The regular Session of the -- of the 93rd General Assembly will come to order. Would the Members kindly be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation will be given today by Reverend Eugene Costa, from St. John (Vianney) Church, here in Sherman, Illinois.
(Prayer by Father Eugene Costa)
Please -- please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Link.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Link)
Approval of the Journal. Senator Woolard.
Mr. President, I move that the Journals -- I move that the reading and approval of the Journal of Wednesday, January 29th, in the year 2003, be postponed, pending arrival of the printed Journal. And I move that the Journals…
There being no…
…just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senator has additions or corrections.
There being no objections, so ordered. Chris Miner and -- of Channel 20, and Barry Wood, seek leave to televise the proceeding -- or, photograph the proceeding. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. So ordered. Communications.
To Linda Hawker, Secretary of the Senate. Dear Ms. Hawker - The offices -- is forwarding herewith copies of the Notice of Vacancy from the Republican Legislative Committee of the 28th Legislative District declaring the existence of a vacancy in the Office of the Senator of the 93rd General Assembly in the 28th Legislative District, as a result of the resignation of Doris Karpiel. Also enclosed is a copy of the Republican Legislative Committee’s Certificate of 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/4/2003 Appointment of Kathleen L. “Kay” Wojcik, 411 Redwood Lane, Schaumburg, Illinois, who was appointed to fill the vacancy in the Office of Senator in the 93rd General Assembly for the 28th Legislative District. Yours truly, Jesse White, Secretary of State.
Welcome, Senator Wojcik. So glad to have you here. Messages from the House. One more Communication. Proceed, Madam Secretary.
Dear Madam Secretary - Please be advised that I have made appointments to the 93rd General Assembly Standing Committees as indicated on the attached. These appointments are effective immediately. Frank Watson, Senate Republican Leader.
Message 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 passed a bill of the following title, in the passage of which I’m instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 175. Passed the House, January 30, 2003.
Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 133, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 134, offered by Senator Luechtefeld. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 135, offered by Senator Klemm. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 136, offered by Senator Luechtefeld. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 137, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 138, offered by Senator Silverstein. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/4/2003 (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 139, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 140, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 140, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 141, offered by Senator Shadid. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 142, offered by Senator Woolard. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 143, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 144, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 145, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 146, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 147, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 148, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 149, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 150, offered by Senator Shadid. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 151, offered by Senator Viverito. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 152, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 153, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 154, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 155, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 156, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/4/2003 Senate Bill 157, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 158, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 159, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 160, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 161, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 162, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 163, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 164, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 165, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 166, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 167, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 168, offered by Senator Cronin. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 169, offered by Senator -- Senator Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 170, offered by Senator Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 171, offered by Senator Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 172, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 173, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 174, offered by Senator Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 175, offered by Senator Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 176, offered by Senator Walsh. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/4/2003 (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 177, offered by Senator Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 178, offered by Senator Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 179, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 180, offered by Senator Dave Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 181, offered by Senator Burzynski. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 182, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 183, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 184, offered by Senator Shadid. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 185, offered by Senator Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 186, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 187, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 188, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 189, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 190, offered by Senator Burzynski. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 191, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 192, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 193, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 194, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) And Senate Bill 195, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/4/2003 1st Reading of the bills.
Resolutions.
Senate Resolution No. 22, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 23, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution No. 24, offered by Senator Lightford and all Members. Senate Resolution 25, offered by Senator Lightford and all Members. Senate Resolution 26, offered by Senator Geo-Karis and all Members. And Senate Resolution 27, offered by Senator Geo-Karis and all Members. They’re all death resolutions.
Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 28, offered by Senator Cullerton. Senate Resolution 29, offered by Senators Demuzio, Cullerton and Viverito. And Senate Joint Resolution No. 2, offered by Senator Emil Jones and Watson. And Senate Joint Resolution No. 3, offered by Senator Shadid. They’re all substantive.
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 adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I’m instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution No. 2. And I have a like Message regarding House Joint Resolution No. 6. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/4/2003 Both adopted by the House, January 29, 2003.
House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 175, offered by Senator Demuzio. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 196, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) And Senate Bill 197, offered by Senator Cronin. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
Committee Reports.
Senator Demuzio, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - House Bills {sic} 175, House Joint Resolution 2, House Joint Resolution 6, Senate Joint Resolution 2, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 74; and Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Resolution 29; and refer to Judiciary Committee - Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 53. Senator Vince Demuzio, Chairman of the Committee on Rules.
Senator Demuzio.
Mr. President, there has been an agreement on Senate Resolution -- Senate Resolution 29. It is a resolution that has to deal with the Space Shuttle Columbia and, under our Rules 3- 7, the Rules Committee may direct that that come directly to the Floor. I would suggest that we suspend all -- all the rules and ask that that measure be -- be considered today. Mr. President, I would add that all Members that wish to be added -- actually, I would ask unanimous consent to add all Members to the -- to the Shuttle resolution to be considered today.
7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/4/2003 Is there unanimous consent? Seeing no objection, so ordered. Senator -- Senator Demuzio moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of Resolution -- Resolution No. 29. Senator Demuzio.
Yeah. Mr. President, now that we have resolution here, I would move to suspend the rules for the immediate consideration and adoption of this resolution. However, Mr. President - and I would ask for some order - this resolution is the resolution from the -- the Senate with respect to the Space Shuttle Columbia and I would ask, Mr. President, that all unauthorized individuals be -- leave the Floor and that our Members be in our seat, and then I would ask that the Clerk read – read the resolution.
Will all Members be in their seats, please? Madam Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Joint -- pardon me. Senate Resolution 29. (Secretary reads SR No. 29)
Senator Demuzio.
Thank you, Mr. President. I think everyone in this Body is saddened to learn about the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia, and as the resolution has indicated, that we -- that we mourn the loss of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. We extend our sincere condolences to their families, their friends, and the extended NASA community, and I would move its adoption.
Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President. On Sunday, the senior pastor at my church reminded our congregation that, a year or so ago, we had a visitor in Oak Brook, to our church, and his name was Commander Rick Husband. He was a NASA astronaut, somebody very religious in his own upbringing, sang in his church choir, as we learned over the weekend. And my pastor held up this picture of Commander Husband, which hangs in -- in our church. And he 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/4/2003 said, “You know, in life there are very few people that you see that absolutely overwhelm you when you meet them.” And he said, “And I just, like a little, giddy kid, was overwhelmed by this gentleman who spoke in our church basement. And I asked him, ‘Can I have an autographed picture of you?’” And on this picture to our senior pastor - and he signed a couple to -- to - - to the children that were there - you know, he wrote his salutation, and the salutation that he wrote on all his pictures, whether children or for the senior pastor of a church, was “Remember Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6.” You all ought to write it down, go look at it sometime. But that’s what the Commander of the Space Shuttle Columbia wrote on every autographed picture that he gave to little children or a pastor at a church. And write it down, go look at it at home and see what the gentleman who was actually at the helm of Columbia believed that his life was all about.
Senator Geo-Karis.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the Shuttle mishap was a great disaster, a disaster of seven brilliant minds, seven dedicated people who took chances, and they knew that they might not come back. But they are the essence of what decent human beings are about and they are the essence of people who say that we still have to continue with the Shuttle space items because we learn so much from them. Those seven brilliant people, I -- I was -- I was just overwhelmed. Not only were they brilliant, but they were seven of the most pleasant people who undertook that Shuttle. And all I can say is, may God rest their souls and give them peace and God bless their families.
Senator Demuzio moves for the adoption of Senate Resolution 29. All in favor of the resolution, please rise. The resolution is adopted. Senator Demuzio.
It’s also my understanding, by agreement, that with respect to the Rules Committee action today, that these resolutions, with -- HJR 2, HJR 6 and SJR 2, one dealing with -- with 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/4/2003 Bilandic, one with Giorgi and the other with Ronald Reagan, have been referred to the Executive Committee. I would ask for unanimous consent to waive the rules so that these -- these resolutions may be heard tomorrow, as well as House -- House Bill 175, which gives the Governor an additional time to present the -- the Budget Message. So, House Bill 175, House Joint Resolution 2, House Joint Resolution 6, Senate Joint Resolution 2, that we ask for unanimous consent to waive the posting notice to have these bills heard in Exec tomorrow.
Is there unanimous consent? Seeing no objection, so granted. Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 30, offered by Senator Demuzio, Emil Jones and all Members. Senate Resolution 31 and 32, with like sponsorship. They’re all death resolutions.
Consent Calendar. Senator Shadid, for what purpose you rise?
I rise to make an announcement, Mr. President.
Proceed.
The Transportation Committee, which is supposed to meet at 3:30 today, will be canceled. We will not be meeting this week. Thank you.
Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to announce that Revenue Committee, which was scheduled for tomorrow, will be canceled for this week and rescheduled in the following week. Thank you.
We won’t be here in the following week. Senator Haine.
…and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I rise to announce that the Local Government Committee meeting scheduled today has 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/4/2003 been canceled and it will be rescheduled in the next few weeks. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator del Valle.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. I’m happy to announce that the Senate Education Committee will be meeting in Room 400 immediately upon adjournment.
Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise for purpose of announcement, to announce the Financial Institutions Committee scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday morning is canceled for this week.
Is there any further business to be -- come before the Senate? If not, Senator Demuzio moves that the Senate stand adjourned until the hour of noon, Wednesday. Senate stands adjourned. 11