The regular -- regular Session of the 92nd General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Our prayer today will be given by Pastor Jerry Doss, Abundant Faith Christian Center, Springfield, Illinois. Pastor Doss.
(Prayer by Pastor Jerry Doss)
Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Radogno.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Radogno)
Senator Myers.
Mr. President, I move that reading and approval of the Journals of Wednesday, February 21st; Thursday, February 22nd; and Tuesday, February 27th, in the year 2001, be postponed, pending arrival of the printed Journals.
Senator Myers moves to -- to postpone the reading and the approval of the Journal, pending the arrival of the printed transcript. There being no objection, so ordered. Committee Reports.
Senator Sieben, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, reports Senate Bill 184 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Hawkinson, Chair of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Bill 187 Do Pass, and Senate Bill 104 Do Pass, as Amended. And Senator Rauschenberger, Chair of the Committee on 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 Appropriations, reports Senate Bill 758 Do Pass.
Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 61, offered by Senator Lauzen and all Members. And Senate Resolution 62, offered by Senators Peterson, Geo-Karis, Klemm and all Members. They're both death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR GEO-KARIS) Consent Calendar. Committee Reports.
Senator Weaver, Chair of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation - Senate Bills 405, 548, 629, 653, 726, 734, 831, 832, 871, 874, 948, 957, 994, 1280 and 1315; to the Committee on Appropriations - Senate Bills 665, 691, 692, 710, 758 {sic}, 814, 1023, 1060, 1182, 1183, 1184, 1185, 1186, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1290, 1314, 1321, 1345, 1346, 1347, 1348, 1349, 1350, 1351, 1352, 1353, 1354, 1355, 1356, 1357, 1358, 1359, 1360, 1361, 1362, 1363, 1364, 1365, 1366, 1367, 1368, 1369, 1370, 1371, 1372, 1373, 1374, 1375, 1376, 1377, 1378, 1379, 1380, 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386, 1387, 1388, 1389, 1390, 1391, 1392, 1393, 1394, 1395, 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, 1408, 1409, 1410, 1411, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1415, 1416, 1417, 1418, 1419, 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424, 1425, 1426, 1427, 1428, 1429, 1430, 1431, 32 -- 1432, 1433, 1434, 1435, 1436, 1437, 1438, 1439, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1443, 1444, 1445, 1446, 1447, 1448, 1449, 1450, 1451, 1452, 1453, 1454, 1455, 1456, 1457, 1458, 1459, 1460, 1461, 1462, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1466, 1467, 1468, 1469, 1470, 1471, 1472, 1473, 1474, 1475, 1476, 1477, 1478, 1479, 1480, 1481, 1482, 1483, 1484, 1485, 1486, 1487, 1488, 1489 and 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 1490; Committee on Commerce and Industry - Senate Bills 389, 542, 603, 708, 717, 788, 793, 794, 795, 796, 804, 858, 868, 895, 923, 964, 965, 967, 969, 981, 982, 1001, 1002, 1086, 1087, 1119, 1178, 1179 and 1510; to the Committee on Education - Senate Bills 406, 462, 487, 492, 516, 519, 520, 556, 567, 570, 590, 591, 616, 630, 636, 667, 668, 722, 740, 756, 757, 759, 784, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 872, 898, 899, 903, 904, 905, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 932, 972, 973, 979, 1015, 1025, 1026, 1027, 1035, 1106, 1190, 1236, 1237, 1238, 1239, 1240, 1241, 1242, 1243, 1273, 1293, 1299, 1322, 1331, 1342, 1343, 1494 and 1500; to the Committee on Environment and Energy - Senate Bills 392, 393, 394, 415, 530, 574, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 582, 595, 605, 614, 683, 694, 695, 696, 724, 761, 847, 848, 852, 861, 880, 928, 947, 1017, 1031, 1045, 1053, 1054, 1055, 1069, 1110, 1115, 1125, 1133, 1137, 1149, 1180, 1181, 1289, 1295, 1296, 1316, 1318 and 1319; to the Committee on Executive - Senate Bills 43, 96, 387, 388, 391, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 451, 456, 457, 458, 459, 493, 495, 501, 517, 524, 535, 536, 537, 550, 560, 569, 606, 610, 618, 628, 637, 641, 647, 649, 651, 656, 657, 720, 728, 735, 753, 760, 778, 782, 786, 790, 813, 822, 825, 850, 896, 902, 919, 921, 925, 926, 934, 939, 952, 954, 956, 974, 983, 985, 987, 995, 996, 997, 1005, 1007, 1010, 1013, 1022, 1032, 1034, 1043, 1044, 1056, 1059, 1062, 1079, 1082, 1088, 1090, 1118, 1128, 1132, 1150, 1168, 1169, 1193, 1195, 1196, 1197, 1198, 1199, 1200, 1201, 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1208, 1211, 1215, 1222, 1249, 1250, 1257, 1258, 1259, 1260, 1261, 1262, 1263, 1264, 1265, 1266, -- or, 1267, 1268, 1270 -- or, 1269, 1270, 1288, 1307, 1323, 1508, 1511, 1512, 1520, and Senate Joint Resolution 2; to the Committee on Financial Institutions - Senate Bills 533, 575, 594, 689, 746, 820, 862, 888, 1036, 1037, 1040, 1103, 1104, 1130, 1291, 1312 and 1516; to the Committee on Insurance and Pensions - Senate Bills 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 431, 452, 453, 463, 476, 477, 478, 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 489, 490, 491, 498, 499, 507, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 525, 545, 563, 564, 565, 566, 572, 584, 585, 586, 587, 592, 593, 607, 612, 613, 642, 650, 666, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 702, 703, 704, 706, 707, 716, 736, 737, 738, 739, 771, 774, 777, 779, 783, 791, 792, 802, 803, 821, 849, 864, 865, 866, 867, 869, 870, 879, 892, 935, 936, 937, 941, 942, 943, 944, 962, 966, 976, 1006, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1028, 1046, 1051, 1052, 1067, 1085, 1100, 1101, 1105, 1114, 1126, 1134, 1174, 1244, 1245, 1246, 1247, 1248, 1251, 1252, 1253, 1254, 1255, 1256, 1302, 1324, 1340, 1341, 1344, 1491, 1492, 1495, 1497, 1505 and 1507; to the Committee on Judiciary - Senate Bills 395, 397, 398, 399, 401, 402, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, -- or, 464, 494, 505, 522, 532, 544, 549, 562, 583, 588, 596, 599, 600, 604, 609, 615, 631, 632, 634, 639, 652, 654, 655, 658, 659, 660, 661, 684, 686, 688, 700, 701, 725, 727, 733, 747, 748, 773, 785, 797, 805, 811, 823, 829, 838, 839, 840, 841, 844, 887, 897, 920, 938, 940, 977, 978, 988, 993, 1003, 1009, 1011, 1012, 1014, 1048, 1049, 1050, 1057, 1058, 1061, 1065, 1080, 1093, 1094, 1095, 1096, 1097, 1124, 1127, 1131, 1138, 1139, 1140, 1141, 1142, 1143, 1144, 1145, 1146, 1147, 1148, 1153, 1154, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1160, 1161, 1162, 1163, 1164, 1165, 1170, 1233, 1234, 1235, 1292, 1297, 1305, 1306, 1309, 1311, 1320, 1327, 1330, 1332, 1333, 1334, 1335, 1336, 1337, 1338, 1501, 1502 and 1517; Committee on Licensed Activities - Senate Bills 447, 473, 526, 527, 528, 529, 534, 571, 633, 643, 645, 646, 678, 682, 705, 721, 749, 751, 752, 843, 857, 901, 1041, 1066, 1070, 1077, 1089, 1091, 1107, 1152, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1228, 1229, 1230, 1231, 1283, 1284, 1287, 1301 and 1522; to the Committee on Local Government - Senate Bills 400, 416, 432, 454, 460, 466, 468, 469, 470, 472, 488, 509, 521, 523, 553, 589, 597, 662, 663, 664, 677, 680, 681, 685, 687, 712, 715, 718, 723, 754, 755, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 772, 787, 801, 818, 894, 915, 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 918, 945, 946, 961, 975, 980, 989, 991, 992, 1063, 1083, 1084, 1092, 1108, 1109, 1113, 1121, 1220, 1221, 1223, 1224, 1282, 1286, 1313, 1503 and 1506.
Refer to Public Health and Welfare Committee - Senate Bills 155, 390, 396, 444, 445, 446, 461, 465, 474, 475, 503, 518, 543, 551, 552, 554, 555, 558, 559, 568, 608, 611, 619, 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 648, 690, 693, 698, 750, 812, 816, 817, 842, 863, 873, 882, 884, 885, 886, 889, -- pardon me, 916, 917, 924, 927, 929, 933, 949, 950, 951, 953, 959, 1030, 1033, 1068, 1071, 1072, 1073, 1074, 1078, 1081, 1112, -- pardon me, 1112, 1212, 1217 {sic} (1271), 1272, 1274, 1275, 1276, 1277, 1281, 1303, 1304, 1308, 1310, 1329, 1493, 1504 and 1515; refer to Revenue Committee - Senate Bills 417, 449, 450, 455, 496, 497, 508, 538, 539, 540, 541, 573, 598, 601, 617, 638, 640, 697, 709, 711, 713, 714, 729, 730, 731, 732, 742, 743, 744, 745, 775, 776, 815, 851, 853, 854, 855, 856, 890, 891, 906, 963, 968, 970, 971, 981 {sic} (984), 986, 999, 1000, 1018, 1038, 1042, 1111, 1116, 1117, 1129, 1135, 1136, 1167, 1171, 1176, 1177, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1232, 1278, 1279, 1285, 1298, 1317, 1498 and 1499; refer to State Government Operations Committee - Senate Bills 500, 502, 557, 561, 635, 644, 679, 719, 789, 799, 824, 830, 833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 845, 846, 859, 860, 875, 876, 877, 878, 881, 883, 900, 914, and 931, 960, 998, 1008, 1029, 1039, 1047, 1075, 1076, 1102, 1151, 1166, 1172, 1173, 1175, 1209, 1210, 1213, 1214, 1339 and 1519; refer to Transportation Committee - Senate Bills 403, 404, 448, -- pardon me, 467, 471, 504, 506, 510, 531, 546, 547, 602, 625, 626, 627, 699, 741, 780, 781, 798, 800, 819, 826, 827, 828, 893, 922, 930, 955, 958, 990, 1004, 1016, 1024, 1064, 1098, 1099, 1120, 1122, 1123, 1191, 1192, 1194, 1294, 1300, 1325, 1326, 1328, 1496, 1509, 1513, 1514, 1518 and 1521. Filed February 28th, year 2001, by Senator Stanley Weaver. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR GEO-KARIS) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the committees will be meeting immediately. And the Senate will stand in recess until the hour of noon today. We will stand in recess till 12 noon today. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senate will come to order. If you're within hearing of my voice, we would ask all Members to come to the Floor immediately. Committee Reports.
Senator Parker, Chair of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Bills 98, 103 and 275 Do Pass. Senator Cronin, Chair of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Bills 19, 107, 109, 264, 325 and 330 Do Pass.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 181, offered by Senator Luechtefeld. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 216, offered by Senator Rauschenberger. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 260, Senator Rauschenberger. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 500, offered by Senator Rauschenberger. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise? 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001
Madam President, point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) State your point.
I'd like to introduce my shadow. From Wheeling High School, we have a Wheeling High School senior. Jason Macejak is with me today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Jason, will you please rise and be recognized by the Illinois Senate? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Parker, for what purpose do you rise?
For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) State your point.
I'm delighted to have with me today Melissa Lawrence, who is my shadow for the day, and she's from Arlington Heights. Please welcome her.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Jones, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Personal point, Mr. -- or, Madam President. I'd like to announce that we have here Mr. Murphy. He's a Page. Danny Murphy. And his mother works at the -- Meigs Airport. They brought him down. He's with us today. He greets -- his mother greets us at the airport in Chicago every morning when we are flying down here. And she brought her son with her from the southwest side of the City of Chicago.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 Welcome, Danny. We're glad to have you here in the Illinois Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Shadid, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam President, in the gallery today -- oh! Personal privilege. I'm sorry.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) State your point.
In the gallery today, behind the Democrats, we have students from the Pekin Leadership School Program. Leading today's group is Carol Shields, the Executive Director of the Pekin Chamber of Commerce. Like to have you join me in welcoming them to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Will you please rise and be welcomed? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Link, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) State your point.
Madam President, today I also have a shadow. From Barrington High School, Darlene {sic} (Caroline) Dawe, who will be spending the entire day, and says she has learned everything about government in this short period of time.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Welcome to Springfield, Darlene. Will you be welcomed by the Illinois Senate? Senator Peterson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Like the Senate to recognize my 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 shadow for the day, Nick Heer, from Wheeling. He's from Senator Link's district and Senator Link has a young lady from my district. So, you know, bipartisan cooperation here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Will you please rise and be welcomed by Illinois Senate? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Karpiel, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I hope all the -- Republican Senators who are not on the Floor, or who may be in their offices, can hear me, but I am calling for a Republican Caucus immediately in Senator Philip's Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) There will be a Republican Caucus in Senator Philip's Office immediately. Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) State your point.
As Senator Peterson just stated, I would like to welcome my job shadow to the Senate today, Rubin Cajigas, who lives in my district.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Rubin, welcome to Springfield. Senator Klemm, for what purpose do you rise?
Just a reminder, Madam President. The Executive Committee will meet at 1 o'clock, in Room 212. So I just thought I'd at least let you know that. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senate Exec at 1 o'clock. Senator... Senate will stand in 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) The Senate will come to order. Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 63, offered by Senator Philip. It's substantive, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Committee Reports.
Senator Weaver, Chair of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measure assigned: Be Approved for Consideration With Recommendation Do Adopt - Senate Resolution 63.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Messages from the House.
Message from the House by Mr. Rossi, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 68 (and 396). Passed the House, February 27th, 2001. (Bill within parentheses received, but inadvertently not read into record with message.)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Messages.
Message for the Governor by Michael P. Madigan, Director of Legislative Affairs, February 28th, 2001. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable Members of the Senate, 92nd General Assembly - I have nominated and appointed the following named persons to the offices enumerated below and respectfully ask concurrence in and confirmation of these appointments of your Honorable Body.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) I believe the Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been distributed. And the resolution is in the process of being distributed. Senate Resolution 63. Senator -- Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 63, offered by Senator Philip. There have been no amendments to the resolution, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip, do you wish to have -- to explain the resolution, Senate Resolution 63? Senator Philip.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Resolution 63 is a change in our rules. You'll probably remember, when we first took over the Senate nine years ago, that -- that we had a change in the rules. We had help from the -- the Democrat Parliamentarian that served Senator Rock so well. And we did a very good job on our rules. If you'll remember correctly, the Illinois House of Representatives, the Speaker, decided our rules were so good, he adopted about ninety percent of the rules that we did. Well, now he has changed his rules, as you know, and he has created some Co-Chairmen. So we have looked at his rules and we have come up and said, "Well, you know, that's a good idea. It seemed to have worked very well in the Illinois House of Representatives. Why don't we do that?" So that's what -- what -- exactly what this does. It allows the 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 Presiding Office {sic} to appoint Co-Chairmen to a standing committee. All right? That's all it does. That's how simple it is. And that is my intent. I may do one. I may do two. I don't know how many I'm going to do, quite frankly. It seems to have worked very well in the House of Representatives. And believe it or not, even the Cook County Board has now allowed Republicans to be Chairmen and Co-Chairmen of the committees on the County Board. The Congress has done it. So it's kind of a way of life these days. And I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there discussion? Senator Jones.
Yeah. Thank you, Madam President. My caucus spokesperson will want called upon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) You were just calling and screaming. Senator Bowles, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam President, I rise for the purpose of a Democratic Caucus immediately in the -- in Senator Jones' Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Can you give us a time when you're going to return, Senator Bowles?
Thirty minutes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) So we will return to the Senate at 2:10. The Senate will stand in recess until the hour of 2:10. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES) 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) At the time we recessed for caucus, we were considering Senate Resolution 63. It has already been read in the record. Senator Philip, on Senate Resolution 63.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Resolution 63, as I explained before, is a change in our rules. Would allow the Presiding Officer to pick a Co-Chairman for a specific committee, a person who is already sitting on that committee. This is similar to what they do in the House of Representatives. Quite frankly, I think it's worked out quite well there. In fact, they -- they have expanded what they've done in the Illinois House. My intention would be, do one or two at the most, and see how it works, quite frankly. It may not work well; it may work well. So I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Is there discussion? Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Madam President. Would -- would the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) He indicates he'll yield, Senator Hendon.
President Philip, on page 3 of the resolution, if you will refer to it, I have a question about lines 15 {sic} (13), 14 and 15, where it says the "Co-Chairpersons shall not be of the same political party and shall serve at the pleasure of the President." Does that mean that you could remove the Democratic Co-Chairperson at any time?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 I could remove 'em as Co-Chairman, but not a Member of the committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Hendon.
But if you can move them as Co-Chair, which is also Minority Spokesman, won't you then have power that you currently do not have over the opposition party Members. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
Yeah, I can remove a Chairman right now.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Hendon.
Can you -- can you currently, under our current rules, remove a Minority Spokesman from their position? Yes or no?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Hendon.
That -- that was a no, wasn't it, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
It was a no, no, no, no.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Hendon.
14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 So, currently, you do not have the power to remove a Minority Spokesman. If this pass, you will have new power. You will have power over the Republican Leadership; you will have power over the Democratic Leadership. Explain to me how that is good government. I thought good government was having two parties and giving us the opportunity to compromise. If you have all the power, isn't that -- this, in -- in fact, a -- a -- a power grab for whoever is in the majority at this time?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
Senator, we call this bipartisanship. We're trying to work together. We're trying to cooperate together. The Illinois House has done it. It has worked fairly well over there. I think we ought to do it over here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Hendon.
If that was your intention, bipartisanship, Mr. President, why didn't you allow the power to remove someone from the opposite party to stay within that party?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
I'm not removing anybody from the opposite party at all. All I'm doing is taking a person who your Leadership has appointed and just promoting that person to a Co-Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Hendon.
Mr. President, if that's what you are doing, why didn't you allow Leader Jones, the Minority Leader -- and one day you-all may 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 be in the minority, so I -- I just want to warn you about the rules you pass today; you might have to live under them tomorrow. I didn't make that up. Someone else more brilliant than me made that up. But you're going -- think about that. If that's what you wanted to do, why not say let's make all Minority Spokesperson Co-Chairs and let the Leader of the opposition, in the minority, choose those people? Let the Leader of the opposition have the power to replace them at their will. Why would you take power away from Leader Jones?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
Well, you've got to remember now, Representative {sic} Jones has made all these appointments. I'm just taking one of his appointments and promoting that person. That's simply what I'm doing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Hendon.
Well, Mr. President, I -- you know how much I respect you, and I'm -- I'm going to fight you hard on this because I respectfully disagree with you. If you wanted to change the title from Minority Spokesman to Co-Chair, you could do that, as long as you leave the power to appoint and remove those people as it currently is. You just admitted that you're now going to have new power that you've never had before. If a Democrat pisses you off or makes you mad about anything, you can remove them as Minority Spokesman. Is that correct or incorrect?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
You know, I don't think I can remember having one of your 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 Members ever pee me off. Quite frankly, I get along very well on the other side of the aisle. I -- I think you're a group of good people over there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Hendon.
Well, let's just say it's one of your cantankerous days or something. You just -- a bad mood day, and a Democrat happens to disagree with you who is - a bad hair day or whatever - a Minority Spokesman. I just want to know, for this side, so that those who are going to cut our throat will at least be clear that they're cutting the throats of every Democrat over here. Now, if the Republicans vote for this, hey, you're gaining more power. That's what you're doing: You're taking power. If this was anywhere other than Illinois, we'd be calling this banana republic; we'd be calling this a -- a move by some dictator or something, to take power from the minority party. If there are Democrats over here willing to cut a deal with you, I have no problem with that, but why cut all of our throat to cut a deal with you? I think it's bad government. I think you've made it clear that you're going to gain power that you currently do not have. You're going to usurp the power of the minority, the Minority Leader, and you're saying the reason is bipartisanship, where if you wanted to give someone a better title, it would be very easy to do. You could get your bipartisanship without causing what is going to happen now, which is going to be a disintegration of -- of the relationship that we have, because the Democrats on this side of the aisle are not going to sit idly by and allow you to gain more power and take more power from us and have power over us. And it does not affect me. I'm Assistant Minority Leader, so you can't do it to me. But this will give you the power to remove any Co-Chair, i.e. Minority Spokesman, because it becomes the same thing, that you wish, at 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 your whim. It's bad government. It's not bipartisan, and it's cutting the throat of the entire Democrat Caucus over here. And I want to warn any Member who wants to vote for it, at least be clear what you're doing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
Senator, I've never had a bad day in my life. Some better than others. And, remember, this is only a test. We're only going to do maybe one, two at the most, to see how it works. It seems to work fairly well over in the lower house, House of Representatives. I think that the -- the Speaker has come up with a very good idea, and so we're just copying what they do in the House. They have copied what we've done in the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Cullerton. Senator Hendon.
Just to close, Mr. President. In the House, the Speaker did not take away -- does not have, currently, the right to remove the Minority Spokespersons. That's still in -- in the hands of -- of -- of Lee Daniels, the Minority Leader. So this is different. This is different. This is different. You are taking power away from Jones that Madigan did not take away from Lee Daniels. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
I am -- I am not removing a -- a Minority Spokesperson. I'm -- I'm elevating somebody that he's appointed.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Hendon.
18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 For the last time, Madam President. I refer you, Mr. President, one more time, to lines 14 and 15, where it says that these persons "shall serve at the pleasure of the President". I have the language in here from the House. In the House, they still serve at the pleasure of Lee Daniels, the Republicans that -- that Speaker put into -- to chairmanships. Is that correct or incorrect?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
I -- can I answer this for the last time? This is my final answer. And I will -- I will remind you that since I've been the Presiding Officer, I have not removed a Chairman, a Co-Chairman, a Member of any committee. Now, that happens over in the Illinois House, where if a Member's not voting the way the Leader wants 'em to vote, or her to vote, they remove 'em. I've never done that. And my intention is, I would never do that. We're taking your person and promoting that person. That person has been -- been appointed by the Minority Leader. We're just making him or she a Co-Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Just to clarify something, Senator Philip, that was raised by Senator Hendon: If for some reason you appointed someone a Co-Chairperson and then you later on decided to remove them as a Co-Chairperson, because they serve at your pleasure, the way I read this proposed rule, we would then revert back to the same committee structure that we have now, the Minority Spokesman would be appointed by the Leader and you would have appointed the majority -- the -- the Chairman. Is that your understanding? 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Hendon. Senator Philip.
You know what? I can understand why you made that mistake. He's always up on his feet, you know. That's absolutely correct.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Cullerton.
Senator Philip, just so you can understand, I think, one of the concerns that was raised because the way this was drafted, another thing that could happen is that - let's say I'm the Minority Spokesman on Judiciary Committee - if you decided to appoint a Co-Chairperson to the Judiciary Committee, it could be some other Democrat, and then, according to the rules, I would no longer be the Minority Spokesman on the Judiciary Committee. So you would have the effect of - in that scenario - of removing the Minority Spokesperson. And that's the issue that was raised by a number of Democrats in our caucus. Now, what I've heard you say on the Floor is that that's not your intention. And I believe you. You're talking about only taking someone who's already been appointed the Minority Spokesman by Senator Jones and elevating that person up to a Co-Chairperson. Is that what you're -- what you're saying your intent is?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
Senator Cullerton, that's what I'm saying. I'm promoting a person that he has appointed, who is...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further...
...a Member of that committee. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Cullerton.
You know that -- for you to stand up here and say that is -- is certainly, I think, that -- obviously that's what your intent is. And I -- I do think, though, it would be good, if it's -- if there's a way in which we could -- if -- even if this passes today, if we could clarify that in the rule, because I know that's what your intent is and that did raise some concerns among some of our Members. But I would also say that if -- if you do that, according to the way you've stated you want to do it, I don't see how the Democrats over here can lose if you want to elevate a Minority Spokesperson to a Co-Chairperson. You're not changing the makeup of the committee, but you're, I assume, allowing a Democrat to -- to co-chair the committee. And I -- I can't see how that could be a bad thing for -- for us in the minority.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Obama.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the -- President Philip yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) He indicates he'll yield, Senator Obama.
You know, I appreciate the clarification that Senator Cullerton is -- was attempting there. But, President Philip, when I read the rule, at least, as I understood it, there's nothing in there to indicate that the Chairperson -- the Co-Chairperson that you appoint has to be somebody that Leader Jones has appointed. Now, that may be your intent, that may be how you said that you wanted to -- how you intend to implement the rule, but the language itself, as I understand it, does not say that the only 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 person who could be made the Co-Chairperson is somebody who is currently the Minority Spokesperson who's been appointed by Leader Jones. Am I incorrect on that? Am I misreading the -- the proposed rule?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
Senator, I think you're half right. It says it has to be a Member of that committee. My intention would be to appoint the Minority Spokesman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Obama.
Well, I think that makes a big difference. Okay? Now, keep in mind that, obviously, even if you were just appointing the Minority Spokesperson, there is still a diminished power, with respect to Leader Jones, in you having that power, because it may be, for example - this is just a hypothetical - that a Minority Spokesperson of a committee has gotten into an argument with the Leader and is not happy with the Leader. Maybe he was thinking about running for Leader himself and got upset. And -- so there's a -- there's a power struggle taking place within the caucus. And what you are now essentially doing is locking in that person, that individual, into a position of essentially being the -- the Co-Chairperson, Minority Spokesperson, whatever you want to call him, even though Leader Jones might desire to replace him at that point. So it is diminishing the power of Leader Jones. Would you concede that point?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
To a very, very small degree. 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Obama.
Even if that was the case, and let's say that was the only way that potentially you were trying to -- to deal with this issue, the language itself doesn't state that only a Minority Spokesman could be appointed. So the way that we are all reacting to this is we see no reason -- let's say I am the Minority Spokesperson of Public Health and Welfare. And you make a decision: "You know, I really actually like Munoz a lot better - he's on the committee. He's a better looking guy. He seems more cooperative. He's a police officer, kind of a law-and-order type. I'm sympathetic to him. I'm going to elevate Munoz to Co-Chairman." Now, under the rules as I read them, there is nothing that we could do to prevent that. Munoz would now be effectively the Minority Spokesperson, paid the -- the stipend that is conferred to the Minority Spokesperson, and I would be out of luck. You might just threaten me to do that. You might say, "You know what, Obama? If you don't go along with what -- something that we're doing, I'm going to do this." I'm not saying you would, President Philip, but it is a possibility. That sort of possibility, to me, undermines the basic premise of this Senate, which is that one side is in the majority and the other side is in the minority. Our job is to be the loyal opposition. But at the very least, we're able to control who our Spokespersons are, we're able to control who is assigned to committees, and we're able to present, as loyal opposition, the viewpoints and the values of the party that's out of power. It strikes me that under this rule as written, we no longer have that authority and power, and we're going to have to depend on your good graces to make sure that, in fact, the Spokespersons that are currently there continue to be Spokespersons. I don't think that that is a rule that anybody on 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 that side of the aisle would feel comfortable operating under. And I think that it is a mistake for us to use, sort of, some -- some power issues that are taking place within this Chamber to fundamentally shift what is already a pretty significant imbalance of power between the majority and the minority and make it even worse, where essentially the minority can't even assign its own Minority Spokespersons to committee. I -- I just think that that is not the way to run the railroad and that's not going to produce bipartisan government or better government. I think it's going to produce more recrimination, more rancor and, over time, is going to result in a less effective Senate. I -- I strongly urge you, Mr. President, to withdraw this -- this rule and this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator del Valle. SENATOR dEL VALLE: It was well stated by Senator Barack and others who have spoken, but I want to speak to all my friends on the other side of the aisle here. We have -- we have great Senators in this Body. All of us care about our constituents. All of us take our job seriously. And certainly, all of us have the intellectual capacity to function effectively in this legislative Body. And you don't have to be a lawyer - I'm not a lawyer - but you don't have to be a lawyer to read this language and to draw one conclusion because there's only one conclusion that can be drawn, and that is that this language will give the Senate President the power, the authority, to select Minority Spokespersons in every single committee. I know that that is not the intent of Senator Philip, and I believe you, and I know that this is for the purpose of addressing an individual, and those are your words. And I am not going to say that that is wrong or that is right. But in taking care of one individual, we are then all contributing in destroying the minority caucus. Destroying the minority caucus. 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 I don't think we've ever -- as long as I've been here, I've never seen anything like this. And just for a second, a little empathy, please, on the other side. Put yourselves in our shoes. Would you even contemplate - would you even contemplate - accepting a rule that destroys your caucus? And then to do it in the name of bipartisanship. We could have -- you could have appointed a Democrat as a Chair of a committee at the beginning of the Session. You could have done that. That's what was done in the House. You could have done that. You could have -- after what resulted on this side that has led to this move, you could have asked one of your Chairs to step aside and become a Co-Chair so you could appoint a Chair from this side to demonstrate -- bipartisanship. That could have been done. There are all kinds of ways that you can take care of the concern that you have. And I wouldn't want to try and deprive you of an opportunity to do this. But this is the wrong approach. And so I appeal to your good conscience, I appeal to your sense of fairness, and I also say to you that this is not going to play out very well out there with the public. This total -- what is, in effect, a power grab, though not intended. And I believe it is not intended, but this language, theoretically, allows you to do that. Senator Philip, if tomorrow you decide that you're going to go do something else, someone else replaces you. Then your intent goes out the window. Another Member who becomes Senate President could decide that, "Yes, I like this, I want total control", and then it gets done. And so, once you establish a rule, yes, a rule can be changed, but there is tremendous amount of damage, damage, damage that will be done by this rule. And I ask you, I implore, that you reconsider.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Rauschenberger.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 Senate. I'm -- I'm not sure how all of you feel about your roles in the General Assembly, but I'll tell you, having the privilege of serving all of you as the Appropriation Chairman over the last seven years and kind of dancing between the raindrops with two Governors who spent a fair amount of time angry with me and working closely with Senator Trotter, who's been just a -- a pleasure to work with, there have been probably a lot of times when I would guess that I have made the Senate President a little frustrated and a little angry. Despite all of the frustrations that have taken place since I have been in the Senate, we have never had a Chairman removed by the Senate President in -- in this Body. We have never had a Member removed from a committee. Our entire work here really depends on a fabric of trust. As -- as a matter of course, the Rules Committee could deny a Chairman any bills by simply not referring any bills to that committee. In our rules, if you look at them in a sinister way, you can find fifteen or twenty different ways that the -- a majority of Senators here could deprive a single Senator of a lot of rights. I don't recall the timer box being turned on in this Chamber more than five or six times since I've been elected, and when it has been turned on, I don't remember it being very stringently enforced. I realize that there could have been other ways to address the question of bipartisanship. I think that, in many ways, was raised last night in the President's speech. But we chose -- the Senate President chose not to form extra committee the -- committees the way the House has, and I think they've now impaneled forty regular committees and seven special committees. We haven't thrown stipends to the wind and tried to stipend every, single Member. What we've done is experimentally tried to set up a way where we can have a designated Co-Chair to share power in a committee to test whether it'll work. So I would just urge everybody to kind of take a look at the whole fabric of the Senate President's time 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 here and -- and the majority's work here, and remember that all that we do is not sinister. If people wanted to be sinister in this process, there's lots of other ways to disenfranchise people. We all depend on our fabric of cooperation and fair play and trust of each other. So whether it's the amount of time you're allowed to speak on the Floor, where bills are referred, whether you get a hearing, whether you're treated with respect, it all depends on a fabric of trust. As the man responsible -- or, the officer responsible for the activities of the Body, the Senate Republicans agreed to a provision in the rules to remove a Chairman, in case of illness, in case a Chairman was incapacitated, in case, for whatever reason, a Chairman couldn't discharge his duties. It's very logical to extend that right of removal to a Co-Chair. So I just hope that there are those of you, whether you support the rule or not, that can read it for what it means, that we're all, as -- as majority Members, subject to the removal, not so that Senator Philip can tell the Approp Chairman what to do in committee - 'cause any of you guys know he doesn't like five-hour hearings, and I hold 'em all the time - but it's to make sure that we can run a responsible and orderly Chamber. So I just urge people to -- to read the rule in the intent it was written, and let's give this a try.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Weaver.
I would move the previous question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) I have five speakers, Senator Weaver. Further discussion? Senator Woolard.
This probably is not the most opportune time for a freshman among you to stand and speak to an issue. I'd like to ask a 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 question, if I could, of the sponsor of this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) He indicates he'll yield, Senator Woolard.
I think I heard you indicate in the beginning that you were patterning this idea, or at least this concept, after something that had been implemented in the House. Is that so, or...?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
That's exactly where we got the idea.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Woolard.
In looking at the approach that was used there, were there parts of what they implemented that you thought were not effective, or not right, or wouldn't fit the Senate Chamber as well as it did in the House? Or why did we -- why did we choose to differ from the way that they did it? Not that they do it right all the time, because I don't believe they do.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
And you're correct. That's why we decided to modify it a little bit. And, you know, they talk about division. I don't know if there's any big division or -- in the caucus in either the -- in the House Republicans or Democrats. It hasn't created a gigantic problem over there that the previous speaker stated.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Woolard. Just put your light on, Larry.
Okay. I -- I agree, and I'll learn the process. I've finally 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 figured out when to take the nap. But I -- I -- I really believe that there's some significant difference between their plan on implementing minority Chairs and -- and this plan. And -- and that's where I'm having some difficulty at this point. The one thing that was left in place in the plan that was implemented in the House, as I understand it, and I happened to serve there for several years, was the fact that the Minority Leader retained the right to select the Minority Spokesperson in every committee that was established. Is that still going to be available here?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
You know, when I think about what you've done in the House, and I'm not an expert on their rules at all, I think all he did was change the name of the -- the committees to "select" committees. We haven't changed any of the names at all. That's the difference, basically.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Woolard. Just put your light back on and then I'll call you.
I -- I think that there are standing committees that are chaired by a Republican Member of that Body, and in doing so, then the Minority Spokesperson -- that Chairperson, even though they were of the minority party, was selected by the Speaker, but that Minority Spokesperson on that committee was selected by the Minority Leader. And that is something that I believe is vitally important here, because we have to maintain the semblance, at least, that we're being fair with the minority. And someone mentioned earlier, and, you know, I'm not sure that this is going to happen quickly, but certainly, as a new Member here, I hope that we have the chance to serve in the majority some time, and I 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 would certainly hope that those on that side of the aisle, if, in fact, that happens, would fight for this right the same as us. I just believe that we have to continue to ensure that there is integrity in the right of the Minority Leader to select his representation on every committee, no matter who the Chair of that committee is, or Chairs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Demuzio.
Well, thank you, Mr. -- or, Madam Chairman. I'd like to ask the Senate President a question, if I might.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) He indicates he'll yield, Senator Demuzio.
Senator Philip, I may have missed this in the early part of the discussion, but on page 3 of your amendment, line 12, "...the President may appoint any two members to serve as Co-Chairpersons of a Standing Committee." Does that mean any two Members, or does that mean any two Members -- or any Member that is on the committee, or what does that mean?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip.
It -- it means it's got to be a Member on the committee. That's what -- how we interpret it. And may I say this, if I remember correctly, and I say I'm not an authority on the House rules, I -- I think that the Speaker, on his select committee, appoints both the Co-Chairmen, one from the opposition party and one from his party, if I remember correctly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Demuzio.
30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 Well, thank you. I'm amused that you would want to promote one of our guys over your guys, particularly some of your guys who aren't even Chairmen yet, that haven't even got the stipend. But that's okay. This isn't the first time, you know, we've had this disruption in the -- in the Senate. I've been around here long enough to know when we had the map to be drawn the last time, we had two or three on this side of the aisle that held up this Senate for about three weeks, as I recall correctly, because of some -- some snit that took place over here. This seems to me to be another example of how, in the reapportionment year, that this brings out the very worst in us. This is not a good thing to do and we ought not to do it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Madam President. I'll be very brief since we've discussed this at length. I do not subscribe to the theory that this at all reduces the power of the Minority Leader. It might slightly increase an already very powerful Senate President in his appointment powers. But I think the bottom line here, and I, again, do not agree that somehow this reduces Senator Jones' power, but this clearly increases the power of the minority party, the Democrats as a whole. All of you in your caucus are more empowered if you have a committee chairmanship than not. And I think overall this is good. We should try to make an attempt at experimenting with our rules to increase bipartisanship from time to time. And if I can crystal ball gaze and imagine what committee the Senate President might have in mind for the first experiment of this particular rule change, it's a -- it's a different kind of committee, it's a committee that has appointments that oftentimes are half Democratic people that the Governor appoints. And I think for this particular committee that 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 the Senate President might have in mind, it really makes you even more powerful than a regular committee, in the fact that a lot of those individuals that we have to sign off on as a Body for appointments are Democrats and they are Democratic seats. So, this is a good experiment, a noble experiment, and clearly it increases the power of the minority party overall. And it's good. And I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Hendon, for a second time.
I apologize for rising a second time. I don't mind the boos either; you know me better than that by now. But Senator Rauschenberger, who is a dear, dear friend of mine, raised a -- a couple issues and we need to deal with it. He said this is just like if somebody died or somebody couldn't carry out their functions, then we would replace them. But currently -- and I've been here when Members have passed on and went to heaven or hell - I don't know where they ended up at - but I've been here when people have left this -- this place and they were replaced by the party Leader from which they came. This allows an already powerful President, as you said, Senator Dillard, who I admire for the way he waves that iron fist and he says he's never done it before, but he never had the power before. This will give him the power. So the President may not have done it before, but it gives him the power. And if, for some unforeseen reason, Pate Philip leaves here soon, whoever becomes the President then may not have his kindhearted intentions to -- to do the right thing. They may just want to disrupt the Democratic Caucus. Finally, to Senator Dillard, let me choose my own poison. Don't tell me and insult our integrity and our intelligence to say to us that this is making us more powerful. This is weakening the minority party, if we accept it. And I do not believe for one second that the 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 President, who I admire greatly in this Chamber, is doing this out of the kindness of his heart.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Further discussion? Senator Jones.
Yeah. Thank you, Madam President. Would the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) He indicates he'll yield, Senator Jones.
Senator Philip, I get confused: On one hand, you tell this Body how you have patterned this proposal after the House rules, then, in the same breath, you said, "Well, I'm not too certain." So, I read the House rule. The House rule simply states that the Speaker shall -- can appoint a Chairman of a standing committee, and the Minority Spokesperson {sic} will still have the power to appoint a Minority Spokesperson to that same committee. This does not do that. And for the Members on this side of the aisle, for -- for one to be humble enough or -- or believe that they're doing you a favor, don't believe that. All past Session you're -- you're trying to get your bills out of Rules Committee. This nice, kind, gentle Senate President, through his Chairman of the Rules Committee, held all your good proposals out. Identical bills with the same message, sponsored by that side of the aisle, were arbitrarily let out of committee. So don't believe anything of that nature. The way this rule is written, it's written so that the President of the Senate, if he so desire, can take either one of the Spokespersons on this side of the aisle and make them a Co-Chair of a committee and serve at his pleasure. But what it does is simply this: If he decides to remove them because they wouldn't go along with him on a vote on something else, it does not say that they will revert back to be Minority Spokesperson, and I would not even appoint such a person as Minority 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 Spokesperson, who did something of that nature. So this is an attempt to try to pull the wool over Members on this side of the aisle. And those who are fool enough to believe in it aren't interested in the Democratic Caucus. They are not interested in your being the majority on this side of the aisle. We've got critical issues coming up - remap. Once every ten years we do this. Either you're going to be Democrats or you're going to be Republicans, or you're going to try to be in the majority. I would love for the year -- the year 2003, when this side of the aisle is in the majority, and I want to see you, Senator Dillard, I want to see you, Senator Rauschenberger, -- say that this rule is good because the Democrats going to pick our Leaders for us. Don't kid anybody. This is a joke. Let's not play games. And, Senator Philip, I have respect for you, but don't stand before this Body and tell people that this rule is just like the -- the House rules. Ray Charles is blind; he can read -- he -- he sees the difference. And I know darn well you got two eyes and you can see the difference. So let's not play those silly games here on the Senate Floor. If you want someone to come out of the closet and join you, fine. That's what the rule is designed for, to take care of one person. That's fine. But let's not try to pretend to this Body or anyone else that this is designed for the Democrats on this side of the aisle and it's good for them, 'cause I don't think any of them want you to pick their Leadership - maybe one or two, but I don't think that they do, and I urge a No vote on this Senate resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. And quite frankly, this is a better rule than the House rule and I'll tell you why: The House rule - he creates a select committee; he picks the Co-Chairmen, 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 Republican and Democrat. The Speaker does that. Under my proposal, I create a Co-Chairman. I take a person that he has appointed to that committee, the Minority Spokesman, and make that Minority Spokesman a Co-Chairman. Now, I didn't hear anybody over there moaning about the Speaker's rules, or anybody complaining and moaning about the Speaker's power. He's got more power than I do. It doesn't seem to bother anybody on that side of the aisle. And so I would just say this: There ought to be a lot of green lights up there. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Philip moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 63. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 35 -- 35 Yeas, 22 Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Resolution 63 is adopted. Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point -- point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) State your point, sir.
I would just like to acknowledge, on the Democratic side, that we have former Governor James Thompson, who has joined us this afternoon. Please, please, rise.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Governor Thompson, will you rise and be recognized? Welcome. Resolutions.
Senate Joint Resolution 14, Constitutional Amendment, offered by Senator Obama. And Senate Resolution 64, offered by Senator Robert Madigan. 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 9th Legislative Day February 28, 2001 They're both substantive, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Messages.
A Message from the President, dated February 28th, 2001. Dear Mr. Secretary - Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-2(b), I hereby appoint, to be effective immediately, the following Members to serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Executive Appointments Committee: Senator James DeLeo and Senator Edward F. Petka. Signed by President Philip.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senator Klemm.
Madam Speaker, just a -- or, President, just a reminder that Executive will be meeting at 212 immediately upon adjournment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Executive, in 212, immediately. Senator Peterson.
Thank you, Madam President. Reminder: The Revenue Committee will meet immediately after we adjourn, in Room 400. Please be there promptly so we can finish our business. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DONAHUE) Senate Revenue, at Room 400, immediately upon adjournment. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate will stand adjourned until the hour of 10 a.m., Thursday, March 1st. That's 10 a.m. Senate is adjourned. 36