The regular Session of the 93rd General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be in -- at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The -- the invocation today will be given by Reverend Jeff Chitwood, South Side Christian Church, Springfield.
(Prayer by the Reverend Jeff Chitwood)
Please remain standing. The Pledge of Allegiance will be offered by Senator Terry Link.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Link)
Reading and Approval of the Journal. Senator Larry Woolard.
Mr. President, I move that the reading and approval of the Journal of Wednesday, January 29th, and Tuesday, February 4th, in the year 2003, be postponed, pending arrival of the printed Journal.
Senator Woolard moves the -- to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary. Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 33, offered by Senator Dillard and all Members. And it is a death resolution.
Consent Calendar.
And Senate Joint Resolution No. 4, offered by Senators Bomke, Watson and Dillard. It is substantive.
Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 198, offered by Senator Watson. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 199, offered by Senator Watson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 200, offered by Senator Watson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 201, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 202, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 203, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 204, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 205, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 206, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 207, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 208, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 209, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 210, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 211, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 212, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 213, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 214, also offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 215, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 216, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 217, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 Senate Bill 218, offered by Senator Munoz. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 219, offered by Senator Rutherford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill -- pardon me, 220, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 221, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 222, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 223, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 224, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 225, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 226, offered by Senator Cronin. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 227, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 228, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 229, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 230, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 231, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 232, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 233, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 234, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 235, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 236, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 237, offered by Senator Silverstein. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 238, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 239, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 240, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 241, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 242, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 243, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 244, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 245, offered by Senators Garrett and Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 246, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 247, offered by Senator Brady. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 248, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 249, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 250, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 251, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 252, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 253, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 254, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 255, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 256, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 Senate Bill 257, offered by Senator Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 258, offered by Senator John O. Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 259, offered by Senator John O. Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 260, offered by Senator Jones -- pardon me, that was Senator John Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill -- 261, offered by Senator John Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 262, offered by Senator John Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 263, offered by Senator Obama. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 264, offered by Senator Obama. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 265, offered by Senator del Valle. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 266, offered by Senator Larry Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 267, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill -- 268, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 269, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 270, offered by Senator Peterson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 271, offered by Senator Peterson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 272, offered by Senator Larry Walsh. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 273, offered by Senator Welch. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 274, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 275, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 Senate Bill 276, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 277, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 278, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 279, offered by Senator David Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
Committee Reports.
Senator del Valle, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Bill 19 Do Pass. Senator Cullerton, Co-Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Bills 41, 44 and 81 Do Pass. And Senator Walsh, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, reports Senate Bill 46 Do Pass.
Senator Ronen, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For purpose of an announcement.
Proceed.
Thank you, sir. The Labor and Commerce Committee meeting today has -- will not -– has been canceled, will not be taking place. The Labor and Commerce Committee, at 3:30, will not take place today.
Senator Silverstein.
I’m standing for purpose of announcement, Mr. President.
Proceed.
I just want to announce that Senate Executive Committee will meet at 1 o’clock, in Room 212.
6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 Okay. For information for the Members, we’re going to recess until the hour of 2 p.m. or the call of the Chair, but it shall be no later than 2 p.m. So after the Exec Committee meets at 1, we will return to the Chamber because we have some unfinished business to take care of. So we will reconvene at 2 p.m. 2 p.m., we will reconvene. We will be taking care of business at 2 p.m., so everyone is expected to be here. The Senate will stand in recess until the hour of 2 p.m. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) All right. The hour of 2 o’clock having arrived, the Senate will reconvene. We have a request for leave to record the proceedings from the Illinois State Journal-Register. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Committee Reports. We’ll stand at ease for a moment. The committee report is not down. With leave of the Body, we will go to the Order of -- of Introduction. Leave granted? Leave is granted. On the Order of Introduction of Bills, Madam Secretary.
Senate Bill 280, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 281, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 282, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 283, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 284, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 285, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 286, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 287, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 288, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 Senate Bill 289, offered by Senator Rutherford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 290, offered by Senator Burzynski. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 291, offered by Senator Shadid. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 292, offered by Senator Shadid. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 293, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 294, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 295, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 296, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 297, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 298, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 299, offered by Senator Peterson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 300, offered by Senator Peterson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 301, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 302, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 303, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 304, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 305, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 306, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 307, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 308, offered by Senator Ronen. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 (Secretary reads title of bill) And Senate Bill 309, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Committee Reports.
Senator Silverstein, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Bill 13 Do Pass, House Bill 175 Do Pass, Senate Joint Resolution 2 Be Adopted and House Joint Resolutions 2 and 6 Be Adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Momentarily there’ll be a Senate Supplemental Calendar being passed out. So we’ll pause until they are on every Member’s desk. All right. Does everyone have your Supplemental Calendar No. 1? On the Order of Supplemental Calendar No. 1, Senate Bills 2nd Reading. With leave of the Body, we’ll go to that order. Leave is granted. On the Order of Supplemental Calendar No. 1, Senate Bills 2nd Reading. A Member wishes to call your bill, please indicate so. Senate Bill 13. No. Senate Bill 19. Senator Jones, do you wish to call your bill? Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 19. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) 3rd Reading. Senator -- Senate Bill 41. …Silverstein? Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 41. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 44. Senator Silverstein? Madam Secretary, read the bill.
9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 Senate Bill 44. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 46. Senator Sullivan? Out of -- okay. Senate Bill 81. Senator Cullerton? Senator Cullerton on the Floor? 81? All right. On the Order of Senate Bills -- I’m sorry. The -- Order of Supplemental Calendar No. 1. Leave of the Body, House Bills 2nd Reading. Leave granted? Leave is granted. House Bill 2nd Reading is House Bill 175. With leave of the Body, we’ll ask Senator Jones to be the sponsor, temporarily, to handle that. Madam Secretary, read the bill. House Bill 175.
Yes. House Bill 175. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) 3rd Reading. Hello? All right. Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions, Supplemental Calendar No. 1, is -- House Joint Resolution No. 2. Senator Jones? Madam Secretary.
House Joint Resolution No. 2. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) All right. Senator Jones.
Thank you, Madam -– Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Well, pardon me, Senator Jones. Ladies and Gentlemen, we only have a few items of business. If we could break up the conferences. Senator Welch. Senator Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Joint Resolution No. 2 renames the old State of Illinois Building in Chicago, 160 North LaSalle, the Michael Bilandic Building. We all knew Mike -- Michael Bilandic. He served as Mayor of the City of Chicago. He’s a former alderman, Illinois Supreme Court Justice. He 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 served the State of Illinois well for over 50 years in public service. And it’d be fitting that we do name that building after Mike Bilandic. And I ask for a favorable vote on House Joint Resolution 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) All right. Is there discussion? Senator Watson.
Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I guess just to - - to follow up a conversation that we had yesterday and dialogue we had in committee, just for the Members’ notification. Last fall, there was an agreement that we would do this along with former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ben Miller, a resolution naming a building here in Springfield in -- in -- in his honor. And that’s not part of this, unfortunately, and we had hoped that it would be. We had amendment ready to go in committee to do that. But the -- from what I understand, Mr. President, you have agreed that that bill will be allowed to move forward and hopefully we’ll have support from the Speaker of the House and -- and we’ll live up to the agreement of which was made last fall, by which all -- I believe all Leaders were in agreement. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Senator Jones.
Yeah, you are correct. And I’m quite certain when you present that, I’ll be in strong support of the renaming of that building after Ben Miller. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) All right. Further discussion? If not, this will require a record vote because it’s an expenditure of dollars. On -- on this -- shall House Resolution -- House Joint Resolution 2 pass? Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. 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, the Ayes are 57, the Nays are none, none voting Present. House Joint Resolution 2, having received the required vote, is declared passed. House Joint Resolution 6, Madam Secretary. I beg your pardon. Senator Clayborne, for what purpose do you rise? 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003
Mr. President, I rise for a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) State your point.
Behind me I have some of my constituents: Mrs. Settles, Mr. Settles, and their daughter, Monica White-Settles. I -- I’d like for them to be recognized by the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Will our guests please be recognized? They’re right behind Senator Clayborne. All right. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. House Joint Resolution 6. Madam Secretary.
Yes, House Joint Resolution No. 6. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Senator Jones.
Thank you Mr. President. House Joint Resolution 6 renames a portion of Interstate 39 after Zeke Giorgi, a former -- former colleague of ours who served in the Illinois House for twenty- eight years. During his tenure as a legislator, he worked very, very hard to get this highway built for that portion of Illinois. He was the father of the Lottery. He supported many, many great initiatives, and I think it is fitting that we rename this portion after Zeke Giorgi, who spent twenty-eight years working tirelessly on behalf of that portion of the State of Illinois. And I move the adoption of House Joint Resolution 6.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) All right. Senator Jones has moved the adoption of House Joint Resolution 6. Is there discussion? Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. As I stated in Exec Committee, I –- I rise reluctantly in opposition to the resolution. There’s no doubt -- and some of you will have heard this little speech before, but there’s no doubt that Zeke played an important role in the State of Illinois and in government, not only here, but in Rockford, as 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 well, and it’s punctuated already by the fact that many here in Springfield still remember him fondly. They have a tremendous amount of respect for his accomplishments while he was here in the General Assembly. I also indicated that many in Rockford still remember Zeke, his accomplishments, the impact that he’s had, and the fact that he was well thought of, well loved and served his district very well. And I also indicated that if you talk to Representative Chuck Jefferson, he would tell you that still today people walk in his office asking for Zeke. So, you know, he is still thought very highly of. Representative Giorgi has already been honored by this State with the renaming of the State of Illinois Building in Rockford to the Zeke Giorgi Center, as well as the renaming of the Lottery Building here in Springfield to the Giorgi Building. And additionally, with the help of Speaker Madigan a couple of years ago and his Member initiatives, Northern Illinois University was able to open the Zeke Giorgi Law Clinic in downtown Rockford. So, his legacy is well remembered, and he certainly has been already honored. In light of that, I express some reservation in naming an Interstate -- or, renaming an Interstate after one of our former colleagues. Has nothing to do with Zeke. It has everything to do with the precedent that this could set. In committee I jokingly said we could be renaming 355 in Will County after Ed Petka, or better yet, we could be renaming portions of Interstate 57 in southern Illinois after Larry Woolard, or maybe even Jim Rea, Larry. And I think it just sets a very difficult precedent, and certainly I think it’s something that we need to consider. Zeke worked very hard in the General Assembly, and he also worked very hard for the people of this State. But in addition to that, a lot of other legislators had involvement when you take a look at Interstate 39: former State Rep. John Hallock; Senator Welch, himself; Myron Olson, former State Representative; as -- as well as others. Joyce Holmberg, former State Senator Joyce Holmberg. So certainly I understand the desire to honor Zeke - I have no problem with that - but I just think this is setting a precedent that in the future could be very difficult for us to break. So I would ask for a Present vote on the resolution. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 All right. Further discussion? Further discussion? If not, Senator Jones, may close.
Yeah. Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. With all due respect to my colleague, Senator Burzynski, and I’m looking at the Rockford (Register) Star editorial as - he spoke about Zeke Giorgi. And for one who spent twenty-eight years working on behalf of the people of Illinois and the people of the Rockford community and -- it would be nice to have a highway named after him so when all the folks travel across this State headed toward Rockford and when they hit the Zeke Giorgi Highway, those individuals would know that this was a great man. And I don’t think we can do too much for individuals who have given so much. I think this is little -- this is very little that we are doing for a person who committed himself to the good of the people of Illinois, the good of the people of Rockford. And I -- I would like a favorable vote. It should be a unanimous vote of all of us.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Again, Senator Jones has moved the adoption of House Joint Resolution 6. This is a resolution that requires the expenditure of State dollars. All those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Senator Jones, I’d like to participate. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, the Ayes are 42, the Nays are 5, 9 voting Present. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. With leave of the Body -- before we leave Supplemental Calendar No. 1, with leave of the Body, we’ll return to the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading. I beg your pardon. There is -- on the Calendar. Let… Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. Senate Joint Resolution No. 2, Madam Secretary.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 2. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Senator Jones.
14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. Senate Joint Resolution 2 calls for a commemorative holiday in honor of the 40th President of the United States, an Illinoisan, one who was of opposite Party of mine. And he did make the mistake and go to the other Party; however, he was the President of the United States. Tomorrow is his birthday, February the 6th. It will be a day where school will remain in session, and we we’ll have an opportunity to reflect on a living President who done a great job as Governor of the State of Illinois {sic} (California) and as President of the United States. So I move the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) All right. Senator Jones has moved the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution No. 2. Discussion? Senator Sieben.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I rise in strong support of the gentleman’s motion. And being the Senator who represents Ronald Reagan’s birthplace in Tampico and his hometown -- boyhood hometown of Dixon, Illinois, I certainly want to commend the wisdom of the sponsor here to make this commemorative event permanent. We’ve been doing this for several years and I think it makes tremendous amount of sense to do this. Ronald Reagan, tomorrow, will be 92 years old. He may not realize it, in his current health condition, but it will be his 92nd birthday. And I -- I would like to invite the -- the President of the Senate, and the sponsor of this resolution, to join us Saturday night in Dixon, at 6 o’clock, at the Elks Club, where many of us from Lee County will be celebrating “Reagan Day”. And I would be happy to purchase his tickets and provide him and any of his guests attendance at the annual “Reagan Day” dinner in Dixon this Saturday at 6 o’clock.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) All right. Further discussion? I -- I would yield to Senator Jones; however, he -- the question would he ask: are there carryouts? Further -- further discussion? Senator Geo- Karis.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentleman of the Senate, I -- I commend Senator Jones, our President of the Senate, for 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 sponsoring that resolution for President Reagan, who is now retired; although, I -- I have a correction to make: He was the Governor of the State of California, and not of Illinois. But I think it’s worthwhile. And one thing that Ronald Reagan, did for all of us, he made us feel very proud that we were Americans. And, I certainly am very happy to -- to vote for this resolution and I also was very happy to vote for the prior resolution, ‘cause I had served with Zeke Giorgi. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) All right. Further discussion? Senator Burzynski? Senator -- Senator Dillard.
Point of inquiry, Mr. President. Who are the sponsors of this resolution besides the Minority Leader and the Senate President. Are there other sponsors?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Let me refer that question to the Clerk. Just -- moment. Senator Jones, what -- what purpose do you rise? Senator Jones.
Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. I would ask leave to add every Member of the Senate as a sponsor to this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) All right. Senator Jones has requested leave to have all Members added as cosponsors of Senate Joint Resolution No. 2. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. All Members are now cosponsors. Senator Watson, further discussion.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I, too, want to commend the President of the Senate for sponsoring this resolution. It’s my honor to see my name up there associated with “Ronald Reagan Day”. The -- I got involved in politics a lot because of Ronald Reagan, and I supported him in the primary of 1976 when he first ran against Gerald Ford. And that has a lot to do with developing my philosophy of what -- what’s carried me on to -- here in State government. And -- and I owe a great deal to the former President. I want to take this resolution with us -- with me to Lee County and present this to the Lee County organization, who has a “Reagan Day”. It’s not a “Lincoln Day”. A lot of “Lincoln Day” dinners and you’re all welcome, 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 obviously, to all of them throughout the State. Come out and see us. But this one is a “Reagan Day”. So -- want to also commend the fact that you mentioned, and I appreciate the fact that you mentioned, that he switched Parties. That he switched parties. He -- he was a Democrat. But he came over. So there’s -- I know some of you over there, as this time goes on, are going to be thinking about maybe you ought to progress over to this side. You’re all welcome over here. We just need four, though. That’s all we need. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Further -- further discussion? Senator -- Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in strong support of President’s resolution. And I did want to say to the Minority Leader that I don’t believe anyone on this side wants to switch right now and probably not for the next ten years or so.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Further discussion? If not, Senator Jones, may close.
Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Watson, Minority Leader, indicated that he was a Democrat. If he had read the resolution, the resolution states that he made a mistake. And as far as the dinner is concerned, I know that it costs money, so I’m quite sure you’ll raise those funds and you’ll them over to the Illinois Senate Democratic Fund. Then we will attend. But, I mean, still he was President of the United States and we shall honor him as such. And so I move for it’s adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) All right. Senator Jones has moved the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution No. 2. All in favor, indicate by saying Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. Senate Joint Resolution No. 2 is adopted. Now, with leave of the Body -- before we leave Supplemental Calendar No. 1, with leave of the Body, we’ll return to the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading for Senate Bill 81. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 81. (Secretary reads title of bill) 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 6th Legislative Day 2/5/2003 2nd Reading of the Bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) 3rd Reading. Leave of the Body, we’ll go to the Introduction of Bills. Leave is granted. Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 310, offered by Senator Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 311, offered by Senator Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 312, offered by Senator Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) And Senate Bill 313, offered by Senator Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) 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 passed a bill of the following title, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the -- the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 11. Passed the House, February 5, 2003.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEMUZIO) Is there any other business to come before the Senate? Senator Jones moves that the Senate stand adjourned till tomorrow morning at the hour of 9 a.m. Senate stands adjourned. 18