The reqular Session of the 90th General A ssembly will please come to order. W ill the Members please be -- be at their desks? W ill our guests in the galleries please rise? Our prayer today will be given by the Reverend Jane Ferguson , Laurel United Methodist Church , Springfield , Illinois . Reverend Ferguson .
(Prayer by the Reverend Jane Ferguson)
. . . you please remain standing for the Pledge Pledge of Alleqiance? Senator Sieben .
(Pledge of Allegiance, 1ed by Senator Sieben)
Reading of the Journal . Senator Butler .
Mr . President, I move that reading and approval of the Journal of Tuesday , February 24th , in the year 1998 , be postponed , pend in: arrival of the printed Journal .
Senator Butler moves to postpone the reading and the approval of the Journal , pending the arrival of the printed transcript . There being no objections, so ordered. Committee Reports.
Senator Philip, Chair of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned : Referred to the Comm ittee on Conservation - Senate Bills 1302 and 17072 to the Committee on App ropriations Senate Bills 1493 , 1718 , 1757, 1758 , 1759, 1760, 1761 , 1762, 1763, 1764, 1765, 1766 , 1767, 1768 , 1769, 1770, 1771 , 1772, 1773, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1777 , 1778, 1779 , 1780, 1781, 1782 , 1783, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1788, 1789 , 1790 , 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799 , 1800, 1801 , 1802 , l STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 79th Legislative Day Pebruary 25, 1998 1803 , 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807 , 1808 , 1809 , 1810, 1811 , 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1839, 1888 and 1933 ; referred to the Comm ikeee on Education - Senate Bills 1598 , 1599, and Senate Resolution 129 7 to the Committee on Environment and Energy - Senate Bills 1261, 1622, 1705 , and 18537 to the Committee on Executive - Senate B ills 1288 , 1498 , 1507: 1508, 1510 , 1511 , 1674, 1675, 1701, 1703, 1704, 1706, 1709, 1712 and 1878 : to the Comm ittee on Financial Institutions - Senate Bills 1380 and 1694 ) to the Committee on Judiciary - Senate Bills 1328, 1426, 1428, 1628, 1713 and 1756; to *he Committee on Licensed Activities - Senate Bills 1491 and 1657 7 to the Committee on Local Government and Elections - Senate Bills 1286, 1290 , 1365 , 1366, 1500 , 1522, 1578 and 17027 to the Committee on Public Hea1th and Welfare - Senate Bills 1473 , 1492, 1700 , 1711, 1830 , 1833 and 1834) to the Comm ittee on Revenue - Senate Bills 1308 , 1324 and 1873; to the Committee on Transportation - Senate Bills 1446 and 16957 and Be Approved for Consideration - Conference Committee Report l to Senate Bill Senator Pawell, Chair of the Comm ittee on Transportation , reports Senate Bills 1222 and 1293 Do Pass. And Senator Hawkinson, Chair of the Committee on Judiciary , reports House Bill 1217 Do Pass ; Senate Bills 1207 , 1215 and 1217 Do Pass; and Senate Bi1l 1224 Do Pass , as Amended .
Senator Donahue, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you , M r. President. To simply let the reco rd reflect that Senator Weaver is absent today, due to the death of his Wife .
The record w ill so indicate . Resolutions .
Senate Joint Resolution , Constitutional Amendment , 52, offered by Senators Cronin and Philip . STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 79th Legislative Day February 25, 1998 Senate Resolution 160, offered by Senator Jones and all Members . Senate Resolution 161, by Senator Shadid and al1 Members . Senate Resolution 162, by Senator O 'Malley . Senate Resolution 163, by Senator Dillard and all Members . Senate Resolution 164, by Senator Link. And Senate Resolutions l65 and 166 , both by Senator Dudycz and all Members. Resolutions l60 through l66 are all death resolutions, Mr . President.
Consent Calendar. Senakor Shadid, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to move for immediate consideration for adoption of Senate Resolution 161.
Senator Shadid moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution 161. Those in favor will signify by saying Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The Ayes have The rules are suspended . Senator Shadid r to explain the resolution .
This resolution is a death resolution for Harry Caray. On behalf of the Members of the Senate, have put together this resolution that honors Harry Caray for all the things he did in his lifetime, and we have to get it up to Chicago so it can be presented tomorrow . Thank you .
Senator Shadid has moved for the adoption of -- Senate Resolution 161. A ll those in favor, signify by saying Aye . Those opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 79th Legislative Day February 25, 1998 SenaEor Shadid .
Mr . President g for a point of personal privilege .
State your point .
Senator Hawkinson and myself are very pleased to have joining us in the Senate gallery today the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce 1998 Community Leadersh ip School. The committee members are Molly Wilson , Calvin Butler, Linda M iller, Michael W iesehan , Brad McM illan, Kathy Schaeffer, Barbara Hartnett , and Sue Fulton . So , would you please help me in welcom ing them to Sp ringfield?
W ill they please rise and be recognized by the Senate? Senator Jacobs, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you , Mr . President. Matter of announcement . Senator Bowles is absent today , due to illness .
The record will so indicate . Messages.
A Communication addressed to the Secretary : Please be advised that the Democratic Legislative Comm ittee for the 51st Legislative District met on February 24th , 1998, and declared that a vacancy exists in the Office of Senator in the General Assembly for the 51st Legislative D istrict of the State of Illino is as a result of the death of Penny Severns . You are hereby notified of the vacancy in the office of Senato r in the General Assembly for the 51st Legislative District of the State of Illinois as a result of the death of Penny Severns . The Communication is dated, February 24th, 1988 (sic) (1998), and signed by Committeemen Randy Hutton , Gerrie Parr, Joe McGlaughlin r STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 79th Leqislative Day February 25 , 1998 Horace Romine, Gordon Mazzotti, and Ronald Koehler.
Senator Trotterr for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, sir.
State your point.
Thank you very much , Mr . President . Just want to announce to the Body, at 12:30 this afternoon, in celebration of African-American History Month, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is having a little ceremony down in the Rotunda . We have a fourteen-year-old gentleman, who 's an internationally known speaker, who will be speaking to us, and I think you should be really entertained and you will learn somekhing, as well. And I ask all Members, if they couldy please be in attendance and enjoy this celebration with us.
Thank you , Senator Trotter. Senator Donahue , for what purpose do you rise?
For a point . To announce a Republican Caucus immediately in Senator Pate Philip 's Office . That 's a Republican Caucus, immediately .
And -- and the caucus -- we Will come out here no later than l o 'clock . The Senate stands at ease. SENATE STANDS AT EASE SENATE RECONVENES 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS N 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLX REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 79th Legislative Day February 25, 1998
Senator Syverson , for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR SYVERSON J Purpose of announcement, Mr. President. The Senate Public Health Committee that was scheduled for o 'clock will commence fifteen minutes after the adjournment of today. If we can speed up our -- our program here, we can get but fifteen minutes following the adjournment, Public Health will meet in Room 400.
You 're a wonderful optimist. Thank you, Senator. The Senate will come to order. Resolutions .
Senate Joint Resolution 53, offered by Senator Jacobs. It 's substantive, M r. President.
Executive Committee -- Rules Committee. I apologize. House Bills lst Reading .
House Bill 276 , offered by Senator Karpiel . (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Read ing of the bill .
Supplemental Calendar, on the Order of Conference Committee Reports. Mr. Secretary do We have a file a conference comm ittee report on Senate Bill 3? SECRETARX NANRX : Yes , Mr. President. First Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 3. PRESIDENT PH ILIP : Chair recognizes Senator Bomke , on Sena te Bill Senator Bomke . SENATOR BOMKE : 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 79th Legislative Day February 25, 1998 Thank you , M r. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate . Senéte Bill 3 is a First Conference Committee Report. Amends the Teacher and Chicago Teachers ' Article of the Pension Code to increase the retirement formulas to 2.2 for each year of service earned after June 30th , 1998. Be happy to answer any questions .
Any further discussion? Senator Berman .
Could the sponsor please explain what this does and who 's for it and who ls opposed to i*?
Senator Bomke .
The -- after a number of months of talking, negotiations, we have come up with Which what I believe is a reasonable way to fund the enhanced pension for the teachers, both downstate and Chicago teachers, changing from a graduated rate to a flat rate of 2 .2. The funding sources are of -- as of the following: The teachers will pay .955 percent of their payroll, the school districts will pay .9 percent , and the State of Illinois will pick up .576 that's for downstate teachers. In Chicago, the members will pay the .955 percent , and the balance will be p icked up by the district .
Senator Berman .
When we talk about .955 percent, do we mean that if my paycheck is -- is a hundred dollars , then ninety-five cents is what 's contributed g or... want to make sure that I understand . Wedre talking about ninety-five hundredths of one percent. Is -- is that correct?
STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLX REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 79th Legislative Day Februa ry 25 , 1998 Senator Bomke .
That is correct , Senator Berman .
Senator Berman, do have any further questions? Thank you . Senator Welch, for what purpose do you rise?
I have a question of the sponsor.
Indicates hedll answer.
Senator Bomke , can you tell me what the cost will be to the State of Illinois or the liability to the State of Illinois, or both?
Sena tor Bomke .
Well , the the annualized cost, this year ls costz would be about thirty-two million. The -- the liability to the year 2045 would be approximately two hundred and thirty-three million.
Senator Welch .
Accordin: to my analysis, Senator, the Governor is opposed to this. Has this been discussed with the Governor and his -- have his concerns been worked out, or are we looking at a veto of this bill?
Senator Bomke .
Well , far be it from me r Senator Welch r to try to second-guess what the Governor will sign or not sign. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 79th Legislative Day February 25, 1998
Senator Welch .
So -- so, basically youdre saying that there hasn 't been any - - any movement on the Governor's part. Did he include this in his budget, the thirty-two million dollars, for this proposal?
Senator Bomke .
I don't know what was in the budget. I don lt know if he did or did not, Senator Welch. And -- and...
Senator Welch . SENATOR WELCH ) When will this go into effect, Senator Bomke?
Senator Bomke . SENATOR BOMKE : June 1st. June lst. PRESIDENT PHILIP : Any further discussion? Senator Bomke : to close . SENATOR BOMKE : Well, thank you, President Philip. Por the record, although I 've indicated, those retiring after June lst Will be allowed to use the 2.2 formula. I would just ask for a favorable roll call. PRESIDENT PHILIP : The question is, shall the Senate adopt Conference Committee No . 1 on Senate Bill No . 3. All those in favor will vote Aye . A ll those opposed , vote Nay . The voting is open . Have you a1l voted who wish? Have you a1l voted who w ish? Take the record . There are 51 Ayes, 2 Nays. The Senate does adopt Conference Committee No. l to Senate Bill 3. This bill, having received the 9 STATE OF ILLINO IS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLV REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 79th Legislative Day February 25, 1998 required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Donahue, for what purpose do you rise?
Well, thank you , M r. President . On a point of personal privilege .
State your point.
Well , I 1m very honored today to have with us in the -- in the gallery behind the President 's chair the Western Illinois Leathernecks . They are the Gateway Conference T itle -- they won this . They were number two in the regular season, and they were in the Division l AA National Quarterfinals. Andy believe me, if you 'd been to any of their games, you would know they Were the comeback kids. They did some remarkable feats at the end of the - - the fourth quarter . They always came from behind . We called them the comeback kids . But the most interesting thing that I had the Coach , Randy Ball, the head coach , who 's here - and , Randy , why don lt you stand while I 'm talking - said that we were twenty-one and three in the last eight years aga inst other State schools. And of course , as you know , my friend and colleague here next to me with ISU , and Judy with Eastern, and Brad With Northern, I'd just like to have the the Senate recognize the Western Illinois Leathernecks . And there 's one other gentleman I want to -- to recognize: Aaron Stecker. Aaron , would you stand up a minute? H is credits -- and he 's a runner-up for the Walter Payton Award , he was first team All-American in a11 teams , and he 1ed the nation in touchdowns , scoring and rushing . And w ill you welcome the Illino is -- Western Illinois Leathernecks? Kirk?
Senator Dillard , fo r what purpose do you rise?
10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCR IPT 79th Legislative Day February 25 , 1998 A lso on a point of personal p rivilege . I think those of you who know me know that I am a Western Illinois graduate , along With Senator Sieben, and really am very proud of these gentlemen . But I do want to point out for the record that the WIU Leathernecks , while they didn 't win the National Championship , came mighty close in Division l AA , but they did on the opposing field , beat the eventual national champions. And those guys are national champion, in my eyes, and I certainly welcome them, along with Senakor Donahue. Great job, guys.
If I could have your attention, for just a minute. We intend on going in Session tomorrow at 9:30 a .m . The only business that will come before the Senate is the memorial service for Senator Severns. So if there 's no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until 9:30 a.m.r Thursday, February 26th . 11 REPORT: TIFLDAY STATE OF ILLINOI: 98/03/02 PAGE: 001 90TH GEKERAL ASSEMBLY 14:11:27 SENATE DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE IKDEX FEBRDARY 25, 1998 H8-0276 FIRST READING PAGE SB-00O3 CONFERENCE PAGE SR-0160 RESOLETION OFFERED PAGE SR-0161 ADOPTED PAGE SR-O161 RESOLKTION OFFERED PAGE 5R-0162 RESOLPTION OFFERED PAGE 5R-0163 RESOLETION OFFERED PAGE SR-016R RESOLETION OFFERED PAGE SR-0165 RESOLETION OFFERED PAGE :R-0166 RESOLETIQN OFFERED PAGE SJR-0052 RESOLVTION OFFERED PAGE SJR-0053 RESOLDTION OFFERED PAGE SPBJECT MATTER SENATE T0 ORDER-PRESIDENT PHILIP PAGE 1 PRAYER-THE REVEREND JANE FERGPSON PAGE 1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-LED BY SENATOR SIEBEN PAGE 1 JOPRNAL-POSTPONED PàGE 1 COMHITTEE REPORTS PAGE 1 COHHUNICATION T0 THE SECRETARY PAGE 11 SENATE STANDS AT EASE PAGE 5 SENATE RECONVENES PAGE 5 ADJOURNMENT PAGE 11