PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) The regular Session of the 94th General Assembly will come -- please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Reverend {sic} Marks of the Temple Israel, in Springfield.
(Prayer by Rabbi Barry Marks)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, February 16, 2005.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Senator Hunter.
…President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary. There being no objections, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Messages.
A Message from the President, dated February 17, 2005. Dear Madam Secretary - Pursuant to Senate Rule 2-10, I am scheduling Friday, February 18, 2005, as a perfunctory Session day. Very truly yours, Emil Jones, Jr., Senate President. A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 House Bills 175, 212, 394, 406, 414, 433, 487, 488, 509 and 511. Passed the House, February 16, 2005. A Message for the Governor by Joseph B. Handley, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs, February 3rd, 2005. Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable Members of the Senate, 93rd {sic} General Assembly - I have nominated and appointed the following named persons to the offices enumerated below and respectfully ask concurrence in and confirmation of these appointments of your Honorable Body. I have a like Message for the Governor by Joseph B. Handley, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs, dated February 17, 2005. Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable Members of the Senate, 93rd {sic} General Assembly - I have nominated and appointed the following named persons to the offices enumerated below and -- respectfully ask concurrence in and confirmation of these appointments of your Honorable Body. Rod Blagojevich, Governor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Garrett, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government, reports Senate Bill 40 Do Pass. Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports Senate Bills 29, 61, 198 and 230 Do Pass. Senator Forby, Chairperson of the Committee of Labor, reports Senate Bill 6 Do Pass.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 68, offered by Senator Sullivan - that is, Senator Dave Sullivan - and all Members. Senate Resolution 69, offered by Senator Bomke and all Members. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 Senate Resolution 70, offered by Senator Viverito and all Members. And Senate Resolution 71, offered by Senator Emil Jones and all Members. They’re all death resolutions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Joint Resolution 13, offered by Senator Martinez. Senate Joint Resolution 14, offered by Senator John Sullivan. And Senate Joint Resolution, Constitutional Amendment, 15, offered by Senator Petka. They’re all substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the President’s Antechamber. Senator Wilhelmi, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s my honor today to welcome home an old friend and an old colleague of many of you from this august Body. I have the distinct privilege of introducing to you again Senator and former Judge Tom Dunn, who’s here with us today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to Springfield, Judge.
And I will tell a very brief story, that we were neighbors back on West Acres Road in Joliet years ago, and I actually had a chance, with my sisters, to baby-sit Senator and Judge Dunn’s kids. And so, it’s my -- my -- it was my pleasure to do that, and it’s also my pleasure to kind of date you a little bit here today, Senator, if you don’t mind. But, very glad that you can be with us today. Thank you, Madam President. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 503, offered by Senator Hendon. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 504, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 505, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 506, introduced by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 507, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 508, offered by Senator Maloney. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 509, offered by Senator Maloney. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 510, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 511, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 512, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 513, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 514, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 515, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 516, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 517, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 518, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 519, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 520, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 Senate Bill 521, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 522, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 523, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 524, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 525, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 526, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 527, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 528, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 529, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 530, offered by Senator Raoul. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 531, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 532, offered by Senator -- Senator Wendell Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 533, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 534, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 535, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 536, offered by Senator Rutherford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 537, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 538, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 539, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 Senate Bill 540, offered by Senator Maloney. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 541, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 542, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 543, offered by Senator Rutherford. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 544, offered by Senator Dillard. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 545, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 546, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 547, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 548, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 549, offered by Senator Martinez {sic} (Maloney). (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 550, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 551, offered by Senator DeLeo. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 552, offered by Senator DeLeo. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 553, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 554, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 555, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 556, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 557, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 558, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 Senate Bill 559, offered by Senator Shadid. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 560, offered by Senator DeLeo. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 561, offered by Senator DeLeo. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 562, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 563, offered by Senator Viverito. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 564, offered by Senator Viverito. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 565, offered by Senator Viverito. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 566, offered by Senator Viverito. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 567, offered by Senator Burzynski. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 568, offered by Senator Wojcik. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 569, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Senate Bill 213, 342, 483, 490 and Senate Resolution 34; refer to Commerce and Economic Development Committee - Senate Bill 323, 347 and 348; refer to Education Committee - Senate Bill 249, 259, 268, 269, 277, 281, 296, 297, 379, 380, 383, 390, 391, 409, 427, 462 and 479; refer to -- Environment and Energy Committee - Senate Bill 397, 403, 414, 431, 454, 467, 474 and 499; refer to the Executive Committee - Senate Bill 244, 250, 284, 285, 314, 327, 330, 349, 357, 404, 405, 406, 417, 418, 422, 423, 436, 442, 445, 478 and Senate Bill 500; refer to Financial Institutions Committee - Senate Bill 263, 278 and 385; refer to Health and 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 Human Services Committee - Senate Bill 254, 267, 324, 328, 374, 375, 376, 437, 438, 457, 480, 481, 494 and Senate Resolutions 35 and Senate Joint Resolution 9; refer to the Higher Education Committee - Senate Bill 329, 463, 472 and 473; refer to the Housing and Community Affairs Committee - Senate Bill 289, 320, 408 and 485; refer to the Insurance Committee - Senate Bill 384, 466, 475 and 487; refer to the Judiciary Committee - Senate Bills 150, 245, 251, 257, 270, 273, 276, 280, 283, 287, 292, 304, 317, 319, 326, 332, 335, 339, 354, 399, 416, 421, 425, 447, 448, 452, 456, 458, 460, 464, 468, 469, 470, 471 and Senate Bill 477; refer to the Labor Committee - Senate Bill 274, 275, 293, 410, 411, 426 and 428; refer to the Licensed Activities Committee - Senate Bills 279, 311, 331, 338, 377, 450, 451 and 482; refer to the Local Government Committee - Senate Bill 288, 299, 341, 343, 344, 352, 355, 386, 434, 453, 465, 489 and 495; refer to the Pensions and Investments Committee - Senate Bill 22 {sic} (222), 253, 305, 336, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 388, 389, 446 and 455; refer to the Revenue Committee - Senate Bills 261, 262, 272, 308, 309, 316, 351, 356, 419 and 486; refer to the State Government Committee - Senate Bills 258, 264, 334, 350, Senate Resolutions 10, 60, 61, 63 and Senate Joint Resolution 10; refer to the Transportation Committee - Senate Bills 248, 282, 300, 301, 302, 303, 315, 318, 321, 387, 392, 393, 412, 459, 501 and Senate Resolution 62 and Senate Joint Resolution 6; Be… Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) If everybody can go to their Calendar to page 2, second bills -- or, Senate Bills 2nd Reading. Senator DeLeo, on… Senator DeLeo, on Senate Bill 21. Senator Viverito, on Senate Bill 22. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 22. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator DeLeo, on Senate Bill 27. Senator Martinez, on Senate Bill 36. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 45. Senator Peterson. Senate Bill 53. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 53. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 64. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 64. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Brady, on Senate Bill -- 3rd Reading. Senator Brady, on Senate Bill 69. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 71. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 72. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 73. Senator Harmon, on 74. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 78. Senator Wendell Jones, on Senate Bill 100. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 100. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Top of page 3. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 104. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 100. (Secretary begins to read title of bill) Pardon me. That’s Senate Bill 104. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 3rd Reading. Senator Sieben, on Senate Bill 123. Senator Crotty, on Senate Bill 135. Senator Dillard, on Senate Bill 165. Senator Dillard, on Senate Bill 174. Senator Shadid, on Senate Bill 176. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 189. Senator Harmon, Senate Bill 194. Senator Harmon. 196. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 208. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 208. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Hunter, on Senate Bill 211. Senator John Sullivan, on Senate Bill 214. Senator Sullivan, on 215. Senator Cullerton, on 241. Top of page 4. Oh, no. That would be it. Madam Secretary, Resolutions. And they’re substantive.
Senate Joint Resolution, Constitutional Amendment, 16 {sic} (17), offered by Senators Bomke, Risinger, Righter, John Jones, Watson and Dahl. Senate Joint Resolution 17 {sic} (18), offered by Senators Watson, Shadid, Bomke, Jacobs, Sieben and others. They are both substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) With leave of the Body, we’re going to return to Senate Bills 2nd Reading. Senator Martinez, on Senate Bill 36. Senator Martinez. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 36. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 45. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 45. (Secretary reads title of bill) 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 241? Madam Secretary, on the Order of Resolutions.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 12 {sic} (16), offered by Senator Viverito. (Secretary reads SJR No. 16)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Viverito moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 12 {sic}. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Viverito now moves for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 12 {sic}. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
There have been no objections filed, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. Will the Members please be in their seats? We’re going to be doing a death resolution. If we could please have all the Members in their seats. Will the 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 Joint Resolution No. 11, offered by Senators Rutherford, Watson, Emil Jones and all Senators. (Secretary reads SJR No. 11)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Rutherford. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005
Thank you, Madam President. You know, as our traditions in the Senate go, at some point in time, the Lord will call us home, and we, too, will be eulogized on this Floor. And some of us will be known by the Senators that are there at that time and some of us will only have been heard of. As I looked around and did a little research, I’m not sure that anyone in this Chamber actually served in the Senate with Senator Bill Harris. But as we become a part of this fine institution, look up in this gallery here: As we know, our -- our living Presidents’ portraits hang there. Bill’s is the second from the right, and the thing that I think makes him such a -- a benchmark in Illinois political history is that he became the first President of our Chamber. Because of the new Constitution our ConCon created in 1970, the Office of President was created. During that election, the Republican Party took the Majority and put Bill Harris in to be our Leader. That’s when that portrait, after he retired, came about. Many people may remember, though, Commissioner Bill Harris. He touched many of us when we were in the House and the Senate, and public servants, by serving as the Commissioner of Banks and Trusts. But, you know, as I look back on Bill Harris, I grew up down the street from him. I was a little, chubby boy on a bicycle that would ride by Bill’s house and that concrete elephant would sit out there and look at me every time I went by. And it was kind of in awe to think that the Senator, Senator Bill Harris, lived on the same street that I lived on. He really was such a kind person. I remember I was a foreign exchange student in high school. I went to the - side note - went to the Country of Barbados. What a great place to send a teenager in high school for a foreign exchange program. And I remember going over to Bill’s office and had an appointment with the Senator, and I asked him for a Blue Book. And I was nervous, and I said, “Senator, would you mind signing the Blue Book that I can take to the Country of Barbados?” He did, and I felt like I had a piece of treasure that I was carrying over to that country ‘cause Bill Harris signed that Blue Book. You know, as we look back on the political things that we do, the government things we do, the wonderful public policy we shift and change, there’s all kinds of footnotes about 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 Bill Harris, but I think the thing that -- that I and those that knew him best, was the kind of person that he was. And I’m going to give you an example of how bipartisan this man really was. When the modernization of O’Hare legislation was signed, Frank was there, President Jones was there, and Mayor Daley was there. I had the chance to visit with the Mayor afterwards, and he said, “Senator, how are you?” I said, “Great.” The very next question out of Mayor Daley of the City of Chicago’s mouth was, “How’s Bill Harris?” And for the next several moments, while all the media and all of the hype of O’Hare modernization was going on, Bill Harris was the topic of total dominant conservation by Mayor Daley. “Bill Harris appointed me to the Agriculture Committee. I learned more about Illinois agriculture because of Bill Harris putting me on the Senate Agriculture Committee”, and he went on and on. When Bill passed, that was one of the stories I told Jeanne when I went over to the house to express my sympathy. The Mayor sent his as well. And one more time how Illinois politics and campaigns have gotten so tough and, actually, so rumble. Bill Harris ran for Secretary of State. The Democratic candidate was Alan Dixon. Bill Harris and Alan Dixon were personal friends, and for those that may reflect upon that campaign - watched, heard and listened - you never found one tone, one note, one message, one word of conflict. They were professional gentlemen of different parties that stood before the people of Illinois, expressed their views, made their pitch, and one guy won. Bill Harris and Alan Dixon would continue to have lunch and dinner well after the time that election passed. And one of the things that Bill Harris did for some of us young guys, was he not only helped us in regards to ideology and so forth, but he was someone that could connect. Many of you, if you saw him speak, would recognize that when he stood in a room and he said - and this is a great trait - “I’m looking you in the eye”, and he took those hands and he panned the room, and by the time he got done from one side to the other, he looked every one of you in the eye. This portrait that’s hanging up here now, when I came here, was my Senator, my legend from my hometown, looking down at this young guy being a Senator to help fill his shoes. This portrait I know, as our tradition will be, will be one day soon relocated 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 within our Capitol. So, he’s never going to look down from there, but the beauty of it is, Bill Harris will be looking down from the big gallery in the sky, as we all know that he is today in heaven. I extend the sympathy to the Harris family and appreciate very much Leader Watson and Senator Jones participating with all of us in recognizing the first President of the Illinois State Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis.
Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I knew Bill Harris quite well. In fact, he was an ex-Navy man, just like I was ex-Navy. He was a chief warrant officer in the Navy, which is even more important than my lieutenant commandership because he handled everything as a chief warrant officer. He was well respected and well liked by all of us who knew him, and I -- I remember him very well. Very pleasant gentleman. His wife was very lovely and very nice. Very nice family. And all I can say is, God bless him and bless his family, and -- and his family has my deepest sympathy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jones.
Yeah. Thank you, Madam President. As had been pointed out by Senator Rutherford, Bill Harris was the first President of this Body when we changed to the new Constitution. And at that time, I came in after the change of the new Constitution in the Illinois House with Senator Geo-Karis, and he was the person that put this Chamber in position where the President was the Presiding Officer, not the Lieutenant Governor. Even though he was of opposite party, Bill Harris always had that friendly smile, you know. And during those times, though, when one bill passed from one Chamber to the other Chamber, the sponsor of the bill in the other Chamber would come to the other Chamber in the committee and sit down and, you know, discuss the bill or even present the bill. Times have changed now, and those things rarely happen. But he always had that wonderful smile. He was a very friendly person, and when he became Commissioner of Banks, Savings and Loan, Democrats and Republican alike 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 respected him simply because he was very friendly, warm-hearted, and he always greeted you with a great smile. And I -- I came to know him as a person that you could talk with, and one whom I had the utmost respect for. And each of us who serve in this capacity, at one time or another, will have a similar resolution said for them on the Senate Floor as well. But being the first Presiding Officer of this Body, he served with distinction, and my heartfelt -- heartfelt sympathies go to his family. When I first heard of his death and I had staff prepare a death resolution - which I withdrew out of respect to my colleague - I did not know that he lived right down the street from Senator Rutherford and nor did I know the relationship at that time. I just knew that he was a great person and he served with distinction in this Body. I’m quite certain he will be surely missed by his friends and family.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Watson.
Yes. Thank you very much, Madam President. And Mayor Daley on the Agriculture Committee! That -- that just -- that tells you something about Bill Harris. I mean, those of you -- most of you probably didn’t know him. A genuine, good guy. I mean, really, he was a good person, and very fun loving. Never met a stranger. And I would expect that would be something that Bill Harris would do, would be to put Mayor Daley on the Agriculture Committee. Like putting John Cullerton on the Agriculture Committee. But I -- it’s a shame ‘cause there’s a lot of us we come through here and we come and go, and every year or two years there’s a change of face or two around here, but there -- there’s very few people who come through that had the ability that he did. And as the resolution mentioned, he -- he won the “Most Effective Senator”. He was elected or selected as the “Most Effective Senator” three terms. Now, that -- that just tells you something about the individual’s ability to go out and -- and to branch out, because he was only President of the Senate, I believe, for two years, one term. So, he had the ability to cross the aisle and get support for the needs of his district, and that -- that just, obviously, says something about the individual. I really got to known Bill Harris, though, was 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005 through Dwight Friedrich, another individual that most of you probably don’t know. He was a State Representative and we served together in the House. And Dwight and Bill were very good friends, and Bill came down to the district and -- and participated in a lot of Dwight’s fundraisers and different events that he might have. So, I got to know him there. And what I found out about Bill Harris - and it was mentioned, once again, in the resolution - was he was a Jaycee. And that’s how I got into politics, was primarily through community service, and -- and I’ll have to say that the Jaycee organization had a lot to do, a great deal to do, with me being here today. And so, we’ve -- and he’s in the Hall of Fame, the Illinois Jaycee Hall of Fame. He’s a JCI Senator. That’s -- those of you that are -- that participate in that organization know what I’m talking about. That’s a big deal. That’s a -- that’s a -- that’s a major thing. You’re selected by the community in which you served to be a JCI Senator. It’s a very rare thing, and he -- he obviously did well in the organization. And we had a lot of conversations about the -- the Jaycees and our activities and community service and the fact that we think that part of what we do in this life is try to make things better for others and that’s what community service is all about, and that’s how he handled himself here in the Illinois Senate. And I just think - - I -- it’s wonderful we do this. It really is. It’s a history lesson for a lot of us. I mean, I didn’t even know till today that those portraits are the -- are the surviving Presidents of the Senate. I didn’t even know that. I had no idea why some were there and some aren’t. I had -- so we learn -- I learned something here today. And I -- every time we go through this exercise, I think it’s good for us to understand the importance and the significance of being here in the Senate and how much of a privilege that it is, and I know that Bill Harris felt that way while he was here. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Rutherford, to close.
Actually, Madam President, I move that we suspend the Senate rules for immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 11. 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 10th Legislative Day 2/17/2005
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Rutherford moves for suspension of the Senate rules for the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 11. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Rutherford.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 11.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Rutherford now moves for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 11. All those in favor of this resolution, please rise. Pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 12 {sic} (16), the Senate is now adjourned until Friday, February 18th, in perfunctory Session, returning at 12 noon on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2005. The Senate stands adjourned. 17