PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) The regular Session of the 93rd General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries rise? The invocation today will be given by the Reverend Jean Hembrough, Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church.
(Prayer by the Reverend Jean Hembrough)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) The Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Terry Link.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Link)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Friday, May 28th, 2004.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Haine.
Mr. President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless a Member of the Senate has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Haine moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. Being -- there being no objection, so ordered. Squires Photography has asked leave to photograph, videotape or record proceedings. 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 334, together with House Amendment 2. Passed the House, as amended, May 28, 2004.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Resolutions.
1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 Senate Resolution 581, offered by Senator Schoenberg and all Members. And Senate Resolution 583, offered by Senator Ronen and all Members. They’re both death resolutions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Consent Calendar. Committee Reports.
Senator Jacobs, Chairperson of the Committee on Insurance and Pensions, reports Motions to Concur with House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2238 and House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3077, all Be Adopted. Senators Cullerton and Dillard, Co-Chairpersons of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2496 Be Approved for Consideration. Senator Obama, Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Human Services, reports Motions to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2794 and House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 2880, all Be Approved for Consideration. Senator Walsh, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, reports Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill -- 3111 Be Adopted. Senator Clayborne, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Energy, reports Senate Amendment No. 4 to House Bill 911 Be Approved for Consideration. Senator Meeks, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on State Government, reports a Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2844, and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2820, and House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3201, all Be Adopted. Senator Silverstein, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendment No. 3 to House Bill 1067 Be Adopted. Senator Lightford, Chairperson of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports a Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2908 Be Adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Ladies and Gentlemen, we are going to go to page 17 of today’s Calendar and start business with concurrence on Senate bills. Would the Members in their office please come to the 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 Floor? We’re going to be voting final passage on concurrence bills. Please come to the Floor. Senator John Sullivan, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) State your point.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have a guest here with me this morning, my youngest son, Mark, who just completed the sixth grade, be going into middle school next year. And he’s accompanying me here this morning. Like to welcome him to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Mark, welcome to Springfield. He’s about a foot taller than last year. On the Order of Secretary’s Desk Concurrence, page 17, Senate Bill 184. Senator George Shadid. Senate Bill 797. Senator Ronen. On page 20, Senate Bill 2382. Senator Munoz. Senator Munoz. On the Order of Concurrence, Senate Bills, is Senate Bill 2382. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2382. Motion filed by Senator Munoz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Munoz, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2382 deletes all and becomes the bill. Allows the advanced practice nurses and physician assistants to refer patients to physical therapists. Only physical therapists shall use the initials “PT” and only physical therapy assistants shall use the initials “PTA”. Specifies the different types of misleading advertising that are prohibited. In addition, the amendment makes it a Class A misdemeanor to advise {sic} oneself as a physical therapist or as offering to provide physical therapy if one is not licensed 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 physical therapist. I know of no opposition. I will attempt to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? If not, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2382. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 46 Members voted Yes, no Member voted No, none voted Present. House -- Senate Bill 2382, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We’re going to go to the Supplemental Calendar that has been passed out. Supplemental Calendar No. 1. At the top of the list is Senate Bill 2238. Senator Denny Jacobs. On the Order of Concurrence, Senate Bill 2238. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 2238. Motion filed by Senator Jacobs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Jacobs, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment to -- to Senate Bill 2238, I ask for your concurrence. What this is in regards to, uninsured motorists. All policies issued in Illinois must provide uninsured motorist coverage that equals the limits of bodily injury coverage unless rejected by the applicant. This amendment removes the word “application” and replaces it with “document” so as to enable an insured to reject the statutory required underinsured and uninsured limits after the policy has been issued. This is in regards to action taken in a Supreme Court case pertaining to Deere and Company. Know of no opposition and ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? Senator Brady.
4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 Thank you, Mr. President. I just stand in support of the measure. It was passed out of committee unanimously.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) There being no further discussion, this is final action. The question is, shall Senate Bill No. 2238 -- shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 2238. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 46 Members voted Yes, no Member voted No, none voted Present. Senate Bill 2238, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill -- on the Order of Concurrence, Senate Bills, is Senate Bill 2496. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 2794. Senator del Valle. On the Order of Concurrence Senate Bill 2794. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2794. Motion filed by Senator del Valle.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator del Valle, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to concur with House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2794. This amendment establishes an asthma prevention and control program to be operated by the Department of Public Health so that they can provide leadership in Illinois for the coordination of asthma prevention and intervention activities.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? If not, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2794. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 46 Members voted Yes, no Member voted No, none voted Present. Senate Bill 2794, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 2820. Senator Brady. Senator Brady. On the Order of Concurrence, 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 Senate Bills, is Senate Bill 2820. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2820. Motion filed by Senator Brady.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Brady, to explain your motion.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. This bill passed out of the Senate, and it was amended in the House to include provisions regarding electrical code for statewide building codes. Ask for your favorable support. I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? If not, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2820. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 46 Members voted Yes, no Members voted No, none voted Present. Senate Bill 2820, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill -- on the Order of Concurrence is Senate Bill 2844. Senator Halvorson, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2844. Motion filed by Senator Halvorson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Halvorson, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 2844 creates the Veterans Advisory Council. If anybody would like more information, I’d be pleased to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 Is there any discussion? If not, this is final action. The question is, shall Senate Bill 2844 -- shall we concur in House Amendment No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2844. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 46 Members voted Yes, no Members voted No, and no Members voted Present. Senate Bill 2844 -- having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate concurs in House Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2880 {sic}, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 2880. Senator Martinez? On the last bill, 2880 was on the board and what I should have said was the Senate concurs in House Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2844. And the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 2908. Senator Haine. On the Order of Concurrence is Senate Bill 2908. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2908. Motion filed by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Haine, to explain his motion.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2908 is an initiative of the Office of Banks and Real Estate. It is a -- it changes some provisions that relate to the Residential Mortgage Act of -- 1987. For example, it allows the commissioners visitorial powers. It requires licensees to submit annual reports of mortgage activity. It has a protection in there for loans not closed or funded when the licensee becomes inactive. This protects consumers who have preexisting loans. It has some other points in there. There is no -- no one filed an -- an objection to this bill, and I would ask for an Aye vote. It -- I -- as the Members recall, I had the corporations bill from the Secretary of State’s Office two months ago, and that was voted the best legislative bill this Session by the Illinois Insomniac Society. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 This bill came in a close second. So, I would ask for an Aye…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) I hope the society is registered. Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2908. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 46 Members voted Yes, no Member voted No, none voted Present. Senate -- the Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2908, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On page 2 of the Supplemental Calendar on the Order of Concurrence, Senate Bills, is Senate Bill 3077. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3077. Motion filed by Senator Brady.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Brady, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen, this cleans up a concern the bankers had regarding notification. I ask for your Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3077. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 46 Members voted Yes, no Members voted No, no Members voted Present. Senate Bill 3077, the Senate concurring in House Amendment No. 1 to the bill, the bill having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 3111, on the Order of Concurrence. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3111. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 Motion filed by Senator Walsh.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Walsh, to explain his motion.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill -- 3111 amends the Diseased Animal Act in regards to swap meets. All the amendment does is redefines swap meets as an event where animals normally considered pets, dogs and cats. We just removed the language of livestock that are intended for livestock production from the definition. Be glad to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Ladies and Gentlemen, we are honored with the president -- presence of the Governor of the State of Illinois on the Floor of the Senate. Senator Jones brought him on here. Governor Rod Blagojevich. Welcome to the Senate. Is there any discussion on Senate Bill 3111? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3111. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 46 Members voted Yes, none voted No, none voted Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3111, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 3201. Senator Schoenberg. Senator Geo-Karis, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) State your point.
I’d like to notify everyone that we’re going to do the veterans’ memorial on Veterans Day {sic}, the -- Monday morning. So, we’re going to be here, and if we’re not, then we’ll do it tomorrow night. Just thought I’d tell you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Ladies and Gentlemen, please turn to page 12 of the Calendar. We’re going to pick up where we left off, and that would be with House Bill 1191 on the Order of House Bills 3rd 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 Reading. House Bill 1191. Senator Cullerton. House Bill 1660. Senator Crotty. Senator Crotty. Senator Crotty seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1660 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1660. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Crotty.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Crotty, to explain your amendment.
Thank you very much. The Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 1660 now becomes the bill. It requires the IDPA to reimburse an advanced practice nurse who has a collaborative agreement with a collaborating physician specializing in psychiatry for mental health care they provide to Medicaid patients. In addition, the bill requires the Department to rule to develop a method to reimburse for mental health services provided by telemedicine to Medicaid patients comparable to the same reimbursement used by the Department for other services provided by telemedicine. It’s an agreed bill. The only one who still opposes it is the Department.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Senator Crotty moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 1660. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) 3rd Reading. On the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 1660. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1660. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Crotty. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004
In explaining the amendment, that was the bill. So, I’d entertain any questions. Otherwise, I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. I rise in support of the bill. Senator Crotty’s done terrific work on this legislation. While this will add to the number of people who are drawing on the Medicaid rolls, it is not an expansion of Medicaid. It simply will provide for more access for people who are already eligible for Medicaid. It will result in a greater payout in Medicaid, but it is ensuring access for people who are already entitled to those services. And I thank Senator Crotty, again, for her work.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) The question is, shall House Bill 1660 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 46 Members voted yes, no Member voted No, and none voted Present. House Bill 1660, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1875. House Bill 3589. Senator Schoenberg. House Bill 3715. Senator DeLeo. House Bill 3716. Senator Link. House Bill 3828. Senator John Sullivan. House Bill 3835. Senator Shadid. Senator Shadid seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3835 to the Order of 2nd Reading for purposes of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3835. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Shadid.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Shadid, to explain his amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to table Floor Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 That motion is in order. Senator Shadid seeks leave to table Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 3835. Those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is tabled. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Shadid.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Shadid on Amendment No. 3.
Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment No. 3 simply permits the Secretary of State to issue a new special registration license plate designated as the Road Worker Safety license plate. I would ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? If not, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Shadid.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Shadid, to explain Floor Amendment No. 4.
Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment No. 4 removes fifteen categories of trucks that would have been eligible for the plate. This amendment was requested by the Transportation Committee, and I ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? If not, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) 3rd Reading. On the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 3835. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 House Bill 3835. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator George Shadid.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. The first provision of this bill simply holds that all special license plates that may be issued to veterans manufactured after 1/1/2005 must be manufactured in -- in the United States, and if a suitable manufacturing facility is available in the State of Illinois, they must be manufactured in our State. This portion of the bill is supported by the AMVETS, Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, the Macon Resources and the Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars. And I would ask for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? Senator Bomke -- Senator Watson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Yes. I appreciate Senator Shadid’s work on this legislation. I represent Decatur that has Macon Resources located there. They do have the ability to make plates. They’ve got all the equipment. It really doesn’t make any sense for us to be having these plates made in -- in Canada, except for the cost factor when -- and that’s something we’re trying to address. And I appreciate the Senator’s work on this, and hopefully we can bring all the license plates manufacturing to -- to Illinois and they could be made right there in Decatur by developmentally disabled individuals and provide a service for -- for many people in Illinois. So, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Mr. President. In committee, Senator Shadid made a commitment that we would work together, maybe over the summer, to come up with some kind of a resolution to all these specialty plates. This started out, I believe, with sixteen different plates and we reduced it down to three. It’s becoming very difficult to -- to address all these plates and we’re 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 hoping that we can work with the Secretary and come to a better resolution on how we deal with ‘em.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Rutherford.
Thank you. Since that issue on specialty plates is brought up, I would note that in the mid 1990s, we passed out of the Assembly - the Senate - signed into law by the Governor, a universal charitable plate that would provide that we don’t have to go through making specialty plates every time we have a bill coming forward to try to curry to a specific group. It was designed to be universal, each having their own logos, each having their capacity to have their funds come in and generate the revenue for the purposes generated -- or, purposes created. To this date, the Secretary of State has not promulgated the rules to implement the universal charitable plates in the State of Illinois, and that is a reason that certain Members of both the House and the Senate, from the day that became law, has not voted to create new specialty plates. The law exists on the books and we only need the Secretary of State to promulgate the rules to implement it. So, as opposed to perhaps a strategy, great deal of effort, energy and time created this summer to figure out how to solve the problem, implement the law that exists today. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any further discussion? Senator Shadid, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. And, yes, I’m glad the other Senators came up and made those comments ‘cause that’s exactly what we’re intending to do. We have a great committee, the Transportation Committee. And, Senator Bomke, I can assure you that I will pursue that and we’ll have some meetings and probably try to make some changes, along with the Secretary of State, something we can all agree on, and make it more efficient and more cost-effective for the whole -- our taxpayers.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) The question is, shall House Bill 3835 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 43 Members voted Yes, 1 Member voted No, 1 Member voted Present. House Bill 3835, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On page 13 of the Calendar, House Bill 3979. Senator Lightford. House Bill 4086. Senator Cullerton. House Bill 4154. Senator Schoenberg. House Bill 4176. Senator del Valle. House Bill 4200. Senator Winkel. House Bill 4241. Senator DeLeo. House Bill 4505. Senator Collins. House Bill 4522. Senator del Valle. On the top of page 14, House Bill 4730. Senator Obama. House Bill 4847. Senator Garrett. House Bill 4870. Senator Link. House Bill 5875. Senator Harmon. House Bill 6229. Senator Burzynski. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 6229. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill would now change the makeup of the boards for downstate mass transit districts. Be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall House Bill 6229 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, 45 Members voted Yes, no Members voted No, and no Member voted Present. House Bill 6229, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 6496. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 6499. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 6954. Senator Martinez. House Bill 7169. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 7170. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 7173. 7174. 7177. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 7178. 7179. 7180. Emil Jones. House Bill 7181. Senator Hendon. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise? 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004
Thank you, Mr. President. Just the purpose of announcement that Senator Bill Peterson is absent today on personal business in district.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Ladies and Gentlemen, please turn to page 8 on your Calendar. House Bills 3rd Reading. We’re going to start at the top of the list. House Bill 575. Senator Cullerton. House Bill 616. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 629. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 714. Senator George Shadid. House Bill 714. On the top of page 9. House Bill 731. Senator Trotter. House Bill 738. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 750. Senator Meeks. Senator Meeks. House Bill 756. Senator del Valle. House Bill 759. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 762. Senator Crotty. House Bill 766. Senator Maloney. House Bill 779. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 790. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 834. Senator Link. House Bill 846. Senator Garrett. On the top of page 10, House Bill 849. Senator Trotter. House Bill 851. Senator Trotter. House Bill 853. Senator Trotter. House Bill 854. Senator Roskam. House Bill 856. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 857. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 862. Senator Link. House Bill 863. Senator Link. House Bill 864. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 866. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 867. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 870. Senator Emil Jones. Top of page 11. House Bill 875. Senator DeLeo. Senator DeLeo. House Bill 911. Senator Maloney. House Bill 913. Senator Link. House Bill 921. Senator Ronen. Senator Ronen. House Bill 934. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 944. Senator Trotter. House Bill 976. Senator Garrett. House Bill 999. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 1004. Senator Link. House Bill 1007. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 1010. Senator Emil Jones. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Inquiry of the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Please proceed.
How are the budget negotiations going?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 We are on 3rd Reading, but it appears they are moving forward with dispatch. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you. Personal announcements, Mr. President. It’s been brought to my attention that Senator Winkel is at home in district today due to a -- a family and business situation. Just wanted the record to reflect that. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Dillard, for what purpose do your rise?
For purposes of an announcement, Mr. President. The other day you mentioned that you had a souvenir cup from former Senate President James -- Philip. I just want to make an announcement. We have one of these cups back here that says we’ll adjourn on May 28th, come heck or high water, another subtle message from Senate President James “Pate” Philip. Now, I know these things are so valuable they’re not available on eBay. I was looking at eBay, but if anybody needs one of these cups, we have a couple back here. They look at little used. There’s some mold growing in this one. But we have these cups available and I know, Senator Welch, yours has -- is a treasured memento back on your mantel up in LaSalle-Peru. But we have these cups available. May 28th. And when we were in control, we did get out of here on time. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) I guess we remember things differently. The Chicago Tribune staff photographer, Charles Osgood, seeks leave to photograph, record or videotape. Is there any objection? If not, leave is granted. On the top of page 12, House Bill 1015. Senator Emil Jones. House Bill 1067. Senator Emil Jones. Senator Jones seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill -- Senator Jones seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1067 to the Order of 2nd Reading for purposes of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading, House Bill 1067. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Jacobs. 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Jacobs, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. We just want to do Amendment No. 3. I’m sorry. Is this amendment -- we want to table Amendment 1 and 2 and go to Amendment 3.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Jacobs moves that Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1067 be tabled. The motion is always in order. Those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The Amendment No. 1 is tabled. Madam Secretary, are there any further amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Jones, Emil Jones.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Jones, to explain Amendment No. 2. Senator Jacobs, to explain Senator Jones’ Amendment No. 2.
I ask that we table Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) That motion is in order. Senator Jacobs moves that Floor Amendment No. 2 be tabled. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is tabled. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Jacobs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Jacobs, to explain Floor Amendment No. 3.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I’d like the Senate’s indulgence, because it’s a very important bill, to let you know that it’s only my intention to get this bill to 3rd to get it into proper terms. There’s still some discussions we have to do on this bill, and hopefully we can act on it Sunday, Monday, or maybe the 30th of July. Who knows? But what this bill does -- what the -- the amendment 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 does, it becomes the bill. And -- and it -- it takes care of some of the issues regarding the City of Chicago’s ownership and -- and the Authority. It gives oversight from the Gaming Board to that Authority. It reflects a agreement between the horsemen and the horserace industry in regards to -- to the issues that they wanted to address. Also, it adds some language to -- to take care of some of the problems in the backstretch and tells where the money goes, and then it -- it gets into the rest of the Act, which is -- is pertaining to the increase in the number of license -- number of license applications, with four additional licenses, the additional slots at the tracks, adjustment of the -- of the -- of the -- tax structure and -- and provides a revenue stream of -- of a hundred and fifty million a year for two billion dollars in school bond construction and a hundred and fifty million dollars in -- in Road Fund projects throughout the State. Again, I would like to -- to debate this more on final reading and I just ask for permission to get it moved to 3rd and put it in proper form.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Is there any discussion? Senator Watson.
Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. President. First of all, we’d like a recorded roll call on this vote if we could. And I guess -- and I appreciate the sponsor and he’s worked with us, and he’s made every effort to try to satisfy some of the concerns that we have about this legislation. We still have concerns about the public ownership. We just -- we -- we think that that’s not a good direction that we should take in this -- in this State. It would establish the one and only casino boat in the country that would be…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator Watson, excuse me one second. Senator Jacobs, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
We’ll take this out of the record for the time being until we can get further discussions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Take it out of the record, Madam Secretary. Senator Watson. 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004
Yes. One final comment, I guess. Since the Governor’s on the Floor, and we obviously welcome him, I’d like for -- to know where he is on this legislation. Maybe he could take the microphone at President Jones’ desk and…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator -- Senator…
And tell us how he feels about this particular piece of legislation. Governor, if you don’t mind.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) I think that’s out of order, Senator Watson, under Senate rules. Senator -- Senate -- Senator Emil Jones.
Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. Just point of personal privilege in response. Yes, the Governor’s on the Floor working on the budget that’s going to impact the children of the State of Illinois and the budget that will impact health care. And that’s why we are in Session today. We felt that we should not adjourn Session, long as we have the critical issues still facing us. I want to thank each of the Members. I know it’s a holiday weekend, but -- but the people across the State of Illinois, the schoolchildren across the State of Illinois, all those elderly persons on Medicaid, all those working poor, family health care, they want us to be here working on issues that impact them. And -- and -- and I’m so glad to see most of you are still here. I know it’s the holiday weekend, as I indicated, and we want to do something to honor all those veterans, Geo, that have given their life on behalf of this country, but we -- we are in Session today. We’ll be in Session tomorrow. We will be adjourning very shortly and coming back tomorrow, approximately around 5 o'clock. However, I suggest that you hang close, because at the call of the Chair, we may come back in to do some work for the people of the State of Illinois. So, I -- I wanted to make you aware of that. I know most of you have asked questions of “what’s the agenda?” The agenda is to work on behalf of the people of Illinois. I’m glad to see the Governor on the Floor, because he shares the same concerns that I share and the Members on this side of the aisle 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 119th Legislative Day 5/29/2004 share as relate to funding education, as relate to funding health care in the State of Illinois. So, again, I want to make you aware of that so if you want to continue to work -- to come to a resolve on the budget issues, that’s why we’re here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) WICS-TV requests permission to videotape. Without objection, leave is granted. Senator Brady, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Mr. President, I rise with a motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) State your motion.
My motion, Mr. President, is as Senator Watson indicated, this issue of gambling is one of the most important issues to the State of Illinois. The Governor happens to be on the Floor…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator -- Senator, make your motion.
I rise to move that we suspend the rules and allow the Governor to address the Assembly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR WELCH) Senator, that is out of order. On the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 1083. Senator Harmon. Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 5 o'clock p.m., on Sunday, May 30th, 2004. The Senate stands adjourned. 21