The 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 Blake Carter, Hope Evangelical Free Church, Springfield, Illinois. Pastor Carter.
(Prayer by Pastor Blake Carter)
Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Radogno.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Radogno)
WTTW-TV has requested permission to film today. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Reading of the Journal.
Senate Journals of Tuesday, April 17th, and Wednesday, April 18th, 2001.
Senator Myers.
Mr. President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
Senator Myers moves to approve the Journal just read. There being no objection, so ordered. Senator Ronen, for what purpose do you rise?
For a point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 State -- state your point.
We're honored today to have two distinguished guests with us, and I'm proud to say they're both close colleagues of mine. First, my former colleague in the Illinois House of Representatives, now the distinguished Congresswoman from the Ninth District, Jan Schakowsky. If everybody would give her a big welcome.
Please rise and be recognized by the Senate.
And -- and in addition to that, if I'm -- I'm also honored to have with us today Art Berman, our former -- all of our former colleague, who I know everybody is anxious to see, and welcome back to Springfield, Art.
Nice to have you here, Art. Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you rise?
On a point of personal privilege.
State your point.
Berman came back because May the 4th is his birthday and we have a cake for him back in my office. That's number one. He -- he's been so lonely; down here so many years. And -- and secondly, I thought perhaps that you had forgot to send out a notice saying that you were taking a -- the picture of the Senate again. 'Cause the only two people who, in the twenty-eight years that I have been here, almost twenty-eight, that had been in the picture that were non-Senators -- former Senators, was Art Berman and Howie Carroll. So he must have thought the picture was being taken today, too. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Demuzio, do you wish recognition? Your light's on, sir.
Yes, thank you very much, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Certainly. You're welcome.
It's been on for about ten minutes, but thank you kindly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Oh, good. Well...
It's so nice of you. If I could have everybody's attention. From time to time around this place, it is -- we should take the time to say thanks to some of those individuals who have contributed so much to this Body. We have a person on our side of the aisle who will be celebrating her twentieth anniversary with the Illinois Senate tomorrow, and that's Nia Odeoti. Nia is in -- in the Well here. She's been with us twenty years tomorrow.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Nia, happy birthday {sic}, and welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator del Valle, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR dEL VALLE: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) State your point, Senator. SENATOR dEL VALLE: Well, in addition to celebrating here with Nia, we also have, as an Honorary Page, her daughter, Eman, who is with us as an Honorary Page. She's a fourth grader at Cathedral Grade School in 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 -- in Springfield. And joining her is Stephanie Lopez, a third grader at Inter-American Magnet School in Chicago, also as an Honorary Page today. We want to welcome them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Certainly want to welcome our Honorary Pages. Are they back in the back there? They're working. Good. Well, we're glad to have them here also today. Resolutions, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Resolution 112, offered by Senator Lauzen and all Members. It's a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Consent Calendar. ...now going to go to page 12. Will the Members please be in their seats and we'll have a little order? We are on page 12, House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bills 2nd Reading. Mr. Secretary, Sergeant at Arms, let's have some order. Thank you. Senator Lauzen wishes -- 2nd Reading -- House Bill No. 10, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 10. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 123. Senator Dillard? Senator Dillard, do you -- please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 123. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate {sic} Bill 126. Senator Dillard. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001
Senate {sic} Bill 126. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate {sic} Bill 148. Senator Myers. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
Senate {sic} Bill 148. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate {sic} Bill 180. Senator Dudycz. Senator Dudycz on the Floor? Would you like your bill called, sir? Out of the record. Senate {sic} Bill 260. Senator Rauschenberger? 260. House Bill -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 260. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate {sic} Bill 846. Senator Parker? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 846. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate {sic} Bill 857. Senator Munoz. Please read the bill, House Bill.
House Bill 857. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. We're on the top of page 13. House Bill 1060. Senator Geo-Karis. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1060. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. Senate -- House Bill 1854. Senator Sieben? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1854. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1908. Senator Dillard? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1908. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1972. Out of the record. House Bill 2143. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 House Bill 2143. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2161. Senator Demuzio? Senator Demuzio. House Bill 2161. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2161. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) House Bill -- excuse me. 3rd Reading. House Bill 2218. Senator Parker? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2218. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2314. Senator Munoz? Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2314. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2380. Senator O'Malley? Out of the record. House Bill 2528. Senator Luechtefeld? Out of the record. House Bill 3145. Senator Donahue? Senator Donahue on the Floor? Out of the record. We'll now proceed to page 11. It'll be 3rd Reading. We are on page 11. We're now at the top of page 11. We have House -- Senate Bill 1355. Senator Rauschenberger. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001
House Bill 1355 -- or, Senate Bill 1355. I beg your pardon. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1355 contains Governor Ryan's introduced budget for the Department of Human Services. We've heard this in committee, and although we're all aware that there is still some issues that we need to work on, including our commitment to community providers and the fact that we think -- many of us in the Senate believe that we need a fair deal for those people who provide the human services, it's good progress to have worked on a dollar an hour for DD providers for -- but we also need to be fair with the rest of the human service providers. And although there are still some questions about the Early Intervention Program and about the financial stability of the day care program, this is the budget that the Governor requested. We'd like the support of this Chamber to send it over to the House and ask the House to engage in some real discussions about how we're going to solve our problems this year. In many ways, we look at this as the budget ceiling. We're certainly willing to consider the Governor's suggestions for reallocation and any reallocation suggestions that the House people make. I'd be happy to try to answer questions about this, but this is exactly as the Governor introduced his Department of Human Services budget. Happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Trotter.
...very much, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield? 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Sponsor indicates he'll yield, Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much. Senator Rauschenberger, you stated that this is the Governor's budget, as given to us. Can you tell us -- just break down a few of the things that -- that may be in it and not in it, like for -- for immigrant services? Is there actually a cut here from the dollars that we funded that program with last year?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
There are no cuts in this Governor's introduced budget by action of this Body or by our committee. There are some reductions in programs the Governor's made year to year, as Senator Trotter appropriately points out; that we have not met as much of our commitment to immigrant services as I think both he and I hope the final budget agreement reflects. But in an effort to get this started, we look at this, at least I look at this, as a ceiling on expenditures and an opportunity for us to engage the House Chamber, which sometimes is frustrating to work with because mostly they add and have a difficult time with reallocation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much. Also, there was some other initiatives in here that we've been funding at a decent level throughout the years. But because of some changes proposed by the Governor, seemingly dollars have been reduced in those line items. One is the Teen Reach and the merger with -- or, the proposed merger with Project Success. Can you give us some details on that, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 Senator Rauschenberger.
In the past, the Governor's budgets, or the budgets we've passed, have included Project Success as a separate program from Teen Reach. This year, the Governor's proposed budget suggests merging the two, and the combined lines have been decreased by about 1.5 million dollars, or roughly, about a six-percent decline in the total pool available for Teen Reach and Project Success. So, he's suggested that these programs should be competitively bid. But, as Senator Trotter points out, I hope those discussions come up in our negotiations with the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. To the bill: There is many issues in here that have not been addressed, as we've just discussed in -- in brief form here on the Floor. Another being, of course, is -- is the dollars in -- for child care that is not at the level that many on our side would like to see placed into this budget. So, as we go forward in this legislative process, our Caucus is going to continue to look at this -- this bill, at 1355, but at this juncture, we're going to vote Present on this bill, until we can continue that negotiation process.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger, to close.
Well, I -- I appreciate the Body's consideration. This is early in the process to be dealing with the Governor's introduced budget. But given the information that we're receiving from Economic and Fiscal, given some of the preliminary action on House bills by the House, we think it's important that this Chamber take a position establishing a ceiling on many of these departments and 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 encouraging both the House and the Governor's Office to engage us in thoughtful discussions about reallocation. Senator Trotter is correct to point out: We still believe we have substantial questions to answer in our child care program, in immigrant services. We have a substantial problem, and discussion that we still need to have, on Early Intervention. But, I do appreciate this Body's early consideration and would hope for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 1355 pass. All 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 -- on that question, there's 30 voting Yes, no voting No, 25 voting Present. Senate Bill 1355, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hendon, what purpose do you rise?
Verification of the -- of the positive votes, Mr. Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Ask all Members to be in their seats. The verification has been requested. Secretary will read the affirmative votes.
Following voted in the affirmative: Burzynski, Cronin, Donahue, Dudycz, Geo-Karis, Hawkinson, Wendell Jones, Karpiel, Klemm, Lauzen, Luechtefeld, Robert Madigan, Myers, Noland, O'Malley, Parker, Peterson, Petka, Radogno, Rauschenberger, Sieben, Sullivan, Syverson, Thomas Walsh, Watson, Weaver and Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Hendon, do you question the presence of any Member?
Senator Roskam. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Roskam's in his chair.
Senator Burzynski.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Burzynski's in the aisle.
That's it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Having received the required constitutional majority, Senate Bill 1355 is declared passed. On page 11, Senate Bill 1356. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill -- or, Senate Bill 1356. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is the Department of Public Aid budget that the Governor identified in his Budget Address. We all are aware it still contains a fundamental question about how we're going to handle our Medicaid program. The Governor's discussion identified a two-hundred-and-seventy-million-dollar unanswered question about expansion -- about either expansion of the payment cycle, introduction of as much as a hundred and thirty five million dollars of new general revenue, or program changes, or some combination of those things. It's an issue that I think we will begin to get more serious action out of the House if we send the bill over. It does not contain an answer to the questions of rates, and it does not include, as introduced or as we're going to 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 act on it today, a final solution on where I think many of us believe we need to move toward in long-term care rates. A separate Senate bill that we've passed establishes the Senate's, you know, view and feelings about long-term care rates and the financial crisis taking place in long-term care. Assuming that the House would act on both of those, those long-term care rates would go into effect. I'd be happy to answer questions -- oh, this -- this also includes a committee action to add the two-hundred-million-dollar supplemental request that the Governor made. In the two previous supplementals that we have submitted to the House, we have not done the Public Aid request of two hundred million for Fiscal Year '01. This includes the Governor's introduced DPA budget and a supplemental -- supplemental Article that adds the two-hundred-million-dollar request for FY'01. Be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Discussion? Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much. Senator Rauschenberger, because of all the reasons that you just pointed out, and, one, that we're not sure of - this two hundred and fifty -- or, as you said, two hundred and seventy million dollars that we're supposed to capture from the feds for our Medicaid match; and -- and for the reasons also put out there that we have not addressed how we're going to deal with the dispensing fees to the pharmacies or the crisis that has been brought forth in December; and -- and also in addition to those things, there's no dollars here really to capture those federal dollars so we can actually have a family care program, which is something that our caucus has been very concerned with; and for those reasons, I'm asking the Members on this side to vote Present again, just as on -- on 1355. Until we can have a -- a more definitive bill and more discussions, we're just not prepared 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 at this time to vote for this initiative.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Mr. President. Question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Sponsor indicates he'll yield, Senator Lauzen.
Senator, this is the Governor's proposed budget, along with the two-hundred-million-dollar supplemental, to the penny, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
Yes, it is. Precisely as introduced with the addition of a supplemental Article, as requested by the Governor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Trotter, second time.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I apologize for rising a second time. But just for our side as well, there are no rate adjustments in this bill either for nursing homes, as well. So, just more reasons why -- and hospitals, which is more reason why we need to -- to hold back and wait until there's more discussions and more definitive language. Thank you, and vote Present, if we will, on this initiative.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Welch.
I had a question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Sponsor indicate he'll yield, Senator Welch. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001
Senator Rauschenberger, is that two-hundred-million-dollar supplemental for Public Aid also in the supplemental bill that's sitting in the House, or is this in addition to that supplemental appropriation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
In the two supplemental actions we've taken previously, we did not include, did not include, the request from the Department of Public Aid. We've always thought it would be better to deal with it with the budget. So, there is no Department of Public Aid supplemental from the Senate in the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Further discussion? If not, Senator Rauschenberger, to close.
I would just remind people a couple of things. The elements of the Medicaid program are under the control of the Governor. Regardless of the level at which we appropriate, he has the authority to either raise or lower dispensing fees, rates that are paid to providers in the structure. It's generally moderated or measured through the payment cycle. And with past administrations, we've generally had broad-based agreement on how to manage payment cycle. We've seen clearly the last two years that this administration feels much more comfortable with unilateral action, without taking the General Assembly into consideration. To the question of the long-term care rates, they would never be included in the budget. There's a substantive bill that this Chamber has advanced to the House dealing with long-term care rates. If they were to pass that bill, the long-term care rate change goes into effect. But Senator Trotter is correct. 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 This does not solve the identified problem that the Governor suggested at the introduction of his budget. We believe this is the way to really jump-start the discussions, make the House and the Governor's Office engage us. We think with the questions of remap and the other challenges we have, it's appropriate to establish a ceiling and to engage the House and the Governor's Office as early as possible. We're really looking forward to their thoughts on how we manage.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 1356 pass. All 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's 30 voting Yes, no voting No, 25 voting Present. Senate Bill 1356, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1366. Senator Rauschenberger? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1366. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Excuse me, Senator Donahue.
I would request, Mr. President, that I yield to Senator Rauschenberger.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
With the sponsor's permission, this is the Governor's introduced level and -- and suggestions of allocations for the Department of Corrections. The explanation for the early action 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 is very similar to the other two bills. This is another large portion of the State budget we would like to engage the House with and send over to them. It includes all of the requested head count that the Governor's asked for and includes the annualizations for the new prison beds that we've -- that we've acted on in previous years.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Trotter.
Sponsor yield, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Sponsor indicates he'll yield, Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much. You mentioned, Senator Rauschenberger, a head count. What is the head count that's in this proposed budget?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
We'll get that for you in just a second. It's -- it's precisely as introduced. It includes five hundred and fourteen new prison guards added. Includes eighteen thousand two hundred and twenty-six full-time authorized employees for the Department of Corrections.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much. With this head count, is -- will that address the overtime issue that has been plaguing this Department?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 The -- the level is the Governor's suggested best-management plan for the Department of Corrections. In my work over the last few years on Appropriation, we generally look at five percent as a number of payroll to manage overtime. To the best of my understanding, the overtime suggestion from the Governor's Office and Department of Corrections falls within the guidelines that we would normally expect in review.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Trotter.
Well, we have information to the contrary, of some of our friends, who feel that this will not address the overtime, and that the cost savings would come, if, in fact -- if we had a higher head count versus paying those individuals who are working in those stressed -- stress-filled jobs at this point in time. We will vote -- I believe it's a good budget overall, and I agree with you that we should advance it at this point in time. But, I think -- as we, again, continue the negotiations, we should look at increasing the head count for the safety of the -- the workers and as well for the -- the job that they have to do in protecting and then also ensuring that they -- the prisoners are also -- are looked out for as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Further discussion? Senator Demuzio.
Thank you very much, Mr. -- Mr. President. I agree with Senator Trotter. I think we ought to vote Aye and get this out of here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Any further discussion? If not, Senator Rauschenberger, to close.
18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 Just to remind Members, the -- the question of overtime versus prison guards is within the discretion of the Governor's Office. They would be able to reallocate if they felt like in the fiscal year they could hire more people efficiently. As I understand it, a major portion of the overtime really relates to the Windy City initiative where we're making an effort to increase our presence with parole support. And so, hopefully, the Department can manage through this process, and if they are able to hire more personnel and reduce overtime, theoretically it'll give us some savings at the end of the fiscal year.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 1366 pass. All 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's 55 voting Yes, no voting No, no voting Present. Senate Bill 1366, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1367. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1367. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Rauschenberger.
We're about to test the -- the question that was just raised to me by Senator Donahue that said the difference in the last three bills is a good sponsor. So this is -- this is the Body's chance to show a little, tiny bit of confidence in the -- in the well-worn Appropriation Chair. This is the Department of State Police's budget as introduced by the Governor. It includes funding to train a hundred new troopers to replace many of the 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 troopers who are reaching retirement age. It replaces two hundred and seventy-five high-mileage squad cars so that we can get brand-new Fords out there for those guys to drive on the interstates. It's exactly as suggested by the Governor. Again, it's an opportunity to set a ceiling and begin, I hope, fruitful discussions with the House and the Governor's Office. We remain flexible and open to reallocation and suggestion. Happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Discussion? Senator Trotter.
I concur with Senator Donahue that the sponsor is an honorable man and -- and a hardworking man, and because of his hard work, I believe all of us should support his first bill that he's getting out of here today and -- and vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Any other -- further discussion? If not, Senator Rauschenberger, to close. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1367 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote No. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? ...all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there's 55 voting Yes, no voting No, no voting Present. Senate Bill 1367, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Turn to page 23. Resolutions. Senate Resolution 38. Senator Parker. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 38, offered by Senator Parker. The Committee on Environment and Energy adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the General Assembly. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 Senate Resolution 38 acknowledges the irreversible damage that an aquatic nuisance species have effected on the Great Lakes and recognizes that the discharge of ships' ballast water is a primary vector for the introduction and spread of ANS. The resolution directs the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agency to jointly study ways to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species in Illinois waters. I would ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? I've been advised that we need to take a roll call. So those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there's 55 voting Yes, no voting No, no voting Present. And the resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution No. 9. Senator Parker. Mr. Secretary, please read the -- the resolution.
House Joint Resolution No. 9, offered by Senators Parker and Molaro. There are no amendments to the resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is House Joint Resolution No. 9, and it urges the U.S. Congress to support the Railroad Retirement and Survivors Improvement Act. This issue will be voted on soon in Congress and we would like to be able to have our viewpoints known to Congress, and hopefully they will pass this important agreed bill, bipartisan.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Senator Parker 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution No. 9. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. ...proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. And, Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed?
No objections have been filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The motion carries. The resolutions are adopted. Resolutions, Mr. Secretary.
...Joint Resolution 25, offered by Senator Weaver. (Secretary reads SJR No. 25)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) Senator Weaver moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution No. 25. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The rules are suspended. Senator Weaver has moved for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution No. 25. Those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. And the resolution is adopted. House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 16, offered by Senator Parker. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 210, offered by Senator Lauzen. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 705, offered by Senator Viverito. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 811, offered by Senator Dillard. 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1813, offered by Senator Lauzen. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1954, offered by Senator Burzynski. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2058, offered by Senator Roskam. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2400, offered by Senator Burzynski. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2539, offered by Senator Lauzen. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2548, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2565, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill -- pardon me, 3017, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3050, offered by Senator Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3097, offered by Senators Thomas Walsh and Luechtefeld. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3194, offered by Senator Thomas Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3203, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3289, offered by Senator Burzynski. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2390, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WATSON) 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 29th Legislative Day April 19, 2001 Is there any further business to come before the Senate? If not, pursuant to adjournment resolution, Senator Luechtefeld moves that we -- Senate stands adjourned until the hour of noon, Tuesday, April 24th, 2001. Have a good weekend. 24