PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The regular Session of the 93rd General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their seats? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Ed Scearce of Grace Church in Normal. Pastor Scearce.
(Prayer by Pastor Ed Scearce)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Link.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Link)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Thursday, May 13, 2004.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. The State Journal-Register seeks leave to photograph or videotape the recording and procedure. Is there any objection? Leave is granted. Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the -- passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 2252, together with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, May 17, 2004. I have like Messages on Senate Bill 2254, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 2377, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 2887, with House Amendment 1; and 2901, with House Amendment 1. All passed the House, as amended, May 17, 2004.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam -- Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 Senate Resolution 538, offered by Senator Clayborne and all Members. Senate Resolution 539, also offered by Senator Clayborne and all Members. Senate Resolutions 540, 541 and 542, offered by Senator Risinger and all Members. Senate Resolution 543, offered by Senator Emil Jones and all Members. Senate Resolution 544, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. And Senate Resolution 545, offered by Senator Lightford and all Members. They are all death resolutions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, Messages.
Message from the Attorney General. Dear Members - I am nominating Shawn W. Denney for the appointment to the Executive Ethics Commission on behalf of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. I respectfully ask concurrence in and confirmation of this appointment by your Honorable Body. Lisa Madigan, Attorney General.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Viverito, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
There will be a Senate Rules Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senate Rules Committee at?
At -- at 4:30.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 4:30. Senate Rules Committee will meet at 4:30 in the Anteroom. Senator John Sullivan will be introducing a guest. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Senator Sullivan. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004
Thank you very much, Members, fellow Senators. If I could have your attention, please, we have a very special guest with us here today. I have with me here today Army Private First Class Jarob Walsh, from Rushville, Illinois, my hometown, and his aunt, Kendra Walsh, is here as well. Private Walsh is stationed at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. He’s -- with the Army Reserve with the 724th Transportation Company based in Bartonville. On April the 9th, a convoy that he was in consisting of twenty-six trucks headed to -- Baghdad. Four of the -- they came under attack and four of those trucks -- only four of those trucks actually made it to Baghdad. At the time, he was providing security for the civilians’ fuel transport. He was shot four times - once in the chest, twice in the back and once in the foot. Fortunately, he had a Kevlar vest on, and although he does have several cracked ribs, he is going to -- he is going to recover. His harrowing account of that experience was in the State Journal-Register yesterday. If you have the opportunity to read that and pick that up, I would suggest that you do it. And I also have an account here with me and I do have some copies if anybody would like to read over that, because it’s a very moving story and -- and what he has seen and what he has been through is just absolutely amazing and -- and unbelievable. But would you please join me in welcoming to the Illinois State Senate, Private First Class Jarob Walsh. I want to make one more statement. He apologized in the -- in the room behind us because he wasn’t in uniform, and he -- he left Iraq so fast that he actually did not get to bring any of his clothing with him. So, he -- he felt a little embarrassed that he wasn’t dressed up more, but I said he looked great. So…
(Remarks by Private First Class Jarob Walsh)
Private Walsh, on behalf of the Illinois Senate, like to give you a Senate Recognition and I’d like to read it to you. The Illinois Senate of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Illinois acknowledges Private First Class Jarob Walsh, U.S. Army Reserve, in recognition of his dedication and service to his country through his service in the United States Army Reserve 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 724th Transportation Company based in Bartonville, which resulted in being wounded in an ambush on an Iraqi roadway on April the 9th, 2004, and extends its sincere appreciation to him for risking his life in the line of duty and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Let’s give another hand for a true American hero. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Like the record to reflect that Senators Chris Lauzen and Dale Righter will not be here today due to personal business and commitments in their districts.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will be duly noted. Would all Members please be on the Senate Floor? We’re going to start with 3rd Readings. We’re going to 3rd Readings. We need all Members on the Floor. Please turn to page 15 of your Calendar. Page 15 on your Calendar. Page 15 of -- on your Calendar. Bottom of page 15 is House Bill 4960. Senator DeLeo. Do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4960. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 4960 was the same -- very similar to Senate Bill 2887 which we passed out of here last month. Senate Amendment No. 1, which we adopted, deletes all and becomes the bill. It amends the Real Estate License Act. It requires the brokers to continue the minimum services. Requires -- continuing education for all licensed real estate brokers, except for those with -- their license was renewed within ninety days.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there -- is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 4960 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, and none voting Present. House Bill 4960, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 4962. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4962. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Cullerton, on House Bill 4962.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill creates the Gestational Surrogacy Act which provides a framework for gestational surrogacy agreement to be entered into and enforced in Illinois. A gestational surrogacy arrangement is a surrogacy in which the surrogate has no genetic connection to the child. The bill identifies the minimum necessary requirements for a surrogacy agreement to be presumed enforceable in the State of Illinois and identifies the criteria for a woman to be eligible to act as a surrogate and the criteria for intended parents’ eligibility to benefit under the law. Also identifies the contractual requirements to prepare an enforceable contract, including that -- that both the surrogate and the intended parents are represented by counsel. If the minimum requirements are satisfied, the bill provides that the intended parents and not the gestational surrogate shall be treated as the parents of the resulting child for purposes of Illinois law. And to protect the child, the bill provides that the persons considered to be the parents of the child shall be obligated to support that child. It’s a very interesting bill. It really is designed to -- to make sure that the child has someone to support them, and it clarifies who the -- the parents are and gives that child those rights. There was questions asked at the committee, Judiciary Committee, by, I think, believe, Senator Dillard concerning the issue of whether or not this had anything to do with the Adoption Compensation Prohibition Act, and it clearly does not. And so, with that, I 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 -- be happy to answer any questions and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will.
Senator Cullerton, in the definition of “intended parent”, I read this to mean that the intended parent is an intended mother or intended father. In the case of intended parents, the term “both” means only an intended father and mother. There’s no other reading of that definition, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
That’s correct.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton. Any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Cullerton, to close.
I would just ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 4962 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 53 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 4962, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. There will be a Rules Committee meeting immediately in the President’s Anteroom. Would all the Members of the Rules Committee please come to the President’s Anteroom immediately? The Senate will stand at ease till the Rules Committee is finished with its business, which shouldn’t be but a few minutes. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Joint Resolution 75, House Bill 616, House Bill 759, House Bill 762 {sic}, House Bill 834, House Bill 843, House Bill 848, House Bill 849, House Bill 851, House Bill 853, House Bill 854, House Bill 855, House Bill 856, House Bill 857, House Bill 862, House Bill 863, House Bill 864, House Bill 866, House Bill 867, House Bill 868, House Bill 913 and House Bill 944.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Now we will continue with 3rd Readings. House Bill 4976. Senator -- Senator Link. House Bill 4977. Senator Roskam. House Bill 4980. Senator Garrett. 4980. House Bill 4989. Senator Clayborne. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4989. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. Chairman -- I mean, Mr. President. House Bill 4989 amends the Structural Pest Control. It specifies that if a certified technician desires to renew his certificate, he shall provide evidence to Department of Public Health that during a three-year period, he has attended a minimum of nine class hours of training at pest control training seminars provided by the Department.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 4989 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 52 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, and none voting Present. House Bill 4989, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 Bill 4996. Senator Halvorson. Madam Secretary, read the bill. Out of the record. House Bill 5011. Senator Munoz. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5011, offered by Senator Munoz. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Munoz.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. House Bill 5011 removes the statutory classification of retailers on premise consumption license and an off premise sale licensee {sic}(license) and allows the Illinois Liquor Commission to make that classification, as well as adding a third class, which is a combined on premise consumption and off premise sale retailer. I know of no opposition and I would attempt to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5011 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 54 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, and none voting Present. House Bill 5011, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5017. Senator Walsh. House Bill 5023. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5023. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sieben.
Thank you, Mr. President. This legislation amends the State Finance Act and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law to create the Downtown Development and 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 Improvement Fund. I know of no opposition and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5023 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5023, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5057. Senator Harmon. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5057. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I’m correct that there are no pending amendments? Thank you. Terrific. House Bill 5057, as amended here in the Senate, amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. It directs the Department on Aging to develop a program of transition services in selected area of the states. It does not prescribe the details of the program but instead directs the Department to develop it in consultation with nursing homes, case managers, area agencies on aging and others interested in the well-being of the elderly. I believe that the amendments adopted here in the Senate have addressed the concerns of -- or, the -- what little opposition did exist. It came out of committee unanimously. I ask for Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5057 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5057, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 passed. House Bill 5070. Senator Munoz. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5070. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Munoz.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 5070 amends the Debt Management Service Act regarding loophole. Extends the definition of “debt management service” to include those services that indirectly distribute payments to a debtor’s creditors. I know of no opposition. I would ask for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5070 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5070, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5094. Senator Haine. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5094. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 5094 incorporates two amendments which accomplish two similar objectives, one of which, the first one, streamlines the Illinois EPA’s air pollution and clean water permitting process to expand the definition of a “coal combustion byproduct”, making these byproducts economically profitable for the company. They can be used in the 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 construction of roads and asphalt and other things. The -- the second amendment redefines the term “clean construction debris”, which -- which would include concrete with a protruding rebar no more than two feet so that this waste material can be disposed of without the -- the very costly process of removing the bar entirely. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. For Members on this side of the aisle, this came out of committee unanimously. It is actually streamlining government and the business community supports it. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Haine, to close.
Ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 5094 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 53 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5094, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5129. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5129. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sieben.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. This legislation amends the Alternate Fuels Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall compile a database of flexible fuel vehicles in the State by zip code area and do this by January 1st of 2005. Ask for an Aye vote. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5129 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5129, having received the required constitutional majority is declared passed. Top of page 17. House Bill 5131. Senator Ronen. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5131. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Ronen.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill makes clear the Secretary of State’s discretion to sell limited subsets of driver information more clear. It simply defines with greater precision the Secretary’s ability to furnish a subset of driver information. The clarification is necessary because -- a public policy interest to identify those drivers that are greatest risk. Know of no opposition. I would ask for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5131 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5131, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5157. Senator Welch. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5157. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Welch.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a Watson-Welch bill. It creates a Veterans’ Home checkoff on the income tax. I’d be glad to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5157 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5157, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5215. Senator Radogno. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5215. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Radogno.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill amends the Transportation Article of the School Code. Currently, if a school district that provides its own bus service gets a request from a private contractor to -- to provide that service, a school district has to go out for competitive bid. The problem that was brought to my and Senator Walsh’s attention is that sometimes this process occurs every single year, and it’s very time-consuming for the districts. So this bill simply says that -- that they can do it every other year now.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5215 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5215, having 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5340. Senator Halvorson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5340. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. 5340 is the bill we took out of the record last week to clarify a few points. Senator Roskam, I think the reason we were so confused is ‘cause there is no lawsuit right now. It’s a ruling, and the United Transportation Union, along with three of the four U.S. Class 1 Railroads, petitioned the Commission to adopt a regulation that is consistent with this legislation. So, the full -- the full Commission is waiting till we pass this legislation to let them know what we’re going to be doing. With regards to the walkways elsewhere, no, they won’t be required to do them elsewhere. It only requires that regular work locations be reasonably level and free of debris. And when you brought up the fact about the federal legislation, the Federal Rail Safety Act and the Federal Railroad Administration have delegated this responsibility to the states. I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there -- is there any discussion? Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the bill and want to thank Senator Halvorson for taking it out of the record last week so we could have the questions answered.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5340 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5340, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 passed. House Bill 5732. Senator Link. Senator Link. House Bill 5734. Senator Winkel. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5734. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Winkel.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 5734 is an extension of a TIF district for the City of Champaign.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5734 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 52 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5734, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5875. House Bill 5891. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5891. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 5891 creates {sic} the Environmental Health Practitioner Licensure Act. This is brought by the American Massage Therapy Association. There will be no fiscal impact because the fee will be charged to the applicants. This is to have -- fingerprints for -- licensed masseuse therapists submitted to the Department of State Police and the fees will pay for their fingerprinting.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is -- is… SENATOR DeLEO: 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 This bill was brought by the Association.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Winkel.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill passed out of the Licensed Activities Committee unanimously.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5891 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5891, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5928. Senator Peterson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5928. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Peterson.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 5928 is a bill dealing with the recovery of large deductibles by the Illinois Guaranty Fund when insurance companies are in liquidation. I know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5928 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 5928, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 6496. President Jones. House Bill 6499. President Jones. House Bill 6567. Senator Cullerton. House Bill -- House Bill 6583. 6574. Senator Winkel. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 House Bill 6574. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Winkel.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 6574, as amended, amends the University of Illinois Act. It prohibits disclosure of university employees or students e-mail addresses. The idea here is to protect students and employees from spam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 6574 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 6574, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We’re going to go back to House Bill 6567. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 6567. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is an initiative of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. It -- it would say that any agency or instrumentality of the State may seek recovery for the cost of the repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed roadway property, and there was an amendment that was adopted, at the request of some folks in the committee, that took out the related emergency service charges. So, related emergency service charges cannot be -- would not apply to this bill, but the repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed roadway property would. And with that, I’d be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 Is there any discussion? Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Mr. President. Question to the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield.
Under my synopsis here, it indicates -- it refers to road safety equipment and emergency equipment. Does that mean like a snowplow, a police car, a -- an ambulance?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Well, let me see if I can look at the actual language of the bill to answer your question. It -- it -- the bill just -- the bill just states “roadway property” - roadway property. So, I don’t think that would apply to an ambulance. And, Senator, I believe if -- you were on the committee that this bill was considered, and it was my understanding that there was an amendment requested by Members of the committee, which was adopted, which took out “related emergency service charges”. Now, I don’t know if that satisfied fully your -- your concerns, but that -- that -- that amendment was added.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bomke.
Well, it did partially, that’s correct, but the other concern I have -- and I’m looking at the -- the bill, and it does reference roadway property includes road safety equipment. And -- and here’s my concern. This -- this is my concern: Under current law, if someone damages a public entity property, as with any individual, they’re responsible for not replacing it, but -- but paying the actual cash value if it is totally destroyed, or if it’s partially damaged, repairing it with like kind and quality. In other words, the -- the damaged instrument is no better than it was before the loss, or it’s the same. But it would appear to me that this could require an individual to replace it. In other words, if a -- if road equipment is damaged - a snowplow or a police car or an emergency -- an ambulance, an emergency vehicle - the individual’s going to be 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 responsible for -- for replacement value, and I think that’s contrary to current law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Well, first of all, we’re talking about road safety equipment that is fully functional prior to it being damaged. Okay? This -- this equipment saved the life, in some cases, of the driver or the passengers of the vehicle that struck the equipment. All we’re saying is that taxpayers or toll payers of the State should not be subsidizing the repairs. It’s unfair for the taxpayers or toll payers to subsidize the repairs of the safety equipment that was fully functional prior to the accident or prior to the crash. That’s the theory behind this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bomke.
I don’t dispute that an individual that damages something. Now, also, I think I saw in here, “regardless of one’s negligence”. So, even if you’re not negligent or found negligent, you are responsible for the replacement value. And again, I think that’s contrary to current law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator -- Senator Bomke, were you -- were you -- Senator Bomke.
Okay. I stand corrected, Senator Cullerton. The -- you must be negligent in order to… Okay. There is nothing in here about negligent. My concern is the depreciation. Under current law, if I -- if I’m involved in an accident, I cause the accident, I damage the property, I’m responsible for repairing it based on actual cash value - whether it’s your vehicle, whether it’s a public entity property - but this would require an individual to replace that property with a new -- with new -- as new.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 Well, I don’t know if that’s a question. I -- I appreciate the correction with regard to negligence. Still have to be negligent. It’s a public policy. This is State property or owned by an entity like the Tollway. It’s functional. It’s safe -- it’s highway safety property. It saves the life. They’re going to be -- what we’re saying is you have to be responsible for the cost of replacing it. Okay? And I understand the difference between private sector. This is public sector. These are taxpayers and toll payers that we’re really protecting with this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bomke.
Not a question. Just a statement. I’m not sure that we have an obligation to -- to make a public entity whole or better than we would an individual. So I -- I respect Senator Cullerton a great deal, but I’m not sure I agree with him on this issue. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rauschenberger.
Senator Cullerton -- will the sponsor yield for a question or two?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will.
Senator Cullerton, in most cases, we would assume that the driver that damages equipment was insured, wouldn’t we?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Most cases you’re talking about people driving vehicles, and yes, we have laws requiring that they have insurance. So, the -- the answer is yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rauschenberger.
So, if the insurance company then becomes responsible for replacement cost to this equipment and we do make the public 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 entity more than whole, in the end, that’s going to reflect itself in the rates of all of the insurance purchasers in the State, aren’t we?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Well, it depends on whether you want -- how you want to look at it. This clearly benefits toll payers and taxpayers, because the public entity is getting more money than they otherwise would have. And in your analogy with insurance carriers, maybe it’ll come out of their profits, rather than be passed on through higher premiums. So, it just kind of depends on how you want to look at it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rauschenberger.
Well, just to remind the Senator, there’s no free lunch, you know. If we -- if we charge a motorist involved in an accident, you know - not through negligence, but in an accident - to -- to make the public entity more than whole, you know, we’re -- we’re passing those on to people again. But -- but let me just close with one last question for you. That was a comment, but you can respond to that as well. But is there a reciprocal right to recover by the motorist if their safety equipment and their automobile is damaged through the condition of the roads? A lot of constituents in my district are pretty concerned about flying rocks because IDOT doesn’t sweep roadways anymore. They’re concerned about potholes and condition of roadways. Do motorists have a right to recover on the same basis as the public entity does?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Well, yes, you -- there are certainly the right of action against certain municipalities for negligently maintaining roadways. Whether or not it affects safety equipment or not, it would be a matter of proof. I just wanted to clarify, Senator, that there does have to be negligence involved. Okay? You said it’s just an accident. It’s an accident that is caused by 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 someone’s negligence. That has to be implicit in this -- in this argument. Okay? This bill, as Senator Bomke indicated before, suggested that there -- it could be done without any negligence. I believe that negligence is involved. And it doesn’t make ‘em more than whole. It just says they have to pay for the cost of the repair. That’s not more than whole.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rauschenberger.
Could you just tell us where in the bill that you -- you’ve referred several times to negligence as a standard in the bill, and where in the bill do you see negligence as a -- or maybe you can explain… I just want to make sure we’re looking at the same -- is there -- do you see negligence cited as a -- or is it implied some way that I don’t understand?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
I certainly do think it’s implied. We’re talking about roadways. We’re talking about highway safety equipment that is damaged. Okay? So, we’re talking about cars running into guardrails, running into other safety equipment. That’s what we’re talking about. So, if…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rauschenberger, could you…
Last question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you.
Current -- you mean -- well, you know, he -- you can’t -- you just have to be cautious. I mean, you talk about a negligent standard, but there’s not a negligent standard in the bill. There may be one implied, but you have to be more sophisticated, as you are, Senator Cullerton. The rest of us don’t read that in there. In the past, the law referred to illegal operation of an auto as a cause for recovery but not -- not just an accident. So, you know, this is just an accident, 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 as far as I’m concerned. So, maybe this is a good bill to end today’s Session on by voting No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton, to close.
I hope I’ve answered all the questions. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 6567 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 37 voting Aye, 17 voting Nay, and none voting Present. House Bill 6567, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 6583. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 6583. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sieben.
Thank you, Mr. President. This legislation would authorize Stephenson County to establish a TIF district in part of the unincorporated area of the county as long as there was created or retained at least five hundred full-time jobs and there was at least a private investment of not less than ten million dollars. The amendment now that -- becomes the bill and represents an agreement between the City of Freeport, the County of Stephenson, the Municipal League and the TIF Association. There’s no opposition. I’d ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 6583 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 48 voting Aye, 5 voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 6583, having received the 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 6616. Senator Forby. Madam -- Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 6616. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby.
Yes, Mr. President. That last vote, I didn’t get to hit my -- my -- would you put me a Yes vote on that last vote?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The record shall so reflect. Senator Forby.
Thank you, Mr. President. 6616, this bill will allow the employees of Cairo Public Utility be involved in the -- IMRF. The employees of Cairo Pubic Utility Company were involved in the IRF {sic} until - up until 1996 when the company was no longer considered to be a part of the city government. Because IMRF does not allow employee -- a non-taxing employee be involved in this system, legislation is required to allow these employees to rejoin the system. This legislation would have no impact or liability of the funds nor any additional cost on the IMRF employees outside the City of Cairo. This includes Cairo Public Utility Company and the IMRF. This bill passed out of the House 115 to nothing. I’d ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 6616 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 6616, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 6683. Senator Winkel. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 6683. 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Winkel.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 6683 simply allows a township that has prohibited the retail sale of alcoholic liquor to have its township board authorize local liquor control commissioner to issue a special event retailer’s license, not- for-profit, that would authorize the sale of beer for up to three days per year for up to three years at an agricultural show that is held on privately owned property within the township but not within the corporate limits of a city, village or incorporated town. The bill, as amended, now includes a sunset provision, three years.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 6683 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 37 voting Aye, 16 voting Nay. House Bill 6683, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 6760. Senator Roskam. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 6760. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 6760 amends the Property Tax Code to clarify the exempt status of church parking lots that are leased to Metra to provide free parking for commuters. That’s the first thing that happens. Secondly, Senator Cronin added an amendment, and, Mr. President, I’d like to defer to him to explain the other half of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 Senator Cronin.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. This bill is in response to a number of school districts throughout the State who are experiencing sort of an unusual problem. There’s a -- a financing mechanism available to some local governments and schools whereby the instrument of ownership for a school building is something unconventional, yet the purpose -- the sole purpose of the building is educational purposes, public education. Evidently, the Department of Revenue had -- has not looked favorably or has some concerns or has some confusion about this particular instrument of ownership. They challenge these things. It’s sort of a routine bureaucratic thing. Because it doesn’t fit exactly into some little cubbyhole, they are obligated to challenge these things. So what we’re doing is we’re -- we’re -- we’re defining it in a way that meets the approval of everyone involved. And it helps schools across the State and it does the right thing, and I ask for your favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 6760 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 54 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 6760, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 6811. Senator Clayborne. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 6811. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House -- House Bill -- House Bill 6811 provides that a person at least seventeen years of age at the time of the commission of an offense who was convicted of the offense of first degree murder 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 against a person under eighteen years of age must register as a sex offender for natural life. It also provides that a person who -- who is required to register as a sex offender who intends, rather than desires, to establish a residence or employment outside the State of Illinois must inform the law enforcement agency which he or she last registered of his or her out-of-state residence or employment. It also clarifies that the registration requirement only applies to persons incarcerated on the effective date or thereafter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 6811 pass. All those in favor will -- will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 6811, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 6954. Senator Martinez. House Bill 6983. Senator Link. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 6983. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link. Senator Link, on House Bill 6983.
Thank you, Mr. President. This requires that each State purchasing agent give preference to products manufactured within the United States when awarding contracts. Requires the contractors to certify products manufactured in the United States and chief procurement officers to establish prequalification guidelines for supplies and contractors. Creates penalties for noncompliance and makes exemptions for Capital Development Board. The amendment also made exemptions for telecommunication services, Internet or information services, and pharmaceutical products that are excluded from restrictions of this bill. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 Is there any discussion? Senator Rauschenberger.
A couple of questions of the sponsor, if he will yield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Rauschenberger.
Senator Link, can you tell us, is this an absolute preference or is this a weighted preference? What -- what kind of preference are we granting to domestic products?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
Senator, there’s no absolute on it. There are a few exceptions to it, but it makes it a preferable list to make sure that these products would be purchased from the United States.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rauschenberger.
Well, we -- we have a veterans’ preference in our Personnel Code that at one time was -- was interpreted to mean additional points or a slight, you know, advantage for a veteran. It’s been -- interpreted by the courts to be an absolute preference, meaning that agencies have to take a veteran if there’s a veteran on their list. I just worry, you know, it’s -- in the past, we’ve had preference bills which gave up to a three- percent price advantage to domestic -- domestically produced products, but if this is -- if this is an unspecified preference, there’s a danger, I think, or I would be nervous that there would be a danger this would be perceived as an absolute preference by the courts. And I -- is there anything in the bill, you know - I’m -- not having been on that committee - that gives you comfort to know that this won’t be perceived as an absolute preference?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
I think there is -- that it wouldn’t be absolute. I think there’s enough things in here, as far as what we -- we’ve worked with the groups to make sure that -- that we would -- we would 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 cover the -- your questions. And I understand exactly where you’re coming from on this, and I think we covered it to make sure that we are just making sure that people would use their preferences to buy in-the-United States products.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rauschenberger.
Well, again, I guess -- you know, the problem is, you know, as you -- if you’re a State agency or you’re a -- anybody trying to make a product -- decision, it’s a complex set of decisions. You know, if we specify that you have to buy U.S. products and RCA happens to make one lone lame television somewhere that costs six hundred and sixty-two dollars and we can buy state of the art Sony for three hundred and ninety-nine dollars, but if we’ve specified domestic, then we’ve specified domestic. Normally, you -- you would -- and I know you didn’t draft this bill. This is what always makes me nervous about House bills coming over. They get so excited over there to pass bills with their name on it, they sometimes forget that they mean something if we pass ‘em. So, I just -- is there anything in the bill that -- that limits this to -- to some kind of percentage or some kind of qualified product? I mean, you know, I realize we’re excluding telecommunications and Internet, which kind of makes me wonder, and I realize we’re now excluding pharmaceuticals, which even makes me more troubled. I mean, it’s okay to buy Indonesian pharmaceuticals, but it’s not okay to buy Canadian -- I mean, you know, I don’t know where we’re going here. But -- but be that as it may, is -- what is the fiscal cost of implementation for CMS and -- and -- and the purchasing departments? Did they give -- do we have a fiscal note or a fiscal cost on their implementation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
No, there is no fiscal note on this. But, you know, I -- I see where you’re going, and, you know, the products that are not available for reasonable quantities, prices of products that are unreasonable amounts, so that RCA TV, if that’s the only one that would be able to be purchased under this requirement, they 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 would be exempt. So, I think the exemptions are clear enough to where we’re not precluding something that would be cost- prohibitive to where we would be spending more than we necessarily need to on a -- in a situation like this. It’s more a preferred list.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rauschenberger.
Did CMS or the other State agencies involved give you a cost estimate of what it’s going to cost to set up a whole certification process where we, as the State of Illinois, are going to certify whether a product’s made in the -- I mean, we’re not talking about national now. I mean, this isn’t the federal -- we’re talking about the State of Illinois setting up a process by which we can determine whether a product is made in whole or in part in the United States and certify it and the vendors as American vendors. Is that -- I mean, did -- do we have any kind of idea how much CMS is going to gig us for creating this new bureaucracy to determine the -- the merchantability of products?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
CMS has indicated no dollar amounts on this. They are just neutral on the bill as it is stated.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Anything further, Senator Rauschenberger? Senator Rauschenberger.
I just think -- I would urge all Members of the Senate to pay close attention to this bill. All of these bills sound good on their face, but when you take government and limit your ability to buy the right kind of product for the right use at the right price, when we say vendors can’t offer us their best products because we’ve created some kind of artificial instrumentality, when we’re a society that’s benefited from free trade and -- and open borders, for us to argue here that Illinois ought to be passing domestic content laws, setting up a bureaucratic system where we determine whether a product is made 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 in America or is American enough, I -- I think we’re -- we’re treading ground that we, (a), it’s too expensive to our constituents; (b), we don’t need anything that makes government bigger and discourages business or business partnerships. Illinois is one of the biggest exporting - exporting - states in the nation, and for us to have anti-importation legislation on the books sends a chilling message to our number one and number two industry - manufacturing and agriculture. So, I know -- big -- I’m a big fan of the sponsor, but I think the House has sent us one of those bills that really ought to be left, as they call, in interim calendar or summer study or whatever goes -- happens to House bills that don’t get successful consideration in the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. Basically what this bill -- it’s got the endorsement of the AFL-CIO, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the Tool -- Tool and Dye Manufacturing Association. The Chamber, after we amended the bill, is neutral on it. It requires, you know, the State to look at products from the United States. I think it’s a good, positive piece of legislation. I understand the Senator’s concerns, but I think it’s a positive step forward and I ask for an affirmative vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 6983 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 38 voting Aye, 12 voting Nay, and 3 voting Present. House Bill 6983, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Top of page 19, House Bills -- 7015. Senator Jacobs. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 7015. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 7015 increases fines for speeding in a work zone and provides for a straight ninety-day suspension of driving privileges for speeding in a work zone for a subsequent or second speeding violation within two years of the previous violation. I know of no opposition and I ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Mr. President. Came out of the committee with no opposition and we support it on this side of the aisle. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 7015 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 53 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, and none voting Present. House Bill 7015, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 7029. Senator Trotter. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 7029. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate {sic} Bill 7029 says -- states that beginning on July 1st, 2004, and each year thereafter, 1.2 million dollars from the Nursing Dedicated and Professional Fund will be set aside through the Department of Public Health for nursing scholarships. This money is not subject to transfer from General Revenue Fund.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 7029 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 Opposed will vote 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, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 7029, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 7057. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 7057. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 7057 is a clean-up bill for the Sex Offender Management Board legislation that we passed last year. In general, it mandates that a sex offender sentenced to probation may not contact anyone the court prohibits him from contacting, and that a sex offender be available for evaluations and treatment programs as required by the court. It’s an initiative of the Attorney General’s Office. I’m aware of no opposition and I ask you for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 7057 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 7057, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 7169. President Jones. House Bill 7170. President Jones. House Bill 7173. President Jones. House Bill 7174. President Jones. House Bill 7177. President Jones. House Bill 7178. President Jones. House Bill 7179. President Jones. House Bill 7180. President Jones. House Bill 7181. President Jones. We’ll stand at ease for one moment. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 546, offered by Senator Crotty. 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 It’s substantive. Senate Resolutions 547 and 548, offered by Senator Dave Sullivan. They’re both death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Will all Members please come to the Floor for a death resolution? Will all Members please be in their seats? Will the staff please retire to the gallery? Will the Doormen please secure the doors? Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 549, offered by Senator Watson and all Members of the Senate. (Secretary reads SR No. 549)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is tough, ‘cause this is the second time in two weeks that we have eulogized a great leader in the Senate, another Italian-American today. Aldo DeAngelis was a fabulous businessman when he arrived in this Chamber in 1979. I first met Aldo in ’79. One of my college classmates, Mary Beth King, ran his first race for office and helped get him here. And in 1979, I actually left this Chamber as a staffer to go off to law school, but the Chicago schools were about to go belly up. And this new freshman Senator, Aldo DeAngelis, entered this Chamber, a businessman, somebody who cared passionately about education and was immediately, in the first couple of weeks here in this Chamber, put in charge of the Chicago Schools crisis by the Republicans in the State Senate. And Aldo became a leader right away not only in metropolitan Chicago, but statewide. Aldo was a brilliant man. He used to write the school aid formula, and you know how some of us have been here twenty plus years and we haven’t learned the school aid formula. Well, Aldo DeAngelis learned it quickly, and he used to regale the staff and Senator Art Berman on the back of a cocktail napkin with a little magic marker of all kinds of changes that he wanted to see in the school aid formula. But Aldo was an absolute quick study. Immediately in his first 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 year, he was one of these people who came into this Chamber -- Senator Rock was the Presiding Officer. He instantly lobbed on to Aldo as -- as somebody he liked, and Senator Berman was the education guru of the State Senate and he also immediately lobbed on to Aldo. And Aldo was an instant player. Within his first few weeks here, as you heard was voted the best new Senator in 1981. Aldo was also close to Governor Jim Thompson. In fact, I don’t think Jim Thompson, over his years as Governor, probably ever had a stronger Senate ally. And sometimes we Senate Republicans and the Governor’s don’t get along, but Aldo was a huge ally of Jim Thompson. And I remember many times, as a staffer for Jim Thompson, Aldo coming over for his one-on-one sessions where he’d have a glass of Absolut on the rocks and Jim Thompson would have Jack Daniel’s, and that cocktail napkin would come out again and Aldo would be showing Governor Thompson another formula for this or for that. Let me tell you, as a young man, I was mightily impressed with the DeAngelis family, and his sons are here, but Meredith and Aldo DeAngelis were what I thought a -- a couple should be. And just like Deanna Demuzio, our new colleague, and Vince, you can’t go in this business without having a great partner, and it’s wonderful to see Meredith here. But I always thought they were sort of a “wedding cake couple”, but one was obviously a lot better looking than the other. Aldo, as it’s been mentioned, was the father of the third airport. When I was off for a few years out of this business practicing law, Governor Jim Thompson appointed IMA President Greg Baise, myself, the Lieutenant Governor, George Ryan, and Aldo to the then Lake Calumet Airport Commission. And I spent many, many hours with Senator DeAngelis - and nobody has been a better advocate for a south suburban airport than him - but I got to know Aldo like I did in that Chicago schools crisis in 1979, working with him on a particular issue. Like Senator Demuzio -- and there’s a great theme, and I married an Italian woman and Aldo was so happy for me when I married an Italian. But Aldo, like Vince’s family, were so much a part of his life, and it was a wonderful thing when Meredith would come down or the kids would be around. And if you were ever on staff, Aldo -- and I don’t -- this isn’t a secret. I think Aldo DeAngelis was one of the most revered and most loved 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 Members of the State Senate I’ve ever seen by staff. He always included staff in things. We would always go up to his district. He had golf outings and he would invite the staff, and Aldo very much, whether it was a Republican staffer or a Governor’s staffer or a Senate Democratic staffer, whether it was sharing his food or sharing his events, he was always there for the staff. Aldo was a warm and compassionate person, and I will tell you while he’s not here, I try to take many of the things that Aldo showed me, that I can be a good conservative Republican and care about people and be compassionate. He’s, without a doubt, one of the finest five or six Senators I’ve ever seen in my twenty plus years working around this Chamber. He’s a giant, just like Vince was, just like Stan was, and I certainly will miss him. One last thing I will miss is - and I think you’ll probably hear about it when somebody else stands up and talks about him - but I will miss that greasy handshake he could give you when he’s eating leftovers of whatever he cooked in his apartment here in Springfield. He’d have that napkin tucked in here. I will really miss that. But I think what I’ll miss most of all is hearing that voice, and you could hear Aldo coming whether he was forty yards down the hallway or not. And if he was looking for me, I’d always hear that voice, and he called me “Dillyea”, like I was some kind of Frenchman. And I would hear him coming down the hall, “Hey, Dillyea! You going here? You going there? You want some pasta? You want this? We got leftovers from the night before.” So, I will really miss that wonderful, wonderful kind of gravelly voice, greasy hand buddy that I had for all of these years. But like Senator Demuzio and any of the great Senators who ever served here, if there’s one lesson we can take from them, it is to instill what they taught us in our heart, how to carry our demeanor and make sure that Aldo DeAngelis lives on, and he’s going to live on through this particular Senator every day that I’m still here. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I, too, enjoyed my time with Aldo. I’m not sure he 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 enjoyed his time with me, but we learned a lot from each other. And, Meredith, Doug, Chris, it’s a pleasure to have you. It’s an honor to have met him and served with him and -- or, not served with him, but spend some time with him. You know, he would always say, everywhere I would go, “All right, you need to do this and you need to do that.” It was just Aldo’s way. And I had this long last name, and everywhere he went, it was just “Aldo”. And it was funny because Sneed picked up on it one time and said there’s a going battle between Senator Aldo DeAngelis and Debbie DeFrancesco Halvorson as far as who’s more Italian. And Sneed put in her column, “At least Debbie DeFrancesco’s last name ends in a vowel.” Well, he didn’t like that, and every time he went anywhere and any newspaper who called, he would make sure and say, “But I’m more Italian.” So, I gave that one to him. And then one day we were somewhere else, and -- and he said, “When this is all over, I’m going to really teach you a thing or two, and when you want to do something else, I’m going to help you.” And you know, he was just like that. He always wanted to help. And it’s not easy to lose, but after he did, he said that was the best thing that ever happened to him because what was most important always to him was his family and he had more time to spend with them. And he could still enjoy the Legislature and be down here as a lobbyist, and you could always find him cooking somewhere. And I just want all of you to know that he was a pillar in the community, even after 1996. No matter where you went, whether it was Governor’s State University or anywhere else in the district, he was still the Senator. And I was very proud to be somewhere with him because he always made everybody feel good about themselves and he cared deeply, not only about the business community, but about the area. And I think we will all miss that, because you’re right - Senator Dillard mentioned the voice. No matter where we went, you could always here him somewhere out there. And Meredith and he were always quite the couple. It was like the -- the prince and the princess. So, they were a wonderful couple to be with, and a family. So, I just want to say he will be missed by a lot of people back home.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Peterson. 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004
Thank you, Mr. President. I first met Aldo when he came to the Senate. Before I started in the Legislature, I was involved in public education, and that’s how Aldo and I came to know each other. Aldo was kind of a renaissance man. He knew something about everything and he was always strong in his desire to do something and to learn about something. When I was elected to the House, he said, “Come on over and talk to me. Come on over to my office.” So, I stopped by, and just as many other of my colleagues have said, he said, “Now, I’m going to give you some advice”, which he did. And he said, “Now, if you ever run into something where you need somebody to talk to about an issue, feel free. My door is always open.” I think that the banter that we had -- for one term I sat right next to Aldo over here - and that’s something that I’ll never forget. Fortunately for me, Aldo was busy with a lot of issues, but my left ear was always picking up something where he would give us some advice and also would discuss and dissect the problem. The Italian dinners that he hosted were great. “Mangiare, mangiare”, he’d say, and the whole place would be -- food would be all over the -- the apartment. And he was -- he was just such a great host. We -- we enjoyed all of his company. I guess, in an institution like this, you have bricks and mortar. Well, Aldo was kind of the mortar. Kind of held things together. Made us enjoy the process and made us want to do well for our constituency. Aldo, we -- we’re going to miss you. It was kind of ironic: The last time some of us saw Aldo was in January. We were sitting in Senator Watson’s Office and Aldo stopped by, and this was probably the latter part of January. And he said, “Thanks for your help”, on an issue that we had, and said, “I’ll see you guys”, and walked away. And unfortunately, in a couple of weeks, we learned that Aldo had passed away. All of us here in the Senate certainly extend our deepest sympathy to the DeAngelis family. He was a great Senator. He added a lot to this institution and he won’t be forgotten.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.
38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. A lot can be said, as was indicated earlier, when you’re known by your first name. As Senator Dillard said, we’ve lots two good Italian statesmen, both of them that were known by their first name: Vince Demuzio, Aldo DeAngelis. Aldo was an Italian first, Republican second. And then he used to say to me that, “I was almost your constituent ‘cause you know I went to school at Knox -- Knox College”, which is in a district adjacent to mine. But I get a little worried I guess, with the death of our friends, and especially the Italian friends. Beings my wife is half Italian and half Irish, that’s getting a little bit too close, and also being a Member of this Body, it gets to be a little close. Aldo never worried about crossing the aisle. Aldo worked as well on this side of the aisle as he did on that side of the aisle, and he also was never afraid to work over a glass of wine. Aldo had a great wit. He had a great sense of humor. And I think that’s what I’ll probably remember him most for. As a Senator, I think we all do our job for our districts. We try very hard, and Aldo always did try very hard for his district. But I think the big thing is if you can leave your mark on this Body, you have made a mark on society, and Aldo did that. And I know he’s going to be in my prayers, as well as Vince is in my prayers daily, and we’re going to miss him. And our sympathy goes out to Meredith and the DeAngelis family. And we know that Aldo’s either up there, down there or somewhere in between, looking at all of us, saying “You got a job to do, guys and gals. Do it and do it right, but always keep in mind it’s for the people.” Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Geo-Karis.
Well, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate and friends, Meredith, your sons and your daughter, the family, I came into the Senate the same time Aldo did. I have found Aldo to be one of the most brilliant minds we ever had in this Senate. He was absolutely brilliant. He was a very caring fellow. And, Meredith, you made his life very happy, and he would always talk about you. He said, “I’m an Italian, but I married a non-Italian so I could get a complete picture of the 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 whole State.” And that happened to Deanna Demuzio. She was not Italian, and Vince was Italian. And again, both men benefited by great wives. And, you know, he was a caring person, and not only was he brilliant -- when you know that he worked in the steel mills and ended up owning the company, you knew he had a darned good mind. But then his mother would get mad at him, he would tell me, because he told his mother he was pro-choice. She didn’t talk to him for a whole month ‘cause she was staunch Roman Catholic. And then he was smart enough to have a daughter who was smart enough to marry a Greek. And I was at that wedding. What a wedding! It must have cost him a complete fortune, because everything, everything was just full and opulent, just beautiful. And she married a very handsome Greek, I can tell you that. So, you see, he knew what to do. He encouraged it because she is a -- a wonderful daughter and she’s just a wonderful girl, his daughter. You talk about his sons; I’m going to talk about his daughter. Great girl. Great girl. Has a nice family and a wonderful husband. And I was at that wedding, and let me tell you: Nothing was too good for his daughter and he lived it. But, you know, he was a very caring and sharing person. He was not a mean-spirited person. I saw him about ten days before he passed on, when he was here, and I said to him, “You don’t look too well. Go home, get some rest.” “Oh”, he says, “I haven’t been feeling so hot.” “Well, take care of yourself, for heaven sakes”, I said. And you know, when you think back, about a week later, he dropped dead. Aldo was, as I said, not only brilliant, just what everybody else has said about him, but he was very caring and sharing. And there wasn’t a mean bone in his Body, and he cared about helping women and the minorities. He was the best friend for the minorities and for women. He encouraged us. He encouraged things for women, and he was for the ERA amendment. And he was just -- he was very confident within himself. He didn’t feel threatened by women. As a matter of fact, he didn’t threaten anyone ‘cause he had a personality that was very likable. And he was an excellent cook. Oh, we had many a meal at Aldo’s apartment over Maldaner’s and -- and they were darn good meals. And he was a very good cook. But, you know, as some of our colleagues have said earlier, you go through this door and it depends what kind 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 of an impression you leave. The impression that he left with me was that of a very caring and sharing person who didn’t have a mean bone in his body -- bone in his body and who really cared, cared about people and loved being a Senator and did his best here. And he was a close friend of Pate Philip ‘cause he was first -- the first freshman to be put in Leadership. That’s -- that says -- that says something about Aldo. And I can tell you, I know, Meredith, you did your best by him and so did your -- your family. But I want to tell you, Aldo will always live on in the memories of us who always appreciated a decent, caring, conscientious, bright public servant who cared more about others than he did for himself. And I certainly extend my sympathy to you, Meredith, and the family. And I’m glad you came today. And it is only deserving that we honored Aldo. Aldo DeAngelis. I can always call him the Italian Stallion. That’s what I used to call him. And what a great guy. And wherever you are, I know you’re watching us. We’re all going to meet some day and then we’ll -- we’ll talk some more. But God rest your soul and God bless your family.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Leader Watson.
Yes. Well, thank you very much, Mr. President. I’m proud, obviously, to be a part of this tribute to a great man and a great Senator, Aldo DeAngelis, and I’d like to welcome his wife, Meredith, who is here with us today; son, Anthony, and son, Douglas, who are with us. Would you please stand? Daughter Lisa, who married that Greek, and Christopher -- their son, Christopher, could not be with us today. But we’re certainly glad to have you and want you to know how much we hold your father and your husband in -- in such high regard here in the Senate. We thank you. You may sit down. I -- I was at the funeral and -- and many of us were at the funeral, and I’ll tell you, I don’t know -- I -- maybe this is the way Italian funerals are, but every member of the -- of the family participated, in some way or another. And I mean, that was -- to me, was -- that just shows how it is, I guess, maybe in the family of an Italian individual such as Aldo. But the way -- and you could see it, just in the way -- the kids, I’ll call ‘em, the sons and 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 daughter handled themselves in a manner in which they paid respect to their father said a lot, said a lot about Aldo. And it was -- I mean, it had to be -- it’s difficult anytime we lose husband, father. It’s -- it’s always difficult, even if it’s in a time when -- when illness and death is -- is before you. It wasn’t that case with Aldo. As Bill Peterson mentioned, he came into -- to my office. What -- I don’t know. There was four or five of us. We were getting ready for a Leadership meeting and he came in and -- and just to -- to thank -- thank me for helping him out on a -- on an issue. And -- and, you know, how many times do we get thanked in this business? Well, here came Aldo in to -- to show his appreciation. And then to have him leave and lose him like that, and so quickly, it’s -- it’s difficult. And there’s -- there’s obviously things, you know -- you think back. You wish you would have said or would have done. And -- and I think that’s a message to us in general, is sometimes we need to say some things that maybe we don’t -- we’re not comfortable in saying but need to be said before something like this happens. And it was real sudden and -- and I know it’s a -- had to be tragic for the family to -- to go through that. I was -- I was “Watsoni”, Kirk. I was -- he’d see me and I was “Watsoni!” That’s the way he tried to make everybody an Italian. He’d feed you his red wine and -- and eat his pasta and -- and do all those things, but -- and he always made you comfortable when you were around him. That was -- a very remarkable man. I mean, the -- life meant a lot to Aldo. Life meant a lot to him, and he lived it to its fullest. And we all know that and -- and appreciate people like that. And -- and he was such a proud Italian. And I don’t know -- you know, I don’t know how you are about people that come up and grab you, you know, and those kinds of -- I -- you know, I’m a standoffish kind of guy. But Aldo, he’d always figure out a way to kiss you, you know? And I haven’t had many men kiss me. And -- and I would always -- but he always got it done. Both sides, it seemed like. He’d -- but -- but that’s just the way he was. And -- and -- and you always, obviously, appreciated that about him. I mean -- he was -- that’s just the -- that was Aldo, and that’s - - that’s the way you want to remember him. He -- he -- he came to Springfield to make a difference, as we all want to do when 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 we -- we run for office and we’re going to change the world and come to Springfield and make a difference. Well, there’s -- this is one who did. Now, I was elected in 1978, and that was the same time Aldo came in. Pat Grossi and Bob Piel were -- were the House Members that -- that were elected the same time I was over in the -- in the House, and then Aldo came in here. We were all elected in 1978. So we all went to the new Members’ conference. And you know how that is. And I remember seeing Aldo and this striking -- woman that was with him. I mean Meredith. And I thought -- and then you see Aldo and you see the way he handled himself and all, and you -- it was “Who is this guy?” I mean, that was kind of my reaction. And obviously very quickly I learned. He went into Leadership -- it’s been said. It was in the resolution. Others have said this. He went into Leadership his freshman term. I mean, think about that for a minute. His freshman term he sets foot in the Senate Chamber and he’s in Leadership. I just think that that’s unprecedented. I don’t know that it ever has occurred. It certainly hasn’t occurred since I’ve been here. And that, once again, tells you -- you’ve heard it all, and I -- and I don’t want to just repeat what’s already been said about the quality of the man and the -- the visionary that he -- that he was. But that’s -- that just - - not only that, that he was obviously the -- selected as the most outstanding freshman Senator of that particular -- that particular term. And, Denny, you’re right. He was able to work both sides. You know, some people have that capability, some don’t. You know. I try. I reach out. But I don’t have all that ability. When we were in the Majority it worked, but not anymore, and that’s okay. But Aldo -- I served in the Minority with him and in the Majority, and he -- whatever issue that Aldo had that was passionate -- he was a passionate man about serving here, about the people he served and the issues and the concerns he had. And he was able to reach out. I was always remarkable about it. He’d sit there, I think, probably where Todd is, most of the time, because, you know, he liked having access to you over there. I’m over -- you know, I always -- I was over -- way over here when I came in. But -- but that’s the way Aldo was. And he’d reach out and he’d touch people on the other side, and he was always able to convince us of the -- of the issue that 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 was -- of the day for him. And that just -- that -- that tells you how the -- the man was able to -- to work the system and do what was best for the people he -- he represented. I -- when you -- and you also -- when you think about the fact, and I believe it was in the resolution is where I heard it, where he - - he began as a working man in the steel mills to owning one. Now, I -- that probably doesn’t happen very often either. I mean, the guy that gets his hands dirty ends up owning the company. And I’m -- and I know that he had the respect of all those people as you went up the ladder. You know, that’s how people treat you in the end, is how you progress up that ladder. Because you can come down awful quick, but if you treat people right on the way up, that’s what matters, and that’s what Aldo did. That’s the way he was here in the Senate, and I’m sure that’s the way he was in that steel mill. He respected the people who worked there, and he respected the management people as he came through that process. I like the bricks and mortar remark, because he did hold us together. There was a lot of times in Leadership meetings that -- that we were pretty fragmented, and -- and Aldo was always the guy, the voice of reason. He was always the one who kind of brought us back to what’s the mission, what’s it all about. He was the mortar that held us together. And I’ll -- and I’ll always remember that. We had some great Leadership discussions and we had a very close Leadership team, and Aldo was the glue that -- that held us -- held us together. So, it’s -- I was very proud to serve with him. I -- as I -- as I look around the room here today and think that there’s an awful lot of you that -- that don’t even know who we’re honoring here today. Know him by name, but probably not necessarily know him by person. And that’s too bad ‘cause you really missed something. You really missed something. Class act. Quality guy. Somebody that came to Springfield to make a difference, and did. And I’d like to offer all of you to come into my office after the close of Session for -- to meet the family, and let’s share the good moments that we had with Aldo. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Watson moves for the suspension of Senate rules for the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 5/17/2004 549. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Watson now moves for the adoption of Senate Resolution 549. All in favor of this resolution, please rise. The Senate is now adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, May 18th, 2004. Senate stands adjourned. 45