, I'll be glad to answer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 559 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay, and 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 559, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 568. Senator Watson. Senate Bill 570. Senator Karpiel. Senate Bill 587. Senator Hawkinson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 587. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hawkinson. 52 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 587 does two things. It is a recommendation from the optometrists. It puts them in the same position as other medical providers in terms of the Good Samaritan Act. Makes them exempt from civil liability when, in an emergency situation and without any payment, they render health care. It also provides, as we have provided for some other medical personnel, that in a free clinic situation or a volunteer situation, where the optometrist is rendering her or his services without fee, that they will not be liable except for willful and wanton conduct (sic) (misconduct). Be happy to try and answer questions, otherwise would ask for a favorable roll call.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Berman.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I rise in opposition to this bill. I ask you, for a moment, to just stop and think what we are doing here. In one situation, we're talking about an optometrist who goes to a clinic - it happens to be a free clinic, but he goes there - and indigent people go to this clinic and they seek his professional care as a qualified optometrist. When those poor people, indigent people, walk in, they would expect the duty of care that is owed to them to be the same level of care that's owed to the person with money that walks into an optometric office and is going to pay a bill. The purpose of these free clinics is not to give a lesser degree of care; it's to give a quality of care that is free, and it is a voluntary effort by the people that service it. That optometrist that walks into that free clinic should be as diligent in carrying out his professional duties as the person who's getting paid. Nobody forces them to do that service for free. But they've chosen to do it. That doesn't mean that we should lessen or 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 reduce the level of care. Under this bill, the only time -- the optometrist, who may have been negligent negligent and failed to follow the duties of optometrists in that community and may have caused serious injury to that indigent patient, can walk away free and clear, because you couldn't prove willful and wanton. You never have willful and wanton being conducted by these care providers, but we do have negligence performed by these care providers. So I suggest to you that when you lower the level of care that you expect these volunteers to give, you're, in fact, hurting the indigent patients. You're hurting the people for whom these free-care clinics have been created. They expect good care. When we pass this bill, you're going to give them less than good care; you're going to give them dangerous care. As to the Good Samaritan Act, that's something else, but I think that the -- the problem is, if I'm going to volunteer my services for a indigent care provider, I should do as good a job and -- when I volunteer my services, as good a job as if somebody's paying me for it. I shouldn't be allowed to do anything less. I think the vote -- the bill requires a No vote.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Fawell.
Thank you very much. I happen to have one of these clinics in my district, on Roosevelt Road, in Wheaton. We have a number of people that -- that depend on this free clinic for their health care. Right now there's a dentist's chair in -- in one room and there's a -- a regular physician's room in -- in another portion of the building. And because we have an Act that covers both of them, we have a number of doctors and dentists who are perfectly willing to come and volunteer their time to take care of these people. A lot of these people are not eligible for Medicare -- I mean Medicaid, for the simple reason they may be just a -- a 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 dollar or two ahead of the game, so they come to the Wheaton free clinic. The one thing that they cannot offer are glasses or eye care, because there is no immunity. You know, we are on the on the way right now for a big welfare reform and that's sweeping the country, and -- and even the -- the President of United States says it's long overdue. It seems to me if a professional man wants to volunteer his time, and he -- and I'm sure as a professional, just like any other professional, he is not going to be sloppy in his work just because of the fact that he is in a free clinic. He will do his best to serve each and every patient, just like the lawyers do when they volunteer their time and take care of each and every client. The only one this might hurt, possibly, is the lawyers. It seems to me we ought to -- this this bill is overdue and we ought to all vote Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Geo-Karis.
Will the sponsor yield for...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Geo-Karis.
Senator, at the present time, are we not giving the same initiative to physicians, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, veterinarians, firemen, police officers, podiatrists and respiratory therapists?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hawkinson.
That's true under the Good Samaritan part of the Act, which Senator Berman doesn't object to. Not all of those groups have the same clinic free clinic but I believe doctors and dentists do. 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
March 13, 1997 Well, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, when an optometrist goes and volunteers his services to a free clinic, he's doing it voluntarily. No one is pushing him, and no one is dragging him to do it. And certainly he's there to try and do some good. And I certainly think he's entitled to that immunity. I -- I think we're being far afield, like Senator Fawell said, to realize that there are some people who can't qualify for Medicaid, they're on the border, and it's -- and it's a great help to them. So why are we taking all this time to discuss this? I think it's a fair bill. I think the optometrists are the same, entitled to this immunity in a free clinic, and I think they should have the same protection as some of these other groups have and I vote for it.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Viverito.
Yes, would the Senator yield to a question?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Viverito.
My -- my concern is -- and obviously, I think it's most commendable that a doctor would donate his or her time. But I'm wondering when you say about an optometrist, would there be an opportunity for all of the optometrists to donate their time? How would you select -- how would you do that in the selection of a doctor?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hawkinson.
56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Believe me, we have many areas of medical care shortage around your district and mine and all around the State and in the underserved rural areas of this State. There won't be any problem with selection. Anybody that wants to volunteer their time at these clinics will be -- who is medically qualified, will be more than welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Viverito.
I certainly think it's most commendable because we do have a primary health care -- and as you know, I'm trying to get one -- a bill passed very shortly to provide in a lot of these areas that can't provide for themselves. Would the individuals that work at -- you know, I -- I have a setting like that, but none of them advertise their practices outside of the practice that they're volunteering with. Would that be a little bit of a sensitive area? Would they be passing out their cards, telling them to come if they need more extensive work that has to be done? Because in that order, sometime, you would be jeopardizing some of the other doctors in the area.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hawkinson.
Yeah. They are, for the most part, serving people who can't afford to come and see them in their regular practice. And I don't know that it'd be a real issue, if you'd be advertising among those who already can't afford to pay and don't have insurance. Obviously, if there's a need to refer them to an opthamologist or -- or others in practice, I'm sure that they do that. They can't -- they can't practice outside the scope of of what optometrists can do.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Any further discussion? Senator Molaro.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Molaro.
Okay. What about the free clinic that gets government money or whatever kind of monies -- just free? Let's say it comes from the MacArthur Foundation. And you have optometrists who work there at a free clinic where someone does not get -- where -- where the patient is not charged, but yet, somehow the doctor gets some form of remuneration, whether it be in a fee or -- or -- wait, wait, wait, whether it be where he's -- gets use of a car or any other type of payment whatsoever -- the doctor -- even though it's a free clinic, and what part of the bill goes to that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hawkinson.
Bill wouldn't apply to that situation. They get any remuneration, any fee of any kind, this immunity doesn't apply.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Molaro.
All right. Well, I -- I just want to clear that up. One part of the bill -- I'll -- I'll just speak to the bill for a second. One part of the bills says it does not apply unless there's conspicuous posting that anybody who goes in and gets this type of treatment, that there -- that they have to waive this long-standing tradition in jurisprudence that if a person who holds himself out, such as a lawyer, doctor, optometrist, that they're held to a standard of care, and if they don't give this 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 care, if they're negligent, then you could sue 'em. So what we're saying here, that if you pay this optometrist ten bucks and he's negligent and he damages you and you lose time at work, you lose you have to pay other medical bills because then you have to be treated, if you paid the guy ten bucks to do the job, then you could sue him and have your lost wages returned and have your damages and you could be made whole. That's what the law is all about. If you pay him ten bucks, you could do that, but if he gives you free care, you can't do that. And I just don't see why we're doing this, so I would urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? If not, Senator Hawkinson, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, why we're doing it couldn't be better stated by me than it was by Senator Fawell. She hit the nail right on the head. We have underserved areas in this State. We have them all over the State, particularly in the rural parts, but in our cities, in Peoria, in Chicago, I daresay. We have free health clinic in Peoria, and we have physicians and optometrists and others who want to volunteer their time. We have provided this kind of immunity for those, and the reason we do is because we want to provide medical care - quality medical care - to those who are uninsured, who could not otherwise afford to get this medical care. Without this kind of incentive, you're not going to get the volunteers to come in without any payment or remuneration of any kind and to provide this needed medical service. I would urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The question is, shall Senate Bill 587 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay, and 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 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 45 Ayes, 7 Nays, 2 voting Present. And Senate Bill 587, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Chair would remind our guests in the east and west corridor that decorum is being maintained on the Senate Floor and we ask our guests in the corridors to maintain the same decorum. Thank you. Otherwise, we will clear the corridors. On the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 589. Senator Butler. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 589. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Butler.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen, Senate Bill 589 concerns the Illinois Public Treasurers' Investment Pool, popularly known as IPTIP. IPTIP now, as you know, is an investment pool created by the Legislature that is widely used by many, many organizations -- public organizations, principally. This bill opens up the investment possibilities for Section 501(c)(3) organizations for their use on funds paid directly to the organization by the State. It does not open up all of their -- all of the investment possibilities they have. This is confined solely and only to funds received from the State. I think that about covers it. I would welcome any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 589 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, no Nays, 1 voting 60 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 Present. And Senate Bill 589, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 591. Senator Butler. Senator Butler. Senate Bill 592. Senator Peterson. Madam Secretary -- Senator Peterson, do you wish this bill returned to 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment? Senator Peterson seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 592 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 592. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Peterson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Peterson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Amendment 2 is a technical amendment. It just makes references to part of the Statutes and to the Illinois Income Tax Act, which is amended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. And the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 594. Senator Butler. Senate Bill 596. Senator Syverson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 596. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 61 22nd Legislative Day Senator Syverson.
STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 Thank you, Mr. President. Last year there was legislation passed that created child drop-in centers, which allowed the counties - it was permissive - to establish fees to cover those centers. This legislation just drops the population threshold from five hundred thousand down to a hundred and eighty thousand.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 596 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 596, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 603. Senator Watson. Senate Bill 607. Senator Butler. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 607. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Butler.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen, Senate 607 is an attempt to -- to speed up some of the operations in the Comptroller's Office. The two principal concerns we would have would be that those units of government appropriating less than five thousand dollars per year would be exempted from all of the reporting requirements now in effect. That would be -- that would be adjusted each year. The other important feature of it is that governmental units appropriating less than two hundred thousand 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 two hundred thousand - which is currently a hundred thousand currently it's a hundred-thousand-dollar threshold, would file a financial report, while those appropriating more than two hundred thousand would file both the audit report and the financial report. The original bill also included the City of Chicago, Cook County and Cook County Hospital, but they have been removed from the bill. And I believe that cured the opposition that I was aware of. So I would welcome any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 607 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 607, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On top of page 17 of your regular Calendar is the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 611. Senator Burzynski. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 611. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President. As already indicated, this extends the sunset date of the Act to January 1st, 2008. It's agreed to by the Department, as well as to by the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and -- and Audiologists. So I'd be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 611 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 611, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 612. Senator Link. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 612. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Link.
This -- this bill permits the area of Knollwood of -- in Lake County to incorporate into a village without the consent of neighboring municipalities. It adds that no tract of land in excess of ten acres in area may include in the petition for special incorporation filed with the circuit clerk of the county is which the area is located without express consent of the owner of this tract of land. I ask for your positive vote on this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Butler.
Point of personal privilege. I want to indicate that I -- I was so excited at getting Senate 607 passed, that I forgot to vote for my own bill. But the...yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Link, is this your first 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day bill? This -- this is... March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Link.
...not your first bill. So I can vote No. Okay.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 612 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 612, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 626. Senator Demuzio. Senator Demuzio? Senate Bill 660. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 660. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Sieben.
Thank you, Mr. President. This legislation merely codifies the language authorizing the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to administer the David A. DeBolt Teacher Shortage Scholarship Program. This program was transferred from the Illinois State Board of Education to ISAC two years ago.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 660 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 660, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 670. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 670. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill deals with the -- a cancellation fee that a lender can charge a borrower if they have a home equity line of credit secured by residential real estate. I was able to work out an amendment with the Illinois Bankers Association so as to gain their neutrality, and what we're saying is that the amount of money that they're they shall be allowed to charge for a cancellation fee shall not exceed five hundred dollars. Right now there's no limit, and in some cases, the cancellation fee has -- is as high as twelve hundred dollars. As a practical matter, the -- the actual cost to the banks for extending this line of credit is approximately three hundred to five hundred dollars, and that's why we arrived at this -- this figure of five hundred dollars. Be happy to answer any questions and urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 670 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 670, having received the required constitutional 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 22nd Legislative Day majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 671. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 671. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is a shell bill. Both Senator Madigan and I were appointed to -- by the Governor to a horse racing task force, and we -- Senator Burzynski was kind enough to let this bill out of committee so that we can see towards -- as the Session progresses, whether or not we need any legislation in this area. Appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 671 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 47 Ayes, 2 Nays, and 9 voting Present. And Senate Bill 671, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 675. Senator Dillard. Senate Bill 681. Senator Walsh. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 681. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Walsh.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 681 authorizes the 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Illinois Student Assistance Commission to charge a reasonable fee, not to exceed twenty dollars per student, for the administration of its Higher EdNet scholarship and grant service -- search service.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 681 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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, 2 Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 681, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Madam -- out of the record. Senate Bill 682. Senator Walsh. Senate Bill 684. Senator Walsh. Senate Bill 690. Senator Weaver. Senator Watson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 694. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Watson.
Thank you. As you recall, we allowed for optometrists -- at least therapeutically certified optometrists -- to prescribe medication. And so now we have to include them in the Pharmacy Practice Act and that's what this does. They -- we now add them to medical doctors, dentists, veterinarians and podiatrists. This now will allow them to write prescriptions. I don't know of any opposition. It's more just clean-up language for the legislation that passed earlier.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Cronin. 68 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
The optometrists aren't asking for laser surgery in this bill, are they, Senator Watson?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Watson.
No, they're not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 694 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 694, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 699. Senator Rauschenberger. Senate Bill 703. Senator Weaver. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 703. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Weaver.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 703 provides that a municipal power agency may, to the same extent as electrical suppliers under the Electric Supplier Act and the Public Utilities Act {sic}. It also allows the Commerce Commission to exercise eminent domain as they do for other agencies in the generating business. I know of no objection, and I'd appreciate a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Is there any -- is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 703 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 703, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 710. Senator Fitzgerald. Senator Fitzgerald? Senate Bill 715. Senator Radogno. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 710... Pardon me. Senate Bill 715. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Radogno.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill eliminates the use of prior-year EAV in the computation of tax rates in Cook County. That's really become a moot point with the imposition of tax caps in Cook County, but keeping this -- the prior year on the books has a definite negative impact on some taxing districts. In particular, those districts that are at their maximum tax rate are unable to realize the growth from new growth or recovered TIFs because that growth is allowed only for one year, the current year, yet they're required to use the prior year. So it basically has taxing districts in Cook County out of sync with that provision to recover new growth. So I would ask for a favorable consideration on this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield? 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) March 13, 1997 Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Hendon.
Senator, does this allow the property taxes to be increased because the assessor will be able to go in and reassess that property for the -- for the current year?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Radogno.
No. If you'll recall, the prior-year measure was imposed as a compromise when tax caps were implemented everywhere except Cook County. Then -- now that Cook County has tax caps, it really is not being used in any way whatsoever. The problem is, though, it relates only to recovered TIFs and to new growth, because those are available only for one year. And it will simply allow those taxing districts their maximum rate to go ahead and -- and make use of that new revenue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion?
Senator Berman. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the bill. It is a relatively minor correction to the situation where we've got these TIF districts and the local taxing bodies. I urge an Aye vote.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any further discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 715 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, 6 Nays, 1 voting Present. And Senate Bill 715, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On top of page 18 of 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 your Calendar is the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 734. Senator Smith. Senate Bill 763. Senator Watson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 763. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Watson.
Senator Watson. Yes. Each year, over the last several years, we increased the Monetary Award Program for higher education student assistance, and this is the legislation, hopefully, that will provide that. This is -- a grant for full-time students will go from four thousand dollars to four thousand one hundred and twenty dollars, and part-time students would go from two thousand to two thousand and sixty dollars. This passed out of the Education Committee with no opposition. I would ask for your favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 763 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, 1 Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 763, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 764. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 764. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Senator Geo-Karis.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this bill amends the Actions to Enforce Payment Act. Provides that where the guarantor or cosigner of a note has agreed in writing that a judgment, release, or other discharge of indebtedness in the primary obligor - which is the main borrower - does not discharge the cosigner, the cosigner remains liable despite the release from liability of the main borrower. However, the plaintiff may not collect more than full satisfaction of his or her or its claim. And I ask for favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Hawkinson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Hawkinson.
Could you give us an example of the -- of a situation where the -- the borrower or the primary obligor would be discharged and you would want the obligor to -- the guarantor or the cosigner to remain liable?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
This is in the case where both have signed an agreement to remain liable. And there was a case of the Edens Plaza Bank versus Demos that was held in favor of the defendant, but there was a dissenting opinion which said that the court should have recognized the fact that the the secondary obligor had signed in writing that he would be liable equally. And that's the example I can give you. 73 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hawkinson.
Would this have to be in bold type or March 13, 1997 because normally the presumption is, if the primary debtor is -- is not liable -- not not just insufficient, but has been validly discharged -- that you wouldn't. I mean, the court decision obviously ruled in -- in favor of the cosigner, and -- and so this is a significant change. And -- and can you give me an example of a situation where there's been a -- a lawful discharge of some kind of the primary obligor where -- where we ought to hold? And then the follow-up question is: Is there any kind of bold print requirement so it's not just buried on page 16 in the fine print that the cosigner's -- or does it have to be near the signature?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
When a cosigner signs an obligation, they know that they're also obligated themselves in case it isn't paid. No, I don't believe it'll be in any bold type. But, on the other hand, when that cosigner signs it, he too, or she too, will be liable. And says -- and it says it in black and white and it's in writing. Then, I don't think that cosigner should be discharged. And the -- the dissenting opinion on that case, by the way, put it very clearly that the -- the court should have recognized the fact that it was in writing, signed in writing, and by the co-obligor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Collins.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Collins. 74 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
Senator Geo-Karis, in this particular case...
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) I beg your pardon, Senator Collins. Senator Collins.
...was the primary debtor the -- had some kind of reason for which he or she could not assume or pay the debt?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
I believe, if I recall correctly, that the primary -- the the creditor just took from the primary debtor what the -- this particular creditor had felt satisfied their particular need.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Collins.
...know what she said. Senator Berman asked me, so I don't know what she said, and I would like for you to repeat it, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
As -- as I said before, the -- the primary debtor had gone into bankruptcy before the whole loan was paid off.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sergeant-at-Arms, will you inform the people in the corridors to please hold their conversations down? If they do not hold their conversations down, we will clear it. Senator Collins.
So, let me explain this -- I mean, let me understand this. The primary debtor decided to go bankrupt. The cosigner, then, is left with paying a debt that the primary debtor had an opportunity -- a legal opportunity to get out through bankruptcy. Is that 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 what you're trying to do now, is to make the cosigner assume the total debt?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
The primary debtor in this case paid fifty thousand dollars of the obligation in bankruptcy. And -- but there's a balance left that was not paid and -- and it was not dissolved -- dissolved by bankruptcy -- it was dissolved by bankruptcy, I'm sorry. So there's a balance left and the -- the -- the party who had co-signed the note wanted to get out of the balance, and that's not fair. He had signed when he had signed in writing that he would be liable to pay the whole thing, right along with the primary debtor. And all we're trying to do is be fair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Collins.
Senator Geo-Karis, if I'm understanding this correctly -- well, no, one more question to clarify. Did the cosigner benefit from whatever that debt purchased? Was it a -- a joint benefit?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator -- Senator Geo-Karis.
The benefit that the cosigner got is that that was an inducement to the -- to the creditor to give the -- the -- the primary signer the money.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Collins.
That's the benefit.
Senator Geo-Karis, maybe you're not hearing me. My question 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 is -- let's say a -- a house, or -- or a car, or whatever. If the primary -- if the cosigner -- I'm asking if the cosigner benefited or shared equally whatever the -- the loan was given for. Whatever product or services that was retrieved by that loan, did they have any benefits from it?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
Senator Collins, I'll repeat, that is not the question. The question is whether or not that primary debtor would have gotten that money if that second person had not co-signed with him. The inducement by the second person signing that -- that note with them gave the first debtor the right to get the money from the creditor. That's the consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Collins.
Okay, then, Senator, I -- I -- I really do think we need to -- you need to take a serious look at this, and we need to also look at the bankruptcy laws, because you could have someone with well intention go in and help someone to purchase a loan for something that they truly need and they use themselves, as a cosigner. Now, two weeks, month, one year later, the person who is -- I think it's very unscrupulous to allow that to happen, where they just walk away from something and assume that someone else will -- will assume that loan. What you ought to be doing here, amending the bankruptcy laws to the extent that the State can do so -- I understand that bankruptcy laws are -- are controlled by the federal government. That in those cases of bankruptcy, that if they're going bankrupt and that property -- that that particular debt is excused to the primary debtor, then that should also include the cosigner. What you're doing here is discouraging 77 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 people from actually, out of good faith, trying to be a good neighbor and helping someone else through a difficult time to borrow money to -- to -- you know, to meet some critical need. That's what you're doing. Then in the future, no one will co-sign for anyone. And I -- I just think it's wrong what you're trying to do here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Welch.
Yes. I would stand in support of this bill. It makes a great deal of sense because the -- the cosigner, the guarantor, has to know what they're doing. You don't go out and you co-sign or guarantee your -- your son or your brother's loan on a car without knowing that they can come back and -- and make you pay on that loan. Plus, this allows for the -- the bank or the loan company to negotiate a settlement with the main creditor -- the main debtor and get them out of the way for perhaps a partial payment and go for the rest against someone who is the guarantor, who guaranteed to pay one hundred percent. I don't see anything wrong with this at all. Maybe the guarantor didn't get anything specific out of it. Maybe they didn't get the automobile or even get to drive it. But when they signed as the guarantor, their son or relative got the benefit of it, and that's what they wanted. That was the -- that was the bargain that they made. Somebody got something out of it. If -- that's the consideration for the contract. If there's no consideration, there's no contract and you couldn't enforce it. So I -- I think that this is being confused with another situation of a -- of -- like our Good Samaritan optometrist bill. This isn't a Good Samaritan situation. This is a business transaction and you don't go signing documents, especially at a bank, and not think that you're not going to end up liable. I think this makes complete sense and we should vote 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 for it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? If not, Senator Geo-Karis, to close.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senator Welch articulated exactly what I would have liked to have said, if I hadn't made it very clear to the prior speaker. And in this case, this bill requires that the loan contract or note has to state that the cosigner's liable irrespective of what happens to the main borrower. And I think it's only good business sense. You just don't go sign, just like that, and don't care what happens. So I ask for favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The question is, shall Senate Bill 764 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay, and 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, 1 Nay, 1 voting Present. And Senate Bill 764, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 770. Senator Burzynski. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 770. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill, Senate Bill 770, gives Northern Illinois University powers similar to those we granted last year to the University of Illinois to develop areas adjacent to its campus. Currently, 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Northern's in a situation where they face being landlocked in the future if they don't move forward now in the acquisition of property, which is also currently for sale. So, what we're doing is asking for some specific remedy for that. This would allow Northern to acquire interest in land, buildings, facilities by purchase, lease, or eminent domain. It goes on and talks about sublease or contract to purchase all or any portion of buildings or facilities for such duration and for such terms as the Board determines. Be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Carroll.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I'd spoken to the University's representatives with a concern and, just for the record, want to state what their answer was. And that is, often we get into this where we give universities authority to go and do private things and then -- or raise monies for buildings that they say will cost us nothing and they may not cost us anything to build, but then we get stuck with ten, or twenty, or thirty million a year to operate those out of State funds that come out of the appropriations process. They have given me a letter, and I believe they've also given it to the sponsor, indicating that there will be no State funds for any portion of this project that is done through private partnerships; that only those buildings that are built through normal Higher Ed Capital Development Bond Funds would then have State operating and that they will not come back to the General Assembly for any operating funds. In which case, I think it's a good idea.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Klemm.
Thank you, Mr. President. One concern I have, and I think I 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 have this universally for all taxing districts or units of government that have either eminent domain or condemnation powers, and that is for them, under that authority, to take away from private owners of land and then sell that same property to some other private developer, whoever it may be. I don't have any problem with eminent domain and condemnation if the unit of local government or that entity uses it for the purpose that they were instructed to do. But to be able to take away from one homeowner or one farm owner or one landowner and then sell it for profit because maybe that landowner didn't want to sell it to that person that they had a arrangement with before, seems to go beyond what I think their purpose should be. It's not right to do that. I have no problem with Senate Bill 770, except for the eminent domain provision and then giving the authority that they can sell, lease, or anything else, to private people for whatever reasons they want. You know, there was an example and I've got a -- a bill in for sanitary districts and everything else who can do that -- who tried to have a developer -- in fact, there was a city who did one. He condemned a home from an old lady, who was eighty-some years old, and they wanted to do it, and they sold it for a parking lot for a restaurant next door. Out of condemnation, they take away from somebody, throw 'em out and then sell it. That's wrong. I wish you would have, in some sort of correction, that if you do condemn or use eminent domain, that you are not allowed to then -- to resell that in the private market. Otherwise, pay a fair price to that landowner, and then you can just do what you want with it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. I do -- I appreciate Senator Klemm's comments. I'd like to make a few responses if I could, very quickly. First 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 of all, the University already has the right of eminent domain, so that's nothing new in this bill. But what I would like to point out is that, in this particular situation, we're talking about undeveloped property that is currently on the market for developmental purposes. It is for sale. It's not -- there's -- the University has every intention to -- to negotiate that sale price and move forward with it. The other aspect that you talk about -- the resale -- I feel confident that with this existing Board -- the Board of Trustees for Northern Illinois University -- that is not going to occur. Northern is landlocked, looking to the west to be able to expand their campus for their future needs, and that's why I'm bringing this bill forward.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator del Valle.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman <sic>. Senator Burzynski, first of all, let me say I -- I will be voting for this bill, but I -- I have some concerns. Last Session the University of Illinois came to this Body for basically the same authority, asking for the same authority that this -- this bill gives NIU. And, at that time, I -- I wondered how long it would take for us to see another university -- public university -- come forth to request the same thing. Well, it didn't take that long. Obviously, even though we're talking about public universities funded by this Legislative Body, there is competition out there, and that competition is healthy. I -- I really don't have any problems with that. But from a public policy standpoint, I think we're going to have to, at some point in the very near future, stop and look at what's happening here. This is long-range planning. We're talking about development over a period of twenty-five to thirty years. It's going to mean more dollars out of our budget for that university and for our other universities. What -- what role do we have in 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 this process at this time? Are we going to allow all our universities - public universities - to get into a development mode for the purpose of competing with one another and for the purpose of -- and fine, again, the competition's fine. But do we have a say in that process? Are they going to become developers that are going to make all kinds of decisions regarding the use of land, sale, purchase of land, power of eminent domain, all these things? What is going to be our role? I think we're going to have to look at that and I hope we do that before we see another bill before this Body from another public university asking for permission to go out and acquire two hundred and eighty-nine acres -- two hundred and eighty-nine acres and lots of land. And I think Senator Garcia will -- will make a statement regarding the situation with the University of Illinois at Chicago. I'm voting for this bill because it's very different. It's a different situation from that of the UIC. It's farmland. There won't be people affected. But I really am somewhat uncomfortable with the process here. I commend NIU for coming before this Session and putting this bill for everyone to see, rather than doing what UIC did, coming in in the eleventh hour through a conference committee report and trying to sneak something by all of us. So I -- I thank you for that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Berman.
Thank you, Mr. President. In committee, I voted Present. The reason for that was because the bill was introduced as a shell bill, and only a relatively few hours before the committee was the substance added to the bill. I was concerned as to the impact of this lack of notice on the neighbors of NIU in DeKalb as to what their response would be, because I'm not familiar with the area that's involved. Since that committee hearing a week ago, I've 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 been advised and I want the record to show that the Mayor of DeKalb is supportive of this bill, and I have heard nothing from any neighbors of NIU in DeKalb and -- and their press -- the local newspapers didn't call me to find out what -- what was snuck through, et cetera, et cetera. I would also point out, if there are problems back home on this, I would hope that they -- that anybody that has a problem would pay attention to this bill in the House. And I understand that there's a House bill that's coming over here, SO that there is adequate notice. But I would hope that when we have these kinds of things, similar to what Senator del Valle is concerned about, is that we try to give the public as much advance notice as possible. I'm going to support this bill because of the information that I've gleaned since the committee hearing. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Geo-Karis.
Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Geo-Karis.
Although you provide for condemnation, you do not provide for quick-take do you?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
No, ma'am, we do not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Garcia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this bill and want to take the opportunity to point out to the University of 84 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 Illinois at Chicago that this is one way to pass legislation that affects a -- a university's area that was genuinely more proactive, where the university went out and did outreach to people, settled whatever matters needed to be settled, peacefully, and that this is how development can and ought to occur whenever possible. I know that the geographic location of this institution is very different to the University of Illinois at Chicago, but it's being done straightforward, with all the cards on the table, and with issues being sorted out. I would hope that this would be a good model for our university to examine and to begin a real process of proactive consultation with all neighbors concerned so that it keeps us out of meetings with editorial boards who are trying to figure out who's right, who's wrong and what might be a viable compromise where everyone can come out a winner. So I support this and I hope that other educational institutions in similar situations in the future will look at this as a good way to do good business for the public.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Petka.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Petka.
Senator, during your remarks, you had indicated that the property in question is for sale right now. What... The -- may I continue? What precludes the -- the University from engaging in good-faith negotiations in connection with that property?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
That's a good question. The University is -- is engaged in 85 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 good-faith negotiations at this time for purchase of that property. What they're looking at, though, with this bill -- and they could do that regardless, but what they're looking at with this bill is really looking ahead, saying, "If we purchase the property, how are we going to develop it?" They want the opportunity to develop it with private-public partnerships, which everyone seems to favor these days. It also allows the University flexibility in providing some of that. Now, the interesting thing is, the community around it is in support of this. I appreciate Senator Berman's comments earlier. He had some legitimate concerns. Those have been addressed. The local media have talked to me. They think it's a great idea. And what we're trying to do is just give them some flexibility to enter into private-public partnerships for the use of the University. We're talking about potential development of dormitories, whatever, on that particular parcel.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Petka.
Senator, I don't believe I -- I quarrel with the public purpose for what you're -- you're seeking to do, but, you know, the question that is raised in my mind is this: We have seen an expansion, and especially in the last ten years, of the power of eminent domain to where units of government are condemning property -- actually more property than they need -- and then they start selling it off, and, in fact, in some ways, going into the developing business. I believe that the government has the right of eminent domain. It's part of our Constitution. However, I -- I personally believe that when we give government the right to take away a person's property, in some instances against his will, that the government should not then become a vendor of that property, because, obviously, a property is worth a lot less under the 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 threat of condemnation than when we're talking about an arms-length transaction. In your remarks you indicated that the Board of Trustees had no intention to go forward and -- and sell this off other than for University purposes, but, you know, a board of trustees can be replaced.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. I -- I kind of misunderstood your question. First of all, let me indicate that there was some indication -- this bill as drafted is -- follows the model that was set by last year's bill with the amendments -- or, with the amendatory veto that the Governor made in the provisions. So that's why the bill's drafted as it is. I would point out very -- to you though, the University already has the power of eminent domain. This doesn't add that particular power to them in this case. They already have that power. It's repetitious.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) There any further discussion? If not, Senator Burzynski, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I think there have been a lot of -- of good comments relative to the power of eminent domain, relative to the power of universities to expand, to grow. And what we're trying to do at Northern Illinois University is to provide for the future. If the University campus becomes landlocked, if another developer comes in, purchases the property, puts up a shopping mall, puts up housing, whatever, what we're looking at is potentially ten years down the road a situation where we have a landlocked university that has to go out and spend more to obtain that property than what they can at fair market value today. So we're trying to be proactive, look ahead, take care of business 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 and act in a responsible manner. I would request an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The question is, shall Senate Bill 770 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay, and 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, 1 Nay, and 1 voting Present. And Senate Bill 770, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. 771. Senator Halvorson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 771. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 771 is legislation to assist taxpayers in my district, which is in the south suburbs. Unfortunately, this year in Crete Township, dozens of mobile home owners received tax bills that include a bill for back taxes owed by a previous owner. In the current law, present mobile home owners are responsible for the back taxes. That's not right since they didn't even live in the home when the taxes were accrued. My legislation changes that and protects current owners from paying back taxes. It would also give refunds to people who wrongfully paid the back taxes, although we're talking about a very small number of owners who would get refunds. I know of no opposition to this bill. I ask for a favorable roll call, and I want to remind all of you that this came out on the agreed bill list.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not -- Senator Hendon. 88 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates, trembling, that she will.
Senator Halvorson, I -- have you been here long enough to know what the agreed bill list is?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
...I have.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hendon.
Well, I have a few questions about -- what kind of taxis are these? Yellow taxis? What kind of -- but -- forget that one. These mobile homes you're talking about, they weren't in use when you and Senator Cullerton and Senator Fawell did that sobriety test, was it? You -- you didn't use the mobile home, did you?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
No. We used a squad car provided to us by the Illinois State Police.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hendon.
Well, to the bill. I -- I've been here -- I haven't been here a -- a long, long time and I've -- I've seen some good bills. And some bad bills and I -- I seem to remember a silver-haired gentleman, who sat there to the right. I doubt if he would have ever presented such a -- a terrible bill. And perhaps that's why 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 you were able to defeat him, because you gave promises to all these mobile home owners that you were going to give them free tires and free tax breaks and all of that for those mobile homes. Senator, I'm I'm I'm just surprised. I'm it it makes me almost miss Aldo DeAngelis. It really does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm not sure I understood what this board what this bill does. Vehicle Code, transfer title taxes. Senator Halvorson, I I was busy talking. I didn't hear your what it does. Could you respond, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
Yes, what this does is it allows mobile home owners not to have to incur the costs of their title taxes before they owned the home.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
This doesn't have anything to do with the property taxes on a on a mobile home?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
No, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Do you know what those property taxes are on mobile homes? Are they assessed at fair market value or does this does this 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 change that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
Mobile homes do not pay property taxes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Are -- are you certain of that, Senator?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson. Senator Halvorson.
Well, it depends. Now, the tax I'm talking about is a user tax on the mobile home.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
I'm -- I'm a little bit confused. It's a user tax on a mobile home. Do these mobile homes have wheels on them?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
Most of them can be moved, but most likely never will.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Is there restriction on the length -- I mean, are we talking about twenty-four feet? Are we talking about seventy, seventy-two? I -- I don't -- how do you define a mobile home?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 It is a home that can be moved if necessary. It isn't permanently there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Well, I've carried a lot of legislation regarding manufactured homes. Does this have any bearing on a manufactured home?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
It could be considered the same thing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
This -- this bill could -- could be -- this could impact manufactured homes? Do you -- do you know what the difference is between a manufactured and a mobile home?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
I thought not. Do you think -- do you -- no -- do you -- do you know if you could hook your vehicle up to a mobile home to take a DUI test?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
...I'd rather get back to the purpose of this bill, which is saving our senior citizens hundreds of dollars. 92 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Well, you mean this only applies to senior citizens?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
No. But it also includes some low-income workers and people in between. But my concern is for the people in my district, those who I represent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
This does, though, include more than just senior citizens. It includes everybody. It affects everyone that purchases a mobile home.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
...course, even some Republicans.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I can -- I can only tell you that I'm -- I'm appalled by the lack of understanding that the Senator has regarding manufactured and mobile homes, and I certainly hope that you all take that into consideration when you cast your votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Jacobs.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day Would the -- would the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) March 13, 1997 Sponsor indicates she does not wish to yield anymore. But -- but -- but I believe she will, Senator.
Senator Halvorson, if I live in my car, is that considered a mobile home?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
I don't believe so.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Jacobs.
Senator, I -- I would just urge you, on -- on something else, to -- during your -- your debate, you said you wanted this passed, because it's not right, and I want to know when this Body ever cared about what's right. Can you answer that for me?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson. Senator Halvorson.
I'm thinking. Actually, I believe that we all started to care this year.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Peterson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Peterson.
Well, thank you. I wanted to, first of all, clarify the -- the bill being on the agreed bill list. That was a mistake. And I 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 think Senator Fitzgerald is filing a recall motion at this time. But what I wanted to know, is the mobile homes in Crete Township in your district, were they brought in from the Nineteenth Ward in November?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
Senator Peterson, may I remind you, you should be nice to me because I gave your bill the vote it needed to get out of committee yesterday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Peterson.
Touche -- touche, but I would like to remind everybody to give this -- this illustrious piece of legislation your very careful consideration before you vote for it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Yeah, there's further discussion. Senator Fitzgerald.
Thank you. Will the sponsor yield for a few more...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Fitzgerald.
Thank you. Senator Halvorson, I -- I know this is your first bill, but I actually have some serious questions about this, and as Senator Peterson pointed out, it somehow escaped our committee on the agreed bill list. But, as I understand it, now, if there are unpaid assessments with respect to the title of that mobile home, the owner isn't supposed to transfer it until those assessments have been paid. Much like in the City of Chicago, you can't sell a house until you get a certification from the water 95 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 department that the unpaid past-due water bills have been paid. Is what your bill does -- from the analysis, is it allows the seller not to pay those assessments and to transfer the title anyway. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
This is part of the problem. It has not been taken care of. For -- for example, I have one constituent who has owned her mobile home since 1981, religiously paid taxes every year. This year they've, all of a sudden, started collecting on back taxes from before she even owed her mobile home. So between the small amount that was owed in back taxes, fifteen years of interest and penalties, she's now at five hundred dollars in back taxes. She cannot sell her mobile home this summer, and it's not fair because the county treasurer has not sent bills before on back taxes till this year.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Fitzgerald.
That title should never have been transferred, then, with all those back fees.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
The -- again, let me repeat, these are the administrative mistakes that have been made and we need to fix this now. It's not fair to the people who cannot afford to be paying back taxes, when the whole time they've been paying what they've owed on time every year.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further -- Senator Fitzgerald. 96 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
Somebody told me and I just wanted to verify this: Is it true that Senator DeAngelis is the lobbyist for the mobile home association on this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Geo-Karis.
Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Geo-Karis.
My analysis says here that, under the current law, the sellers of mobile homes are required to provide the buyer a certificate from the county treasurer that all taxes imposed under the Mobile Home Local Services Tax Act owed by the owner have been paid. Now, does your bill change that, and if so, to what extent?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
The only thing my bill changes is the fact that they should not have to pay from before they owned the mobile home. They've paid what they owe, and if not, they must pay from the time that they lived there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
But are you saying, then, when they buy this mobile home let's say they buy this mobile home from John Doe, and are you saying that what your bill is doing is going before the Mobile Home Local Services Tax Act? Is that what it refers to, the people who had bought homes before then?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day Senator Halvorson.
March 13, 1997 Not at all. We're not aiming to change that law at all.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
And, truthfully, I'm confused exactly what your bill does, because when you buy a mobile home from someone -- you know, there's -- it's personal property and they're supposed to give you a vendor's affidavit, I think, to show that there's no bills owing on it. Now, are you saying that, if you buy a mobile home from someone and there are taxes owed by that party who sold it to you, those taxes don't have to be paid?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
Yes, they have to be paid, but what happened is, they were given a clear title. That's, again, part of this problem. It's just now, in 1996, that they decided to go back after all those back taxes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
Well, then, how does your bill protect people who are -- are bona fide purchasers -- bona fide purchasers of a mobile home?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
My bill will only rebate those taxes paid before the person owned the mobile home. You know, you get a bill and you pay it. Then you wonder why did it cost so much, and when you take the time to research it and find out what happened, you're finding out 98 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 you paid for back taxes that you did not even owe. Now, as a Crete Township Clerk working very closely with our Crete Township Assessor, I saw many, many people come in very upset that after they paid their bill, now they're finding out that it was from the time before they even owed -- owned their mobile home. We want that rebated. We don't think it's fair that people should pay taxes that they did not even -- that they're not liable for.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Molaro.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to point out and make everybody clear on this and then you could check with legal staff before you vote, that, you know, at sometime in the future, with our society, as we get a little older, we don't want to cut the grass and take care of it, and we all, at some time, may go out and buy some mobile home. So my suggestion would be to vote Present on this bill so there is no conflict. And I would very, very seriously be -- consider not voting Yes until you check with legal staff. Of course, because that's up to you, but I would suggest a Present vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Hawkinson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Hawkinson.
Senator, I've got a suggestion, should this get thirty green votes, to improve it in the House. One of the problems, and I think you've alluded to it, is that this is the only tax I'm aware of that has no statute of limitations on collection. For anybody 99 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 that's ever searched a title, you know that income taxes have roughly a ten-year statute of limitations, State or federal. You don't have to go back. This is not a tax that is actively pursued, usually, by the county treasurers. I would suggest you put a ten-year statute of limitations on the collection of these taxes in the House so that you don't run -- nobody in the future runs into this problem.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any further discussion? Senator Philip.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I hope I'm understanding this correctly. I think before you sell a car, or a home, or a boat, you have to have a clear title, or you can't make that transaction. You're saying now for -- purpose of selling mobile homes, you don't have to have a clear title? If that is true, I'm not quite sure that's a very, very good idea.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
What's happened is they've been presented as having clear titles. Not every county or township has had this problem, and it's one of the only things that has slipped through the cracks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any further discussion? Senator Fawell. Senator -- Senator Philip.
I normally have a lot of faith in that committee and the Chairman, but -- now just think what you're doing now, you -- what you're allowing. Every time you want to sell a car, or a boat, or a home, you have to have a clear title to make it legal. You're saying for motor -- for mobile homes, you don't have to have a 100 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 clean title. You can just go and do it. I think that's kind of irresponsible, quite frankly, and I'm sorry about the circumstances, but I don't think it's a good idea.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Fawell.
Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Fawell.
When -- when I take -- when I buy a home, or get another equity loan, which I have a tendency to do, I always have to have a clear title. Now, if somebody is going to sell a mobile home or somebody has bought a mobile home, my assumption is they have a certificate saying they had a clear title, is that right? Then doesn't the title company have a -- aren't they the ones that are responsible for not giving a clear title? It seems to me that they ought to be able to turn around and sue the title company.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
When the person bought the mobile home, they believed they had a clear title. They were led to believe they were a given a clear. That is part of the problems and why we need this bill. And it's something my constituents need and I have always said I will represent my constituents well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Fawell.
When I buy my clear title insurance, it's with the guarantee unless there's something written in there -- that it is a clear title. 101 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson. END OF TAPE TAPE 3
Liens should have been placed against these owners, but it wasn't. Again, this is part of the problem.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Fawell.
What I am saying, then, is why don't they go against the title company? They are the ones that should be liable. They gave a clear title, guaranteed that it was a clear title, and now it isn't a clear title. So they ought to go against the insurance company.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Halvorson.
The Secretary of State cleared the title.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Welch.
Thank you. I think what you've got is a situation -- it's like a title to an automobile, not a title to a piece of real estate. There is no title search with Chicago Title & Trust. You don't get a document saying "We've searched these liens and there are none, therefore it's a clear title." What you get is like a 102 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 title to a car, and unless on the back there is a notation to a bank or someone, it looks like a clear title. And, therefore, when you buy the mobile home, really you ask the seller to -- "Do you have clear title?" And if they say yes and they sign the back of the title to the -- to the vehicle, to the mobile home, there's not a lot more you can do if they're lying to you. You can't put them under oath. You can't search the records to find out what has happened and usually people don't. So unless you put a requirement in that you have to have something similar to a -- to a title insurance policy, you're in the situation like selling a car, which is very difficult to research whether there are supposed to be liens on it. Seems to me, though, that the county should have gone against the original owners first. You know, we just had Senator Geo-Karis' bill about the cosigner, where everybody said, "Well, you should go after the first signer on the mortgage before you go after the guarantor." Well, this is a similar situation. The first signer is the person who sold the mobile home. That's who the county should be going after, instead of waiting all these years and they get activist treasurer, who suddenly decides to collect debts. So it seems to me that -- that the buyers did everything they could and basically they were misled, and now, fifteen years later, they get a bill in the mail for taxes. I think it could probably happen to anybody, so it seems to me a good idea would be -- would be to pass this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is -- is there any further discussion? Senator Fitzgerald, for a second time.
I have to apologize to the Body for speaking a second time, but I don't think I was perfectly clear the last time. What this bill does, as far as I can tell, if somebody owned a mobile home 103 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 and they incurred taxes, all they got to do is sell that mobile home and the new person takes it free and clear of those taxes, that person leaves the State. There's going to be no way for these counties to collect those taxes once they lose the leverage of having that lien on the mobile home. That's the way I read this bill, and I recommend a No vote because, as Senator Philip said, this -- this would really create an anomaly. The counties would have no way to get this money back, if you don't have -- if you lose the leverage of this lien and you can transfer title. Any third party comes in, they get it free and clear, then there's -- that lien is worthless.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any further discussion? If not, Senator Halvorson, to close.
As far as I know, this bill will only affect Will County. I ask for your favorable vote, and I will incorporate Senator Hawkinson's suggestions when it gets to the House. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The question is, shall Senate Bill 771 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, 7 Nays, 6 Present. And Senate Bill 771, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 475. Senator Fitzgerald. Senator Fitzgerald, do you wish this bill returned to 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment? Senator Fitzgerald seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 785 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an -- of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 785. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 104 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day
Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Fitzgerald.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Fitzgerald.
March 13, 1997 Thank you. This amendment to Senate Bill 785 was requested by Senator Berman and it arose out of our committee hearing, and I have showed it to Senator Berman. I believe it takes care of his objection.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, all those in favor, 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, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. On the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 786. Senator Burzynski.
Senate Bill 786. Madam Secretary, read the bill. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President. The bill does basically four things. Specifies that DPR may not conduct random audits of more than ten percent of licensed dentists. Stipulates that evidence of continuing education may include canceled checks, official verification forms of attendance, et cetera. Stipulates the Illinois State Board of Dentistry shall be the final decision maker with respect to whether a license or applicant has met the 105 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 continuing ed requirements. And then moves all fees from Statute to administrative rule. Be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 786 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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. And Senate Bill 786, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. 789. Senate Bill 789. Senator Molaro. Senator Molaro. Senate Bill 790. Senator Fitzgerald. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 790. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Fitzgerald.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is an initiative of the Attorney General's Office. It simply allows the Attorney General to disburse funds under the Violent Crime Victims Assistance Act whenever he deems appropriate, rather than on a semi-annual basis.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Cullerton.
Just a procedural question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Cullerton.
Actually of -- of the Chair, the -- with regard to the 106 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 computer. We don't have an analysis of this bill. I think we're still stuck on the mobile homes, as a matter of fact.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any further discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 790 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 790, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 793. Senator O'Malley. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 793. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator O'Malley.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. In an effort to deter persons from writing bad checks, the Criminal Code was amended in 1984 to provide that a person who issues a check to a payee and who fails to pay the amount of the check within thirty days of a written demand for payment is liable to the payee for the amount of the check and treble damages. Treble damages cannot be less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars. The five-hundred-dollar cap on treble damages, after thirteen years, the argument is being made, should be raised to a more -- to more effectively punish those who engage in deceptive practices. Incidentally, this would be consistent with the State of California, which has a fifteen-hundred-dollar cap. I'd be happy to answer any questions there may be and would request an affirmative roll call. 107 22nd Legislative Day
STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT (SENATOR DUDYCZ) March 13, 1997 Is there any discussion? Senator Jacobs.
Thank you, Mr. President. Would the sponsor yield for just one quick question?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Jacobs.
Whenever we're talking about about a bad check, we're talking about something that is done deceptively, with with the idea to defraud, rather than just someone who would write a an insufficient funds check. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator O'Malley.
This is a -- this is under the Deceptive Practices provisions of the legislation -- of the law.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any further discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 793 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 793, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 794. Senator O'Malley. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 794. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator O'Malley. (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 108 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
Again, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 794 amends the Interest Act relating to interest on money due a creditor. Provides that upon thirty days' notice to a debtor, a collection agency may charge and collect on a creditor's behalf five-percent interest on money after it is due. We -- we amended this in committee. As amended, the bill provides that, where the loan contract does not provide otherwise, a collection agency may, after thirty days' written notice to the borrower, charge and collect the five-percent interest allowed by Statute on overdue accounts on behalf of the lender. The lender can already collect this penalty. The bill simply says that the -- that now the collection agency can act on behalf of the lender to collect it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 794 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, and 2 voting Present. And Senate Bill 794, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 802. Senator Madigan. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 802. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Madigan.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 802 can best be described as the Kassebaum-Kennedy compliance 109 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 bill. As a result of that legislation taking -- that federal legislation taking effect, the State of Illinois and all states have to make certain changes in their Statutes to avoid being regulated by the federal government. The Senate Bill 802, as amended, makes those necessary changes in the State Statutes, bringing the CHIP, or the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan, under the definition of an alterative mechanism, as required by federal law. It's a lengthy thing, but essentially that is the contents of Senate Bill 802, as amended. I'd be glad to answer any questions on Senate Bill 802. federal
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 802 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 802, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 804. Senator Weaver. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 804. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Weaver.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 804 allows public utilities to pay their State taxes by electronic fund transfers. It instructs the Department of Revenue to set up guidelines and rules and regulations. That's basically all it does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall 110 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Senate Bill 802 -- 804 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 804, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 816. Senator Mahar. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 816. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Mahar.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members. Senate Bill 816 amends the Radiation Protection Act to provide that persons who knowingly make false material statements to the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety personnel and/or knowingly attempt to evade Department requirements with regards to Departmental accreditation, certification, registration, or licensure are subject to criminal penalties. I know of no opposition and would ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 816 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 816, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 819. Senator Mahar. On the top of page 19 of your regular Calendar is the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 837. Senator Obama. 111 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day Senator Obama. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 837. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama. March 13, 1997
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I come humbly before you on this extremely humble bill. This bill amends the Public Community College Act. It authorizes the community colleges to develop and distribute a directory of graduating vocational and technical school students. The idea here is, is that we want to match up students with jobs in the community colleges, and somebody from the community college in my area, Kennedy-King, suggested that a directory of students providing their skills, talents, the courses they've taken, could be distributed to manufactures as a means of promoting a dialogue between manufacturers and community colleges. I know of no opposition to this bill, and I ask for a favorable roll call, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Hendon.
Senator, could you correctly pronounce your name for me? I'm having a little trouble with it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 112 22nd Legislative Day Senator Obama.
Obama.
STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hendon.
Is that Irish?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
It will be when I run countywide.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hendon. March 13, 1997
That was a good joke, but this bill's still going to die. This directory, would that have those 1-800 sex line numbers in this directory?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
I apologize.
I wasn't paying Senator Hendon any attention. (SENATOR DUDYCZ) I had an answer for that.
Senator Hendon. Well, clearly, as poorly as this legislation is drafted, you didn't pay it much attention either. My question was: Are the 1-800 sex line numbers going to be in this directory?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
Not -- not -- basically this idea came out of the South Side community colleges. I don't know what you're doing on the West 113 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Side community colleges. But we probably won't be including that in our directory for the students.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hendon.
I wish -- I wish Senator Collins was here to make that -- hear that comment. Let me just say this, and to the bill: I seem to remember a very lovely Senator by the name of Palmer -- much easier to pronounce than Obama -- and she always had cookies and nice things to say, and you don't have anything to give us around your desk. How do you expect to get votes? And -- and you don't even wear nice perfume like Senator Palmer did. The same day that I'm missing Senator Aldo DeAngelis, now I'm missing Senator Palmer because of these weak replacements with these tired bills that makes absolutely no sense. I -- I definitely urge a No vote. Whatever your name is.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Burzynski.
First of all, Senator Obama, I'd like to thank you for not wearing perfume that Senator Hendon likes. But, secondly, this does touch, I think, near to all of us. But does the Community College Board of Trustees or -- have -- have an opinion on this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
They think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread. 114 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 They -- seriously, they are -- they are fully supportive of the bill. We recognize that this is just a small step initially to try to initiate more of a conversation between the Community College Board and manufacturers in -- in how we can bring these -- both the students and manufacturers together.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. Are there any concerns about the privacy of the students? Do the students have to sign a release form like recipients of scholarships have to do now in order to have their name published in this directory?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
We -- we have addressed those privacy concerns, and so you would only publish their names in the directory...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) I beg your pardon, Senator Obama.
You would only publish their names in the directory with their consent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Well, at what age is that? Is that eighteen-year-old consent? Twenty-one-year-old consent? Older, or what?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
Written consent of graduating seniors is the -- the answer to that question. 115 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
March 13, 1997 Thank you, Mr. President. Is is there a a provision now that would say they cannot do this?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
The -- in discussions with the Community Colleges Board, they -- they certainly can do this. The idea here is, is that we're providing them some encouragement to reach out to manufacturers and to market their students more effectively. And that's the intent of the bill.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
So, in other words, they want a -- they want a legislative edict that they must do this, or they may do this?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
This -- this is purely permissive.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Senator Obama, how would you characterize this bill? Is this bill pro-student, pro-college, pro-manufacturers, pro-business? How would you -- how would you characterize this bill?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
All of the above. This is a pro-Illinois bill. We're going to 116 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 be putting our economy on track with this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Burzynski.
Mr. President, to the bill: It amazes me how we can let a freshman Democrat Senator carry a pro-business, pro-Illinois bill. I think we should discuss this further. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Jacobs.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Jacobs.
One of the reasons we're supposedly doing this is to foster information, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
That is correct, Senator Jacobs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Jacobs.
Why would we want to do that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
The -- the intent here is to make sure that our -- our excellent students who are going through the community college's program are properly marketed and that we can ensure that they have full opportunity to gain employment in the private sector.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 117 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Senator Jacobs.
Just one last question. Also in the bill you talk about foster employment. How does that relate to a foster child or whatever the case may be? What is a foster employment? Could you explain that to me, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
We hope to foster employment with foster children, as well as any other students who are going through the community colleges.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Shaw. Senator Carroll.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield to a few questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Carroll.
First, Senator Obama, I heard you say that this is not a mandate, is that right?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
That is correct, Senator Carroll.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Carroll.
...do this already?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
118 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT That is correct, Senator. March 13, 1997
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Carroll, please -- please make longer questions.
Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, okay.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) It's getting difficult for the Chair.
I apologize. I know that sometimes this fast stuff gets by you.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator -- Senator Carroll.
As I look at the... Oh, I'm supposed to be doing it to that guy, not that guy. Okay. As I read the bill itself, the actual language of the bill, it says that they will be required to distribute to every manufacturer doing business within the community a directory that "may" include the names and addresses. Well, if it doesn't include the names and addresses, what is it you're distributing? You're mandating a distribution, but then saying that you only "may" include their names. What will you include if you don't include their names and addresses and phone numbers and what they did?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
The idea would be that you could include the classes they've taken, the skills and training that they've been engaged in, and the -- if they didn't wish the manufacturer to contact them directly, presumably they could still contact them through the school.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) 119 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day Senator Carroll.
March 13, 1997 And and then since this is not mandated of them, you said, and that it's strictly discretionary, do you have any -- you could do this by just sending the -- your community college a letter and saying, "Why don't you do that", could you not?
Senator Obama.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) What we hope to do with this bill is to begin a conversation that hopefully will encourage the community colleges across the State to investigate mechanisms whereby we can link up community colleges more directly with the manufacturers.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Carroll.
Well I think you've started a dialogue here and maybe if you just went over and talked to them, you can start a dialogue. Do you have any idea of what the cost is of legislation being introduced, what it costs to actually put a piece of legislation into the system, how many people have to read it, how many trees have to be killed to create the amount of paper that it takes to print this on everybody's desk and then amendments and then go over to the House and do likewise?
Senator Obama. (SENATOR DUDYCZ)
I am deeply concerned about all that, and -- and I can tell from some of the bills that have gone through here previously to mine that everyone else here is deeply concerned with that as well. I think that this is well worth all those trees that were cut down. 120 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Carroll.
Just finally then, wouldn't it be better, rather, since we're not mandating them to do anything and we're wasting a lot of trees and costing a lot of money, that money would be better spent on creating this pamphlet at the junior college level, and why don't you just pick up the phone and call the guy and say, "Why don't you make up a list?" Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Hawkinson.
Will the sponsor yield, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Hawkinson.
Senator Obama, how do the -- how do the quality of these questions compare with those that you received from Professors Dershowitz, Tribe or Nessen?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
I must say that they compare very favorably, and... In -- in fact, this is the -- this is the toughest grilling that I've ever received. If I survive this event, I will be eternally grateful and consider this a highlight of my legal and legislative career.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Welch.
Had a question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Welch. 121 22nd Legislative Day
STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 Senator Obama, the last line on your bill, which amends the Public Community College Act, says "This Act takes effect upon becoming law." How else could it take effect?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obama.
I'm not sure I've got a good answer for this one.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Butler.
Senator, Senator Hendon opened this whatever you call it this dissertation, suggesting that your name might be Irish, and I came to the conclusion that the only thing separating you and that exalted status is just a -- an apostrophe. So if you'd put an apostrophe between the O and the B, I'd be very happy to sponsor you for beatification.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Demuzio.
Let's not forget, his name ends in a vowel. Senator Obama, let me -- let me congratulate you on -- on your first bill. I -- I was sitting here and -- and as Rickey Hendon was asking you those questions and making those statements, I recalled back to Rickey's first bill. I closed my eyes; I held my nose; I couldn't find the right switch so the staff had to vote me. This time I will keep my eyes open and vote in the affirmative. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Geo-Karis.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, my colleague on the other side who says don't forget his name ends in 122 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 -- in a vowel, so did O'Hara's name, and I think it's wonderful that he's thinking of becoming the Irish candidate for county office. And I certainly commend him for his fortitude today, because if you think you had fortitude at Harvard, you don't know this -- this Body yet. But I -- I want to commend you for trying, 'cause you have Mr. Hendon, who never -- who never ceases to attack you, but that's because he loved Angelo DeAngelis so well that he didn't go and support him.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) If there's no further discussion? Senator Obama, to close.
I would just close by saying that I think this is a bill that will accomplish some excellent ends. More importantly, it costs no money. And I would urge all of you for -- to give me an affirmative vote on this -- on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The question is, shall Senate Bill 837 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 837, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Trotter, what purpose do you rise?
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) State your point.
In the gallery behind us, we have a student who has come down from Indiana University, instead of going to Florida and whatever else students do during spring break. She decided to come here to 123 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Illinois to see actually how this Body functions. I think we just gave her a good example that we're not always serious, but we do do some serious things. We have here -- Ms. Claire Nicole Lyle's with us. Would you please welcome her?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Will our guest in the gallery please rise and be recognized? Welcome to Springfield. On the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 844. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 848. Senator Cronin. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 848. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Cronin.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is a bill that simply makes a couple of changes to the statutory language that is used to disburse State grants to community college districts. This is from the Community College Board. They've all discussed this and they're all together on it. They've made recommendations, and it's traditionally been called the "rate bill", but -- since it was -- been used to implement the State appropriation for grants. It makes several substantive changes, and the Board has drafted this bill in a way that would preclude the need for future substantive rate bills to implement the appropriations. So we won't get to do this again for some time. I ask for your favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Rauschenberger.
Thank you. Would the sponsor yield for a question? 124 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Rauschenberger.
Senator Cronin, this bill would permit the ICCB then not to provide a substantive bill which explains the distribution of their grants and how they're -- made their annual distribution each year?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Cronin.
My understanding is, is that we will appropriate a certain sum of money and then they, in the spirit of local control, if you will, can figure out among themselves how they wish to disburse those proceeds.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Rauschenberger.
Senator Cronin, the funds that they would disburse without the bill, that they currently disburse today with the bill, are not local funds, are they? Aren't they the State funds that we appropriate out of general revenues?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Cronin.
That's correct. But once we appropriate the money, it's my understanding that they meet and negotiate among themselves and they figure out how they want to distribute the money.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Rauschenberger.
Senator Cronin, to the best of my knowledge, that is correct, but the point of the substantive bill is that we have final review 125 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 of the distribution of those funds. And while, you know, I'm I'm excited that the ICCB is interested in change, I would recommend to the Members that they think carefully before supporting this change. I don't agree that it's a good one, although I certainly respect the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any further discussion? If not, Senator Cronin, to close.
I ask for your favorable consideration. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The question is, shall Senate Bill 848 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, and 5 Nays, and none voting Present. Senate Bill 848, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 852. Senator Geo-Karis. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 852. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senate Bill 852 is necessary to keep Illinois in compliance with the federal Rehabilitation Act, and that federal Act requires that the states where the vocational rehabilitation program is not operated by an agency...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 126 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day Senator Geo-Karis.
March 13, 1997 ...primarily concerned with vocational rehabilitation, then the State must designate a unit of the agency as primarily responsible for vocational rehabilitation. The Act provides the responsibilities and duties of the designated State unit, and I ask for -- for favorable consideration so that we can ensure that we get our monies due from us from the federal government.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much. Would the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Trotter.
Yes. Senator, I just want to know, why is it you did not broaden this bill to include also the Disabilities Act?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Karis.
Well, Senator Trotter, perhaps that can be done in another bill, but this is the one that was assigned to me, and I -- and I knew it was necessary for the vocational rehabilitation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Trotter.
I would appreciate it if you could. Possibly if we can amend it at some -- you could talk to the House Member. Needless to say that we're trying to protect all our -- our disabled individuals, as well as those who are going to rehab, against discrimination, which this bill certainly would do. And we can recoup more dollars from the feds as well. 127 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any further discussion? If not, Senator Geo-Karis, to close.
To answer Senator Trotter, I certainly have no objection of having it amended in the House, and I ask for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The question is, shall Senate Bill 852 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 852, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 853. Senator Karpiel. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 853. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Karpiel.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 853 permits the Director of DCFS or his designee, which, according to the amendment, he has to designate in writing who that person will be, but it permits them to disclose certain information regarding the abuse or neglect of a child, the investigation thereof and any services being given if the disclosure is not contrary to the best interests of the child, the child's siblings or other children in the household. There is criteria as to under what circumstances information can be released and there is a list of what types of 128 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 information can be given. It also prohibits any disclosure of information identifying the name or a source of the report. And then, according to the amendment, it also clarifies that any information released shall not in any way identify a physician, psychiatrist or other health care personnel.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Trotter.
Yes, thank you. Would the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Trotter.
Senator Karpiel, was the Department opposed to this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Karpiel.
Senator, this is their bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Trotter.
Okay. The information I had, that, in fact, that the Director did not want to actually go for the bill as it was written because it -- it went too far, as far as going and -- and breaching the confidentiality laws that we had.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Karpiel.
I'm sorry. It came from the Department; it's their bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 853 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have 129 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, no Nays, and 1 voting Present. And Senate Bill 853, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cronin, what purpose do you rise?
On a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) State your point.
I'd like to direct the Body's attention to the rear gallery behind the Republican side, and welcome the Mighty Lions, St. Giles Grade School in Oak Park, and my cousin, Matt Cusack, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Will our guests please rise and be recognized? Welcome to Springfield. On the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 862. Senator Fitzgerald. Senate Bill 876. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 876. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Sieben.
Thank you, Mr. President. This legislation amends the School Code and requires the State Board of Education to file an annual report with the General Assembly describing each of the mandates that have been waived and the number of districts for whom the mandates have been waived.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 130 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 876 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 876, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 877. Senator Bomke. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 877. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This would amend the University of Illinois at Springfield's Law to provide that all degrees from Sangamon State University shall be degrees from University of Illinois at Springfield. Any costs associated with the reissuance of diplomas must be borne by the person who requests the reissuance. And I'll answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 877 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, 4 Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 877, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 942. Senator Dillard. Senate Bill 949. Senator Rauschenberger. Senate Bill 953. Senator Geo-Karis. Senator Geo-Karis. Senate 131 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 Bill 963. Senator Carroll. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 963. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Carroll.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 963 is dealing with the five-year plan that the Department of Transportation is supposed to be providing to the General Assembly, the Governor and, therefore, the State each and every year. This would now say that it is required to be presented to the General Assembly the first Wednesday in April and then says that, in each of their five-year plans, they must state for how many years they have been carrying a project so that we know when, in fact, the project first went on their list, in order for us and others to determine how long it's been there and when it may get done. It is also requiring them now, as of November 1st of each year to identify what projects were completed or accomplished within the last fiscal year, what the actual cost of those were, or the awards were, and do that by highway district, and then also tell us when they had begun on each of those projects. This is with the approval of the Illinois Department of Transportation, and I would urge its passage.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 963 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 963, having received the required 132 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 999. Senator Watson. Senate Bill 1038. Senator Cullerton. On top of page 20, in the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 1043. Senator Geo-Karis. Senate Bill 1050. Senator Cronin. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1050. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Cronin.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill has been an issue that's been around here for a couple of years in the Legislature, and it amends the Higher Ed Assistance -- Student Assistance Act. It makes proprietary schools -- and in this case there are two such schools that are eligible -- it makes these proprietary schools that meet certain criteria eligible to participate in programs administered by ISAC. It increases the maximum award from four thousand to forty-one twenty, and for part-time students from two thousand to two thousand and sixty dollars. It lays out some specific criteria and standards -- objective standards -- that would -- that proprietary schools must meet in order to be eligible. This bill, fortunately, enjoys bipartisan support, although it's not indicated on the board. I would ask for your favorable consideration. Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator del Valle.
Thank you, Mr. President. A question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 133 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator del Valle.
Senator Cronin. Senator Cronin, this includes DeVry and what other school?
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Cronin.
It's DeVry and Midstate College.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator del Valle.
I stand in support of the legislation, but I think we do need to be careful how we determine what proprietary schools can come into the program. And I want to make sure that, in the future, we don't allow schools that are unscrupulous and are ripping off students to enter this program. But the two schools that are allowed in this bill are excellent schools and I rise in support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Sieben.
Yes, thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. We did hear this bill in the Education Committee, and I shared with the sponsor at that time that I respect the way he has this bill very narrowly drafted for these two proprietary schools, but I also shared that I have three different community colleges in my district that have contacted me, both the staff at the community colleges and the trustees of those community colleges, and they have asked me very strongly to oppose this legislation because of the precedent that it sets. I indicated to the sponsor that I needed to share that with the Body and that I had made a commitment to the community colleges in my district to oppose this legislation. I'd just share that with the Members. 134 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) March 13, 1997 Is there any further discussion? If not, Senator Cronin, to close.
Yes. You know, this has been an issue and most of the Members are -- or, all the Members are probably pretty familiar with it, but the important distinction, the important point to remember about this bill, is that a student who is seeking to go and -- and further his or her education, whether it be a community college or DeVry, is going to have a financial problem -- or it may not have a financial problem, but it's -- it's not relevant to the school to which they choose to go. And if they have a problem or they need aid, we're going to help them get the aid and then they can go to a school that is -- that is certified and is qualified. And certainly the two schools that qualify here, Midstate and DeVry, have proved their -- their worth. So I ask for your favorable consideration.
(SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any -- pardon me. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1050 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 47 Ayes, 6 Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1050, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1073. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1073. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Jacobs. Senator Jacobs. 135 22nd Legislative Day
STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill allows for an increase from six months to one year, the Occupational Therapy Practice Act does, for someone who has not yet passed nor failed the exam required for that -- that occupation. This bill is needed, and it's asked for, I guess, by the Department, supported by the therapists' association, due to a change in the national test that must be given. There's a national certification examination. They have changed the dates, and because of that, there are a lot of people who are going to fall through the cracks, lose their jobs, et cetera. And I know of no -- no known opposition and ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1073 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 1073, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1100. Senator Cronin. Senator Garcia, what purpose do you rise?
For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) State your point.
Mr. President, on Senate Bill 1050, my button was malfunctioning. I'd like the record to reflect that, if it had functioned correctly, I would have voted in the affirmative.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The record shall so reflect. Cronin. Senator Cronin. Senate Bill 1101. Senator Senator 136 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Rauschenberger. Senate Bill 1121. Senator Mahar. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1121. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Mahar.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. The description that is on your Calendar is exactly what the bill does. It provides for -- that registration plates be -- shall be issued to all-terrain vehicles which are exclusively used for law enforcement purposes. It is supported by the Secretary of State, as well as the Illinois Chiefs' of Police. I know of no opposition and would ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1121 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 1121, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. For the information of the Membership, we will be returning to -- to page 13, to return to those bills which have been requested for recall. So if you turn your Calendars to the page -- the top of page 13, is Senate Bill 20. Senator Garcia. Senator Garcia, do you wish this bill returned to 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment? Senator Garcia seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 20 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is 137 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 Senate Bill 20. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Peterson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Peterson.
Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment is a technical amendment which puts it in compliance with other legislation that we've put together this Session, and I recommend Do Adopt on Amendment 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 25. Senator Hendon, do you wish the bill returned to 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment? Senator Hendon seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 25 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 25. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Hendon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Mr. President. First we need to table Amendment No. 1, which had a -- a spelling error in it, and it has -- 138 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day March 13, 1997 everything in Amendment No. 1 has been incorporated into Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hendon moves to table Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 25. Hearing no objection, Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 25 is tabled. Any further Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Hendon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Amendment No. 2 is the amendment to this very important bill which was requested by Senator Trotter and you, Mr. President. It makes it subject to collective bargaining and it makes sure that any -- any penalties or investigation would take place, whether it's a CHA resident or any member of the public. And I ask for favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 213. Senator O'Malley, do you wish this bill returned to 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment? Senator O'Malley seeks leave of the Body to return to -- Senate Bill 213 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 213. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for 139 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 22nd Legislative Day consideration?
Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator O'Malley.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator O'Malley.
March 13, 1997 Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This the underlying legislation has to do with vacating streets and alleys. There was some concerns expressed in committee that we agreed we would work on a Floor amendment to make sure that the village would only sell this any property such property being vacated for fair market value. And the amendment did exactly that. We we ran it through committee and favorable support of the committee, and I'm happy to questions there may be.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) and had the answer any Is there any discussion? If not, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. In the middle of page 14, Senate Bill 373. Senator Rauschenberger. Madam Secretary Senator Rauschenberger, do you wish this bill returned to 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment? Senator Rauschenberger seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 373 for to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 373. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration? 140 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997
Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Luechtefeld.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Luechtefeld. Senator Luechtefeld, on Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 373.
Mr. President, it -- this simply changes some wording in -- in the bill, adding the Missouri River to -- to a water agreement, that they want to buy water from the -- from St. Louis.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, all those in favor, 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 DUDYCZ) 3rd Reading. Senator DeLeo, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd ask, for the Senate Democrats, for a caucus immediately upon adjournment in Senator Jones' Office. Immediate, upon adjournment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) There will be a Senate Democrat Caucus in the Senate Minority Leader's Office immediately upon adjournment of the Session this afternoon. Senator Lauzen, what purpose do you rise?
Just for a clarification. Is there any estimate of how long that meeting is going to go? Because we anticipate having a Commerce and Industry Committee meeting right after their caucus is over.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator DeLeo. 141 22nd Legislative Day
STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 Thank you, Senator. I don't think we'll go more than an hour. So I'd ask the -- you have a Commerce and Industry Committee meeting set for...?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Lauzen.
It was for 4 o'clock, and now I guess we'll schedule it in Room 212 for immediately after you're finished or 5 o'clock. Because right after that, we have a Labor and Management meeting for the first agreed bill process on worker compensation. So then that meeting is going to be postponed then probably forty-five minutes to an hour later.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Rauschenberger, what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an announcement. For the benefit of the Members who have filed Member appropriation bills or who have issues that they'd like to raise before the Appropriation Committee, we haven't finalized it, but we're in the process of setting aside April 8th, which is the Tuesday before we return to Session from break, for the Appropriations Committee to devote as many hours as necessary, hopefully, to hear Member bills or Member issues. We'll give you, hopefully, this notice in writing as soon as we finalize the date. But for those of you who need to contact people or make plans or were interested in bringing down witnesses to speak on appropriation -- Member appropriation bills -- not on the Governor's budget, but on Member appropriation bills -- we're trying to arrange for April 8th.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) There's a Democratic Caucus immediately in the Senate Minority Leader's Office. Is there any further business to come before the 142 22nd Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT March 13, 1997 Senate? If not, Senator Radogno moves the Senate stand adjourned until 9 a.m., Friday, March 14th. 143 REPORT: TIFLDAY PAGE: 001 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX MARCH 13, 1997 98/06/25 16:10:08 HB-0202 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0281 SECOND READING PAGE 42 SB-0001 SECOND READING PAGE 13 SB-0002 SECOND READING PAGE 13 SB-0013 SECOND READING PAGE 14 SB-0020 RECALLED PAGE 137 SB-0025 RECALLED PAGE 138 SB-0086 SECOND READING PAGE 14 SB-0107 SECOND READING PAGE 15 SB-0120 SECOND READING PAGE 15 SB-0123 SECOND READING PAGE 15 SB-0128 SECOND READING PAGE 16 SB-0131 SECOND READING PAGE 16 SB-0132 SECOND READING PAGE 16 SB-0138 SECOND READING PAGE 16 SB-0171 SECOND READING PAGE 17 SB-0171 OUT OF RECORD PAGE 17 SB-0172 SECOND READING PAGE 17 SB-0194 SECOND READING PAGE 17 SB-0196 SECOND READING PAGE 18 SB-0198 SECOND READING PAGE 18 SB-0213 RECALLED PAGE 139 SB-0218 SECOND READING PAGE 18 SB-0226 SECOND READING PAGE 18 SB-0278 SECOND READING PAGE 19 SB-0285 SECOND READING PAGE 19 SB-0303 SECOND READING PAGE 19 SB-0314 SECOND READING PAGE 20 SB-0317 SECOND READING PAGE 20 SB-0319 SECOND READING PAGE 21 SB-0331 SECOND READING PAGE 21 SB-0340 SECOND READING PAGE 21 SB-0341 SECOND READING PAGE 22 SB-0358 SECOND READING PAGE 22 SB-0363 SECOND READING PAGE 22 SB-0369 SECOND READING PAGE 23 SB-0373 RECALLED PAGE 140 SB-0429 SECOND READING PAGE 41 SB-0445 SECOND READING PAGE 24 SB-0450 SECOND READING PAGE 24 SB-0467 SECOND READING PAGE 24 SB-0479 THIRD READING PAGE 43 SB-0484 RECALLED PAGE 46 SB-0495 SECOND READING PAGE 24 SB-0495 OUT OF RECORD PAGE 25 SB-0496 SECOND READING PAGE 25 SB-0497 SECOND READING PAGE 25 SB-0501 THIRD READING PAGE 44 SB-0508 SECOND READING PAGE 25 SB-0515 THIRD READING PAGE 47 SB-0529 SECOND READING PAGE 26 SB-0533 THIRD READING PAGE 48 SB-0535 THIRD READING PAGE 49 SB-0537 RECALLED PAGE 50 SB-0544 THIRD READING PAGE 51 SB-0547 SECOND READING PAGE 26 SB-0550 SECOND READING PAGE 26 SB-0558 SECOND READING PAGE 27 SB-0559 THIRD READING PAGE 51 SB-0560 SECOND READING PAGE 27 SB-0569 SECOND READING PAGE 41 SB-0574 SECOND READING PAGE 27 SB-0587 THIRD READING PAGE 52 SB-0589 THIRD READING PAGE 60 REPORT: TIFLDAY PAGE: 002 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX MARCH 13, 1997 98/06/25 16:10:08 SB-0592 RECALLED PAGE 61 SB-0595 SECOND READING PAGE 28 SB-0596 THIRD READING PAGE 61 SB-0599 SECOND READING PAGE 28 SB-0607 THIRD READING PAGE 62 SB-0607 OTHER PAGE 64 SB-0608 SECOND READING PAGE 28 SB-0611 THIRD READING PAGE 63 SB-0612 THIRD READING PAGE 64 SB-0648 SECOND READING PAGE 29 SB-0660 THIRD READING PAGE 65 SB-0670 THIRD READING PAGE 66 SB-0671 THIRD READING PAGE 67 SB-0681 THIRD READING PAGE 67 SB-0694 THIRD READING PAGE 68 SB-0703 THIRD READING PAGE 69 SB-0715 THIRD READING PAGE 70 SB-0720 SECOND READING PAGE 29 SB-0730 SECOND READING PAGE 30 SB-0738 SECOND READING PAGE 30 SB-0763 THIRD READING PAGE 72 SB-0764 THIRD READING PAGE 72 SB-0770 THIRD READING PAGE 79 SB-0771 THIRD READING PAGE 88 SB-0780 SECOND READING PAGE 30 SB-0785 RECALLED PAGE 104 SB-0786 THIRD READING PAGE 105 SB-0790 THIRD READING PAGE 106 SB-0793 THIRD READING PAGE 107 SB-0794 THIRD READING PAGE 108 SB-0802 THIRD READING PAGE 109 SB-0804 THIRD READING PAGE 110 SB-0806 SECOND READING PAGE 31 SB-0807 SECOND READING PAGE 31 SB-0816 THIRD READING PAGE 111 SB-0818 SECOND READING PAGE 31 SB-0837 THIRD READING PAGE 111 SB-0843 SECOND READING PAGE 32 SB-0848 THIRD READING PAGE 124 SB-0852 THIRD READING PAGE 126 SB-0853 THIRD READING PAGE 128 SB-0858 SECOND READING PAGE 32 SB-0859 SECOND READING PAGE 33 SB-0876 THIRD READING PAGE 130 SB-0877 THIRD READING PAGE 131 SB-0878 SECOND READING PAGE 41 SB-0897 SECOND READING PAGE 33 SB-0901 SECOND READING PAGE 34 SB-0909 SECOND READING PAGE 34 SB-0918 SECOND READING PAGE 35 SB-0921 SECOND READING PAGE 35 SB-0922 SECOND READING PAGE 36 SB-0922 OUT OF RECORD PAGE 36 SB-0927 SECOND READING PAGE 36 SB-0928 TABLED PAGE 36 SB-0936 SECOND READING PAGE 36 SB-0951 SECOND READING PAGE 36 SB-0954 SECOND READING PAGE 37 SB-0955 SECOND READING PAGE 37 SB-0963 THIRD READING PAGE 132 SB-1000 SECOND READING PAGE 37 SB-1024 SECOND READING PAGE 38 SB-1031 SECOND READING PAGE 38 SB-1044 SECOND READING PAGE 38 REPORT: TIFLDAY PAGE: 003 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX MARCH 13, 1997 98/06/25 16:10:08 SB-1050 THIRD READING PAGE 133 SB-1050 OTHER PAGE 136 SB-1070 SECOND READING PAGE 42 SB-1073 THIRD READING PAGE 135 SB-1075 SECOND READING PAGE 39 SB-1097 SECOND READING PAGE 39 SB-1103 SECOND READING PAGE 39 SB-1108 SECOND READING PAGE 40 SB-1118 SECOND READING PAGE 40 SB-1121 THIRD READING PAGE 137 SR-0036 RESOLUTION OFFERED PAGE 3 SR-0037 ADOPTED PAGE 13 SR-0037 RESOLUTION OFFERED PAGE 3 SUBJECT MATTER SENATE TO ORDER-PRESIDENT PHILIP PAGE 1 PRAYER-THE REVEREND JEFF CHITWOOD PAGE 1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, LED BY SENATOR SIEBEN PAGE 1 JOURNALS-POSTPONED PAGE 1 COMMITTEE REPORTS PAGE 1 MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE PAGE 2 ADJOURNMENT PAGE 143