The 93rd Session of the -- the regular Session of -- of the 94th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will -- will our guests in the gallery please rise? The -- the invocation today will be given by Reverend Debra Avery of the Hope Presbyterian Church in Springfield.
(Prayer by the Reverend Debra Avery)
Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of Wednesday, January 12th; Thursday, January 13; Wednesday, January 19; and Wednesday, January 26, 2005.
Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Messages.
A Message from the Secretary of State, dated January 24, 2005. Dear Ms. Hawker - This office is forwarding herewith copies of the Notice of Vacancy from the Legislative Committee of the Democratic Party of the 43rd Legislative District declaring the existence of a vacancy in the Office of Senator in the 94th General Assembly in the -- 43rd Legislative District, as a result of the resignation of Senator Lawrence M. Walsh. Also enclosed 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/1/2005 is a copy of the Legislative Committee’s Certificate of Appointment of Arthur J. “AJ” Wilhelmi, 422 Whitney Avenue, Joliet, Illinois, 60435, who was appointed to fill the vacancy in the Office of State Senator, in the 94th General Assembly for the 43rd Legislative District, along with the Oath of Office. Yours truly, Jesse White, Secretary of State.
Senator Halvorson, what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
State your point.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. I would like everybody to warmly welcome our newest Senator -- Senator AJ Wilhelmi. He’s already learning the ropes. He’s been around and I think you will find his knowledge of this process fascinating. I also want to remind everybody that after our short caucus that there will be a reception for him and his family and friends in the President’s Office. And I would hope that everybody would join us to meet the new Senator.
The Chair recognizes our newly appointed Senator -- Senator Wilhelmi, for his first long speech.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. It’s an honor to be here this -- this morning -- this afternoon. Thank you very much, House Majority -- or, Senate Majority. Oh, jeez. That’s a bad -- that’s a -- that’s a -- excuse me very much for saying that. But as a point of personal privilege, Mr. President, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Michelle, and Members of the Senate, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Michelle; my daughter, Maycen, who’s being held by our -- my mother-in-law, Mary Ann. Mary Ann. I’d also like to very quickly and briefly introduce you to my mother and father, Mary Beth and Art Wilhelmi, who have made the trip from Joliet to be with us today. And then very briefly, Mr. President, my brother, David; my mother-in-law, Mary Ann; my brother-in-law, Conrad; George Sternisha; my brother, Steve Wilhelmi; Chairman George Mushro 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/1/2005 from Will County. And, Mr. President, I also have members in the gallery, if I could ask them to please stand and say hello just by your -- by standing. I have wonderful friends and family. I’m so glad they’re here. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. President.
Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 18, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolutions {sic} 19, offered by Senator Lauzen and all Members. Senate Resolution No. 20, 21 and 22, offered by Senator Lauzen and all Members. Senate Resolution 23, offered by Senator Petka and all Members. Senate Resolution 24, offered by Senator Collins and all Members. Senate Resolution 25, offered by Senators Watson, Brady and all Members. Senate Resolution 26, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 27, offered by Senator Lightford and all Members. Senate Resolution 28, offered by Senator Geo-Karis and all Members. They’re all death resolutions.
Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 29, offered by Senator Crotty. Senate Joint Resolution No. 5, offered by Senator Watson. Senate Joint Resolution No. 6, offered by Senator Jacobs. They’re all substantive.
Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 104, offered by Senator Raoul. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/1/2005 Senate Bill 105, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 106, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 107, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 108, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 109, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 110, offered by Senator Wendell Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 111, offered by Senator Peterson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 112, offered by Senator Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 113, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 114, offered by Senator Burzynski. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 115, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 116, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 117, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 118, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 119, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 120, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 121, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 122, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 123, offered by Senator Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 124, offered by Senator Brady. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/1/2005 (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 125, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 126, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 127, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 128, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 129, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 130, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 131, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 132, offered by Senator Demuzio. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 133, offered by Senator Demuzio. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 134, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 135, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 136, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 137, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 138, offered by Senator Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 139, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 140, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 141, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 142, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 143, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/1/2005 1st Reading of the bills.
Madam Secretary, Messages.
Senate Bill -- pardon me, January 26, 2005. Dear Madam Secretary - Pursuant to the rules of the Senate of the 94th General Assembly, attached hereto please find the Chairperson, Co-Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson appointments to each of the standing committees, along with the number of majority and minority appointees to each standing committee. Sincerely, Emil Jones, Jr., Senate President. A Message from the Minority Leader. Please be advised that, pursuant to Senate Rule 3-2, I have appointed the following members as Minority Persons {sic} (spokespersons) for the standing committees of the 94th General Assembly as indicated on the attached. These appointments are effective immediately. If you have any question, please contact my Chief of Staff, Brian McFadden. Sincerely, Frank Watson, Senate Republican Leader.
Senator Burzynski, what purpose do you rise?
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. Just like the record to reflect that Senator Lauzen will not be in Springfield today due to business back in his district. Thank you.
The record shall so reflect. Senator Link, what purpose do you rise?
We would request about a ten-minute caucus in the President’s Office upon adjournment.
There will be a memo passed out very shortly to all Members of the Senate, and this memo would deal -- will deal with the issue as relate to smoking in the Chambers. Rick Pearson used to -- who now is the Political Director for the Chicago Tribune, used to pass out cigarettes to myself and others, and other Chicagoans, but we’re going to put a stop to that smoking in the Press Box and enticing the Members to smoke on the Senate Floor. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 5th Legislative Day 2/1/2005 So -- and sometime Members do smoke because the Minority Leader, you know, he drives you to smoke at times, you know. But -- but -- but that memo should be passed out to all the Members, and I - - I trust that each one will adhere to the memo. There being no further business to -- to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned to the hour of 12 noon tomorrow, February the 2nd, 2005. It has been pointed out, there will be a Democratic Caucus immediately in my office, and the caucus will -- only last for ten minutes. So all -- will all the Members kindly come to the caucus immediately, because we have other things we’d like to take care of. The Senate stands adjourned. 7