PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) . . . session of the 90th General Assembly will come to order. W ill the Members please be at their desks, and will our guests in the gallery please rise? Our prayer today W ill be given by Senator Sieben . Senator Sieben .
(Prayer by Senator Sieben)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDXCZ) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance . Senator Radogno .
(Pledge of Allegiancer led by Senator Radogno)
PRESIDING OFPICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) . . . for The Associated Press requests permission for still photography in the Senate. Hearing no objection: leave is granted . Reading of the Journal .
. . . lournals of Thursday , May 22nd 7 Friday , May 23rd 7 Tuesday r May 27th ; and Wednesday , May 28th , 1997 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hawkinson .
Mr. President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved , unless some Senator has additions o r co rreceions to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hawkinson moves to approve the Journals just read. There being no objection, it is so ordered. Senator Hawkinson.
M r. President, I move that reading and approval of the Journals of Thursday , May 29th , and Friday , May 30th , in the yea r 1997, be postponed , pending arrival of the printed Journals . l STATE OP ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Hawkinson moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, it is so ordered. Committee Reports.
Senator Weaver, Chair of the Conn ittee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned : Referred to the Committee on Judiciary Conference Committee Report 1 to Senate Bill 574 and Conference Committee Report l to Senate Bill 465 : ko the Comm ittee on ticensed Activities - Conference Comm ittee Report l to Senate Bill 603 and Conference Comm ittee Report l to House Bill 22157 to the Committee on Public Hea1th and Welfare - Senate Amendnent 3 to House Bill 204 ; and Be Approved for Consideration - Conference Committee Report 1 to House Bill 1628 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUbYCZ) Senate w ill stand at ease for a few minutes . (SENATE STANDS AT EASE) (SENATE RZCONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) . . . syverson, what purpose do you rise?
For a purpose of announcementz Mr . President. The Public Health Committee will be neeting at 10:30 to address the -- the final amendment on the welfare reform package .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Butler, what purpose do you rise? STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 31, 1997
Purposes of announcement. The Local Government and Elections Comm ittee will meet at 10 a .m . 10 a .m . 10 a .m ., in Room A-l .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Geo-Faris r what purpose do you rise?
Good morning , Mr . President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate . On a point of personal privilege .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) State your point .
In the gallery behind the Podium , We have a group of students from St. Gilbert School in Grayslake r and they are -- some of them are being represented by Senator Peterson and some of them are being represented by me. And we're delighted to have you and we welcome you. Will you please rise and be recognized?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Will our guests in the gallery please rise and be recognized? Welcome to Springfield . Senator Demuzio , What purpose do you rise?
Yes . A loE of Members over here have been asking if you 've -- you know, if youlve got your game plan together yet, because they want to know whether or not they should check out tonight or not and ...
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Well : I haven 't checked out yet . Senator Demuzio .
I hope you had a good night 's rest, because, you know r you and I were talking about a motion right before you abruptly left . You must have been real tired . I hope you got a good night 's rest . Maybe we could do it again sometime today ? 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Thank you, Senator Demuzio . Senator Madigan , what purpose do you rise?
Thank you , Mr. President . Purpose of an announcement: that the Insurance and Pensions Comm ittee W ill meet at 10 o 'clock, in Room 212, to consider, I thinkz three conference committee repo rts and three Floor amendments . Should take about a half an hour, forty-five minutes . I'd I ask everybody on the committee to be prompt so we can continue this process .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) If you turn to the bottom of page 9 of your regular Calendar, to the Order of Secretary 's Desk , Concurrence , Senate Billsy there 's a Motion to Nonconcur on Senate Bill 1048 , With Senator Jones. Mr. Secretary . Senator Jones .
Thank you , M r. President. I move to nonconcur in House Amendment No. l to Senate -- Senate Bill 1048. Oh. Senate (sic) Amendment l and 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any discussion? If not , Senator Jones moves to nonconcur in House Amendments No . and 2 to Senate Bill 1048. All those in favor, say Aye . Opposed, Nay . The Ayes have it . The motion carries , and the Secretary shall so inform the House .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MAITLAND) . . . Burzynski: for what purpose do you arise, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. For the purpose of an announcement .
PRESIDING OPFICER: (SENATOR MAITLAND) Please make your announcement .
Yes, just to let the Members know that the Licensed Activities 4 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 Comm ittee will be meeting in Room 212, at 11 o 'clock . Room 212, at 11 o 'clock .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MAITLAND) Thank you . Resolutions .
Senate Resolution 9l, offered by Senator Jacobs . It 's substantive , Mr . President .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MAITLAND) Senator Hawkinson : for what purpose do you arise, sir?
Thank you r Mr. President . Purposes of an announcement .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MAITLAND) State your...
The Senate Judiciary Comm ittee W ill meet at 11 a .m ., in Room 400. 11 a .m .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MATTLAND) Thank you . Senator Fawell, for what purpose do you arise?
For the purpose of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MAITLAND) State your announcement .
Transportation Comm ittee will meet at 11 :30 , in Room 400 . 11:30, in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MAITLAND) Thank you . Senator Radogno , for what purpose do you arise?
Purpose of an announcement .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MAITLAND) State your announcement .
5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 Yes . A s V ice-chairman of Comm erce and Industry , in the absence of our Chairman , I ld like to announce a meeting of the Commerce and Industry Commission (sic) ( Committee), l1:30z on the Senate Floor.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR MAITLAND) All right . Thank you very much . Is there any further business to come before the Senate? Any further business? If not, the Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS) (SENATE RECONVENES)
PRCSIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) . . . come to order. ABC-7, Chicago , requested permission to videotape. Chris ïoung , State Journal-Reqister, requests permission to photograph . John Buehner, Illinois Information Service , has requested to record the p roceedings. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Committee Reports.
Senator Syverson , Chair of the Committee on Public Hea1th and Welfare, reports Senate Bills 240 and 317, the First Conference Committee Reports Be Approved for Consideration; Senate Amendment to House Bill 204 Be Adopted. Senator Madigan z Chair of the Committee on Insu rance and Pensions, reports Senate Bill 423 , the First Conference Committee Report Be Approved for Consideration ; House Bills 23 and 223, First Conference Connittee Reports Be Approved for Consideration; and Senate Amendments 1, 3 and 4 to House Bill ll0 Be Adopted . Senator Burzynski, Chair of the Committee on Licensed 6 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Leqislative Day May 3l, 1997 Activitiesz reports Senate Bill 603, the First Conference Conm ittee Report Be Approved for Consideration; and House Bill 2215, the First Conference Comm ittee Report Be Approved for Consideration . éenator Hawkinson, Chair of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Bills 574, 465 and 408, First Conference Committee Reports all Be Approved for Consideration . Senator Fawellz Chair of the Committee on Transportation , reports Senate Bills 454, 730, the First Conference Committee Reports Be Approved for Consideration. And Senator Lauzen , Chair of the Comm ittee on Commerce and Industry , repo rts House Bill 228, the First Conference Committee Report Be Approved for Consideration ; and Senate Bills 469 and 663, First Conference Comm ittee Reports also Be Approved for Consideration .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Messaqes from the House .
Message from the House by M r. Rossi, Clerk . Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate , to wit : House Joint Resolution 30. Adopted by the House, May 30th (sic) (31), 1997. It's substantive .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Demuzio , what purpose do you rise?
Senator, I filed a motion to discharge . It's on the Calendar on page l0. I just wanted to 1et you know I've -- in my hand here I've -- I've got about twenty more cosponsors, and I just want to 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 invite anybody on the other side of the aisle to -- to get on this discharçe motion of House Bill -- Senate Bill 645. So , 1 .11 be back at you shortly .
PRESIDING OFPICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Thank you, Senator Demuzio . ...the Members ' desks was distributed Senate Calendar Supplemental No . 1 . If you turn your attention to the top of page 2 of Supplemental Senate Calendar No . l in the Order of Conference Committee Reports, will Senators Fitzgerald, Madigan, Lauzen, Shadid, Dillard, Karpiel, Syverson, Cullerton , Fawell, Rlemm , Obama , Watson , Farley . We Will be goin: to that Order of Business immediately . The top of page 2 in the Order of Conference Committee Reports of the Supplemental Senate Calendar No. l is House Bill 23. Senator Fitzgerald. Madam Secretary , do you have a file on Conference Committee Report No . l to House Bill 23?
ïes , M r. President. I have First Conference Committee Report on House Bill 23 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Fitzgerald .
Thank you , Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate . Conference Committee Report No . l to House Bill 23 is a final agreement of all parties involved on allowing the local policemen and firemen's pension funds to invest up to thirty-five percent of their assets in stocks. The Department of Insurance is in agreement. The Municipal League is in agreement . The polieemen, the firemen , they 're in agreement . Everybody 's on board , and it is a good public policy. And I'd appreciate your favorable consideration . PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any diseussion? If not, the question is, shall the 8 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 Senate adopt Conference Committee Report No . l to House Bill 23. All those in favor will vote Aye . Opposed will vote Nay . The votinq is open . Have all voted who wish? Have a1l voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question , there are 58 Ayes, no Nays , none votinq Present. And the Senate does adopt Conference Connittee Report No . l to House Bill 23, and the bill , having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. WCIA has requested permission to tape. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. House Bill 223. Madam Secretary , do you have a file on Conference Committee Report No . l to House Bill 223?
Yes. First Conferenee Committee Report on House Bill 223.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senato r Mad igan .
Thank you , M r. Presidentr Members of the Senate . House Bill 223 contains nunerous provisions, all of which have been agreed upon. First of all, it provides that a limited liability company that transacts insurance business as an insurance agency shall be registered w ith the Department of Insurance . It deals -- secondly , it deals with language that we tve had before insofar as p rivileged information exempt from the discovery rules with rega rds to personal injury claims, exempting internal audits from discovery procedures. Amends the Illinois Insurance Guaranty Fund of the Insurance Code relating to third party clains against the Fund. It adds the language from House Bill 829 with regards to m ine subsidence . Creates a new Act called the Employee Leasing Company Act, dealing with leasing companies and workmen 's comp coding insofar as job descriptions and coding of their -- of those job descriptions . That language has been agreed upon . It abolishes the Tllinois Tnsurance Exchange and creates new regula tions , 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 established in case they want to reorganize and create a new Illinois Insurance Exchange . Establishes regulations for that creation . That is the language contained in House Bill -- or, Conference Comm ittee Report to House Bill 223. 1 '11 be happy to answer any questions .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is# shall the Senate adopt Conference Committee Report No . l to House Bill 223. All those in favor w ill vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay . And the voting is open . Have a11 voted who w ish? Have all voted who wish? Have a11 voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And the Senate does adopt Conference Committee Report No . l to House Bill 223, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill -- Madam Secretary, do you have a file on Conference Committee Report No . l to House Bill 228?
Yes. First Conference Comm ittee Report on House Bill -- pardon me , 228 .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Lauzen .
Thank you, Mr. President. This Conference Committee Report is aqreed language between business and labor. The Report requires out-of-state businesses to (sic) bid for projects in Illinois to pay the same rakes of Worker compensation as does Illinois business. The purpose of this language is to keep oue-of-seate businesses from offering a lower bid for Illinois projects because they pay a lower out-of-sta te worker compensation rate . I ld like to thank Senator Garcia and a11 those involved for putting together this agreed bill. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 31, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Myers .
I'd just like to rise in support of this bill. I think it's an excellent bill . I think it 's much needed , and I would ask the sponsor if I could be signed on as a cosponsor of this bill .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Lauzen .
Sure . Thank you very much .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The question is, shall the Senate adopt Conference Committee Report No . 1 to House Bill 228. All those in favor will vote Aye . Opposed will vote Nay . The voting is open . Have all voted who w ish? Have a11 voted who wish? Have all voted kho wish? Take the record . On that question , there are 59 Ayes z no Nays, none voting Present . And the Senate does adopt Conference Comm ittee Report No . 1 to House Bill 228, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Shadid r on House Bill 1628 . Madam Secretaryz do you have a conference committee report on file for House Bill 1628?
Yes. First Conference Committee Report on House Bill 1628 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Shadid .
Thank you, Mr. President. On House Bill 1628, Conference Committee Report creates the Wildlife Prairie (Park) Act. There are no opponents . Proponents are Lieutenant Governor's O ffice, W ildlife Prairie Park Foundation and DNR . I 1d appreciate a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 Is there any discussion? If not , the question is, shall the Senate adopt Conference Committee Report No. to House Bill 1628. A1l those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay . And the voting is open . Have all voted who wish? Have a1l voted Who wish? Have al1 voted who wish? Take the record. On that question , there are 58 Ayes , no Nays , none voting Present . And the Senate does adopt Conference Committee Report No . 1 to House Bill 1628 , and the bill z having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Dillard. Madam Secretary, do you have a conference comm ittee report on House Bill 2215?
Yes . First Conference Comm ittee Report on House Bill 2215.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate . This bill makes numerous changes to the Pawnbroker Regulation Act in Illinois, and it places pawnbrokers now under the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate . While We have a pawnbroking Statute in Illinois, there is no regulator. It updates the pawnb roking Act to come into this century and allows pawnbrokers to computerize their records, as opposed to the old longhand method where r literallyz they wrote them out with an ink pen. It changes the fees pawnbrokers can receive from a schedule to a percentage of loan basis. It requires pawnbrokers to disclose information to consumers in compliance with the Federal Truth in Lending-type requirements . And it requires the cost of regulating the pawnbroker industry to be paid by the industry itself. The Illinois Pawnbrokers Association is in favor of this: and I know of no known opposition. I 'd be happy to answer any questions. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997
PRESIDING OFPICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any d iscussion? Senator del Valle . SENATOR dEL VALLE : Thank you , Mr . President . Senator Dillard , I certainly appreciate the work that has gone into this bill and the changes that have been nade . did vote originally against in comm ittee because the original bill eliminated the interest rate cap , but that has been changed in the bill. And I think that now the bill allows us to take a step in the right direction . We still have serious problems w ith sone pawnbrokers functioning as fencing operations for stolen goods. It is a serious problen , and I think this bill, by computerizing the reporting , will help us deal with that serious problem . But there is, in the bill, a change that think we need to address at a later date, and that is a change that allows pawnshops in cities of under twenty-five thousand in Cook County to not have to provide a daily report to law enforcement authorities . I think this change may make pawnshops -- these pawnshops havens for criminal activity , and would suggest that in future legislation, in the near future, we be -- we 're able to correct this problem .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? If not, the question is , shall the Senate adopt Conference Comm ittee Report No . 1 to House Bill 2215. All those in favor Will vote Ayb. 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 z none voting Present . And the Senate does adopt Conference Committee Report No . 1 to House Bill 2215, and the bill , having received Ehe required constitutional najority, is declared passed. Madam Secretaryg do you have a -- on file a conference comm ittee report on House -- on Senate Bill 2402 13 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997
Yes . Pirst Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 240.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Karp iel.
Thank you , Mr . President . Conference Comm ittee No . l on Senate Bill 240 does four things. The original bill was a provision and it requires the Inspectors General at the Departments of Children and Family Services and Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities to report both to the Director of their aqency and to the Governor. The second provisionr embodied in House Amendment 1, requires the Inspector General of DCFS to adopt rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act . The third p rovision adds neW language that requires the Department of Human Services and DCFS to execute an interagency agreement by January 1st, 1998, to ensure that the tWo agencies coordinate their activities and work together. And finallye the conference committee adds new language that defines the term ''subsidized guardianship'' and authorized -- authorizes subsidized guardianship as a permanent placement option under the Juvenile Court Act .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question isr shall the Senate adopt Conference Committee Report No . l to Senate Bill 240 . All those in favor will vote Aye . Opposed Will vote Nay . The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted Who w ish? Have a1l voted who wish? Take the record . On that question , there are 58 Ayes , no Nays , none voting Present . And the Senate does adopt the Conference Committee Report No . to Senate Bill 240, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. WGN-TV requests permission to record the proceedings. Hearing no objection, leave 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 31, 1997 is granted . Madam Secretary , do you have on file a conference committee report on Senate Bill 317?
Yes . First Conference Comm ittee Report on Senate Bill 317 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Syverson .
Thank you , M r. President. Some of the changes that were made in the Senate Bill 317 : We retain a11 the original language of the bill. We lve also added a number of provisions, one that would allow chiropractors and osteopaths to participate in the Mediplan Plus Program . We 've also included language from Senator Garcia on the -- prohibiting managed care entities from engaginq in door-to-door marketing activities . We also have the Attorney General 's language in here regarding Medicaid fraud and language from Senate Bill 1035, of Senator Cullerton ds, With psychotrop ic medications. don 't know of any other opposition . Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not : the question is , shall the Senate adopt Conference Comm ittee Report No . to Senate Bill 317 . A ll those in favor w ill vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay . And the voting is open. Have al1 voted who wish? Have all voted Who wish? Have a11 voted who w ish? Take the record . On that question, there are 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And the Senate does adopt Conference Comm ittee Report No . l Eo Senate Bill 317 , and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Madan Secretary, do you have on file a conference committee report on Senate Bill 4087
ïes . Senate Bill -- First Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 408 . 15 STATE OP ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLX REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Cullerton .
Thank you , Mr . President e Members of the Senate . This Conference Committee Report has four separate measures , all dealing with condominiums, two of which we have already passed out of the Senate and two of which were the subject matter of Senate bills that were not called in comm ittee initially . The first one deals with entry on adjoinin: land to accomplish repairs. Right now we have a 1aw that allows you to go on -- on someone else 's land to acconplish a repair by going to court and getting the -- the court to supervise it . The condominiums were not included when that bill was passed. The purpose of this bill is to include condominiums in that law ; although, I must say that we did agree in committee that this shallz in the future, be limited to just between condom iniums . The second issue deals w ith forcible entry and detainer actions against a defaulting owner and tenant. If a condominium association wants to sue a defaulting owner of a unit, frequently they don 't know whether or not there 's a tenant in that unit or not, and they may or may not want to continue to have that tenant as a tenant. A11 this does is to clarify that if they wish to also evict the tenant , they can do so in -- even though they have also sued the -- the landlord. It just means they can sue both of them if they Wish . The third one deals with forcible entry and detainer actions , also , when there 's a -- a demand for possession. It just clarifies that with the thirty-day periodz in terms of satisfying the demandz begins when the notice is mailed . There 's some confusion in the 1aw now and that 's what that does . And the fourth element deals with the exam ination of condom inium records . This comes from the condom inium -- Assoeiation of Condominium Presidents. This: is a bill , which we dve already passed , which allows for obtaining records of condom iniun board of 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3lz 1997 managers , certain quidelines and rules that you have to follow to gain access to those records. I don 't know of any opposition , except for one person up in Chicaqo, and I 1d be happy to answer any questions and ask for a -- a vote .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If notz the question is, shall the Senate adopt Conference Comm ittee Report No . 1 to Senate Bill 408 . A 11 those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay . The voting is open . Have all voted who wish? Have a11 voted who wish? Have a11 voted who Wish? Take the record . On that question, there are 56 Ayes , l Nay , none voting Present . And the Senate does adopt Copference Comm ittee Report No . l to to Senate Bill 408, and the bill z having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Madam Secretaryr do you have a file on Conference Committee Report No . 423 -- on Senate Bill 423?
Yes . First Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 423 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Fitzgerald .
Thank you , M r. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate . This Conference Committee Report is the final agreement of a1l parties w ith respect to the community college retirees ' health insurance plan . The Department of Central Management Services, the Illinois Community College Trustees Association , the IEA , the IFT , the Illinois Community College Board , and the State Universities Annuitant Association have a1l signed off on this . And I would like to memorialize in the record , although these points are not part of the bill, is important that I specify that a11 the parties to this legislation have agreed to a certain health insurance plan and this is the plan that a1l parties have 17 STATE OP ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3lz 1997 agreed to: First, a one-million-dollar lifetime maximum benefit; second , annual deductible of three hundred dollars for persons w ith Medicare and five hundred dollars without Medicare ; third , general out-of-pocket maximum of eight hund red dollars that will be tied to the am ount in the State Employees ' plan ; fourth , no pre-existing exclusion period; fifth , PPO hospital benefit of eighty percent after the deductible; sixth , non-PPO hospital benefit of sixty percent after the deductible ; seven , non-PPO out-of-pocket maximun is four thousand dollars; eight, skilled nursing care facility of a hundred days per plan year; ninew outpatient mental health care of fifty percent after the deductible; ten, the dental plan is a scheduled benefit program ; and eleven, the vision plan is the National Netkork of Providers . Also, it should be noted that nothing in this legislation prohibits collective bargaining with a local community college board that results in a community college district pickin: up the cost of the premium for the annuitant or a community college picking up the costs of the deductible or negotiatin: w ith a bargaining agent any and all costs associated with the health insurance plan . I'd appreciate favorable consideration on this leg islation .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the Senate adopt Conference Committee Report No . l to Senate B ill 423 . A1l Ehose in favor will vote Aye . Opposed will vote Nay . The voting is open. Have all voted who kish? Have al1 voted Who wish? Have all voted Who wish? Take the record . On that question , there are 58 Ayes, no Nays , none voting Present . And the Senate does adopt Conference Comm ittee Report No . l to Senate Bill 423, and the bill, having received the required constitutional najority, is declared passed. Madam Secretary, do you have a file on conference committee a conference committee report on Senate 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 Bill 454?
Yes . First Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 454 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Fawell.
Thank you very much. The House Amendment No. l becomes the bill . It amends the Vehicle Code and allows meter maids and local police officers to enforce a local ordinance stating that it is illegal to operate a moto r vehicle with expired lieense plates or a license plate sticker. The municipality would have to adopt an ordinance, and the fine would -- cannot exceed twenty-five dollars and the -- the fine will go to the municipality. The Municipal League is in...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? If not , the question is, shall the Senate adopt Conference Committee Report No . 1 to Senate Bill 454 . All those in favor will vote Aye . Opposed w ill vote Nay . The voting is open . Have all voted who w ish? Have a11 voted who wish? Have a11 voted who wish? Take the record . On that questionz there are 53 Ayes , 3 Nays , l voting Present. And the Senate does adopt Conference Committee Report No . to Senate Bill 454, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Madam Secretary r do you have on file a conference comm ittee report on Senate Bill 465?
Yes . First Conference Committee Report on Senate B ill 465 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Cullerton .
Thank you , M r. President, Members of the Senate . This 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLX REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3lr 1997 Conference Committee Report contains measures which Were very controversial, which were not approved in the comm ittee . So I Would ask that we not adopt this Conference Committee Report and ask for a second conference committee report.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) The question is, shall the Senate -- is there any diseussion? The question is , shall the Senate adop e Conference Commiktee Report No. l to Senate Bill 465. All those in favor will vote Aye . Opposed will vote Nay . And the vo*ing is open. Have all voted who wish? Have a1l voted who Wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record . On that questione there are no -- no ïeas, 55 Nays, 2 voting Present. And the Senate -- the Conference Committee Report is not adopted, and the Senate shall so inform the House . Sponsor has requested a second conference comm ittee report. Senator Hawkinson , what purpose do you rise?
Personal privilege, Mr. Presidenk .
PRESIDING OPFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) State your point .
Mr . President , last evening I went home to attend the high school commencement of my daughter, and before I left, I instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to take my key so that I Would not be voted . But I have found that I was voted on the first bill of the evening, House Bill 994, and that should not have happened. Tt was -- it was, obviously, ehat the sergeant-at-Arms did not remove my key until after that bill . PRESIDING OFPICER J (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Record will so reflect, Senator Hawkinson . Madam Secretary, is there a conference committee -- a file on Conference Committee Repo rt to Senate Bill 4692 ACTING SECRETARY HAWKER : 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 Yes . First Conference Committee Report on Senate B ill 469.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Klemm .
Thank you , M r. President. Unlike Senator Cullerton 's billz this should get all green lights. Itls -- exempts the 9-1-1 emergency dispatch units, created through intergovernmental agreements , with under twenty employees , from the Public Labor Relations Act , and it also p revents striking from dispatchers . It defines dispatchers and it allows a -- these small dispatch units of the telecommunications for the 9-1-1 to be exempt from the -- organizinq for the purposes of collective bargaining . It 's agreed by AFSCME and a1l the other parties: and I do ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not , the question is , shall the Senate adopt Conference Comm ittee Report No . to Senate Bill 469. A1l those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay . The voting is open . Have all voted who W ish? Have all voted Who wish? Have a1l voted who wish? Take the record . On that question, there are 53 Ayes, l Nay, no none voting Present. And the Senate does adopt Conference Committee Report No. l to Senate Bill 469, and the btll, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Madam Secretary, do you have on file a conference committee report to Senate Bill 5742
Yes . First Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 574.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Obana . SENATOR OBAMA I Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate . This is a bill that we previously voked out 57 to nothing . Go e 21 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 31e 1997 sent over to the House, related to administrative adjudication. We had some changes over in the House . Came baek here . We lve worked out an agreement with all the various parties involved . I know of no opposition . I ld ask for an affirmative roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not , the question isz shall the Senate adopt Conference Committee Report No . l to Senate Bill 574 . All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed Will vote Nay . And the voting is open. Have al1 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 the Senate does adopt Conference Comm ittee Report No . to Senate Bill 574, and the bill, having received the required constitutional najority, is declared passed. Madam Secretary, do you have a -- a conference comm ittee report on Senate Bill 6037
Yes . Pirst Conference Comm ittee Report on Senate B ill 603.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Watson .
ïes . Thank you , M r. President . This, too , is an agreed piece of legislation. It comes to us from the Illinois Pharmacists Association , the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Departm ent of Public Health , the Pharmacy College and others. It defines the - - first of all , it 's a Pharmacy Practice Act amendment , and it defines the dispensinq and patient counselinq. It expands the number of times that the pharmacy licensing exam would be given each year to three . It 's currently g iven twiee . It staggers the terms of the Board of Pharmacy . It allows for electronic transfer of prescriptions. It allows the Board of Pharmacy Eo write rules and regulations automated -- for the use of automated dispensing systems in hospitals and nursing homes. It allows pharmacists to 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Leqislative Day May 3l, 1997 use the electronic prescription balances, which actually are more accurate than the former mechanical devices. And it -- it allows for digital lmaging, so that scanning can be used to store, electronicallyr prescriptions. I know of no objection and appreciate the vote of the House .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not , the question is , shall the Senate adopt Conference Committee Report to Senate Bill 603. A 11 those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open . Have all voted who wish? Have a11 voted who Wish? Have a1l voted who wish? Take the record . On that question , there are 55 Ayes , l Nay r none voting Present . And the Senate does adopt Conference Comm ittee Report No . l to Senate Bill 603, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is deelared passed . Madam Secretary , do you have on file a conference committee report to Senate Bill 663?
Yes. First Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 663 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Farley .
Thank you , M r. President r Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate . Conference Comm ittee Report No . would talk about and add the word ''services'' to the Telephone Solicitation Act. When this bill left the Senate, I had indicated that we Were going to send it over to the House , we were going to work on it , there were some concerns . I fm sure there still are some concerns , buk I think it 's a step in the right direction to -- to try to give people an opportunity to be taken off lists by these people that are constantly soliciting them . House Amendment No . l takes out the - - from the telecommunication , the phone people . House Amendment No. 2 to takes out Realtors. I think it's a step in the right 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l e 1997 direction, Mr. President. If there are any questions, I would be happy to answer them .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Jacobs .
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlenen of the Senate . Would the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield . Senator Jacobs .
Senator, as a matter of clarification, page 2, lines 13 to 20 state, and I quote : I'and if the person called requests to be taken off the contact list of the business or organization, the operator must refrain from calling that person again and take al1 steps necessary to have that person 's name and telephone number removed from the contact records of the business or organization so that the person w ill not be contacted again by the business or organization .'' Is the intent here that the caller initiates removal from the call list questioned , or that if the person being called requests removal, then it shall be done?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDVCZ) Senator Farley .
Senator Jacobs , the intent of the bill is that the person receiving the call can request to be removed from the list . This doesn 't mean that the operator or the person making the call has to ask -- ask that question .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Jacobs .
And then I stand -- stand , Senator, in strong support of this bill. 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 31 , 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Mr . President. Just a quick question . I -- I am opposed to this bill because of the impact that it 's going to have on small business in the State, people just using the telephone to call and solicit. There is one piece of the bill and I had asked the question before , so not -- no surprises . The question was : What instructions do you give a telemarketer -- a small business do you give a telemarketer to ask , at the beginning of a telephone call, ''Do I have your permission to solicit you for'' lawn care service, bottled water, you know , any kind of service? What words do you actually use and how does that hurt commerce in Illinois?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Farley .
I don 't know the exact words, and there 's no exact words here in this -- in this legislation. I would imagine it would be some kind of script written by the telecommunication solicitor: ''Can I have a few minutes of your timeu, 'IMay I talk to you about this -- this issue'', or something like that. It would be a -- an opening remark by whoever developed that openinq remark for whatever service that m iqht be .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? Senator Collins .
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. I rise in support of this bill . Maybe it could have been stronger in this a rea , 'cause I know for a fact because I live in a zip code that is often targeted for a1l kind of high-pressure telephone solicitation . It is unfair and I 'm not sure whether this bill is 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLX REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Leg islative Day May 3l, 1997 - - is stron: enough to minin ize the impact of that kind of solicitation by zip codes in -- and especially in the City of Chicago . Some of the people are so rude. They often do it when you dre sitting down trying to have dinner with your fam ily . They don 't let you know what -- what it is that -- that they 're trying to sell. And it often causes you to be rude to the telephone solicitor also. So, if we can just tighten this up and hopefully come back and make it stronger so that our names can be removed from the list. I don 't know how to remove our names from these various lists, and maybe we need to just consider what we were dealing with before s that -- as it related to automobiles, that we just totally eliminate the right of anyone to sell our numbers for solicitation purposes. And we need to seriously look at that . So I support the bill because it's better than -- better than nothing , but it 's nost certainly not as strong as we need it to be .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Any further discussion? If not , Senator Farley r to close .
Well , thank you , M r. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. regard to it being strong or stronger, Senator Collins, go forth with a continuation of this idea , by all means . It's not my intention or is it our intentions to put people out of business. This doesn 't put people out of business . Let's be very clear about that. People can still call . People can still solicit -- solicitate their services . What it does is give that person on the other end of the phone the opportunity, the right, to say , ''Don 't call me. Don 't call me anymore and take me off your 11st because I don't want to hear about XYZ in the next half hour or hour .'' So think it 's a good consumer p iece of legislation, and I Would ask for an Aye vote. PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 The question is, shall the Senate adopt Conference Comm ittee Report No . l to Senate Bill ,663. A1l those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who w ish? Have al1 voted who wish? Have all voeed kho wish? Take the record . On that question y there are 55 Ayes, 2 Nays, none voting Present. And khe Senate does adopt Conference Committee Report No. to Senate Bill 663. And the bill, having received the required constitutional majorityr is declared passed. Madam Secretaryr do you have a file on Conference Committee Report No. l to Senate Bill 730?
Yes, Mr. President. First Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 730.
PRESIDING OFPICER : (SENATOR DDDYCZ) Senator Fawell .
Thank you very much . There is a portion of this bill that was no t ag reed to in the committee, and I would like to dump this Report and ask for a second conference. So I would like a lot of red votes up there and ask for a -- a No vote .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DDDYCZ) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is , shall the Senate adopt the Conference Committee Report No . l to Senate Bill 730. A1l those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The votinq is open . Have al1 voted who Wish? Have all voted Who w ish? Have a11 voted who wish? Take the record . On that question, there are 3 Ayes , 52 Nays: and l voting Present. And the Senate -- and the Conference Committee Report is not adopted, and the Secretary shall so inform the House . Senator Demuzior what purpose do you rise? SENATOR DEMUZIO : A point of personal p rivilege. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997
PRESTDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) State your point.
I got a couple more cosponsors on that discharge motion for Senake Bill 645, and I just want to 1et everybody know that the train's moving out, so hope the other side can hurry up and get on this thing . Thank you .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) . . . senate B ill 730 , a second conference committee report had been requested by the sponsor. Messages .
Message from the House by Mr. Rossi, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has refused to recede from their Amendments 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 to a bill of the following title, to w it: Senate 3il1 320. And I'm further directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives requests a First Committee of Conference . We have like Messaqes on Senate Bill 4l7 and 1048. Action taken by the House , May 31st, 1997 .
PRESZDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Without objection, the Senate accedes to the request of the House for conference committees on those bills just read by the Secretary. Leave is granted. Turn your attention to the top of paqe 10 of your regular Calendars, to the Order . of Secretaryîs Desk, Non-coneurrence to House Bills . House Bill l8 . Senator Maitland . SENATOR MAITLAND : Thank you very -- thank you very much, Mr. President, Members of the Senate . I move that the Senate refuse to recede from Senate Am endnent No . l to House Bill 18 and request a comm ittee on 28 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 conference .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Maitland moves the Senate refuse to recede from the adoption of Senate Amendment No . to House Bill 18 and that a conference committee be appointed . A1l those in favor, say Aye . Opposed , Nay . The Ayes have it . The motion carries , and the Seèretary shall so inform the House . House Bill 108 . Senator Weaver.
Thank you r M r. President . I 'd move that the Senate refuse to recede from Senate Amendment No . l to House Bill 108.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Senator Weaver moves that the Senate refuse to recede from the adoption of Senate Bill -- Senate Amendment No. to House Bill 108 and that a conference comn ittee be appointed . A1l those in favor, say Aye . Opposed , Nay . The Ayes have it . The motion carries r and the Secretary shall so inform the House. House Bill 1171. Senator Rauschenberger .
Thank you , Mr. President. I move to -- to nonconcur on House Bill 1171 .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDXCZ) Senator Rauschenberger moves that the Senate refuse to recede from the adoption of Senate Amendment No. l to House Bill 1171 and that a conference committee be appointed. All those in favor, say Aye . Opposed , Nay . The Ayes have it, and the motion carries , and the Secretary shall so inform the House. PRESIDTNG OFFICERI (SENATOR DONAHUE) m . . Reports.
Senator Weaver, Chair of the Committee on Rules, reports the follow ing Legislative Measures have been assigned : Referred to 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l r 1997 the Comm ittee on Environment and Energy - Conference Comm ittee Report l to House Bill 1230 , Conference Report l to House Bill 1887: to the Committee on Executive - Senate Amendment l to House Bill 16967 to the Commlttee on Financial Institutions - Conference Committee Report l to Senate Bill 680 ; eo the Committee on Insurance and Pensions - Conference Committee Report l to House Bill 1641 ; to the Comm ittee on Public Health and Welfare - Conference Committee Report l to House Bill 16997 to the Committee on Transportation - Conference Committee Report l to House Bill 12547 and Be Approved for Consideration - Conference Committee Report 1 to House Bill 2209 , Conference Comm ittee Report l to Senate Bill 1109, Conference Comm ittee Report l to House Bill 1197, and Conference Comm ittee Report l to House Bill 127 . (Referred to the Committee on Education - First Conference Committee Report to Senate Bill 681.) (Legislative Measure within parentheses submitted in writing, but inadvertently not read into record .) The following bills arez ' pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b), exempt from the automatic re-referral provision of that rule: And refer to the Committee on Executive - Senate Bills 18 r 219, 309 , 325, 403: 412, 413, 761, 774, 958, 1067, 1113, Senate Resolution 72, House Bills 38, 570, 646 and 15042 Judiciary - Senate Bills 1052, 1053 , 1058, and House Bill 1612: Public Health and Welfare - Senate Bills 389, 743, 754, (House Bills) 797, 1503, 1614, 2081 and 2224 7 Revenue - House Bill 525) and State Government Operations - House Bill 1268.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) ... could have the Body 's attention . We *ill be goin: to your regular Calendar , page 9, the O rder of Secretary 's Desk , Coneurrencer on Senate Bill 709 . Mr. Secretary .
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their 30 STATE OP ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 Amendment -- or, Amendments 1 , 2, 3 and 5 to Senate Bill 709. The motion filed by Senator Fitzgerald .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) . p . has been a change in sponsorship , and senato r Dillard will be handling the motion . Senator Dillard .
Thank you r Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I1m going to move that we concur in House Amendments 1, 2, 3 and 5 to Senate Bill 709. The first amendment over in the House is a bill that -- and contains portions of a bill thatls already on Governor Edgar's desk. It was the same as House Bill 1506, and it created a Service Evaluation Committee, under the L ieutenant Governor 's Office , to design and modify evaluation forms used by school d istricts . The second amendment is an amendment that requires the State Board of Education, subject to appropriation, to implement and administer a Giant Steps pilot program for the study and evaluation of autism and teacher-related training . And the third amendment is -- is eventually deleted by Amendment No . 5, and that Amendment No. 5 amends the law defining ''resideney'' for non-special education students. I'd be happy to answer any questions .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there discussion? Senator Watson .
Thank you, Madam President. I1m not sure which anendment it is, but one of ehe amendments contains some language that I've been notified by the Illinois Center for Autism in the Metro East area that they 're concerned about, and that involves the Giant SEep progran . And -- and I'd like, if Senator Dillard would and yield , to explain what that program is and why there would be such opposition . PRESIDING OFPICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 Senator Dillard .
Thank you, Senator Watson. I think there's some confusion on that p rogram , and there -- there 's a group called Giant Steps, which operates a school in Montreal, St . Louis, and somewhere down near Australia . And this is a -- a sunsetted provision . It 's a three-year kind of pilot program with the State Board of Education. And, Senator Watson , as I think I've told you, no other autism group in the State should worry about this pilot p rogram . We dll reevaluate it in three years . This w ill not take money from any other autism program anywhere in Illino is . Autism is a -- is a very expensive and strange mental affliction, and it is becom ing more and more prevalent in the United States , and we need to find better ways, cheaper ways, to try to treat children that have autism . And we want to set up a pilot p rogram in the metropolitan Chicago area to do this , and hopefully it will benefit yours down in the Metro East area with what we are able to find works in terms of teaching these children in the metropolitan Chicago area . Your group , Senator Watson, is -- is pretty much an aberration . The North Suburban Autism Chapter, the City of Chicago 's Autism Chapter, as well as the autism coordinato r for the Chicago Board of Education, is in support of this bill . The Far West Suburban , the Fox Valley Support Autism Group : the Northeastern Illinois Chapter of the Autism Society of Illino is, and the Near West Suburban Chapterr are overwhelmingly in support of trying to figure out what is the best way to teach these students . So there is always, in these kinds of thinqs, sometimes , confusion , Senator Watson, but I don 't think your folks in the Metro East area need to Worry at all , and I believe if they understood it , they would understand that hopefully we will find better teaching techniques that Will help their children in the Metro East area . But most importantly , Senator Watson, not one 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 dollar will be negatively impacting your area of the State by this pilot program: and we'l1 reevaluate it in three years.
PRESTDING OFFTCER: (SENATOR DONARUE) Is there further discussion? Is there further discussion? I think : Senator Dillard , you 'd closed . This is final action . And the question is , shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1 , 2 3 and 5 to Senate Bill 709 . Those in favor w ill vote Aye . Opposed , Nay . And the voting is open . Have a11 voted Who wish? Have all voted who w ish? Have al1 voted who wish? Have a1l voted who wish? Take the record . On that question, there are 56 Ayes , 1 Nay , no -- none voting Present. The Senate does concur in House Amendments 1, 2, 3 and 5, and Senate Bill 709 , havinq received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Dudycz, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you , Mr . Madam President . Po int of personal privilege .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Please state your point .
Seated on the Senate Ploor with one of our colleagues are two individuals that you may think are his younger brother and sisterz but , in fact , seated beside Senator Dan Cronin are his mother and father, Mrs. Claire and Dr. Richard Cronin, and I Would like for the Senate to recognize them .
PREEIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) We 'd like you to rise and be recognized . Dr. and Mrs . Cronin , welcome . Going back to your regular Calendar again , we dre go ing to page 2, House Bills 3rd Reading . First up W ill be House B ill -- House Bill 110. Senator Bomke . Mr . -- do you wish to have this bill recalled to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment? Senator Bomke seeks leave of the Body to return House 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l e 1997 Bill ll0 to the O rder of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. And on the O rder of 2nd Reading is House Bill 110 . Mr . Secretary , a re there any Ploor amendments approved fo r consideration?
Amendment No . 1, offered by Senator Bomke .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Bomke , on Amendment No . 1.
Thank you z Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate . The the amendment deals with the SER pension system and SUR pension system . Under the SER pension system , it would change the graduated rate to a flat rate of 1 .67 for noncoordinated employees and 2 .2 percent for -- excuse me , 1 .67 for coordinated and 2 .2 for noncoordinated employees . Also for SERS , it would provide State Police parity for employees retiring after January 1st , 1998 , who are covered under the alternative formula . A cap of a hundred and fifteen percent of average monthly compensation of the last tWo years of service is established. To cover the cost of the change for the pension system , the employees w ill give up a khree-percent COLA increase the first yea r. In addition , they w ill give up buy back of sick leave in the future . Also they will be required , after eight years of service, to purchase health insurance after retiring, on a g raduated basis, starting at six percent and reducinq five percent over -- up until twenty years, in which case it would -- there would be no charqe . Under the SURS, We are changing the maximum annuitant amount to eighty percent from seventy-five percent. A lso we are offering a thirty years and out . Now the thirty years and out W ill start at thirty-five years and g radually reduce down to thirty-four -- or , thirty years. At the end of five years it w ill be revisited and could , in fact, be changed to thirty-five years . There is it 34 STATE 0F ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 has been determined that there is no cost to that system, the SURS system. The -- State Universities are also qiving up their sick leave future sick leave and also will be on a qraduated purchase of health insurance after eiqht years and retired .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen .
Thank you, Madam President. Just a couple of questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) He indicates he 'll yield , Senator Lauzen .
This just eovers SERS and SURS?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Bomke .
That is correct .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Just turn your light on , Senator Lauzen . Senator Lauzen.
Was there -- let's see. The cost you mentioned under the SURS program that there's no cost -- unfunded liability . Over on the SERS, What's the estimate of that amount?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUZ) Senator Bomke . SENATOR BOMKE I The -- the first year estinate -- and 1et me explain if -- if I can . The -- in 1992, Senator Lauzen , we set up a system whereby the systems Would be ninety percent funded by year 2045, and we set that up on a ramp . If we were within that ramp , the cost would be app roxinately six nillion dollars the first year; however, through negotiations, the Governor has chosen -- thls -- 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 excuse me . This was outside negotiations . The Governor has chosen to take this outside the ramp and fund it at an accelerated rate . So the first year is expected to be fifty million dolla rs.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Lauzenz the light goes on when you dre speaking and when you punch the button it blinks . So you need to punch ik each time , 'cause it goes off on my board . Senator Lauzen .
So the answer is that it 's fifty million dolla rs?
Correct .
Okay . Could I :et a -- an analysis of that from any member of the staff? And Who has that been certified by?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Bomke .
Is estimates from the Bureau of the Budget.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Further discussion? Seein: none , on Amendment No. lz a11 those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay . The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there further amendments approved for consideration?
Amendment No . 2, offered by Senator Bomke -- or, Amendment No . Madam President.
PRESIDING OFPICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) senator Bomke , on Amendment No . 3 .
Thank you , Madam President. Amendment 3 is a technical amendment . alters slightly the language that was included at AFSCME 'S request concerning prem ium cost information being 36 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 reported to SERS by CMS . Does not require SERS Director to verify or certify premium amounts .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, a1l those in favor, say Aye . Opposed , Nay . The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted . Are there further Floor amendments app roved for consideration?
Amendment No . 4, offered by Senator Maitland .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Maitland , on Amendment No . 4.
Thank you very much , Madam President, Members of the Senate . Senate Am endment No . 4 to House Bill ll0 conta ins about sixteen or seventeen different, mostly technical, issues , or items , most of which have been previously approved by by this Chamber , and they were a part of a bill in the House that -- that went down because some hostile -- because of some hostile language on -- on the bill . They -- they are issues that have been app roved by the Pension Laws Commission . The only new issue is is one that deals With a University of Illinois athletic department employee . That also has been approved by the Pension Laws Comm ission . There is no -- no cost on this . This is at the request of Senator Weaver and the Pension Laws Commission did app rove this . I would move for the adoption, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) 1 Is there discussion? Is there discussion? Seein: none , all those in favor, say Aye . Opposed, Nay . The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted . Are there further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported . 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) 3rd Reading . Now on the Order of 3rd Read ing is House Bill 110 . Mr . Secretary , read the bill .
House Bill 110 . (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Bomke .
Thank you , Madam President . Amendments 1, 3 and 4 become the bill .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there any discussion? Senator Jones .
Thank you, Mr. (sic) President. I rise in support of House Bill 110 , as amended , and I rise in support -- for those of you who are new to this Body , a few years ago there was legislation passed by this Body , mostly on a partisan basis, that set up collective bargaining between public employees and their employer. In this case , it happened to be the State of Illinois. And -- and gave those employees the right to -- collectively bargain for benefits such like this, waqes and salaries and so forth . And through many negotiations between *he employer and the employee, as a result of this , we have this bill . We have this bill to deal with the retirement benefits for employees. It would increase their benefit level and so forth . So I Want everybody in the Body to know where th is originally came from . I think Senator Collins had worked hours, and many hours and years to sponsor this piece of -- this legislation so that we can a rrive at the point we are today . So I -- I stand up gladly and proudly to -- to support you in this endeavor , but I think we should know where the real, real 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 31 , 1997 support originally came from and how it a11 came about. And it came about as a result of collective bargaining leqislation .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there further discussion? Is there further discussion? Senato r Bomke , to close .
I 'd ask for a favorable roll call. Thank you .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) The question is , shall House Bill l10 pass . Those in favor will vote Aye . Opposed , Nay . And the voting is open. Have a11 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 . House Bill 110, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Syverson, do you seek leave of the Body to return House Bill 204 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment? Hearing no objection, Senator Syverson seeks leave of the -- seeks leave -- seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 204 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment . Hearing no objection, leave is granted. And on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 204. M r. -- Senator Syverson .
Like to move to table Amendments No . l and No . 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson moves to table Amendments l and 2 to House Bill 204 . A l1 those in favor, say Aye . Opposed , Nay . The Ayes have it, and Amendments l and 2 are tabled . Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Amendment No . offered by Senators Syverson, Donahue, Mahar and Watson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY RCGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3ly 1997 Senator Syverson .
Thank you , Madam President . Amendment No . 3 becomes the bill , and if I could take a couple minutes to explain what Amendment No. 3 does . On August 22nd , in 1996 , President Clinton signed into 1aw the Personal Responsib ility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. This comp rehensive welfare reform plan was designed to change the nation's welfare system . With the passage of this law , We replaced a sixty-year-old AFDC system with the new Transitional Assistance for Needy Families, otherwise known as TANF . This new 1aw requires states to follow federal policies and quidelines but does give us the flexibility and options to design plans that will promote work, responsibility, self-sufficiency and ultimately strengthen families. If I can take a second to highlight some of the -- the major points of this plan. First and foremost, this plan promotes work. One of the requirements in the federal law is that twenty-five percent of the recipients be at work this year, increasinq to -- up to the year 2002, in which we need to have fifty percent in work programs . There is penalties in place if the states don 't reach those numbers . Secondly r time limits: This plan follows the federal guidelines, Which will limit individuals to sixty months out of a lifetime , maximum . Next , in the area of felons , we have decided , th rough negotiations both with Senator Obama , w ith the House Leadership : regardinq this issue , that those who are convicted of Class X and Class l felonies w ill never be able to get onto the welfare system . These are individuals who have sold drugs, been found guilty of selling drugs to our kids, and we donlt believe that they should participate in our tax dollars . We will , however , on Class 2, 3 and 4 felonse they will -- they will have a two-year limit, unless they 're involved in a drug treatment program . Next is the -- the area on immigration : The State is mandated by 40 . j . STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 31, 1997 federal law to provide only a very few categorical areas of imm iqration . The State of Illinois, again in negotiations , w ill cover additional classes of immigrants. We do , later on , have a resolution coming that 's going to further address that -- the areas that they 're still -- where there 's a qap still in place . We believe most of this is the responsibility of the federal government r who has set the immigration laws in the past . But, aqain , I think we dve reached a p retty good agreement on how far the State is going to go . Next is the area of domestic violence : Again , We lve worked out an agreement that a11 parties have agreed to on how we will handle domestic violence. The last couple of areas that 1 '11 cover briefly is -- first is child care . We believe , for successful welfare reform to work , we are going to have to have adequate child care . This provision , again , in working with the Governor 's Office , working with both sides of the aisle and the House , we are putting into place the largest increase ever in day care, which w ill bring us up to the fifty percent of the median income level. This is showing a serious commitment to making the whole TANF program Work . Next is the area of displacements. One thing we don lt want to do , whether it's subsidized or unsubsidized care, we do not want welfare recipients moving into the work rolls and taking the jobs of those individuals who are already working . We 've worked with a number of the unions, as well, again, with people on both sides of the aisle, to draft language that has been acceptable to everybody, that is going to protect those individuals Who are currently working . Those are some of the the overall highlights . I would like to take a second to -- to thank Senator Obama for the - - the hours of time that he spent with us in trying to Wo rk out a plan that is acceptable and workable . We believe that With this in place that we will be helpin: tens of thousands of indiv iduals move from the welfare rolls to the work rolls. With that, I'd be 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 happy to answer any questions you might have.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there -- is there discussion? Senator Obama. SENATOR OBAMA : Thank you very much . Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Indicates he dll y ield , Senator Obama . SENATOR OBAMA : First of all, what I'd like to do is just commend both Senator Syverson , as well as the Governor 's Office , for entering into good-faith negotiations on what is a huge bill that hasn 't received too much attention . There hasn 't been too much political heat around th is issue . There hasn 't been too much rhetoric around this issue. Nevertheless, this may be as important a bill as we pass in this Session . It will affect a huge number of people. I am not a defender of the status quo with respect to welfare . Having said that, I probably would not have supported the federal legislation, because I think it had some p roblems . But I 'm a strong believer in making lemonade out of lemons, and I think that Senator Syverson and the Governor 's Office have done a good job in working with this side of the aisle and the other Chamber to come up with the framework that potentially ean succeed in moving people from welfare to work . Now , having said that , want to emphasize that I continue to have some concerns , and I think that those concerns are going to have to be dealt with over the coming months and the coming years as we evaluate how, exactly, the program is functioning. Concern number one relates ' to job training. There are a hundred and sixty thousand people who are going to be moving off the rolls. And right now , in Illinois, for entry level workers with relatively few skills , which is the cohort that we dre going to be talking about here , there are not enough jobs for the current number of people searching for jobs. 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 The only way that wedre going to be able to employ them in a way that allows them a livable waqe is if we upgrade their skills and upgrade their training. And: unfortunately, we do not have yet a firm commitment in terms of dollars and a sound framework in terms of programs to make sure that these people are goinq to be trained . Now : Senator Lauzen , as well as Senator Garcia , in the Commerce and Industry Committee, have been working on this. I applaud them for working on this, but we have to follow up in this area to determine which programs are working, which programs are not, making sure that we puk money into the programs that are working, eliminate the programs that arendt, so that we can transition people effectively into high-skilly high-wage jobs. That's concern number one. Concern number two, who I know some of my colleagues are qoing to be addressing in more detail: and I think is absolutely criticalr is the issue of legal immigrants. Everybody in this Chamber, at some point , comes from an imm igrant family. And I don't like the notion that those people who are here legally, contributing to our society, paying taxes, are not subject to the same benefits, the same social safety net that the rest of us are . I understand the State 's position that they don 't want to let the federal government off the hook . A k the same time, I'm a little concerned that we are playing chicken with the federal government to see kho, in fact, is willing to veer away first on this vital issue of providing basic protections to legal immigrants who can't naturalize because of disability, because of old age , or are in the p ipeline but it 's going to take them a while to get naturalized . Now s the -- the Governor's O ffice r with the help of Senator Syverson and Senator Rauschenberger, have qiven us what appears to be some accommodations and immediate stopgap measures , although we have not finalized the language as yet . We 're close, and I 'm hoping that we w ill finalize that soon , and we 're -- I 'm -- I 'm standing up here today based on the 43 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 assumption that that language will be p inned down in the next few minutes . But, even with that language, there are still some problems wlth protections for legal immigrants. And I think it is vital for us to take it upon ourselves, during the summer months, to look and see what, in fact , we can do within our constraintsg within our budget , to make sure that this relatively small number of people a re p rotected , if we can afford to protect them , particularly if the federal government falls down on the job in p roviding them those protections . That 's my second concern . My final concern is that we decided not to put in Statute a legislative oversight program -- a -- a legislative oversight board or comm ission to oversee this p rocess of welfare reform . am concerned if, having passed this billr we Ehen just leave it up to the administration and the bureaucracy to see what happens with folks who are moving off the welfare rolls . It is easy for these folks to drop out of our line of sight . They generally are not represented down here in Sp ringfield . They don 't have powerful lobbies . They do not contribute to our political campaigns . A nd as a consequence, if, in fact, we start having p roblems in this bill, it is not clear, unless we are firm on it, that those folks are going to be protected. And so I strongly urge, although there is not a concrete mechanism for legislative oversight in this bill, that we look very carefully and very strongly over the next five years to see, in fact, how this bill is working and whether these folks are protected. Let me just end with -- with a brief story about what -- something that happened to me last weekend, durin: Memorial Day weekend . I was outside late at night . I confess I was smoking a cigar; my wife doesn't let smoke inside. And there 's an alleyway that runs behind our house , and oftentimes , behind our house , we end up having people who are collecting cans , as their primary means of employment; collecting cans for recycling . Most of the time they dre single men . They dve 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 got shopping carts. Some of you have seen them, maybe don't know if they have them in your neighborhoods. They dre in mine. What I saw thak evening was an entire fam ily , at m idnight. A man with a shopping cart, behind him a mother pushin: a baby cart - baby inside - at midnight. This was their vistble means of support. This is the job that awaited them if they weren't on welfare . We have an obligation to that family . We have an obligation to that child. I strongly urge that -- although wedve taken a qood step on this bill, that we look at this carefully and continue to make a commitment to ensuring that all Illinois ' children and a11 Illinois familles have an opportunity to succeed in this economy. Nevertheless, I think this is a good start, and I urge support of this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there further discussion? Senator Welch .
Thank -- thank you . have a question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Indicates he ell yield , Senator Welch .
Senator Syverson, the federal law requires that twenty-five percent of eliqible adults on cash assistance be moved to jobs by October 1st , 1997 , and I believe the State Department of Public A id says we can meet that. What are the other deadlines and what are the percentages required by the federal law, of Illinois? PRESIDING OFFICERZ (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson .
A re you speaking on the -- strictly the work participation levels? It goes up approximately five percent per year until hits 2002, when fifty percent needs to be at work . Failu re to meet that, by the Way, just so we know the penalty, is five 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 percent of the block grants , increasing by two percent a year every year after that , up to a total loss to the State of twenty-one percent, if we do not keep and maintain those levels.
PRESIDING OPFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Welch .
Is there a component in here , other than a training program , that will find jobs for individuals on welfare?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson .
Is your question, is there a job training mechanism in this legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Welch .
Qther than this job training mechanism that was discussedr what program is in this bill that Will find jobs for individuals? Does khis just prepare individuals to fill out resumes or give them a skill, so that if a job exists, they could fill itg or does this actually help them find a job?
PRESIDING OPFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson .
Part of this new program is the assessment process that the -- the caseworker takes is going to be much broader than whaE they had before , involving and help ing individuals , getting them steered into the right direction, whether it's into a job training , whether it 's into a literacy program . And there 's going to be more of that role . The Governor ls Office , through Howard Peters, is going to put a serious emphasis on helping individuals get to work. There's talk about creating a job czar. We have 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 done is -- instead of trying to , w ithin the last thirty days: cram a program into here , we thought that the wo rk that Senato r Lauzen and Senator Garcia are doinq on trying to coordinate, working w ith the House, job training programs that will work, We thought it made more sense to sit back for the summer , let them formulate a plan to brin: back to us that we can implement. But I -- I can -- I agree totally that, for this to Work, the two major components are going to be the day care and jobs and that good job training p rograms are going to have to be part of this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Welch .
Well, the reason I brought this up was that when Howard Peters appeared in the Appropriations Committeer I asked him if this program and his Agency was going to help create jobs for these individuals, and he said, HNo, wedre not. What we are doing is helping individuals prepare resumes and teach them how to find jobs that are already out there.'' And his opinion seems -- seemed to be , at that time, about a month ago, that there are a1l these jobs out there just Waiting for somebody to knock on the door with Ehe correct resume . Now , is it -- are you saying to me now that Mr . Peters has chanqed his position and this Agency and this program is going to help create jobs, as Well as just help people prepare resumes and tell them necessary things for goinq to work?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson.
I can 't speak for Director Peters . I can only tell 'you that I know what he wants to see succeedr and that is helping people :et to work. I think it 's a combination of things . He agrees and -- and I do, too, that there are jobs out there and We just need to help -- many indlviduals just need to be steered to that 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislakive Day May 3l, 1997 direction. But there are others who are goinq to need job training , others who are going to need to have literacy training , and it 's going to take a combination . We 're going to move fo rward with the first partr helping people steer into those programs. The second part , there is a commitment from the Second Floorr and certainly a commitment from me to be working with Senator Lauzen and Senator Garcia to move forward with true prog rams that are going to work .
PRESIDING OFPICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Jacobs.
Thank you , Madam P resident, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I think Senator Obama pretty much said it a1l With his three points of concern. But there 's one question I would like to ask the sponsor , and ...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONXHUE) He indicates he lll yield z Senator Jacobs .
Thank you , Madam President. And that goes along line -- along the lines with the -- someone Who is arrested or convicted of a felony and then is not eligible for assistance . Is there a time element on that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senato r Syverson .
This is only related to drug felonies , not all felonies . So it's only drug felonies. And it is prospective, as Welle in nature. And again, if it's a Class X or Class 1, it's lifetime, no possibility . The Class 2, 3: and 4, it 's a two-year wait , unless you lre involved in a drug treatment program r then you could continue to maintain your benefit. PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) ! 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 Senator Jacobs. 0h. Further discussion? senator del Valle. SENATOR dEL VALLE : Thank you, Madam President. Senator, I am also concerned about casting a vote on this bill without really knowing what we 're going to end up with in terms of services for the immigrant population that Senator Obama referred to. We are waiting for some language from Director Peters, but there are some thinqs that we know . We know , for example , Ehat we are not going to be providing Medicaid services to immigrants who came into the country after August of .96. They are eligible, accordin: to the federal law , for receiving services in emergency rooms, but they not -- cannot get other kinds of services . What that means is that for individuals Who are here legally - again I point out, leqal immigrants - if they are left Without a job, theydre laid off and they find themselves in a situation where there's a need for health care, their primary health care provider will be the emergeney room of the hospitals . We w ill be covering that cost, and as we well know, emergency room care is a lot more expensive than any other type of care. And so wefre going to end up paying for these individuals Who are going to have to make use of emergency rooms because they can't go anyplace else. And I think that is a serious problem . In this bill, while there have been tremendous improvements and I certainly compliment your work and the work of the committee and the advocates: I stâll have problems with it becausez as was indicated here, jobs and job traininq is what welfare reform should be al1 about. Without that component , you don't have movement, you don 't have transition from welfare to work . We look at the Earnfare Program , and you saw the article recently reqarding the Earnfare Program , khe much touted program welfare reform program from a few years ago. Seven percent -- only seven percene of the pareicipants over the last fe* years have moved into permanent full-time employment. What kind of 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLX REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 track record is that? We really should have started , as we were putting the TANF plan together for the federal government - and it is a requirement; it has to be in place by July l - but we really should have started with the job component, the jobs training component . We really should have started there ko make sure that a11 these pieces that are out there with DCCA and the State Board of Education and everywhere you -- where you have a job training program component - and there is fragmentation and there is still a need for more resources for that - We should have pulled those together, put that in place and then fit TANF into that, because that should be the engine that drives welfa re reform . But we didn 't do that. We 're going to wait, and we 're going to see and we dre going to come up with somethinq in the future . In the meantime , we certainly are going to accept transitioning people , maybe, into daily pay services just so that they could meet their work requirement , get minimum waçe , work there a few days, a few weeks , meet the requirements , but never -- never go into a full-time permanent job at a decent livin: wage. The domestic violencez Murray-Wellstone federal amendment option: We had the opportunity to include that . We have strenqthened the language , and we are going to do screeningz and we are going to do referrals. My p reference would have been that we would have qone w ith the option in order to guarantee proper screening and proper services for that population . We are saying that those individuals convicted of -- of drug crimes, some Will be eligible if they are involved in drug treatment programs , but I don 't see the language guaranteeing a slot, a treatment slot, that 's accessible for those individuals . So I 1m not sure how that 's go ing to work out . We certainly need welfare reform and certainly we need to implement the federal law . But I hope that at some point we do it right , because we 're still not gettinq it right . Thank you . 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator -- Senator Demuzio , for What purpose do you seek recognition?
On a point of personal privilege .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Please state your point .
Madam President, I have never interrupted a debate. I know that this is going to be a lengthy one , but a few m inutes ago r we had a Rules Committee meetinq, and the Rules Committee meeting report is now being passed out . We had asked that our amendments to 1696 be included . I 'm requesting that we have another Rules Committee. We have a Jim Edgar Senate Amendment 1, a -- a local income tax program that he introduced apparently back when he was in the House. We have filed Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 1696, Which is his latest program . We'd like to request a Rules Committee so that we m ight have a run at making sure that that amendment can be heard in comm ittee this afternoon . So I would make that request.
PRESIDING OFPICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Demuzio , I thought you had someone that you wanted to introduce. Wedre in *he middle of a debate. That should have been made in the Rules Committee . Senator Collins , you 're the next up . SENATOR COLLINSI Thank you, Madam President. I really just have a very feW questions to ask , and -- and one, I guessy is can you tell me - - I understand that we have a deadline on the implementation of the -- of our TANF plan , the restrictions brought by the federal government. But as you also know that we are , and have been, working over the past year to reform welfare in -- in the Sta te of 51 STATE OP ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 Illinois , and what I 1d like to know -- and I 'm not finding the connections , because even though Senator Rauschenberger and I worked extensively over the summer on the overall welfare reform in the State , and also guiding principles by which -- and policies by which we would hope that this TANF plan and any future effo rts in -- in Illinois to imp rove welfare would , in fact, all come toqether. That the the guiding p rinciples behind welfare reform and the system that we were tryin: to put together was to avoid dup lication and to make , as possible , one-stop shopp ing , and somehow to bring together all of the various components , including the the local and community agencies: in a collaborative effort to improve welfare in the State of Illinois. Somehow I don 'k know how this piece fits together w ith a11 of that. There Were a d ifferent set of people working on it and I 'm -- haven 't been p review to any of the meetings , except when you introduced the TANF plan and I think I was fully aware of What was in that . So what would like to know -- I know that -- that We recommended that there be pilot programs operating so that we could r in facte have some definitive data to go on and -- and talk about how we were going to do this in partnerships , in collaboration with the various communities and local units of government . How do you see this portion of -- of that effort fitting into the overall package of welfare reform in the State of Illinois?
PRESIDING OPPICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senato r Syverson .
Thank you. The TANF reform proposal certainly fits into the formation of the new Human Services Department, in which yourself and Senator Rauschenberger and others Were wo rking on. This is a work in progress. I think some of the concerns that were raised by Senator de1 Valle and others are certainly justifiable and right. There is a lot more work to be done and I think the work 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 that 's currently being done or the work that was bein: done by your committee will fit very well. We need to implement this and move it into and under the umbrella of the Depa rtment , and then start implementing these proqrams w ith this in place . And I fully anticipate , and you certainly have my cooperation in workinq to implement not only pilot p rograms, but making sure that this new Department is successful in its endeavors .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Collins .
So that in many of the instances in which you refer to givinq the Department or the Director -- the President of that -- Secretary of that Department the discretions to implement and make rules, I 'm hop ing -- and establish policies, I 'm hoping that you are referring to those guiding principles and policies and rules that are being worked upon and the pilot program right noW is operating on. So is -- is -- does it fit in that context? Because you 're -- you dre saying you 're giving him lot of discretionary rulemaking power herer and I'm just wonderinq is that something separate from the rules and policies and the guiding principles that -- that we dve been working on to -- hopefully to bring all of this together in collaboration w ith the communities and local governments .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson .
think you are exactly correct : and those were concerns we had and that 's one of the reasons why we tried to , where we could , put more into Statute, as opposed to leaving it to the Department by rules. One of the things that we put in here , and we haven 't really discussed is I think is better Ehan an oversight committee - is the fact that our legislation sunsets their 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGDLAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3le 1997 rulemaking authority in two years. Welre giving the Department two years to put together a program . They 're going to have to come back to us and get our approval to move from that point forward, which is going to qive us an awful lot of leeway. Knowing that, th ink they 're going to be very much more willing to work w ith us over the next two years to implement this program .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Further Senator Smith . Senator Collins , all you have to do is put your light on . Senator Collins .
. . . sorry . Apparently the light is cut off when we change from one to the other. One of the -- the areas that I -- that I was concerned about, and that is giving the -- it appears here that once a person uses up their stxty months that it -- if -- if a local unit of qovernment declares that that person is qualified , that -- that what we could have in some parts of the State, people actually continuing to get services and then in another part of the State, because that local unit of government did not see fit to determine that person eligible, won ft be receiving services. And -- and I'm concerned about uniformity and equal opportunity and access to service. And so when you leave those kinds of things up to be discretionary, you open the door for it not to be uniform and these are the kinds of rules. And I won't belabor this, but this is highly, you know, important that that the work that we dre doing, that somehow it's a11 coming together and that We ire al1 on one accord , 'cause that 's -- that 's an example ) and there are several other examples that I can see Where some people could be qualified for services and others could not. PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Trotter. SENATOR TROTTER : 54 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 Madam -- Madam Chairman, -- I mean -- excuse me. Madam President , you can call me to speak next, but I believe it was Senato r Sm ith that you cut off when you went back to Collins , and I just...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Oh. That's right. I'm sorry. Senator Smithp go ahead.
Thank you , Madam Chairman and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I stand because I serve as chair -- Minority Spokesman for House -- Health and Welfare, and wanted to put in a statement that, while we were in Session, I voted -- on Senate Amendment l r I only voted Present to the House Bill 204, which was tabled by the sponsor and I cast a Yes vote for the Senate Amendment No . In comparison to Senate Bill No . 10 the -- it was in it was run in 1995 , welfare bill, the public and Members had input in negotiating the contents of Senate Amendment No . 3. would like to thank Senator Syverson, Senator Obama, Who was a Member of the Democratic Minority Team z now a representative on the negotiating team that worked -- are still working with this bill. And I would like to -- Secretary Howard Peters, who I think is doing a tremendous job, even at this stage, who is an official fo r the Department of Public Aid . The advocate g roup for all of the hard work that they have compromised and Went in on this amendment, Senate Amendment No. 3 to House Bill 204. Senabe Amendment No. is a vast improvement over the proposed presented to us by Edgar administration on April the 30th r 1997 . Senate Amendment No. 3 contains many elements which were ouelined by the Democratic Members of the Senate Public Hea1th and Welfare Comm ittee on April the 1st, 1997. Many of the elements you have heard here this afternoon, but I merely Want to mention one that was not expressed, and that is an exemption for persons over sixty years of age and parents of children under one from the 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE ARANSCRIPT 60th Leg islative Day May 3l, 1997 requirement of participation in the education , training and employment programs . I certainly stand here at this time w ishing and hoping that all of the Members of the Senate will feel kindly and support our Chair, of -- Senator Syverson, in voting for House Bi11 204, as amended by Senate Bill -- Amendment No . 3. Other issues that are not addressed in this amendment can be handled in subsequent legislation . Thank you .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Trotter.
Thank -- thank you very much, Madam President. I just Want to make a few comments . Yesterday , when we were debatin: the education funding legislation, it was mentioned that legislators must make hard decisions. It was mentioned more than once that we must take leadership roles. The feds have placed us on a time line in which we must act on this issue , being based on our Constitution and other constraints, and welll be ending, hopefully, our Session today. So with that, I'd like to commend Senator Syverson and Obama and the other individuals who took up that call and made the hard decisions to put forth this imperfect legislation . And it is certainly imperfect. If we were in a perfect world, we could have these grand expectations to have perfect legislation . Unfortunately , we are not that lucky nor that blessed to do so . So as a consequence , there are some -- some issues in here that -- that many of us are going to be uncomfortable with : but some hard work has been done . Some -- they dve been looked at. The immigrant issue, I know wedve we 've talked many , many times w 1th Howard Peters . We êve met with the various immigrant groups, groups have come down here, and we cannot resolve all the problems in this Legislative Body . We dve talked about, in welfare ' reform , about child care . Senator Syverson quite clearly and correctly said that we need to have 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 31, 1997 good child care, not only just a place where you take your children to be baby-sat, but where they can actually learn something .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Please keep your voices down and take your conferences off the Floor. We 're debating a very serious piece of leqislation and we can 't hear it . Please show him your attention . Senator Trotter .
Thank you very much, Madam President. 1 '11 be very brief . So what we dve done w ith child care is that we 've looked at it and we understand that nothing in this world is free . In appropriation p rocess we are looking at , we are putting thirty m illion dollars on top of seventy million dollars that -- on the Governor 's budget , which is a hundred million dollars, so we can qet quality child care for these individuals who dll be looking for work mandated by this legislation . This, aqain , has took a lot of ha rd work and made some hard decisions to be made. 1, again , commend each and every one of those individuals who -- who took the time , who have took their hearts in it also r and also their -- their concerns to the table and they worked out a good compromised p iece of leqislation that We can look at again during the veto process . That so this is not a done deal. This is what we have on the table and we must vote on it today , and I ask everyone , please vote with me . And, believe me r was asked did I want to take my name off of it. I said no, because we have to also take responsibility for some of those ha rd decisions and I want everyone to know that I am for this bill , and hopefully by your vote , you will show that you lre fp r this bill , as well .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Parker .
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 Senate . I would like to say a couple of things . Plrst of all, to commend the Chairman, Senator Syverson, who did a 1ot of work on this issue , and Senator Obama , for his bipartisan support and work , and a1l of the comments that were made here . I 'm also on that comm ittee: of course , and we recoqnize that there are needs and things that we would still like to take care of. One of the issues I wanted to address was the day care issue, because we had heard of House Bill 630 . We had a bill over here also , Senate Bill 323, believe it was, to address the child care issue. Many of those concerns are addressed now in this bill , as this amendment with the welfare bill. Before, we were qoing to be only addressin: at the forty-percent median income , and now we have risen to the fifty percent . And We can now address needs of ninety thousand families , instead of the original seventy thousand , as was in the in the original budget . So we are making headway . There are a couple issuesz though, that certainly we still need to address later on, and one of those is the provider rate that we need to address . There is a -- a date in here as far as having a study done, as of July lstr 1998 . We would have preferred to have had that study done earlier in December, as was requested by the day care people . I don 't believe that that -- just because we have the dake later, that that doesn 't p reclude us from looking at provider rates and maybe , possibly, bein: able to make some adjustments in the next sprinq Session. We want to make certain that we provide quality day care. With this : we should be qable to pick up those children who are on the waitinq list, get them into day care , get the working mothers and help them to have a safe place to put their childreny and certainly we can address these continuing issues . And I 'm pleased that *e were able to at least go further, and I think significantly further, like Senator Trotter said , and have at least another thirty m illion dollars in here for a total of a 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 hundred million dollars . And I think we fve addressed many of those issues well, and stand up in favor of this legislation. Thank you .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Lauzen .
Thank you , Madam President. Certa inly this effort deserves and requires the support of every Senator in our Chamber. My fear is that, even with our best minds and hearts in Illinois, We may fall short and there will still be suffering that could have been avoided if we had been even better at what we 're trying to do here . I -- I very much applaud Senator Obama ls three-part description of our challenge . app reciate Senator de1 Valle ls emphasis on jobs, along with child care, transportation and the myriad of rules and regulations and details. And I Would encourage the sponsor, and I know that he 's Working very hard alonq with everybody else in this effort, to make sure that the Legislatu re has oversiqht on this. I'd like to answer Senator Welch 's concern about duplication . First of all, I would like to emphasize the fact that it 's very important that we have a uniform measurement tool for the effectiveness of job training. Currently we have seven hundred and forty-four million dollars being spent amonq a hundred different p rograms in fourteen different agencies . Unless we have a uniform yardstick to evaluate where we should place our moneyr it's going to be a hopeless challenge and we 'll just continue to muddle through. To take a look at one of the concerns that Senator Welch had, it it almost appears like we have two worlds here. There's the world of these -- of these fellow citizens who are dealing with these problems. Those people can be helped on a local level by the Department of Human Services , Department of Public Aid . But one of the concerns that we should all have and that I Would encourage all of us to keep in 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 m ind is that we should not have duplication . The more agencies we have doing the same thing, the more waste there 's going to be and people are not going to be served who who need to be served . There 's a whole nother world of -- of aqencies that are close to the world of Work , and there 's a pipeline between those two . Those agencies are like DCCA , Illinois Department of Employment Security , the community colleges, and even community-based organizations . There 's a pipeline between those two , and the clearer we make our instructions to the agencies that serve the people of Illinois that the Department of Public Aid and Department of Human Services should pick up the people Who need help and refer them to the agencies that are close to the folks who know how to place jobs and do job training: who are then connected to employers , the better off people w ill be . So , again , I applaud the effort that -- that qoes into this . I encourage everyone to support this very good step in the right direction .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Garcia .
Thank you , Madam President . I also rise as a reluctant supporter of this legislation because I recognize that there ls been a long process whereby good ideas that have come forth have been incorporated into this bill z which changes welfare as we know it. I do want to comment on the immigrant aspect of the bill and its implications, because I'm an immigrant. And I hope that over the next few months we will take heed of the plight of the immigrant legal immigrant population in the State of Illinois to look at what happens to the fate of people throughouk this Land of Lincoln . And I want to commend Senator Syverson , Senato r Rauschenberger and others who were involved in negotiating a m inimal net of protection that w ill enable us to , hopefully , care for the most vulnerable people in the imnigrant population in 60 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 Illinois , namely senior citizens who are incapacitated , disabled or who are elderly and are , therefore r p robably not employable, because we are doing something for them . But at the same time, I want to caution and remind all of us that in this bill, and in the budget that we are approving later today, included are not payments for legal residents who were residin: in the U .S . prior to August 22nd , 1996 , but had not applied for SSI benefits . This bill doesn 't address them . We also did not put anything in the bill to help immigrant children in Illinois, and what Was being requested Was approximately l.7 (sic) dollars. I understand the idea that we don lt want to make a move too soon because that the feds may not reimburse the State of Illino is , but over the next few months that the least we can do is to be cognizant of the fact that we did not act and that we should act , perhaps, when we come back here during the Veto Session . We did not provide for Medicaid benefits to imm igrants who came here after August 22nd of 1996 . We should look to see what happens to them y and of course , we took no action in providing food stamp benefits to the imm iqrant -- legal imm igrant population that has been now made ineliqible. I guess what I 'm saying is that I hope that we W ill learn to strike a fair balance between the -- the economic prosperity that the State of Illinois fortunately is experiencing, but that we will also bring compassion into the picture . As we move through the rest of the summer and we come back here in the fall, I hope that we will continue to ensure that Illinois remains a great state and an important national and international player in the world scene in how it relates to the imm igrant populations that have come to the Land of Lincoln . Thank you .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson, to close.
Thank you very much , Madam President. Again , I would like to 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l F 1997 thank everyone for the work that we fve done on this . Senator Smith, when we first met on this, over a month ago, your willingness to come toqether and help us draft something that everyone can agree on . We know it 's a work in p rogress . We know more needs to be done . I would urge this Body to get in contact with their congressmen and ask them to push Congress , as well as the President, to do the right thing and support the immigration issues that they had supported in the past and not put us in the terrible position of having to decide, nAre we going to help these individuals o r do we put money into education , or into day care, or into jobsn. The important thing isr this is a work in progress . Much more needs to be done . Certainly you have my commitments. I know, from the time we have spent with Director Peters and Governor Edgar 's staff, they are interested in the same results that we are: helping tens of thousands of individuals find good, meaninqful, well-paying jobs and move from welfare to work. Thank you for your support on this, and again, I would just ask everyone for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Thank you , Senator Syverson. I would kind of rem ind everybody, we're on 2nd Reading. So all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed , Nay . The Ayes have it , and the amendment is adopted . A re there further Ploor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) 3rd Reading. NoW on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 204 . M r. Secretary z read the bill.
House Bill 204 . (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 31, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson . Very briefly .
May I start over? May I start over, please? I've been working -- no. I would just ask for a favorable roll call on this . Thank you .
PRESIDING OFPICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Thank you very much . Seeing no further discussion , the question is, shall House Bill 204 pass . Those in favor w ill vote Aye . Opposed z Nay . And the voting is open . Have a1l voted who wish? Have all voted Who Wish? Have al1 voted who wish? Have a11 voted who wish? Take the record . On that question, there are 56 Ayes, l Nay, l voting Present. House Bill 204, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. . . w Ackerman, With Daniels and Ackerman Photographies , photos from the Illinois State Medical Society . Is leave granted? Leave is granted . On page 4 of the regular Calendar on the same order of business of House Bills is House Bill 1707 . Does Senator Rauschenberger seeks -- seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1707 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 1707 - House Bill 1707 . Mr . Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Amendment No. 1, offered by Senators Syverson and Donahue.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson , on Amendment No . 1 .
Thank you , Madam President. 1 111 be much briefer on th is one . This is an administration bill and implements some of the federal mandates that Were passed as part of the TANF proposal . Failure to implement this -- these proposals have some pretty stiff 63 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 financial sanctions . This is the child support language . There was an -- originally , administration 's p roposal that went further than what the federal government required . There was a 1ot of opposition and concerns regarding this . I believe that the -- this amendment covers the bare-bones requirements and th is will meet the requirements that the federal government needs to (sic) us to enact this program. I would like to read, just for intent purposes, regarding the car dealers and the Secreta ry of State . There were some concerns that liens would be attached on automobile titles and that when a car was sold it Would be subject to such a lien . To address this, the bill provides that exempt, with regard to financial institution accounts , the Department 's lien aga inst personal property, including automobiles . Let 's see, what else? Enforcement of -- manner for -- the enforcement of the judgments under Act (sic) 12 of the Code of Civil Procedure - this is done by the attachments and the sheriff ls sale . Againz 1 .11 be happy to answer any questions. I -- I don 't know 'of any objections to this legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, a11 those in favor -- Senator Fawell. Senator Fawell.
Thank you very much . This is for legislative intent. Under this legislation, will the Department of Public Aid have the authority to place liens on personal property, such as vehicles?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson .
Yes .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator ...
64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 No .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson. Senator Fawell.
Does the Department intend to exercise that authority?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senato r Syverson .
No .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Pawell.
So the Department has indicated that it does not intend to exercise that authority until all parties involved or interested in the placing of liens against personal property agree on languaqe to fairly and equitably exercise such authority . Under this leqislation, the Department will also have the authority, like creditors currently have, to pursue the repossession of such property . This will be the method by which the Depa rtment intends to seek to liquidate such property to satisfy payments of past-due child support. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson.
Senator Fawell, I could not have stated it better. That is correct.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Further discussion? Seeing none, a11 those in favor, say Aye . Opposed, Nay . The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted . Are there further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3lr 1997 No further amendments reporked .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) 3rd Reading . NoW on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 1707 . Senator Syverson . Mr . Secretary , read the bill . Senator Rauschenberger, this is House Bills -- we dre on 1707 , 3rd Reading . Senato r Rauschenberger. Read the billg Madam -- Mr . Secretary .
House Bill 1707 . (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Rauschenberger.
I 'd -- I ld like the Body to know it 's always a pleasure to share a bill with Dave Syverson , who 's certainly done some amazing legislative work, and -- and after listening to his explanation of that -- that amendment, you know , I -- would hope the entire Body could overwhelm inqly reach for their green sw itches and -- and support thls bill.
PRESIDING OFPICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none , the question is -- Senator Geo-Karis .
W ill the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Indicates he 'll yield , Senator Geo-Maris .
According to my darling computer over here, ie says ehat the existing 1aw at the present time in revocation or suspension of license for failure to pay child support is amended to allow revocation or suspension for failure to comply with a subpoena or warrant relatinq to a paternity or child support proceeding. Is 66 l STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 that still in the bill? PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Syverson . SENATOR SYVERSON : Yes , it is . PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Geo-Karis . SENATOR GEO-KARIS : Good . 1911 support the bill. PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there further discussion? Is there further discussion? Seeing none , the question is , shall House Bill 1707 pass . Those in favor will vote Aye . Opposed , Nay . And the voting is open . Have all voted Who wish? Havq all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record . On that question , there are 56 Ayes , no Naysz none voting Present . House Bill 1707, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On Supplemental Calenda r No . 2. It has been distributed and we Will go ... We will be goinq momentarily to Conference Committee Reports , beginning with House Bill 127 . Senator Geo-Karis . . . . Mahar, for what purpose do you seek recognition? SENATOR MAHAK : Por the purpose of an announcement, Madam President. PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Please state your announcement . SENATOR MAHAR : The Senate Environment and Energy Comm ittee will be meeting at Room 6 o 'clock -- or, I 'm sorry . Make that at 6 o 'clock , in Room 212. PRESIDING OEFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Energy and Environment, 6 o lclock , Room 212. Thank you , Senator Maha r. On Supplemental Calendar No . 2 is House Bill 127 . 67 ! STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Leg islative Day May 31# 1997 Senator Geo-Karis . Madam Secretary , do you have on file a conference comm ittee report on House Bill 127?
Yes. First Conference Committee Report on House Bill 127 .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is -- Senator Geo-Karis.
Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate , the -- this Report is -- now contains the bill the way it was when it left the Senate . They had -- they ...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) . . . second , Senator Geo-Karis. Just a m inute . Ladies and Gentlemen , when I 1m turned a different direction and I can recognize who 's speaking behind me because I recognize your voice , you dre speaking too loud . Please keep your voices down. Senator Geo-Karis .
Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senateg House Bill l27 is noW in the position it was when it left the Senate . The -- this is a bill that relates to a person who 's convicted of - - of -- of battery -- spousal battery, if I recall correctly. And what it does: if youbll give me just a moment, it is prospective and that 's the way we had it in the Senate . And they had refused to accept it and then they finally did , and would like a favorable vote again . It 's a good bill and I dare you not to vote for it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there further discussion? Is there discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate adopt the Conference Comm ittee Report on House Bill 127 . Those in favor w ill vote Aye . Opposed , Nay . And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who Wish? Take the 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 record . On that question, there are 56 Ayes , Nay, none voting Present. The Senate does adopt the Conference Committee Report on House Bill 127, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Smithg for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you , Madam Chairman. By a11 means , will you p lease correct me and put me as voting ïes for the legislation that just passed?
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) The record w ill so indicate. Senator Clayborne . House Bill 1197 . Madam Secretary .
First Conference Committee Report on House Bill 1197.
PRESIDING OPFICCR: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Clayborne .
Thank you r Madam President . House Bill 1197, the Conference Committee, basically this -- during the transition of State Community Colleqe to Metropolitan Community College, there are funds of about a hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars that are in the the College Grants Fund, and basically that money is needed as an authorization. What this does is authorizes this money to be transferred to Illinois Community College Board so that the old obligations of about two hundred and ten thousand dollars can be paid . This identical bill was passed out . The intention was to have a conference committee to add other language. That didn't happen. I just ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there discussion? Senator Dillard .
Thank you , Madam P resident. Will the sponsor yield for a 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Indicates he dll yield, Senator Dillard .
Senator Clayborne, just notice as I look at the Conference Comm ittee Report on House Bill 1197 that there are no Senate Republican signatures. Is there any opposition to this , or is that just an oversight?
PRESIDING OFEICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Claybo rne .
I believe that's just an oversight. There's therels no opposition that I know of.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Watson .
Yes. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Indicates he dll yield , Senator Watson .
This doesn't have the language dealing with Parks College does it r that was being promoted by one of the House Members that you know quite well?
PRESIDING OPFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Clayborne.
No r it doesn dt.
PRESIDING OPFICER: (SEMATOR DONAHUE) Senator Watson .
Thank you , then . Inadvertently I was -- did not sign I would have, had it been presented to me . I support it. 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENZRAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there further discussion? Further discussion? The question is , shall the Senate adopt the Conference Comm ittee Report on House Bill 1197. Those in favor Will vote Aye. Opposed , Nay . And the voting is open . Have al1 voted who Wish? Have al1 voted who w ish? Have a1l voted who w ish? Take the record . On that question, there are 58 Ayes , no Nays, none voting Present . The Senate does adopt the Conference Comm ittee Report on House Bill 1197, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Petka, on House Bill 2209. Madam Secretary. ACTING SECRETAR; HAWKER : Firsk Conference Committee Report on House Bill 2209.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Petka .
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 2209 , Conference Committee Report No . lz contains language that basically is the administration proposal dealing with the Will County Joliet Arsenal . Among other things z it simply creates a mechanism for the appointments to the Will County Board and removes certain enabling legislation that we had passed and we had sent out of this Chamber in the past , dealing with the State 's moral auehority towards certàin bond programs . I know of no opposition . I would urge 1ts adoption .
PRESIDZNG OFFTCER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there further discussion? Is there discussion? Seeing none, the question isr shall the Senate adopt the Conference Committee Report on House Bill 2209 . Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, 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 Ayesr no Nays, none 71 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Leqislative Day May 3lp 1997 voting Present . The Senate does adopt the Conference Comm ittee Report on House Bill 2209, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Klemm with House -- Senate -- with Senate Bill 1109. Madam Secretary .
First Conference Comm ittee Report on Senate Bill 1109.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Klemm .
Thank you, Madam President. This Conference Comm ittee Repo rt makes changes to the House amendment. That Was requested by IDOT , the Division of Aeronautics, and agreed to by the representatives of the telecommunication carriers. This is regarding the location and placement of communication towers . There was a problem in the underlying bill where they could be placed at the end of a runway of an airpo rt , and therefore it would cause , obviously , problems . So this corrected that situation and it 's agreed to , and I ask fo r your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there discussion? Is there discussion? Seeinq none, the question is , shall the Senate adopt the Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 1109. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have a1l voted who wish? Have all voted who kish ? Have all voted who wish? Take the record . On that question , there are 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate does adopt the Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 1109 , and the bill , having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. ...stand at ease for a few minutes . 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 60th Legislative Day May 31 , 1997 (SENATE STANDS AT EASE) (SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Wa1sh , fo r what purpose do you rise? . . .
A point of personal privilege .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Please state your point.
I voted Yes on Senate Bill 1109 . I 'd like to be recorded as a Present.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) The record Will so reflect. ..ohave your attention . The Comm ittee on Public Health will be meeting at 6 :30, in Room 400 . Committee on Public Health in Room 400, and the Senate Will stand at ease -- or, in recess till the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS) (SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) . . . O'Malleye what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an announcement, Mr. President. The -- the Financial Institutions Committee will have its meeting this evening at 8 p.m ., in Room 400, to consider a conference committee 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLX REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60eh Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 report. I don 't have the number at hand , but it 's been -- is it -- on 680, Conference Report l to 680. Thank you. PRESIDING OFPICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) ! *@@Klemm f wha t purpose do you rise? SENATOR KLEMM : For purposes of an announcement , Mr . President. The Senate Executive Committee will meet in Room 212, in one hour from now, which would be 8 :17 in Room 212 . In one hour, Senate Executive Comm ittee . Thank you . PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Commieeee Reports. ACTING SECRETARY HAWKER : o o . Weaver, Chairman of the Committee on Rules : reports the following Legislative Measures have been assiqned : Re-refer from Insurance and Pensions to Rules Committee - Conference Comm ittee Report No . l to House Bill 16417 re-refer to -- refer to Executive Comm ittee - Conference Committee Report No . l to Senate Bill 473, Conference Committee Report No . l to House Bill 229, Conference Comm ittee Report No . l to House Bill 581, and Conference Committee Report No . l to House Bill 16417 refer to Local Government and Elections Committee - Conferencè Committee Report No . l to House Bil1 1374, Conference Committee Report No . l to Senate Bill 596, Conference Comm ittee Report No . l to House B ill 353, and Conference Committee Report No. l to House Bill 21617 Be Approved for Consideration - Conference Committee Report No. 2 to Senate Bill 730, Conference Committee Report No . l to House Bill 1485 , and Conference Committee Report No. 2 to Senate Bill 465. The following bills are -- are, pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b), exempk from the autonatie re-referral provision of that Rule: Re-refer to -- pardon me, refer to Judiciary Committee - Senate Bills 119 , 121, 122, 362, 383, 1028 and House Bill 1422 . 74 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENCRAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS) (SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR GEO-KARIS) Senator Rauschenberger , for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an announcement, M r. President .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR GEO-KARIS) Madam President . Thank you .
Madam President . All excited there e Geo . Thank you , for -- Geo , thank you for turning me on .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR GEO-KARIS) I Im sorry . Well , I am stunned . Senator Rauschenberger, proceed .
I'd like to announce that We Will have a subject matter app ropriation hearing one hour from now , at 10 :25, in Room 212. A subject matter hearing on the FY'98 budget for the Senate App ropriation Comm ittee, in Room 212, at 10 :25 . Thank you .
PRESIDING OFPICER : (SENATOR GEO-KARIS) Is that for your comm itteeg or for others?
For the Senate Appropriations Committee .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR GEO-KARIS) Senate Appropriations Committee is going to have a special committee meeting at 10:25, in Room 212. I repeat, Senate Appropriations Comnittee Will meet at 10 :25, in Room 212, on the budget . Any further announcements? The Senate w ill stay at ease remain at ease for the time being . 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 31, 1997 (SENATE STANDS AT EASE) (SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR GEO-KARIS) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, there will be a Republican Caucus immediately in Sena tor Philip 's Office . I repeat: A Republican Caucus in Senator Philip 's Office now. So please come to Senator Philip 's Office for a Republican Caucus starting now. Thank you . (SENATE STANDS AT EASE) (SENATE RECONVENES)
The Senate Will reconvene . Committee Reports .
Senator C ronin: Chair of the Comm ittee on Education , reports Senate Bill 681, the First Conference Commitkee Report Be Approved for Consideratlon. Senator Syverson, Chair of the Committee on Public Health and Welfarep reports House Bill 1699, the First Conference Committee Report Be Approved for Consideration . Senator Mahar, Chair of the Committee dn Environment and Energy , reports Senate Bill 939, the First Conference Comm ittee Report Be Approved for Consideration; House Bills 1230, 1887 and 2164, First Conference Committee Reports Be Approved for consideration; senate Bill 54, the Motion to Concur with House 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l r 1997 Amendment l Be Approved for Consideration. Senator O 'Malley , Cha ir of the Comm ittee on Financial Institutions, reports Senate Bill 680, First Conference Committee Report Be Approved for Consideration. Senator Klemm , Chair of the Comm ittee on Executive r reports Senate Bills 473 and 1019, First Conference Committee Reports Be Approved for Consideration ; House Bills 229 , 581 , 1641, First Conference Committee Reports Be Approved for Consideration; and Senate Amendment l to House Bill 1696 Be Adopted . And Senator Butler, Chair of the Committee on Loeal Government and Elections, reports Senate Bill 596, the First Conference Commitkee Reportr Be Approved for Consideration ; House Bills 353, 1374 and 2161, First Conference Committee Reports Be Approved for Consideration .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) . . . MAQ-TV asks leave of the Body to videotape the proceedings. Any objection? Leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Rossi, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 747: together with Amendments -- House Amendments 2 and Passed Ehe House , as amended , May 31st , 1997 . . . . have like Messages on Senate Bill 860: with House Amendment No . 3, and Senate Bill 1031, with House Amendment 1 . Both passed the House , as amended , May 31st, 1991 or , 1997 . Message from the House by M r. Rossi, Clerk . M r. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has refused to recede from their 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBL: REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 Amendment No . l to a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 232. I am further directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives requests a Pirst Committee of Conference. Action taken by the House, May 31st, 1997 . We have a like Message on Senate Bill 773 and also Senate Bill 1101 . PRESIDING OFFrCER: (SENATOR WATSON) Without objection, the Senate accedes to the request of the House for conference committees on those bills just read by the Secretary. Leave is qranted.
Message from the House by M r. Rossi, Clerk . Mr. President I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has refused to adopt the First Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 670 , and requests a Second Committee of Conference. We have a like Message on Senate Bill 730 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Without objectionz the Senate accedes to the request of the House for a -- conference committees on those bills just read by the Secretary . Leave is granted . Committee Reports , M r. Secretary .
Senator Weaver, Chair of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned : Be Approved for Consideration - Conference Committee Report No . l to Senate Bill 1129 and Conference Commitkee Report l to House Bill 1171 .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Jones , for what purpose do you rise , sir?
Yeah . Thank you , M r. President . We recognize that you have 78 I STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 on the desk there a -- a document to Supplemental Calendar to deal with khe -- *he budget for the next fiscal year . I see the Chief of Staff has informed you as to what to say , but I 'm looking for my caucus chair . So we , the Democrats z w ill request a - - a caucus immediately and shouldn 't last -- where is the budget at? Okay. Well, we got this big, thick packaqe. We don 't even know what's in the budget and so forth, and we do want to get out of here, but we just received this big, thick budget. So, what in time for my app ropriation staff and my spokesperson to intelliqently deal with this issue, we -- we would request that we dll be back here at exactly a quarter to twelve so ke can vote .
PRESIDING OPPICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Jones: let's just make that twenty-five till twelve, if you would , and we 'll -- that 'll probably get us go ing about that time. So we'll give you that time, Mr. Minority Leader. Yes, sir, M r. Jones. Senator Jones.
Yeah . Mr . President, in all due respect, and I do not -- it 's not my intention, nor anyone on this side of the aisle , to delay the proceedings . want to :et out of here , and I want the budget passed. I don 't want to be here tomorrow and the next day , and I don 't know if your Members seen the budget or What 's in it , but they but we -- just to vote in blind faith on something that you have just received. So -- so what I'm saying -- or, suggesting, Mr. President, that we will be back at a quarter to, and we intend to vote as soon as we come back . PRESIDING OFFICERI (SENATOR WATSON) Thank you , Senator Jones . We will start the proceedings at exactly twenty till and twenty till l2. Thank you very much. (SENATS STANDS IN RECESS) 79 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Leqislative Day May 3l, 1997 (SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) The time is 11 :40 and We had agreed With the Democrats that we would proceed at that point in time. I hope they dre not still in caucus . Supplemental Calendar No . 3 has been distributed . Should be on your desks . ...there be a possibility that the Democrat Sergeant-at-Arms could notify the -- the Democrats that it is 11 :40 and that they return to the Floor? Thank you . Supplemental Calendar No . 3 . Senate Bill 1129 . Mr . Secretary , please read the bill .
First Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 1129.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) The Chair recognizes Senator Rauschenberger. Senator Rauschenberger.
Thank youz Mr. Presidentr Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I apologize that we dre acting so late in the day . The matter of -- of completin: drafting , after working for three hard weeks on alternatives that we miqht have chosen, leads to this late hour . The staffs have worked nonstop for two days - both Republican and Democratic staffs - and have worked hard . I certainly want to express my appreciation to them . The budqet before you is 99.6 percent the introduced budget that the Governor of the State of Illinois gave us back at budget introduction . After tryin: on a lot of different scenarios, we 're here today with a scenario where we have the opportunity to add two hundred and fifty-three m illion new dollars to education , a hundred m illion new infrastructure dollars to -- to Ehe State of Illinois, and I urqe that -- that we take a hard look . 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 31: 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Further discussion? Senator Dudycz.
M r. President, I move the previous question .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Previous question has been moved . We recoqnize four lights: Senator Welch, Senator Collins , Senator Berman I beg your pardon, was Senator del Valle and Senator Trotter. Two lights came on after the motion and those -- those will be our speakers. I believe Senator de1 Valle -- Senator del Valle, your light was on first , sir Senator DeLeo r for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR DeLEO : Thank you , M r. President . There is -- not for -- for the purpose of delaying the process, I think Senator Berman's finger Was on the switch When -- when Senator Dudycz -- he was walking back to the Floor. We 'd ask if you 'd consider one or two people 's lights that came on late? PRESIDING oFFIcER : (SENATOR WATSON) Thank you . You lre quite correct . Senator Berman ls close . He was real close , so we W ill recognize him as -- as a ... SENATOR DeLEO : Thank you .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) as a -- as a speaker . Senator del Valle z I believe your your light was first r sir . Senator del Valle . SENATOR dEL VALLE : Thank youz Mr. President. I don 't have a budget. Was it distributed? I haven 't seen the budget . Has the bill been distributed?
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 The budget is on -- to the best of my knowledge , the budget 's in the LIS system and on the computers . We go through the exercise every year of printing lots and lots and lots of paper, which is basically appropriation language . In an effort to try to avoid that we dve -- it 's provided fo r you electronically .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator del Valle . SENATOR dEL VALLE : M r. President, according to our rules, the budget is supposed to be distributed on our desks. Am I wrong?
PRESIDING OPFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Well, as you know , we 've got the computers and that 's what we lve been using most . We haven 't had analysis and bills distributed . It 's on your computer, sir. Senator de1 Valle . SENATOR dEL VALLE : I can 't find it on the computer. It -- it 's in here?
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) I 'm sorry . I have the same problem . SENATOR dEL VALLE : . . . in the computer?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) I have the same problem . But I understand from the computer whiz of this at least from our side of the aisle , that, yes , indeed , there's -- the information's there, sir. Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I rise to just -- questions of the sponsor .
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Certainly . The sponsor will yield .
Thank you very much. I'd just like to begin with a couple 82 -'. ' STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 comments. Just for the Body as a whole , we started this p rocess roughly three months ago, and we did start out with the -- the notion that we 'd be working together, and for the most part , we have done that. Seemingly, something has happened in the last week and -- and as a -- a good person and one of our old baseball greats used to say, ''it's deja vu a1l over again'' 'cause, seemingly, we dre caught in the same spot that we Were last year. We dre at: -- Where is the budget? We don't get a budget. A1l day we 've been on hold , waiting for the staff that has been working wieh us in the pase few weeks to give us a budget . We haven 't even been able to get reports in a timely manner from that side of : the aisle. And -- and thai's -- and that's unfair. It's not only unfair to this caucus who does have responsibility to our constituents to -- to know what 's going on down here . They vote for us to come down here and be knowledgeable about what is going to be happening and how it's going to impact on their lives. By us not getting the budget until , I think it was , eighteen m inutes after eleven, we have done a disservice to a qood portion of our constituents down here. It is very unfortunate, because as pointed out by the Senator Rauschenberger, I do believe that ninety-nine percent of this budget is the Governor's budget, and that is unfortunate to the -- only to the point to whereas if we would have voted for an education bill last yearr we would be doing much more for our children , we would be do ing much more to the benefit for al1 the people of this State, because an educated community is certainly one in which it would be a p roductive one . So, but be that as it may, being that -- the numbers that we qot, Senator Rauschenberqer, in our two-minute meeting we just had in Appropriations , some of the numbers that you ran down that we had initially from the Governor 's Office didn 't seem to reconcile with yours, and -- and also from the Bureau of the Budget. So if you could at this point just again give us those numbers from the 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLX REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Leqislative Day May 3l, 1997 Bureau of the Budqet about this revenue growth , that nine hundred million dollars that you talked about last night. Can you run us through that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
Thank you , Senator Trotter . I do apologize for the fact that when we do wait too long to make substantive decisions, we have not done justice to our communication process in the last week. sincerely apologize . I thinkr as a Chairman , I need to get better at my job. If I can start you basically with the fact that the Governor 's introduced budget starts at about six hundred and eighty-some m illion dollars when he first introduces Very soon afterwards, Ec and Fisc revises the estimate about forty-eiqht million dollars, takes us to about seven hundred and thirty - depends on rounding . Over the last week or so , as we lve worked with the Bureau of the Budqet, they have decided that -- that they would be able to recognize , easily , the changes in revenues that -- that are predicted and actually have been received during the months of Ap ril and May . And they have revised their estimates up tWo hundred million additional. We're in the neighborhood of -- of nine hundred and eighteen to nine hundred and thirty million dollars, depending upon whose estimate you want to use today . That has not be rationalized into FY '98. Looks like not only do we have a conservative budget at that level, but one that we can live within .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Trotter.
Senator Rauschenberger, you have said in -- in your budget, or in the budget that we 're being looking at this evening , that there 's a hundred million dollars that will be put on top of the 84 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 - - the school fo rmula for elementary and secondary education . Why just a hundred million, kf you have this nine-hundred-million-dollar growth?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberqer.
Senator Trotter: that 's a policy decision that was reached in - - in agreement with the House Majority and the Governor's Office. It's maybe not the best allocatione but that's the allocation that was decided on .
PRESZDING OFFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Trotter . SENATOR TROTTER : I guess more importankly maybe I should ask, why was it just the tWo caucuses meeting and making these policy decisions that's going to impact upon a11 of our constituencies , and not the Senate? PRESIDING OFPICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Sena tor Rauschenberger. SENATOR RAUSCHENBERGER : Againr Senator Trotter, in this process it's important that -- that you move it along, and the decision Was made that the Majority caucuses would try to liaison with their partisan caucuses at the other Chambers. PRESIDING OFPICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Trotter. SENATOR TROTTER : In this proposed -- budget, Will there be any dollars for COLA increases for the human service providers? PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger. SENATOR RAUSCHENBERGER : 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 Last year we provided three-percent COLAS across the board . Unfo rtunately r this year there are no COLA S in the budget.
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Senator T rotter .
In -- in this proposed budget, will there be any dollars for school construction , which we 've been trying to :e* for the past ten years here in this General Assembly?
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR WATSON ) Senator Rauschenberger.
Senator Trotter, in this budget there is no school construction money . However, we have a bond bill that We hope to run, depending upon how our timing works and how the Chamber works toniqht. We hope to advance a bond bill that will deal with school construction .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Trotter, for the last time .
Thank you very much . I guess, for the last time r I 1m a little disappointed in how this whole scenario has evolved at this point in time . I understand we dre running the clock down and we certainly do not want to not pass this budget. I think there are some good things in this budget, but -- but for a11 prackical purposes, the way we've done it tonight, the system sucks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Berman .
Thank you, Mr. President. Questions of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Sponsor indicates he 'll yield r for two m inutes.
86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 31, 1997 Thank you . Mr. Chairnan , I understand tha e - correce Me kf I'm wrong - General State A id increases by fifty-two and a half million dollars?
PRESIDING OPFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger .
Yes, Senator Berman. Fifty-two and a half mtllion dollars.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senaeor Berman .
Nowr according to my figures thenr that eight hundred and thirty-one million dollars of new revenue is the base and fifty-two and a half m illion dollars is the increase of General State Aid ...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
. . . so that would be six percent .
PRESIDING OPFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Excuse me . Senator Rauschenberger .
Senator Berman : that's correct , and that was, think r exactly the Governor 's introduced level .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Berman.
And block qrants for this -- I'm sorry. The flat grants, fifty-two million dollars this year?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senakor Rauschenberger. SENATOR RAUSCHENBERGER : Fifty-six m illion dollars, Senator Berman . 87 STATE OP ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Berman .
And hold harmless is how much?
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger .
54 .9 million if you take last year 's and this year's together, to brin: that hold harmless to the same level .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Welch. I'm sorry, but we were out of time . Senator Welch .
I have a question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Sponsor indicates he dll yield, Senator Welch .
Senator Rauschenberger, how much money ' is going ko go into the School Aid Formula under this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER : (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
52 .5 million . PRESIDING OFFICERI (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Welch .
o.w that -- wasn ft that the Governor 's original request and nothing was added to it? Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFPICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
I stand corrected . That was the State Board 's allocation , 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE 'RANSCRIPT 60th Leg islative Day May 31, 1997 yes. But that was the State Board 's allocation at introduction .
PRESIDING OFPICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Welch .
So the answer was, yes, it was fifty-two and a half million dollars and nothing was added to it , even thouqh last night we were constantly reminded there 's nine hundred million dollars in new revenue growth . Not one dollar made it into the School Aid Formula . Is that correct? :
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOF WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger .
Fifty-two and a half million dollars made it into the School Aid Pormula .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Welch .
Which is what the Governor proposed several months ago . So there's no additional increase to that. How much money is going to go to this new department,. for Department of Human Services? Is it an increase over the budget, if you broke them down , for the other agencies that Were aggregated to create this department? Are we saving money by creating this new superagency , or is it costing us more money?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
The -- the GRF allocation for the new Department of Human Services is 3.3 billion dollars. It's a slight growth over the eombined previous agencies '. In the first year of operations , in the -- the consolidation , when we have nearly a m illion peop le at stake , we thought it was important to make sure the Governor had 89 STATE OP ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l z 1997 what he requested .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON ) Senator Welch e this is for the last question . Thank you .
Well , then let me make a statement. Here, aqain , for -- we have no additional money for the School Aid Formular but we found more money for welfare . Now , that 's a great message to send out and go home with . As Pate Philip always says : Merry Christmas.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Carroll.
Thank you, Mr . Presidenty Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate . wish we could do like the Bulls and take a two-minute time-out and stop the clock for awhile , but I guess we can lt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) I appreciate your understanding .
Thank you . And it 's hard fo r me to say hello in ewo M inutes. Let me just say that this is the worst process I have ever seen in twenty-seven years, and I think anybody Who 's been down here would say the same. I feel embarrassed for our -- our Chairman. I think the meeting was a -- a farce . There was no one available to explain any numbers, nor was anybody able to go through any numbers. I doubt to say that even he is sure - and I feel sorry for him about this - that he is sure what's in this budget. I'm sure there is no one else of the fifty-eiqht Members who has the foggiest idea. And if you look at the education budqet, for example, and one of the things that truly concerns me about it, as we now know the numbers, since we hadn 't seen the bill , Chicago has a zero increase from that which the Governor suggested. Suburban Cook gets sixteen million, six m illion for Dupaqe , fou r hundred thousand for Kane, six -- four million in Lake -- I'm 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL A SSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day May 3l, 1997 sorry, six million in Lake and McHenry and Will, and sixty m illion downstate . Then you go into the flat grants, which give the wealthiest districts the same amount of money as these Hbottoms up'' we dre worried about, and that's money that doesn 't go to Chicago . Same thinç with hold harmless . And then you go to -- to tuition credit and textbooks, none of which helps the schoolchild ren : at least in my area , and you say this is a good allocation . This is ridiculous . Now I understand , at least , why they didn 't want any hearing on it at all .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Jones . Is Senator Jones on the Floor? Senator Jones. If you would z sir, we dll g ive you two m inutes . Thank you .
Well, gee, I 've been diminished even more . Well , thank you y Mr. President . We recognize, Senator Rauschenberger, that you and your Members of your caucus have -- didn't have all the facts, even thou:h you were in the room during the negotiating, and I do recognize that many of them will have to continue the practice of voting in the blind . We don 't like to vote in the blind . I have been in constant contact with the House and the Bureau of the Budget as relate to this budget. As has been forestated, we just received this huge document less than a half hour ago . And to intelligently analyze what's in itr it 's not fair to us , it 's not fair to our constituents. And I understand the dilemma that we face and -- and the dilemma Ehat we face to be replace blind trust in in the process. Even though we have a11 these laptop computers and everything to go w ith it, we still do not have anything that we can really intelligently vote on . And it 's unfortunate . It 's gettinq late . don êt want to be here in overtime Session just to delay it so that it -- it would require more votes to pass the budget. I I like to vote intelligently 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60kh Legislative Day May 3l , 1997 on issues. And I'M quite certain the Members on your slde like to vote intelligently . I intend to vote for the bill, because I trust that ninety-nine percent of it is eorrect . But it 's the wrong way to do business. And I hope in the future that we -- we would not continue this particular practice.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Thank you , Senator Jones . Senator Rauschenberger .
Senator Jones, you're absolutely right. I will do my -- I1m going to speak quickly lcause we have very little time. I will absolutely do my very best to make sure we do a better job with the process nexk time. I would like you to know there ls some very good things in this budget. There 's a hundred million new dollars for child care to help people nake the transition to work and to provide for working people in the State of Illinois. There 's ten million dollars to deal with the issue of immigration, which is a fackor the federal government 's shoved -- has sent -- sent down to us. I do appreciate your trust: and I realize this is difficult cireumstances. I1d appreciate a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) The question is, shall the Senate adopt the CQR on Senate Bil1 1129. Those in favor, voee Aye. Opposed, voee No. The voting is open. Have al1 voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have al1 voted who wish? Have al1 voked Who Wish? Take the record . On that question, there are 49 voting ïes, 9 voting No, no voting Present. The Senate does adopt khe CCR on Senate Bill 1129, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. (MIDNIGHT) 92 REPORT: TIFLDAY STATE OF ILLINOIS 97/07/31 PAGE: 001 90TH GENERAL ASSEHBLY 12:39:44 SENATE DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX MàY 31, 1997 HB-0018 REFDSE T0 RECEDE HB-0023 CONFERENCE HB-01O8 REFESE T0 RECEDE HB-0110 RECALLED HB-O110 THIRD READING HB-0127 CONFERENCE HB-020R RECALLED HB-0204 THIRD READING H8-0223 CONFERENCE H8-0228 CONFERENCE HB-099% DISCUSSED HB-1171 REFUSE T0 RECEDE HB-1197 CONFERENCE H8-1628 CONFERENCE HB-1T07 RECALLED HB-1707 THIRD READING H8-2209 CONFERENCE H8-2215 CONFERENCE SB-0240 CONFERENCE SB-0317 CONFERENCE SB-0408 CONFERENCE 58-0423 CONFERENCE SB-0454 CONFERENCE SB-0465 CONFERENCE SB-0469 CONFERENCE SB-057R CONFERENCE 58-0603 CONFERENCE 58-0663 CONFERENCE SB-0709 CONCURRENCE SB-0730 CONFERENCE SB-0730 OTHER SB-1048 NON-CONCURRENCE SB-11O9 CONFERENCE SB-1109 OTHER SB-1129 CONFERENCE SR-0091 RESOLUTION OFFERED HJR-0030 RESOLUTION OFFERED SUBJECT HATTER SENATE T0 ORDER-SENATOR DUDYCZ PAGE PRàYER-SENATOR SIEBEN PAGE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIàNCE PAGE JOURNALS-APPROVED PAGE JOURNALS-POSTPONED PàGE COMMITTEE REPORTS PAGE SENATE âT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES PAGE SENATE IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES PAGE COMHITTEE REPORTS PAGE HESSAGE FROH THE HODSE PAGE MESSâGES FROM THE HOUSE PâGE COMMITTEE REPORTS PAGE SENATE AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES PAGE SENATE IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES PAGE COMMITTEE REPORTS PAGE SENATE IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES PâGE SEKATE AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES PâGE COMMITTEE REPORTS PâGE HESSàGES FROM THE HOPSE PAGE COMMITTEE REPORTS PAGE SENATE IN RECESS PAGE SENATE RECONVENES PAGE MIDNIGHT PAGE