Thank you very much. Thank you. Don't get too rowdy now, guys. Thank you very much. Thank you. Kind of like the old days, only I don't know how Pate controls this group with such a small gavel, frankly. I had a big one when I was in the House. Article IV, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Illinois reads, in -- in part, as follows: On the first day of January -- of the January session of the General Assembly in odd-numbered years,...the Governor shall convene the Senate to elect from its membership a President of the Senate as presiding officer. So the Senate will now come to order. The media is now granted permission to record these proceedings. And will the Members and their guests please rise? By way of explanation: Dr. Pajak, Senator -- the Senior Pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church from Decatur, was supposed to offer the invocation here today, but due to the weather, he wasn't able to get here. And so the invocation will be given by Pastor Milton Bost of the Pasfield Baptist Church here in Springfield. Pastor Bost.
(Invocation by Pastor Milton Bost)
Thank you very much, Pastor. I might add that the Pastor's brother is being sworn in in the Illinois House here today. Would you please remain standing while we do the Pledge, led by Senator Adeline Geo-Karis?
Would you all join me, please? (Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Geo-Karis)
Please remain standing and we'll have the National Anthem, which will be sung by Airman First Class Ann Seeton, a soloist, from the Scott Air Force Base. STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999
(National Anthem, sung by Airman First Class Ann Seeton)
Thank you very much, Airman Seeton. That was lovely. I would now like to appoint the following Senators to the Committee to Escort the Supreme Court Justice into the Chamber: Senator Hawkinson, Senator Dillard, Senator Petka, Senator Munoz, Senator Silverstein and Senator Lightford. Like to recognize some members that are here today, the members of the Judicial Branch. We're joined by retired Illinois Supreme Court Justice John Nickels and his wife, Merita. Where are you? Right here. I'd also like to welcome Justice Louis Rathje and his wife, Maria Rosa, to the -- to the Chambers. I'd also like to recognize and -- and introduce the new First Lady of the State of Illinois, my wife, Lura Lynn, who's here with us. Is the Lieutenant Governor in the house, Lieutenant Governor Wood? How about the Attorney General? How about Comptroller Dan Hynes? Judy Baar Topinka, the State Treasurer? Well, let me say, I hope they haven't all vanished with the State Treasury someplace. How about the Auditor General, Bill Holland. Hey, all right. Billy's here. I hereby appoint the following persons as temporary Senate officers of the 91st General Assembly: Mr. Jim Harry, Secretary of the Senate, who's with us; and Tracey Sidles, who's the Sergeant-at-Arms. The Secretary will now -- pardon? Oh. You can be seated, he says. ...Secretary will now read the Letter of Certification from the State Board of Elections of Senate Members elected in November of 1998 to the 91st General Assembly. Mr. Secretary, please read the letter.
A Communication from the State Board of Elections, Patricia Freeman, Director of Election Information, dated November 23rd, 1998. STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Dear Mr. Harry - Enclosed is a list of individuals who have been elected to serve as members of the Illinois State Senate at the November 3rd, 1998 General Election. They have been duly certified by the State Board of Elections at their Board meeting on November 23rd, 1998. The newly elected Senators are: 1st District, Antonio "Tony" Munoz, Democrat, Chicago; 2nd District, Miguel del Valle, Democrat, Chicago; 4th District, Kimberly Lightford, Democrat, Maywood; 5th District, Rickey R. Hendon, Democrat, Chicago; 7th District, Walter W. Dudycz, Republican, Chicago; 8th District, Ira I. Silverstein, Democrat, Chicago; 10th District, James A. DeLeo, Democrat, Chicago; 11th District, Louis S. Viverito, Democrat, Burbank; 13th District, Barack Obama, Democrat, Chicago; 14th District, Emil Jones, Jr., Democrat, Chicago; 16th District, Donne E. Trotter, Democrat, Chicago; 17th District, Lisa Madigan, Democrat, Chicago; 19th District, William F. Mahar, Republican, Orland Park; 20th District, Beverly Fawell, Republican, Glen Ellyn; 22nd District, Thomas J. Walsh, Republican, LaGrange Park; 23rd District, James "Pate" Philip, Republican, Wood Dale; 25th District, Doris C. Karpiel, Republican, Carol Stream; 26th District, William E. Peterson, Republican, Long Grove; 28th District, Martin J. Butler, Republican, Park Ridge; 29th District, Kathleen K. Parker, Republican, Northbrook; 31st District, Adeline Jay Geo-Karis, Republican, Zion; 32nd District, Dick Klemm, Republican, Crystal Lake; 34th District, Dave Syverson, Republican, Rockford; 35th District, J. Bradley Burzynski, Republican, Sycamore; 37th District, Todd Sieben, Republican, Geneseo; 38th District, Patrick D. Welch, Democrat, Peru; 40th District, Debbie DeFrancesco Halvorson, Democrat, Crete; 41st District, Kirk W. Dillard, Republican, Hinsdale; 43rd District, Lawrence M. "Larry" Walsh, Democrat, Elwood; 44th District, John W. Maitland, Jr., (Republican) Bloomington; 46th District, George STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 P. Shadid, Democrat, Edwards; 47th District, Carl Hawkinson, Republican, Galesburg; 49th District, Vince Demuzio, Democrat, Carlinville; 50th District, Larry K. Bomke, Republican, Springfield; 51st District, N. Duane Noland, Republican, Blue Mound; 52nd District, Stanley B. Weaver, Republican, Urbana; 53rd District, Judith A. Myers, Republican, Danville; 55th District, Frank Watson, Republican, -- or, Greenville; 56th District, Evelyn M. Bowles, Democrat, Edwardsville; 58th District, David S. Luechtefeld, Republican, Okawville; and 59th District, James F. "Jim" Rea, Democrat, Christopher. All are four-year terms with the exception of the 51st District, which is a two-year unexpired term. We have a subsequent Communication from the Secretary of State, dated January 27th {sic) (7th), 1999. Dear Mr. Secretary - This office is forwarding herewith a copy of the Republican Legislative Committee's Notice of Vacancy existing in the office of Senator in the 91st General Assembly for the 28th Legislative District, as a result of the death of Senator Martin J. Butler. Also enclosed are copies of the Republican Legislative Committee's Certificate of Legislative Committee Organization and Certificate of Appointment of Dave Sullivan, of Park Ridge, to the office of State Senator in the 28th District.
Thank you, Mr. Clerk (sic). I think, to the relief of all, Judy Baar Topinka, the State Treasurer, has now arrived. And as I sat here and listened to the Clerk, I looked about the room and I see that we have with us a proud mother that's with her daughter that's going to be sworn in on the Democrat side of the Illinois Senate today; the Speaker's wife, Shirley Madigan, is with us today. Shirley. I imagine you're a little bit torn today, Shirley. Now I'd like to ask Justice Rathje of the Illinois Supreme Court to please come up to the rostrum and to administer STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 the oath of office to the Members of the Illinois State Senate. And I would ask that the Senators-elect rise to be sworn into office. Mr. Justice.
All the Senators -- elected Senators, please raise your right hand and repeat after me: I - and state your name - do solemnly swear, or affirm, that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and faithfully discharge my duties as Illinois State Senator to the best of my abilities, so help me God. God bless all of you.
Congratulations, to all of you. I'd now ask that the Secretary call the roll of the Senators of the 91st General Assembly.
Berman, Bomke, Bowles, Burzynski, Clayborne, Cronin, Cullerton, DeLeo, del Valle, Demuzio, Dillard, Donahue, Dudycz, Fawell, Geo-Karis, Halvorson, Hawkinson, Hendon, Jacobs, Emil Jones, Wendell Jones, Karpiel, Klemm, Lauzen, Lightford, Link, Luechtefeld, Lisa Madigan, Robert Madigan, Mahar, Maitland, Molaro, Munoz, Myers, Noland, Obama, OmDaniel,O'Malley, Parker, Peterson, Petka, Philip, Radogno, Rauschenberger, Rea, Shadid, Shaw, Sieben, Silverstein, Smith, Sullivan, Syverson, Trotter, Viverito, Larry Walsh, Tom Walsh, Watson, Weaver and Welch. Fifty-nine Members are present, Mr. President.
Thank you. A quorum is present. The next order of business is the election of the Senate President of the 91st General Assembly. And in the opinion of the Chair, thirty affirmative votes are required to elect the President. And the nominations are now open. And the Chair recognizes Senator Maitland for the purpose of placing a name in nomination. Senator Maitland. STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999
Governor Ryan, members of the Judiciary, our distinguished guests, today I have the privilege of starting my twenty-first year in the Illinois Senate. Not a day goes by that I don't come into this Chamber in awe of what my responsibilities are. That feeling has never changed. This morning, when I came to the Capitol, I walked in on this Floor and I did as many of my colleagues have done from time to time: I looked up in the gallery to the rear of the President's Podium and looked at five former Senate Presidents. And I walked to the back of the room and I saw a present Senate President. And I asked myself, as I was continuing to prepare my -- remarks for this nomination today, what really makes a strong leader? What really makes a strong Senate President? And I thought to myself, a Senate President is indeed that, a President of the Senate. Not a President of the Republican Caucus, not a Republican of the Democratic Caucus, but a President of the Senate. That is a step above a leader. That is a leader among leaders. Today it is my great honor to once again nominate Senator James "Pate" Philip to serve, once again, as Senate President. President Philip is my colleague, my leader; he is my friend. And many of the qualities that make President Philip a great leader are the fact that he is truly a friend of so many. He's a man of honor. From his days as a Marine to his days now as leading this august Body in its many, many deliberations, Pate Philip has demonstrated time and again his commitment to service and commitment to helping his fellowman. As a fellow Marine, Pate Philip and I remember well our time in boot camp. And the motto of the Marine Corps is "Semper Fidelis", "Semper Fi", as we have shortened it to say, and that means "always faithful". Pate is a faithful leader. He's a fair and honest man. His nature won't let him be anything else. He has that rare ability to sift through many different opinions, many different STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 personalities. And, Ladies and Gentlemen, there are many different personalities among the fifty-nine of us. But he brings things to a common goal and a common resolution. He doesn't turn a deaf ear as a leader. He listens even if he doesn't agree with you. And I can attest to the fact that, over the twenty years I've been here, we have disagreed from time to time. But he listens to your point of view, and that's what makes a strong leader. Senator Philip has a deep and abiding love and respect for our democratic process. He knows that peaceful government transitions are the exception, not the norm, in our world today. That's why he honors our freedom to choose and to disagree. He knows that's what's great about this country and about our democratic process, and that's what makes us, Ladies and Gentlemen, Republicans and Democrats, be more alike sometimes than we really know and believe that we are. Senator Philip has been good for Illinois. Let me mention to you a couple or three things that have happened with Senator Pate Philip as the leader of this Body, working in concert with the Chamber across the Rotunda and the Governor's Office: We have, in recent years, overhauled the State's welfare system, turning it from handout to hand-up; education reform - bringing the poorest schools up, working toward equity, and making teachers, administrators, parents and students more accountable to all of us; tougher criminal penalties to protect our families and neighborhoods; ethics reform; landmark changes that ensure Illinois a healthy job and business climate; historic programs to make sure our children have the health insurance they need and our parents are protected from abuse, neglect and hunger in what should be their carefree days of retirement. We now have balanced budgets, taxes kept in check and a solid financial footing for this great State of Illinois. Has Senator Pate Philip done all that by himself? Of course not. But he's done it by bringing together fifty-nine Members here to work STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 with that Body across the Rotunda, and ultimately the Governor's Office, to make things happen for the good of all people. Honorable Governor, I am deeply honored to place in nomination the name of Senator James "Pate" Philip to serve, once again, as the Senate President. Semper fi, my friend.
Senator Maitland -- Senator Maitland nominates Senator Philip as President of the Senate. The Gentleman from Cook, Senator Dudycz, is recognized for the purpose of seconding the nomination.
Thank you, Governor Ryan and Members of the Senate and our very special honored guests. I rise to second the nomination of James "Pate" Philip for Senate President. It is both an honor and a deep privilege for me to do so. I have known Pate Philip for well over fifteen years now, and the best way to describe Pate Philip, the man, is his sense of fairness and his cooperation. They are qualities that have served the Senate well for the past six years and they are the qualities that we need to look forward to a new millennium. Pate has the qualities of a true leader, Ladies and Gentlemen. Who else could unite a caucus of such diversity that we have in this room and reach consensus from this caucus? Think of what we have accomplished in the past six years that Pate has been our Senate President. Senator Maitland has mentioned just but a few. We have so much to be proud of in our State. And now we have a new Governor, which we're very, very happy to have and very proud of. Yet, more needs to be done for the people of Illinois. There is a new day in Illinois and we have a new team out there. And Governor Ryan leading the State and with Pate Philip, as our leader in the Senate, we can accomplish many great things and leave a legacy to our children and to our grandchildren. As we leave the twentieth century and enter the twenty-first century, we need a very strong, proven STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 leader to guide us, and that man can only be Pate Philip. Governor Ryan, I am deeply honored to second the nomination of James "Pate" Philip, also my friend, to be Senate President of the 91st General Assembly.
Senator Dudycz seconds the nomination of Senator Philip for President of the Senate . Senator Donahue is recognized for the purpose of seconding the nomination.
Governor Ryan, Members of the Senate, family and friends, I, too, rise to second the nomination of Senator James "Pate" Philip for Senate President. Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed eighteen years ago, when I was a newly appointed Senator and taking my first oath of office, that I'd be in a position to be seconding a nomination for Senate President. I am honored and grateful for that opportunity, but it's because of Pate Philip that that opportunity exists. As I look out across this beautiful room and see the elected officials seated here, and I know that whether you come from Chicago or downstate or the suburbs, from rural Illinois or the metropolitan areas, I know we are as different as the districts that we represent. But it takes a strong person and a strong leader to recognize our differences, to capitalize on our strengths, and to forgive our weaknesses. It takes a strong person, a strong leader, to pull us all together, to take our ideas, our energy and our enthusiasm and to channel that into focus, focus us in a way that is positive and productive, not only for our districts, but for the State as a whole. It takes a strong person and a strong leader to see beyond the surface, to size up a situation and to act. The veterans -- veteran Members of this Senate certainly know, and the new Members will soon find out, that sometimes things down here move kind of fast. And many times over the years, and most STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 recently this past week, I've heard Pate say, "Whoa, hold on. We've got to slow things down. This needs some light and it needs a little sunshine." It takes a strong leader to know when to move ahead and when to slow down. It's this sense of openness and fairness, his sense of honesty, his open-door policy, his willingness to be accessible, to listen, not only to Members of both sides of the aisle or both Chambers, but to the public at -- as well, it's because Pate's Pate that I am truly honored to second his nomination and ask that you join me in casting your vote in favor of Senator James "Pate" Philip.
Senator Donahue seconds the nomination of Senator Philip for President of the Senate. Senator Demuzio is recognized for the purpose of placing a name in nomination.
Thank you very much, Governor Ryan. First Lady Lura Lynn has been elevated to sainthood as of Monday. We congratulate you on being here with us today. Justices Freeman and Rathje and Nickels, the other constitutional officers who are with us in absentia, our State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka who gives us hope that there is future after the Illinois Senate, Auditor General Bill Holland, family, friends and guests, as we gather together today in this magnificent Capitol Building and in this ornate Senate Chamber, we celebrate a truly remarkable and historic week of change in Illinois government. All of us swelled with pride and honor on Monday as we inaugurated our thirty-ninth Governor and the State's other constitutional officers. And today we commemorate yet another historic occasion with the election of a Senate President. Governor, at 5:30 this morning, when Deanna and I woke up in Carlinville, for the first time in twenty-five years, I didn't think I was going to be here because of the ice and snow. But thank to the great -- thanks to the great Mayor of STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY - - REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Carlinville, my son Brad, and your highway workers, I am here.
We'll have to talk to him about that, Senator.
Governor Ryan, let me also say this to you. And this is a truly historic day again for you, George Ryan, for I shall point out to the press that you have served as State Representative in the Illinois House, Speaker of the House and presiding officer of the Illinois House, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and now Governor. And according to, obviously, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, in Article IV, Section 6, the Governor shall convene the Senate to elect from its membership a President of the Senate and serve as the presiding officer. You, as a presiding officer today, of this Senate, I think makes history. I can't think of another Governor who presided over both the House and the Senate. And I see that power rippling through your body with -- as you have that gavel.
You ain't seen nothing yet.
But I want to remind you, it's only temporary, 'cause then... Governor, the individual that we choose to lead us today in this Chamber for the next two years will preside over this Body as our State enters a new millennium. It is, therefore, imperative that we elect an individual who is cognizant of the challenges facing Illinois in the twenty-first century. We believe that that individual who is best able to address those challenges is Senator Emil Jones. During his twenty-six years in the General Assembly, ten of those years in the lower house across the way, his training years, sixteen of those years spent in the upper house, in the Illinois Senate, where he has served as the Democrat leader since 1993, he has proven himself time and time again to be one of the STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 most capable and accomplished lawmakers. He has distinguished himself during the six years as leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus. And it was he, for example, last year, who first called for an increase in the personal Illinois income tax exemption. And thanks to his strong leadership, the Senate Democratic Caucus has also offered other innovative solutions in other critical problems -- and solutions to other critical problems in the areas such as managed care reform, campaign and ethics reform, and ensuring that all of our schools, large and small, have the resources to make critical capital improvements to educate our children and our grandchildren. Time and again, Emil Jones has exhibited a desire to ensure that those who most need a helping hand from government receive such assistance. He's a tireless advocate for middle-class working families, for parents with children in day care, homeowners and renters demanding property tax relief, persons seeking adequate affordable health care, our schoolchildren, the elderly, the disabled, women and minorities, and concerned individuals working with local law enforcement officials to combat crime. Emil Jones is a man of integrity and dedication, competence and compassion. He is practical and pragmatic and always prepared to put the needs of our citizens before partisan political concerns. Governor Ryan, you know, as well as anybody, having served with him in the Illinois House, that Emil Jones stands ready and confident in his ability to lead this Chamber and to work with you and others on a cooperative basis to solve problems that confront the citizens of Illinois. Emil Jones will provide the vision and inspiration the people of Illinois are seeking from their leaders as we enter the new millennium. He is committed to fairness, to justice, to equality, always believes in compassion, and I am very proud, therefore, to nominate my friend and my seatmate, Emil Jones, Jr., to lead this Chamber during the 91st General Assembly as President of the STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Illinois Senate. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Senator Demuzio. Senator Demuzio has nominated Senator Emil Jones for President of the ~llinois State Senate. Senator Trotter is now recognized for the purpose of seconding the nomination.
Thank you very much, Mr. Governor, Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Senate, Chief Executive Officers that are here with us today. I proudly rise to second the nomination of Emil Jones for the President of the Illinois Senate of this 91st General Assembly. I wholly concur with the previous speaker, but wish to add that our nominee exemplifies what a leader should be. He is of that select few who has rightfully ascended to this prestigious and honorable position. Leaders are made; they are not born. Our leader has served this Chamber for sixteen years and has been with the General Assembly for a total of twenty-six. And with his innate vision -- gift of vision and training and unwavering dedication, he has learned the many nuances that foster successful passage of the great issues that impact heavily upon the eleven million citizens of this State. Our nominee is a benevolent warrior. He has mastered the art of debate. He is able to articulate clearly and succinctly the quality-of-life issues that our constituencies need and believe in. And yet, like the greatest fighter of all time, Muhammad Ali, he can float like a butterfly and he can sting like a bee. Our warrior knows when to rope a dope and how to land a punch that ends hypocrisy and enables truth and righteousness to prevail. As leader of this Chamber, the notion of inclusion would be a reality, not just a sound bite. As leader of the State Senate, the negativity and fighting - and there's times that it's polarized this Chamber and has consequently handicapped us - will be a thing of the past. -- STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Under his leadership, the future would be working cooperatively to address the issues: improved administrative health care services, enhancing the educational system for the betterment of our children, and how we care for our elderly and how we enable our businesses to -- to -- business community to prosper and to truly make Illinois the greatest state in the union. Our capabilities are great. Our opportunities are many. We have been elected by our varying constituencies to make well-thought-out decisions that will make their lives meaningful and fruitful. We can show them that we know our responsibly -- responsibility by taking this first vote for a leader of leaders, a man of these times. I am proud to second the nomination of a good man, a fair man, a man for today and a man for tomorrow. Join with me in voting for our President, Emil Jones, a leader of the Illinois Senate.
Senator Trotter has -- has seconded the nomination of Emil Jones as President of the Senate. And Senator Halvorson is now recognized for the purpose of seconding the nomination. Senator.
Thank you, Governor Ryan, Members of the Senate and guests. I rise this afternoon to second the nomination of Emil Jones, Jr., for Senate President. Senator Jones has fought tirelessly for working people, for our schoolchildren, for women and their rights, and for the disadvantaged. Every day Senator Jones follows the words of Martin Luther King and when King said, in 1963: No. No. We are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down the waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. As our State and union face more difficult problems and as the gap of the haves and the have-nots widen, it's important to have a Senate President who will work to bridge that gap. He will fight for equal rights for all people of our State and he will truly make sure that our public school students and STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 their families have the resources that they need to compete in the future. So I stand here and I strongly urge for all of you to cast your vote for Emil Jones, Jr., for Senate President.
Senator Halvorson has seconded the nomination of Emil Jones as President of the Senate. Are there any other nominations for President of the Senate? If there are no further nominations, Senator Weaver is recognized for the purpose of making a motion.
Governor -- Governor Ryan, I would move that the nominations be closed.
Senator Weaver has moved that the nominations be closed. All those in favor of the motion, please say Aye. All those opposed, so indicate by saying Nay. The motion carries, and the nominations are closed. The Secretary will now call the roll of the Senators, and each Senator should answer the roll by rising and stating one of the names nominated for Senate President or by voting Present. Please call the roll, Mr. Secretary.
Berman. Berman votes Jones. Bomke. Bomke votes Philip. Bowles. Bowles votes Jones. Burzynski. Burzynski votes Philip. Clayborne. Clayborne votes Jones. Cronin. Cronin votes Philip. Cullerton. Cullerton votes Jones. DeLeo. DeLeo votes Jones. del Valle. del Valle votes Jones. Demuzio. Demuzio votes Jones. Dillard. Dillard votes Philip. Donahue. Donahue votes Philip. Dudycz. Dudycz votes Philip. Fawell. Fawell votes Philip. Geo-Karis. Geo-Karis votes Philip. Halvorson. Halvorson votes Jones. Hawkinson. Hawkinson votes Philip. Hendon. Hendon votes Jones. Jacobs. Jacobs votes Jones. Emil Jones. Jones votes Jones. Wendell Jones. Wendell Jones votes Philip. Karpiel. Karpiel votes Philip. Klemm. Klemm votes Philip. Lauzen. STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Lauzen votes Philip. Lightford. Lightford votes Jones. Link. Link votes Jones. Luechtefeld. Luechtefeld votes Philip. Lisa Madigan. Madigan votes Jones. Robert Madigan. Madigan votes Philip. Mahar. Mahar votes Philip. Maitland. Maitland votes Philip. Molaro. Molaro votes Jones. Munoz. Munoz votes Jones. Myers. Myers votes Philip. Noland. Noland votes Philip. Obama. Obama votes Jones. O'Daniel. O'Daniel votes Jones. OIMalley. OIMalley votes Philip. Parker. Parker votes Philip. Peterson. Peterson votes Philip. Petka. Petka votes Philip. Philip. Philip votes Philip. Radogno . Radogno votes Philip. Rauschenberger. Rauschenberger votes Philip. Rea. Rea votes Jones. Shadid. Shadid votes Jones. Shaw. Shaw votes Jones. Sieben. Sieben votes Philip. Silverstein. Silverstein votes Jones. Smith. Smith votes Jones. Sullivan. Sullivan votes Philip. Syverson. Syverson votes Philip. Trotter. Trotter votes Jones. Viverito. Viverito votes Jones. Larry Walsh. Walsh votes Jones. Tom Walsh. Tom Walsh votes Philip. Watson. Watson votes Philip. Weaver. Weaver votes Philip. And Welch. Welch votes Jones.
Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you rise?
Governor, let's not be confused. We all want to vote for Senator Emil Jones. We don't want to be confused with Senator Jones on the other side of the aisle. So those of us that said Senator Jones, we want to make sure it's Emil.
I've never known you to be confused about too many things. The results of the roll call are as follows: Senator James "Pate" Philip, 32; Senator Emil Jones, Jr., 27. Senator Philip, having received the necessary votes, is hereby declared elected as President of the Senate of the 91st General Assembly. STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 (Applause by the Illinois Senate)
Congratulations, Pate. I'd like to -- I'd like point out that the new Lieutenant Governor has arrived on her crutches. Corinne Wood is here with us now. And I'd also like to ask Justice Rathje to -- of the Illinois Supreme Court to please come to the rostrum to administer the oath of office to the Senate President. And I would like to ask Senator Philip to please join us, with -- with his wife, Nancy, who is with us today. Nancy Philip, Ladies and Gentlemen, is here with us today.
Would you raise your right hand and repeat after me?
I will.
I, state your name,
I, James "Pate" Philip,
do solemnly swear or affirm
do solemnly swear or affirm
that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America,
that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America,
the Constitution of the State of Illinois, STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999
the Constitution of the State of Illinois,
and faithfully discharge my duties,
and faithfully discharge my duties,
as President of the Illinois Senate,
as President of the Illinois Senate,
to the best of my abilities,
to the best of my abilities,
so help me God.
so help me God. (Applause by the Illinois Senate)
Congratulations, Mr. President. I look forward to working with you, with Emil Jones, with the Democrat side of the aisle, the Republican side of the aisle, to -- to do the people's business in Illinois. You've been a great presiding officer. I know you're going to continue to be a great presiding officer and I would like, at this time, to relinquish the gavel back to you. Congratulations to you.
Thank you, Governor. First of all, I would like to thank STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Judge Rathje for swearing me in. You may not be aware of this, but we're the second-largest county in the State of Illinois. We're in the Second Appellate Court District. The Senate -- the Second Supreme Court District. We have never had a Supreme Court Judge in the history of our State. That's a hundred and eighty-one years, in case you haven't figured it out. So I am so very, very pleased that we have somebody from DuPage County on the Court. And I know that Judge Rathje will do a great job. So thank you very much. Let me also thank my lovely wife and family for their help and support. And I had a real surprise last night and that may be the understatement of the year. During the Christmas holidays, around Christmas time, my wife said, "You know, I bought you something, but, you know, it's not going to be here on time." I didn't pay much attention to it. Quite frankly, I kind of forgot it. And she got kind of nervous yesterday while we were in the office, when it got later in the afternoon, and I couldn't figure out what was -- what was going on. So we finally leave the office and we met some friends for dinner later on. And I walked into the restaurant and who was in the restaurant? It was a -- the shock of my lifetime, I think. My son, Jase, my daughter-in-law, Jonelyn, from Houston, Texas - a long way to come - and then, of course, my daughter, Cindi, my son-in-law, Mark Wallace, in with our new granddaughter, Kiara Grace, eight months old. So that was the best Christmas present that I've had in a long time. So I'm very, very proud to have them here. They're Texans, but their -- their heart is always in Illinois. I also have up here my brother, Art, and Joan. They have three girls and three grandchildren. We're certainly very proud of them and happy to have him -- them here today. And we also have our two boys, Kevin and Randy. And we have our oldest grandson, Zachary Michael Ramey. He's two and a half years old going on twenty-seven. We are certainly -- oh, and -- and our -- and our daughter-in-law, STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Sharon. It's on my list; I just didn't get there yet. So let me also -- also thank the Senators who nominated me: Maitland, Dudycz and Donahue - last, but not least - the prettiest of the three. But thank you for your help and support. And the Members. I have great Members on my side of the aisle. We have great Members on both sides of the aisle. They've been very kind and generous to me and I appreciate your help and support. And also our staff. What would we do without the great staff we have? We'd be in serious trouble. And -- and I've always been very proud of Carter Hendren. He does a sensational job. And I thought maybe I'd do something unusual today, because I've been around so long: reflect on how it was when I first got elected thirty-two years ago. And if somebody would've told me I would be here for thirty-two years, I would've kind of laughed at you. And so I'm going to try to compare what has transpired thirty-two years ago when I first got elected to what we do today and how we operate. And to say the least, I'm a veteran, in more ways than one. Eight years in the House. Twenty-four years in the Senate. Twelve years as Minority Leader and six years as President of the Senate. We've had more changes than you will ever believe. When I had the staff put this together, it kind of surprised me. Now, I was elected in 1967. That was the last Session of the biennial Sessions. In other words, one Session every two years. That's the last time we did it. That's when I served. Now, of course, we meet every year. We had, in those days, and George will remember, a hundred and seventy-seven members in the House. We had fifty-nine Members in the Senate. Today we, as you know, have a hundred and eighteen members in the House and fifty-nine Members in the Senate. We had no offices. We had no staff, and I mean no staff. Four Members would share one secretary in the House. And -- so that was interesting. Everybody wanted to get their secretary first to do their dictation, so it was always a problem STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 finding a free secretary to do it. Now, today, of course, we have secretaries, we have staff and we have offices. And it was kind of interesting when I got my first paycheck and we got paid for two years. That's the only way we could take our salary in those days, was one lump sum. It was nine thousand dollars. So I got an eighteen -- a eighteen-thousand-dollar check at one time. A lot of big poker games in those days. I will tell you that. And, of course, today we are paid annually fifty-one thousand. So things have changed. In those days we didn't have -- we didn't have a per diem. We had nothing. Today we have eighty-five dollars a day. And I really had to laugh about this: We got fifty dollars, for two years, for postage, stationery, et cetera. If that wasn't a joke. You could spend fifty dollars on postage alone. And, of course, today we have -- we have in-district allowance, we have about sixty-seven thousand, we have in-district offices. Some Senators, if they have a big district geographically, have two offices, maybe three. So things have changed. We had no per diem in those days at all. Now we have about eighty-five dollars. The budget - this'll be a real shocker: we spend this much on education, if not more - three billion dollars in 1967. Last year, thirty-seven billion four, and growing, Governor. Our General Revenue Fund, that's taxes we collected in that year, two billion dollars in round figures. In this last, 1998, we have collected twenty billion. So things have improved. The School Aid Formula, all -- all of you school people, we spent four hundred dollars per student per year. The rest was raised by local real estate taxes. Today we have brought up everybody in Illinois to four -- to four thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars per year - a gigantic step in the right direction. My first term, we had a hundred and seventeen days we were in Session for -- for the two-year period. 1999, the schedule of the Senate, we should be in Session forty-eight days. STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 I would have to tell you I think that's an improvement. We passed, and the Governor signed into laws in 1967, two thousand two hundred and four laws. This last Session, five hundred and seventy-five. And the question -- the question is this: Are we better? Are we doing it differently? I'd have to answer an emphatic yes. We have great staff. We're very professional. We have good district offices, good offices down here, and our services to our constituents have just grown by leap and bounds. I -- and I can remember this, you'll like this: computers. I never thought I would see computers here. When I first got elected to the House, we had a -- electronic voting in the House. The Senate did not. They voted by voice. And after they voted, then some of the Senators would send a little note up changing their -- their vote. So it took them a little -- little while to get back in the real world. But when I came here, after eight years in the House, we did have electronic voting. I -- I just remember this: In eight years in the House, we had four caucuses. And why did we have four caucuses in eight years? To elect the leader. Other than that, we never had a caucus when I was in the House. I came to the Senate, and now, of course, you know, we have a caucus -- at least one caucus once a week. And I happen to think that's a great step in the right direction. And I think we can be proud of some of the things that we have -- we have done here. And we have one of the healthiest, strongest economies in the United States, in Illinois. Twenty-five-year low in unemployment, less than four percent. We have a balanced budget, no tax increases, and our school funding that treats every student fairly with a minimum level of funding. We've got property tax caps. Your property tax will not go up over five percent unless you do it by referendum. And we are much more open and accessible than we ever had. And if you any -- pay any kind of attention around here, you'll know what the amendment does, you'll know what STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 the bill does, and it takes you about thirty seconds to punch it in your computer. I can remember voting on bills - I hate to say this - that we never had the amendments. We never had the complete bills and we would vote on it. It's just unbelievable how we have improved. I just want to compliment Governor Ryan. I thought his speech the other day was fantastic, was right on the mark. I agree with him. We ought -- we ought to do what's right for the people, what's right for the State of Illinois. And we've got to get away from this partisan -- partisan bickering all the time. Let's stand up to the plate. And I couldn't agree with him more that we ought to do something about the "hillside strangler". We need a gigantic road program in Illinois, particularly in suburban Cook and the collar counties. I couldn't agree with you more. We need a third airport. Illinois, you know, we should be the major transportation hub of the world. You will never do that until you have the third airport. People have heard of sky buses. Sky buses are an airplane that holds under five hundred -- over five hundred people. One airport they can land in America: Denver, Colorado. That third airport should take sky buses. Here in the next -- whenever we get this thing built, Governor, we will be able to fly to Europe round trip for a hundred bucks. Now wouldn't that be nice? I think that would be great. We should improve schools. There are a lot of things we can do. And this Governor will be cooperative. We'll sit down and we will work out a lot of things, and I think, generally speaking, people will be very, very happy. And I certainly will commit my support to the other side of the aisle. Emil Jones has been a friend of mine for a long time. We will work things out, work things together. And I look forward to a great legislative Session. We want to keep Illinois on the right track, we want to keep the -- our communities safe, the economy thriving and keep taxes low. Let me just say this: that one of the most difficult things I do is pick STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 leadership. There's a lot of talent on both sides of the aisle and it's always hard to pick and choose, but I have to do it. So I would now like to announce my leadership for the 91st General Assembly: Stanley B. Weaver, Senate Majority Leader; Adeline Jay Geo-Karis, Assistant Senate Majority Leader; Senator John W. Maitland, Assistant Senate Majority Leader; Senator Laura Kent Donahue, Assistant Senate Majority Leader; Senator Frank Watson, Assistant Senate Majority Leader; Walter -- Senator Walter Dudycz, Assistant Senate Majority Leader; Senator Doris C. Karpiel, Senate Majority Caucus Chair; and Senator Ed Petka, Senate Majority Whip. Now I would like to ask Airman Seeton to come up to the -- the rostrum and sing a song. I have to tell you a little story about the -- the Airman. Her grandfather was born and raised in DuPage County and one -- was one of the founders of the College of DuPage. Now, we found that out after we invited her; it wasn't done on purpose, believe me. But we're so happy to have her. She -- she has been living in Wisconsin. We'll get her back to Illinois one of these days. So -- oh, Belleville. Well, God bless you. You're getting closer and closer.
Sir, this is in respect to you. ("Battle Hymn of the Republic", sung by Airman First Class Ann Seeton)
The next order of business will be the election of the Minority Leader. Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Democratic Members of the Illinois Senate, I would ask unanimous consent to elect Senator Emil Jones as Minority Leader of the 91st General Assembly.
STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Senator DeLeo requests unanimous consent on behalf of the Democrat Membership of the Senate to declare Senator Jones the Minority Leader of the 91st General Assembly. Is there leave? I declare Senator Jones the Minority Leader of the 91st General Assembly. Emil Jones, would you like to say a few words? Congratulations.
Yeah. Thank you, Pate. To my long and valued friend, the now Governor of the State of Illinois, my former classmate of 1972, and his lovely -- wife, Lura Lynn, George Ryan; the Lieutenant Governor, Ms. Wood; to the Supreme Court Justices; the Auditor General; and friends, all: Pate, when I looked on the wall two years ago, I thought it would be very nice to have your picture hung there. But the voters of Illinois decided that they wanted you back here with us. To all my colleagues, my friends, my wife, Pat, my sons, Emil and Emil, I want to welcome all of you to the Illinois General Assembly. This is a great, great, wonderful place. To my democratic colleagues, I want to thank you for your continued support and confidence as we embark on a new Session of the Illinois General Assembly. I want to thank my good, long-valued friend, Senator Demuzio, Senator Donne Trotter and Senator Debbie Halvorson for placing my name in nomination. I want to thank the wonderful staffs on both sides of the aisle, because if it weren't for them, who write all the speeches, who do all the research, they are the ones who make us look good and I really want to thank all of them. We have today several new Members in the Illinois Senate, six of them serving here for the first time. I'm quite certain they will have a heck of a -- an experience ahead of them. But I'm sure that they -- they will, and can, teach a lot of us old dogs some new tricks. We welcome you. We wish you well in all your endeavors as you begin your service in the Illinois -- in Illinois government. Senator -- STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Senator Philip, my friend, my colleague, I want to congratulate you on being reelected as Senate President. Many of you may not know this, but the very first bill I passed in the Illinois General Assembly, Senator Pate Philip helped me pass that bill, unbeknowing to this. He was down in the gallery down -- I mean, down in the restaurant having lunch and he had passed out a little note against my bill and the Speaker said, "Anyone has a bill they want to call?" I said, yes. And I knew he couldn't get upstairs in time as... But although our political beliefs are sometimes different, together we have made a difference in a bipartisan effort on behalf of the people of this great State. Last spring our caucus proposed doubling personal exemptions on the -- for Illinois taxpayers, and we, in doing that in December of 1997, came together and put more funding into the poorest classrooms and made education an entitlement, as it should be permanently. This is how government should work for all the people of Illinois. As I said in my remarks two years ago as we embarked on the 90th General Assembly, it is crucial that we embark on a legislative Session with compromise as our guide. That still holds true today. The citizens of Illinois are still burdened with high property taxes that fund our schools. Illinois schools are burdened -- Illinois schools are burdened with a school funding formula that is mired in inequity, and education funding should be made an entitlement permanently, not just to the year 2001, Governor Ryan. That should be our goal. It should be our legacy to the future, the children. These are just a few areas. And as legislators and -- and as citizens of this great State, I believe that we agree that change is needed. I am sure there is much, much more. As John F. Kennedy said in his 1961 inaugural address to the nation: Let both sides explore the problems that unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. And Governor Ryan, your great, great speech, I trust that it will STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 spill over to the Illinois Senate so we can work together on things that can help the people of this great State of Illinois. I look forward to working with you in that endeavor. Results must be our goal, not worn-out rhetoric. All of that should be discarded for the 91st General Assembly. SO, again, congratulations to the Members of the 91st General Assembly. And I would like to do a very difficult thing. Each of the Senators on this side of the aisle and that side of the aisle are great leaders. They are all leaders within their own right. So I would like to announce my leadership team: First, Assistant Minority Leader, Senator Vince Demuzio; Senator Patrick Welch, Assistant Majority {sic) Leader; Senator William Shaw, who escorted me to the Inaugural; Senator Miguel del Valle; Senator Jimmy DeLeo, my paisan; Senator Margaret Smith, our Caucus Chair; Senator Evelyn Bowles, Deputy Caucus Chair; Senator Debbie Halvorson, Minority Whip; and Senator Lou Viverito, Minority Whip. Thank you.
I would now ask Dan Huffine, of Lincoln, Illinois, to come up to the Podium and lead us in "God Bless America".
("God Bless America", sung by Dan Huffine)
I just said to Dan, I hope I didn't throw his singing off, because I have a terrible voice. My wife always asks me in church not to sing, just hum along a little bit. He said, "No, you did fine." Now we have the benediction. Will be offered by Reverend Zev Cohen, Congregation Adas Yeshurun, Chicago.
(Benediction by Rabbi Zev Cohen)
The following Senators are appointed to the Committee to Escort the Governor from the Chamber: Senator Luechtefeld, STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Senator Wendell Jones, Senator Sullivan, Senator Obama, Senator Larry Walsh and Senator Lisa Madigan. Also, the Committee on Escort for the Judiciary: Senator Hawkinson, Senator Petka, Senator Dillard, Senator Munoz, Senator Silverstein and Senator Lightford. Please come forward and escort the distinguished member of the Judiciary. The Senate will stay at ease -- stand at ease till 1:30. That's about ten minutes.
The Senate will please come to order and will the Members -- please be in their seats? We're going to try to do this as quickly as we can. We have some paperwork we have to do. I have been advised that the other side of the aisle has had a copy of everything and they're in agreement. So, just a matter of -- of doing it. They're resolutions. So, Mr. Secretary, read Senate Resolution No. 1.
Senate Resolution 1, offered by Senators Weaver and Dillard. (Secretary reads SR No. 1)
Senator Weaver.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. This resolution provides for the election of certain officers of the Senate. And I would move for the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 1.
Further discussion? ...Weaver moves the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 1. All those in favor -- does a roll call -- okay. We have to have a roll call. I'm sorry. Those in favor will vote STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Aye. Those opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. ...y ou all voted who wish? Have you all voted who wish? Take the record. There are 56 Yeas, no Nays. The resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution No. 2. Read the resolution, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Resolution 2. (Secretary reads SR No. 2 in part)
Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. These are the rules contained in Senate Resolution No. 2 that the 91st General Assembly State Senate will operate under. Very quickly, there are just four minor changes. They are basically the same rules from the past Session. But very quickly, for purposes of memorializing these changes: Your powers, Mr. President, in terms of having deadlines goes from mandatory to permissive. I believe it's your intent, sir, that you don't want a deadline for Introduction of Bills, for example. Standing Committees, on page 16, we changed the name of the Local Government and Elections Committee to just be called the Local Government Committee. And in terms of who is entitled to the Floor, there is an archaic reference to the term "postmistress". We removed that. It's archaic, it's outdated, and it sounds bad, quite frankly. And finally, the 90th General Assembly rules provided for election contests because of Senator Luechtefeld and Senator Radogno's situation a couple of years ago, and we removed that. So, four minor changes. These are basically the great rules you created when you became the Senate President, and I would move its adoption.
Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise? STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999
Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. Staff has reviewed the rules. I know there was concern, 'cause they had not been -- really been passed out, but we have no objections on this side as relate to them.
Thank you, Senator Jones. Senator Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield?
Sponsor indicates he will. Senator Cullerton.
Senator Dillard, have you notified the -- the postmistress that you're eliminating the term from the rules, or does she not exist?
Senator Dillard.
No, I haven't, Senator Cullerton. But sometimes the postmistress could even be a man.
Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you rise?
I would like to ask the Senator a question, if -- if he will yield.
He indicates he will.
Senator Dillard, why should I vote for these rules?
Senator Dillard. STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999
Senator Demuzio, you should always vote your conscience, as Senator Weaver reminds me. But these rules, I think, are the fairest rules that I've seen in my fifteen or sixteen years, having been a staff person, a former liaison to two Governors to this Body, and the primary good reason to vote for this, I think, is the strength of our committee structure, which makes the State Senate, I think, better than any legislative Body I've ever seen operate anywhere. And these rules have, I think, provided for the easiest resolution of legislative business that I've seen in a long time, and -- and openness. And these are fine rules and that's why I think you should vote for 'em. But you can certainly vote differently if you want to.
Any further discussion? If not - this requires a roll call - all those in favor, signify by saying Aye. Those... We're voting on Senate Resolution No. 2. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have you all voted who wish? Have you all voted who wish? Take the record. There are 58 Ayes, no Nays, no voting Present. The resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution No. 3. Read the resolution, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Resolution 3, offered by Senators Weaver and Dillard. (Secretary reads SR No. 3)
Senator Weaver.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would move the suspension of the rules for the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution No. 3.
STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Senator Weaver moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution No. 3. Those in favor will signify by saying Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The ayes have it. The rules are suspended. Senator Weaver has moved the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 3. All those in favor, signify by saying Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The resolution's adopted. Senate Resolution No. 5. Read the resolution, Mr. Secretary. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Senate Resolution No. 4.
Senate Resolution No. 4, offered by Senators Weaver and Dillard. (Secretary reads SR No. 4)
Senator Weaver.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. I would move to suspend the rules for the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution No. 4.
Senator Weaver moves the suspension of the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution No. 4. Those in favor, signify by saying Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The rules are suspended. Senator Weaver. This -- this requires a roll call. Senator Weaver has moved for the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 4. All those in favor, signify by saying Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Parliamentarian suggests we do a roll call on Senate Resolution No. 5. 4. I'm -- excuse me. 4. It said 5. 4. All right. This is the roll call on Resolution No. 4. All those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have you all voted who wish? STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 Have you all voted who wish? Take the record. 57 Ayes, no Nays, no voting Present. Senate Resolution No. 4 has been adopted. Senate Resolution No. 5. Read the resolution, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Resolution 5, offered by Senators Weaver and Dillard. (Secretary reads SR No. 5)
First I would ask leave to have WCIA-Channel 3 film the procedure. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I -- on a point of personal privilege.
State your point.
I just wanted to recognize: the former President of the Illinois Senate, Tom Hynes, has joined us and also some other fellow by the name of Hynes is here also. He -- he finally joined us also. The Comptroller of the State of Illinois, Dan Hynes, his son.
Will he -- stand and be recognized? It's nice to have President Hynes here on the Floor of the Senate. It's been a while. And congratulations to his son, Dan. He's trained him well. Senator Demuzio.
He looks nothing like that guy up there. I don't know who that is.
Senator Weaver moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution No. STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999 5. All those in favor, signify by saying Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The rules are suspended. Senator Weaver moves to adopt Senate Resolution No. 5. We will take a roll call. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have you all voted who wish? Have you all voted who wish? Take the record. There are 59 Ayes, no Nays, no voting Present. The resolution is adopted. Messages.
A Message from the President, dated July {sic) (January) 13th, 1999. Dear Mr. Secretary - Pursuant to Rule 2-10 of the Rules of the Senate for the 91st General Assembly, I have attached hereto the schedule of Session days and deadlines for the 1999 Spring Session of the Illinois State Senate. Those days indicated on the attached as "Session' shall be regular Session days. Signed by President Philip. Another Message from the President, dated January 13th, 1999. Dear Mr. Secretary - Pursuant to the Rules of the Illinois State Senate of the 91st General Assembly, please be advised that I have appointed the following Members to the Rules Committee: Senator Stanley B. Weaver, Chairman; Senator Kirk Dillard, Vice-chairman; and Senator Walter Dudycz. Signed by President Philip.
Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you rise?
On a point of personal privilege.
State your point.
Also joining us today is the Fourth Appellate Circuit Judge, new Judge Sue Myerscough is with us today. STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 1st Legislative Day January 13, 1999
Please rise and be recognized by the Senate. May I have your attention for just one minute? If there's no more further business to come before the Senate, Senator Weaver moves the Senate stand adjourned until 9 a.m. on Thursday morning, January 14th. Hopefully, everybody will be here on time. We'll get our work done and get on the road, because there may be a little snow. So we want to get -- get in here and get out of here tomorrow. Thank you. REPORT: TIFLDAY STATE OF ILLINOIS PAGE: 001 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX JANUARY 13, 1999 SR-0001 ADOPTED PAGE SR-0001 RESOLUTION OFFERED PAGE SR-0002 ADOPTED PAGE SR-0002 RESOLUTION OFFERED PAGE SR-0003 ADOPTED PAGE SR-0003 RESOLUTION OFFERED PAGE SR-0004 ADOPTED PAGE SR-0004 RESOLUTION OFFERED PAGE SR-0005 ADOPTED PAGE SR-0005 RESOLUTION OFFERED PAGE SUBJECT MATTER SENATE TO ORDER-GOVERNOR GEORGE RYAN PAGE INVOCATION-PASTOR MILTON BOST PAGE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PAGE NATIONAL ANTHEM, SUNG BY AIRMAN ANN SEETON PAGE COMMITTEE OF ESCORT PAGE APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY OFFICERS PAGE COMMUNICATION FROM STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS PAGE COMMUNICATION FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE PAGE OATH OF OFFICE-JUSTICE RATHJE PAGE ROLL CALL OF SENATORS OF THE 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY PAGE NOMINATIONS FOR SENATE PRESIDENT PAGE NOMINATIONS CLOSED PAGE ROLL CALL FOR SENATE PRESIDENT PAGE JUSTICE RATHJE ADMINISTERS OATH-SENATE PRESIDENT PAGE REMARKS BY PRESIDENT PHILIP PAGE MARINE ANTHEM, SUNG BY AIRMAN ANN SEETON PAGE MINORITY LEADER DECLARED PAGE REMARKS BY MINORITY LEADER EMIL JONES PAGE GOD BLESS AMERICA, SUNG BY DAN HUFFINE PAGE BENEDICTION-RABBI ZEV COHEN PAGE SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES PAGE MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT PAGE ADJOURNMENT PAGE