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 will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Rick Thiemke, New Life Church, Yorkville, Illinois.
(Prayer by Pastor Rick Thiemke)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Viverito.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Viverito)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Thursday, February 16, 2006.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has objections or corrections to -- additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed a bill of the following title, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 4960. Passed the House, February 16, 2006. I have like Messages with respect to House Bill 4449. That also passed the House, February 16, 2006. A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bills 686, 4205, 4221, 4291, 4334, 4369, 4438, 4519, 4541, 4606, 4676, -- pardon me, 4717, 4737, 4746, 4755, 4756, 4788, 4949, 4951, 4959, 4974, 4987, 5001, 5233, 5243, 5251, 5260, 5267, 5301, 5331, 5330, 5356, 5376, 5555. All passed the House, February 21, 2006.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Messages, Madam Secretary.
A Message from the Minority Leader, dated February 21, 2006. Dear Secretary Hawker - Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-2(c), I hereby appoint Senator Larry Bomke to temporarily replace Senator Brad Burzynski as a member of the Senate Appropriations II Committee. This appointment is effective immediately and will expire February 22, 2006. Sincerely, Frank Watson, Senate Republican Leader.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 3162, offered by Senators Trotter, Schoenberg and Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3162, offered by Senators Trotter, Schoenberg and Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3163, offered by Senators Trotter, Schoenberg and Trotter -- that would just be Schoenberg and -- Senators Trotter and Schoenberg {sic} (and Hunter). Senate Bill 3164, offered by Senators Trotter and Schoenberg and Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Maloney, for what purpose do you rise?
Point -- point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 I would like to take this opportunity to introduce students from two of the finest high schools in the State of Illinois that happen to reside in my district. The Mother McAuley girls, from Mother McAuley High School, and the Brother Rice Crusaders, right behind me. Please welcome ‘em to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the gallery please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 3165, offered by Senators Trotter, Schoenberg and Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3166, offered by Senators Trotter, Schoenberg and Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3167, offered by Senators Trotter, Schoenberg and Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3168, offered by Senators Trotter, Schoenberg and Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3169, offered by Senators Trotter, Schoenberg and Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3170, offered by Senators Trotter, Schoenberg and Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will all the Senators please make your way to the Senate Chambers? We will be doing business. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution -- Senate Resolutions 632 through 635, offered by Senator Dillard and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 636 through 638, offered by Senator Forby and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Resolutions Consent Calendar. House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 4121, offered by Senator Sandoval. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4187, offered by Senator Dillard {sic} (Sandoval). (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate {sic} Bill 4196, offered by Senator Risinger. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4222, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4223, offered by Senator Hendon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4313, offered by Senator Sandoval. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4357, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4461, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4607, offered by Senator Sandoval. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4696, offered by Senator Pankau. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4714, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4789, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4804, offered by Senator Dillard. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4949, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5249, offered by Senator Dillard. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5268, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5274, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5296, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 House Bill 5305, offered by Senator Winkel. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5343, offered by Senator Demuzio. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4205, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4221, offered by Senator Winkel. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4334, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4449, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4519, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4606, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4676, offered by Senator Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4746, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4755, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4960, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4987, offered by Senator Bomke. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5001, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5251, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5260, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5267, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 5331, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) If I could have everybody’s attention, please. We have a 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 presentation. We’d like everybody to -- but before we do that, Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. On a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
If we look up in the gallery in those great bright lime green shirts…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Excuse me, Senator Crotty. We cannot here Senator Crotty’s announcement. If everybody would please keep it down.
As we look up in the gallery and we see all those bright green shirts, it -- it’s with Senator Halvorson and myself that we would ask the Senate to welcome St. Mary’s of Park Forest to Springfield today. Nice to have you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to Springfield. It’s so good to see you guys. Senator Silverstein, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
With me, behind me, are some distinguished people from my district. First of all, Rabbi Harvey Well, President of the Associated Talmud Torah, Rabbi Leonard Matanky, -- Principal of the Ida Crown Jewish -- Ida Crown Jewish Academy. Thank you. A graduate -- Jeff Schoenberg’s a graduate. And a constituent, Brian Levinson. I wish you’d please give ‘em a welcome to -- to…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to Springfield. Again, please, if we can keep it down, we have a presentation from Senator George Shadid and Senator Dan Cronin. Please be respectful. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Madam Secretary. I think in the gallery are families affiliated with Easter Seals in Illinois. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 If you’re with Easter Seals in Illinois, stand up so we can welcome you to Springfield. I’m certainly pleased to make this presentation today, and I’d like to have your attention if I might. In the -- I would like to introduce to the Illinois Senate the 2006 Easter Seals National Ambassador, twelve-year-old Matthew Gaughan, from Elmhurst, Illinois. How about a big welcome to Matthew? Matt -- Matt was born prematurely at thirty weeks. After spending ten weeks in intensive care, doctors sent him home. But his parents noticed that he was not properly developing. It was found that Matt has a form of cerebral palsy that primarily affects his lower extremities and fine motor -- skills. And I’m very pleased to also -- I have my cohort up here, Senator Cronin, who’s going to follow through with the rest of the introduction. Senator Cronin.
Thank you, George. Thank you very much. Well, this is one of those moments in our -- our job and our duties that we just delight in and I delight in to -- to -- to no end because I am joined by some wonderful people here today. Matt we’re going to hear from in a moment. I’m joined by Noreen. Noreen Gaughan, from Elmhurst, and her husband, Paul, are dear friends. And we’re also joined by the Mayor of the City of Elmhurst. This is a big day for us. And Mayor Tom Marcucci is here on the Floor. I want to give him a warm welcome. You know, Matt’s parents -- Matt’s parents brought him to Easter Seals in DuPage, the Villa Park office, where they were told that, with the right therapy, he could grow up a healthy, active and happy child. And Easter Seals DuPage allowed Matt to work with Jim Alviti and -- his physical therapist for eleven years. Jim Alviti is a wonderful man. Matt has made great strides in improving the quality of his movement. He’s now able to walk independently and no longer requires braces. Recently Matt completed three rounds of intensive therapy at Easter Seals DuPage where they have a innovative program. It’s called SuitAbility, where he used a modified Russian spacesuit, not an American spacesuit, but a Russian spacesuit, originally used to minimize the physical affects of weightlessness. His therapist says Matt’s two greatest assets are his personality and his family. Matt’s teachers at Immaculate Conception Grade School in Elmhurst add 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 that his intelligence and his humor are balanced by his tenacity and his stubbornness. Matt excels in school and loves playing football, baseball, and most importantly, he’s a golfer. He can hit the ball. Matt is a funny, clever and highly motivated young man. Please help me welcome to the Illinois Senate, Matthew Gaughan, the 2006 Easter Seals National Ambassador. 2006 EASTER SEALS AMBASSADOR MATTHEW GAUGHAN: (Remarks by Matthew Gaughan)
If I may, I just want to give a small recognition on behalf of the Illinois State Senate, all the Members here, George and myself, commending Matthew for his wonderful accomplishments, his inspiration to all young people, and just to -- for being an all around great kid. Well, congratulations, Matthew.
Thank you all for your attention. Appreciate it very much. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolutions 639 through 641, all offered by Senator Lauzen and all Members. They’re death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of -- point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. I have several constituents visiting Springfield today that I would like us to welcome. I have Joe Adams, Nick Adams, with his dad, Dennis Adams, John Clark and Shane Marrin, from the Montini Catholic School in McHenry. They are seventh and eighth graders here as part of the Lobby Day. They are standing in the corner on the Floor here. Guys, can you wave?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Althoff. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
In addition, I also have with me today the Executive Director of the Salvation Army of McHenry County, Captain David Werner. And he’s here together with his wife, Khris. May we welcome them?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
Madam President, I have up in the gallery the -- the Martin Luther King High School debate team. Many of you-all may have been familiar with the Martin Luther King basketball teams of the past, but the school has changed a little bit, and instead of excelling on the basketball floor, they are now excelling in the classroom and on the debate team. So, I’d like for you-all to salute the Martin Luther King debate team.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Since we’re on a roll with the point of personal privileges, I’d like to follow up.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) You got it. State your point.
Along with Representative David Reis, who represents half of my district, we would like for the Senate to welcome the Newton Eagles from Jasper County, who was the 4A runner-up in football this year. So, would you give them a warm welcome, along with the coaches, the superintendent and assistant principals and assistant coaches. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 On a point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
I would ask the Senate to join…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Excuse me, Senator. You guys act like you never saw each other before. Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. I would ask the Senate to join me in welcoming a delegation of incredibly bright juniors and seniors from my alma mater, St. Ignatius College Prep, along with Father Paulson from the -- from the school. Please join me in welcoming them to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Wendell Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Madam Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
Yes. I have with me today in the Republican Gallery behind me, dressed in red, the St. Collette eighth grade from Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Rutherford, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
Many people may remember, a long time ago in Illinois, when we started to kick off the promotion of tourism efforts in the State, it was under Jim Thompson’s period that the first major allocation for tourism dollars was put into the budget. Don 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 DePorter was very active at that time to help make that happen in the 1980s. The old saying that the acorn don’t fall far from the oak is that in the case of Grant DePorter. His son, Grant, is joining us here today on the Illinois State Senate Floor. He is the owner of Harry Caray’s Restaurants. Senator Mattie Hunter has one of his restaurants in his {sic} area. Senator Don Harmon, in Rosemont, has a restaurant. And Senator Dillard’s going to have a new restaurant in Lombard soon. But Grant is here with us in Springfield because he has just left being the President of the National Restaurant Association and is being sworn in as the Chairman-elect of the Visit Illinois, which is a federation of tourism groups throughout the State of Illinois. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome the chief promoter of tourism in the State of Illinois, Grant DePorter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to Springfield. Thank you for all your hard work. Senator Lightford, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Purpose of an announcement, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your announcement.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I would love to extend to you a special invitation on behalf of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. It is in recognition of Black History Month, and we cordially invite you to attend our Third Annual Soul Food Soirée held at the Governor’s Mansion on Thursday, February 23rd, from 6 to 9. Please attend and show support. And we’d love to just collaborate on all the accomplishments that Black African-Americans have made over the years with our special -- tribute to the mother of civil rights, Rosa Parks, and our beloved Coretta Scott King. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Thank you, Senator Lightford. Senator Link, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Just an announcement that Senator Ronen is absent today due to personal business. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Collins, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
I would like the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate to recognize and welcome to the Senate a school in my district and the principal is Father Richard E. Guerin, the principal of St. Bede the Venerable School. Give them a -- welcome…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you rise?
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. I would like to take this time to introduce, in the gallery with us, St. Mary’s School from Taylorville, Illinois, who’s visiting the Capitol, and let’s give them a warm welcome. Would they please rise?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Ladies and Gentlemen, I just want to announce that we are going to be going through 2nds, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to hear a thing. So, if the noise doesn’t subside, we’re going to have to clear the Floor. So, I’m telling you right now that we want to have a little more order and be able to hear people speak. So, we’ll be going to the Order of 2nd Readings. So, if everybody can open their Calendar to the top of page 2, we’ll be going to Senate Bills 2nd Reading. On Senate Bill 1835, Senator Dillard. Senator Jacobs, on 2144. Senator Garrett, on 2170. Senator Silverstein, on Senate Bill 2180. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 2196. Senator Dillard, on 2198. Senator Martinez, on 2223. Senator Martinez, do you wish to move 2223 to 2nd -- to 3rd? Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2223. (Secretary reads title of bill) 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Maloney, on 2225. Senator Maloney, on 2229. Senator Crotty, on 2237. Senator Link, on 2246. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2246. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Sandoval, on 2254. Senator Crotty, on 2257. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2257. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Forby, on Senate Bill 2262. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2262. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Bomke, on 2263. Senator Bomke. 2263. Top of page 3. Senator Burzynski, on 2303. Senator Garrett. 2326. Senator Martinez. 2328. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2328. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Crotty, on 2340. Madam Secretary, read the bill. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
Senate Bill 2340. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Local Government adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Collins, on 2349. Senator Collins. 2351. Senator Cullerton. 2363. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2363. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Raoul, on 2368. Senator Raoul, on 2368. Senator Raoul, on 2369. Senator Millner. 2372. Senator Millner. 2374. Senator Cullerton. 2394. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2394. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Health and Human Services adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on 2396. Senator Cullerton. -- oh! I’m sorry. Senator Harmon. Yes, on 2396. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2396. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on 2405. Senator Cullerton. 2415. Top of page 4. Senator Millner. 2426. Senator Crotty, on 2436. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2346 {sic} (2436). (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on 2442. Senator Trotter. 2455. Senator Crotty. 2469. Senator Shadid. 2477. Senator Shadid, do you wish to move 2477 to 3rd? Out of the record. Senator Hunter. 2483. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2483. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Health and Human Services adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 2510. Senator Raoul. 2511. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2511. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Committee Amendments 1 and 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Ronen. 2514. Senator Demuzio. 2519. Senator Demuzio, on 2519? Senator Silverstein. 2558. Senator Halvorson. We’ll come back to that. Leave of the Body, we’ll return to 2561. Senator Cullerton. 2568. Senator Garrett, on 2570. Top of page 5. Senate Bills 2nd Reading. Senator Silverstein, on 2574. Senator Ronen. 2578. Senator Clayborne. 2580. Senator Clayborne. 2580. Senator Haine. 2608. Senator Link. 2611. Senator Shadid. 2615. 2615. Senator Dillard. 2616. Senator Dillard. 2617. Senator Collins. 2619. Senator Lightford. 2626. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2626. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on 2654. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2654. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Collins, on 2670. Senator Clayborne. 2672. Senator Demuzio, on 2674. Senator Silverstein. 2676. Senator Link. 2688. Senator Link. Top of page 6. 2693. Senator Trotter. Senator Geo-Karis, on 2695. Senator Althoff. 2711. Senator John Sullivan, on 2716. Senator Viverito, on 2730. Senator Viverito. 2732. Senator Viverito, on 2732. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2732. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 3rd Reading. Senator Maloney, on 2737. Senator Demuzio. 2744. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2744. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Demuzio, on 2745. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2725 -- pardon me, 2745. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. There’s a fiscal note on 2748. Senator Hunter. 2762. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2762. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd -- have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Althoff, on 2777. Senator Sieben. 2778. Senator -- we’ll -- with leave of the Body, we’ll return to 2782. Senator Garrett. 2784. Top of page 7. Senator Shadid, on Senate Bill 2795. Senator Shadid. 2795. Senator Bomke, on 2798. Senator Bomke. 2798. Senator Forby, on 2810. Senator Demuzio. 2827. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2827. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Lightford, on 2829. Senator Schoenberg. 2845. Senator Munoz. 2869. Senator John Sullivan, on 2870. Senator Sandoval. 2878. Senator Link. 2884. Senator Link. 2885. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2885. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on -- did we just… Senator Hunter, on 2898. Senator Hunter. Senator Hunter. Senator Trotter. 2913. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2913. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Hunter. 2921. Senator Wendell Jones, on 2960. Senator Petka, on 2962. Top of page 8. Senator Cullerton. 2965. Senator Bomke. 2967. Senator Burzynski. Senator Roskam. 2971. Senator Hendon. 2983. Senator Silverstein. 2998. Senator Dillard. 3016. Senator Syverson. 3036. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 3036. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Silverstein. 3037. Senator Crotty, 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 there’s a fiscal note on 3046. Senator Trotter. 3053. Senator Hendon. 3056. Senator Haine. 3062. Senator Haine. Senator Haine. 3062. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 3062. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. On the top of page 9, on Senate Bills 3rd Reading. First bill, Senate Bill 392. Senator DeLeo. Senator Trotter. 1547. Senator Meeks, on 1839. Senator Clayborne. 1991. Senator Harmon. 2123. Senator Watson. 2130. Senator Sandoval. 2159. Senator Harmon. 2162. Senator Silverstein. 2165. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2165. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Silverstein.
Thank you, Madam President. It’s very unfortunate I have to bring this bill before the Senate. Senate Bill 2165 states that a board of managers of condo property may not institute any rules or regulations that will prohibit any -- reasonable accommodation for religious practices, including the attachment of religious objects on the door -- door posts of a condominium unit. This rose out of my district where two -- well, I should say, didn’t rise out of my district, but it did in the City of Chicago, where two condominium associations are -- prohibited Jewish residents from putting a mezuzah, which is a -- a -- a box -- which has some scriptures in there. There are two lawsuits in the City of Chicago dealing with this. The legislation is very general, so it covers any nationality whether it’s Jewish or Christian or Muslim. So, I would ask for a favorable roll call and answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam. 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
Thank you, Madam President. I rise in support of this bill. It’s very well thought out and urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2165 pass. 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 2165, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Peterson, on 2173. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2173. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Peterson.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2173 creates an income tax credit for individual taxpayers for long-term care insurance premiums. It applies to taxable years ending on or after December 31st, 2006, and ending on or before December 30th, 2011. I know of no opposition. Be happy to take any questions and would like your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2173 pass. 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 Senate Bill 2173, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cullerton. 2185. Senator Collins. 2191. Senator Collins. Senator Haine. 2197. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2197. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is a bill which began a couple years ago as a -- it was the -- the initiative of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth as a result of some court districts sending young people, minors, to detention as -- just because of their truancy. And this attempted to bring in a -- more of a comprehensive, holistic approach, looking at the personal problems of the minor and the dysfunction in the family unit. In any case, it had significant opposition and it was well-meant opposition from the ROEs and a few others who felt that it -- it forgot the fact that many of these areas the -- the truancy programs were working. Since -- since that time, we’ve changed the bill significantly to reflect a multifaceted approach to truancy. The latest change was adding a provision allowing non-home rule units to proceed with city ordinance violation approaches just as home rule units do, and -- and -- and especially in my area, in Alton, the Alton Community Unit School District and the city and a community youth service agency called Children’s Home and Aid Society work well together and they didn’t want to be disturbed in what they were doing. So, we now have a bill which the ROEs are back in -- in -- in control of it and so they’re -- and they’re the experienced people along with the school districts. It takes care of those people that are doing the job, brings up to standard those who aren’t, and leaves alone those that are doing a great job. So -- and I don’t believe there are any opponents at this time. Everyone has signed on and I appreciate very much the input of Senator Winkel on this bill in the past couple years. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Winkel.
Thank you. To -- to the bill: I -- I appreciate all the work that’s gone into this. This is a topic that’s been debated since, gosh, the mid-1990s. It’s been hotly debated. I think all the debate, all the discussion, all the negotiations have finally paid off. I stand in support of the bill. 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Brady.
Thank you, Mr. {sic} President. I just want to stand and thank the sponsor for including language in this legislation to solve a need in my district.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Haine, to close.
I ask for an Aye vote. It’s a well-balanced bill. It’s -- is definitely a step forward.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2197 pass. Those in favor, 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 Yes, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 2197, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Munoz, on 2230. Senator Link, on 2233. Top of page 10. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 2236. Senator Demuzio. Senator Dillard. 2241. Senator Shadid. 2242. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2242. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Shadid.
Thank -- thank you, Madam President. The legislation contained in Senate Bill 2242 raises the household income eligibility limitations for the Illinois Circuit Breaker Program which applies to senior citizens and disabled persons. Be glad to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Madam President. I’d just like to congratulate the sponsor on the good work on this bill, thank him. It passed 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 unanimously out of Revenue and I -- I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Hendon. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2242 pass. 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 2242, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you rise?
Point -- point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
I’d like to welcome and introduce some guests from Chicago in my district, outstanding students who are involved in the government relations and -- learning about government at De La Salle Academy. And they’re standing -- in the President’s Gallery. Welcome them to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the gallery please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Cullerton, on 2243. Senator Sandoval. 2255. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2255. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This is a trailer bill to correct the inconsistency in the District’s Act created with the passage of Senate Bill 288 in 2005, which is a Public Act today. Senate Bill 288 amended Section 4.11 of the District’s Act to include the position of assistant director of personnel to the select list of positions exempt from formal exam and are appointed by the GS and serve one-year probation in lieu 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 of exam. This bill amends Section 4.7 of the District’s Act to parallel that in Section 4.11. I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Axley.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: For the benefit of my colleagues this passed out of committee 9-0. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2255 pass. 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 53 Yeas, 2 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. And Senate Bill 2255, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Ronen. Senator Cullerton, on 2272. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2272. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. A number of years ago we authorized counties to set up drug courts and there are a number of counties that are -- that have drug courts that are working very successfully throughout the State. Right now, the -- the counties are paying for these courts out of their own funds as well as some grants from the Office of the -- Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts and the U.S. Department of Justice. This bill would authorize a county with a drug court to impose a five-dollar fee for -- to pay for the operation of the drug court. And the -- of course, the purpose of this is to authorize the county to help pay for these drug courts and perhaps even encourage new counties to start drug courts, but it is permissive in that it requires a vote of the county board to do so. During the committee, there was a 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 question as to whether or not this fee would cover people who get a traffic ticket and want to plead guilty and mail in their -- their fine, and I have an opinion from the Illinois Association of Drug Court Professionals that it would not cover that. I think Senator Haine asked that question in committee. So, it would not cover those types of cases, but it would authorize some monies to be collected in these counties. I believe the people that testified were from Winnebago County and they asked for this legislation. So, I would like everybody to vote for the bill unless you’re a target. If you’re a target in a district and you’re worried about your reelection, there is a fee increase here, so be very careful if you’re a target before you vote for the five-dollar fee to help pay for the drug courts. Be happy to answer any questions and ask -- ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Thank you. Senator Cullerton, just so -- so I’m clear. Does the legislation require that the county have a drug court up and running before they impose the fee, or is this something that a county board could do, let’s say, six months in anticipation of setting up a drug court to build up a little -- little money first?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
That’s a good question. Let me read the bill. It says where it’s been created.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
So, you would interpret that to -- to mean that the county has to have a drug court system up and running first before the passage of the fee, is that -- is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Senator Cullerton.
Absolutely. That’s found on page 2, line 33. And your -- a good question. “In each county in which a drug court has been created”. So, they can’t start collecting the fines unless they’ve created the drug court.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
One last area, Madam President. Thank you for your indulgence. Senator, can you explain for me again exactly what category of persons will be subject to paying the five-dollar fee? I mean, let’s say that this becomes law and the county board authorizes the charging of the five-dollar fee over the broadest possible universe. According to your bill, who’s going to be paying this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Yes. First of all, on page 3 of the bill -- of the amendment, it says the fees are paid as follows - and, again, this is -- the county board would implement this - a fee of up to five dollars paid by the defendant on a judgment of guilty or grant of supervision or {sic} (for) a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code or a violation of a similar provision contained in a county or municipal ordinance committed in the county; or number two, a fee of up to five dollars paid by a defendant on a judgment of guilty or a grant of supervision under Section 5-9-1 of the Unified Code of Correction for a felony, Class A misdemeanor, business offense, petty offense - in other words, a criminal conviction. Now, with regard to the first paragraph, upon questioning in -- in the committee, the Illinois Association of Drug Courts, the Assistant State’s Attorney from Rock Island, Dave Osborn, wrote me a letter indicating that -- I asked him to review the Illinois law to determine whether an additional fee would apply in traffic cases where the defendant pleads guilty by mail and pays seventy-five dollars as set by the Supreme Court rule. In his opinion, the drug court fee would not apply in those cases, and I’d be happy to make that letter available to 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Cullerton, to close.
Yeah. The drug courts are -- are very successful tool in Illinois. This is a reasonable request and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2272 pass. Those in favor, 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 Senate Bill 2272, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cullerton, on 2277. Senator Cullerton. 2284. Senator Clayborne, on 2285. Senator Martinez, on 2290. Senator Martinez. 2290. Senator Cullerton, on 2291. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2291. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Yes. Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. I’m very happy to present this bill on behalf of myself and -- and Senator Radogno is also the cosponsor, because this bill deals with the Illinois College Savings Pool. It’s an initiative of the Chicago Bar Association. It amends the State Treasurer Act to provide that monies held in an account invested in the Illinois College Savings Pool shall be exempt from all claims of the creditors if -- in the case of a -- of a bankruptcy. And the -- the theory here is that this money, which was put aside in this Illinois College Savings Pool would -- would not be subject to creditors if the person eventually ended up having to go bankrupt. Think it makes sense and be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2291 pass. 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 52 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 2291, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Demuzio, on 2292. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2292. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Demuzio.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2292 creates the Interpreter for the Deaf Licensure Act of 2006, as amended. It describes the regulation for interpreters through licensures by the Commission and outlines the privileges of the interpreter for the deaf and outlines circumstances in which disclosure by an interpreter is allowed. Currently, interpreters are required to register with the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission and provide proof of certification or evaluation. At this time, interpreters are not subject to disciplinary action for violation of the Act and no agency has the authority to investigate complaints of wrongdoing. Due to the increasing number and need for qualified interpreters, the Commission feels it is important to ensure that interpreters are -- properly regulated to protect deaf and hard of hearing consumers.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2292 pass. 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 2292, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cullerton, on 2295. Mr. Secretary, read the 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 bill.
Senate Bill 2295. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This is a very simple noncontroversial bill. Last year we passed a bill unanimously that permitted a person, entity or organization who presented a valid authorization for the release of their health care records from a health care facility, as long as it was signed by the patient, that those records could be released. This bill is patterned after that. It simply says that health -- the records of healthcare practitioners may also be made available if there’s a valid authorization for the release of the records. Know of no opposition. Ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2295 pass. 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 2295, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Ronen. 2297. Top of page 11. Senator Haine, on 2302. Senator Link. 2308. Senator Cullerton. 2310. Senator Trotter. 2320. Senator Jacobs. 2325. Senator Jacobs. 2330. Senator Watson. 2333. Senator del Valle. 2339. Senator Cullerton. 2358. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2358. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Last 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 year we passed a bill, along with Senator John Jones, to respond to the abuse of the Capital Litigation Trust Fund. We did this by requiring counsel appointed in death penalty cases to submit a proposed budget to the court for approval of anticipated expenses. And that was done in part to protect the litigation budgets from disclosure from the Freedom of Information Act until the conclusion of the trial, so the -- the defense didn’t have to disclose to the prosecution what that -- what that amount was. There was a technical problem with the Freedom of Information Act when we did that and under this bill the exemption from disclosure for trial budgets for appointed counsel would last only until the trial has been completed. It’s an initiative of the Bar Association, the State Appellate Defender. There’s no opposition. Happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator John Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: I -- I just want to -- to thank Senator Cullerton for all of his work on -- on this bill and -- and what was done last year. And, you know, this was brought to my attention by a -- a murder trial in -- in Jefferson County and, you know, the attorney just ripped this fund off tremendously, and -- and so, Senator Cullerton, I want to thank you. I also want to thank the Morning Sentinel newspaper in Mt. Vernon, which actually broke the story and -- and followed up on -- on the abuse of this -- of this litigation fund. So, once again, thank you, Senator Cullerton. I stand in strong support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2358 pass. 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 Senate Bill 2358, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Clayborne, on 2360. Senator Jacobs. 2375. Mr. Secretary, read the bill. 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
Senate Bill 2375. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jacobs.
Thank you -- thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill -- 2375 clarifies the powers of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulations with regards to self-regulating of insured cities. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the bill passed unanimously out of committee. I know of no -- opposition to this bill and I ask for your favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing -- Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Madam President. Just rise in support of the bill and urge its passage.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2375 pass. 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 2375, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Sandoval, on 2376. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2376. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sandoval.
Thank you -- thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Excuse me, Senator. It’s getting a little out of hand again. Please keep it down.
31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Thank you, Madam President. In committee hearing I made a - - a commitment to hold the bill on 2nd to work out an agreement on the appropriation. I misstepped on -- last week and so I’d like to return Senate Bill 2376 to 2nd Reading, if I may.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sandoval, when we have an amendment, we can return that to 2nd. For now, let’s take it out of the record. We’ll leave it on 3rd, and when you have an amendment, we will return it to 2nd. Is that okay with you? Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Madam President. I just want it to go on the record. I will do that as suggested. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Haine, on 2391. Senator Haine. 2391. Senator Wilhelmi, on 2395. Top of page 12. Senator Cullerton, on 2400. Senator Clayborne. 2412. Senator Millner. 2427. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2427. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Millner.
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 2427 has two major components. The first one adds to the officer safety exemption. In essence, currently the -- the officer safety exemption in the Illinois eavesdropping statute allows police officers to tape conversations without court order in the investigation of certain offenses that place police officers at risk. And what we want to do in the first part of this bill is to add firearm felony to the list. The second part of this bill allows police officers to video record when they -- in their cars with their cameras. Currently, it’s for the Illinois Vehicle Code only, but what happens is, they’ll drive up to a -- for example, a gang fight or a violent domestic, and by law now, they have to turn that camera off. If not, they’re committing a Class 4 felony. This allows them to keep those cameras rolling. And I ask for a favorable vote. 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2427 pass. 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 2427, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Crotty, on 2437. Senator Cullerton. 2445. Senator Forby. 2446. Senator Althoff. 2456. Senator Cullerton. 2465. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2465. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This is a initiative of the American Lung Association and the Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco. This is a bill which is -- deals with smoking in a student dormitory owned or operated by a public or private institution of higher education. It’s modeled after a law in New Jersey, and is -- we also have laws in Connecticut and Wisconsin that ban smoking in college residential housing. The bill is an initiative, as I said, of the Lung Association, which points out that the studies done by Harvard School of Public Health indicate that college students who live in smoke-free housing are less likely to take up smoking than if they’re in a dorm that -- that doesn’t allow it. There is also a concern raised by a number of major fires. Causes of fires in college housing is from smoking. And as a result, I bring this bill. Most colleges in Illinois do not allow it, but there are some that still do. And be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: I rise in 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 reluctant opposition to the bill. I voted against this bill in committee for a very simple reason: Last year this Chamber passed, and it became law, legislation that allowed the municipalities in this State to make the decisions on whether or not they would ban smoking. And we did that, at least in part, under the guise that local control, that the city councils and the village boards in those communities, could best make the decision and be responsive to their constituents. This takes us in an opposite direction. Right now, your higher education boards of trustees have the ability to make the decisions. And in fact, as the sponsor himself pointed out, most of ‘em have made that decision in what I’m sure the sponsor believes is in the right direction, to say we’re not going to allow this. I think we ought to leave this in the hands of the boards of trustees and let them make the decisions. So, I’d respectfully urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there further discussion? Senator Syverson.
Thank you, Madam President. Just a question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Well, Senator, there -- in -- in committee we’d asked the question a little bit about -- about defining dormitories, the concern about schools that have lounges and then dormitories that are above -- above them, but all part of the same building. Have we had some clarification on -- are we talking about just the sleeping quarters for the students or are you talking about the entire building that that lounge is in -- or that dormitory is in?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Statute reads “student dormitories”. Doesn’t define it. My intention would be to say the entire building. If you think we should have further clarification or if you want to offer an amendment that limits it to the sleeping areas, that is the actual room, then I would be happy to take it out of the record 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 and entertain such an amendment if the committee that it came through so desires. But I think my intention was to say the entire building. That’s where the fires could take place. If you have it right outside in the -- in a lounge area, it -- it probably has the same negative effect on second-hand smoke and the like and the same negative effect on the building to start fires. So, I’d prefer to have it be the entire building, in which case I think we’ve covered it by just defining student dormitories.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Syverson.
I -- and -- and I would -- I would agree with that, but I think my concern is that there are some colleges that the dormitories are on the top and below that they have student lounges and they’re going to have a designated smoking area maybe in that lounge. And if -- if you would be open to that, I -- it would be nice just to clarify that -- that we’re talking about, you know, the -- the dormitories where they’re sleeping or where the -- where the student lounges are, but not in the areas where there are -- where they have restaurants or where they have designated smoking areas. If there’s a way to come up with some language, I -- I think that would help alleviate some concerns.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
We’ll take it out of the record and we’ll work on that amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Out of the record. Senator Cullerton, on 2475. Senator Cullerton, on 2475. Senator Silverstein. 2487. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2487. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Silverstein.
35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Thank you, Madam President. 2487 declares the transition period for implementing the new MDS payment methodology for the nursing home -- nursing portion of the Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes. I want to thank Senator Rutherford and -- who has been very instrumental in this issue and I’m grateful that he’s a cosponsor of this bill and I would hopefully ask for everyone’s support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Rutherford.
Thank you, Madam President. As we all know, we’ve been working actually for several years on this whole MDS program. Senator Silverstein and I have been working with the associations. This is an agreed-upon language. We are in consensus with the industry to move for this extension.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2487 pass. 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 2487, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We’ll return to 2489. Senator Althoff. 2492. Senator Link. 2495. Senator Cullerton. 2505. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2505. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This is a bill which prohibits the importation of what’s called alcohol without liquid machines. Fortunately, we don’t have these yet, that we know of, in Illinois. But it’s an interesting coalition of -- of folks who have agreed to support this bill. The industry, Diageo, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, as well as the Illinois Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 support this. These devices are potentially very dangerous, and as a result, they -- and they are found in some other countries. They can be very damaging to -- especially to young people by having the alcohol bypass the liver and -- and not be -- be able to weed out the toxins that come with alcohol. So, I don’t know of any opposition. Would be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Madam President. Just want to commend Senator Cullerton for being able to bring the industry and the anti- drinking people together in a -- in a bill and I urge its passage.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2505 pass. 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 Senate Bill 2505, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator John Sullivan. 2513. Top of page 13. Senator Ronen. 2515. Senator Emil Jones. 2520. With leave of the Body, we will be turning to page 14, going to Senate Bill 2546. Senator del Valle. Senator Silverstein. 2554. Senator Dillard. 2555. Senator John Sullivan. 2562. Senator del Valle. 2569. Senator Collins. 2579. Senator Clayborne. 2582. Senator Cullerton. 2613. Since we’re on the Order of Cullerton today, that’s great. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2613. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This is an initiative of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. We 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 passed a couple of bills dealing with money laundering-related vehicle forfeiture provisions that were inconsistent. This is a technical correction to those two Public Acts, which are already on the books. There’s no opposition. Ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator John Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Senator Cullerton, I -- I don’t know whether you’re aware or not, but Speaker Madigan put a three-bill limit on over there. Have you talked to him about all these bills you’re sending over?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Yeah. I -- I did check with the Speaker. He said that they have a three-bill limit on -- on Senate bills, too. So, I -- I can’t have one person sponsor all my bills over there. I’m going to have -- the most they can have is three.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2613 pass. Those in favor, 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 58 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 2613, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Wilhelmi, on 2631. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2631. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Wilhelmi.
Thank you, Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2631 amends the Civic Center Code. As many 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 of you know, the Rialto Square Theatre is located in Joliet and is the pride of Joliet. It’s fallen into disrepair and on top of that there is an office building - a six-story office building - adjacent to the theatre that is owned by the Authority. And the Authority’s name is the Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority. This was created in 1979. What this bill does is simply allows the Rialto Square Theatre to sell that six- story office building, to keep the proceeds, and then they will reinvest the proceeds into the Rialto Square Theatre, which is an eighty-one-year-old facility and one of the nicest theatres in the State of Illinois. So, I ask for your support and I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Axley.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: For the benefit of my colleagues, this passed out of Local Government 9 to 0. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2631 pass. Those in favor, 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 2631, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Munoz, for -- out of the record. Senator Munoz, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. For the point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
Like to welcome Sister Margaret, the President of Maria High School, along with other members of the board and parishioners. Also, Pope John Paul II Church, Lalo Gonzalez, the Board President, along with the other board members. If we can give ‘em a warm welcome to the Senate, I’d appreciate it. 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Collins, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
I would like to join with my colleague, Senator Munoz, because Maria High School is actually in my district. And so, I would like to recognize the President, Sister Margaret Zalot, as well as Jose and Marie Masial, Diane Richardson and Emma McCormick. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Again, welcome to Springfield. Senator Garrett, on 2639. Top of page 15. Senator Harmon. 2650. Senator Cullerton. 2655. Senator Crotty. 2664. Senator Raoul. 2673. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2673. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Raoul.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2673 makes a technical correction to the recently enacted Disposition of Remains Act. The Disposition of Remains Act creates a statutory priority list for people who may direct the disposition of the -- of a decedent’s remains. Unfortunately, the Act inadvertently failed to specifically include those who may direct the disposition of a decedent’s remains using a health care power of attorney, and that is what Senate Bill 2673 aims to do.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2673 pass. 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 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 2673, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Munoz, on 2680. Senator del Valle. 2684. Senator Link. 2691. Senator Wilhelmi. 2709. Senator Wilhelmi. 2713. Senator Harmon. 2718. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2718. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2718 is a long and detailed modernization of the Title Insurance Act. It is the work product of the Illinois Land Title Association and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. It arises out of the Intercounty Title bankruptcy which revealed that the Act had insufficient safeguards, especially in the winding-up phase of dissolution. And this bill would strengthen the -- the Department’s authority in regulating substandard title insurance companies and setting safeguards with respect to disreputable companies. I am not aware of any opposition and I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Brady.
Thank you, Madam President. I rise in favor of the legislation. It came unanimously out of committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2718 pass. 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 2718, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Viverito, on 2726. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Senate Bill 2726. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Viverito.
Thank you, Madam President. What this bill basically does is to guarantee that the person that is killed in action or combat or whatever, that he or she’s designated person will get the -- the -- the insurance. We’ve had a lot of difficulty within this because some of the people that were designated could not be found. So, obviously, this would clarify it and the right person will get the -- whether it be the grandparents or the -- someone else, other than perhaps -- sometimes they can’t -- find the father, they can’t find the mother, whatever it may be. So, this will clarify it and give the person what they have due.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2726 pass. 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 58 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 2726, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Viverito, on 2728. Senator Maloney. 2739. 2738. I’m sorry. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2738. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Maloney.
Thank you, Madam President. What this bill does is attempts to incorporate an Illinois Supreme Court decision into the Adoption Act. There were some inconsistencies in the Act. There was one provision that said that if -- if a person was judged unfit to parent, if certain convictions were maintained, they were allowed to rebut this evidence at a later date. The second 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 section did not allow for a rebuttal. This simply provides for a uniform standard and uniform opportunity to rebut. This is an agreed bill by the Cook County Public Guardian, Public Defender and State’s Attorney’s Office. I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2738 pass. 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 58 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 2728, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. 2738, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Maloney, on 2740. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2740. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Maloney.
Thank you, Madam President. This bill deals with the -- downstate firefighters’ pension. Currently, the levy is submitted to the municipality and the treasurer then sends the -- the municipality sends the money to the treasury within thirty days. This just streamlines the process so that the levy is sent directly to the pension fund. Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Brady.
Thank you, Madam President. I stand in support of the gentleman’s legislation. For the Members on this side and that, this does not increase any unfunded liability. So I recommend an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2740 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 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 58 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 2740, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Pankau, on 2770. Senator del Valle. 2796. Top of page 16. Senator Clayborne, on 2807. Senator Clayborne. 2808. Senator Demuzio, on 2837. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2837. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Demuzio.
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill… Okay. I’m going to take it out of the record right now. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 2837 is out of the record. Senator John Sullivan, on 2841. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2841. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2841 amends the Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. It has four basic components. It changes three definitions. It adds the words “not inspected” to the product labels to make sure that the consumer knows that the product has not been inspected. This is at some Type II facilities. It gives the Department the -- the authority to discontinue the operation of a facility until all fees have been paid by the facility to the Department. And it also makes another technical change. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Dahl. 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
Madam President, this bill passed the Ag Committee unanimously. I encourage an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Senator Sullivan, I was listening to your -- your reciting of what was in the bill and the last thing that you said caught my attention and that was that it empowers the Department to shut down a facility for any monies that are not paid that are owed to the Department. Can you be a little -- give us a little more detail on that? What circumstances the Department have the right to shut someone down and -- and maybe where the facilities -- has a right to -- to a measure of due process, to appeal it and not be shut down?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sullivan.
Thank you. Senator, the -- the -- the Department has now no ability -- if a facility does not pay the dues owed to that -- to -- to the Department, they have no ability to go after them. There’s no -- they can’t pull their license. They can’t do anything. So, some of these facilities have not paid their dues and so this gives the -- the Department the ability to say, “Okay, if you don’t pay your due -- dues, we’re going to pull your license.”
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President. Senator, when you use the term dues, do you mean like licensure fees? Is that what you’re -- is that what you’re referring to, as opposed to dues to an association or something like that? Okay. Does -- does that term include any money that might be owed to the Department? I mean, let’s say that they’ve been found guilty -- you know, found 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 guilty of some kind of fine or violation and it’s two hundred bucks, it’s a thousand dollars, and they’re appealing that. Could the Department shut them down during the -- during the time of that appeal?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sullivan.
Thank you. It’s my understanding that it is in regard to licensing fees specifically.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Sullivan, do you wish to close? The question is, shall Senate Bill 2841 pass. 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 2841, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Schoenberg, on 2847. Senator Harmon. 2865. Senator Cullerton. 2868. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2868. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This is a simple concept. It’s a request of the Capital Development Board. Current law requires the Capital Development Board to adopt an energy conservation code for commercial buildings. And the current law says that it must be the 2000 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code and the 2001 supplement. Unfortunately, there’s been revisions to this Code. So, this makes sense. This bill simply says that the CDB would adopt and update to the most current edition of the International Code Council’s International Energy Conservation Commission standards. So, again, no opposition. Simple idea. Ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2868 pass. 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 58 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 2868, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Harmon, on 2871. Senator Harmon, on 2872. Senator Harmon, on 2873. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2873. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Harmon.
Thank you -- thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2873 is an initiative of the Attorney General’s Office. It amends the Sexually Violent Persons (Commitment) Act to better protect the people we represent. Does three things: It clarifies the eligibility period to ensure that sexually violent persons are not released back into our communities; it requires the Department of Corrections to provide written notice to the State’s Attorney’s Office six months prior to the release -- or the anticipated release date; and it tolls the running of the sex offender’s parole period during the pendency of the sexually violent person’s petition, ensuring an intensive supervision upon release. I am not aware of any opposition. The bill passed out of the Judiciary Committee unanimously. And I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2873 pass. Those in favor, 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 Senate Bill 2873, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, on 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 2882. Senator Cronin, on 2887. Senator Silverstein, on 2909. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2909. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Silverstein.
Thank you, Madam President. This comes from IDFPR. It requires that the temporary license of wholesale distributors and -- and pharmaceutical distributors can only be issued after inspection requirements for the regular licensure has -- are met. And I’ll take any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2909 pass. Those in favor, 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 2909, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Harmon, on 2931. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2931. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2931 permits the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a pilot program to provide for the test and use of lifelong learning accounts for workers in the State’s healthcare sector. Lifelong learning accounts are something like 401K plans, but in this case, the employee would be able to set aside money to use for further educational purposes. The vehicle encourages educational savings that could be offered in a portfolio of benefits offered by an employer. 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 This, again, provides for a very limited pilot program within the Department’s discretion and subject to appropriation. I am not aware of any opposition to this bill and I would ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Millner.
Thank you, Madam President. This passed unanimously with committee. We support the Senator’s bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2931 pass. Those in favor, 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 Senate Bill 2931, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Demuzio, on 2949. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2949. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Demuzio.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2949 amends the Illinois Finance Authority (Act) regarding the fire trucks and the EMS service vehicle revolving loan program. Currently, the State fire truck revolving loan program is a way to provide zero interest loans for the -- purchase of fire trucks to departments, fire protection districts or township fire departments. Senate Bill 2949 includes EMS service vehicles in the program, and like the fire truck, it provides zero interest loans for the purchase of these service vehicles. The program funding would come from the fire truck and the -- EMS service vehicle revolving loan fund, a fund in the State treasury. The fund would consist of any monies appropriated by the Governor to administer the program and any loans to repay to or interest generated by the fund.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Is there any discussion? Senator Millner.
Thank you, Madam President. Our committee voted for it, but we had a couple of concerns. One of which is that for these ambulances that are significantly cheaper than fire trucks, we were unable to fund the fire truck requests for this year. Hopefully, in the future, maybe we could have a fund just for ambulances and one for the fire trucks, because when this bill passes, it may just go to ambulances as opposed to fire trucks. And that’s all. But we support the bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Demuzio, do you wish to close? The question is, shall Senate Bill 2949 pass. Those in favor, 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 2949, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator DeLeo, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Madam President. A point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Madam President. I’d like to introduce a group of people that came down here today from the far northwest side of Chicago. When I say the far northwest side of Chicago, it’s the end of the City. Students, teachers and parents from St. Eugene School, and led by a famous lobbyist, whose daughter’s with them, John McCabe. They’re up here in the gallery, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the gallery please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Geo-Karis, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point. 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I was late today because my plane was late and I apologize for not getting here any sooner. But that’s -- that’s the story of my life.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Well, thank you, Senator. We’re happy to see you. Top of page 17. Senate Bill 2954. Senator Cullerton. Senator Harmon. 2955. Senator Martinez. 2959. Senator Martinez. Senator Cronin. 2968. Senator Cullerton. 2980. Senator Cullerton. 2985. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2985. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This bill does two things. Current law requires DNA samples from all persons convicted of felonies or -- who are found by a court to be a sexually dangerous person or a sexually violent person. This bill adds to that list people convicted of any sexual offenses. So that would include misdemeanors. Second thing it does is to expand the annual report by the State Police on the DNA backlog to include information on evidence that has not yet been provided to the State Police. That’s an initiative of the Women’s DNA Initiative. Again, no controversy. Be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2985 pass. 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 2985, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Wilhelmi, on 2986. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Senate Bill 2986. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Wilhelmi.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2986 amends the Counties Code. Specifically, 2986 grants authority to county boards to license, as well as regulate, hawkers, peddlers, itinerant merchants and transient venders of merchandise, which are essentially door-to- door salesmen. The bill -- removes the prohibition on imposing a fee for regulating hawkers and peddlers and also grants the county board the option to impose the fee for licensure. The -- this came about because there were door-to-door salesmen in my district that were taking advantage of citizens, and what this essentially does is allows -- counties to keep track of these door-to-door salesmen and to make sure that what they’re doing is -- is appropriate and not taking advantage of our citizens. I’d be happy to answer any questions and I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Axley.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: For the benefit of my colleagues, this passed out of Local Government 10 to 0. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. Will the sponsor yield for a question, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Thank you. I was just kind of curious, how would a, quote, “transient vendor” know that they’re supposed to apply for a license?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Wilhelmi.
52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 The -- the way I understand it is that we’re going to make sure that through -- hopefully through rules and through the county boards that have the ability to promulgate their own regulations on this, that they will be able to detect what companies are going door to door by reports that come back to the counties, and -- and then they’ll promulgate rules and regulations that’ll effectuate this policy. I -- I can get further answers to that question. But hopefully they’ll be able to do that in effective manner so that we can keep these door-to- door salesmen from taking advantage of our citizens.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. Just a -- a follow-up question. Are there limits on what the licensure -- I -- I’m guessing there’ll be a fee for licensure or a fee for the application. Is there a limit based on -- on what the county or the municipality can charge?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Wilhelmi.
Thank you, Madam President. That is not specified in the bill, Senator. But, again, the counties will be able to pass whatever rules and regulations that they feel are necessary, including the amount of the fee, which I would hope would be reasonable.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Senator Wilhelmi, does the bill actually use the term “hawker”?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Wilhelmi.
The -- the -- Mr. -- Mr. -- Senator, the bill does actually use the word “hawker” and -- and in addition to peddlers, 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 itinerant merchants and transient vendors.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
In my twelve counties, Senator, I know that one of those county board members is going to ask me what a “hawker” is, and so I’d like you to tell me that and tell the other Senators so we can all appropriately inform our county board members.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Wilhelmi.
Thank you, Madam President. Hawker -- I’m sure you’ve probably heard “hawking goods”, selling goods in such a way that might not be as reputable as going to a department store to purchase those goods.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Wilhelmi, do you wish to close?
Yes. I just simply ask for a favorable vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2986 pass. Those in favor, 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 2986, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cullerton, on 3018. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 3018. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This bill was brought to me by the Department of Human Services. It creates a -- a new criminal offense, sexual misconduct with a -- 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 a person with a disability. And it’s patterned after current law that we have on the books right now that protects, actually, prisoners in penal institutions or people committed to the Department of Human Services as sexually violent persons. There’s also a special criminal penalty dealing with them. When they have -- when they are the victims of criminal sexual assault, they are incapable of giving consent unless it’s done in good faith. That’s the same thing with this -- regard to this bill. Consent of the person with a disability would not absolve the employee from criminal liability. Again, it’s an initiative of the Office of the Inspector General. There is a good-faith exemption, that is if you did not know that the person had a disability, or if you were married to the person, there’s an exemption for that as well. But I -- believe it’s pretty tightly drafted and it’s, again, patterned after current law and it’s an initiative of the Department of Human Services. Be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3018 pass. Those in favor, 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 58 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 3018, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Meeks, on 3076. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 3076. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
Yeah. Thank you so much, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill simply is a Act that would allow law enforcement to be able to apply for funds to buy cameras for police cars. As you know, it’s -- we just passed a bill that we should be able to keep cameras rolling during a traffic stop, but there are many municipalities that can’t afford cameras. So this 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 will add one dollar to traffic stops, creating about 2.4 million dollars, and that fund will be used for other municipalities to buy cameras for cars.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Burzynski.
Madam President, will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Senator, a few years ago, we passed legislation that allowed for an additional fine for DUI convictions to purchase cameras for cars at that time, with the -- with the express purpose of those cameras to be utilized strictly for DUI stops, video rolling. At this time, there appears that there are some jurisdictions who have a little bit of a surplus in those funds. So they’re seeking other ways to use them. Is it your intention that this 2.4 million dollars you’re talking about could only be utilized for in-car cameras?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator -- Raoul.
To the bill: I rise in support of the bill. We’ve been meeting as a Governor’s Task Force on Racial Profiling over the past several months and there are some recommendations that will be made to the Governor and this is one of ‘em. So, Senator Meeks is ahead of the -- ahead of the game on this. And one of the things is that it’s been difficult to reach consensus on certain things, but this is one of the issues that there’s been consensus on. Law enforcement’s on board and -- and -- and community groups are on board, so I ask for us to support this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Righter.
56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Senator, the fund that’s being created, is that a new fund in the State treasury or is that saying that local municipalities or counties can create the fund?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
It’s -- it’s a new fund that they can apply to. It’s a new fund. That’s the answer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
So, it’s a new fund, a single fund, within the State treasury and law enforcement entities will then be seeking grants out of that fund to pay for the camera. Okay. The second question I have is, can you tell me specifically in the bill whether or not there is language to protect this fund from the chargeback authority that the General Assembly gave the Governor in 2003?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
It doesn’t address it either way, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
Senator, if we want to make sure that this money goes to the law enforcement authorities that you’re standing up for here today, then can I make a -- I’m going to make a request that you pull the bill out of the record and that you put an amendment on that exempts it from the chargeback authority. Because otherwise we all know that six or eight percent of the money that comes in is going to be swept into the General Revenue Fund pursuant to the Governor’s authority, and I don’t think you or I or anyone else wants to be -- have to stand up and defend that almost ten percent of those funds are going to somewhere other than law 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 enforcement cameras.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
Thank you, Senator. I really appreciate that. I think I want to stay with the bill. But I don’t believe that it will -- I don’t believe that it will actually be utilized in that fashion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President. So, Senator Meeks, can I take from that that you’ve had some conversation with a representative of the Governor’s Office, or maybe the Governor himself, that they would not intend to exercise their chargeback authority on the monies in this fund? Because I guess I’m a little concerned where you get that feeling if not from the Governor’s Office themselves.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
Well, I’ll -- I’ll work with the House sponsor and make sure that -- that we cover that when we get it to the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Further discussion? Senator Viverito.
Thank you, Madam President. I rise in favor of this bill. I think the sponsor deserves a great deal of credit. I think this can clarify a lot of the problems that we see happening on highways and internally in the City of Chicago. And I think this is a great thing that will really be beneficial to everybody. I hope everybody will feel in their hearts that it’s a good bill and vote Yes on it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Madam President, for your indulgence. I -- I do appreciate it. To the sponsor, please. Senator -- Senator Meeks, in light of -- of what I was talking about with the 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 opportunity for municipalities, counties, units of local government to purchase cameras through this DUI fund, how many police cars in the City of Chicago do not have cameras? Do you have any idea?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
Actually, Senator, unfortunately, I’m almost an expert on police cameras in Chicago. And I didn’t mean to become an expert on that subject. But they’re actually trying a pilot program. They -- they didn’t have any in the City of Chicago. They’re actually trying a pilot program now and I think the answer is about forty-eight.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Burzynski.
Well, I find that amazing, looking at the fact that -- that my counties, small rural counties, have been able to put cameras and replace them, over the period of the last five or six years, in forty or fifty squad cars in each one of those counties, why the City of Chicago has not availed themselves to this other program that would be available, which would take care of what you’re -- you’re looking at, Senator. I mean, it really would. So, I’m just curious as to whether or not the City has been utilizing all the tools that it has available to them now. That fund, by the way, those funds, those fees collected by the local jurisdiction, they stay there. You don’t have to worry about ‘em being fund swept or anything else. And so that’s -- that’s why I bring it up, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Any further discussion? Senator Munoz.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: With all respect to the sponsor, you’ve initiated the pilot program. I think that’s great. The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police had some concerns regarding the funding, given how big the department is. Hopefully you will be able to talk to them as the bill moves on into the House to try to work out or maybe put an amendment, if possible. At this time, I will be voting Present though. 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Further discussion? Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Madam President. The City of Chicago is against this bill and that’s a good reason to vote -- vote for it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Garrett.
Thank you, Madam President. A -- a point of personal privilege. Sorry. I have to do it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
I’m here just to make sure that Linda Davis and her class from the Lake Forest Montessori School get a warm welcome from the Senate before they have to go home.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Any further discussion on the bill? Senator Syverson.
Thank you, Madam President. A question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Are these -- are these grants -- when the monies are collected from around the State, then are these -- are these grants going to be paid out on a needs basis to those communities that have -- that have -- financially are -- are -- cannot afford to do this, or are these grants just going to be given out as the -- as the Governor determines?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
Actually, the Law Enforcement Training Board, if I’m not mistaken, Senator, will actually have the authority to make a disbursement or a decision. So it would really be on a needs basis. We’re trying to make sure that all the municipalities that actually can’t afford cameras, that they’re able to get 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Syverson.
I guess my concern is, percentage wise Chicago probably is one of the highest and, obviously, they would be one of the wealthiest as well. But if we’re using this based on a needs basis and you only have a couple million dollars coming in, for example, is this board -- are we setting guidelines for this board or is the board going to set what guidelines they have determined on how to distribute those funds?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
Thank you so much, Senator. The intent is that this is a statewide fund. This is not a Chicago-friendly bill or a bill for Chicago only. It’s for every municipality in the State that cannot afford cameras, that presently want to be able to purchase cameras. They can apply for this grant. And so it’s not a -- a Chicago bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Syverson.
I guess where that’s some of my concern is. We’ve got communities that are -- are poor communities like ours that have spent those dollars already. And we have some communities, sounds like, you know, Chicago, that has not purchased cameras yet. And so that’s my question, is if -- if you have a limited amount of resources if -- is it spelled out in the bill that it’s going to go to some kind of a formula that if it’s a county that cannot afford it or is it just going to go to a -- a -- a city or a municipality that just requests those dollars? Is it spelled out in the bill where there’s some formula, I guess, is my question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
Thank you, Senator. The specifics of the formula are actually left to the Board that’s created in the -- in the 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 legislation. But again, this is for districts that can’t afford cameras, and the Board will help make that determination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks, did you answer that?
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Syverson, are you done? Any further discussion? Senator Crotty.
I just want to rise in support of the bill. This bill is very similar to the bill that was passed in this Session -- or, last Session having to do with a grant to help those poorer communities be able to - that I carried - to put up the devices to be able to change the -- the traffic light, over a situation that happened in my district. So, what this actually does is set up that same type of a grant to allow communities to be able to put in for it in order to get cameras. So, I would hope that we would be able to support that. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Any further discussion? Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: You know, we all read about Senator Meeks’ experience several months ago and I think all of us were very sympathetic to what -- what he went through. I think he’s responded -- he sort of teasingly said that he had been an -- an unwitting expert on this issue. But I think he’s responded with real grace. He -- he has the ability, had he wanted to, to turn that situation into something that wouldn’t have been helpful. But he transcended that and really eclipsed that. I think what he’s doing is coming here and saying, look, let’s marshal some resources that are necessary in order to make some of these problems go away, and if there are communities that don’t have the financial resources to create documentation about the conduct of some people, then let’s give them the resources to do that. I’m as concerned as anybody about the Governor’s ability to reach a long arm into this fund, and I think the Senator has indicated that he’s willing to work with the House sponsor potentially to -- to amend that. But I would 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 urge -- urge our passage today so that we can create some resources here to help -- help -- help, frankly, some healing to go on. And I urge its passage. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Any further discussion? Senator Shadid. Senator Shadid.
Thank -- I just want to clarify something with the sponsor. The Police Training Board, that’s what you’re talking about, isn’t it? Not the Law Enforcement whatever -- commission?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
The Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Shadid.
Well, I -- I always just call it the police training board. It’s comprised of all the chiefs and sheriffs in the State of Illinois and they’ll determine who gets the grants. Thank you very much. I support the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis.
If the sponsor would yield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
My understanding then is this: If municipalities in my district do not have the monies, they can apply to this fund. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Meeks.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis.
Support the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is -- well, Senator Meeks, would you like to close? The question is, shall Senate Bill 3076 pass. Those in favor, 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 51 Yeas, 5 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. And Senate Bill 3076, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Garrett, on 3086. Senator Link, on 3088. For information for the Body, we will be going through 2nds again. The deadline is nearing and I noticed that there were a few people not in the Chambers when we went through 2nds before. So, remember that the deadline is very close and I encourage everybody to get their paperwork done so that their bill can move from either 2nd into 3rd or 3rd to be voted on. So, we need to go back to page 2. Senator Dillard, on 1835. This is 2nd Readings, moving them to 3rd. Senator Jacobs. 2144. To clear up any miscommunication, we are on Senate Bills 2nd Reading. You need to decide if you want to move them to 3rd. Senator Jacobs. 2144. Senator Garrett. 2170. Senator Silverstein. 2180. Senator Sandoval. 2196. Senator Dillard. 2198. Senator Maloney. 2225. Senator Maloney. 2229. Senator Crotty. 2237. Senator Sandoval. 2254. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2254. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Health and Human Services adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam -- President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd -- 3rd Reading. Senator Bomke, on 2263. Top of page 3. Senator Burzynski. 2303. Senator Garrett. 2326. Senator Collins, on 2349. Senator Collins. 2351. Senator Raoul, on 2368. Senator Raoul, on 2368. Senator Raoul, on 2369. Senator Millner. 2372. Senator Millner, do you wish to move 2372 to 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 3rd? Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2372. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Millner, on 2374. Senator Cullerton. 2405. Senator Cullerton. 2405. Do you wish to move that to 3rd? Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2405. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on 2415. Top of page 4. Senator Millner. 2426. Senator Link. 2442. Senator Trotter. 2455. Senator Crotty, on 2469. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2469. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Committee Amendments 1 and 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Shadid, on 2477. Senator Raoul, on 2510. Senator Ronen. 2514. Senator Demuzio. 2519. Senator Silverstein. 2558. Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you rise? 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
Purposes of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your announcement, please.
There will be an Executive Appointments meeting -- Committee meeting tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m., in Room 212. Tomorrow morning, 8:30 a.m., in Room 212, Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Silverstein. 2558. Senator Cullerton. 2568. Senator Garrett. 2570. Top of page 5. Senator Silverstein. 2574. Senator Ronen. 2578. Senator Clayborne. 2580. Senator Haine. 2608. Senator Link. 2611. Senator Shadid. 2615. Senator Shadid. 2615. Senator Dillard. 2616. Senator Dillard. 2617. Senator Collins. 2619. Senator Collins. 2670. Senator Clayborne. 2672. Senator Demuzio. 2674. Senator Silverstein. 2676. Senator Link. 2688. Top of page 6. Senator Trotter, on 2693. Senator Geo-Karis. 2695. Madam Secretary, read the bill. Out of the record. Senator Geo- Karis, we’ll come back to that. Senator Althoff. 2711. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2711. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Sullivan. 2716. Senator Viverito. 2730. Senator Althoff, on 2777. Senator Sieben. 2778. Senator Garrett. 2784. Top of page 7. Senator Shadid. 2795. Senator Bomke. 2798. Senator Forby. 2810. Senator Lightford. 2829. Senator Schoenberg. 2845. Senator Munoz. 2869. Senator Sullivan. 2870. Senator Sandoval. 2878. Madam Secretary, read the bill. 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
Senate Bill 2878. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Link. 2884. Senator Hunter. 2898. Senator Hunter. 2921. Senator Wendell Jones. 2960. Senator Petka, on 2962. It is the Chair’s intention to go directly to 3rds after we’re done with 2nds, so please be ready with your bill if we get to you. We’re at the top of page 8 on 2965. Excuse me. Senator DeLeo, for what purpose do you wish to speak? SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Madam Secretary {sic}. I was on the phone and, with leave of the Body, could we go back to 2748, please? On -- on page 6.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Well, unfortunately, Senator DeLeo, there’s a fiscal note on that so we’ll have to wait till that clears up. We will come back to you when we clarify that. Top of page 8. Senate Bill 2965. Senator Cullerton. Senator Bomke. 2967. Senator Burzynski. 2969. Senator Roskam. 2971. Senator Silverstein. 2998. Senator Dillard. 3016. Senator Silverstein. 3037. Senator Trotter. 3053. Senator Hendon. 3056. Okay. We’re at the top of page 9 on the Order of 3rd Readings. We’re going to go through 3rd Readings one more time. So be ready if your bill is called and you want to put it on -- if you want to call it on 3rd. Senator DeLeo, on Senate Bill 392. Senator Trotter, on Senate Bill 1547. Senator Meeks, on Senate Bill 1839. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1991. Senator Harmon, on 2123. Senator Watson, on 2130. Senator Sandoval, on 2159. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2159. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 2159.
67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Thank you, Madam President. 2159 provides that any pre- award, post-award, administration, and close-out documents relating to a contract must be made public after the contract is awarded. This is a bill that passed with support of a former member of the Illinois General Assembly, a -- and former corporation counsel to the White House, Abner Mikva, Judge Mikva, who indicated his full support for this piece of legislation. Being a former federal procurement official and seeing what has happened in State government over the last couple years with the need for more transparency of its procurement process, it’s very evident that all documents that -- that lead to the awarding of a contract, the use of public monies, be made available to the general public. In my request of information to different State agencies, I found that that was not the case. So therefore I thought in order to add for full transparency of the procurement process in State government, I would initiate a bill to make that possible. I ask for your favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Geo-Karis.
Excuse me. Senator, you’ve explained it in a way that is not explainable. Would you please tell me exactly what does this bill do in two sentences?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sandoval.
Senator Geo-Karis, any time a contract is awarded by the State of Illinois, any documents relating to the bids, the evaluations and the awarding of that contract should be made public to anyone in the State of Illinois, and that’s what this bill does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis.
What about if you have certain cases where certain things cannot be mentioned?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sandoval.
68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 It’s with the exception of sensitive information as related to cost that would never be disclosed. I have full respect for that, but anything else other than that that is not business confidential and proprietary should be released to the general public via the FOIA process.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis. Any further discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Thank you. Senator, I remember a year or two ago I had a conversation with the Department of Central Management Services on an issue regarding procurement. Specifically, they had issued an RFP and I asked them if I could see the documents from the bids that were not successful. Obviously, the bid that is successful, obviously, becomes public record. They said that it was their policy not to disclose the bids that were not successful. Would this bill change that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sandoval.
Yes, it would, Senator Righter. That is the same experience I have had, that the public policy as it relates to disclosure of documents is different for different departments in State government. So, that would -- this bill would resolve that issue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Millner.
Thank you, Madam President. The bill came out of committee unanimously. We support the Senator’s bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Sandoval, do you wish to close?
I’d ask for a favorable vote. 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2159 pass. 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 2159, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cullerton, on 2185. Senator Cullerton. 2185. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2185. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No -- I’m sorry. 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.
Yes. Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This bill amends the Property Tax Code and it’s concerning supportive living facilities. According to Section 42 Housing Groups, the legislation changes the definition of property to indicate the -- to assessment officers that certain portions of fees paid by residents of supportive living facilities should not be included in the calculation of the building’s assessment because the facility cannot include those fees as income. A portion of the monies paid by residents of supportive living facilities does not go towards the actual net operating income attributable to the property. So, this just clarifies that that should not be considered. I know of no opposition. Ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2185 pass. Those in favor, 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 Yes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. And Senate Bill 2185, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Collins, on 2191. Senator Munoz. 2230. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Senate Bill 2230. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Munoz.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2230 is a cleanup bill offered by the Secretary of State. It strengthens the ability of the Secretary of State to revoke the driver’s licenses, license plate and placards of persons convicted of abusing disabled parking spaces. It also clarifies qualifications for commercial driver’s license, that restrictions on commercial driving permits apply to drivers whose privileges have been suspended as well as those who have been revoked. This brings the Illinois statute in conformance with federal regulation. Also codifies the Secretary of State’s current practice of placing the driver’s social security number on the driver’s license at their request. Clarifies that municipalities may charge late payment penalties in the excess of the maximum fine of two hundred and fifty dollars for handicap parking violations only. The change was made last year in -- House Bill 1316, but the bill failed to amend another statute that would have been amended and this bill takes care of that. With the Committee Amendment 1, we did take out an inadvertent fee increase. I know of no opposition and I will attempt to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Madam President. I rise in support of the legislation. It came out of Transportation with no opposition. I would urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any other discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2230 pass. Those in favor, 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 Senate Bill 2230, having received the 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, on 2233. Top of page 10. Senator Demuzio. 2236. Senator Dillard. 2241. Senator Cullerton. 2243. Senator Ronen. Senator Cullerton. 2277. Senator Cullerton. 2284. Senator Clayborne. 2285. Senator Martinez. 2290. Senator Ronen. 2297. Top of page 11. Senator Haine. 2302. Senator Link. 2308. Senator Cullerton. 2310. Senator Trotter. 2320. Senator Jacobs. 2325. Senator Jacobs. 2330. Senator Watson. 2333. Senator del Valle. 2339. Senator Clayborne, on 2360. Senator Haine, on 2391. Oh! I’m sorry. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to Senator Sandoval. 2376. Senator Haine. 2391. Senator Wilhelmi. 2395. Top of page 12. Senator Cullerton. 2400. Senator Clayborne. 2412. Senator Millner. 2427. Crotty. 2437. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2437. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Crotty.
Thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this bill is very -- and a matter of fact, it’s identical to a Senate bill that was passed out of Health and Human Services last year. This bill would ask DHS to develop -- must develop a pilot project for the operation of two CILAs for adolescents who have been diagnosed with autism. A resident must be between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. The homes must be located in Will County or southern Cook County, operated for three years and focus on family involvement. They would also include a behavioral therapist on its staff and the provider must ensure that the staff at each location receives adequate training in behavior analysis, skill training, and communication. The homes must furnish therapeutic and other support services. The therapeutic curriculum must concentrate on the principles of applied behavioral analysis.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Thank you, Madam President. I simply rise in support of the bill. This legislation did pass out of the Health and Human Services Committee unanimously. It’s narrowly -- narrowly tailored. Creates a pilot program for what is a very serious and burgeoning problem in our State and I appreciate the Senator’s good work.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2437 pass. 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 2437, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cullerton, on 2445. Senator Forby, on 2446. Senator Forby. Senator Althoff. 2456. Senator Cullerton, on 2465. Senator Cullerton. 2475. Senator Althoff. 2492. Senator Link. 2495. Senator Sullivan. 2513. Top of page 13. Actually, with leave of the Body, we will be returning to page 14. Senator del Valle, on 2546. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2546. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator del Valle.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2546 requires the State Board of Education to collect, maintain and periodically report data regarding teacher preparation, institutions pass/fail rates for the basic skills test, and subject-matter test. This’ll give us a better idea of how our teacher candidates are doing in the university/college teacher preparation programs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2546 pass. 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, 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 none voting Present. And Senate Bill 2546, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Silverstein, on 2554. Senator Dillard. 2555. Senator John Sullivan. 2562. Senator del Valle. 2569. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2569. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator del Valle.
Thank you, Madam President. This is a bill that comes from the Cook County Recorder of Deeds Office. It’s a bill that would require that the recorder of deeds mail a notification postcard to the previous owner whenever a recording or deed filing on any property occurs within the county. The purpose of this is to make sure that we prevent forged documents from being signed and give owners an opportunity to be able to deal with the situation if that occurs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2569 pass. 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 2569, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Collins, on 2579. Senator Clayborne. 2582. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2582. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Clayborne.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2582 provides that a corporate income tax deduction for certain amounts paid or 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 incurred by an interinsurer or reciprocal insurer to an attorney- in-fact applies only after July 20th, 1999, and is exempt from the Act’s sunset provision. Basically, this Act sunsetted in 2004, and we’re just recodifying the law and taking the sunset out of it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Madam President. I rise in support of the bill. It passed unanimously out of the Insurance Committee and I urge its passage.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Clayborne.
I would ask for your favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2582 pass. Those in favor, 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 2582, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Garrett, on 2639. Top of page 15. Senator Harmon, on 2650. Senator Cullerton. 2655. Senator Crotty. 2664. Senator Raoul. 2673. Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you rise?
Purpose of a -- of an announcement. I -- I announced earlier that Executive Appointments will be meeting tomorrow morning at 8:30. It’s on the Calendar for 8 o'clock, but I know the Republicans have a lot of receptions tonight and they’ll probably be a little hungover. So, as soon as you get there, we will get started.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Thank you, Senator Hendon. Could you please clarify if it’s 8 or 8:30?
The committee is posted for 8 a.m., but I see we have the Sullivan Caucus tonight. Oh! It’s not tonight? Well, I guess 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 I’m hungover from last night. Okay. It’s posted for 8 o'clock. We know the members -- soon as the members get there - 8 a.m., 8:15, 8:20 - we will begin. Chairman will probably mosey in about 8:15.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis, the committee is posted for 8 a.m. Everybody should be there at 8 a.m. The Chairman will be there at 8, too, I’m sure. Senator Munoz, on 2680. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2680. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Munoz.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2680 requires auxiliary police to complete the same required training as all other police officers. Madam President, I wish to hold this at this time. I was just informed that there was an amendment that didn’t get out of Rules.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Thank you, Senator Munoz. Out of the record. Senator del Valle. 2684. Senator Link. 2691. Senator Wilhelmi. 2709. Senator Wilhelmi. 2713. Senator Viverito. 2728. Senator Pankau. 2770. Senator del Valle. 2796. Top of page 16. Senator Clayborne. 2807. Senator Clayborne. 2808. Senator Schoenberg. 28… Senator Demuzio. 2837. Senator Schoenberg. 2847. Senator Harmon. 2865. Senator Harmon. 2871. Senator Harmon. 2872. Senator Harmon. 2873. We already did it. Senator Link. 2882. Senator Cronin. 2887. Top of page 17. Senator Cullerton. 2954. Senator Harmon. 2955. Senator Martinez. 2959. Senator Cronin. 2968. Senator Cullerton. 2980. Senator Garrett. 3086. Senator Link. 3088. Okay. That’s the end of 3rd Readings for today. I just want to remind the Body to get your paperwork moving so that we can get these bills taken care of. Senator Collins, for what purpose do you rise?
76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 2/22/2006 Thank you, Madam Chairman. Point of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your announcement.
I would like to announce that Appropriations I will meet today at 3:30 in Room 212. Appropriations I, 3:30, Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bills 4104, 4173, 4193, 4258, 4274, 4286, 4300, 4306, 4310, 4362, 4365, 4397. All passed the House, February 22nd, 2006. I have like Messages with respect to House Bills 4529, 4559, 4679, 4688, 4711, 4743, 4768, 4793, 4822, 4829, 4895, 4904, 4971, 5216, 5269. All passed the House, again, February 22nd, 2006.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Joint Resolution 78, offered by Senator Demuzio. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis, for what purpose do you rise?
I understand there are committee meetings all afternoon. And are we going to be coming back, or -- tonight, or what’s -- what is the -- the game plan?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis, we haven’t gotten to that point yet, but we will not be coming back after committees. You’ll -- we’ll fill you in in a minute. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10:30 a.m., tomorrow morning, February 23rd, 2006. The Senate stands adjourned. 77