The regular Session of the 92nd General Assembly will please come to order. Will our Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Our prayer today will be given by Reverend Jonathan Grubbs, First Church of God, Springfield, Illinois. Reverend Grubbs.
(Prayer by the Reverend Jonathan Grubbs)
Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Radogno.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Radogno)
Reading of the Journal.
Senate Journals of Wednesday, February 28th, and Thursday, March 1st, 2001.
Senator Jones.
Mr. President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
Senator Jones moves to approve the Journals just read. There being no objection, so ordered. Committee Reports.
Senator Syverson, Chair of the Committee on Public Health and Welfare, reports Senate Bills 286, 396, 842 and 1329 Do Pass; and Senate Bill 155 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Dillard, Chair of the Committee on Local Government, 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001 reports Senate Bills 664, 787, 915, 980, 989, 1113 and 1506 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 385, 400 and 687 Do Pass, as Amended. And Senator Robert Madigan, Chair of the Committee on Insurance and Pensions, reports Senate Bills 130, 131, 132, 314, 463, 479, 849, 864, 865, 866, 869, 870, 941, 1174, 1244, 1245, 1246, 1247, 1248, 1251, 1252, 1255, 1256 and 1505 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 333, 452 and 867 Do Pass, as Amended.
Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you rise? Senator Demuzio. Thank you.
I was just conferring with the House - get advice and counsel.
Did you straighten 'em out?
I didn't make any dent -- dent at all. Senator Smith is not here this week due to personal business.
The record will so indicate. Introduction of Bills. That's hard to believe.
Senate Bill 1523, offered by Senator Cronin. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 68, offered by Senator Link. It's a death resolution, Mr. President.
Consent Calendar. Messages from the House.
2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001 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 Bills 215, 478, 638 and 978. All passed the House, March 1st, 2001.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) House Bills 1st Reading, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 61, offered by Senators Dillard and Larry Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 208, by Senator Noland. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 442 is presented by Senator Lauzen. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) It's the intention of the Chair to go to page 2 and begin with Senate Bills 2nd Reading. Page 2. Top of page 2. Starting with Senate Bill 31. Page 2, top of page 2, Senate Bills 2nd Reading. Senator Dillard, on Senate Bill 31. Senator Dillard on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 50. Senator Syverson? Senator Syverson on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 62. Senator Obama? Senator Obama? Out of the record. Senate Bill 64. Senator Silverstein? Out of the record. Senate Bill 98. Senator Cullerton? Senator Cullerton on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 103. Senator Luechtefeld? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 103. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 104. Senator Luechtefeld? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 104. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 129. Senator Burzynski? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 129. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 164. Senator Rauschenberger? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 164. (Secretary reads title of bill) 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Revenue adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 168. Senator Myers? Out of the record. Senate Bill 174. Senator Weaver? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 174. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 184. Senator Luechtefeld? Out of the record. Senate Bill 187. Senator O'Malley? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 187. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 231. Senator O'Malley? Senator O'Malley, on 231? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001 Senate Bill 231. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 252. Senator Lauzen? Out of the record. Senate Bill 264. Senator Mahar? Out of the record. Senate Bill 281. Senator Roskam? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 281. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 285. Senator Klemm? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 285. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 289. Senator Burzynski? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 289. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 305. Senator Link? Terry Link. Out of the record. Senate Bill 330. Senator Sieben? Todd Sieben. Senator Sieben on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 368. Senator Munoz? Senator Munoz, you want to call -- please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 368. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Financial Institutions adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 370. Senator Rauschenberger. Senator Rauschenberger? Out of the -- do you want it? 371. Senator Rauschenberger. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 371. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 382. Senator Syverson? Senator Syverson on the -- on the Floor? With leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Bill 305. Senator Link. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 305. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Parker, for what purpose do you rise, ma'am?
For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Please state your point.
I wanted to introduce to the Body constituents that I have in the President's Gallery, Hilda Von Holdt, from Glenview, and Karen Benedetto, from Glenview, and then also, John Brownell and Karen Jacobsen. Please give them a warm welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Very good. Will our guests in the gallery please rise? Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Glad to have you here. It's now the intention of the Chair to go to the bottom of page 3, Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senator Lauzen, you're leadoff hitter. Senate Bill 19 is out of the record. Senate Bill 65. Senator Silverstein? Out of the record. Senate Bill 93. Senator Rauschenberger? 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 93. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 93. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger. This is 3rd Reading. Let's have the attention of the Body. 3rd Reading, final action.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would appreciate adopting a Floor amendment which should be -- or, did we -- we might have adopted that last week. Is there -- has this been Floor amended? And I 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001 apologize for asking the Chair? I'd like to take this out of the record. There's a technical-correction amendment that I thought was available. I apologize.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Out of the record. Senate Bill 101. Senator Sieben? Senator Sieben on the Floor? Out of the record. Senate Bill 107. Senator del Valle? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 107. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator del Valle. SENATOR dEL VALLE: Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 107 allows the public community colleges -- the community colleges to develop a credentialing program for adult education in the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) There any questions? Further discussion? Senator Hawkinson.
Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Sponsor indicates he'll yield, Senator Hawkinson.
Senator, when we transferred the authority a year or two ago, prior to that, anyway, we had some battles back and forth with our elementary and secondary schools, some of which had excellent adult education programs. Will this in any -- does this envision any new requirements on those teachers who were teaching those adult ed programs within the high schools?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001 Senator del Valle. SENATOR dEL VALLE: This will allow the Illinois Community College Board the authority to review and to look at the qualifications of existing teachers and the qualifications of future teachers and the needs, in terms of training and background, of future teachers. And the reason we're doing this now is because of that transfer, because of the transition that's going on. This is a wonderful opportunity to improve adult education in the State of Illinois. Now, this is credentialing. We're talking about requirements and we're talking about what kinds of qualifications individuals will have. The Illinois Community College Board will be working in conjunction with all the groups, the -- the -- the boards that have adult education, the community-based organizations that have adult education, the unions that represent individuals that teach in adult education. They will be working with all these groups over a period of, my guess is, probably a year to come to a consensus as to what would be the requirements and what would establish a credentialing process.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Cronin.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I rise to express some serious concern here and to question whether or not there may be a miscommunication. As I recall, in our hearing, we -- we asked for and received a commitment that there would be some communication with the Members of the committee about some of these issues, defining issues, whether or not it applies to aerobic instructors, whether or not the recommendations will constitute barriers. We were very concerned about that. And as I recall, we received a -- a -- you know, a very firm commitment not only from you as the sponsor, but also 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001 from Joe Cipfl of the Illinois Community College Board. So I'm a -- I would respectfully request, Senator del Valle, that maybe you take this bill out of the record, if we could have an opportunity to address some of those issues.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator del Valle. SENATOR dEL VALLE: Senator Cronin, you're correct, and I thought that that contact had been made between ICCB and the Members of your side of the aisle in committee who had asked for the information. If that has not happened, then I want to hold the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Out of the record. Why don't we just all get in our seats and take the conferences off the Floor. We can hardly hear the speakers. Thank you. Senate Bill 109. Senator del Valle? Out of the record. Senate Bill 149. Senator Donahue? Senator Donahue? Out of the record. Senate Bill 275. Senator Parker? Out of the record. Senate Bill 325. Senator Link? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 325. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. -- President. This bill, all it does is amends the School Code by removing the requirement of regular meetings of a regional board of school trustees held in July, October, January, and April to be held on the first Monday of those months. Would be still held in those months, but not on the first Monday. It would be determination of the boards. I ask...(microphone 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day March 6, 2001 cutoff)...vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall Senate Bill 325 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote No. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Yes, no voting No, no voting Present. Senate Bill 325, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 758. Senator Rauschenberger? Out of the record. Resolutions, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Resolution 69, offered by Senator O'Malley. It's a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Consent Calendar. Is there any further business to come before the Senate? Any further -- other business? If not, the Senate -- Senator Jones, Wendell Jones, moves that we adjourn until the hour of 1 o'clock, Wednesday, March 7th. Have a nice afternoon. 12