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 Jonathan Grubbs, First Church of God, Springfield, Illinois. Pastor Grubbs.
(Prayer by Pastor Jonathan Grubbs)
Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Radogno.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Radogno)
Reading of the Journal. Senator Jones.
Mr. President, I move that reading and approval of the Journal of Tuesday, May 8th, in the year 2001, be postponed, pending arrival of the printed Journal.
Senator Jones moves 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 House Bills 417 and 700 Do Pass; Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2528 Be Approved for Consideration. Senator Rauschenberger, Chair of the Committee on Appropriations, reports Senate Bills 814, 1362, 1374, 1377, 1378, 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 1407, 1409, 1410, 1411, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1415, 1416, 1417, 1418, 1419, 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1426, 1432, 1450, 1464, 1477, 1481 and 1484, all 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 Do Pass; House Bills 2125, 2137, 3426, 3439, 3440, 3463, 3489 and 3490 Do Pass; Senate Bills 1353, 1363, 1375 and 1376 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Hawkinson, Chair of the Committee on Judiciary, reports House Bills 222, 452, 643, 888, 889, 2220, 2228, 2301, 2440, 2847, 3179, 3262 and 3284 Do Pass; and House Bills 231, 335, 445, 446, 789, 863, 1125, 1812, 2207, 2295, 2844, 2845, 3055 and 3314 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Mahar, Chair of the Committee on Environment and Energy, reports House Bills 356, 842, 1189, 2426, 2575, 2900, 3347 and 3373 Do Pass; and House Bills 1148 and 1887 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Parker, Chair of the Committee on Transportation, reports House Bills 39, 185, 579, 1709, 1904 and 3065 Do Pass; and House Bills 293, 1493 and 2254 Do Pass, as Amended. And Senator Cronin, Chair of the Committee on Education, reports House Bills 678, 1712, 1840, 2255, 2425 and 3566 Do Pass; House Bills 12, 1096, 1692, 3050, 3137 and 3192 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 28 Be Adopted.
Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Rossi, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 30, together with House Amendment No. 1. We have like Messages on Senate Bills 390, 487, 727, 800, 1065, 1080 and 1517, all with one amendment from the House. All passed the House, as amended, May 8th, 2001.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Resolutions. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
Senate Resolution 135, offered by Senator Shaw and all Members. And Senate Resolution 36 -- 136, that is, by Senator Smith and all Members. They're both death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DUDYCZ) Consent Calendar.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Walsh, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) State your point.
I would like to introduce a group that we have here today from my district. We have a group that is here from the Westchester Chamber of Commerce. They're in the President's Gallery, and they're led by my good friend, a good man and a local businessman in the town of Westchester, Bill Ernst. So if the group from the Westchester Chamber would stand up and be recognized, I would appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Walsh.
Thank you, Madam President. I would also like to introduce a group that you have here in Springfield today. Your Page for a Day, Marina Tecktiel, is here, and she's here with her mother - I believe is also in the President's Gallery - Alyce Tecktiel; her brother, Jeremy Tecktiel, all of Hoffman Estates; and her grandmother, Faye Herback, who is from -- Bloomingdale. And we'd 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 like to welcome them to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Welcome to Springfield. Chair is going to yield now to Senator Silverstein and Senator Ronen.
Thank you, Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. If I can have your attention. Approximately three weeks ago -- don't worry, I won't get comfortable up here. Approximately three weeks ago, there was a ceremony, a -- I shouldn't call it a holiday, a Day of Remembrance, called Yom Ha'Shoah. It remembers the -- the six million and more who perished during the Holocaust. Ceremonies were held in the United States and in other countries, as well as the State of Israel. With Senator Ronen and myself, with me are two Holocaust survivors, Lisa Derman and Sam Harris. They're here in Springfield today to educate some of us about the Holocaust Memorial Museum and its foundation. And Ms. Derman would like to address the Senate for just a couple of minutes. I'd appreciate it if you'd give him -- her your attention. Thank you.
(Remarks by Ms. Lisa Derman)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) WICS-TV requests permission to film the Senate proceedings. Is permission granted? Permission is granted. Senator Donahue, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I would rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) State your point.
I'm very honored today to have a very special guest that has 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 come to Springfield to speak on behalf of Illinois Extension and our 4-H Clubs across the State. He's a voice that I'm sure many of you have heard early in the morning, and he has meant a great deal to the community of agriculture not only in Illinois, but I think throughout the world. Recently, he was named a Lincoln Laureate, last Saturday evening. He will soon be receiving a doctorate degree, Honorary Doctorate Degree of Human Letters, from the University of Illinois. And he recently celebrated his 40th anniversary on the radio of WGN-Chicago. Will you please welcome Orion Samuelson?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Welcome to Springfield. House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 2834, offered by Senator Hendon. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Messages.
A Message for the Governor by Michael P. Madigan, Director of Legislative Affairs, May 9th, 2001. Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable Members of the Senate, Illinois 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 KARPIEL) On the bottom of page 16 on your Calendar, we will go to the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bills 2nd Reading on the bottom of page 16. House Bill 27. Senator Myers. Read the bill, 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 27. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Local Government adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 176. Senator Sieben. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 176. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 250. Senator Robert Madigan. I'm sorry. Senator -- House Bill 215. Senator Dillard. Senator Dillard? House Bill 250. Senator Robert Madigan. House Bill 254. Senator Robert Madigan. House Bill 266. Senator Radogno. House Bill 267. Senator Robert Madigan. House Bill 279. Senator Trotter. House Bill 280. With leave, Senator Hendon will be handling this for Senator Jones. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
House Bill 280. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 442. Senator Lauzen. House Bill 447. Senator Ronen? House Bill 478. Senator Molaro. I'm sorry, Senator Ronen. House Bill 447. Senator Ronen. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 447. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 478. Senator Molaro. House Bill 512. Senator Roskam. House Bill 513. Senator Bomke. On the top of page 18 is House Bill 549. Senator Cullerton. House Bill 572. Senator Burzynski. House Bill -- 638. Senator Woolard. House Bill 1008. Senator Bomke. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1008. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1199. Senator Philip. House Bill 1200. Senator -- oh! I'm sorry, Senator Philip. House Bill 1199. Senator Philip. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1199. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 3rd Reading. House Bill 1200. Senator Philip. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1200. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1203. Senator Philip. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1203. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1204. Senator Philip. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1204. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
3rd Reading. House Bill 1465. Senator Robert Madigan. House Bill 1466. Robert Madigan. House Bill 1478. Senator Sieben. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1478. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Local Government adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration? 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1684. Senator Syverson. House Bill 1810. Senator Klemm. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1810. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1814. Senator Dillard. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1814. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1819. Senator Smith. Senator Smith. House Bill 1819. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1819. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1900, on the top of page 19. Senator Dillard. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1900. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1911. Senator Hendon. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1911. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1970. Senator Peterson. House Bill 1973. Senator Luechtefeld. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1973. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Local Government adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1988. Senator Bomke. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 1988. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 3rd Reading. House Bill 2099. Senator Molaro. House Bill 2157. Senator O'Malley. House Bill 2259. Senator Parker. House Bill 2276. Senator Silverstein. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2276. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Public Health and Welfare adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2277. Senator Dillard. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2277. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Local Government adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2367. Senator Luechtefeld. House Bill 2419. Senator Robert Madigan. House Bill 2492. Senator Burzynski? Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2492. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Public Health and Welfare adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2528. Senator Luechtefeld. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2528. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Luechtefeld.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Luechtefeld, explain the amendment.
...you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. The -- the change has basically been to -- in this bill, there is some protection for -- for aquatic life in some of the -- some of the hatcheries and also in some of the -- some of the lakes in which they are being raised. This would keep people -- keep people away approximately two hundred feet from those cages. It is certainly something that has not been opposed by anyone. Would appreciate approval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 Is there any discussion on the -- on the amendment? If not, Senator Luechtefeld moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 2528. Those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. On the top of page 20 is House Bill 2662. Senator Molaro. House Bill 2665. Senator Robert Madigan. House Bill 2905. Senator Philip. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2905. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2911. Senator Philip. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2911. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2914. Senator -- Senator Philip. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2914. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2917. Senator Philip. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 House Bill 2917. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. And House Bill 2920. Senator Philip. Senator Philip, on House Bill 2920. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 2920. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3002. Senator Geo-Karis. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 3002. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) House Bill -- 3rd Reading. House Bill 3003. Senator Syverson. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 3003. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Public Health and Welfare adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3014. Senator Rauschenberger. Read 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 3014. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted one amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3015. Senator Donahue. House Bill 3068. Senator Lightford. House Bill... With leave of the Body, Senator Hendon will handle House Bill 3068. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 3068. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Have there been any Floor amendments that have been approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3126. Senator Radogno. Senator Radogno? House Bill 3126. House Bill 3494. Senator Rauschenberger. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 3494. (Secretary reads title of bill) 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3495. Senator Rauschenberger. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 3495. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3576. Senator Robert Madigan. Senator Bowles, for what purpose do you rise?
For a point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) State your point.
I would like to introduce to the Body, Judge Barbara Crowder, who is a judge in the Fifth Judicial District in my area. Judge Crowder.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Welcome to Springfield, Judge. We're going to the Order of 3rd Reading. Leave was already granted to go back to House Bill 605 on the top of page 12. Senator Noland. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 605. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Noland.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 605 would designate 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 Drummer silty clay loam as the official State soil of Illinois. I know there are a lot of important issues before us. A lot of retired teachers here are concerned about their health insurance. But this is an issue that's been alive for a few years and would finally give credit where credit's due for the great soil we have in this State. Drummer silty clay loam is a -- is an original soil of this State. It's a dark, black prairie soil. It's the most...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Excuse me, Senator Noland. Could we have a little order? It's so noisy up here, I can't even hear Senator Noland. Senator Noland.
This soil is the most extensive found of any in our State, covering over 1.5 million acres, and I'd appreciate your support for this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Any discussion? If not, the question is, shall House Bill 605 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record, Mr. Secretary. On this question, there are 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 605, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Noland.
For a point of...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) For what -- purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) State your point. 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
Madam President, the two groups who were instrumental in this -- in House Bill 605, and they're in your gallery above you, the Monticello FFA Chapter and the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. So I'd like for the -- for the Senate to recognize them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Welcome to Springfield. We will now go back to the beginning of this Order. House Bills 3rd Reading on the -- on page 10 of your Calendar. Page 10 of your Calendar. House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bill 2. Senator Mahar. ________________ seeks Journal-Register leave to take still photos. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. House Bill 41. Senator Lauzen. Read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 41. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Madam President. You know, some folks say that the greatest love is a mother's, and then, a dog's man's best friend. There's no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. What House Bill 41 creates is the Helping Paws Service Dog Program. It allows the Illinois Department of Corrections to establish a program that would allow inmates to be trained as either an animal care professional or a service dog professional. House Bill 41 allows the Department of Corrections to designate a nonprofit organization, the Clarence Foundation, currently in Senator Dillard's district, to select stray dogs from humane societies and shelters to be trained as service animals. This is a classic win-win-win not only for the people with disabilities 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 who will receive Seeing Eye dogs and -- and personal assistants, but also for the inmates for their careers and their self-esteem, but even the animals themselves who will be taken off the streets and put to good -- good purpose. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Any discussion? If not, the question is, shall House Bill 41 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record, Madam Secretary. On this question, there are 55 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 41, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 60. Senator Watson. House Bill 126. Senator Dillard. House Bill 148. Senator Klemm. House Bill 148. House Bill 155. Senator Burzynski. House Bill 161. Senator Demuzio. House Bill 169. Senator Burzynski. House Bill -- on the top of page 11 is House Bill 180. Senator Dudycz. House Bill 181. Senator Luechtefeld. House Bill 196. Senator Klemm. Read the bill, Madam Secretary.
House Bill 196. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Klemm.
Thank you, Madam President. What...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Excuse me, Senator Klemm. It's gotten very noisy again. We are on the Order of 3rd Reading. Will everyone take their conversations off the Floor, be at their desks, and pay attention? Senator Klemm. 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
Thank you, Madam President. What House Bill 196 does -- we have, in the Humane Care for Animals Act, protection against having teasing, tormenting and hurting police -- police dogs and dogs that are used in the law enforcement community. We also have that same protection for dogs that are guide dogs, hearing dogs and search -- or, support dogs, but we don't have that protection for search and rescue dogs that are used in fires or demolition or other instances where the rescue team will use these dogs to find these people maybe buried under the rubble and everything else. So what House Bill 196 does is extends those same protections to those dogs, that it would be a -- a felony -- or a Class B, I should say, misdemeanor if they hurt an animal who is a search and rescue dog. It does have the same penalties that is currently for police dogs and eye dogs, and I ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Any discussion? Senator Hawkinson.
Thank you, Madam President. Will sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Indicates he will.
Senator, I support your legislation and -- and I realize this is already the law with regards to police dogs and others. And I understand, I think we all do, what beating or striking or -- or annoying -- I'm -- my question is, is there any definition of what "tease" means? I mean, we're making a criminal offense here to tease a dog, and I wonder if there's any statutory history or case law history or -- or anything as to what we mean by tease.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Klemm. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
Well, you know, what -- what we did was take the exact language that we had. Now, I don't know and I didn't research what all the definitions of -- of tease, taunt, annoy, harass, torment, beat, strike or any of those are. And I honestly can't answer your question. I probably don't think there's a definition of tease, and I think that would be determined in the court or whatever it may be.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Hawkinson.
I guess my only suggestion is, all those other terms - harass, beat - are all pretty clear-cut. Tease, I think, is -- is pretty vague. And maybe, before we come back with another category of -- of animal here, we ought to look at what is meant by that and whether that ought to be a criminal offense.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Further discussion? If not, Senator Klemm, to close.
I just ask for your support. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) The question is, shall House Bill 196 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record, Madam Secretary. On this question, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 196, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 205. Senator Burzynski. House Bill 313. Senator Obama. Read the bill, Madam Secretary.
House Bill 313. (Secretary reads title of bill) 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Obama.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 313 deals with the integrity of inspections in nursing home -- at nursing homes. It declares that an inspector or an employee of the Department of Public Health who intentionally notifies a nursing home, orally or in writing, of a pending complaint investigation or inspection is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. This has the support of the AARP, the Illinois Health Care Association, as well as the Department. I know of no opposition. I'd ask for an affirmative roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Discussion? Senator Bowles.
Thank you, Madam President. I urge an affirmative vote on this particular bill. This occasion for its inception happened in my county and in my district. And I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Further discussion? Senator Hawkinson.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) He indicates he will.
Senator, I understand why you don't want to have someone tipping off prior to an investigation, and I assume that's what this is getting at. My question goes to the other part of it, of a pending complaint investigation. What is the -- what is the problem with notification when there's an actual criminal 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 investigation? What -- or, what are you getting at...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Obama.
Yeah. I think the basic principle in all of these is, is that if there's going to be an actual inspection that takes place, that the whole design of the inspection is that it's a spot inspection, as opposed to one in which they are aware of what's taking place. And so I think that whether it's -- in both situations, I think that what -- to ensure the integrity of the inspection, the idea is, is that we make sure that they are not notified, because the whole intention is to have a spot inspection.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Hawkinson.
At -- at some point, however, when there's a criminal investigation, there will be some sort of notification. So I guess my question is, what would be a -- a proper notification, as opposed to a prenotification?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Obama.
My understanding is, is that the -- in the situation of a criminal complaint, at the point where there is a formal complaint that has filed, that notice then would be provided to the nursing home that -- that they have been charged with a criminal -- with a criminal complaint. But the idea, I think, would be that if there was just an ongoing investigation that had not yet established criminal activity at the nursing home, then at that point, a spot inspection would still be appropriate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Hawkinson. 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
Just to further narrow the -- the question, not all investigations will result in a complaint. And so I assume that after some sort of investigation without notice, there would be a proper time to notify someone, either "Hey, you've got a problem here, but we're not going to file a complaint," or "We've investigated and we find no grounds for a complaint." At that point, the notification, I would assume, would not be a prenotification.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Obama.
I do understand your -- the narrow question that you've just posed, and that is correct. At that point, that would not be -- that would not be included within the definition of -- of prenotification.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Further discussion? If not, the question is, shall House Bill 313 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record, Madam Secretary. On this question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 313, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 382. Senator Thomas Walsh. House Bill 418. Senator Rauschenberger. House Bill 469. Senator Thomas Walsh. House Bill 476. Senator Watson. House Bill 508. Senator Bomke. Read the bill, Madam Secretary.
House Bill 508. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate -- or, House Bill 508 amends the Vehicle Code, increasing the allowable size of a fertilizer wagon -- wagons from two thousand gallons to three thousand gallons. This would be consistent with the U.S. Department of Transportation. And be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Any discussion? If not, the question is, shall House Bill 508 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record, Madam Secretary. On this question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 508, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 509. Senator Wendell Jones. Read the bill, Madam Secretary.
House Bill 509. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Jones.
This bill has to do with the amount of time being reduced from ten years to five years. We've discussed it before. I'd appreciate a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Any question? Any discussion? If not, the question is, shall House Bill 509 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record, Madam Secretary. On this question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 509, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 542. Senator Myers. Read the bill, Madam Secretary.
House Bill 542. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This bill amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. It provides that every municipality must submit to the Department of State Police a copy of every ordinance adopted by that municipality that regulates the acquisition, possession, or transfer of firearms within the municipality and must submit, as soon as possible after adoption, every such ordinance adopted. Under current law, home rule municipalities are not required to explain to the Illinois State Police or any State agency what local ordinances they have that restrict gun ownership beyond the dictates of State law. And this bill would require such municipalities to report all these local ordinances that regulate the acquisition, possession, sale or transfer of firearms to the Illinois State Police within thirty days of enactment. It also requires the Illinois State Police to compile and update a list of these municipal regulations and make them available to the public. This could be done by a website. And it is a bill that would allow the hunters, the fishermen, the sports firearm owners, the opportunity to know ahead of their being in a municipality about any laws that there are beyond State law. It's one for law-abiding gun owners and one -- it's one 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 that, to me, makes sense. I'd be happy to answer any questions. Would appreciate an affirmative vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Any discussion? Senator Welch.
I've got a question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) She indicates she'll yield.
Senator Myers, what would be the cost to the State Police for compiling and publishing all of this information?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
Because it's possible them -- for -- for them to just put this on a website, I think it would be very nominal.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Welch.
You -- it's going to very nominal to have somebody sit at a typewriter typing into a website all of this information. The State is going to have to create the website and that's going to be a nominal cost? I find that hard to believe. Did you ask for a fiscal note from the State Police?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
Typing costs are considered to be nominal, and so I do not believe this would have a huge impact on the State Police budget.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Welch.
27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 They're considered nominal by the guy standing next to you or by the State Police? Did -- I asked you, did you ask the State Police for a fiscal note? I mean, you've got a guy standing there talking in your ear and he's giving you information. He's not a police officer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
Senator Welch, did you request a fiscal note? The State Police have not indicated that there was a problem with this bill. And -- and if you'd requested one, I'm sure we would have secured one.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Welch.
Well, Senator, in view of the lecture we got two weeks ago by the Chairman of your Appropriations Committee, I'm assuming that they have fiscal notes requested on all of these bills. In addition, what is the cost of the local municipality to do this? Are we reimbursing them? Is this a unfunded State mandate to do this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
I do not believe that it is, because a municipality already does issue a report on the -- the legislation that they pass as a -- as a municipality. It would already be available. All they have to do is mail it to the State Police, or get it to them in some way. I don't believe it is an undue kind of expense for either the municipality or the State Police.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Welch. 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
Does this apply to the City of Chicago, as well?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
Yes, it... It applies to any municipality. That would include Chicago. It would include downstate municipalities. Every municipality.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Welch.
Does this preempt home rule?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
It does not. The purpose of this bill is to notify law-abiding -- firearm owners of any -- any municipal ordinances that would affect them as they travel around this State. Do you not want them to be able to know these ordinance so that they don't violate a law and possibly have to take the consequences of not knowing? That's my question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Welch.
Well, I -- I don't think you asked for leave to ask me questions, but I'll be glad to answer it. I'll give leave to do that. But what I don't want to do is, I don't want to pay for it. I don't want the money to come out of the teachers' retirement funding that we're trying to find. I don't want it to come out of the -- the pharmaceutical relief program. I don't want it come out for other programs because somebody has a whim. That's what I don't want -- that's what I don't want, Senator. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Please, no demonstrations. Senator Parker.
Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Indicates she will.
Okay. Senator, I have in my analysis here that this bill is opposed by the Municipal League. May I ask you why?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
The Municipal League did not notify me as to why they're opposing it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Geo-Karis. Oh. Senator Parker.
Thank you. Then -- and I cannot assume, then, why the Municipal League is not for this, but what I can say is it concerns, Senator -- and I'll just make a statement on the bill - is that -- and this bill is supported by the NRA. The -- the concern here is that there has been always a movement to try and make all of the gun laws in this State uniform, as far as only being passed from the State Legislature, and to take away the local authority and the possibility for local municipalities to pass their own laws. So I think what I'm concerned about with this bill, particularly since the Municipal League is opposed to it, that maybe this would be a step in that direction. If the sponsor has a -- a comment on that, she could, but that is a concern that I have.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers. 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
This has nothing to do with asking for any kind of change in gun law. All it asks is for the folks who are law-abiding gun owners to be able to know if there is a municipal ordinance beyond State law that would affect them as they travel around the State from one jurisdiction to another. That is all this bill does. And it is simply a typing proposition, postage to mail the ordinance, which already has to be printed by the municipality. So I feel that it is a nominal one, that it will help the people around this State who are law-abiding citizens. That's most of the gun owners in this State who -- and all they want to know is what the rules are so that they won't violate them. To me, this is -- makes a lot of sense, because those who are law-abiding and want to follow the rules ought to know what they are.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Geo-Karis.
Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I don't want to take any money from the Teachers' Retirement Fund. I don't want to take any money for -- any fund that's worthwhile. And this isn't taking any money from those funds at all. All this is, is a notice, a notice so that people know. You have municipalities like Oak Park that has its own gun ordinance on the books. Now, those of you who've never been to Oak Park, and are interested in gun laws and you go through there and you violate their law without knowing, how will you know unless you have someplace that you can check it out. And why -- what better place is it than to check it out with the -- the State Police? It's not that expensive. It's a minimal expense. I think it's worthwhile to have notice available. You want to keep people to -- have people to follow the law? Well, give 'em an opportunity to do it. And let's vote for the bill and let's cut out this hogwash. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Further discussion? Senator Dudycz.
Madam President, I move the previous question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) There are five additional speakers. Senator Cullerton.
Yes. First of all, I'd like to make a parliamentary inquiry. I know that the sponsor has ruled that it does not preempt home rule, but I have great confidence in the Parliamentarian, who's a very good lawyer from my district, and I'd like to ask her if she could please look at it and determine whether or not it preempts home rule. And after a ruling, I'd like to speak to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) All right. Well, we'll have to get back to you with the ruling, but we will before we vote. And then I will call on you to -- to speak to the bill also. Or do you want to do that now?
Why don't -- why don't I do that now?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) All right. Senator Cullerton.
Yes. This came through our committee and I thought about it. Didn't support it in committee. And when you think about it, I understand what the NRA wants to do here. They want to be able to know what the local ordinances are in various cities as people drive through those cities to see whether or not they're violating those ordinances. But they're asking the State to do that for them. They're asking the State to order, in this bill, every municipality to send their ordinance into the State Police, for the State to then publish it, not with an explanation of what the ordinance does, but with the actual written ordinance, which for 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 many people would be very hard to -- to read. What ought to happen here is the NRA, out of their own funds, should do this themselves. Get the individual cities that have passed ordinances, do an analysis of those ordinances, and do their own publication and make it available for anybody in the State that wants to get it. That -- that would be a more practical way of doing it. And it's probably more appropriate for them to be doing it, rather than have the State doing it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Further discussion? Senator Shaw. Well -- oh.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Indicates she will.
I wanted to -- for local governments, I'm trying to get the -- the cost that it would cost local governments to do this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
I believe that the cost would be nominal. There is an issue that we might want to think about, and that is a freedom of information issue. To me, it makes more sense for this municipality to share this information in a website with the State Police. If individuals -- all the individuals who own guns within a municipality want to, they could contact the municipality under the Freedom of Information Act. They could get a copy of that ordinance. I think this makes sense. It's an issue of the public knowing and -- and having information available to them so that they can continue to be law-abiding gun owners. To me, that's the issue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 Senator Shaw.
Do -- what will be the responsibility of the State? If we pass this legislation, will, then, the State turn around and make local governments conform to their software and computers, where they could download this in some way?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
No -- no, Senator, they won't do that. You can mail it to 'em. It's up to them to input it. A typing issue at the State level.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Shaw.
What is the penalty, or is there a penalty, to local municipalities for not forwarding it to the State?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
There is no penalty. There is a good faith between the municipality, the State Police and their constituents who want this information.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Shaw.
The -- and you are saying that - in my town, for an example - all I have to do is have someone pick out the ordinance and mail it to the State Police, and that's the end of it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Myers.
34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 Yes. That's the end of it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Further discussion? Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I just rise in support of this legislation. It seems to me, we talk all the time about freedom of information. We talk all the time about people knowing what the laws are so that they understand them, and that's all that Senator Myers is trying to do with this bill. There was some reference, why not let the organization itself collect the data, put it out to its membership? Not every firearm owner in the State of Illinois is a member of the NRA. You know, a lot of people think that, but I would hazard a guess that most of the people that are in this General Assembly that own firearms do not belong to the NRA. So then, we're going to have to end up paying dues, or whatever, to get that information. So I would suggest, as well, that the Department of Professional Regulation also does a lot of this kind of information on the website for the various industries and professions that we regulate as well. So we've already got precedent to do this. So I just think it's a great bill, and rise in support of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Further discussion? Senator Hawkinson.
Thank you, Madam President. I -- I rise in support of this bill. It did come through our committee. There were -- there was not a single No vote on the bill. There were two Present votes on the bill. There were no opponents signing in, other than the Municipal League. And if you look at the language, all it's going to do is require a thirty-four-cent stamp - probably next year a thirty-five-cent stamp - and stick it in an envelope and -- and 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001 send it in. And that way the citizens of the State will know what the laws are so that they can obey them. I think it's a good bill, and it deserves our support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Further discussion? All right. I think we have a ruling for you. Senator Cullerton, we have a ruling here. Earlier you inquired as to whether this bill preempts home rule authority. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 70/7, specific language denying home rule units of their exercise of powers must be specifically stated in the bill. That language is not present in this bill, and therefore, it does not preempt home rule. ...no further discussion, Senator Myers, to close.
Thank you, Madam President, Members. This is the bill that provides information for the people around our State who are lawful gun owners, who want to know what the laws are as they pass through your communities and my communities so that they may remain lawful gun owners. This is the hunters, the fishermen, the people that have no intent to use the gun for anything but law-abiding purposes. We stress in this State the importance of providing information about our laws and ordinances to the public. This is a way of doing it, and I would strongly urge you to -- to support this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) The question is, shall House Bill 542 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record, Madam Secretary. On this question, there are 48 voting Aye, 4 voting Nay, 4 voting Present. And House Bill 542, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 544. Senator Sieben. Read the bill, Madam Secretary. 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day May 9, 2001
House Bill 544. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Senator Sieben.
Thank you, Madam President. This legislation amends the Recreational Trails of Illinois Act to provide that any person participating in an organized competitive event on land or lands in an off-highway vehicle park paid for or supported through the grants program under the Act shall either display the required public access sticker or pay a five-dollar-per-event fee. Know of no opposition. Ask for your Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KARPIEL) Any discussion? If not, the question is, shall House Bill 544 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record, Madam Secretary. On this question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 544, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. There any further business to come before the Senate? If not, Senator Shadid moves the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 10th, 2001. 37