Illinois Senate Floor Debate — October 26, 2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The regular Session of the 94th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? And our guests in the galleries please rise. The invocation today will be given by Reverend Brandon Boyd, Loami Christian Church.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Please remain standing for the Pledge. Senator Maloney.

(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)

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

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hunter.

Madam 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 HALVORSON) Senator Hunter moves the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Senator Hunter.

Madam President, I also move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal of October 25th, 2005, pending arrival of the printed transcripts.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) We will be going to the business of the Calendar. So, if you’re not on the Floor, please come to the Floor at this time. And, Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to Springfield, Jeremy. Senator Peterson, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 Welcome to Springfield, Alice {sic} and Jessica. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Resolution Consent Calendar.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, are there any motions on file?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) That will be reflected on tomorrow’s Calendar. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you can open your Calendar to page 3, we will be going to House Bills 2nd Reading. Senator Raoul, on House Bill 466. House Bill 466. Out of the record. Senator Haine, 692. Back to House Bill 466. Senator Raoul. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Haine, on 692.

Thank you, Madam President, and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Haine, excuse me. We’re just moving it to 2nd -- or to 3rd. Do you wish to move the bill? Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Sullivan, on 708. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sullivan.

Thank you, Madam President. The amendment becomes the bill. The bill makes an exemption for relief from hours of service regulations for the transportation of Ag inputs and commodities.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Thank you, Senator. If everybody could please be quiet so that we can hear the explanation of the amendment. Senator Sullivan, on the amendment.

Thank you. The -- the amendment becomes the bill. The bill makes an exemption for relief from hours of service regulations for the transportation of Ag inputs and commodities. Congress provided this relief in the highway bill signed in August. Unless the Illinois Vehicle Code is updated to incorporate this language, Illinois-based companies and farmers that transport Ag 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 commodities are put at a competitive disadvantage.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Sullivan moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 708. All those in favor, will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on 1088. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Garrett, on 1142. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator DeLeo, on 1368. Senator DeLeo, on House Bill 1368. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to House Bill 1716. Senator Forby, on 1731. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Ronen, on 2133. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Top of page 4. Senator Link, on 2459. Senator Link. Senator Link, on House Bill 2459. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Raoul, on 2612. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on 2706. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator DeLeo, on House Bill 2900. Senator DeLeo. Senator Sandoval, on 2943. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Dillard, on 3158. Senator Dillard. All right. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Viverito, on 3478. Senator Viverito, 3478. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator John Sullivan, on 3814. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Sandoval, on 3871. Senator Demuzio, on 4025. Senator Demuzio, 4025. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. We will now be proceeding to page 10, Motions in Writing. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 272. Senator 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 Lightford, 272. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 288. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sandoval to explain. Excuse me, Senator Sandoval. If everybody could please keep it down, so we can hear Senator Sandoval explain his motion. Senator Sandoval.

Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. During the 2005 spring Session of the -- thank you, Madam President. During the 2005 spring Session of the Illinois General Assembly, Senate Bill 288 passed out of both Chambers with strong bipartisan support. Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed this legislation, stating that he was concerned that this legislation would take away the protection of the civil service for this position. This is not the case. Senate Bill 288 merely changes the exam method under which the position enters the civil service. The District, the Water Reclamation District, has over two thousand budgeted positions that belong to the classified civil service program. Classified civil services are filled by candidates who have successfully passed written or oral exams to determine their eligibility for appointment. Labor is in a select number of second-in-command type positions. There are twenty-three today. While part of the classified services are not required to take these formal written service exams, candidates for these positions are instead appointed by the General Superintendent at the recommendation of the department head and serve probationary periods of generally one or more years as substitute for exams. This legislation would add the title of assistant director of personnel to that select list. In summary, this -- this -- this Senate Bill 288 continues to include just one last position, or second-in-command position, for already that twenty-three that already exist today at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. I ask the Members of this Senate to help me override the -- the Governor’s veto.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 Senator Sandoval moves that Senate Bill 288 do pass, notwithstanding the total veto of the Governor. Is there any discussion? Senator Wendell Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Sandoval, do you wish to close? The question is, shall the Senate pass Senate Bill 288, notwithstanding the total veto of the Governor. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Yeas, 2 voting Nay, none voting Present, and Senate Bill 288, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Senator Link, on 847. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Link, to explain.

Thank you, Madam President. This is a basic amendment for the library districts, and what it would do is provide an advisory question for public policy concerning disconnection of municipalities or townships from public library districts. It passed out of this Chamber 53 to nothing. I think it was just a basic oversight why it was vetoed and I would ask for your consideration to override this veto.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Link moves that Senate Bill 847 do pass, notwithstanding the total veto of the Governor. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Link.

Thank you, Senator Righter, for the comments. Basically what we did is we explained this to the -- to the Governor’s staff, explaining to them that -- I think that they felt in their explanation that this would be a cost factor to the municipalities or the incumbent library districts if there was to disconnect. We showed that there would not be, that this basically would be a front-door referendum type. Everything would be explained, that there would not be the cost factors. We showed this. The library districts are in favor of this bill as it is, and I know of no opposition other than one person. So, I mean, the point is, is that we answered every one of these questions, I felt, in the bill, and that’s why I felt that it was misinterpreted by the staff person and that’s why I think we should override this veto.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 Senator Link.

Absolutely disagree. But the fact is that if anything is done, it would be a front-door referendum, well explained. But I do not believe that this would be any tax increase or the library districts in a whole would not be in favor of it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Link, do you wish to close?

…for an affirmative vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall the Senate pass Senate Bill 847, notwithstanding the total veto of the Governor. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Yeas, 2 voting Nay, none voting Present, and Senate Bill 847, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed. Senator Harmon, on 1294. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Harmon, to explain.

Thank you, Madam President. As you may recall, Senate Bill 1294 was a result of Municipal Code changes in the City of Chicago and Schaumburg when they mandated that old office buildings be retrofitted with sprinklers. Senate Bill 1294 permits the creation of a special service area into which the building owners would opt, wholly of their own volition, and permit, essentially ask, for a new tax to be imposed on their building for the purpose of financing the retrofitting of these - - these municipally mandated improvements. It offers lower cost financing to the building owners. Notwithstanding the Governor’s veto message, I do not expect additional cost to be passed through to the tenants. Traditional commercial leases already 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 pass through the costs. By permitting the lower cost public financing, we will reduce the cost to the tenants. The bill passed through the Senate without opposition. I am not aware of any opposition to the motion to override the veto and I do not believe the Governor is expending any efforts in seeking to sustain his veto. So I ask for your Aye votes on the motion to override.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Harmon, do you wish to close? The question is, shall the Senate pass Senate Bill 1294, notwithstanding the total veto of the Governor. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present, and Senate Bill 1294, having received the required -- required three-fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Senator -- Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 1915. Charles Osgood with the Chicago Tribune would like leave to photograph the proceedings. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Senator Lightford, on 2087. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lightford, to explain.

Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2087 authorizes the Addison Creek Restoration Commission to accept loans and advances and to levy taxes and to borrow money and issue bonds. Basically, this is in a floodplains area and many of my communities that I represent and some that you represent are 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 being devastated by floodplains. Their insurance premiums are skyrocketing, and this is just an effort to allow them to issue bonds, the communities, so that they can better protect themselves. There is much support for this legislation. It is an open-door referendum. The voters have to vote for this concept in order for it to take place and I’d be happy to answer questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Harmon.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise in support of the Senator’s motion. Addison Creek starts in my district and then runs through Senator Lightford‘s district. I can report that the communities in my district, as well, are a part of the Commission and support -- support the work of the Commission and would support this override motion. I ask for your Aye votes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Wendell Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lightford, do you wish to close?

Thank you, Madam President. This is very important and I just ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall the Senate pass Senate Bill 2087, notwithstanding the total veto of the Governor. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present, and Senate Bill 2087, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Senate Bill 2104. Senator Sieben. Out of the record. With leave of the Body, we will be returning to the top of page 10, to Senate Bill -- 272. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 272. Madam Secretary, 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 please read the motion.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lightford, to explain.

Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 272 resets the maximum rates of the -- it sets the maximum rates of the non-home rule communities. Allows them to increase their current rates. They’re currently at a half a percent, not to exceed one percent. This is legislation that, I believe, is very important to the economic growth of many communities. We do not have the ability here on State level to assist these communities. They’re seeking the opportunity to take this effort to open-door referendum. All the mayors are in support of this because it would allow them the opportunity to present a measure to the community that they can vote on to help advance their communities. I’d be happy to answer questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lightford moves that Senate Bill 272 do pass, notwithstanding the total veto of the Governor. Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates she’ll yield.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lightford.

Thank you. I can. There were originally 20 No votes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Harmon.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise in support of the Senator’s motion. This came through the Senate Revenue Committee and it is also an initiative of the West Central Municipal Conference, which Senator Lightford and I have the privileged to share representation. I understand Senator Lauzen’s points, but I -- I -- I have to remind everyone in the Chamber that this is a tax increase by referendum, and by referendum only. Even those of us who are reluctant to pass tax increase legislation should be able to give local control to our municipalities and to our -- our voters to make some of these decisions for themselves. This is carefully crafted in order to ratify the will of the voters. If the voters don’t want the higher sales tax, they will not get it. I urge an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Wendell Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.

Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to comment after I saw Senator Lauzen stand up and support Governor Blagojevich. I thought it was quite ironic and certainly a historic day to have the Governor be supported by such a conservative and -- and normally a critic of the Governor, Senator Lauzen. And I certainly hope the Governor uses it in his campaign for re- election against some conservative Republicans. Even though I disagree with the Governor, I think it would be good to -- for the Governor to use that in certain parts of the State to show that even Senator Lauzen agrees that Governor Blagojevich is prudent even though he’s wrong on this case. And I urge an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Althoff.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Michael Jacobs.

Thank you, Mr. {sic} President. A question of the sponsor?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates she’ll yield.

Senator, does -- does this bill raise taxes? 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lightford.

Right. Only -- only by permission of the voters. What this bill actually does is allow non-home rule communities to advance to the same level of home rule communities. Home rule communities are currently at one percent; non-home rule are at a half a percent. So, the referendum would allow each community to advance only in a quarter increment, not to exceed one percent. And I actually have a notice here from a mayor way down in your neighborhood, around Effingham, saying that they really need this legislation. So this isn’t something just for Cook County. This isn’t just something for the Chicago area. This is something that non-home rule communities across the State is wanting.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jacobs.

So at the end of the day, Senator, the voters have a decision to make, if they want to raise the tax in their own community or not?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lightford.

Yes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jacobs.

I will support your motion.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Radogno. Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Lightford, to close.

Thank you, Madam President. I’d like to thank all my colleagues who rise to discuss this legislation at great extent, because it is important that we do take a look at this measure. Although I’d like to just first address Senator Radogno since she was the last speaker, in that the community in where you live is most important. If outside communities decide they want to come within your community and make a purchase, then that’s their choice. Senator Lauzen, there was twenty No votes, but there was thirty-five Yes votes the first time. And since Wendell Jones has changed his, now that becomes thirty-six. But I just wanted to bring up the point that there is more proponents for this legislation than any opponents at all. All of the proponents are in agreeance with this because this is something that is desperately needed. Again, I can’t say it enough: We have not, as a Legislative Body, sent State support to these communities. They’re trying to create a way to advance their communities, to create economic birth and to assist with how their person live, and we all come from local communities. We all have a home in which we represent and this in some way can help the community 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 that you reside in. It’s amazing that the Illinois Tax Federation of Illinois, they’re not even opposed to this legislation. There is no opponents. And in closing, I just want to mention that the Firefighters Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Firefighters Association of Illinois, the Illinois Municipal Leagues, Metropolitan Mayors, West Central Municipal Conference, the DuPage Mayors, Lake County Municipal League, all across the State of Illinois they’re all supporters of this legislation. I think you will be taking a -- a good vote today for good government. Please vote Aye.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall the Senate pass Senate Bill 272, notwithstanding the total veto of the Governor. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 39 Yeas, 18 Nays, none voting Present, and Senate Bill 272, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Continuing on page 10. Motions in Writing, Override Specific Recommendations. We have Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 357. Do you wish to proceed, Senator Clayborne? Madam Secretary, read the motion.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Clayborne, to explain.

Thank you, Madam President. Basically, by agreement, we’ve extended quick-take for the SWIDA, Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, in increments of two years. And that’s basically to make sure that they’re not abusing quick-take and they’re using it for its actual purpose. And again, their quick- take has expired and we’re going to just extend it for another two years. I would ask for your favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Clayborne moves that Senate Bill 357 do pass, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. Is 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 there any discussion? Senator Watson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Clayborne, do you wish to close?

I -- I just ask for your favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall the Senate pass Senate Bill 357, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 44 Yeas, 10 voting Nay, none voting Present, and Senate Bill 357, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Senator Trotter, on Senate Bill 1509. Senator Trotter, 1509. Senator Radogno, on 1654. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Radogno, to explain.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Radogno, do you need to close? Senator -- the question is, shall Senate Bill 1654 pass. Those in favor -- notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present, and Senate Bill 1654, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Senator Millner, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The record shall so reflect your Yes -- Yes vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) We will now be proceeding to Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions, on page 7. Senator Collins, on House Joint Resolution 31. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Collins. 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005

Thank you, Madam Chairman and Members of the Senate. Basically, House Joint Resolution 31 replicates Senate Bill -- I mean, Senate Joint Resolution -- Senate Joint Resolution 20 which passed out of the Chamber, was adopted unanimously. And what the amended HJR 31 does is just change the effective date and I can sort of go over what the initial resolution did. Basically it creates a ten-member Joint Task Force on Grandparents Raising their Grandchildren that will conduct public hearings Statewide regarding services needed by and available to grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. As you might be aware of, many grandparents take custody and -- of -- custody of and raise their grandchildren after a harmful incident has been suffered by the grandchildren that causes DCFS to designate them as “at risk”. But grandparents that take custody prior to a harmful incident are ineligible for foster care funding and assistance from DCFS. I ask for your support on -- for this resolution basically because we want to protect and ensure that our grandparents don’t deplete their savings and retirement income without assistance from the State. So this is just to do a study and I just ask for an affirmative vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Collins moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 31. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Jacobs, on House Joint Resolution 34. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jacobs.

Thank you, Madam Chairman. This is a simple change. It designates a portion of Illinois Route 92 in the City of Rock Island, and extending from 46th Street and Andalusia Road and it’ll simply be renamed the Rock Island Parkway. The City of Rock Island is in support. I ask for your favorable consideration on this matter. 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Jacobs moves the adoption of -- House Joint Resolution 34. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator -- Ladies and Gentlemen, it is the opinion of the Chair that House Joint Resolution 34 will require expenditure of State funds, so therefore a roll call should have been taken. So at this time, we will ask for a roll call on House Joint Resolution 34. Those in favor of House Joint Resolution 34 will vote Aye. And opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present, and House Joint Resolution 34 is adopted. Senator Demuzio, on House Joint Resolution 42. Madam Secretary, read the motion -- the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Demuzio.

Yes. Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. House Joint Resolution 42 requires us to change a portion of Interstate 72 lying between Springfield and Decatur and name that portion of that highway the Penny Severns Memorial Expressway. As many of you know, Penny Severns served as a Senator here in our State Senate. She contributed significantly to public service and she started her public service career in 1972, serving as the youngest delegate to the National -- Democratic National Convention. In ‘77 Penny served as a representative of the International Development Agency in the negotiations of the Camp David Peace Accords. And while as a resident associate at the Smithsonian Institution, Penny helped preserve the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Dana-Thomas House in Springfield, Illinois. After Washington, D.C., Penny was elected to the Senate in the 51st District of Illinois. And during her final months of her life, spent -- Penny spent her time not only fighting cancer, but 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 fighting for the people of Illinois as a candidate for Secretary of State. Penny Severns is also remembered through the Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Program and the Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Fund. And a copy of this resolution we would like to have presented to the Secretary of State, U.S. Department of Transportation, the Secretary of -- of the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the family of Senator Penny Severns. I find this a most appropriate designation as October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I feel that this is very appropriate that we, as Members of the Illinois Senate, name the portion of the Interstate 72 between Springfield and Decatur, the Penny Severns Memorial Expressway. I ask for a favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Watson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, it’s the opinion of the Chair that this resolution will require expenditure of State funds and, therefore, a roll call must be taken. So those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present, and House Joint Resolution 42 is adopted. Senator Garrett, on House Joint Resolution 43. Senator Lightford, on 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 House Joint Resolution 54. Madam Secretary, read the resolution. House Joint Resolution 54.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lightford, to explain your resolution.

Thank you, Madam President. House Joint Resolution 54 creates the Task Force on Dropouts. I’m -- I’m sure many of you notice that our increase in our high school dropout rate has been astounding over the past couple of years. And this task force will be required to issue as recommendation regarding ways to meet the challenge of re-enrolling dropouts. And upon issuing this report, the task force will be then dissolved. Senator Miguel del Valle has worked on the issue of dropout rate for the past couple of years in -- in our Education Committee and I joined him in that effort. And I hope that this is something that we can all look to consider supporting, because one thing we found out is that once the kids are considered dropouts, there’s no re-entry effort to get them back into high school, and that is so important that we graduate all of our high school students.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, it is the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, so therefore a roll call must be taken. Those in favor of -- House Joint Resolution 54 will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay -- 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present, and House Joint Resolution 54 is adopted. Senator Bomke, on Senate Joint Resolution 49. Madam Secretary, read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Bomke.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the opinion of the Chair is that this resolution would require State expenditures, so therefore a roll call must be taken. Those in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 49 will vote Aye. Or opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Joint Resolution 49 is adopted. Senator Lightford, on Senate Joint Resolution 52. Out of the record. On the top of page 8, we have Senate Resolution 253. Senator Wilhelmi. Madam Secretary, read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Wilhelmi.

Thank you, Madam President. This resolution was brought to me by Alonzo Stewart from Romeoville. He’s a community leader who launched Parent Appreciation Day in Romeoville. His intent was to encourage the community, especially our youth, to create an event that will foster appreciation for our parents and our caregivers. His efforts resulted in receiving a Governor’s Home Town Award which he is very proud of, and he was here in Springfield yesterday. Very proud of that event. I think recognizing a Parent Appreciation Day across this great State will encourage our youth not only to give back to the community, but to thank their parents and caregivers who have made a great difference in their lives, and I appreciate your support.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Wilhelmi moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 253. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Senator Link, on Senate Resolution 258. Madam 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 Secretary, read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Link.

Thank you, Madam President. Senate Resolution 258 encourages all Illinois citizens to accept the challenge of improving their community and to making Illinois a great place to live by volunteering. After 9/11 a lot of volunteering was strongly expressed, the people united together to give more time towards volunteering, and we’re just hoping that they would continue to do this.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Link moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 258. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Resolution 264. With leave of the Body, we will be returning to page 7, on House Joint Resolution 31. We did not take a roll call and it is of the opinion of the Chair that State expenditures will be used. So we must return to House Joint Resolution 31 to take a roll call vote. So, all those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Joint Resolution 31 is adopted. House Joint Resolution 43. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Garrett.

Thank you, Madam President. House Joint Resolution 43 creates a Joint Task Force on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education Options. Basically what we want to do is to make sure that this 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 task force is able to review the education and services currently available and that across the State we ensure that whatever services are in place, that they’re consistent and there’s not a large variation from one school to another - one district to another.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, it is the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires the expenditures of State funds and, therefore, a roll call will be necessary. Those in favor of -- House Joint Resolution 43 will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present, and House Joint Resolution 43 is adopted. To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advice and Consent. Senator Hendon.

Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the appointments set forth in the Messages from the Governor dated April 21st, and May 5th, May 10th, May 16th and 31st, 2005, together with those set forth in the Message from the Secretary of State dated August 2nd, 2005, and the Messages from the Comptroller dated October 11th, 2005.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the appointments set forth in the Messages from the Governor dated April 21st, May 5th, 10th, 16th and 31st, 2005, together with those set forth in the Message from the Secretary of State dated August 2nd, 2005, and the Messages from the Comptroller dated October 11th, 2005. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.

Thank you, Madam President. With respect to the Governor’s Message of April 21st, 2005, I will read the salaried appointments of which the Committee on Executive Appointments recommend that the Senate do advise and consent: To be members of the State Board of Elections, for terms commencing July 1st, 2005, and ending June 30th, 2009: Patrick Brady, Albert Porter, Wanda Rednour, and Robert Walters. Madam President, having read the salaried appointments from the Governor’s Message of April 21st, 2005, I now seek leave to consider the appointments on a roll call. Madam President, will you put the question as required by our rules?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointments just read from the Governor’s Message of April 21st. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointments just read. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.

Madam President, with respect to the Governor’s Message of May 10th, 2005, I will read the salaried appointments of which the Committee on Executive Appointments recommend that the Senate do advise and consent: To be members of the State Mining Board for terms commencing April 22nd, 2005, and ending January 15th, 2007: Jerry Cross, 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 Kenneth Fritzche, Donald Orso, Donald Stewart, George Teegarden, and David Webb. To be Inspector General of the Department of Pubic Aid for a term commencing May -- May 2nd, 2005, and ending January 19th, 2009: John Allen. Madam President, having read the salaried appointments from the Governor’s Message of May 10th, 2005, I now seek leave to consider the appointments on a roll call. Madam President, will you put the question as required by our rules?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointments just read from the Governor’s Message of May 10th. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointments just read. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.

Madam President, with respect to the Governor’s Message of May 31st, 2005, I will read the salaried appointments of which the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent: To be members of the Pollution Control Board for terms commencing May 13th, 2005, and ending July 1st, 2008: Tanner Girard and Nicholas Melas. Madam President, having read the salaried appointments from the Governor’s Message of May 31st, 2005, I now seek leave to consider the appointments on a roll call. Madam President, will you put the question as required by our rules? 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointments just read from the Governor’s Message of May 31st. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointments just read. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.

Madam President, with respect to the Secretary of State’s Message of August 2nd, 2005, I will read the salaried appointment of which the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent: To be Inspector General in the Office of the Executive Inspector General for a term commencing August 2nd, 2005, and ending December 31st, 2007: Nathan Maddox. Madam President, having read the salaried appointment from the Secretary of State’s Message of August 2nd, 2005, I -- I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Madam President, will you put the question as required by our rules?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointments just read from the Secretary of State’s Message of August 2nd. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 consent to the appointments just read. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.

Madam President, with respect to the Comptroller’s Message of October 11th, 2005, I will read the salaried appointment of which the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent: To be Director of the Department of Human Resources for the Office of the Comptroller for a term commencing October 11th, 2005: Judith -- McAnarney. Madam President, having read the salaried appointment from the Comptroller’s Message of October 11th, 2005, I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Madam President, will you put the question as required by our rules?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointments just read from the Comptroller’s Message of October 11th. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointments just read. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 Senator Hendon.

Madam President, with respect to the Governor’s Message of May 5th, 2005, I will read the non-salaried appointments of which the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent: To be a member of the Community College Board for a term commencing April 19th, 2005, and ending June 30th, 2009: John Aurand. To be a member of the Community College Board for a term commencing April 19th, 2005, and ending June 30th, 2011: John Donahue. Madam President, having read the non-salaried appointments from the Governor’s Message of May 5th, 2005, I now seek leave to consider the appointments on a roll call. Madam President, will you put the question as required by our rules?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointments just read from the Governor’s Message of May 5th, 2005. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointments just read. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.

Madam President, with respect to the Governor’s Message of May 10, 2005, I will read the non-salaried appointments of which the Committee on Executive Appointments recommend that the Senate do advise and consent: 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 To be a member of the Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees for a term commencing April 28th, 2005, and ending January 17th, 2011: Robert Webb. To be a member of the Northeastern Illinois University Board of Trustees for a term commencing April 28th, 2005, and ending January 21st, -- 2011: Margaret Laurino. To be a member of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees for a term commencing April 28th {sic} (29th), 2005, and ending January 17th, 2011: William Epperly. Madam President, having read the non-salaried appointments from the Governor’s Message of May 10th, 2005, I now seek leave to consider the appointments on a roll call. Madam President, will you put the question as required by our rules?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointments just read from the Governor’s Message of May 10th, 2005. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointments just read. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.

Madam President, with respect to the Governor’s Message of May 16th, 2005, I will read the non-salaried appointments of which the Committee on Executive Appointments recommend that the Senate do advise and consent: To be a member of the State Board of Investment for a term commencing May 6th, 2005, and ending January 21st, 2008: Guy Alongi. 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 To be members of the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees for a term commencing May 6, 2005, and ending January 17th, 2011: Cheryl {sic} (Cherilyn) Murer, Myron Siegel, Marc Strauss, and Barbara Vella. To be a member of the Illinois Racing Board for a term commencing May 6, 2005, and ending July 1st, 2008: Joseph Casciato. Madam President, having read the non-salaried appointments from the Governor’s Message of May 16th, 2005, I now seek leave to consider the appointments on a roll call. Madam President, will you put the question as required by our rules?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointments just read from the Governor’s Message of May 16th. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointments just read. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.

Madam President, with respect to the Governor’s Message of May 31st, 2005, I will read the non-salaried appointment of which the Committee on Executive Appointments recommend that the Senate do advise and consent: To be a member of the Carnival Amusement Safety Board for a term commencing May 13th, 2005, and ending January 17th, 2009: Patricia Sullivan. Madam President, having read the non-salaried appointment from the Governor’s Message of May 31st, 2005, I now seek leave 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 to consider the appointment on a roll call. Madam President, will you put the question as required by our rules?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Dahl. Your light is blinking. Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read from the Governor’s Message of May 31st. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointments just read. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.

Madam President, with respect to the Comptroller’s Message of October 11, 2005, I will read the non-salaried appointment of which the Committee on Executive Appointments recommend that the Senate do advise and consent: To be a member of the Comptroller’s Merit Commission for a term commencing October 11th, 2005, and ending January 1st, 2011: Jacquelyn Brown. Madam President, having read the non-salaried appointment from the Comptroller’s Message of October 11th, 2005, I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Madam President, will you put the question as required by our rules?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read from the Comptroller’s Message of October 11th. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointments just read. Senator Hendon.

Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Senate rise from Executive Session.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon moves that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate has arisen from Executive Session. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?

A point of personal privilege if this is an appropriate time?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

As some of you may have noticed when we returned for the fall Session, that our Sergeant-at-Arms, our Assistant Sergeant- at-Arms and our staff of hard-working Pages are now nattily attired in new navy blazers, crisp white shirts and ties. I just wanted to tell them I think they look very sharp and they do well for our Chamber. And I’m told -- I’m told that Senator DeLeo was going to take some of us Members shopping so that we can keep up with them.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Dahl, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the gallery please rise and be welcomed 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 to Springfield? The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the President’s Antechamber. Senator Viverito in the Chair.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Madam Secretary, Committee Reports. Madam Secretary, Messages. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Senator Harmon, what purpose do you rise?

For purposes of an announcement, Mr. President. The Senate Revenue Committee will meet today at 1:55 in Room 400. 1:55 in Room 400. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President. The -- rise for the purposes of an announcement. The Executive Committee will meet in Room 212 at 1:55 p.m. Executive Committee, 212, 1:55 p.m.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be going into the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, on page 2. The top of page 2. Senate Bill 595. Senator Garrett, do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senate Bill 638. Senator Garrett, do you wish to proceed? Senate Bill 700. Senator Harmon. Senate Bill 809. Do you wish to proceed, Senator Martinez? Senator Martinez. Out of 38  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 the record. Senate Bill 830. Senator Crotty, do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator -- I mean, Senate Bill 852. Senator Haine, do you wish to proceed? Senator Haine seeks leave of the Body to return to Senate Bill 852, to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objections, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 852. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Senator Haine, to explain your amendment.

Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This Senate Bill -- the -- with Amendment No. -- Floor Amendment No. 1 changes the -- the statute for the Triad School District, allowing it to incur an aggregate debt of up to twenty-five percent of the taxable property within the district meeting certain criteria, one of which is that the people of the district vote by referendum to issue bonds and it has to be done before January 1, 2007. This opens the window, and on January 1, 2007, the window will close. It’s unique to this district. Given the time factors involved, it’s highly unlikely according ISBE that it would affect any other district. This school district is in the central part of Madison County. It’s in my Senatorial District, Representative Hoffman’s House District; Senate Watson -- Minority Leader Watson’s district and Representative Stephens’ district. It’s a booming district. It’s rural-suburban. They have to build these schools. They’re going to go to their own voters. There’s widespread community support for this school and they are confident that the people, the citizens, will vote for these bonds to build the schools for these children, and I ask for the support of the Body.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Haine moves the adoption of Amendment 852 -- Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 852. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Is there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration? 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 1268. I mean -- now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 852. Senator Haine, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Senator Haine.

I -- thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I ask for the support of the Senate for this. It’s for a school -- a district, first-rate public school district. It will -- which has strong community support.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 852 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On the question, there are 56 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 852, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1268. Senator Halvorson. Senator Halvorson seeks leave of the Body return to Senate Bill 1266 -- 1268 in Order of the 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Having no objections, leave is granted. Is there any objections? On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1268, approved for consideration. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Senator Halvorson to explain the amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment No. 1 actually becomes the bill and it allows that the starting and the ending 40  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 times of a work day on a public project be excluded from what’s required in the submission of certified payroll on public projects.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Is there any discussion? Senator Pankau.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Senator Halvorson, to close. Senator Halvorson. Senator Halvorson, to close. Senator Halvorson moves the adoption of Amendment 1268 -- Amendment 1 to -- to Senate Bill 1268. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Is there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Senator Halvorson, explain the amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. Amendment No. 2 changes the time period in which a contractor shall make the certified payroll available from two to seven days. It was another change that we found that was necessary to make with regards to 188 passed last year.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Halvorson moves the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1268. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) 41  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 1268. Senator Halvorson, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Senator Halvorson.

Thank you, Mr. President. As which was mentioned, the two amendments to the bill require that we do not include the start and stop times with regarding payroll or that we make the payroll available within seven days instead of two. I would appreciate everybody’s vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR VIVERITO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1268 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On the question, there are 57 Yea, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1268, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1283. Senator Link, do you wish to proceed? Senate Bill 1990. Senator Clayborne, do you wish to proceed? Senate Bill 1991. Senator Clayborne. Out of the record. The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. After committees, the Senate will reconvene at approximately 3 o’clock to receive Committee Reports and for further Floor action. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The Senate will come to order. Would all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Chamber? Would all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Chamber? Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Messages.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, House {sic} Bills 1st Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) House Bills 1st Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Would all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We’re about to take action on your bills. You need to be here. Would all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? The Senate is back in Session. Would all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Would all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? WCIA-Channel 3 is requesting leave to record. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Ladies and -- Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please turn your Senate Calendar to page 3. House Bills 2nd Reading, page 3. Senator James DeLeo, on House Bill 1368. Senator DeLeo, do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator Debbie Halvorson, on House Bill 1716. Do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Top of page 4 is House Bill 2900. Senator DeLeo. Mr. Secretary. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. We’ll now go to House Bill 3871. Senator Sandoval. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. On top of page 3, Senate Bills 3rd Reading. I mean, House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bill 481. Out of the record. House Bill 806. President Emil Jones, Jr. President Jones seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 806 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 806. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) President Jones, to explain your amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Jones moves the adoption of Amendment No. 3 to House Bill 806. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 806. President Jones, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. -- thank you, Mr. President. I move the previous question.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Maloney moves the previous question. We have fourteen speakers. WICS seeks leave to shoot video of today’s proceedings. Leave granted? Leave is granted. CMS video photographer Tony Bateman seeks leave to video the day’s proceedings. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. WTTW-TV 47  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 requests permission to videotape today’s proceedings. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Leader Watson, for what purpose do you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Leader. Just so -- for the information of the 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 Body, there were fourteen lights lit when -- for people seeking recognition - before we moved the previous question. An additional six lights were punched after that. The Chair is going to rule -- is going to recognize the two Leaders whose lights came on late, but not the other Members, and there’s an equal number on both sides. Senator del Valle. I’m sorry. President Jones -- Senator Roskam. I’m sorry. President Jones. President Jones, take all the time you want, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator Roskam.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Roskam, sir, could you please -- you said you were closing. If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate it if you would close.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion. Senator Garrett. And there are twenty more speakers seeking recognition. I am going to limit it to the ones who came in before the -- we moved the previous question. Please be succinct. Senator Garrett.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. To the bill. On Monday I was in Mt. Prospect at the Lincoln Junior High School and -- with my Representative, Elaine Nekritz, and we were talking to about a hundred seventh -- probably two hundred seventh and eighth graders, and they asked us, “Why are we doing this job? Why is this so important? Why did you work so hard, campaign to get where you are today?” And we said, “Because we want to improve the quality of life for people throughout the State of Illinois.” A couple weeks before that, I held town hall meetings throughout my district and guess what the most common concern, no matter where I was - healthcare. The fact that people from the middle class, from the upper class, from the lower class, don’t have insurance became very, very clear, and you know this. We all know this. And our job, really, is to make sure that we prevent these kinds of things from happening. This may not be a perfect bill today, but it’s not gloom -- doom and gloom. There are going to be ways in which this is going to be resolved by Republicans and Democrats and it will take place. Our job is to make sure that we do provide a safety net for those children that are falling between the cracks. We shouldn’t be standing here today coming up with reasons why this won’t work - roadblocks. What we should be doing instead is making sure that we’re doing everything in our power to capture these children who are right now, today, falling between the cracks. We can’t allow it to happen any longer. We can make this happen together as Republicans and Democrats. I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion. Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion. Senator Haine.

Thank you very much, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I rise in support of President Jones’ House Bill -- his amendment to House Bill 0806. The issue here, which we have faced in different forms in the past few years, is access to healthcare. We have done it in the past with the provider tax, a creative and novel approach to bringing money into the State, so well-crafted by the able Senator Schoenberg. We faced it twice 54  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 in 2004/2005 with the most contentious division of this Chamber over changes in our medical malpractice litigation system. The reason why many of us proposed those changes and were strong proponents of the provider tax is the issue of access to healthcare, to save the system from collapse. Now we face the situation where we’re preserving the infrastructure, but we are seeing ever-increasing numbers of our citizens without access because they do not have reasonable insurance. You have the working poor, as was so well pointed out, and the poor. This bill reaches out directly to the most vulnerable of our citizens, the children. It brings them into primary care. It avoids the situation where their access to healthcare is when their problem, their physical problem, their ailments, their illness becomes most acute and they flood the emergency rooms and that’s what we are facing across the State of Illinois today. That is why, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Hospital Association of Illinois is in strong support of this bill and I urge an Aye vote. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion. Senator Winkel.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question of the sponsor from Senator Winkel to President Jones. He indicates he will yield. Senator Winkel.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) President Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Winkel, will you repeat your question please, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 55  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 President Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Winkel.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) President Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Winkel, are you -- go right ahead. Senator Winkel.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) President Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Winkel, if you could.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) President Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Winkel, I’m going to allow you this additional question, sir. And I hope that you will respect the fact that you have spoke a little longer than anyone else. Go right ahead. Senator Winkel.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) That -- that is your final question. President Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion. Senator Trotter.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I rise in support of this legislation because today is the day that reasonable people need to take action on something that we can control. Contrary to the doomsday prophets on the other side, Illinois is not falling into some kind of schism, into a 59  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 hole, into a worse situation. Things are getting better in this State, maybe not as fast as others, but they are getting better and you know that. You’ve seen the numbers. You keep talking about -- this is -- about some unemployed people. People are going to be moving here without any assets and taking advantage of our system. Well, we already have a system that’s in place to take care of those unemployed. It’s called Medicaid. We already have vetted out this process because it’s called KidCare, only this has been expanded. So, this is nothing new, nothing that no one here has ever heard about before. We’ve just taken it from a hundred eighty-five percent up to almost three hundred and twenty-five percent. And why? Is because we figured out through KidCare, by vetting that process, that when a kid is healthy, he’s going learn. We know when a kid has eye glasses, he can see the board up there and learn the lessons that the teacher is trying to give him. We know when you have a healthy child, and one who is -- is going to be much more attentive in class, then ultimately we’re going to have a healthy workforce. This is about dealing with parents who are working, paycheck to paycheck, and you know many people like that, be it from forty thousand dollars to eighty thousand dollars, but when they’re paying that two-thousand- and three-thousand-dollar mortgage, it doesn’t go that far and especially when we’re talking about the escalating cost of healthcare. Now, we can study this again, and again, and again. But right now, we know that there are savings and we’re not the only State doing this. There’s twenty-nine other States that has a program like this. Twenty-nine states. Each Medicaid -- recipient in this case is guaranteed a medical home through the designation of a primary care provider and that’s what we are trying to put together, a primary care case management program. It has been estimated that there would be a savings of almost a hundred and thirty-three million dollars. This is a conservative estimate of the savings that we’re talking about that we will have to spend to pay for this program which they’re saying is forty-five million dollars.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Trotter, could you bring your remarks to a close, sir?

60  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 Certainly. So, let’s not be hypocritical. This isn’t no campaign spin. This is something that needs to be done right now when we can do it. And for those of you, again, welcome to -- to the real world that we don’t have to play games when it’s time to take care of business and I think this is a good piece of legislation and we need to all to be Yes on it. Or since maybe you have -- some of you have four-year terms, you don’t have to worry about going back there trying to explain to your parents and to those mothers and fathers of why you couldn’t vote for a healthcare system -- a healthcare plan for their children.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion. Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator, if you could.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you. Further discussion. Senator Lightford.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. It amazes me that in discussions of providing healthcare insurance, one of the previous speakers would suggest to give more businesses tax credits. What in the world does that have to do with providing quality healthcare for children for families who work day-to-day? If it wasn’t medical malpractice, we say, “Let’s look at the insurance companies. Let’s look at their high costs.” You didn’t want to look at that. We had minimum wage on the table. Let’s give people who work an opportunity to make six-fifty an hour instead of five-fifteen. You didn‘t want to do that. We tried to reform education funding. You didn’t want to do that. Now, the Governor has a concept here that we should all embrace, allowing working families who work, between forty and eighty thousand dollars a year. Surprisingly enough, it’s not a hand-out. What’s the problem? They’re working, their children should receive quality healthcare, and what amazes me the most is 63  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 that we all know that when children are sick and suffering the entire family is suffering. Parents have to stay home more to take care of their children. I believe that this a good initiative, that the Governor’s moving forth. This has nothing to do with politics. This is about people. When will you embrace the concept of helping people when it’s not your idea that you’re bringing forth? And I just hope that you’ll reconsider your thoughts and vote Aye.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion. Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion. Senator Schoenberg.

Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. To allude to something that the previous speaker referenced, I was aware and applauded the Governor’s actions as did Minority Leader Tom Cross, and all I can say on the issue of stem cell research is that - and I know we’re not talking about it right now - all I can say is that this Governor did precisely the same thing with his executive powers as the President did with his executive powers to chill stem cell research in this country. So, if executive prerogative is good for you in one respect, you can’t turn around and argue that it’s not good in other respect when the same thing’s being done, just because you don’t like the outcome. Mr. President, to the bill. I rise in - - strong support of the ALL KIDS Program and of the President’s legislation. This is indeed a central question of responsibilities and I think that we should give a great deal of credit to the repositioning of the KidCare and FamilyCare programs and the Medicaid Program in this State so that we can indeed reach those -- families and those children who, obviously, have not been reached. Earlier today, there was a report that Wal-Mart, one of our nations largest employers, of their 1.33 million dollar - I’m sorry - of their 1.3 million employees in this country, forty-six percent of their dependent children were either uninsured or on Medicaid. If you went and got breakfast this morning, the person who made your breakfast in the kitchen at that restaurant, my guess is they work hard, they play by the 66  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 rules, they come to work every day, they want to provide a better way for their family, they get paid by the hour, they don’t have health insurance. The waitress who put the meal in front of you, she didn’t have health -- she didn’t have health insurance. If you got in the car and went and got gas, if you didn’t pay at the pump and you went and you paid inside, that person, I bet you they work forty hours a week. They’re working hourly. They don’t have health insurance. And as you look throughout the people who you encounter in your daily routine, people who we -- who we think of kindly, people who we appreciate our brief encounters with them - if you look at all those people, if you look at how our economy has evolved, increasingly they don’t have health insurance for their children. If you -- what I would suggest to the opponents of this proposal, Mr. President, is that you do the same cost-benefit analysis that Blue Cross and Blue Shield did when they decided to begin spending a million dollars a year to help enroll more children into KidCare because they’re tired of the cost-shifting. They’re tired of people taking their kids to emergency rooms for routine medical treatment and they’re tired of this program -- they’re tired of this problem escalating out of control. We’re here -- addressing this today because there are too many lives that are being untouched, and if -- Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, one final comment…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, sir. One final comment, sir.

I would certainly hate if the debate on this issue would degenerate into the television commercial that offended so many of us, where the man in the helicopter looking out over Soldier Field, who maybe had a scoop of vanilla ice cream for us at the end of his trip, suggested that we were being overrun by those whose country was not our country of origin and that they were undoing the social fabric and the economic fabric of this State. Let’s not go there. We can do better.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion. Senator John Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 67  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 He indicates he will. Senator John Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) President Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator John Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 68  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 President Emil Jones, Jr.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator John Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jones, is that your last question, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) One more, sir. President Emil Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator John Jones, for his final question.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jones, you -- you’re going to -- I asked you for your final question. I ask that you respect that. Senator John Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jones. Senator Jones, I -- I resent that. I am the Presiding Officer of the day. I have respected every speaker. I am going to respect you, also. There will be further debates during this Session and I will remember those who respect the Chair and those who don’t. If you have a final question, please answer it, sir -- ask it, sir. Senator John Jones, you have the Floor, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) President Emil Jones, Jr.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion. Senator Crotty.

Thank you very much. You know, it’s not too often that I get up to speak about a bill, and as I knew that this bill was going to be called today, I started to write a few comments down and then I just stopped because I think there’s a lot of faces to 71  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 this bill. It’s our constituents that come in our office. It’s a lot of hospitals that we meet with that you start to hear through the hospitals about the working poor. And those are the people that come in, that both parents are working, don’t have insurance, and that’s the charity cases that our hospitals come to us with. My -- my district is pretty diverse, and as of yesterday, I had four phone calls against the bill and I had two hundred and eighty-two for the bill. But I’m going to put another face to this bill and that might be that of my own and my family. It wasn’t -- it wasn’t under this administration and it wasn’t companies that were, by previous speakers, maybe squeezed out, but in the early seventies, both my husband and I worked for National Tea Food Chain, both of us in management, and it closed and left us with three sons that we were raising and ourselves without insurance. Now, as parents and as an adult, we can say to be careful. We can certainly self-medicate ourselves. But when the kids are sick, and my middle boy who had strep, had that strep germ go down and attack a kidney and was hospitalized in two different hospitals, St. Luke Presbyterian and Palos Community. When I say that there is many faces, there’s many feelings. Today I stand here with insurance and many times we tend to take those things for granted, but it’s not until the day that any of us, and I’m -- I’m sure I’m not the only one, whether we be on the Floor of the Chamber or whether we sit in the galleries, that have found ourselves in those situations. So, today it certainly has brought me back to those days in the eighties and then in the nineties when we were both working again, but my husband’s company closed - it was a steel manufacturing company - that we found ourselves in that predicament again. And when you have children now in high school and they’re playing sports, you certainly are praying that they’re not hurt and that I don’t have to take them into the hospital. So today I’m putting my face to this bill and saying many of us take so many things that we have today for granted, and it can just take one turn, not of our own accords, that we could find ourselves in a completely different picture and a scenario. All of us have talked or many of us have talked about our constituents, having two hundred and ten thousand people in that district. Today we’re sent here to represent those people 72  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 and all the different faces out there, some that aren’t going to talk about their situations as readily as I am, but the one thing that I do know is all of us are here because we want to represent those people. So, for not only the financial aspects to those faces that I’ve put on today, hoping to bring your attention to, but also, emotional. Every day when -- those kids are going out playing, you always have in the back of your mind that you don’t have insurance. So today I’m asking all of us to put every political argument away, remember that there are people right now that don’t have that security and we have an opportunity to at least give them that opportunity and work together as this bill progresses. So, with that, I ask for everybody’s support. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you. Senator Syverson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator, could you bring your remarks to a close or ask your question please, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Final speaker before President Jones, Senator del Valle.

Thank you, Mr. President. Some have referred to this proposal as an expansion. I like to think of it as a process that started some time ago in Illinois to reform our healthcare system. You know, and I kind of compare it to what we’ve done with education over the years. I haven’t heard many people complain about the fact that we’ve had several waves of education reform in the State of Illinois over the last decade and we’ve done so in order to continue our effort to improve education. Here we are dealing with healthcare and we’re engaged in a process to reform, and reform means improve our healthcare system in the State of Illinois. Reform means making our healthcare system more effective, more efficient, and making sure that our residents in the State of Illinois have access to adequate healthcare. And so this is a process of reforming and we’ve taken a major step and we took a major step when we adopted KidCare, thanks to the leadership at the federal level that told us that we could do KidCare. It was a goal of the federal administration to make sure that every child in the country has access to healthcare. Now, what we’re doing with this proposal is we’re taking that a step further and we’re saying that middle- class families, working families in the State of Illinois, that have for a number of reasons been left out, and many of them - how many have had to file bankruptcy, bankruptcy? Not because they are irresponsible, not because they are deadbeats, but because they have not been able to handle their healthcare bills because of hospitalizations that were unanticipated, because of healthcare problems that developed, and so they find themselves not being able to pay their debt to the healthcare providers. 75  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 Let me, just quickly, Mr. President, address the issue of children and undocumented children, because it‘s been brought up several times here. Let me remind everyone that in 1986, the federal government created the Emergency Medicaid Law to pay for healthcare expenses when undocumented children, among others, are sick enough to be hospitalized with an emergency medical condition. We have been providing emergency room services to undocumented children for a long time, forever. This is nothing new. And let me say that in 1982, over twenty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court settled the matter, the matter of undocumented children, when the U.S. Supreme Court said that we cannot deny undocumented children access to public schools, arguing that denying education to these children unduly punished them since the parents, and not their children, were the ones who brought them here. And so, these are the same children that attend our classrooms throughout the State of Illinois. Now, what we’re saying when we talk about healthcare is that we want to make sure that these children who attend our schools with our American citizen children have access to healthcare, so that if they’re sick, if they need immunizations, if they have a communicable disease, it can be treated, so that all children are protected. Doesn’t that make sense, given that we’re already providing healthcare services? And doesn’t it make sense to allow families with an income of forty to eighty thousand dollars that are residents of the State of Illinois, as defined in this bill, where the definition used by the Revenue Department has been used, doesn’t it make sense to allow them to pay - pay - for health insurance and to pay co-pays? Doesn’t that make sense? If we eliminate the emotional argument, the debate regarding immigration in this country, we’re going to have to say it makes a lot of sense. It’s a logical step. And so, I think we ought to be proud of the leadership of the State of Illinois and I commend the Governor for putting forth a proposal that allows us to continue our quest towards the day when everyone, regardless of who they are, does not have to worry about how they’re going to pay a doctor’s bill. Not in the richest country in the world. This is not…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. The Chair would like to recognize and 76  STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 10/26/2005 welcome the Governor of the State of Illinois, Governor Rod Blagojevich. Let’s welcome our Governor. President Emil Jones, Jr., to close.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 806 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? Take the record. On that question, there are 32 voting Aye, 23 voting Nay, 2 voting Present. House Bill 806, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2005. 9 a.m. The Senate stands adjourned. 78