Illinois Senate Floor Debate — April 8, 2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The regular Session of the 94th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Dr. Baker Siddiquee, the Islamic Society of Greater Springfield. Doctor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney.

(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hunter.

Mr. 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 DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Resolutions, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Would ask all Members, please come to the Floor. All Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Floor. Ladies and Gentlemen, for your -- announcement. Ladies and Gentlemen, an announcement. The intention of the Chair today is to do 3rd Readings this morning. 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 We’ll be doing 3rd Readings. We have an announcement to make. Senator Watson will be taking the Chair very shortly, introducing a basketball team. We’re going to be going to 3rd Readings. We will close today by a resolution, a death resolution, offered by Senator Reverend Meeks in regards to the Pope’s recent death. We will close the Session on that. At this time we bring Senator Watson up.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) WAND-ABC here in Springfield seeking leave to record the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. We have Kelly Huff, photographer for the Daily Herald, seeking leave to photograph the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Messages from the House, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Messages from the Governor, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Ladies and Gentlemen, just a short reminder. The deadline for filing Floor amendments - the deadline for filing Floor amendments - is the close of business day this coming Monday. So if you have some language about Floor amendments that need to be filed, we strongly suggest that you get that done today. The deadline is Monday at the close of business. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise, ma'am?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guest in the galleries please rise and be recognized? And our guest on the Floor? Welcome to Springfield and thank you for coming. Senator Garrett, for what purpose do you rise, ma'am?

For purpose of personal announcement.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your announcement.

Yes. I’d like to welcome Christopher Casties, from Glenview, who is an eighth grader at North Ridge Prep School in Niles. He’s here as a Page, and I would like the Senate to give 5  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 him a warm welcome.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guest please rise and welcome to Springfield. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be going to page 46 of your Calendar, Senate Bills 3rd Reading. In the middle of page 46 is Senate Bill 534. Senator Radogno, do you wish to proceed, ma'am? She indicates she wishes to proceed. I believe there’s a -- Senator seeks leave to -- of Body to return this bill, Senate Bill 534, to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Okay. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 534. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Radogno, to explain the amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Senator Radogno moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 534. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Senator Righter, what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Yes, sir. State your inquiry.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) That’s correct.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The President’s Office is currently in discussion about what bills would be extended and we’ll -- I’ll let you know as soon as we -- I get a definite answer. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 542. Senator John Cullerton, on Senate Bill 542, sir. You wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is a noncontroversial bill. It amends the Business Corporation Act by clarifying the Section concerning shareholder examination of corporate records by restating “books and records of accounts” to “financial records”. I know of no opposition and ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 542 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 542, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Leave of the Body, we’ll come back to 551. Leave of the Body, we’ll come back to 552. Senator Dillard, for what purpose do you rise, sir? 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) State your point, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. That’s a -- we’ve certainly made that a practice, Senator Dillard, and we apologize. We did not see your light on this last -- and actually it’s a very helpful part of the process when the Minority Spokesperson does get up and we do appreciate that. So… Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Would our guest please rise? And our guests in the gallery please rise and be recognized? And welcome to Springfield. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, returning on Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 555. Senator James Clayborne, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Clayborne.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 555 just adds marriage -- licensed marriage and family therapists to the Insurance Code who could provide coverage for treatment of mental, emotional or nervous disorders. Just adds them to the Insurance Code along with physicians, licensed clinical psychologists and social workers who can provide the same services.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Senator Brady, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Clayborne, to close, sir.

Thank you. Thank you, Senator Bradley {sic}. I understand your concerns and appreciate your concerns. However, all I’m doing is expanding the -- the pool of who can provide services that are already covered under the insurance policy. So I would ask for your favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 555 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Kirk, are we okay? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 34 Ayes, 21 Nays, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 555, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator James Clayborne, on Senate Bill 556, sir. Out of the record. Senator James Clayborne, on Senate Bill 557, sir. Out of the record. Senate Bill 558, sir. Out of the record. Senator Shadid, on 559, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Shadid.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 559, the amendment, this bill removes the requirement that a police officer must personally observe a person’s behavior in order to have reasonable grounds to take a person involuntarily into custody and transport them to a mental health facility. This is supported by the Illinois Mental Health Association, Sheriffs’ Association, AFSCME and the -- Community Behavioral Healthcare Association. And also, the Illinois Mental Health Association felt that it was unnecessary for the transportation -- transporting officer to fill out the petition at the facility as long as his identification information was included in the petition. I’d be glad to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Shadid, to close, sir.

I want to thank Senator Roskam for those kind words. You know, it’s very pleasant when you get up and the other side of the aisle just keeps telling me how great a job I’m doing. I’ll keep that in consideration. Thank you very much, Senator Roskam. I’d appreciate a Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 559 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 559, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We’re on the top of page 47 of your Calendars, comes Senate Bill 562. Senator Haine, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill, Senate Bill 562, is an initiative of Attorney General Madigan and the law enforcement community of Illinois. It is a major revision of the statutes dealing with methamphetamines, putting them in one place in the statute books similar to the Cannabis Control Act. It also enhances penalties in a -- in a scheme, making the most -- the -- the toughest -- the most serious penalties for manufacturing of methamphetamine; secondly, the distribution of methamphetamine; thirdly, the simple possession. So it creates a statutory scheme. It -- it defines and enhances penalties for the aggravated possession of certain precursor elements. It’s a good bill. There is -- there is -- I’ve been informed by the Attorney General’s Office, there may be some additions to this bill in the House. They will tweak it further. I know of no opposition. The law enforcement community is strongly in favor of this bill. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Senator Haine, to close.

I -- I -- I respectfully ask for an Aye vote. This is a bill which will help us end the scourge of methamphetamines.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 562 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 562, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Viverito, on Senate Bill 565, sir. Out of the record. Senator Wojcik, on Senate Bill 568, ma'am. Senator Kay Wojcik, on 568. Out of the record. Senator Forby, on Senate Bill 580, sir. Do you wish to proceed? On Senate Bill 580? Out of the record. Senator Jacobs, on 582, sir. Do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator Crotty, on 600, ma'am? No. Senator Crotty, on 601. No. 602. No. 603. No. 604. No. 605. No. 606. No. 607. No. 610. No. On the top -- oh! Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 610, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. We’d -- we’d like to recall on Senate Bill 610. I’m sorry, Senator Link, that we passed over you. Senator Link will seek leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 610 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 610. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link, to explain the amendment, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. And I will accept that apology, too. The amendment just basically is -- adds one line in there - “on a temporary basis not to exceed thirty months”.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Senator Link moves the adoption of Amendment -- Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 610. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for -- for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, on page 48 of your Calendar, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 611. Senator Link. Do you wish to proceed, sir? Do you wish -- do you wish to proceed on 611, sir? Madam Secretary, he indicates he would like to. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill prohibits corporate authorities of a municipality from entering into a jurisdictional boundary lines agreement unless written notice is provided to the owners of all property affected by the proposed agreement. I know of no objections to it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Wendell Jones, for what purpose you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, Senator Link, to close, sir. The question is, shall Senate Bill 611 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, no Nays, no -- 0 voting 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Present. Senate Bill 611, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Munoz, on Senate Bill 612. Out of the record. Senator Cullerton. Senator John Cullerton, on -- on Senate Bill 613, sir. Out of the record. Senator Silverstein, on Senate Bill 614. Out of the record. Senator Forby, on Senate Bill 615. Madam… He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Forby.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 615 establishes new guidelines for the use of EDGE Tax Credit. Currently, EDGE -- EDGE grants are available to employers who employ at least twenty-five new employees and who invest at least five million dollars; if the employer has fewer than a hundred employees, then the employer is willing to invest one million dollars in capital investment and employ at least five new members. If Senate Bill 615 is passed, the EDGE credit bill would extend to smaller business: The business is located within a county that has an annual unemployment rate at least one percent higher than the statewide average, they have fewer than a hundred employees, the company used the money for investment at least five hundred thousand dollars in capital improvement, and employ at least two employment {sic} (employees) in the State. According to the December statewide unemployment rate, the IDES, there’s twenty- eight counties has unemployment higher than one percent above State average. As you can see, this bill would extend the EDGE credit -- EDGE tax credit to many others statewide that needs an economic shot. If there’s any question, I’ll please try to answer ‘em for you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Forby, to close. The question is, shall Senate Bill 615 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 615, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 629, ma'am. Do you wish to proceed? Senator -- out of the record. Senator John Sullivan, on Senate Bill 659. Do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he does. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 659 creates a Rural Technology Development Zone Act which authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to implement a pilot program to designate three areas in the State as rural technology development zones. DCEO will identify specific infrastructure investments that will provide incentives for utilities to deploy wireless telecommunications and Internet -- access within each of the three zones. Firms that invest in these projects will be able to -- to claim a tax credit. This bill is an attempt to eliminate the digital divide in -- especially in rural areas of the State. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 659 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, 0 Nays and 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 659, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Jacobs, on Senate Bill 660. Out of the record. Senator Silverstein, on Senate Bill 661. He indicates he’d like to -- we’ll skip. Madam Secretary, 661, out of the record. 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, out of the record. Senator Don Harmon, on Senate Bill 676, sir. Out of the record. Senator Harmon. Senator Harmon.

Thank you, Mr. President. For your information, the next several pages, Bills 676 through Bill -- Senate Bill 759 are vehicle bills that came out of the Revenue Committee. It is not my intention to call any of those bills for 3rd Reading today. If the Body would offer leave to skip those pages, I would have no objection.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much, Senator. The Senator requests that from Senate Bill -- 676 on Senate Bills 3rd Reading on page 49, on page 50, on page 51 of the Calendar, on page 52 of the Calendar, continuing on page 53 of the Calendar, down to -- to Senate Bill 759. Leave of the Body, we will start -- regain at Senate Bill 766. Thank you, Senator Harmon. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. On the bottom of page 53, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 766. Senator Link. Out of the record. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 767, ma'am. Out of the record. Senator Demuzio, on 768, ma'am. Do you wish to proceed? No. Out of the record. On 769, ma'am? Madam Secretary, she indicates she’d like to proceed on Senate Bill 769. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Demuzio.

Yes. Mr. President, Senate Bill 769 amends the Alternative 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Fuel {sic} (Alternate Fuels) Act regarding domestic renewable fuels. It makes several changes with the primary objective of promoting increased usage of twenty percent of higher blends of biodiesel fuel in Illinois. The bill defines biodiesel fuel and would allow the use of twenty percent or higher blends of the fuel for rebates and grants under the Illinois EPA’s Alternative Fuels Rebate Program and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant Program.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Dave Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This legislation passed out of the Energy and Environment Committee unanimously. I urge its support.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Demuzio, to close, ma'am.

Yes. I would ask for a favorable vote. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 769 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 769, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 770, ma'am. Do you wish to proceed? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Demuzio.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 770 requires insurance to -- insurers to provide coverage for anorexia, 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 bulimia and posttraumatic stress syndrome. This particular bill currently requires that these conditions -- that the insurers recognize that these conditions are conditions that should be placed under the definition of serious mental illness. These conditions can also be debilitating, as does depression and other forms of mental illness. And I ask for a favorable roll call.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Brady, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion. Senator Demuzio, to close.

19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Yes. I ask for a favorable roll call. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 770 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 35 Ayes, 19 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 770, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, on Senate Bills 3rd Readings, Senate Bill 772. Senator Sandoval has asked leave of the Body. We will skip 772 and go down to the bottom of page 54 to Senate Bill 789. Senator Martinez. Senator Martinez. Senator Martinez, on Senate Bill 789. Do you wish to proceed, ma'am? She -- Senator… Okay. Once again, the sponsor has indicated -- we will -- continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Sponsor’s -- indicate she’d like to, leave of the Body, come back to this. So, we’ll go from 789, past page 55 to page 56, the middle of page 56, to Senate Bill 818. Senate Bill 3rd Reading. Senator Crotty, do you wish to proceed on Senate Bill 818, ma'am? Out of the record. Once again, the sponsor indicates from Senate Bill 818, the bottom of page 56, down through page 57, turning to page… Okay. Buried in one of these shell bill lists is Senate Bill 834. Senator Wendell Jones, sir. On Senate Bill 834, do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Okay. Continuing again on Senator Crotty at 835, in the middle of page 57. Continuing on shell bills. Turning to page -- on Senate Bills 3rd Reading to -- on page 58 of your Calendar is Senate Bill 849. Senator Collins. Senator Collins, do you wish to proceed, ma'am? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Collins.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill is at the request of the Department of Human 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Services and the Illinois State Police. It seeks to clarify the law enforcement notifications when the evidence indicated that a possible crime act -- criminal act of abuse has been committed in a community agency or its funded program sites. Prior to this a lot of the community organizations or agencies that might have been under DHS, they were confused about who the agency or which agency they were to report any criminal abuse or crimes, and the Illinois State Police initially dealt with only State agencies. But a lot of the community agencies felt -- or, they were confused and they felt they had to go to the Illinois State Police. But these cases were better handled -- the Illinois State Police felt these cases were better handled by the local law enforcement agencies who then will report it to the Illinois State Police. So this is a streamlining of the process. I would just ask for an affirmative vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, Senator Collins, to close, ma'am.

Well, I just thank Senator Dillard and I -- I ask for an affirmative vote. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 849 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 849, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Lightford, on 852. Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, with leave of the Body, the sponsor has asked that we can skip over page 58, page 59 to top of page 60 is Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We’ll continue 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 at that point. Thank you, Senator Lightford. Senator Maloney, on Senate Bill 880, sir. Do you wish to proceed? Senator Maloney. Okay. Once again, I -- I believe the sponsor’s indicated on the top of -- on the top of page 60 of the Calendar is Senate Bill 880. We will go down to the middle of page 60. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 890, ma'am. Do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator John Sullivan, on Senate Bill 892, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 892 requires the Illinois Finance Authority to maintain at least the same levels of bond funding for all programs that operated under the former Illinois Farm Development Act and the Rural Bond Act.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Sullivan. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 892 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. There’s 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 892, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Jacqui Collins, on Senate Bill 893, ma'am. Ladies and Gentlemen, the sponsor has asked leave of the Body. We will skip over from 893 to the top of page 61 to Senate Bill 901. Senator Carol Ronen. Senator Carol Ronen. Sponsor indicates she’d -- also requests leave from 901 to 910. On the -- middle of page 61 is Senator Haine. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 910, sir. Do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator Haine, on 912, sir. I believe the sponsor is also requesting leave. Turning to page 62 of your Calendar. In the middle of page 62 is Senator James Clayborne. Senator James Clayborne on Senate Bill 921, sir. Do you wish to proceed? 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 922, sir? 923, 924, 925, out of the record. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 926, ma'am. Out of the record. And, once again, the sponsor indicates leave of the Body from 926 to the top of page 63 of your Calendar to Senate Bill -- leaves us at 935. Senator Silverstein has also request leave of the Body. Continuing on page 63 of your Calendar, to the bottom of page 63. On the bottom of page 63 is Senate Bill 949. Senator Sandoval, do you wish to proceed, sir? Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading is the top of page 64. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 950. 950. Out of the record. Senator Carol Ronen, on Senate Bill 951. She also asks leave of the Body, all the way down on the bottom of page 64. We will continue to the top of page 65. Senator James Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1028. Gentleman asks leave of the Body to -- continuing on the bottom of page 65. Turning on page 66 of your Calendar is Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We will come to Senate Bill 1053. Senator John Sullivan, on 1053, sir? Out of the record. 1054, sir? Out of the record. 1055. Continuing -- sponsor indicates he’d like leave of the Body to skip over top of page 67 of your Calendar, continuing on the full page of page 67. Turning to page 68. Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1219. Madam Secretary, Senate Bill 1219. Senator Don Harmon, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Harmon.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1219 is an initiative of several mayors in my district. It would amend the Condominium Property Act to give non-home rule governments the same right that home rule governments have to inspect apartment buildings before they are converted into condominiums. I am aware of no overt opposition. The Realtors have expressed some concern and I have pledged to them to continue conversations in the House and they have no objection to me calling the bill today. I ask for 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 your Aye votes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1219 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1219, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Maloney, on Senate Bill 1220. Senator Maloney, on Senate Bill 1220. Madam Secretary, please read the -- Senator Roskam, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Because of the enormous amount of shell bills, we’re -- we’re catching up and it should be -- we’ll keep a very close watch on that. Thank you so much. Once again, on Senate Bill 1220 is Senator Maloney. Do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1220 would continue our efforts to ensure that the elderly receive needed influenza vaccinations. In -- in 2002, we had these vaccinations available through nursing homes. In 2003, through assisted living facilities, and this continues our efforts to have them done at home. This is supported by AARP, the Illinois Health Care Association, and -- and initially Illinois Home Health Care was opposed, but because of our amending clarified the situation, 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 they are now in support of this. I -- I’ll be happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Maloney.

No. There -- there was a concern about the position of the Illinois Home Health Care Council and we agreed that we would not move the bill until we got their position on this, and they are now in favor of it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, Senator Maloney, to close, sir.

I’d appreciate a favorable vote. Thank you, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1220 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1220, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Maloney, on Senate Bill 1221, sir. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill would prohibit the possession and use of radar or laser jamming devices in all vehicles. Currently these devices are banned in commercial vehicles. And what motivated me to -- to proceed with this legislation was -- maybe some of the -- of the other Senators have heard this commercial on the radio advertising this product, that says that if -- if you actually get a speeding ticket with - - with the use of this radar jamming device, that this company will pay your ticket. And this kind of flies in the face of law enforcement and, more importantly, in public safety. And so what this -- this -- again these are not to be confused with radar detectors. These are radar jamming devices. It is supported by the Illinois State Police and I’d be happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Maloney.

No. What the jamming device does, it makes the -- the -- the person in the -- the speeding vehicle undetectable by radar. And -- and so, again, this -- they -- they are currently banned in eight states. And, again, the -- the -- I -- I recently heard the ad again. I called the 800 number, because they said you 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 could have a free thirty-day trial. The thirty-day trial involved ninety-nine dollars, so I decided not to try it for thirty days. But -- but it is a -- a rather blatant -- a blatant claim that they will actually pay your ticket. And I have their advertisement here that says they will pay your ticket if you get a ticket when you are using this jamming device. These are currently banned in commercial vehicles and this would extend them to private vehicles as well.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1221 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1221, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Roskam, on Senate Bill 1224. Out of the record. Senator Harmon, on 1229, sir. Out of the record. Senator Harmon, on 1230. Out of the record. Senator Harmon, on 1231, sir. Out of the record. Senator Silverstein indicates he’d ask leave of the Body from -- on page 68 of our Calendar, 1236, continuing on the bottom of page 68 to the top of page 69. Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senator Sandoval, on 1246. Senator Marty Sandoval. Out of the record. Senator Sandoval, on 1247, sir. The Senator indicates - - asks leave of the Body. We will skip from 1247 to the bottom of page -- page 69. Turning your Calendars, on Senate Bill 3rd Reading on the top of page 70. We will go to Senator Forby on Senate Bill 1266. The Senator also asks leave of the Body. We will skip down to the bottom of page 70 and the top of page 71. 1279. Continuing to the bottom of page 71. We will turn our Calendars to page 72 of the Calendars. Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We’ll come to the top of page 72. There is Senate Bill 1294. Senator Harmon, do you wish to proceed with that, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator -- Senator Harmon.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1294 is an initiative of the Building Owners and Managers Association. As you likely recall, a couple of high-profile fires in high-rise buildings in the City of Chicago resulted in a municipal ordinance requiring the retrofitting of those buildings with sprinkler systems. This bill would amend the Property Tax Code to create a new special service area that building owners can opt into in order to provide financing for that retrofitting over a -- a period of many years. I’m aware of no opposition and I ask for your Aye votes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Harmon, to close, sir.

Ask for your Aye votes. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1294 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1294, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Silverstein, on Senate Bill 1297. He requests leave of the Body to skip over the next half dozen bills. Coming to the middle of 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 page 72 of your Calendar is Senate Bill 1304. President Jones. These are shell bills for the budget. We will skip -- leave of the Body, we will go to the bottom of page 72. On the top of page 73 of your Calendar is some more budget bills. 1316. We will go to the middle of page 73, leave of the Body. And then we come to Senate Bill 1325. Senator Crotty, on Senate Bill 1325, ma'am. Do you wish to proceed? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Crotty.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The purpose of Senate Bill 1325 is to help fulfill the State’s obligation under the Olmstead decision by enhancing the level of funds for both developmental disability and mental health services and supports in order to maintain and establish an array of residential and supportive services for people with mental health needs and developmental disabilities whenever they’re transferred into another facility or a community-based setting. Also, if any appropriation or any portion of an appropriation for any fiscal year pertaining to the funding of any State-operated facility operated by DHS or a mental health facility operated by DHS is decreased due to any of the items described below, which would be residence in most integrated setting possible, rehab and supportive services, that they also be directed toward the supports for that person with the mental health needs or the developmental needs.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you.

This passed out of committee unanimously and I ask for a favorable vote, but I’d entertain any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise, sir? 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1325 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. There are 55 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1325, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading on page 73 of your Calendar, is Senate Bill 1327. Senator Harmon. Senator Harmon, on 1327, sir. Out of the record. Senator Harmon, on 1328, sir. Out of the record. Senator Harmon, on 1329, sir. He indicates out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, on page 73 of your Calendar is Senate Bill 1339. Senator Garrett. She asks leave of the Body to come back to these bills. We will go to the top of page 74 of your Calendar. And, Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 1354, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this bill would establish a Military Base Support and Economic Development Committee. Provide for the appointment of same to -- to look at various bases in danger of closing and those that have closed around the State, and bring the State of Illinois affirmatively to the table in trying to help preserve these military assets.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there -- Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Haine, to close, sir.

Thank you. I appreciate the support and ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1354 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay and 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1354, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Harmon. Senator Don Harmon, on 1355, sir. I believe your request is -- Senator Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1355 to the Order of 2nd Reading - is that correct, sir - for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1355. Madam Secretary, are there any -- amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Harmon, to explain the amendment, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment becomes the bill. I’d ask the Chamber to adopt it and I’m happy to discuss it on 3rd Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Harmon moves the adoption of Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1355. All those in favor will say Aye. All 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1435, sir. Out of the record. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 1438. Senator Lightford, on -- out of the record. Senator Silverstein, on Senate Bill 1442. Madam Secretary, he indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Silverstein.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1442 establishes the -- the Feed Illinois Fund in the State treasury and requires the Department of Economic Development {sic} to grant funds to public and private food banks in Illinois.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1442 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 -- 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1442, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Silverstein, on Senate Bill 1443, sir. Madam Secretary, he indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator. 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1443 amends the Clerk of the Courts Act by increasing the maximum automation fee, keeping the fee to fifteen dollars. Currently, it’s five dollars, but retaining the minimum fee of a dollar. This is an initiative from Dorothy Brown, the Clerk of the Court.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Silverstein, to close, sir.

Ask for your favorable roll call.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate -- Senate Bill 1443 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 33 Ayes, 20 Nays, 0 {sic} (1) voting Present. Senate Bill 1443, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Silverstein, on 1444. Senator Silverstein seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1444 for the purposes of an amendment. That’s correct, sir? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now, on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1444. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Silverstein, to explain the amendment, sir.

Can you take this out of the record right now? I’m sorry, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Out of the record. Senator -- continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill -- Madam Secretary, on Senate Bill 1444, the one we just took out of the record, would -- will remain on 3rd Reading on the Calendar. Return Senate Bill 1444 to 3rd Reading. Continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1446. Senator Carol Ronen. Senator Carol Ronen. Out of the record. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1447, sir. Out of the record. Senator James Clayborne, on 1448, sir. Out of the record. Senator Schoenberg, on 1450, sir. Out of the record. Senator Schoenberg, on 1453, sir. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Schoenberg.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1453 is an initiative of the Procurement Policy Board, that board which we’ve established to improve upon and to review prospective changes in the State’s Purchasing Act. Senate Bill 1453 enables a -- an electronic reverse auction for certain -- for certain goods and services, and the advantage of this reverse auction is that it -- very much like we’re accustomed to with eBay, we’re able to see lower prices and increased competition. A comparable version of this in Minnesota, for example, saved up to eighteen percent in the reverse auction and averages over a ten-percent savings, and does provide some advantages to vendors as well, because they have better benchmarking information on the competition. I know of no opposition. I’d be happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any -- Senator Dillard. I’m sorry. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1453 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1453, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1458. Senator Dave Sullivan, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill is cleanup language to legislation we passed a couple years ago to help those who are involved in foreign adoptions. It simply allows the Department of Public Health to create a file to maintain the records regarding a foreign adoption without putting those records on the face of the birth certificate. It has no -- no opposition. It passed out of committee unanimously. I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? No -- seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1458 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1458, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1461. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. 1465, sir. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading on the top of page 75. Senator Trotter, on 1466. Out of the record. 1469, sir. Out of the record. Senator Harmon, on 1473, sir. Out of the record. Senator Silverstein, on 1479, sir. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Silverstein.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is several bills we have regarding a -- a -- a situation with ChoicePoint that happened in California. This renames the Personal Information Protection Act. Basically, what it does is, that if you’re -- one is collecting information and you believe that there’s a breach, you must notify that individual. So, I’ll take any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) He indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Silverstein.

I -- I believe so. If you look at the first paragraph, it 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 does -- it -- it does -- it does include them.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bills {sic} 1479 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1479, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Schoenberg, on Senate Bill 1483, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Schoenberg.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1483 is an initiative of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. It provides some cleanup to the merger of the Department of Nuclear Safety and -- and IEMA. It also adds some specific language clarifying that an onsite inspection of a radiation facility isn’t necessarily required before an order for violation can be issued. So, for example, many times there have been cases where records -- where examination of records have been sufficient to determine that there have been violations. Right now we require a site visit, but this way if there’s an administrative problem, they haven’t been paying their fees, there’s a -- there’s a paperwork issue, not necessarily relating to the safety of the site, we would be - - enable the Department to begin initiating action without actually requiring somebody to -- to be -- to make a site visit. This is ultimately a more efficient use of State resources, and in all cases, I want to emphasize that any entities that were issued orders will have indeed the right to appeal. I’d urge for an Aye vote. Know of no opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purposes do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1483 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1483, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator del Valle, on Senate Bill 1485, sir. Do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, he indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator del Valle.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill is more an updating of -- of the statute than -- than anything else. Basically, what it does is, it prohibits an individual who -- who is operating a motor vehicle from being able to watch TV or watch a DVD while they’re operating the vehicle. We talk a lot about the use of cell phones while you’re driving. Well, the only thing, I think, worse than that is being distracted by watching TV while you’re driving. And so, this update -- updates the statute and it’s crafted in a way that we still allow for GPS and -- and other equipment that is used in cars and I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Bomke, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, sir. Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1485 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1485, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 1489, ma'am? Do you wish to proceed? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Demuzio.

Yes, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1489 amends the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act with the Department of Aging. This will allow -- this Act permits qualified volunteers to be utilized for the purpose of improving public awareness and furnishing companion- type services, and AARP has recommended this, a strong proponent. And I would ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1489 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1489, having received the required 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Geo-Karis, on 1491. Out of the record. Senator Harmon, on 1493, sir. Out of the record. Senator Demuzio, on 1497, ma'am. Out of the record. Senator Don Trotter, on -- 1503, sir. 1504. 1505. 1506. (15)07. (15)08. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading. On the top of page 76, the sponsor asks leave of the Body to skip over and we’ll go to Senate Bill 1620. 1620. Senator Halvorson, do you wish to proceed, ma'am? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Halvorson.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. A couple years ago we passed House Bill 1484, which was the nursing -- the State Long Term (Care) Ombudsman bill. And over the couple of years, we found we needed to add a couple things. So, Senate Bill 1620 expands the powers of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman in relations to nursing home residents. This bill will require a nursing home to inform the resident’s designated case coordinating unit of the pending discharge from the -- facility and it’ll also require the facility to furnish the resident or his or her representative with the case coordinating unit’s telephone number.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1620 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who 40  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1620, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading. The middle of page 76 of your Calendar is Senate Bill 1622. Senator Maloney, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1622 is an effort of the Cook County Assessor’s Office and the Illinois Association of Realtors as a way to provide residential property -- buyers of residential property throughout Illinois information that is useful in determining the real housing costs associated with the property. The -- what this does is, the bill amends the Real Estate Transfer Declaration law by requiring that the declaration include any homestead exemptions, alternative general homestead exemptions. And it basically -- the goal is to let the buyer know that the taxes paid by the seller may have included homestead exemptions that may no longer be applicable to the property. And I know of no opposition. I would be happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise, ma'am?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, ma'am.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Maloney, to close.

Appreciate a favorable vote. Thank you, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1622 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1622, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 1623, sir. Out of the record. Senator Viverito, on 1624, sir. Out of the record. Senator Carol Ronen, on 1626, ma'am. Do you wish to proceed? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Ronen.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill -- this was brought to my attention by the Chicago Public School District. When we amended and recognized advanced practice nurses, we made changes in various portions of State law. We neglected to do so in relation to nurses, advanced practice nurses and physician assistants being able to sign physical exams for schools. They requested that we do this. So, this is just really a technical cleanup change to accommodate that. Be happy…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Senator Carol Ronen, to close.

I’d appreciate an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The question is, shall -- Senate Bill 1626 pass. Those in 42  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1626, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Ronen, on Senate Bill 1627, ma'am. Do you wish to proceed? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Ronen.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill relates to providing family and medical leave to spouses or family members of people who are in the military. There was -- we’ve heard really poignant testimony in committee about this, of families who came forward, needed to take time off from their jobs because, on very short notice, their family member would have leave and they could meet them in some part of the country or elsewhere. And they talked very, very, you know, clearly about the kind of hardships that this was putting on their -- their families. So, this -- this bill tries to address that situation by allowing them to take unpaid leave -- up to thirty days of unpaid family military leave - is what we’re calling it. We worked very closely with the Illinois Chamber, who does support this effort, and made clear that people would have to exhaust all of the other time that they have - vacation time, sick time - before they were able to take this. But we still believe that this is a -- a very, very important piece of legislation and really the least that we can do for families who are giving so much and so much for our country. So, I would ask a favorable roll call. And I’d be happy to ask any -- answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Pankau, for what purpose do you rise, ma'am?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Roskam, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) She indicates she’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Ronen.

If -- thank you, Senator. What we did -- and this was part of the negotiations with the Illinois Chamber, and it maybe is not as strong, or -- maybe as you would like it, but what it -- it does say, though, that you must give fourteen days’ notice if you’re going to take more than five days. So, the -- the -- the idea then is, if you’re taking less than five days, that that fourteen-day notice would not be required, because as you rightly 44  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 know some things happen very quickly. So, I -- I think -- I think we’ve -- we’ve covered that as best we can. But I -- I appreciate the question.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, Senator Ronen, to close, ma'am.

Just would ask for a favorable roll call, a way that we can show families how much we appreciate the -- the -- the sacrifices that they’re making for our county.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1627 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote -- Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1627, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Dave Sullivan, on Senate Bill 1629, sir. Senator -- this Sullivan’s confused once in a while. Senator Dave Sullivan, on 1629. Do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1629 simply allows currency exchanges to join together in purchasing a blanket bond to satisfy their bonding requirements. It passed out of committee unanimously. I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, shall -- sorry. Senator Rutherford, do you have a -- for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Dillard. Okay. The question is, shall Senate -- the question is, shall Senate Bill 1629 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1629, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Radogno, on Senate Bill 1637, ma'am. Do you wish to proceed? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1637 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote -- Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1637, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, on the bottom of page 76 is Senate Bill 1639. Senator Winkel, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Winkel.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1639 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will 47  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1639, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, on the top of page 77 is Senate Bill 1643. Senator Rauschenberger, on 1643, sir. Out of the record. Senator Kirk Dillard, on 1645, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Dillard. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1645 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1645, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator John Sullivan, on 1649, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the 48  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1649 is a cleanup bill that deletes language providing that a road district treasurer must have the written approval of the county superintendent of highways or the highway board of auditors in order to approve payment on several orders of five thousand dollars or less. The bill also deletes language providing that the county superintendent of highways must approve payments in excess of a thousand dollars by highway commissioner for contracts on township or district roads. I know of no opposition to the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Bomke, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Sullivan, to close. He indicates favorable roll call. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1649 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1649, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1651. Senator Raoul, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1651 amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, the Nursing Home Care Act and the Older Adult Services Act to establish the existing supportive living facilities demonstration project to a supportive living facilities program. I’d ask for a favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1651 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1651, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Dillard, on Senate Bill 1658, sir. Do you wish to proceed? The Gentleman indicates he would like to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Dillard moves -- is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the Gentleman -- the question is, shall Senate Bill 1658 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1658, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Crotty, on Senate Bill 1660, ma'am. Do you wish to proceed? Senator Crotty, on Senate Bill 1660. Do you wish to proceed today? Madam Secretary, she indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Crotty.

Well, thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the -- of the Senate. Senate Bill 1660 allows TRS disabilitants to return to work on a limited basis provided their disability benefit and the salary from the school district does not exceed a hundred percent of the salary in which the benefit is based. The legislation provides a process for individuals to return to teaching when they are afflicted with a medical condition that allows for the performance of periodic part-time work. This was given to me by a constituent who is going through chemotherapy. He is a special education teacher and the district would love to have him back when he’s feeling well and so would his students. This has been okayed by the Teacher Retirement System. And I’ll answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Brady, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 51  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Sponsor indicates she’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Crotty.

No. It does not.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Brady.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Crotty, to close, ma'am.

I just ask for a favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1660 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1660, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Jacobs, on 1666, sir. Do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, he indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Jacobs.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I rise to personally ask for your support and your vote on this important 52  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 bill. Not only is the Purple Heart legislation among the better bills that will ever grace this Body, but it is also my first bill. I know of no known opposition than perhaps in this Chamber and I ask for a favorable vote and your consideration.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Before we take any discussion on this bill, we’ll have to invoke the Cronin law, the Dan Cronin law. If you get up to speak, you must be funny. Senator Sullivan. Dave Sullivan.

Thank you…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) For what purposes do you rise, sir?

To address the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. That’s a lot of pressure. I’m not sure I can meet that, but I will try. Question of the sponsor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

Senator Jacobs, have you discussed this legislation with your predecessor and do you know if he’s in -- in favor of this legislation?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Jacobs.

I believe he is, but I’m not sure if his heart’s purple at this moment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Is Representative Boland in favor of this legislation? That…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Jacobs.

53  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 That’s a question better left to my lesser colleagues in the House.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Senator Jacobs, I might -- I might give you a friendly reminder that this is being recorded, so that your -- our colleagues in the House might hear that -- that quote someday from you. Are any members of your family recipients of the Purple Heart?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Jacobs.

No, but my nephew did do two tours of duty in Afghanistan as an Army ranger and we’re very proud of him.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Since you wisely chose a very difficult bill for us to be humorous about, I -- I -- I just close with one final question then. There’s a rumor going around that what we’ve been witnessing the last couple months has really just been an extreme makeover of Senator Denny Jacobs. Is that true?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 54  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Thank you, Senator Burzynski. That’s a very good point, and you should be very careful how you refer to the lower Chamber from now on, Senator Jacobs. Senator Jacobs, to close.

I would just simply ask for your favorable consideration. And also I’d like to thank everyone for being just so kind to me. It’s been a very gratifying experience.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Before we open up the roll call. Senator Meeks, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Jacobs.

There will be no revenue derived from these license plates. In fact, we will lose revenue. But I’m hoping that it’s a very small amount due to the fact that there’s very few Purple Heart veterans.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Meeks.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Jacobs.

If it helps my district.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Meeks. Senator Jacobs, to close, sir.

Once again, I ask for your favorable consideration.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1666 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who 55  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 1 voting No -- Nay, 1 -- 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1666, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading on page 77 of your Calendar. Senator Clayborne, for what purposes do you rise, sir?

Thank you, Mr. President. I inadvertently hit the -- the No button when I intended to hit the red button for Yes -- I mean, hit the -- hit the green button for Yes instead of inadvertently hit -- hitting the No -- No button.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Are you new here?

No.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The record…

I -- I was concentrating on -- on these other bills.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The record will so reflect the Senator’s intent. Senator Clayborne’s intent on Senate Bill 1666 was to vote Yes. Thank you, sir. Senator Roskam, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Yes, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The record will so indicate that, sir. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, in the middle of page 77 of your Calendar is Senate Bill 1671. Senator Hendon. Senator Rickey Hendon, on 1671, sir. Out of the record. Senator Dan Cronin, on 1675, sir. Do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator Cronin, on 1676, sir. Out of the record. Senator Don Harmon, on Senate Bill 1682, sir. Do you wish to 56  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 proceed? Out of the record. Senator Link, on 1691. I believe this is a recall, sir. So, Senator Link seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1691 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. …Reading. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1691. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link, to explain the amendment, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. It’s a technical amendment. It allows park police and -- officers and airport police officers who are employed -- full-time basis to either enter a municipality or a participating instrumentally {sic} to participate in the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Personnel option under IMRF. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Senator Link moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1691. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Continuing on 3rd Reading Senate Bills, on the bottom of page 77 is Senate Bill 1695. Senator Link, do you wish to proceed? Indicates no. Out of the record. Top of page 78 of your Calendar. Senator Link, on 1696, sir. Do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, he indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link, on 1696, sir. 57  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill requires first-time voters who registered by mail to vote in person, unless they first provide specified types of documents identifying their names and address. This bill permits a registered voter whose name has changed, but who lives in the same precinct, to vote after making an affidavit at the polling place as his or her identity and registration. Also, this bill requires the election authority to treat the affidavit as a request to register under their new name. I know of no -- opposition. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, sir. Is there any discussion? Senator Wendell Jones, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1696 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1696, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1697, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill allows voters to vote 58  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 by personal appearance during an early voting period. This bill provides that an early voting period begins on the third Saturday preceding the general election {sic} (primary), consolidated primaries, consolidated or general election, and ends on the Friday before the election. This bill provides that -- for permanent and temporary polling places for early voting and stipulates that the election authority must publish a schedule of locations and times for early voting. The bill sets procedures of insurance {sic}, of return, and casting of early ballots and prohibits advertising or campaigning within a hundred feet of the polling place. The bill removes provisions permitting any absentee voting {sic} to vote on election day by canceling or revoking his or her absentee ballot. This bill amends the mandatory Act and requires implementation without reimbursement. I know of no opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Wendell Jones, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Any further discussion? Any further -- Senator Burzynski.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) He indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

This will be at the discretion of the -- the county clerks.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

Well, I -- I guess what we could probably say, Senator Lauzen, is to make people honest again, because I think what -- what happens is most people come up with a excuse that say they’re going to be absent on Tuesday, which they’re really not - - you know, an excuse. They’re not absent. They just get an absentee ballot, because they don’t want to go out on Tuesday and wait in line or do something. What we’re doing is instituting what a number of states already have in allowing people to just 60  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 early vote a couple weeks ahead of time at a place that’s set up by the county clerk or to establish, you know, an election authority in whatever area you’re at. It’s a procedure that’s run well in a lot of states. You could get up to twenty percent of the people voting prior to the election so you don’t have long lines in -- on election day. Say that you have a busy day on election day and you don’t want to vote on election day, you could come out there and vote. You vote that day. You -- you’re running around, but you’re actually not going to be absent. So you can vote early and then -- you -- you -- you’re fine. So you’re not -- you’re not lying when you’re voting -- voting absentee, like a lot of people are doing right now. So that’s really what early voting is and it’s really a very clear way of doing it. And I think it’s worked very well in other states and I think it’ll work very well in the State of Illinois.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Peterson, for what purposes do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

That basically is it. That’s really what it is. If you just want to vote on Saturday preceding -- two weeks preceding 61  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 the election and you just don’t want to go on that Tuesday, that’s as simple as it is.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Peterson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Seeing no further discussion, Senator Link, to close, sir.

I -- I just hope we could have an affirmative vote to add to a lot of other states. I think this is something we really need in the State of Illinois.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1697 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1697, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1698, sir. Do you wish to proceed on that? Madam Secretary, he indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) WICS-TV requests permission to videotape the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1698, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill creates the Autism Spectrum (Disorders) -- Reporting Act. It requires that physicians and other qualified professionals report any diagnosis 62  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 of autism disorder, along with any other additional information, to the Department of Public Health. I know of -- the only opposition is the Illinois Department of Public Health. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purposes you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1698 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1698, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 1699. Senator Wilhelmi. Do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Wilhelmi.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1699 creates the Illinois Steel Development Board as an advisory body to DCEO. The bill requires the board to advise and make recommendations on the research, marketing and promotion of American steel and the Illinois steel industry. The bill specifies the composition of the board, including members appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation and members appointed by the legislative leaders. I know of no opposition to this bill and I ask for a favorable vote. 63  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Wilhelmi, to close, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for a favorable vote and appreciate your support.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1699 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The Ayes -- the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1699, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Clayborne, on 1701, sir. Senator Clayborne seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1701 for the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Is that correct, sir? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now, on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1701. Madam Secretary, are there many -- any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Clayborne, to explain the amendment, sir.

Thank you, Madam -- I mean, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1701 is an initiative of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. It makes some technical changes in that the bill modifies several 64  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 definitions and repeals the current environmental audit privilege in order to bring the State into compliance with the federally delegated programs. I know of no opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Clayborne moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1701. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Senator -- Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1703, sir. Senator Harmon, on 1705. Madam Secretary, he indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Harmon.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1705 expands the current residential real- time pricing model in -- in -- in place with the electric utilities to be available to all residential customers. I’m aware of no opposition and I ask for your Aye votes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Dave Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this is a -- a great example of ComEd working together with consumer groups to really make sure that the individual resident can save themselves some -- some money on their own electric bill. I urge its support.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1705 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The 65  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1705, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 1707. Do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senate Bill 1070 provides a tax credit…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Excuse me, Senator. Bill, you said 1070.

Did I say -- I’m sorry. 1707.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill, 1707, provides a tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums payable -- or, for policies that are obtained beginning this taxable year through December 31 of 2009. The credit is in an amount equal to twenty- five percent of the premium costs for qualified long-term care insurance and -- but cannot exceed one hundred dollars for each policy. It covers an individual, an individual’s spouse, parent or dependant. The Department of -- of -- of Revenue is opposed to the bill, because if everyone eligible in Illinois took advantage of this, it would cost the general revenue of the State thirty-seven million dollars, which I’m sorry to -- to say that, this year. However, the flip side of that is that -- the Illinois -- Illinois -- State of Illinois spends over 1.3 billion dollars per year now on Medicaid long-term care. So if everyone eligible would buy these policies, that amount would decrease considerably more than the thirty-seven million dollars. So, I 66  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 think it’s a good investment. This is part of an effort to encourage the purchase of long-term care insurance to save our elderly from bankruptcies and losing all of their assets. I’d ask for a favorable vote. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Senator Garrett, for what purpose do you rise, ma'am?

Will the sponsor yield?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question.

Yeah. Senator Haine, let me just understand this a little bit. We’re going to be providing a tax credit for whom? Who will actually receive that tax credit?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine.

Thank you, Senator. For the -- the individual citizen who buys the policy for themselves and for their spouse or for a dependant or for a mother or a father. 67  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett.

So if the policy is five hundred dollars, the tax credit to the insured would be how much?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine.

It’d be one hundred dollars. The max.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett.

So tell me why the Department of Revenue would be so opposed to this.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine.

Senator, that’s a good question. They -- they don’t -- I guess it’s -- I guess that they’re in an Ebenezer Scrooge mode at the moment. And they don’t look beyond this year and I don’t -- I’m not being critical. They’re concerned about the initial loss. If everyone in the State took advantage of it, it’d be thirty-seven million dollars, which I accept. And Senator Lauzen’s point is well -- well-taken and your point is well- taken. They’re not looking beyond that, but that’s their -- their duty to do and that’s why they’re opposed to the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett.

So the Department of Revenue is opposed to it because actually -- will the taxpayers be bearing any of the burden of this tax credit?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine.

I -- I don’t -- I -- I’m not understanding that. I’m lost.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett. Senator Garrett, in the House, there’s open mike. 68  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005

I know. Thank you. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) In the Senate, we have the button system. Please try and join us. Senator Garrett.

Don’t send me back to the House.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett.

Okay. I -- it’s just unclear to me why the Department of Revenue would be so opposed to a bill that apparently does not hurt the taxpayers or the State of Illinois. If this is a tax credit that goes back to the insurance company, they’re the ones who are going to be receiving the deduction or paying -- or receiving less money, that’s one thing. But are the taxpayers or the State of Illinois in any way affected by this particular tax credit?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, no. The answer to that is no. They receive a tax credit. The -- the budget -- the -- the Department of Revenue, as I understand it, opposes any and every bill that will cost the general revenue funds any money this year. They don’t think about the long-term benefit.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett.

If it costs the State money, it’s costing taxpayers money.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine.

Senator, I -- I agree with your point. I -- I can’t speak for them. I -- I think it’s a good bargain, and the taxpayers benefit, but I -- the Department of Revenue is concerned about the general revenue funds.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any further discussion? Senator Garrett. 69  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005

To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, ma'am.

It -- it appears as if the State of Illinois could conceivably lose millions of dollars. To what extent and how much money is unclear. I would caution everybody to take a close look at this bill. You don’t want to provide any industry or individuals with tax credits when it actually hurts the taxpayers across the State of Illinois. So, I don’t know enough about the details of this bill. I am going to be voting No. I think we need to find out more of what the negative impact may be to the State of Illinois.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Any further -- Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Haine, to close, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this is a tax credit, not a subsidy to an industry. It’s a tax credit to individual citizens, taxpayers, to purchase long- 70  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 term care insurance, because having that insurance will save their families and themselves a considerable burden in paying for -- nursing home care. Our elderly population is increasing faster than any other cohort, and if we encourage the purchase of these policies, the State of Illinois, the budget, will benefit by hundreds of millions. In addition to that, the citizens will be saved really their -- their fortunes. And I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1707 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1707, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Wilhelmi, on 1714, sir. Out of the record. Senator Bomke, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Will our guests in the galleries please rise and be recognized? And welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Thank you for joining us today. Senator Link, on 1738, sir. Madam Secretary, he indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

71  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Thank you, Mr. President. This bill adds -- adds that certain specially equipped vehicles that -- used solely for the - - for recycling and hauls or operates for subjects to specially equipped limit -- weight limits when not operating on interstate highways. {sic} I know of no opposition to this. Would ask for an affirmative vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Bomke, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, -- I’m sorry. Senator Risinger, do you need… The question is, shall Senate Bill 1738 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1738, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, continuing on -- Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The record will so reflect that, sir. Senator Link, do you wish to proceed on Senate Bill 1740, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary -- Senator Risinger, could you clarify the bill that you were -- missed the vote on, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) On 1707. The record will clearly reflect that -- your intentions. Senator Link, do you wish to proceed on 1740, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. 72  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill amends the Renter’s Financial Responsibility and Protection Act and allows a vehicle rental company to void a damage waiver with regard to damage or loss occurring while the renter -- rental vehicle was operated by a driver under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds, in violation of the DUI provision in Illinois Vehicle Code. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Dave Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. A question of the sponsor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

Thank you. Senator Link, just to clarify, in our discussions between the two of us and -- and staff, that you’re going to try to have this bill amended in the House and the House version of this bill amended here to clarify that it’s a conviction, not just a violation. Correct?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

That’s correct, Senator Sullivan.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1740 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, and 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1740, having received the required 73  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1741. The order of Link. Senator Link, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

Thank you, Mr. President. This allows a self-insured leasing company to make the determination when a vehicle it owns is to be salvaged. I know of no opposition. I’ll be more than happy to answer any question.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Bomke, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The -- the question is, shall Senate Bill 1741 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1741, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Collins, on Senate Bill 1751, ma'am. Do you wish to proceed? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Collins.

74  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1751 amends the Illinois Wage Assignment Act to include the minimum hourly wage provided in the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, currently six-fifty an hour, six dollars and fifty cents per hour, to the provisions regarding the maximum amount of disposable income that may be collected. Under current law, weekly wages of two hundred and thirty-one dollars and seventy-five cents or forty-five times the federal minimum wage of 5.15 per hour are protected from collection by assignees. Under Senate Bill 1751, weekly wages of two ninety-two -- two hundred and ninety-two dollars and fifty cents or forty-five times the State minimum wage of six dollars and fifty cents per hour are protected from collection by assignees. So, the law, as amended, would now read that the assignment law is to -- I’m sorry, the -- assignment law to protect wages up to forty-five times the federal minimum wage or the State minimum wage, whichever is higher, from collection by assignees. And part of the rationale for that is to allow low-income workers to at least have a sufficient amount of money to provide for their families and improve the quality of life. I’m open for any questions and -- I’m open for any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Pankau, for what purpose do you rise, ma'am?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DELEO) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1751 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 75  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 voting Present. Senate Bill 1751, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Madam Secretary, Messages, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Consent Calendar. Okay. Just a reminder that we will be going to special death resolution in just a couple seconds. We have a couple cleanup work to do here and we’ll be going to the death resolution. I’d ask all Members to please be in their seats, staff to retire to the back of the Chamber, please. At this time, we are now to proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, has there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. Those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The motion carries and the resolutions are adopted. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please -- please state your announcement, sir. 76  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank -- thank you. There’ll be a Republican Caucus immediately upon adjournment in Senator Watson’s Office. At this time, Madam Secretary, on Orders of Resolution {sic}.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Shadid moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 36. Those in favor will say Aye. Those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Shadid now moves for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution No. 36. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Thank you. Will the Members please be in their seats? Once again, will staff please retire to the gallery -- to the rear of the Chamber? And I -- we ask the Doormen to please secure the doors. Madam Secretary, confirm that the floors and the galleries are cleared. Madam Secretary, Resolutions, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senate President Emil Jones and Republican Leader Frank Watson move for the suspension of the Senate rules for immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution 145. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it. The rules are suspended. Senate President Emil Jones, on the Resolution, and -- indicates that Senator Meeks we’ll -- we’ll do at the close. And we’ll go to speakers. Senator Watson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Watson. Senator Petka, on the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank -- thank you, Senator Petka. Senator Schoenberg.

Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I, too, share with all of us the -- both the sadness and the celebration for the passing of this great historical figure. And I do believe that as we view history from the biblical era to the modern era and beyond, that Pope John Paul II will indeed be recognized as one of the premier and defining leaders throughout all civilization. Senator Petka, as well as the resolution itself, alluded to some of the remarkable accomplishments that Pope John Paul II had achieved relative to relations between the 81  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Catholic community and the Jewish community. It would be an understatement to speak of how historic and defining and courageous these actions were. And it’s within that context that I’d like to address my remarks to the Body. One can -- it will be for historians to ultimately speculate what experiences early in Pope John Paul II’s life determined how he could later step forward in history as a man of vision, very much exercising the same visions, the same level of vision and foresight as the biblical prophets, to form his -- to form his mindset, to form his perspective and to define his experiences in transforming the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people. Perhaps, and one can only speculate, and I’ll leave it to those better versed in history than I, perhaps it was dating back to the 1940s when -- when Pope John Paul II worked in a Nazi slave labor camp and studied secretly for the priesthood in Nazi- occupied Poland and had the opportunity to experience and witness firsthand the atrocities that occurred to the Jewish people through the despicable acts of the Third Reich, as to -- whether that impacted his perspective on how he later in life would transform relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people. One can’t help but think that these formative experiences that he had as a young man helped provide him with the vision, foresight and the courage to indeed be the first to cross the Tiber River in 1986 to visit the main synagogue in Rome. At that time, he embraced Rome’s Chief Rabbi and spoke of the, quote, “irrevocable covenant between God and the Jews” and declared that Jews are Christians’ older brothers. That was a turning point in relations between Catholics and between Jews. It literally shifted, in a very dramatic and pronounced way, a mindset which had transcended centuries in relations between these two people. Literally sixteen hundred years of history was turned on an instant with that courageous, dramatic and humble gesture. He built upon that gesture in his decision not only to recognize the Jewish State of Israel, which formed in large measure as the world’s response to providing self-determination and a homeland for the Jewish people; he built upon that even further by visiting, in a historic and unprecedented manner, Jerusalem, just several years ago. Going to the holiest site for the Jewish people, the Western Wall, and as is traditional within 82  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 the Jewish faith to insert a prayer on a scrap of paper in one of the crevices of this ancient and holy site for the Jewish people that is the outer wall of the Second Temple which was destroyed in -- the year 70 of the Common Era, praying for the -- reconciliation and for peace among the peoples and -- and requesting forgiveness for the prior history that had occurred between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people. The fact -- the -- the mere indelible image of Pope John Paul II in Jerusalem with the Prime Minister of the Jewish homeland, the democratically-elected Prime Minister, and President, listening to the Jewish National Anthem, HaTikvah, in -- and listening to the words and acknowledging the words of the -- those very powerful verses within the Jewish -- the Israeli National Anthem, L'hiyot am chofshi b'artzenu, to live freely in our homeland, was a -- yet another transforming experience in relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people. These are not mere gestures. History will prove that these actions, building block upon building block, set a foundation, not only for better understanding between peoples of different faiths, but for a true and more accurate reflection of the historic and deeply spiritual bond that exists between all peoples. As you may or may not know, in -- in mid January of this year, the Pope entered -- the Pope held an audience with about one hundred Jewish spiritual leaders from the United States and other countries. My mother’s brother was fortunate to be selected, who is -- my mother’s brother, who is a Rabbi in Westchester County, New York, was fortunate to be asked to be part of that delegation to express their thanks to the Pope for all that he had done and for his efforts in bettering relations between Catholics and between Jews. That profound opportunity will not only be lost upon him and upon those other spiritual leaders who were fortunate enough to express thanks to the -- thanks to the Pope for -- for what he had done to redefine relations between historic brethren of Christian -- of Catholics and Jews, but rather it set the foundation for future relations between -- it set the foundation for future spiritual leaders of all denominations to really exert the courage, exert the vision and exert all those other critical leadership qualities that we ask of leaders in all contexts, whether they be political leaders, whether they be spiritual 83  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 leaders, whether they be leaders in any other setting. I want to add one final note, and -- and that is, we have seen, as the Pope has taken as -- as Pope John Paul II took this long and difficult final journey which ultimately led to his passing, the kind of grace and humility that -- that an individual afflicted with debilitating diseases demonstrated, and in doing so, he -- I believe, that he also helped redefine how individuals throughout the world should view their final days and how -- the impact of palliative care on the final days of an individual afflicted with debilitating illnesses can really be a transforming and enriching experience, not just for the individual, his or herself, but for their loved ones and all who have shared in all the glories of their lives. It’s with great sadness, yet with celebration as well, that I, too, join everybody in -- in paying tribute and homage to Pope John Paul II. Thank you, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Jacqui Collins.

Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. As a Catholic I feel compelled to speak of my deep respect and great admiration for the man we knew as Pope John Paul II. I had the opportunity and the honor to meet Pope John Paul II in Rome when my Church, St. Sabina, and my Pastor, Father Michael Phleger, were invited to Rome for a Papal conference, for our choir to perform, and it was a one in a lifetime opportunity to see such a man of grace. And that’s what I want to speak on today. My deep respect is rooted in his remarkable ability to unite faith and action, words with deeds; for scripture tells us that faith without works is dead. Pope John Paul II was a drum major for justice, unity, peace and love. And today I celebrate his powerful witness to social justice, both as a scholar and a shepherd. Whether it was apartheid, genocide, anti-Semitism or slavery, he was a strong advocate for the oppressed, the poor, the downtrodden, and the least of these. He was indeed an uncommon man of dignity and decency whose life was a wonderful manifestation of Micah 6:8. In that scripture the Prophet Micah is asked: What is it that is required of us from our creator, our God? And Micah responds: To do justice, to show mercy and to walk humbly before our Lord. So I want to say that Pope John 84  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 26th Legislative Day 4/8/2005 Paul II was truly a man of character, courage, commitment and compassion. And -- and today I salute a principled and prayerful life, clearly and honestly examined and lived. And I would like to say, I believe that the greatest sermon preached by Pope John Paul II was the life lived and I’m sure our God and our Lord and Savior is now saying, “Well done, my good, loyal and faithful servant.” Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Cronin. President Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, President Jones. Senator Meeks, for your closing remarks, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Jones and Senator Watson now move for the adoption of Senate Resolution 145. All those in favor of this resolution will please rise. The resolution is adopted. The Illinois Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on Monday, April 11th, the year 2005. The Senate stands adjourned. 89