PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senate will come to order. The regular Session of the 93rd General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by the Apostle Carl White, Jr., of the Victory Christian Assembly Church in Markham, Illinois. APOSTLE CARL WHITE, JR. (Prayer by Apostle Carl White, Jr.)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Link.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Link)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal, please.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, April 21, 2004.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine.
Mr. President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless a Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Haine moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Resolutions, please.
Senate Resolution 506, offered by Senator Risinger and all Members. It is a death resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
And Senate Resolution 507 {sic} (508), offered by Senator Hunter. It is substantive. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Schoenberg, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government, reports House Bills numbered 4361, 4372, 4621, 4651, 4840, 5023, 5165 and 5207 Do Pass. Senator Link, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports House Bills 4076, 4106, 4263, 4285, 4351, 4400, 4461, 4887, 4914, 5014, 5732, 6583, 6760 and 6806 Do Pass; and House Bill 4705 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Ronen, Chairperson of the Committee on Labor and Commerce, reports House Bills 4374, 4660 and 4712 Do Pass. Senator Lightford, Chairman of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports House Bills 4495, 5197 Do Pass; and House Bill 6740 Do Pass, as Amended. Senators Cullerton and Dillard, Chairpersons of the Committee on Judiciary, reports House Bills -- pardon me, 307, 3893, 3978, 4023, 4025, 4027, 4288, 4310, 4370, 4389, 4395, 4424, 4506, 4566, 4777, 4962, 4966, 5061 and 6902 Do Pass; and House Bill 4318 Do Pass, as Amended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Purpose of an announcement. For all Members within the sound of my voice, please report to the Senate Floor immediately. We will be going to legislative action on the Calendar. All Members, please report to the Floor immediately. Thank you. Madam Secretary, may we have some House Bills 1st Reading, please?
House Bill 4958, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 6747, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Messages from the Governor.
A Message for the Governor, by Joseph B. Handley, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs. April 22nd, 2004. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable Members of the Senate, 93rd General Assembly - I have withdrawn the nomination of the following named person to the office enumerated below and respectfully ask concurrence of this -- of this withdrawal to be officially reflected in the records of your Honorable Body. Rod Blagojevich, Governor. A Message for the Governor, by Joseph B. Handley, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs. April 22nd, 2004. Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable Members of the Senate, 93rd 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. Rod Blagojevich, Governor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point.
Thank you. I have a couple of ‘em really. I have four Pages here today. Nicole, from St. Rose, Cassandra from St. Rose, Angelica from Beckemeyer, and Ronald from Germantown, who are in the back.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests please stand up to be recognized? And welcome to Springfield, Illinois.
Then also, Mr. President, I have a couple of guests up in the gallery. My Republican County Chairman for Senator Dale Righter and myself in Wabash County, Ron Loudermilk, right up above the President there, and -- and Craig Racster, also from Wabash County.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 Will our guests in the gallery please rise and be recognized? And welcome to Springfield. Senator Geo-Karis, for what purpose are you seeking recognition, ma’am?
A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point.
Yesterday, we had four very fine people here. Vita DeStefano Verden, V-E-R-D-E-N, Gloria Shapiro, Pat Cline and June Holmes. And Vita is the commentator of the Senior Issues, Et Cetera, on cable television station 17 in Lake County, covering Lake and Winnetka in Cook County. And they have been having a wonderful senior citizen’s TV program every second Monday of the month. And I just want to tell you they’ve been at it for four years. They were here to see us in action, but unfortunately they couldn’t get in because we were so busy. However, I want you to know they do a great job with Senior Citizens, Et Cetera. And they are very well respected and these are senior citizens who are doing such a great job in covering many issues, and they invite anyone who wants to be in their program to be in touch with them. So we’d like to honor them by saying that we’re glad they came and we hope that their visit wasn’t too bad.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Thank you very much, Senator.
I’m not done.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Oh! Sorry.
In addition…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Another issue.
Oh, yes!
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your issue.
4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 We had the North Suburban Library System here, and we have from my -- from Gurnee is Lynn Stainbrook, the Librarian. And we also had the trustees from the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, JoAnn Walker, Trustee, Michael -- Michael Kohlmeyer, K-O-H-L-M-E-Y-E-R, was with -- who’s wife is a member of the Trustee Board. And Paul Maplethorpe, the First Chief and Chief Administration Officer for the Greater Round Lake area. And in addition, we had from Lake Villa, Illinois, Richard Wallens, Member of the Board of Directors of the Lake Villa Library. And we also had Caroline Jacobson, who was here from the library of Lake Villa. And we also had Mr. Richard Lee here, the Librarian for Waukegan Library. So I just want you to know that we had quite a few visitors yesterday that we couldn’t accommodate, but at least we’re glad they came and we tried to make ‘em welcome as much as we could. So thank you very much for listening.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Viverito, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d like very much if you all would give a very warm welcome to Ann and Max Luparell. They are the Honorary Pages. They are the children of Laura Britton, -- who is with our Senate Majority Staff. And today is “Take Your Children to Work.” How about a warm welcome for Anna and Max? Here they are, right here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Anna and Max, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Halvorson, for what purpose do you rise, ma’am?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point.
5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 Thank you. Today I have several people I’d like to announce. First of all, in the gallery I have one of my mayors, Mayor Gerry Balthazor from Bradley, and his wife, Carolyn.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests in the galleries please rise and be recognized? Welcome to Springfield.
And -- and second of all, I have two of our Student Advisory Council members. They serve on the State Board of Education as an advisory panel. Scott Hillpot, from Rockford, and Stacie Barton, from Streator. Streator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Scott and Stacie, please rise to be recognized. Congratulations. Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
I would just like to introduce a couple of guests to the State Senate from the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Illinois. The Director, Diana Martinez, and then Valerie O’Dell-Devine, who is the Development Manager. I’d like to ask you to help me welcome them. They’re with us here on the Floor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Welcome, our friends from Aurora. Senator Bomke, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
I have with me today two future lobbyists. Many of you may know their fathers, Keith Sias and Bruce Simon. I know their daughters are going to be much more persuasive than they, even though they’re Pages with us today. We have Holly Sias and Mary Kate Simon with me here today. And please help me to welcome them. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Let’s welcome our guests to the Illinois Senate. Senator Peterson, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
I would like the Senate to welcome my Page for the Day, Joyce Hogue, who is a constituent of Senator Wojcik’s district.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guest please rise and be recognized? And welcome to the Illinois Senate. And last, but not least, Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have with me today Zach Oyler. He’s job shadowing. He’s a -- he’s from Peoria, Illinois. He’s also going to school at Robert Morris College. Please help me welcome him to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s get down to some legislative business. If you’d follow me on the Senate Calendar on page 13, we have House Bills 2nd Reading. On that Order, we have House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bill 393, on the middle of page 13. Senator DeLeo. With leave of the Body, we’ll come back to that. House Bill 2268. Senator Obama. Senator Obama, on House Bill 2268. Out of the record. House Bill 2587. Senator Meeks. Senator James Meeks. Out of the record. Turning the page, on House Bills 2nd Reading, continuing. Page 14. On the top of page 14, House Bill 3828. Senator Sullivan. John Sullivan, do you wish to proceed, sir? No, he does not. House Bill -- 3835. Senator Shadid. Senator George Shadid. Madam Secretary, Senator Shadid, please read the bill.
7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 House Bill 3835. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Has there been any Floor amendments approved for…
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3857. Senator Cullerton. Senator John Cullerton. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3857. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention for purpose of an announcement. The Senate Rules Committee will be meeting immediately in the President’s Anteroom. Senate Rules Committee will meet immediately in the Anteroom. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on page 14 of the Calendar. House Bills 2nd Reading. We have House Bill 3865. Senator James Clayborne, sir. 3865. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3865. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Senate -- House Bill 3922. Senator Crotty. Senator Maggie Crotty. House Bill 3922. Senator Crotty. Out of the record. House Bill 3937. Senator James Clayborne. 3937, sir. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3937. (Secretary reads title of bill) 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3957. Senator Trotter. Donne Trotter. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. House Bill 4005. Senator Emil Jones. Out of the record. House Bill 4026. Senator Jacobs. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4026. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4092. Senator Crotty, on House Bill 4092. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4092. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on House Bills 3rd Reading on the top of page 15. House Bill 4098. Senator Garrett. Senator Susan Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4098. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Committees -- Committee Amendments 2 and 3.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bill 4103. Senator Larry Walsh. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4103. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 3rd Reading. House Bill 4239. Senator Petka. Senator Ed Petka, on House Bill 4239. Senator Ed Petka. Out of the record. House Bill 4402. Senator Rutherford. Senator Dan Rutherford. Out of the record. House Bills 2nd Reading. 4469. Senator Larry Walsh. Senator -- out of the record. House Bill 4478. Senator Garrett. Senator Susan Garrett, on 4478. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4478. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4481. Senator James Clayborne. Senator James Clayborne. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4481. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4489. Senator Soden. Out of the record. House Bill 4491. Senator Jacobs. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4491. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4560. Senator Hunter. Mattie Hunter. On 4560, ma’am. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4560. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 On the bottom of page -- 3rd Reading. On the bottom of page 15, House Bills 2nd Reading. 4567. House Bill 4567. Senator John Cullerton. Leave of the Body, we’ll come back to it. Top of page 16. Continuing House Bills 2nd Reading is House Bill 4730. Senator Obama. Senator Obama, on 4730. Out of the record. 4751. House Bill 4751. Senator Kirk Dillard. Senator Dillard. Out of the record. House Bill 4769. Senator Larry Walsh. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4769, offered by Senators Walsh and Burzynski. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4779. Senator Risinger. Senator -- Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4779. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bills 2nd Reading. 4831. Senator Hunter. Senator Mattie Hunter. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4831. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bills 2nd Reading. 4847. Senator Denny Jacobs. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4847. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 3rd Reading. 4856. House Bill 4856. Senator Collins. Senator -- out of the record. House Bills 2nd Reading. 4862. Leave of the record {sic}, we’ll come back to it. House Bills 2nd Reading. 4944. Senator Cronin. Senator Dan Cronin. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4944. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5129. Senator Sieben. Senator Todd Sieben. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5129. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5175. Senator Martinez. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5175. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House -- on the bottom of page 16, House Bill 5340. Senator Halvorson. Senator Debra {sic} Halvorson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill -- pardon me, 5340. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. On the top of page 17, continuing on House Bills 2nd Reading, we have House Bill 5562. Senator Collins. Senator Jacqui Collins. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004
House Bill 5562. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5928. Senator Peterson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5928. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee -- pardon me, the Committee on Insurance and Pensions adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 6564. Senator Collins. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 6564. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 7263. Senator Burzynski. Senator Burzynski, on 7263? Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 7263. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Senator Garrett, for what purpose do you rise, ma’am?
13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. On a point of personal privilege. I’d…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please -- please state your point.
My point is that I would like to welcome Derek Tenner to the State Senate today. He’s a Page, and his family are good friends. He’s from Lisle. He’s a fourteen-year-old eighth- grader from Kennedy School -- Kennedy Junior High. So I hope the Senate will give him a warm welcome. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guest please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois Senate? Congratulations. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a -- Madam Secretary, do we have any Committee Reports?
Yes. Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Senate Resolution 499; refer to Executive Committee - Senate Resolutions 488 -- Senate Resolution 488, and House Bills 1959 and 6683; refer to Labor and Commerce Committee - Senate Resolution 487; and Be Approved for Consideration - House Bill 752.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) With leave of the Body, I would go back to House Bills 2nd Reading. On page 14 of the Calendar, House Bill 3857. Senator John Cullerton. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. House Bill -- on -- on the bottom of page 15 on the Calendar, House Bills 2nd Reading, is House Bill 4567. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4567. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, at this time we’ll be going to page 19 of the Calendar. Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. Ladies and Gentlemen, page 19. On top of page 19 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 we have House Joint Resolution No. 9. Senator Sullivan. John Sullivan. Out of the record. We have House Joint Resolution No. 15. Senator Carol Ronen. Senator Carol Ronen, on House Joint Resolution 15. Madam Secretary, Senator Ronen wishes her resolution considered. She says -- indicates she does. Madam Secretary, -- please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 15, offered by Senator Ronen. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Ronen.
Thank you, Mr. President. It’s a pleasure to see you today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you.
This is a -- a resolution related to displaced homemakers, ninety-nine percent of whom are women. It talks about services and activities that they perform. And I would ask that all those here support, by virtue of voting for this resolution, this very, very important program.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Senator Ronen moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 15. It is the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires expenditure of State funds and therefore a roll call vote must be taken. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 51 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. House Joint Resolution No. 15, the resolution -- having received 30 of more votes, the resolution is adopted. House Joint -- Resolution No. 34. Senator Obama. Leave of the Body, we’ll come back to it. Senate Joint Resolution No. 53. Senator John Cullerton. Senator Cullerton indicates -- do you wish your resolution to be considered, sir? Out of the record. Senate Joint Resolution 58. Senator Hunter. Senator Mattie Hunter, do you wish your resolution to be considered, ma’am? She indicates she does. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution. 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004
Senate Joint Resolution 58, offered by Senator Hunter. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Joint Resolution 40 {sic} creates the Sibling Post-Adoption Continuing Contact Governor’s Joint Task Force. The focus of this Senate joint -- this task force is to study the post-adoption siblings’ contact and related issues to serve the needs of adopted children. Over the fall I did meet with the -- the Governor’s Statewide Advisory Council and -- for youth, and I met with them on several occasions. And these kids are truly committed to the task. They’ve also written it. The membership would include twenty members, not paid. One is appointed by all of our Legislative Leaders. In terms of -- of -- of support, we have the -- the Statewide Youth Advisory Council themselves, the Chicago Area Project, the African-American Family Commission, the Youth Services Commission. My gosh. We have the Illinois Adoption Advisory Council, Department of Children and Family Services, the Human Resources Development Institute. Thank you. I ask for -- considerable vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Hunter moves the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 58. It’s -- it is the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds; therefore, a roll call vote must be taken. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 53 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Joint Resolution 58, having received thirty or more votes, the resolution is adopted. Senator Adeline Geo- Karis, on Senate Resolution 102, ma’am. Senator Geo-Karis, could you hold for one moment, please? Senator Maloney, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 Please state your point.
Behind you -- behind the President’s Gallery are -- is Joyce Icenogle, a teacher and administrator from the high school I used to be employed at, Oak Lawn Community High School. And she has with her twelve students who are competing this weekend in the Skills USA Contest. I’d like you to welcome them to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests in the gallery please rise and be recognized? And welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Okay. We’re going to take a short break for an introduction. Senator Watson in the Chair.
We have some guests with us here today, and I’m very proud of this group of young ladies. They are from Bill -- Senator Bill Brady’s and my district. They are the Class A Basketball Champions for the State of Illinois, St. Teresa Bulldogs located in Decatur. They just came from the House where they had a -- a ceremony over there for ‘em, and we’re obviously very privileged and proud to have them here in the Senate. And Coach Ipsen, are you… We’re -- this is the St. Teresa Bulldogs. They were 33 and 0, won the State Championship in Class A Basketball for girls. Besides being good basketball players, they are excellent students, great young ladies. Four of them are going on to colleges and universities throughout this country to represent St. Teresa and Decatur at -- at other universities to play basketball. I mean, that’s a -- that’s a accomplishment in itself that four of these young ladies are going on to -- to colleges and universities as scholarships to -- to play basketball. So we want to welcome ‘em here today. We have Coach Bill Ipsen here with us, who’d I’d like to have the ability to say a few words. And as I mentioned earlier, Senator Bill Brady, who represents a good portion of Macon County along with myself, we’re very proud of these young ladies and their accomplishment. Coach.
(Remarks by Coach Bill Ipsen)
17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 All right. Well, I think I saw where -- how many are graduating? Six? Six are graduating. So, maybe it’s rebuilding time for St. Teresa. But I’ve got a -- I’ve got a feeling they’re going to be back. They’re going to be back. They did extremely well last year, they did well this year, and a great group of people. Thank you very much for letting us have this opportunity.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Ronen, for what purpose do you rise, ma’am?
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on a point of personal privilege. I want to let all the…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point.
Thank you, sir. I want to let all the Members know that we’re honored today to be joined by my -- my Senator - he’ll always be my Senator - one of the most favored Senators that’s ever been in this Chamber, and he’s here today to try to talk to us about education, so listen closely to him. The great Art Berman. Please welcome him.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Welcome back to the Illinois Senate, Senator Berman. Welcome back, sir. Senator Luechtefeld, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. In the gallery behind the -- on the Republican side, there are three young ladies who run my offices in the district, and I think we all know that without -- all of us have those people who without them, we’d sort of be lost. And just appreciate -- especially me. Anyway, I’d appreciate them if they would stand. Donna Johannes and Kathy Wills and Donna Hackstadt, would you please stand?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests in the gallery please rise and be recognized? Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Petka, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the gallery on the Republican side of the aisle is Dr. Thomas Hurley; who is Vice President of the -- of the Illinois Neurosurgeons, who’s here in Springfield to lobby on behalf of the looming medical malpractice and active medical malpractice in the State. I wish we’d welcome him to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Doctor, would you please rise and be recognized? And welcome to the Illinois Senate, sir. Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise, ma’am?
I rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point.
I’d ask all my colleagues to welcome the former State Representative. He served one day. He’s up in the gallery. His -- he’s now Senator Ed Maloney. He’s right behind you. All right. Welcome to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Maloney, we’d like to welcome you to the Illinois State Senate. Would our guest in the gallery please rise and be recognized? Okay. Going back to legislative duties here. Page 19 of the Calendar. Resolutions. Senator Geo-Karis, on Senate Resolution 102. Senator Geo-Karis, do you wish your resolution considered? She indicates yes. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 102, offered by Senator Geo-Karis. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Geo-Karis.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, when I ran for the Illinois House, I ran at the time where we were 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 being cut off our oil from the Arab counties. Now, I’ve done a lot of research on this subject. There’s no doubt in my mind that America can be completely self -- self -- instituting their own oil wells and what have you. And we have loads of oil wells that are being capped by some of our utility companies, and yet we have energy. We have loads of energy available to us on many sources. And there’s no reason why our gas prices should go so high. My resolution states that the price of gasoline has reached an average of a dollar seventy per gallon nationwide and it still continues to rise to the extent that they -- they expect it to go up to three fifty a gallon. This resolution calls upon Congress to investigate and determine why the cost of motor fuel is so high and climbing. There’s no doubt in my mind - and if I may have your attention - that we have all of the -- resources available to us right in this country. It’s time that some of those oil companies also uncapped their wells, and they’ve got plenty of them. Louisiana and other states. So I’m asking Congress to look into it, because it’s unconscionable to have such rising oil prices when we do have energy resources available to us and it’s high time we looked into it seriously. And I ask for the -- favorable passage of this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Geo-Karis moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 102. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it. And the resolution is adopted. Thank you. Senate -- continuing on page 19 on the Calendar is Senate Resolution 168. Senator George Shadid. Madam Secretary, he indicates he’d like to have his resolution considered. Please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 168, offered by Senators Shadid, Munoz. 2nd Reading -- I’m sorry. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Shadid.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 168 states that Illinois supports maintaining the current federal truck size and weight limitations and opposes proposals to experiment 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 with longer and heavier trucks on public highways. Since 1991 the federal government has prohibited the introduction of triple trailers, trucks with weights greater than eighty thousand pounds and trailers longer than fifty-three feet on the interstate highway system. Currently there are attempts in Congress to permit longer and heavier trucks, including the introduction of triple trailers. This resolution urges the Illinois congregational {sic} delegation and the leadership of Congress to maintain the current federal truck size and weight limitations. I would appreciate your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Shadid moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 168. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Schoenberg, on Senate Resolution 171. Do you wish your resolution to be considered, sir? He indicates he does. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 171, offered by Senator Schoenberg. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Section 8-7 of the Illinois School Code authorizes township and school treasurers to be able to enter into agreements regarding the deposit of -- and redeposit, investment and reinvestment or withdrawal of school funds. The community colleges have this same authority. There are four hundred school districts…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Excuse me one second. We -- can we correct the board to Senate Resolution 171? I’m sorry, Senator. Thank you, Senator Petka, for your due -- due diligence. Senator Schoenberg, to continue on Senate Resolution 171, sir.
So school districts and community colleges, there are about four hundred districts which have invested about a billion dollars into a fund called the Illinois School District Liquid 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 Asset Fund Plus, and this would enable the Auditor General to conduct a management audit of that Fund. And I would be happy to answer any questions, and I think we -- this is certainly appropriate in the current climate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Senator Schoenberg moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 171. It is the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds and therefore the roll call vote must be taken. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 51 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. The -- Senate Resolution 171 is adopted. Senate Resolution 428. Senator Watson. Senator Watson, do you wish your resolution to be considered, sir? He -- he indicates he does. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 428, offered by Senator Watson. There’re no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Watson.
Yes. Thank -- thank you very much, Mr. President. This urges Congress and the President to pass legislation to create new programs for reauthorization of the federal transportation program that fairly distributes funding for the highway development among the states. As you know, we’ve been a donor State for a long period of time. We’re not getting back the revenue that I think that we deserve, and this is a resolution to ask Congress to correct that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Watson moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 428. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Continuing on page 19 of the Calendar, Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions, is Senate Resolution 437. Senator Martinez, do you wish to -- your resolution to be considered, ma’am? She indicates she does. Madam Secretary, -- please read the resolution. 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004
Senate Resolution 437, offered by Senator Martinez. There’re no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 437 urges the United States Senate to vote favorably to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The spirit of the Convention is rooted in the goals of the United Nation and the United States to affirm the faith in the fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in the equal rights of men and women. Although women have made major gains in the struggle for equality in social, business, political, legal, educational and other fields in this century, there is much to be accomplished, and though -- and through its support, leadership and prestige, the United States can help create a world where women are no longer discriminated against and have achieved one of the most fundamental of human rights, equality.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Senator Martinez moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 437. All those in favor will vote Aye -- or, excuse me. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 441. Senator Obama, do you wish to have this considered, sir? Senate Resolution 441. Out of the record. Turning the page on the Calendar, -- we’ll go -- top of page 20. Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. Before we continue with resolutions, Senator Shadid, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For an announcement or a message.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your announcement, sir.
Okay. I have just gotten information that our good colleague and very good friend, Senator Demuzio, is listening in on the Internet and I think we ought to give him a big cheer and 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 say, Vince, hurry back. We miss you. One, two, three. “Vince, hurry back. We miss you.” Thank you. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. Page 20. Top of page 20. Senate Resolution 447. Senator Geo-Karis. Senator Geo-Karis, do you wish to -- your resolution to be considered? She indicates she does. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 447, offered by Senator Geo-Karis. There’re no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Geo-Karis.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this resolution urges a Russian oil company to cooperate with Lithuania. Apparently, tensions remain high between Russia and Lithuania over Lithuania becoming a NATO member. Also, Russia and the Russian oil company, LUKoil, L-U-K, refused to open up its drilling site in the Baltic Sea, known as D-6, off the coast of Lithuania for inspection by international organizations. The company also refuses to develop a comprehensive plan with Lithuania and other concerned states to deal with any environmental pollution caused by the oil. Lithuania has a stable democracy and has been a great friend of America. And the Members of the Senate -- of this Illinois Senate, rather, should recognize and honor the -- the seventy hundred and fifty- first year of Lithuania’s statehood and the eighty-sixth year of Lithuania’s independence as a democracy, which was established on February 16, 1918, in Lithuania’s historic capital, Vilnius. And whereas, Lithuania has made significant progress in developing a stable democracy and a free market economy during the fourteen years (since) it overthrew (through) a peaceful democratic movement an -- an illegal -- it supported a peaceful democratic movement, in an illegal foreign occupation by the former Soviet Union. And whereas, the United States never recognized the forced incorporation and -- illegal annexation of Lithuania by the former Soviet -- Union in June, 1940, and continued to maintain diplomatic relations with the -- 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 legislative legal representatives of independent Lithuania. And, resolved, that the Senate of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Illinois, that we urge government of the Russian Federation and the Russian oil company, LUKoil, to open up its drilling site in the Baltic Sea, known as D-6, off the coast of Lithuania for inspection by international organizations and Lithuanian authorities, and to develop a comprehensive plan with Lithuania and other concerned states to deal with any environmental pollution caused by the oil drilling and production at the site. And be it further resolved, that we urge government officials, the judiciary, and the media in Lithuania to address the current political crisis surrounding the office of the President in Lithuania in a forthright and transparent manner that we -- that -- that will serve to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law in Lithuania; and be it further resolved, that suitable copies of this resolution be presented to President George W. Bush, each member of the Illinois congressional delegation, the embassies of Lithuania and the Russian Federation, and to the national office of the Lithuanian-American Community, Inc. I urge the passage of this very important resolution to a country that has always stood by America. And I urge a favorable passage.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much, Senator. Senator Geo-Karis moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 447. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Continuing on page 20 of the Calendar, Senate Resolution 474. Senator Crotty, do you wish this resolution considered? She indicates she does. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 474, offered by Senator Crotty. There’re no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Crotty.
Thank you very much. Senate Resolution 474 creates the Senate Task Force on Illinois Mobile Homes to examine the needs, the relationships between home communities, home and park 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 owners, mobile home retailers and the manufacturers. This resolution will help work out any problems to make this housing industry even better.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much, Senator. Senator Crotty moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 474. It’s in the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds and therefore a roll call vote must be taken. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 52 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Resolution 474, the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we’ll return to page 19. The bottom of page 19. Senate Resolution 441. Senator Obama, do you wish this resolution considered, sir? He indicates -- Senator Obama, you have -- is that -- you want House Joint Resolution 34? Would you -- what’s the -- the gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed with House Joint Resolution 34. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 34, offered by Senator Obama. The Committee on Health and Human Services adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Obama.
Thank you very much, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This resolution deals with the Donor Authorization Task Force. Essentially, we’ve put together a task force to consider how, in fact, we should structure our organ donation program. It’s part of a comprehensive set of rules and regulations and legislation that’s being put together to try to streamline our program. I know of no opposition and would ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Senator Obama moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 34. It’s the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, and therefore a roll call vote must be taken, sir. The voting is 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 52 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Joint -- House Joint Resolution 34, the resolution is adopted. Madam Secretary, Resolutions, please.
Senate Resolution 507, offered by President Jones and all Members. It is a death resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
And Senate Resolution 508, offered by Senator Hunter. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, we will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, has there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
There have been no objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any -- Senator Risinger, do you rise on this matter? Okay. We can just hold for one second. Okay. Seeing no -- discussion, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolutions are adopted. Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. In the President’s Gallery, I have the ladies that run my offices back in my district. I wish you would help me give ‘em a warm Senate welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 Would our guests in the galleries please rise and be recognized by the Illinois Senate? And welcome to Springfield, ladies. We will just stand at ease for just a couple seconds while we’re waiting for some paperwork from the House. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have completed all our legislative action for today. We’re waiting for some paperwork. We can’t do the -- adjournment resolution till we physically have it. So that will -- we will be completed of our legislative agenda today. Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Just since we’re at ease, I wanted to make the announcement that I want to thank Senator Sullivan for showing up for practice yesterday. If it was tennis or pool, we would have been all right, or ping pong. But this is softball. We need to put at least ten on the field. Please bring your equipment next week. We must defend the honor of this Chamber against those guys across the hall. Next week. Tuesday night. Be prepared. The young, the old, the gifted. We need everybody. We -- we -- especially, I want to send a -- a -- a beg out to Senator Clayborne, who is like the big hurt. We want him on the team. Tony Munoz cannot be the only Puerto Rican policeman in the world that doesn’t play softball. Mexican, Puerto Rican, Guatemalan, I don’t know. We need ball players. We’re serious about it this year. They’re bragging. They’ve beat us, Frank, what? Three years in a row? They’re talking stuff. They’re giving odds. They won’t even lose their money. Please, Senators, male and female, black and white, bipartisan. Next week, doggone it. Tuesday night. Lincoln Park.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much for that announcement, Senator. Leader Watson, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Yes. Thank you very much. Not necessarily to follow that previous speaker, but I just want to take this opportunity to introduce two people that are visiting here today that are from my district office. Marilyn Tischnauser, right here. Stand up, Marilyn. Behind me here. She’s been with me forever, I guess. What, twenty some years? Twenty some years she’s been with me. 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 And then Judy Schroeter. Right here. You know, as you’ve heard me say and we all know that we’re only good as the people we have around us. And I’ve got two great -- great staffers in my district, in my district office. And this is their first opportunity, actually, to be here in quite a while. And I think, Judy, you haven’t been here. Okay. All right. Very good. Anyway, I want to welcome ‘em here and -- and just wanted to introduce ‘em and thank ‘em for all they do. And by the way, yesterday was Secretary’s Day and I -- I think I -- I think I -- my people took care of me. Anyway, we -- they’re -- they are -- they’re great people. So, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) We’d like to welcome our guests to the Illinois State Senate this afternoon. Welcome. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Bolin, Assistant 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 am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 77. (Secretary reads HJR No. 77)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Welch.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is the adjournment resolution. We come back Tuesday, April 27th at noon and we will be doing a lot of work when we do come back. Thank you. I would move for the adoption of the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much, Senator. Senator Welch moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and the adoption of House Joint Resolution No. 77. Those in favor will say Aye. Those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/22/2004 The rules are suspended. Senator Welch moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 77. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Pursuant to House Joint Resolution 77 -- Senator Welch, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Mr. President, the Senate Appropriations Committee recessed. We will go back into committee in Room 212 immediately upon adjournment. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The Senate Approp will reconvene immediately upon adjournment. Senate Appropriation, for all those in the sound of my voice that are in your office, Senate Appropriations will reconvene immediately after adjournment. Having said that, Senator Welch moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 77. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Pursuant to House Joint Resolution 77, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on Tuesday, April 27th, the year 2004. The Senate stands adjourned. 30