PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) The regular Session of the 94th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Ladies and Gentlemen, we have lost our sound system and we will be recording the proceedings. We have tape recorders up here. We have several tape recorders. So we’re going to record what -- what we’re doing. We will not be conducting any votes or moving any bills, but we are going to open things up in order to get our paperwork flowing and initiate the work of the Senate this morning. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by the Reverend Keith Anderson, Chatham United Methodist Church, Chatham, Illinois.
(Prayer by the Reverend Keith Anderson)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) We will now recite the Pledge of Allegiance. (Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator del Valle) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of Monday, March 27th; Tuesday, March 28th; and Wednesday, March 29th, 2006.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Hunter.
Mr. Secretary -- Mr. President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal of Wednesday, April 5th, 2006, pending arrival of the printed transcripts.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. The Rules Committee will meet 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 immediately. Rules Committee in the President’s Antechamber immediately. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For purposes of an announcement. I’d like the record to reflect that Senator Rauschenberger is absent today due to legislative business for the National Conference of State Legislatures.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) The record will so reflect. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bill 668. Signed by Senator Viverito. Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Executive Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 668 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3053. Signed by Senator Viverito.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) For purposes of an announcement. The Executive Committee will be meeting at 12:20 in Room 212. 12:20 in Room 212, Executive Committee meeting. Ladies and Gentlemen, for purposes of an announcement. We will be recessing until the call of the Chair after the Executive Committee meeting. Mr. Secretary, when we recess you -- you shall be taking custody of the recording device. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) The Senate will come to order. We ask that the Members please come to the Floor. And it’s great to have the sound back. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Silverstein, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 668, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3053 recommended Do Adopt. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 3182, offered by Senator Shadid. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 711, offered by Senator Haine and all Senators. Senate Resolution 712, offered by Senator Clayborne and all Members. And Senate Resolution 713, offered by Senator Hunter {sic} (E. Jones) and all Senators. They are death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Mr. 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 refused to concur with the Senate in the adoption of their amendment to a bill of the following title, to wit: House Bill 4161, along with Senate Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 4161. Nonconcurred in by the House, April 5th, 2006. Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has refused to concur with the Senate in the adoption of their amendment to a bill of the following title, to wit: House Bill 4195, along with Senate Amendment No. 1. Nonconcurred in by the House, April 5th, 2006.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) We ask all Members to please come to the Floor. We will be conducting Floor action. All Senators within the sound of my 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 voice, please come to the Senate Floor. We are going to proceed to Floor action. Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be going to page 10 on the Calendar. House Bills 3rd Reading. Page 10 on the Calendar. House Bills 3rd Reading. On the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading is House Bill 4715. Senator Raoul. Senator Raoul. Senator Raoul seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 4715 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 4715. Madam Secretary -- Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Raoul.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Raoul, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 2 deletes all and becomes the bill. I’ll explain it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is -- is there any discussion? If not, Senator Raoul moves the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 4715. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 4715. Senator Raoul, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4715. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Raoul.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill -- 4715, as amendment -- as amended, comes as a result of long negotiations between domestic violence advocacy 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 groups, housing advocacy groups and Realtors. I’m happy to say that after these negotiations we have an agreed-to bill. And it’s a very important bill on behalf of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. House Bill 4715 provides relief to domestic violence and sexual assault victims who are tenants in privately owned buildings. The -- if a victim is a tenant and has been the victim of domestic violence or sexual assault and gives sufficient notice, the victim will be provided an affirmative defense to termination of lease action. Additionally, a victim can request that a landlord change the locks for the victim’s safety. I -- I urge your support of the bill and will entertain any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I rise in support of this bill. Senator Raoul worked very, very hard, listened to all the -- well, a lot of the opponents actually, maybe not quite everybody. But I think he put together a good compromise piece of legislation that, first and foremost, protects victims of -- domestic violence and gives them a tool they need in a very urgent situation, but he’s also crafted it well so that it’s not subject to abuse and protects the rights of -- of landowners and private property holders, and I -- I urge its passage.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) The question is, shall House Bill 4715 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 the question, there are 56 Ayes, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 4715, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) State your point.
5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 I’m pleased to be joined today by another Page for the Day, Claire Hogan, who’s a fourth grader at McKenzie Elementary School in Wilmette. Claire will be coming to make your acquaintance very shortly on a matter of mutual interest relating to the preservation of open space. Please give Claire a very warm Senate welcome. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Forby, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) State your point.
Today I have a young lady with me that I’m very impressed with. She’s from my district. I’ve talked to a lot of young people. This girl - you’ve heard the old saying, has got her head on her shoulders - she knows exactly where she’s going and what she’s going to do. I’m very impressed with her. She’s up here. She’s a high school {sic} from down home. She’s doing an intern up here at the hospital. That intern is from January till May. She graduates in May and she’s planning on being a doctor and she’s from -- Mr. Trotter. I don’t know if Mr. Trotter can hear me over there or not, but this girl is from Mr. Trotter’s district, ten miles north of Cairo, Illinois. But she’s -- she’s up here in Springfield and I wish you’d give her a good hand. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Welcome to the Senate. We’re going to continue on page 10 on the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading. On the Order of House Bill 3rd Reading is House Bill 4729. Senator Emil Jones. Out of the record. House Bill 4746. Senator Link. Out of the record. House Bill 4752. Senator Garrett. Out of the record. House Bill 4974. Senator Lightford. Out of the record. House Bill 5370. Senator Lightford. Out of the record. House Bill 5382. Senator Link. Out of the record. We will now proceed to the Order of Concurrences on page 13. The Order of Secretary’s Desk Concurrence is Senate Bill 385. Senator Link. Mr. Secretary, read the motion. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments Numbered 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 385. Signed by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Link, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Basically, on House Amendment 2 - - 1 -- 1 made this a shell bill. House Amendment 2 made it the bill and amends the Coin Operators Amusement Device Redemption Machine Tax Act {sic} by allowing tax decals which must currently be affixed to a machine to be attached to a machine by means of a transparent material secured over it. I know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Rutherford.
Thank you, Mr. President. I stand in concurrence with Senator Link’s motion and look forward to seeing him at the coin operator’s vending area where the thing will be bolted, soldered, stapled, glued and whatever it takes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 385. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 385, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Maloney, on Senate Bill 509. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 509. Signed by Senator Maloney.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Maloney.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just as a reminder to the Ladies 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 and Gentlemen of the Senate, this bill established speed limits for park zones where children are present. The -- the rationale being that children -- sometimes their behavior is less controlled around parks than it is around schools. The -- the only thing the amendment does is changes the reference from park zone to park zone streets. The bill passed out of here last year 55 to 0 and it’s passed out of the House this year 113 to 0. I know of no opposition and would be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur with House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 509. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 509, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 702. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 702. Signed by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is the bill with private/public leasing threshold bill. It’s an agreed upon amendment. I know of no opposition. All sides have come into agreement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just a couple of questions for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Sponsor indicates he will yield.
First of all, I -- I -- I compliment you on your tenacity 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 and thoroughness on putting together a package that’s this complicated. One of the…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Lauzen. Excuse me. Can -- can we have some quiet on the Floor? Silence, please. The sponsor is having difficulty hearing the question. Thank you. Senator Lauzen.
Thank you very much. I won’t repeat the compliment, but good job on… Second is, could you describe -- and -- and you’ve -- you’ve done a good job. It was -- I think you did some more research after the committee meeting. Could you provide for the Senate -- there was a broadening of the property that this new definition of PPV leases applied to. It went from like naval facilities, Section 2878, to the entire Military Code, Chapter 10. And you’ve done some research on that. Could you give us that background, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Link.
Thank you, Senator Lauzen. Your question was very good in committee and we checked it out and we -- we got the answer from the Navy, and the Navy felt that there would be a lot of these questions brought into this Section, so it was easier to -- to broaden it to cover the whole Section and cover it because there would be things that would be coming up in the future. Because this is only the third PPV in the nation that’s taking place right now and they feel that there will be other questions pertaining to this in this Section when other installations go on the line in this. So, that’s why they broadened it to this Section to cover all of it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Lauzen.
Thank you very much. And -- and congratulations on the pioneer effort of the drafting and putting everybody together on this. You also, I think, had come to a solution on it -- it includes related naval support facilities, rather than just naval training facilities. And I remember that you had a special rationale for that, if you could address that. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Link.
Thank you. Basically, what this is, this is encompassing the old Fort Sheridan Base and Glenview Naval Base and those facilities are support bases to the Great Lakes Naval Base. And you had to put that under there that they would be support bases to it and that this would only include them and not Scott Air Force Base, which would have been included in the original legislation who did not want to be included in this legislation. So, by the terminology that we put in there, would only encompass Fort Sheridan and Glenview Naval Air Force Base, which is closed down now into with Great Lakes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Lauzen.
Like to -- to the bill: I recommend an Aye vote, and again, compliments to the sponsor for the thorough work in a pioneering area. And it puts -- it puts property tax revenue into these schools and areas that have served this area for a long time. So, congratulations.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 702. 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 Ayes, 2 Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 702, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Schoenberg, on Senate Bill 951. Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 951. Signed by Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Senate. House Amendment No. 1 represents a compromise between the -- the State’s Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Illinois State Medical Society. It clarifies and improves the due process procedures which were contained in the original underlining {sic} bill relating to the withholding of payments in whole or part due to alleged Medicaid provider or alternate payee fraud. You may recall, that I read -- when the original bill was presented before us, I read legislative intent into the record. This represents an agreement and there’s no known opposition and I move your support of this concurrence motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. I simply rise in support of the bill. I think this bill is in a little better shape than it was when it left the Chamber. I appreciate the sponsor’s work and the Illinois State Medical Society in refining the language and I would urge its passage.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 951. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 951, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Proceeding to the top of the page, page 14, is Senate Bill 1705. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 1705. Signed by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The underlying bill, Senate Bill 1705, provides for an 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 expansion of the real-time pricing pilot program for the purchase of -- of power to a -- a statewide availability. The House has amended it with several technical amendments which improve the bill. The most notables relate to the -- the insurance that the real-time pricing program provides and that economic benefit to all customers and grants the ICC discretion with respect to the recovery of costs, primarily from those who participate in the program. I’m not aware of any opposition and I ask you to support my motion to concur.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? There any discussion? Seeing none, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 1705. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 1705, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Halvorson, on Senate Bill 2137. Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 2137. Signed by Senator Halvorson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. These are three technical amendments that were added to the -- in the House, basically changing the -- a couple typos and eliminating unnecessary language.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 2137. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 2137, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 2159. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2159. Filed by Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Sandoval, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. The House Amendment 1 requires that after awarding a contract and subject to the Freedom of Information Act, the procuring agency shall make available for public inspection and copying all pre-award, post-award, administration, and close-out documents relating to the contract. This amendment will bring more transparency to the Procurement Code of the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2159. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2159, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Ronen, on Senate Bill 2195. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2195. Filed by Senator Ronen.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Ronen, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment just merely adds a sunset date to the original bill. The sunset date would be July 1st, ’09, and makes it immediately effective. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Very briefly to the bill: I rise in support of the bill. The bill, when it left the Chamber, did not have any sunset date on for these benefits. The House felt it was prudent to do that. This’ll give an -- us an opportunity to review the program after three years and decide whether it should be renewed. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur with House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2195. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2195, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Martinez, on Senate Bill 2235. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2235. Filed by Senator Martinez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Martinez, to explain your motion.
Thank you. This amendment retains the bill as passed by the Senate. Specifies a provision delaying grant awards until -- 2007 school year does not apply to existing cohorts of students, and it makes other changes - just technical changes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2235. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2235, 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Proceeding to page 15. Top of the page. Senate Bill 2254. Senator Sandoval. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2254. Signed by Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Sandoval, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Amendment 1 specifically corrects the definition of the Home and Community Based Services Program for Persons with Disabilities in the Act to reference Section 1915(c) of the federal Social Security Act, which is the law that relates to this particular program. I ask your favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2254. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2254, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 2272. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2272. Filed by Senator Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Cullerton, to explain your motion.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill, as it passed the Senate, you may recall it authorized the county with a drug court to impose a five-dollar fee to help pay for the cost of the drug court. It is permissive. Not all 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 counties have a drug court. If they wanted to create one in the future, they certainly could. And that bill passed overwhelmingly here in the -- in the -- in the -- in the Senate. The House added an amendment, which I agree with, which sets up a system where each circuit clerk -- it was a request of the Circuit Clerk’s Association to set up a circuit court clerk operation and administration fund to receive and manage the percentage of fees that are collected by the clerk to offset their administrative expenses of fee collection. They are already authorized to do this, but there was no fund for them to put it into. And this is what this amendment does, and I would move that we concur.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2272. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2272, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Martinez, on Senate Bill 2290. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2290. Filed by Senator Martinez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Martinez, to explain your motion.
Thank you. It retains the underlying bill. Limits the bond volume reporting requirements under the Comprehensive Housing Plan to only require the reporting of bond volume cap used for housing purpose -- purposes. This is a -- an amendment that was actually added on, on request as some of the concerns from -- from Senator Althoff and we did that over in the House and this is the final version of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Wendell Jones. 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. To the bill: This bill, I would remind - particularly this side of the aisle - passed this Body with only thirty votes. It -- it takes away local control for bonds for affordable housing. I believe it is overreaching by State government in the area of affordable housing. It -- it attempts to legislate cooperation among our agencies in State government and proposes staff direction in the area of affordable housing, which probably becomes a -- a top- down approach when it comes to affordable housing in Illinois. This top-down approach is overreaching and I would remind the Body it only passed by thirty votes. I would recommend a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Althoff.
Thank you. To the bill: A great deal of modifications and revisions were made to this piece of legislation due to some major concerns of local municipalities with regard to losing that control. I think the modifications have definitely made this a much better bill and I would certainly urge an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Martinez, to close.
I think with all the hard work that has gone into this bill as far as the -- the task force that’s been out there for the last couple of years collecting data and making sure that the affordable issue becomes something in the forefront of this administration, I think that this bill codifies this into law today by us making sure that in the future all the work that has been done by all the community groups and advocates does not go to waste. It also does protect the -- the -- the housing stock that is so critical all over the State of Illinois, and I urge a Aye vote ‘cause I think this continues to move the affordable home -- house issue forward in -- in this State, and more important, takes care of the people that mostly need it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2290. 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 41 Ayes, 16 Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2290, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 2302. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2302. Signed by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Haine, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Amendment No. 1 is an amendment that benefits essentially wholesale dealers and retailers of -- of cigarettes. It also has some technical language to further bring this into -- into a -- a -- a consistent language with the other states. It’s an amendment sponsored by the retailers and Philip Morris. It had no opposition in the committee, very few on the Floor of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Wendell Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I think this continues an afternoon of governmental overreaching and so I would recommend that we stay out of the lives of our citizens and vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Haine, to close.
Thank you, Senator. I appreciate those remarks, but I would ask for an Aye vote. It’s a small amendment and there was no discernible opposition, so…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2302. 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 46 Ayes, 11 Nays, 1 voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2302, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to Senate Bill 2336. Senate Bill 2356. Senator Hunter. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2356. Filed by Senator Hunter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Hunter, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Amendment 1 no longer removes reference of 1.4 million dollars in fund transfers from the State Off-Set Claims Fund to General Revenue under Fiscal Year ’06 budget. Therefore, that fund would proceed under current law and I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2356. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2356, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 2360. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2360. Filed by Senator Clayborne.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Clayborne, to explain your motion.
19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Thank you. House Amendment No. 1 retains the bill, but it just extends the authority of the Lieutenant Governor to include oversight over the Mississippi River Coordinating Council’s activities and responsibility for funding. I would ask for your favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2360. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2360, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Illinois Information Service requests permission to videotape. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. We’re proceeding to page 16, top of the page. Senate Bill 2391. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2391. Filed by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Haine, to explain your motion.
Very briefly, the amendment added in the House was with the agreement of the Attorney General and some law enforcement agencies to more clearly exempt methamphetamine precursors in liquid form. Also, it adds clarifying language, clarifying the relationship between federal regulations and Illinois packaging and sales requirements and training requirements for retail sales, specifically not applying to pharmacists or pharmacy techs. So, it had no opposition. Passed unanimously in the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2391. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. And the Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2391, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Althoff, on Senate Bill 2456. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2456. Filed by Senator Althoff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Althoff, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment to Senate Bill 2456 is actually a response to recommendation that was made from the Senate committee. It maintains the underlying bill, but it expands the distribution of the identity theft pamphlet to all visitors to the Secretary of State facilities to obtain/renew their driver’s license or to obtain a State ID to everyone. It doesn’t limit it just to senior citizens.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2456. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2456, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 2554. Senator Silverstein. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to nonconcur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2554. Filed by Senator Silverstein.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Silverstein, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. As you’re aware, we passed Senate 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Bill -- 2554 as a result of a Sun-Times article regarding your cell phone records being sold. An amendment was put on in the House which really subsequently takes away the effect of the bill. It limits the -- the -- and it really weakens the bill tremendously. So, I’m asking to nonconcur and we’ll see what happens in the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Silverstein moves to nonconcur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2554. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries, and the Secretary shall so inform the House. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to Senate Bill 2569. Senate Bill 2579. Senator Collins. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to nonconcur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2579. Filed by Senator Collins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Collins, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2579 passed out of this Chamber unanimously, and to refresh your memory, it’s a income tax checkoff to assist those on the Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund. When the legislation reached the House, as you know, when we have various requests for income tax checkoff, the Department of Revenue usually has an -- obligatory no or no support. So what they did with no input from me, they tried to put on my legislation in statute where to restrict the -- the amount of income checkoffs that could progress through the State. So I felt that with all of us that have issues that are important to us, whether it’s autism, mental illness, I felt this was worthwhile and should stand on its own. And their legislation or their obligatory no should be a -- a law drafted just to deal with that. So, that’s why I’m asking you to support with a nonconcurrence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Collins moves to nonconcur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2579. All 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries, and the Secretary shall so inform the House. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 2631. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2631. Filed by Senator Wilhelmi.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Wilhelmi, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Wilhelmi, excuse me. Can we please keep the noise level down? It’s difficult to hear the speaker. Thank you. Senator Wilhelmi.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. My motion basically would exempt from the legal description an alley. You may recall that this bill would allow the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet to sell a six-story office building and retain the proceeds which would be reinvested back into the Rialto Square Theatre. The House amendment would simply remove an alley from the legal description. I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2631. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2631, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Proceeding to the top of page 17, Senate Bill 2650. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2650. Filed by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Harmon, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The underlying bill, Senate Bill 2650, creates a county Hire-back Safety Fund similar to the one that is in place at the State level. The two amendments that came over from the House improve the bill. House Amendment No. 1 provides that cameras may be used to enforce this only when construction workers are present, and Amendment No. 2 prohibits the use of cameras to enforce speeding violations. I think they both improve the bill. I’m not aware of any violation and I -- or, any opposition and I would ask for your support of my motion to concur in both amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2650. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2650, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Munoz, on Senate Bill 2680. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2680. Filed by Senator Munoz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Munoz, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Amendment 1 amends the truth in labeling portion of the bill to prohibit the use, in the title of any organization, magazine, other publication, of law enforcement identifiers, such as the words “police”, “law enforcement", "officer” or “trooper” 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 in combination with the name of any state, state agency, public university or unit of local government without the express written authorization of that state, state agency or unit of local government. Ensures that an organization cannot borrow the legitimacy of the state or governmental entity in the name without express authorization. Reduces confusion as to the source and the authority of the organization. Amendment 2 restores language that the auxiliary police officers, when on duty, shall also be conservators of the peace. There was a concern by certain municipalities that their liability would increase should auxiliary police be prohibited from exercising arrest powers in the face of crime. I know of no opposition and I will attempt to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2680. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2680, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Viverito, on Senate Bill 2732. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2732. Filed by Senator Viverito.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Viverito, to explain your motion.
This is the same bill that we did last week for the peer review for the CPAs and I would appreciate a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, this -- I think this is like the third time that we’ve -- we’ve seen this. I know that I asked maybe a week ago the question about the cost to the CPAs 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 who will have this peer review done. You didn’t have a -- a -- you hadn’t been able to check that last time we spoke. Could you address the cost?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Viverito.
Senator, I think that’s a very good question. And the peer review board is analyzing that now and the fee scale will be structured according to the way that they want to do it. But everybody seems to be in -- in agreement with it. And obviously, you know how conscientious CPA are, knowing that you are one yourself and my son also is an MBA CPA, so you know, I know that -- the honesty that prevails in your professional wisdom.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Lauzen.
I love you, Senator Viverito, too. Good stuff. The second question that was asked last week was the protection of intellectual property and trade secrets. Knowing the good intellectual genes that come in your family, your son developed some kind of, you know, improvement on the abacus and, you know, in accounting system. How in these peer reviews is intellectual property and trade secrets going to be protected?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Viverito.
Senator, as you well know, whether it be corporate or individually, there’s a Code of Ethics that has to be followed by CPAs, and believe me that is already in the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator John Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. The -- the bill passed out of committee unanimously. This is about the third time we’ve -- we’ve saw this issue and I would recommend an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2732. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2732, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Bomke, on Senate Bill 2798. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2798. Filed by Senator Bomke.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Bomke, to explain your motion.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The underlining {sic} bill would allow a county of a population of a hundred and eighty thousand or more to increase their board of health members from eight to twelve. The amendment for which we are concurring with today reduces that number down to ten with the mayor of the municipality involved, making the initial two appointments of the additional two members.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2798. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2798, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 2865. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2865. Filed by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Harmon, to explain your motion. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The underlying bill, Senate Bill 2865, provides for camera enforcement of grade -- railroad grade crossing traffic. The amendment, like the amendment to the last bill I presented, disallows the use of the cameras to enforce speeding laws. Again, I’m aware of no opposition and believe the amendment improves the bill. And I would ask for your support of my motion to concur.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Mr. President. This came out of Transportation with no opposition. I would encourage an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2865. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2865, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 2873. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2873. Filed by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Harmon, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The underlying bill, Senate Bill 2873, is the Attorney General’s bill this year to improve the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. The amendment offered in the House is a -- a technical amendment that corrects references to the Department of Juvenile Justice and clarifies application of the Act to indeterminately sentenced inmates. I am not aware of any 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 opposition. Again, the amendment improves the bill and I ask for your support of my motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2873. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2873, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 2878. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2878. Filed by Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Sandoval, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Amendment No. 1 removes a portion of the bill that holds the -- the compliance certificate shall state that the vehicle is in compliance with applicable emissions inspections and requirements and shall expire one year from the date of issuance. Ask for your favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2878. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2878, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Proceeding to the top of page 18, Senate Bill 2931. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2931. Filed by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Harmon, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The underlying bill, 2931, creates the possibility of a pilot program to test lifelong learning accounts, which we have shorthandedly described as 401(k)s for continuing education. The amendment simply clarifies that the pilot program, which would be done in the healthcare arena, would be applicable only at hospitals that choose to participate in the program and we would not mandate their participation. I’m not aware of any opposition and I ask your support of my motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2931. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2931, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Petka, on Senate Bill 2962. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2962. Filed by Senator Petka.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Petka, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 2962 would require that the Secretary of State cancel the license of any sexual offender upon conviction. After the sexual offender would engage in proper notification by registration, the Secretary would then be authorized to issue a one-year driver’s license, which can only be renewed annually. The provision that 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 was removed from the bill by the House dealt with criminal sanctions. I believe that the requests from the House are reasonable and -- and I would ask for concurrence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2962. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2962, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 2986. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 3010. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3010. Filed by Senator Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Cullerton, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I move to concur with the House amendment. When we passed this bill, it -- it amended the Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act. And the purpose of the bill was to - at the request of the Department - was to add a criminal penalty for failure to report, and as it passed the Senate unanimously, it ensured that the reports of alleged abuse and neglect under the Act were made in a timely manner for a required reporter and we defined the required reporter. I also accepted an amendment at the request of the Christian Science Monitor's {sic}. They were -- had been in the Act and they had been listed specifically as a Christian Science practitioner and they wanted to put a different definition, if you will, of what they do in the Act, which we accommodated ‘em. What the House did, and I agree with them, was to take out an exception of -- that we had put in, which was really not necessary. It’s an exception as to information received in a confessional, because that is already covered under 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 a -- the Code of Civil Procedure, where clergy are given that privileged communication exception. So, with that, I would move that we concur with the motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3010. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3010, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Crotty, on Senate Bill 3046. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments Numbered 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 3046. Signed by Senator Crotty.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Crotty, to explain your motion.
Thank you very much. House Amendment No. 1 was an agreed amendment between Illinois American Water and the City of Champaign. It removes the valuation language which was the most contested issue. House Amendment No. 1 inserts language stating the purchasing municipality must make a good-faith offer to the private company. If the two entities have issues they cannot resolve, they shall seek assistance from the court in which any method of -- of valuation can be used. House Amendment No. 2 -- okay. House Amendment No. 2, it was the work with the small utility companies and that sets a standard by which the municipality's acquisition authority is limited. And then House Amendment No. 3 is the issue that labor had brought to the table and that would require a privately held public water company to require the legal successor to hire all employees of the public water system undergoing a change in ownership. And if the acquiring entity does not plan to hire all the employees, justification must be provided to the ICC for their approval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Is there…
This has been… Just wanted to say that this has really been a really fair compromise with a lot of work by a lot of attorneys and all the interested parties, but the -- the real winners are the consumers. Thanks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 3046. 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 Ayes, 1 Nay, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 3046, and the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Wendell Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) State your point.
Thank you very much for your indulgence. I -- I’ve been waiting all day to introduce my Page for a Day and I’m glad we got a chance to get it in. Brian Dhingra is with us today. He goes to Quest Academy School in Palatine, Illinois. His mother, Ritu, and sister, Remi, are up here in the gallery. And please welcome ‘em to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Will our guests in the gallery please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be proceeding to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, page 3. Senate Bills 3rd Reading, page 3. Senator DeLeo, on Senate Bill 392. Out of the record. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 621. Out of the record. With leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Bill 585. And the deadline was extended on that bill, even though it does not appear on the Calendar. The deadline was extended. So, we will proceed to Senate Bill 585. Senator Cullerton seeks leave of this Body to return Senate Bill 585 to the Order of 2nd 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 585. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Cullerton, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill deals with the Open Meetings Act. It’s intended to redefine certain aspects of the Act so as to include video and audio conferences and other electronic means of communication. It’s an initiative of the Illinois Press Association and the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Like to adopt the amendment and further explain the bill on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Cullerton moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 585. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 585. Senator Cullerton, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 585. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is, as I said, an initiative of the Illinois Press Association and the Illinois Broadcasters Association. It’s similar to a House bill which had passed unanimously in the House but was held up 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 here in the Senate because of some objections that were worked out through an agreement with the -- with the House. What it does is to expand the definition of “meeting” under the Open Meetings Act so as to include the presence, whether by telephone calls, video or audio conferences, electronic means, it could be an e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging or any other means of contemporaneous interactive communication, as an acceptable gathering of a majority of a quorum. So, for the purposes of establishing a quorum for the members of a public body, if there’s electronic communication, it’s just as if they were physically present. And then of course, this portion of the bill intends to address those situations where they’re conversing, say through a chat room, and the provisions of the Open Meeting Act would therefore come into play. It also specifies that a quorum of members of a public body must be physically present at an open meeting. But this quorum requirement may be met by a statewide public body that meets simultaneously in Chicago and Springfield via video conference. This is in response to requests by the -- the Pollution Control Board which conducts multiple meetings each year via video conference between Chicago and Springfield. So, they can continue to do that as long as it’s through a video conference. This physical quorum requirement does not apply to open or closed meetings of a State advisory board that makes only non-binding recommendations and does not make any binding recommendations or determinations to take other substantive action. This is in response, for example, to an advisory board from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. They have an advisory board as unsalaried appointees. They meet quarterly and make non-binding recommendations. So, this exemption is -- is designed for them. And this physical quorum requirement is also placed on local bodies for closed meetings. Be happy to answer any questions. Think I -- we had some pretty good discussion of it in the Executive Committee and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for purposes of legislative intent? 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Sponsor indicates he will yield.
Senator Cullerton, in committee I raised the question of -- or, e-mailing and the answer that you gave, I thought, was insightful. And the question was, if someone is -- if one member of a local unit of government is e-mailing another member of a local unit of government, and it’s a one-on-one and then they were to forward that e-mail on to another member, a third person in other words, that is not a contemporaneous communication. Correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Cullerton.
That is correct. There’s only two people who are contemporaneously interacting, not three, ‘cause the third person, the one who got the forwarded e-mail, is not in contact with the one who initiated the e-mail. So, for the purposes of a quorum, there would not -- there would only be two people in that gathering, not three.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Roskam.
And just so that we’re clear, even if you’re a very quick switch on your e-mail forwarding button, the -- the fact that it is not contemporaneous, and by that I mean at the exact same moment in time, and it -- it is a very quick forward, the fact that it’s not all at the exact same moment in time - I don’t know how to be anymore clear on that - wouldn’t trigger the statute. Is that right?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Cullerton.
Well, I don’t believe it would, because I don’t believe it would be interactive under this description that you -- that you gave me. The hypothetical that you gave me.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) The question is, shall Senate Bill 585 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On the question, there are 56 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 585, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Crotty, on Senate Bill 618. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 621. Senator Halvorson, on Senate Bill 627. For the record, the deadline was also extended on Senate Bill 627. Senator Halvorson seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 627 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading, is Senate Bill 627. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Halvorson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 627 deletes the underlying bill and creates the Veterans' Health Insurance Program Act. The bill will establish the operation of the program, terms of the eligibility, role of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and other provisions, such as the use of liens, claims and causes of -- action, subrogation and the rights of recovery. I can discuss the bill when it is on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Halvorson moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 627. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill -- apologize. We have to go back. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President. 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 627. Do you wish to proceed, Senator? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 627. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson.
Thank you, Mr. President. As was said, Floor Amendment No. 1, now Senate Bill 627, creates the Veterans' Health Insurance Program. We have found, as been stated in the national news, that our veterans are very underinsured and we want, as the State of Illinois, to do something about that. So, with this program, the eligibility would be that a veteran be between nineteen and sixty-four, uninsured for the last six months, lives fifty or more miles from the nearest VA center, household income at one hundred percent of poverty level, not dishonorably -- discharged. It came up in committee yesterday that how would we figure out how many people would be a part of this. And we had the number of two hundred thousand veterans. However, that’s the amount that -- of veterans that are over fifty miles away. So then we figured out how many veterans were without health insurance. That came to twenty-five thousand, and then of that twenty-five thousand, how many were uninsured or below the one hundred percent of poverty, and we came up with seven thousand one hundred and thirteen veterans. And with any program, usually fifty percent apply. So we are down to approximately three thousand five hundred and fifty-seven veterans that we anticipate to take part in this pilot program. It is also estimated to cost approximately ten million dollars, which has already been put into the budget. The -- part of it would be -- four million would come -- be generated from the Illinois Veterans Assistant - - Assistance Fund, which also we passed a veterans Lottery ticket last year and the proceeds would go into that fund. The remaining six million would be transferred from GRF into this fund. I’ll answer any questions that anybody may have. 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Sponsor indicates she will yield.
Thank you. Senator Halvorson, I hope you’ll be patient with me a little bit. I know - and we talked a little bit yesterday - this is at least to some extent what the Governor had announced in his, I believe in his State of the State address or his budget address, I’m not sure which. And I want to walk through a little bit some of the things that we talked about in committee yesterday. First of all, let’s talk about the financing for the plan. The impression I got yesterday in committee was that the degree to which we will allow people to enroll in the program, and what I mean by that is how much money you can make and still be eligible for the benefits, will depend upon how much money there is to spend this coming fiscal year. Is that a fair characterization?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson.
Correct. That could change based on the amount of people who apply and how successful the program is. But that is the estimated cost for this first year.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Righter.
Senator, you talked about six million dollars being transferred out of the General Revenue Fund. The -- the -- the figure ten million dollars was being used in committee yesterday, and I -- you touched on that a little bit. I got the impression that at least with regards to the Lottery game receipts, that we don’t know exactly how much we’re going to pull off of that. So, is it fair to say that the program will spend at least six million dollars in FY‘07?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson. 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
But remember, Senator, this program doesn’t even start till September of ’07.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Righter.
Senator, one of the concerns that I think has been raised, particularly on our side of the aisle, has been the degree to which we are going to allow the administrative agencies to decide the parameters of these programs. I mean, in terms of the procedure for enrollment, who will be eligible, how far they have to be from a veterans home - all of these issues. Can you walk through please -- can you walk through, please, those items that are going to be decided by the Department, as opposed to what -- I’m sorry -- I’m sorry, Mr. President -- as opposed to what we have in the bill in front of us?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson.
Sure, Senator, let me find the exact part. It says, “The” - - “The Department shall adopt rules for the Program, including, but not limited to, rules relating to eligibility, re-enrollment” - they’ll have to re-enroll every twelve months - “grace periods, notice requirements, hearing procedures, and {sic} what constitutes reasonable access to healthcare, cost-sharing, covered services, provider requirements, and rates of payment.”
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Righter.
Senator Halvorson, you said something a moment ago that I want to make sure we’re clear on. You -- you said that the -- the program is not scheduled to begin until September 1st of 2007. Our reading of the bill says 2006. Now that might be the FY’07 budget. Can you give me the right calendar year, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson.
Thank you for bringing that up, Senator Righter. I misspoke. It is ’06. September of ’06. 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Righter, last question.
To -- to close on the bill, please, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Halvorson, for your patience and walking through what is going to be a new program here in State government. I don’t know anyone certainly who serves in this Chamber, or really who works in this building, who doesn’t want to do the best we can for veterans. I think that I am concerned about the fact that we are going to reach out and create yet another obligation, particularly in a year where we’re looking at the -- that the veterans education assistance program is going to face a 13.6-million-dollar shortfall this semester and that’s an issue that our higher education institutions are going to have to deal with. It’s my hope that as this goes forward - and I’m going to support the bill - that as this goes forward we watch very carefully how the Department creates its rules to make sure that it maintains what -- what I know the Senator wants to be a fiscally responsible program that does the best it can for its veterans. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Pankau.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Sponsor indicates she will yield.
I thank you very much for the figures that you gave us today. This -- basically from what I understood, basically seven thousand some odd people were hoping to be served by this bill in the -- in the coming year. Are you thinking that that’s going to cost ten million dollars or is -- do you have ten million dollars and you’re going to design a program to spend ten million dollars? Which -- which way is it?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson.
We are setting aside, Senator, ten million dollars. We’re 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 not necessarily going to design a program that costs that, but we want to set that aside for the amount of people who may enroll. There are seven thousand one hundred and thirteen that could enroll. We’re saying half could. As you know, we won’t know exactly how many will enroll. And after that first-year pilot program, we will reexamine it. Because at this current time, they will pay no premiums, just a copay. As the time goes on, that will have to change possibly, too. As we go around saying thank you to our veterans, the least we can do is do something for those who we really want to thank.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Pankau.
So, do you have a cost estimate if all of the seven thousand one hundred, whatever the figure was, do you have a cost estimate of how much that would cost? If everybody did enroll.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson.
We probably will not spend the ten million dollars the first year. That’s all I’m saying. And -- and currently this does not include any federal dollars. However, if we can apply for some federal dollars, that’s even a bigger bonus to us. We don’t plan on spending it, but the worst thing we could do is only set aside five million and then need more.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Pankau.
Mr. President, to the bill: I also urge you to vote for this bill. I know it may seem like it’s -- it’s a little sketchy and a lot of things haven’t been worked out, but I would also urge everybody, particularly in the downstate areas, to watch this bill as it progresses and where there might be areas that we need to change or adjust. I think next year would be a good time to do that. So, let’s vote for it to make a good start, but also watch it and make it better next year. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Syverson.
42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Thank you, Mr. President. Just a couple questions of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Sponsor indicates she will yield.
Senator, do we have a definition on where it talks about residing within a certain distance of a medical facility of the VHA? What is a medical facility of the VHA?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson.
Thank you, Senator. I have a list of the five that we’re talking about: Chicago, Danville, Hines, Marion and North Chicago. Now, we use fifty miles as a -- a for instance. But the specific bill says, “resides too far from a medical facility of the VHA to have reasonable access, as defined by the Department by rule, to VHA healthcare”.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Syverson.
So medical clinics like the VA clinic in Rockford doesn’t -- won’t make a difference? The medical clinics that are in Beloit, Wisconsin, or just over the border in Indiana, those aren’t covered as part of that? We’re talking about just VA hospitals?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson.
Senator Syverson, we are concentrating on those five, because they provide all the comprehensive healthcare benefits that we’re looking at providing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Syverson.
I guess my concern would be is, if for example, people in northern Illinois are within a -- a few blocks of going to a medical clinic, a -- a VA clinic, that those costs can be covered by the federal government. Just because there’s not a hospital there, I’m not sure we want to transfer those people away from the federal government coverage and put them onto the State of 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Illinois’ coverage to get that -- that coverage. So, I don’t know if that can be addressed. Again, I’m going to support this, but I don’t want to deal with something that we’re going to start shifting a federal government cost and responsibility over to a hundred-percent GRF expenditure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson.
Thank you, Senator Syverson. We have no intention on doing that. We are going to hope and -- and make sure that people take full advantage of what’s available for them under the federal guidelines. We’re just saying that if somebody needs something and they can’t get it at Rockford, then we would be able to do something for them. You know, it’s going to be up to the individual. This is about -- taking responsibility and I -- I will guarantee you that if I live close to Rockford, I’m going to go there. But this is just giving the availability if they can’t get what they need somewhere, that they will have the opportunity to get everything they need somewhere.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Syverson.
Just one more question. Maybe just a suggestion and maybe for legislative intent or if it’s going over to the House to look at it, that our plan ought to be a secondary payer if there is, in fact, that coverage available where you would have a -- a choice of facilities to go to, so we don’t create a -- a situation where they’re going to be using our benefits and services if, in fact, those services are available.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Halvorson, to close.
Thank you to everybody that had some comments to this bill. This is very important to the veterans who have served our State and our country. You know, we all want to thank them and I know whenever I go speak somewhere, I say thank you and I want to do something for my country. I feel that what we can do for our veterans is to pass a bill that allows them to go to the doctor and have their needs taken care of. So, I would hope that 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 everybody would feel the same as I do, that we need to supply these benefits, and if it moves over to the House, Senator Syverson, hopefully that they will take a look at that, as you have said, and we’ll see what happens over there. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) The question is, shall Senate Bill 627 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On the question, there are 58 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 627, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator DeLeo, on Senate Bill 679. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) State your point.
I have with me today some very special guests visiting from my district, one of my elementary schools, the Betsy Ross Elementary School. Will you please stand and be recognized by the -- by the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Will our guests in the gallery please stand and be recognized? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Geo-Karis, for what purpose do you rise?
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have a guest, a very special guest here today. My first secretary when I was in the House in 1973. Her name is Vicky Sands Dixon. Vicky then went to work for the Lieutenant Governor and then went on and went to Washington, and she’s been working for the U.S. Department of Interior for many years. And I’m delighted to see her. She’s from Shelbyville, Illinois, originally, and now she makes her home in Arlington, Virginia. But she was my very first secretary who put up with me when I was in the House. I’d like to -- I’d like all of you to welcome Vicky Sands Dixon, who’s with me today, and she came to take me out for my birthday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Welcome back. Senator Crotty, on Senate Bill 836. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 842. Proceeding to page 4, top of the page. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 854. Senator Collins, on Senate Bill 858. Senator Collins seeks leave of this Body to return Senate Bill 858 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 858. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Collins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Collins, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 2 deletes the underlying vehicle and becomes the bill and I’m glad to discuss it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? If not, Senator Collins moves the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 858. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 858. Senator Collins, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 858. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Collins.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The amendment requires non-public schools seeking ISBE recognition to require all applicants for employment with the school to authorize a fingerprint-based criminal history records 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 check. The school must also perform a check of the Statewide Sex Offender Database for each job applicant. Public schools are already required to perform these checks. This was to bring our kids, all kids -- I’m a product of the parochial school system. So it’s -- as a measure to protect all our kids, all the citizens of the State of Illinois, and to offer some transparency to deal with putting these safeguards in place. This has been worked out with the Catholic Conference, as well as with ISBE. I’m welcome -- open for any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is an important initiative and I -- I would like to express my gratitude and gratitude of my constituents to Senator Collins for her steadfast work on this. As the Senator mentioned -- as the sponsor mentioned, this -- this is to keep all children who go to school in Illinois safe. All it does is it establishes the same standard for the procedure and the transparency of background checks in non-public schools that are seeking recognition. Nobody has anything imposed upon them, but if they want to have recognition from the State, they need to have certain safety procedures in place, namely background checks. So, I would recommend an -- a -- a Yes vote. And I’d like to thank the sponsor for her work.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Cronin.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I rise in support of this measure, but I -- I wanted to share a thought with the Body, if I may. This bill requires all sorts of criminal background checks for public and non-public schools. And that’s okay, but in the non-public schools, it requires compliance from all employees or persons holding contracts with the school, people that supply paper or food service. I mean, it’s -- it’s rather far-reaching. Now, you say, okay, fine, everybody’s got to comply with it, that’s the way it is and if they want recognition status, this is the price they pay. The recognition status, when it was originally proposed and passed here, was supposed to be the least intrusive. It was -- you look at the intent at the 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 time and the people that stood up and talked about the recognition status, it was supposed to be simply a -- a stamp of approval that was a -- a -- a very surface review, because the non-public schools were supposed to be something different, frankly. Now, what will happen is, is I think over time, as we go down this route, and it may be the right way to go - Lord knows, with all sorts of scandals and so forth in the Catholic Church - but what will happen is, is that I think schools will reevaluate whether or not they want recognition status. And there’s consequences to that too, because I think there’s a requirement to participate in IHSA events, you have to be recognized. So, I just want to make sure everybody understands where we’re going with this thing. Don’t be surprised when you hear down the road or there’s some reaction to it that may not be altogether pleasant. I think this is the right thing to do, but there’s going to be a price that we’re all going to pay. So, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Collins, to close.
Thank you. And to address some of the concerns raised by Senator Cronin: The legislation, the language actually says anyone that has a routine contact with students, the contractors that have regular interaction in the school, not just superfluous contracts, but those that actually come in contact on the grounds with the -- where the children might be. As far as you might hear some consternation or concerns by other non-publics, that has not been the case with me, and that’s why I had a discussion with Reverend Bob Vanden Bosch about that, because we wanted to be fair and not put an undue burden on anyone. But I think when it comes to the safety of our children, I don’t think there’s any measures we can take that would be too extreme. So, I ask for my colleagues to support the legislation. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) The question is, shall Senate Bill 858 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On the question, there are 58 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 858, having received the 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Maloney, on Senate Bill 859. Senator Maloney seeks leave of this Body to return Senate Bill 859 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 859. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Maloney.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Maloney, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment does, in fact, become the bill. I would be happy to explain the -- explain it on -- upon adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Maloney moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 859. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 859. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 859. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Maloney.
Thank you, Mr. President. What this bill does is it allows a teacher or administrator’s certificate to be suspended if the person failed to disclose information on their job application regarding past arrests or convictions for sex offenses. Under current law that is unchanged by this amendment, teaching and administrative certificates may be suspended for unprofessional conduct. What this amendment does is specify that unprofessional 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 conduct includes the failure to disclose any previous arrest or conviction for a sex offense committed here or in another state. Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Sponsor indicates he will yield.
Thank you. Senator Maloney, according to our analysis the - - the second part of the amendment that becomes the bill talks about the suspension of a -- of a -- is it of a teacher’s license, or suspended -- I’m not -- of their license, but being suspended from employment if there’s some evidence of -- of wrongdoing along these lines. Can you lay out exactly what the amendment does in that regard?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Maloney.
According -- the certificate -- the -- the person would be suspended from -- their duties pending a hearing. They would have a hearing. But the -- the amendment says they could be suspended from their duties if the -- if it were deemed necessary to protect the student’s safety.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Righter.
Senator Maloney, was there some discussion in committee about this particular provision being addressed in the House? I mean, it -- it seems to me that if someone, regardless of whether they’re a teacher or not, is a danger to a child, then we should take action to protect the children first and then worry about, you know, reinstating the person later. I mean, is it your intention to have whoever the House sponsor is, to ask them to take that -- that provision out? Or is it -- are you hoping that that remains in?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Maloney. 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
Yes. This -- that’s exactly what’s going to happen. The -- the -- the -- the logistics of that issue were impossible to take place today. We had -- I’ve talked to the sponsor who’s going to take this bill in the -- in the House, talked to the representatives of the IEA. There is an amendment that they feel that they will be able to agree to to take care of that issue. And -- but it will happen over there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Righter.
Can you -- can you give us a little enlightenment now, Senator, about what that amendment might be? That’s my last question. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Maloney.
They’re -- they’re simply negotiating possibly taking that component of the hearing out.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Maloney, to close.
Thank you, Mr. -- Mr. President. As I said, this is not a - - there is some issue to be worked on, and the -- again, the logistics of having the two representatives get together today to work on that one final component of this was not possible today. This does -- this came out of an -- a situation in which a person from out of State, the record -- their out of State record was not available that disclosed a sex offense and this simply includes that as unprofessional conduct.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Question is, shall Senate Bill 859 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 the question, there are 58 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 859, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Maloney, on Senate Bill 881. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill -- we are going back to Senate Bill 895. For the record, the 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 deadline was extended on that bill even though it does not appear on the Calendar as an extension. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 895. Senator Sandoval seeks leave of this Body to return Senate Bill 895 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 895. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Sandoval, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I’d like to explain the amendment on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Sandoval moves the adoption. Senator Rutherford.
Well, I -- I don’t think the amendment becomes the bill. If it -- if it does, then I’d be glad to discuss it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Sandoval.
It does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Sandoval moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 895. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 895. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 895. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 895 is a cleanup bill, clarification bill on House Bill 4050 that passed this Chamber last year. It creates the beginning date for the predatory lending program, which shall be thirty days after the written declaration of the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation. The declaration shall be posted and the Department shall communicate such to the affected licensees. Till the beginning of the program, none of the provisions of the Act shall be imposed. The program shall apply to only those mortgages made or taken on or after the inception of the program. It also clarifies that the compliance certificate shall be attached to the mortgage, rather than simultaneously filed with the recorder. This bill is, once again, supported by the Greater Southwest Development Corporation, Southwest Organizing Project, the Illinois Land Title Association, Chicago Title Insurance Company, Department of Financial Regulations and the Illinois Mortgage Brokers. I’d ask your favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Rutherford.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Sandoval, in committee I asked you a question. If I may ask it on the Floor here. In that, the amended version says the pilot program shall apply to all mortgage applications made or taken on or after the inception of the pilot program. In the underlying language of 4050 at -- it did exempt banks. I just want to reaffirm that this language here continues what the underlying present statute has and does exempt banks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Sandoval.
The exemptions of the original bill of House Bill 4050 remain intact, and this bill does not remove those exemptions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Sandoval, to close.
Favorable consideration. 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) The question is, shall Senate Bill 895 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 the question, there are 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 895, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 928. Senator Demuzio. Senate Bill 931. Senator Crotty. For the record, that deadline was also extended for Senate Bill 931. Senator Crotty seeks leave of this Body to return Senate Bill 931 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 931. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Crotty.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Crotty, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment is the work of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations, also the Illinois Nurses Association, the Illinois Society of Advanced Practice Nurses, and the deans of the Illinois Colleges of Nursing, both public and private. This creates the Nurse -- Educator Assistance Act to encourage growth in the nursing educator profession. It establishes the Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program to provide assistance in paying off educational loans to those in the nurse educator profession. It establishes the Nurse Educator Scholarship Program to provide scholarship assistance to students in the nurse-related graduate program. It awards grants to schools with nursing programs to aid in increasing the number of students pursuing nursing degrees. It establishes a fellowship program to supplement the income of nurse -- nursing educators in order to keep their salaries competitive with those in the nursing field. Grants rulemaking authority to the Commission for administrating these programs, and it adds a student’s merit to the criteria for determining nursing scholarships, which is currently based on only financial need and student status. Creates the Illinois Center for Nursing 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 to develop strategies that will encourage growth in the nursing field. It also creates the Center of {sic} Nursing Advisory Board, whose primary duty will be to administer grants, scholarships, internships and other programs. I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? If not, Senator Crotty moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 931. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and -- and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 931. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 931. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Crotty.
Thank you. Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this certainly is, to me, a -- a good program to begin to truly look at the shortages that we have in the nursing profession. We certainly have ‘em here in the State of Illinois and much of the nation. Over eleven hundred applicants to nursing schools were denied admission related to nursing school faculty shortages. The number of healthcare workers, including nurses, is projected to decrease by 4.2 percent by 2020, whereas the population, which is probably some of us baby boomers, will be in need of healthcare - it is projected to increase by thirty- one percent. So, by 2020, Illinois could face a shortage of over twenty-one thousand nurses. Many of us have -- have talked about the shortages and we’ve asked what the average age of a nurse today is, and that’s fifty-five years old in -- as a nurse educator and the average nurse is forty-eight years old. So, as I explained the amendment, that is -- that is really the bill, 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 and if anyone has any questions, I’d be more than happy to answer those.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator John Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, but before I -- I speak to the bill, I -- I noticed that several of these bills you’ve announced that the deadline was extended, but it didn’t show on the Calendar. I’d like for you to know that on our side of the aisle - you might look at the Calendar a little closer - some of our people have bills that they wanted extended. Maybe it was an oversight that we didn’t get posted also. So, you might check into that. But -- but to the -- to the bill: Senator Crotty mentioned several new initiatives and this is the Governor’s initiative to create nurses’ educators. In Licensed Activities Committee yesterday, our -- our concerns was -- was a couple of things. First off, we got the amended -- the amendment dropped on us rather suddenly, and the second thing is, is that the -- the Governor’s Office did not give us a -- a -- an analysis of what their intent was with this legislation. And I guess, thirdly, the -- the -- the thing about it is, is that it’s subject to appropriations. But let me -- let me just go through some of the -- some of the things, and I’m speaking to the bill. Creates the Nurses Educator Assistance Act, creates the Nurses Educators Loan Repayment Program, creates a Nurse Educator Scholarship Program, creates competitive grants, creates a nurse educator fellowship program, creates a Title 17, Illinois Center for Nursing, and it is subject to appropriations. Quite frankly, we already have a nurses scholarship program, which includes nurses pursuing graduate degrees. These students -- and there is a priority given to RNs that are pursuing graduate degrees, we are -- who are pursuing careers as nurse educators. The -- the allotted amount of money to be used for nursing scholarships was increased from seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars to 1.2 million in 2004. And I -- and I just question why this is necessary. Shouldn’t we just put more money into the current scholarship fund? And -- and lastly, this legislation is well- intended, but it’s unnecessary. There is no need to create many new programs, such as the Loan Repayment Program or the Nurse 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Educator Scholarship Program, when we currently have nurse scholarships available. These programs have always -- have been set up for several years, and if the Governor’s Office is so concerned about increasing the number of nurse educators, he should put more money towards the current nurse scholarship programs, which do not include nurse educators as -- which do not include nurse educators as recipients. This is the way we -- we could be ensured that these scholarship programs are always funded. It should be noted that these two programs are -- are subject to appropriations and who is to say that the Governor may not change his mind in the future. So, quite frankly, I would -- I would encourage a No vote on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Ronen.
Thank you. I rise in support of Senator Crotty’s proposal. I think this is a very well-thought-out and very needed proposal. I -- I think we all agree and all understand the fact that there is a healthcare crisis in Illinois. There are certain underserved areas even in Chicago, but especially in rural areas, and part of the -- this problem and the shortage can really be addressed by increasing nurses, ‘cause we know that increasing nurses helps to increase access to quality healthcare. This is a broad-based program. You can’t just give scholarships, because the problem is more than -- than people going and taking courses. It’s having educators there to teach the courses. So, this is a comprehensive program that looks at -- at the problem in a complex way and sets forth very specific issues and -- and sets forth very specific principles and activities that will address it. And I think any of -- Members who -- who represent especially downstate areas that are underserved medically want to look at this very closely and realize that if we want to improve access to quality healthcare, we’ve got to do a better job of attracting and retaining qualified nursing staff. And I think that’s what this bill does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Crotty, to close.
Okay. I just wanted to -- to answer some of the concerns. 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 When it comes to the development of the Center for Nursing, that would come out of the dedicated fund. When it comes to the nursing educator scholarships, not just nursing scholarships, but nursing educator scholarships, that would be coming out of GRF and this year’s budget would include 1.3 million for those scholarships. The grants to the nursing schools would also come out of GRF and that would be a hundred and fifty thousand dollars for fifteen nurse educator fellowships. There is no dollars needed when it comes to changing the existing nursing scholarship program because all we’re doing is changing it, adding merit along with the need -- financial need. And the student loan repayment for nurse educators, there’ll be nothing in ’07. That would really start in Fiscal Year ’08. And I would ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) The question is, shall Senate Bill 931 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 the question, there are 52 Ayes, 4 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 931, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Schoenberg, on Senate Bill 999. Senator Dillard, on… Senator Dillard, on Senate Bill 1835. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 2123. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 2394. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 2412. Senator Ronen, on Senate Bill 2515. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 2519. With leave of the Body, we will proceed to page 7, bottom of page 7. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 2672. Senator Pankau, on Senate Bill 2770. Senator Althoff, on Senate Bill 2777, at the top of page 8. Senator Schoenberg, on Senate Bill 2845. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 2955. Senator Martinez, on Senate Bill 2959. Senator Halvorson, on Senate Bill 2978. Senator Hendon, on Senate Bill 2983. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. We would request a Republican Caucus immediately in Senator Watson’s Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) For how long, Senator? 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
We were thinking of ordering dinner. No, I’m just teasing. Forty-five minutes would be great. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) A Republican Caucus has been requested for forty-five minutes. So that means we will come back at approximately 5:30. Senate will stand in recess until the call of the Chair. Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senate will come to order. Will all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Floor? We will be conducting Floor action. Will all Members please come to the Floor? Mr. 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 1732. Passed the House, April 5th, 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 concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 2348, along with House Amendment No. 1. Passed the House, as amended, April 6, 2006. We’ve received like Messages on Senate Bill 2349, with House Amendments 1 and 2, which passed the House, as amended, April 6, 2006.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 1732, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Will all Members please come to the Floor? We are about to begin Floor action. Please come to the Floor. Senator Watson, for what purpose do you rise?
Yes, thank you very much, Mr. President. Many of you have been asking me about the -- the Cardinal-Philadelphia series and the Cardinals won today four to two. So they swept the Phillies and as you know, Mr. President, they open up the Cubs season at Wrigley Field tomorrow. Many of the people, mostly on your side, have been asking me about our plans for the weekend and what we might be doing, if we’re going to be here in Springfield or are we going to be -- opportunity to go to a -- the opening day for the Cubs and see the Cardinals once again prevail. Mr. President, I’d appreciate hearing from you. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) We will get back to you soon. We’re going to proceed to the Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions, page 12. Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions, page 12. Senator Collins, on House Joint Resolution 24. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 24. The Committee on State Government adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Collins, do you wish your resolution considered?
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Please explain the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. As introduced, the Joint Task Force on Community College will meet initially at the call of the -- chairperson of the Illinois Community College Board and thereafter as necessary. The task force will report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and this task force will review the present community college system and its mechanisms in place to handle the expanded role and demands on the system in the future. So it 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 creates the joint task force, as well as changing the date from December -- the report due from December 31st, 2005 to December 31st, 2006.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Collins moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 24. In the opinion of the Chair, this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds and therefore a roll call vote must be taken. Those in favor of House Joint Resolution 24 will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On the question, there are 55 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The resolution is adopted. Senator Munoz, on House Joint Resolution 76. Senator Munoz, on House Joint Resolution 76. Senator Munoz, on House Joint Resolution 98. Senator Lightford, on Senate Joint Resolution 66. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Joint Resolution 75. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Joint Resolution 77. Senator Lightford, on Senate Joint Resolution 82. Senator Jones, on Senate Joint Resolution 83. Senator Emil Jones. Senator Hunter, on Senate Joint Resolution 87. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate -- Senate Joint Resolution No. 87. The Committee on State Government adopted Amendment No. 1. There are no Floor amendments approved for consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 87 urges the U.S. Department of Education to use more flexible criteria in developing adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind, and it creates a task force to study alternative ways of measuring student progress, in particular growth models that would track individual student’s achievement over time. And I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Hunter moves the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 87. And it is the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires the 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 expenditure of State funds and therefore a roll call vote must be taken. Those in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 87 will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On the question, there are 46 Ayes, 6 Nays, none voting Present. The resolution is adopted. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Joint Resolution 88. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 88. The Committee on State Government adopted Amendment No. 1. There are no Floor amendments approved for consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. President. The resolution directs the Board of Higher Education to conduct an inventory of baccalaureate- completion partnerships in Illinois. And it urges the Board of Higher Ed to encourage community colleges that wish to form baccalaureate-completion partnerships to give -- preference to Illinois-based institutions. The goal of Senate -- Senate Joint Resolution 88 is to support Illinois-based colleges and universities by encouraging -- encouraging community colleges to give preference to in-State institutions when looking for baccalaureate-completion partners.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Sullivan moves the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 88. It is the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds and therefore a roll call vote must be taken. Those in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 88 will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On the question, there are 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The resolution is adopted. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Resolution 515. Senator Martinez, on Senate Resolution 631. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 631. 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 There are no committee or Floor amendments, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. The Senate Resolution 631 directs the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the State monies provided or through State agencies to the Illinois -- Hispanic Illinois Chamber of Commerce.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter. Okay. Seeing none, then Senator Martinez moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 631. It is the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds and therefore a roll call vote must be taken. Those in favor of Senate Resolution 631 will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On the question, there are 55 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The resolution is adopted. Proceeding to the top of page 13. Senate Resolution 675. Senator Millner. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution No. 675. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Millner.
Thank you, Mr. President. According to the text of Senate Resolution 675, it is with deep concern for the hundreds of thousands of citizens nationwide who face increasing difficulties feeding their families. And because of the sharp downturn in the economy, -- numerous families on a daily basis are relying on food banks to secure food for their families. In Illinois, eight food banks provide food assistance to needy families and their children with a variety of feeding programs including Kid’s Cafes, Summertime Food Service, and After School Snack programs throughout the year that are all designed to reduce childhood 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 hunger. Therefore, the date of June 6, 2006, has been designated National Hunger Awareness Day. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Millner moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 675. All those in favor will say Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Trotter, on Senate Resolution 686. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 686. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Resolution 686 directs the Auditor General to conduct a program audit of funding provided by or through the State of Illinois to the CeaseFire program that exists in the City of Chicago and other parts of the State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Sponsor indicates he will yield.
Thank you. Senator Trotter, what are the concerns that you have with regards to this program that are leading you to request an audit?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Trotter.
The major concern, what is their effectiveness. Since 2001, we have given them twenty million dollars, and since that time, there has not been any outside audit of -- of how they spend the money and, again, the effectiveness of the programs. So, as we start looking at our budget and what we spend our dollars on, I think we need to -- it’s incumbent upon us to make sure that 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 those dollars are being spent wisely and doing what they say they’re doing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Righter.
Senator Trotter, when -- when did they receive the grant?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Trotter.
Since 2001. Three million dollars for the first five years and we gave them five million last year and they’re requesting nine million this year, without any accounting for how they’ve been spending the dollars.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, Senator Trotter, I guess I’m -- I’m a little dumbfounded as to how it is that we’re handing over that kind of money without asking for any accountability measures whatsoever. It seems like we’re several years into this now, and gave ‘em five million bucks last year. With that five million dollars, were there no requirements whatsoever that they tell us what they’re spending the money on?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Trotter.
It is my understanding that the Violence Prevention Authority does request information, but it’s their information. No one from the outside has ever verified, in fact, that those dollars were spent accordingly, which is why I’m requesting the Auditor General, again, to look into see, in fact, those dollars are being spent well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, I -- I -- you know, I think that it’s very important that we have accountability in State government, naturally. Serving as one of the co-chairmen of the Audit Commission, have -- have you or anyone on your staff 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 contacted me or Frank Mautino, who’s the other co-chairman, about bringing this before the -- I mean, here we are anticipating one set of action and Floor debate, and there are two audit requests that actually I didn’t realize that the other one was going to go through this evening. Have you approached anybody on the Audit Commission to discuss, you know, giving support to your resolution?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Trotter.
I apologize to you, Senator. No, I have not reached out to you. As you know, I used to serve on the Audit Commission and I took it upon myself to call the Auditor General to see, in fact, what has been done, if anything done in the past. And he recommended I go this route to get a resolution to get him to act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this resolution. Calling for a audit is actually a very conservative thing to do, fiscally responsible, and I think everyone should commend the Senator for being fiscally responsible to make sure that the taxpayers’ monies are -- are spent in a appropriate way, and I ask for -- I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Trotter, to close.
I just ask for an Aye vote, sir.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DEL VALLE) Senator Trotter moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 686. It is the opinion of the Chair that this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds and therefore a roll call vote must be taken. Those in favor of Senate Resolution 686 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 the question, there are 56 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The resolution is adopted. Senator Haine, on Senate Resolution 687. Out of the record. Rules Committee will meet 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 immediately in the President’s Antechamber. Rules Committee meeting immediately.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Education Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Joint Resolution 82; refer to the Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4752; refer to the Financial Institutions Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2349; refer to the Health and Human Services Committee - a Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2483, a Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2898, and Floor Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 4676; refer to the Judiciary Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2197, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2985 and Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1216; refer to the Licensed Activities Committee - a Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2469; refer to the Local Government Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2348; refer to the State Government Committee - a Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2204, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Resolution 687 and Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Resolution 692; and Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 668 and Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3053, and Senate Bill 1279. Signed by Senator Viverito.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. While we’re taking a leisurely stroll through the Calendar, I note on page 19 of the Calendar under the heading of Motions to Discharge Committee. First, a motion to withdraw my motion to discharge from Rules Committee House Bill 4532. I think we took care of that matter yesterday. Secondly, an inquiry of the Chair. There is another motion posted on the Calendar and that is Senator Geo-Karis’ motion to discharge with regards to House Bill 4804. I think that she 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 brought that to the Chair’s attention yesterday or the day before and was told that she would be gotten back to. I don’t know that that’s happened. Can you tell us when we’ll be moving to her motion?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter, first of all, with regards to your motion, your motion is withdrawn. Senator Righter, we’re trying to figure out what we’re going to do, but for right now we unfortunately just have to get back to you on the other motion. Ladies and Gentlemen, you should have on your Calendar, Supplemental Calendar No. 1. It’ll be Senate Bill 668. Senator Schoenberg, do you wish to proceed? Senator Schoenberg seeks leave of this Body to return Senate Bill 668 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 668. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Schoenberg, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. -- thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 1 represents a new authorization of school construction bonds which totals one billion dollars. The new authorization allows for approximately a hundred and forty-nine million dollars for twenty-four school districts that in Fiscal Year 2002 had undergone the rigorous process jointly administered by the Capital Development Board and the State Board of Education to be ranked and -- to be ranked and -- and approved and disbursed. It also features seven hundred and fifty-one million dollars towards facilitating two hundred and seventy-five schools which have submitted applications which have not been ranked. In addition, there’s also a hundred million dollars in authorization for the school maintenance program. These are grants which require a local match. I move this adoption. I’d be happy to debate the bill on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Thank you, Senator. This is the amendment. So those with 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 lights on, I just want to remind you this is on the amendment. So, is there any discussion on the amendment? Senator Lauzen. No? Senator Cronin. Thank you. Senator Schoenberg moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 668. All those in favor will -- say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Schoenberg, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 2 is a technical amendment which corrects a drafting error. It reflects the -- the overall aggregate increase of one billion dollars, which is a subset of the overall bond authorization, and I urge its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Schoenberg moves the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 668. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 668. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 668. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. As I alluded to in my earlier remarks in outlining this -- the amendments to this bill, this is a one-billion-dollar increase in the State’s bond authorization for new school construction bonds. This legislation is long overdue and it’s 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 time that we separated the politics from helping the schoolchildren of Illinois. At the present time there are twenty-four school districts which have undergone the rigorous application process required by the State Board of Education in conjunction with the Capital Development Board to have their projects appraised and ranked. Those date back to Fiscal Year 2002 and yet they have remained unfunded. In addition, there’s seven hundred and fifty-one million dollars in this authorization that’s available for those schools across the State of Illinois, in the City of Chicago, its suburbs and in downstate communities. These school applications have been submitted since Fiscal Year 2003. There are two hundred and seventy-five school districts to date which have made applications to the State Board of Education and those applications have not been able to undergo the rigorous review required and the ranking necessary, and that’s because there has been no bond authorization for these programs. There’s currently no priority over which the schools would receive funding because they have not undergone that rigorous detailed review which is conducted jointly by the Capital Development Board and the State Board of Education. Finally, there’s an additional hundred million dollars in authorization that will be used to support the school maintenance program. To refresh your memory, those are grants of up to fifty thousand dollars which are made available to schools throughout the State, which provide for maintenance or upkeep of buildings and structures. Local schools are required to provide matching funds. The funding mechanism for the debt for this one-billion-dollar school funding authorization -- school construction authorization reflects fiscally prudent principles, which this General Assembly has previously adopted into law. Under a scenario of a twenty-five- year general obligation school construction bonds for one billion dollars, according to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, of which I’m the Senate co-chair, the bipartisan revenue forecasting agency of this Body, projecting a five percent rate, the -- annual principal for each of the -- twenty-five years would be forty million dollars. The interest, you’ll be pleased to note, not only is the principal level, but the interest, indeed, would not be back-loaded, as I know you’ve -- we’ve expressed -- heard criticisms in the past, but rather 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 the interest gets progressively lower with each successive year. For the -- in short, for the first year of this program, 89.1 million dollars would be the State’s obligation. Now, how will we pay for this? According -- according to our historic practice, General Revenue funds could pay for all or a portion of this. Certainly both the revenue projections from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, as well as the independent revenue projections from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, both show that there is revenue growth sufficient to underwrite both the principal and the debt service. In short, this is long overdue. We need to respond. We need to respond now. I’m happy to answer your questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator John Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: I -- I learned my lesson a long time ago with the sponsor of the bill when I was in the House and -- and -- and serving with him and now in the Senate. So, I will not ask any questions. I’ll strictly speak to the bill. I just want to say right up front that I’m for a capital bill. It’s amazing to me the process that we are going through here tonight on this bill and it’s also amazing to me that -- of whether it’s going to be fair throughout the State of Illinois. Senator Watson passed a -- a bill a few years ago for community college construction, two hundred and fifty million dollars - fifty million a year over a five-year period. The Governor came in. The money was promised under the previous administration. Governor Blagojevich came in and immediately froze that money and we’ve worked almost four years to get it released and finally we get it released to -- to Kaskaskia College to replace old dilapidated buildings. And we have old dilapidated buildings throughout this State in -- in all of our schools and we all want to repair them. But I think this is the wrong approach because we’re not sure this is going to be fair. You may trust the Governor on this issue, but I don’t. And I say that because, you know, we’ve changed the State Board of Education and we’ve had some great guidelines over the last several years with our school construction program in how those schools are selected and the criteria that they meet and how 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 they’re ranked. And that money has always come through to them, but I don’t think this bill here is going to be fair to the children and to the taxpayers of the State of Illinois. As I walked on the Floor after caucus today, a gentleman came up to me and he said, “Are you guys going to debate the baby bill for a lengthy period of time?” And I said it’s appropriate that you call it the baby bill - ‘cause, Madam President, you was holding your grandchild yesterday over there in your lap, and this gentleman has a young baby that I saw pushing in a stroller the other day. This is a babies bill. Your babies are going to pay for this. Your grandbabies, your great-grandchildren are going to be paying for this. I think it’s the wrong time for this and I would encourage a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sieben.
Thank you, Madam President. You know, I like school construction bills. And I liked the previous bill that we had. My district certainly benefited. I had schools that met the criteria of inadequately housed students and they got some State money. In fact, I think Savanna school district got about sixty- five percent of the cost of their school construction for the new school under the school construction program. It was well- crafted. When Senator Schoenberg presented the bill in the Executive Committee today, I heard a lot of things that I liked about the bill. He said that we’re going to take care of those twenty-four districts that are already on the approved list. And we’re going to take care of those first. We’re going to meet our obligation. That’s a good thing. I like that, too. He said we’re going to put a hundred million dollars in there for the maintenance programs that allows a district to apply for fifty thousand dollars and take care of maintenance. Those are significant dollars for rural downstate school districts to be able to get fifty thousand dollars for maintenance. That’s a good thing. I like that. And then he said that those applications that are on the list that some of ‘em have already passed a referendum or they’re on the list for consideration, that they’re going to be judged by the same criteria that we did three years ago, four years ago, five years ago. We’re going to 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 use that same rigorous criteria for determining eligibility for future grants. I like that. That’s -- that sounded like a good thing. So, that -- that was good. And we’re going to use that same criteria with the CDB and the State Board of Education to make that determination. So, that should be a fair system. That sounded good. I like that. Then he talked about the debt repayment and he said, you know what, we’re going to make level principal payments. We got a billion dollars we’re going to borrow here. You divide that by -- by twenty-five years. We’re going to pay back forty million dollars a year of principal, and then we’ll have to pay, obviously, service the debt. So you put the interest on top of that. It’ll take about eighty-nine million dollars. That sounded good. Level principal payments, debt service, a responsible -- no back-loading. He said there’s no back-loading of interest on this particular bill, school… So, I’m tracking along here. I’ve got five, six, seven, eight things about school construction bill. I said, I like this. You’ve separated the issue from the Road Fund. You’ve got the school one. We’re just dealing with schools here, not any other capital projects, but school construction program. Looks good for my district. And then we got to the last question. Okay. Now, where’s the money going to come from to pay that eighty-nine million dollars a year? And the answer we got, it was, we can just take this out of our General Revenue Fund. There’s enough revenue growth this year that we can tap into the General Revenue Fund and make these payments for the next twenty-five years. Wow. I said that’s the part I didn’t like. That didn’t sound so good. ‘Cause I got to tell you, probably a week doesn’t go by in my district that I don’t hear from one of my vendors that says, “You know, I haven’t been paid for five months.” Hardly a week goes by that I don’t hear from a contractor in my district that’s going -- done a construction project that says, “I haven’t been paid. I’m waiting on the money.” And just last week I heard from a nursing home that was trying to get reimbursement for Medicaid payment that haven’t been paid since last November. Those are all payments that are supposed to come out of General Revenue funds. Well, if we can’t pay those bills, we’re not able to keep those vendors and contractors and Medicaid providers satisfied, if our payment cycle is that long and we’ve got 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 increasing levels of spending, increasing levels of debt, increasing backlog of unpaid bills, how do you find the eighty- nine million dollars per year for the next twenty-five years in General Revenue funds to make these payments? It doesn’t add up. We’re doing this all at the time when we’re stealing dedicated funds. We’re raiding the Road Fund. We’re shorting the pensions. It’s a lousy way to do it. The last part of this I don’t like. It doesn’t sound good. It doesn’t work. It’s not fiscal responsible. I’d urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis.
Excuse me. Madam President, excuse me while I down my pizza here. Well, seems to me that we insist on spending money we don’t have and when you stop to think that we’re raiding about 1.1 billion dollars from the State’s pension -- systems, I think that is wrong, wrong, wrong. The teachers’ funds have been raided. Some other pensions funds have been raided. Those are specific funds and they should stay for the specific purpose. And I think that’s wrong, wrong, wrong to raise -- to take the money out of the pension funds. Why not just put a three percent on all agencies and personnel and the money that you get from that could add to the budget and the Governor will have his money. Why do we have to penalize the -- the pension funds. We should not penalize the -- the pension funds. They’re specific purposes and that’s what they should be.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Risinger.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill and I’ll be brief, because I don’t want to be too redundant, but I do want to rise in -- in opposition to the bill. I am for school construction, but you know, I really don’t understand why we can’t run the applications through this rigorous process in advance. With the situation where the trust of the Governor comes into play, if we really were serious about a school construction program, then in order to lay those fears to rest, you would think that we would go ahead and have that list on hand so that we would know that it is a fair and equitable list. Secondly, the funding - the 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 funding is a big issue. You know, Senator Sieben talked about the -- the bills that aren’t being paid. I get those same calls and not only that, my office phone gets cut off at least every other month. My computer service gets cut off every other month because we’re not paying those kind of bills. And yet, we’re going to take this out of the General Revenue Fund -- Fund instead of having a dedicated fund to service the debt. I think that’s bad public policy and I’m always amused whenever it’s bad public policy that it always becomes politics instead of the -- the -- the policy. But we need to have a school program. We can do better than this and I urge us to go back to the drawing board and do better.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jacobs.
Thank you, Madam. You know, we’ve talked about fairness, but it seems to me the beneficiary of -- of this bill is the babies in Illinois, the babies that are walking our antiquated halls right now, that find themselves in schools that don’t fit. We expect every child to be not left behind, but if we won’t help our own children - our own children - go to quality schools, then we need to sit down and ask ourself what it is we’re doing in this building. You know, we talk about not paying our vendors, but if we don’t pay for new schools, then what will we pay for?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) I want to encourage everybody to please limit their redundancy. There’s a whole lot more lights on and I -- we want to get through. Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: I was sitting here and I was thinking about it and one of the prior speakers just said, “Well, what will we pay for, if it’s not for our kids, the babies that walk the halls?” That’s the question. That’s the issue. Will we even pay for that? It’s an element of trust. It’s an element that things will be done the way they’re supposed to be done. The revenue is yet to be -- to be determined. Some of it might be there. I think the Senator said it’s yet to be determined, though. We take a look at the process that we’ve had dealing with the school construction funds over the years, over 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 the last several years. It’s been a very good process. I was chastised, told that it was part of the legislative package that we passed, but it was also a part of the rules-making process that we did. And in 1997, we went through this process and it took us several months to make sure that there was fairness throughout the State. All the way from the collar counties down to deep southern Illinois in Massac County. We want to make sure the integrity of that program is maintained. We want to make sure that that’s done. We have the sponsor’s word that that will occur. Now, I don’t have a problem with the sponsor’s word. But the sponsor does not ultimately control what happens with the people that make those decisions and the sponsor does not control what could happen if we see rules changed to implement that program in a different way. It does get back to an item and an issue of trust. As I sit here, I look across the aisle and I see my colleagues on the Democrat side. I -- that are -- sit on JCAR. I see Senator Crotty, Senator Clayborne, Senator -- I think I see Senator Clayborne, Senator Silverstein. And I just want you-all to recognize and remember that when we see a change - and you notice I didn’t say “if” - I said, when we see a change in perhaps how this program is administered, it’s going to be up to us, if this should come through JCAR, to make sure that that program’s not changed. Again, not questioning the validity of the sponsor’s word, just simply saying that we have an administration that certainly doesn’t value perhaps the sponsor’s word. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Madam President. You know, it’s amazing how we can support money for schools in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan. We can support building schools there, but we can’t support building schools in Illinois. You get up, you talk about lack of trust, as if this is all about your lack of trust with Governor Blagojevich. Your only problem with Governor Blagojevich is that he is a Democrat, simple as that. You may as well get up and tell the truth on the Senate Floor. Yesterday and the day before that we had veterans in here, sergeants, lieutenants. Many of you introduced ‘em and spoke highly of their dedication to 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 America and the -- the war they’re fighting over there for us. But you don’t say nothing when it comes to educating their children back here in Illinois. Well, guess what? While they’re over there fighting in Iraq, they deserve a better education for their children here in Illinois. And as President Jones said earlier in committee, you don’t say nothing, not a single word about President Bush’s request for more money to build schools and libraries in what is currently our enemy country of Iraq. That’s hypocrisy. Now, some of you get up and you want to say, well you’re for it. Well, history speaks for itself. Let’s roll back time just a little bit. 1999 I was here. The Governor’s name was Ryan. The President’s name was Pate Philip. We had a bill, Senate Bill 1066, to do the same thing we’re trying to do tonight - same thing. Well, guess what happened? The Democrats, we didn’t get up and say, well the -- the Governor is Republican or you can’t trust Ryan. We put the children first. We voted for the bill. Guess who didn’t vote for the bill? With Pate Philip as President, with Ryan as Governor, claiming that you care for the children, I have the list right here. Senator Dillard voted No. Wendell Jones, No. Chris Lauzen, No. Luechtefeld - who’s getting ten million dollars in the first round in this bill - No. Ed Petka, No. Radogno - who wants to go to higher office - No. Rauschenberger, No. Syverson, No. Watson, of course, it was No. So, what gives? Republican Governor, Republican President of the Senate, you still voted No. You weren’t for the children in 1999. You’re not for ‘em now. Now, to their credit, some fine Senators like Senator Sieben and Senator Geo-Karis voted Yes. There were some Yeses on that side of the aisle. There should be some Yeses on that side of the aisle this time. What’s the difference? The Governor’s named Blagojevich and you flat out hate the man. You hate the man. Well, let me tell you, I trust the Governor. I believe in the Governor. I’m going to support the Governor. And more importantly, you should support the children of Illinois, even if you don’t like Rod, even if you don’t like me, even if you don’t like President Jones. What about your own children? I look at this bill and I’ll be finished. First round, Senator Bomke, if you vote No, you’re voting to not give ten million one hundred and eighty-three thousand dollars to your students, to your 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 children in your district. Senator Burzynski - who just spoke, my good friend - one million nine hundred thirty-nine thousand dollars, round one. You’ll be voting against giving that to your children. Maybe they don’t need to know how to read and write. Maybe they don’t need to know their ABCs. Maybe they don’t need Internet and high technology in your district, perhaps not. I wish, Mr. -- Mr. -- the -- the sponsor of this bill, if they don’t vote for it, then they don’t get any of the money. But guess what, if it passes, you’ll be the first in line to get your doggone money. Senator Dillard, two million dollars. John Jones, four million dollars. Senator Luechtefeld, ten million dollars. Senator Pankau, a million dollars. Senator Peterson, millions, millions and millions for all of you. It makes no sense to vote against your children getting the money that they need. Senator Roskam’s on this list, too. The list is too long, with Republicans and Righter, to say that you’re going to vote against your own children. Go back home and tell those parents who’re trying to educate our babies how you can vote against educating our babies, but you won’t say nothing about spending our money in Iraq and Afghanistan to educate somebody else’s kids.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Watson.
Well, that was interesting. Thank you, Madam President. As usual, sometimes Rickey doesn’t get his facts correct. 2002 every single person on this side of the aisle voted for the school construction grant program and the Illinois FIRST. So, not one person on his side of the aisle voted for it. So, you know, you can always kind of twist the statistics. Let’s really go back to when it really counted. This was in -- November 14th, 1997, when the -- and I was the sponsor of the bill that created the school construction grant program and it was actually patterned after a program that was in 1950s -- late 1950s and it -- believe it or not, it was only two hundred and fifty million dollars and it was back when they were trying to do the consolidation, trying to get schools to consolidate and so they put out there this school construction grant program and I think -- well, anyway, that was a program I know that Senator Demuzio, 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Vince Demuzio, at the time, was very -- very much involved in. And, so we sponsored it. We -- we recognized the need out there. So, in 1997, we introduced the bill that would have created and that was -- under Governor Jim Edgar - the school construction grant program. And it passed overwhelmingly, forty-three Yes votes and fifteen No votes. Those people voting in the affirmative, supporting the original -- the original bill, was Senator Larry Bomke, Burzynski, Geo-Karis, Sieben, Syverson, Trotter, Cronin, Cullerton, DeLeo, del Valle, Hendon, Emil Jones, Lauzen, Luechtefeld, Peterson, Petka, Radogno, Rauschenberger, Viverito and yours truly, Frank Watson. We supported that. What’s the -- what’s the theme there? What is the theme? It’s a -- it was bipartisan for one thing. We -- all working together and generally good things happen when that takes place. Well, unfortunately, I don’t think that’s what’s happening now. The -- the last time that we actually had a meeting on this issue was January 18th. It was the State of the State message and we asked for a meeting to talk about the -- the bonding program of which this is a part of, and of course, the next bill will -- will be the next -- next segment. And that was the last time we’ve had a meeting. I have supported every single bonding program since I came in in 1979. I recognize the need for roads, bridges, schools, universities - I recognize that. And most of us downstate understand the importance of highways and then, of course, that’s the next bill. But instead of coming to Springfield and -- and negotiating sincerely with us and with all of us, for that matter, because I know some of you on your -- on your own side have had problems with this issue, but instead of coming to Springfield and availing himself of -- of us and the process, this Governor went throughout the State of Illinois and had all of his press conferences, all the showbiz that comes with it, all the splash and flash, especially the one in Rochester where he had cheerleaders and the band. And I expected him to run out over the gym floor and bust through some banner with his, you know -- no, he didn’t do that at least. But that’s the approach this Governor has used. It has nothing to do with the substance. It’s all about the headline. And many of you on your side recognize that. You’ve privately told us, “Hey, we understand.” All we wanted to do was have him come to 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Springfield and negotiate and sit down, ‘cause we had some major concerns, some major problems with this, as you well know. But no, not once did he do that. So, he shows up finally yesterday and I walk into the office down there just to welcome him back. Governor, great to have you back in town. Well, he was there. He came out. We talked a little bit and he said, “Why don’t we get together and we can talk this further?” I said, “That’s fine. When do you want to do this?” “We can do it tomorrow after the budget meeting, 2 o'clock.” That’s today. So, I said, “Fine. We’ll prepare ourselves to come in”, and so we did. We actually went in yesterday afternoon - excuse me - after their budget talks. And we said, “Okay. We will be glad to sit down.” This was about 4:45. “We’ll sit down tomorrow and we’ll talk about it and we’ll see how we can work this thing out.” ‘Cause that’s how things are done in this business. It’s give-and-take. It’s not my way or the highway. It’s give-and-take. Let’s talk about it. Let’s work this out. If it’s truly that important to you, Governor, then let’s sit down and talk about it. What happened today when the meeting was supposed to be held? We were in committee and about 1:30 they called and said, “We’re canceling the 2 o'clock meeting.” Governor’s Office canceled it. Which we thought -- I mean, here we are debating the bill in committee. We’re supposed to meet in just a few minutes in his office, but that’s okay. We’ll still live up to our end of it. They canceled the meeting. So, we come back up here and we get another call. “Frank, we’d like to have you come down tomorrow.” I mean, Friday. This is Thursday. Tomorrow’s Friday. “We want you to come down tomorrow and we’ll discuss this.” These people have no idea what it means to govern, absolutely none. We’re here on the Floor tonight debating the issue. They want to talk about it tomorrow. This is ludicrous. This is ludicrous. This -- you talk about politics. That’s what this is all about with this Governor. He’s not sincere or serious about wanting to do anything. If he was, he’d be here in the Capitol debating this issue with us and discussing it with us. But, no, he goes around the State having his press conferences. It’s politics, sure. And it’s politics for the Governor. That’s what it is. He wants to blame somebody. That’s all this administration is about. Let’s blame somebody else for the failings of what we can’t get 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 done. So, it’s all -- let’s just realize what this is -- what this truly is. And I’m not so sure you’re all that sincere about it yourself, on your side of the aisle, or you would have reached out yourselves. So, say what you want, but we know what this is. It is a sham, a sham. Ought to be embarrassed. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Emil Jones.
Yeah. Thank you, Madam President. One thing I recognize is that prior to this new electronic system that we have and to the recording and keeping records, the records tell the truth. If you had listened to the previous speaker, he -- you would think that he was all in favor of school construction program. May -- in May of 1999, we passed a massive bond authorization program. Incorporated in there was a provision to find the funding mechanism whereby we could provide funding to the various school districts across the State of Illinois and they would have money from the State to help them with school construction. I was here. I voted for it. You listen to the remarks of the previous speaker, he’s trying to give you the impression that he voted for it. The archives and records will give you Senate Bill -- 1066 with the roll call led by that Leader on the other side of the aisle. We are obligated to at least tell the truth. So, let’s tell the truth. That legislation set up the fund that would be funneled to the various school districts across the State of Illinois, requiring a fifty cents per -- a fifty percent match. The person you heard speak previous to this, who talked about the Governor, well, you were nowhere around. You didn’t see the courage to vote for it. Fortunately, the bill did receive several enlightened Republicans who voted for it. Even my predecessor, the previous President, who hated everybody, Pate Philip voted for it. Senator Sieben voted for it. Senator Watson voted No. Now, I didn’t just pick this up, but you just got -- got through giving the speech on this Floor telling everybody how great you are and talking about the Governor not being around. You were absent in -- in action. Senator Maitland voted for it. Senator Karpiel voted for it. Senator Luechtefeld - great coach. Great, great coach, didn’t have the courage to vote for it. Lady who want to be State Treasurer, talk all that 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 stuff about children, whatnot, didn’t vote for it. But your Leader, you just heard that speech of how great he was, how he -- the genesis of this program was his idea. He did all these great things. Here’s the -- here’s the roll call right here. Here’s the roll call, so let’s tell the truth on the Senate Floor sometime when we talk about school construction. But I know you jump behind our President George Bush. He asked for another sixty-five billion dollars for the war in Iraq. A great portion of those dollars, Senator Jones, will go toward construction of schools and libraries and facilities for kids in Iraq. The people of Illinois, the parents of Illinois and their children, will pay for it because the federal deficit is -- is so great. So, we pay for that. You don’t complain about that. I see no resolutions from your side of the aisle saying we must take care of our children equally as well as we try and take care of children in other parts of the world. Your vote today will indicate how much you care about the schoolchildren in your district. But don’t get on the Senate Floor and -- and tell everyone and try to tell the world how strong you were behind this action or talk about the Governor. Talk about this Governor and the meetings. We -- we met last year. We met year before last. We met and we met and -- and -- and had the Governor looked at this record, he would have known it’s a waste of time sitting down talking to you. You’re going to find every type of excuse necessary to keep from doing the right thing for schoolchildren. So, it’s you who is grandstanding. It’s you who is not telling the truth. It’s you who is not sincere. Sincerity is where you put your vote. If you want our kids to have brand-new buildings like they have in Iraq, you want them to have all the facilities necessary and the tools where they can be competitive, if you’re willing to pay for the children in Iraq, you should be willing to pay for the children in the State of Illinois. And I urge a Aye vote on this measure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Radogno.
Thank you, Madam President. First of all, I hope we don’t succumb to the temptation anymore than we already have to make this an argument about whether or not you care about kids. You 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 know, I’ve got three kids. Most people in this Chamber have kids. We all care about our kids. Care about grandchildren, nieces, nephews, our neighbors and all the kids we represent. It’s just nonsense that this is about kids. It’s a financial decision, and part of caring about kids is making sure that we care about their financial future as well. And doing that means that we have to have a program that’s sound and makes sense. And Senator Schoenberg talked about the structure of this particular proposal. Many things in it are very good. The bonds are structured in a responsible way. We like that. There’s two issues: the trust issue, which has been alluded to by previous speakers, and the lack of a revenue source. And that is critical to me, the revenue source. And in fact, I’d like to point out, I think there’s been a change of heart on the other side of the aisle as to whether or not a revenue source is important, because if you recollect, initially the Governor proposed a cigarette tax to fund the school construction program. That’s a tax I would have support and I suspect a number of people would have. We’ve never had a chance to vote on that. In committee this afternoon, Senator Cullerton said that he would vote -- for any kind of revenue source proposed. Well, that one was proposed, yet we never got to vote on it. The Governor also proposed keno. Now, that’s something I probably wouldn’t have voted in favor of. But the history here is that there has been a connection between borrowing money and figuring out a revenue source to be able to pay that money back. And that’s been bought into by both sides of the aisle, by this side when we functioned that way in the previous school construction program - we had a -- a revenue source - and by the proposals of revenue sources from that side of the aisle. So I suggest rather than getting all bogged down, whether we care about kids or not, or who’s telling the truth or not, we go back to the drawing board and figure out a revenue source to support the bonding program that we’d all like to see happen as part of the good future for all of our children. So until that happens, I would urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cronin.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: I think it was in 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 the mid-eighties, Boston Marathon, maybe you might have remembered it. At the last, like eleventh hour of the race, Rosie Ruiz kind of cut in, nobody knew, she ran across the finish line and everybody cheered and commentators were like, wow, what happened? Who is this person? What a star. What an amazing -- from nowhere. Well, the point I’m making here is that those who are in favor of this proposal today, you’re -- you’re sort of awarding yourselves a medal. You’re sort of running across the finish line without having run the race. You’re giving yourself a pat on the back and you haven’t done the work. There is no revenue source here. Senator Radogno pointed it out. This is the height of your responsibility. You’re raising expectations for a lot of schools across the State. We got schools that have been waiting for years to get money from this program. Now, you’re floating another -- seeking to get bond authorization when there’s no money to pay for these bonds. It’s shameful. It’s irresponsible. It’s a big lie. This bill is a big lie. It’s not real. But you know the funny thing about it is, we pointed this out, and it’s trust. The Governor doesn’t care. Doesn’t matter to him if it’s real or not. He still gets to go out there and do his press conferences. He still gets to run around the State and have the bands play and the cheerleaders cheer and he gets the headlines and it doesn’t matter, except for those of us in this Chamber who are charged with the duty of being responsible. We are not supposed to be the ones that are swayed by images and perceptions. We’re supposed to dig below the surface. We’re supposed to be somewhat substantive here. We’re supposed to demand responsible proposals to address real problems. Well, you know school construction, it’s a real problem. There’s some real challenges there. We definitely need it. But this is shameful. This is -- this is making the situation worse. You know, the Governor, he’s an interesting character. I -- I don’t know, even if this did have a revenue source, I -- I’ve always been supportive of the proposals for school construction that have had revenue sources. It’s never been a tough vote. But I got to tell you, I mean, this is irresponsible, on top of the fact that we’ve got a Governor that -- that nobody trusts. And you know, a couple of years ago, we fought the Governor. He wanted to repeal the law that provided a 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 priority for school… Remember that? He wanted to take that law that said overcrowded classrooms and dangerous leaky roofs and stuff like that, those need to be funded first. He wanted to abolish that law, because he wanted to distribute the money as he saw fit. I mean, he didn’t get along with somebody on the Commerce Commission…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cronin, could you please stick with the subject of the bill that we’re discussing, please? Senator Cronin.
Well, I think trust has a lot more to do with this bill than Iraq, frankly. But my point being is that we’ve got a Governor who has full control of the State Board of Education that administers this program. I have no confidence that even if they got this money, that this money would be awarded and distributed in a fair fashion. This vote, this bill, it’s -- it’s a big lie. There’s no revenue source. In the past, we had cigarette taxes. We had liquor tax… Bottom line is, where is the leadership? Where is the responsibility? Where is the will and the ability to govern? I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) WCFN, WCIA seeks leave to videotape, film the proceedings. Leave is granted. Senator del Valle.
Thank you, Madam President. I know we’ve talked about kids quite a bit today and I -- I think we -- even though it’s -- it’s late, we need to continue to remind ourselves that this is about children. In my district, I have third-shift preschool, because we don’t have enough space. Kids go to preschool in the morning. They go to preschool, a second class in the afternoon. And then we have a preschool from 3 to 5:30. When we first established third-shift preschool, some people said it’s too late. Parents are not going to bring their four-year-olds and five-year-olds at that time. Within a matter of days, we had three hundred families signed up for the third-shirt preschools. Only half of our kids in my area can go to full-day kindergarten. Why? Because there isn’t enough space. When you look at classrooms, not just in Chicago, but throughout the State, you see classrooms with thirty-two kids, thirty-three kids, thirty-four kids and 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 then we expect all these kids to meet our standards, standards that we imposed on school districts and that the federal government, through No Child Left Behind, has imposed on school districts. Now, we’re for those standards, but yet we’re asking teachers to do wonders with their hands tied behind their back, because we are not taking the responsible steps that are needed in order to address those critical issues - the issues of overcrowding and the issues of the need for making sure that we have smaller classrooms. In the suburbs, we’ve had fast growth. We used to have fast-growth grants in order to deal with the growth in the suburbs. That’s not -- that’s not changing. It’s still an issue. But I want to cover just a couple of things here because it’s important that we have our facts. And I like to deal with facts. And I realize that sometimes it feels like, you know, we are in different worlds here. But when we deal with facts, I think we’re better off. And it’s important to be informed, and the facts are that in the 90th General Assembly, Senator Watson sponsored the bill creating the School Construction Act. It was a wonderful thing. I was here for it, the School Construction Act. You were in the majority. Representative Daniels was the House sponsor. And the School Construction Act spelled out exactly how the school construction program would function. It said, “Priority of school construction projects. The State Board of Education shall develop standards for the determination of priority needs concerning school construction projects based upon approved district facilities plans.” And today in committee, we had two Members on the other side of the aisle say clearly and rightfully so that the school construction program has functioned very well, no complaints. And as a matter of fact, in 2004 when there was talk - and Senator Cronin made reference to this - when there was talk about modifying the school construction program and allowing the Capital Development Board to basically assume responsibility, I was one of the first who said no, because the school construction program has functioned well and we don’t want to tamper with it. And there was agreement on both sides of the aisle. And what did we do? In Senate Bill 1553 that was approved in 2004 - a bill that we all voted for, unanimously - we strengthened the school construction law and in there we put 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 that, “The State Board of Education may not make any material changes to the standards in effect on May 18, 2004, unless the State Board of Education is specifically authorized by law.” We went on to say that the Capital Development Board may not make any material changes unless authorized by law. That means unless authorized by us. It doesn’t mean unless authorized by the Governor. It means we have to take action. And so we’ve done the responsible thing as a legislative Body. We’ve protected a program that has worked well for all, that has been a fair program, a program that has not been funded. A program that has twenty-five school districts -- twenty-four districts waiting till the -- until -- well, since 2002, waiting for the funds that have been approved. These are the districts that are entitled to construction grants. You-all have the list. And so since then, we’ve added a ton of applications that are pending from Fiscal Year 2003, Fiscal Year 2004, Fiscal Year 2005, Fiscal Year 2006. How many more years do we wait? And what we have proposed here is not the Governor’s proposal, because you will recall that the Governor proposed a five-hundred-million-dollar program. But the Senate is sending a message to the Governor and to the rest of the State and our school districts and our parents, and yes, those babies that are on waiting lists to get into preschools. We’re sending a message, and that is that we feel that we need to do more and that it is our obligation and that this is not about what’s going to happen twenty, twenty-five years from now. It’s what’s going to happen today to these children that are having to go to school under the conditions that you wouldn’t want your children to go to school under. You wouldn’t want that for your own kids. But what are we doing about it? Instead, we’re fighting about how are we going to pay for a program. We’ve stated clearly here that the money to cover these bonds is going to be in the budget and there are lots of us here - I don’t know how many yet, but many of us here - who are willing to cast that tough vote on that budget to take care of this program so that all of you, all of us, all of our children can benefit. We’re ready to do that. But it doesn’t matter. I’ve learned it doesn’t matter what revenue stream is suggested, it doesn’t matter, because the bottom line is that it’s all about politics now. It’s all about politics and nothing else, because every 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 single one of you recognizes that this is essential and that this is long overdue and saying that it’s long overdue is an understatement. We must be responsible and it’s time that we had a school construction program in the State of Illinois. And if we don’t do this, then it’s not shame on the Governor, it’s shame on us for not providing the necessary leadership. And I commend our Leader, Senate President Emil Jones, for saying by moving this bill, saying to the Governor that, “Governor, we disagreed with your original proposal because it wasn’t enough. And we, as leaders, in this State are going to put a better proposal on the table and we’re willing to cast a tough vote, the responsible vote to fund that program.” And I hope that there’ll be at least a couple of you that will join us so that we can do what is right for the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Luechtefeld.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Senator Schoenberg, this has been one of the easiest bills you’ve -- you’ve ever carried, I would say. Right? So far no questions. Your reputation proceeds you. Now, I’m going to ask you a question, please don’t take all my time. Does the Governor support this? As you know, the Governor’s plan, I think, was for 3.5 billion dollars, now we’re up to 4.5. Does the Governor support this plan?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Schoenberg.
I believe the Governor will sign this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Luechtefeld.
You know, there -- there’s been an awful lot said about -- and an awful lot of fingers pointed about who cares about kids and -- and if you care about kids, then you’d vote for this bill. And -- and you know, I have a -- I know the Senate President got up and made a -- quite a -- a speech about how you couldn’t -- you know, if you -- if you didn’t -- if you cared, you’d vote for it. I have a roll call here where all Democrats voted against 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 the bill in 2002 for school construction. You know, I guess we can both find statistics to back up any argument that we want to make. And my think -- do I think that all Democrats on that side don’t care about kids? I know better than that. You do care about kids. You know, this particular situation is one where, to me -- I have calls, as Senator Sieben said earlier, in my office constantly from different groups saying to -- you know, we’re going to have to close our doors if you don’t pay -- if you don’t pay the things that -- the amount of money that you owe us from five and six months ago. Now, should I say to you that you don’t care about people in nursing homes or you don’t care about people in -- the pharmacists or the hospitals because this Governor and this administration is not paying its bills? I don’t think so. You care, but it is a fact it’s not happening. And we’re now saying that there’s enough money in -- in this budget that we can -- can borrow four and a half billion dollars, from the General Revenue Fund we’re going to pay this. You and I both know better than that. If there was, this Governor would have it. And you wouldn’t have to make the difficult vote, and it is a difficult vote, to steal from the pension funds for the last two years. Those are tough votes to explain at home, and this Governor has put you in that particular situation. And an earlier speaker said, I trust this Governor. You know what? If you trust this Governor, you’re one of the very few that do, because I have talked to many of you on your side of the aisle and they are embarrassed with him. So, you are one of the few that trust this Governor. Why should we? Certainly he’s going to do more for you than he would for us. Why should we? And if we -- we have to figure out a way -- one of the best things we’ve done since I’ve been in this -- in this Assembly is have school construction. It is one of the best things we’ve done. But we need to do it right and we need to pay our pharmacies and we need to pay our hospitals and we need to figure a way to do that. And we need to figure a way to pay for this school construction plan. And we don’t have it. Let’s do it right. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lauzen.
Thank you very much, Madam President. There’s -- you know, 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 the longer the debate goes, the more there is to respond to and - - and to put in. I have -- first of all, I have enormous respect and affection for Senator del Valle. I know how much he cares and how hard he works. I believe that what happens tonight, Senator, is that we come to this evening’s debate from totally different experiences with this Governor. I -- I think that Senator Luechtefeld really does put it right, that there are so many of us who -- who just can’t trust that money is going to be released to our districts. I’ve been waiting. I think that you named off like 2003, 2004, 2005. I have money that is still from -- committed, but not released, from 2002. And so when -- when you make the appeal and the school construction matching grant program is a good program. We’ve had it held. I see allocations of money where the average per pupil spending in Chicago is twelve thousand dollars. It’s 5.05 billion dollars divided by four hundred and twenty-six thousand children. It’s about twelve thousand dollars a year. My son over at West Aurora High School, it’s about eight thousand dollars a year. And we say, you know, send more off and maybe we’re going to see it, maybe we’re not. If we do decide that we’re going to follow, as one of the previous speakers who says that he trusts the Governor, well, part of the Governor’s instruction to us in the State -- the annual budget address in 2005 was, quote, “If any of us propose new spending, whether it’s the Governor, Members of the Legislature, Constitutional Officers or anyone else, we should identify how we’re going pay for it.” Is there any dedicated revenue source? Is there a corresponding cut? Where is the money going to come from? It’s almost like political poetry. It -- the cadence is just perfect. It should be followed and that’s all we’re asking to do. It’s a fascinating debate between the two Legislative Leaders, the Minority Leader on our side, the President of the -- the Senate over on your side. And I think that what you’re describing is two different bills. One is a good capital bill. One’s a bad capital bill. I was the only one, I believe, and I’m almost positive of this, to -- to speak against Illinois FIRST. And you know that a lot of the abuses that went on in the application of that bill, a former Governor is on trial and waiting for a verdict as we speak tonight. The reason -- oh, I’m sorry. If I didn’t say Governor I -- former 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Governor is waiting about an indictment and a verdict tonight. There were just three points that I made that night. And by the way, I did receive a primary challenge for that. So, it was an interesting experience. The first was, there wasn’t a list. I mean, that’s part of what we’re concerned about is that there isn’t a -- a list that we can rely on of where the money is going to come out. I criticized the Governor at that time for six hundred million dollars of a tax increase. And I just read, as gently and respectfully as I could, his -- one of his last press releases, where he said it would be unconscionable to raise taxes, especially during good times. And I said, I think that all politicians ought to keep the promises that they make to be elected. But there was a tax increase, six hundred. In former - - in previous school construction matching grant proposals, there has been a telecom tax on one. There was an alcohol tax on another. There was a cigarette tax on another and that’s how they were funded. And then finally, the -- the third item in a - - a proper capital bill was no concessions -- there were no concessions from road builders on that one. In this case the analogous would be, you know, how are we going to build these schools better? The thing that bothers me the most is when we talk about this being about the kids. And there are some speakers who are proponents who will say -- you will tell you and everybody else that this is about the kids, like we’re some kind of Santa Claus on this side. Well, I don’t know of anywhere where we give our children -- I don’t think there’s a Member -- there is not a Member of this Senate who gives a gift on Christmas to their child and then gives ‘em the invoices on the Visa or Master Charge for the next twenty-five years to pay the bill. You are not giving someone something when you require them to pay for it over time. There are naturally other things to say, but I respect the time of the entire Body and I would just recommend that we do go back to the drawing board and put together a school construction matching grant that has a dedicated fund, where we can trust that we’re all going to share fairly for our constituents, and that we get to that immediately. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lightford. 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, it’s always interesting to hear all of the institutional knowledge that flows through the Chambers whenever we come to situations where we like to point the finger. And just in a little bit of my time here, the institutional knowledge that I’ve learned is that when I arrived here, education was grossly underfunded and that Governor Edgar did a terrible job in funding public education. Governor Ryan tried to do something a little different and decided he will put a little support over to public education. And you notice, we have our Leader Watson speaking, saying that there was a 2002 Illinois FIRST Program. There was not a 2002 Illinois FIRST Program. You hear so much misinformation. Senator Luechtefeld said all the Democrats voted No. There was no bill in 2002 that all the Democrats voted No to fund school construction. And so it saddens me so drastically that we have superintendents who are begging for support. We have school board members and -- and we all believe in local control. And we tell them to do the best they can with very little support that we give them from the State Legislature. I think Senator del Valle said it best, this is not about the Governor. This is about us taking a active stance as leaders in this Body and fulfilling our commitment to school construction, to school maintenance and to the twenty-four school districts that have put theirselves in budget deficits waiting for support. You have school projects that had to cease right in the middle of the project because we did not fulfill our obligation here in the State Legislature. So, it’s just time-out for all the crap, time-out for all the BS, time-out for the politics. And let’s really address the fact that there are children in the State of Illinois who run and play for recess and then they come right back and sit down and eat in that same room, because the all-purpose room is that. They play there, they eat there and they learn there, because there is not enough space in these schools. We talk about crumbling schools. We should all be ashamed of ourself for being ranked in the positions that we are. This isn’t something that this Governor created, he inherited and let’s not forget that. And there is no way in the world that we can turn around our situation in just this term. 92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Let’s all be honest with that and acknowledge that we have a responsibility here. We need to help these twenty-four school districts. We need to give those schools an opportunity to match a -- a opportunity in school maintenance that we say, if you care about your school, we’ll meet you halfway. We’re not meeting them halfway. And it’s a shame and we should all feel bad about our decisions if we vote No. And this -- this truly is about the children, the teachers, the principals and the school -- and the school superintendents. So, I urge an Aye vote and I hope that all of you will really think hard and long the difference between politics and public education and really funding our children’s education.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Roskam. Yes, sir. Senator Watson.
Yes. Thank you. I just think when someone says an outrageous statement, that deserves a response. This was the school construction grant program in 2002. It was five hundred million dollars additional bonding authorization. Not -- and, Senator Lightford, you did not vote for this. I have the roll call right here. Not one person on that side of the aisle voted for this. So, just -- when you get up and you make a comment like that, I just think we have to call you on it, because it just truly isn’t accurate. And I’m sorry, but I just had to say that. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: You know, I think it’s a great challenge to be a Senate Democrat and I -- I’ve often wondered how you do it. And I -- I think here’s the challenge. The challenge is knowing on a day-to-day basis what is our position on the Governor on the second floor? Because there’s been…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Roskam, no politics. Talk to the bill, please. Senator Roskam.
Thank you very much, Madam President. Because the 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 difficulty in the context of this bill, Madam President, is that I don’t know if everybody’s got their signals right. See? Because this is the same Governor that the Majority Party in this General Assembly over the past three years has said, we need two hundred memorandums of understanding to tether him down. This is the same Governor, my friend from the west side said, it’s because he’s a Democrat that people don’t trust him. Well, he’s got a little bit of a trust issue, but you know what? We’re not at the front of the line. Let me tell you who is at the front of the line in terms of the trust on the administration on this bill, Madam President. Here’s what Secretary Jesse White said, you lied to use five times, bargained with us in poor faith and bad faith.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Roskam, does that have anything to do with this bill, or does it have to do with politics? We need to speak on the bill. Senator Roskam.
Thank you, Madam President. Here’s what Senator Trotter said, he’s not kept his word in a lot of instances. He’s lost his credibility. This is the person that is going to be administering this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Roskam, please to the bill. Senator Roskam. No. This is politics. I’m sorry. We want to talk about the bill. There’s been a number of speakers.
Okay. To the -- okay, this is -- this is the collective opinion of the person that’s going to be administering this bill. Here is what another said, it makes me feel like I was dealing with a used car dealer. That’s what Senator del Valle said. So, now the question becomes -- and Senator del Valle made a good point. He said that this is a program that’s been protected. Well, protected from who and protected from what? And protected why? It’s being protected from a Governor who has shown that he has the ability to reach in his arm into State agencies and manipulate to them to his will. This isn’t specious. This isn’t theoretical. This isn’t something that we haven’t seen before. This is a pattern for this Governor. When the Gaming Board gave 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 him the wrong answer, he said, “You, you, you, you’re out of the pool and I’ve got new appointees.” We saw the same thing just months ago with the Commerce Commission. When they gave the wrong answer, “You, you, you, I’ve got new appointees.” What do you think is going to happen when the State Board of Education and the Capital Development Board gives the wrong answer and they say, “Oh, we want to fund Senator Winkel’s district. We really do. And we’ve got this great program up in Galena and we want to fund Senator Sieben’s district. We really and truly do.” I mean, let’s face it, you don’t have trust in this Governor. On a day-by-day basis, you’ve got to go to where are we on Rod.com to find out are we thumbs up on him or are we thumbs down? I don’t know what the hand signals are. I don’t know if this is like, yeah, we’re with Rod, oh, no, we’re not with Rod. We trust him today. He’s dangerous today. You don’t trust him anymore than we do based on the old public quotes. So, here is what this comes down to, our Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson has had meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting for the past three years to get various projects released. Projects that the Governor and the State of Illinois have obligated to. And you know what the response has been? The response is that classic passive aggressive pattern. Really? That hasn’t been released? You’re kidding me, Frank. Are you kidding me? Has that not been released? Are you kidding me? We haven’t released that. …get us a memo…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Come on, Senator Roskam, please wrap it up. To the bill. Senator Roskam.
If you trust someone who needs two hundred memorandums of understanding initiated by the Speaker of the House, if you trust someone who has reached into quasi-independent State agencies like the Commerce Commission, then this is the bill for you. This is fabulous. But we don’t. So my suggestion is put the politics aside, put the nonsense aside and let’s negotiate and let’s do something that’s real, because what can be real is to take the eighty-nine million dollars that Senator Schoenberg said is available to pay for this program, take that eighty-nine million dollars and fund a year of it. We can do two years of 95 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 that. That’s a hundred and seventy-eight million dollars. That takes care of all the entitled programs in the twinkling of an eye, if there -- if there’s eighty-nine million dollars there, and I take the gentleman at face value. But trotting this bill out tonight on a night before the Senate Republican Leader has even sat down with the Governor - notwithstanding all of the efforts and all of the gestures on part of Senator Watson to do that - I think is just silly. Let’s face it, we don’t trust him and you don’t trust him, but we’ve got the guts to say so.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter, if there’s anything else to say. I’m not sure, but go ahead.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. When I first pushed my speak light to get up and talk a little bit about this bill, it was not, and it’s still not, my intention to talk about people who vote for this bill without a funding source - don’t care about my two children, who are eleven and nine, or anyone else’s children in here because they’re saddling them with a debt beyond imagination. Wasn’t my intent to get up and say, you know what? You folks must not care about people in nursing homes, because you’re letting two billion dollars in bills stack up in the Medicaid program. It’s been very disappointing and inaccurate to hear people get up and say people oppose this because the Governor’s a Democrat, or your vote on this will indicate to us whether or not you care for children. You know, no one in the real world believes those things that you’re saying. I don’t think anyone in this room believes those things that you are saying. Those words carry less weight than the paper that your press releases, your self- congratulatory press releases, themselves, will weigh. You know, this -- I rise in -- reluctant opposition to this bill and that’s because I have one of the twenty-four schools that are on the list. And the people in Stewardson-Strasburg, Madam President, they want their school money, they do. They’ve wanted it for a number of years and they’ve waited on leadership for a number of years from Springfield to provide that money. But the people who go to school there and the teachers and the administrators, the people who pay taxes there, people who pay taxes in my district 96 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 and in yours understand that there are bigger things at stake than that. And that’s because those people out there deal with budgets, real-life budgets, not what we’ve been talking about here - real-life budgets in both the context of their personal lives and their professional lives. And one of the things that they understand is, is that when you borrow money, you have to pay it back. And fiscal responsibility demands a specific plan to pay it back. With all due respect to the sponsor, in his opening comments he talked about how the fact that the repayment of this money will be handled in the same course that it’s always been paid back. That’s not accurate. In 1998 and in 1999 and in 2002, specific new revenues were identified to be put into the General Revenue Fund for the purpose of paying back this new debt. That is an undeniable fact and the fact that you want to put this kind of debt on the State without identifying those revenues is also undeniable and it’s unprecedented. And I appreciate, Madam President, and I thank you for your indulgence, that there are a lot of people in this building who get a little tired of hearing some of us and some of you, quite frankly, talk about trust and talk about concern about what’s going to happen with this money. But, Madam President, after the twenty-four schools are taken care of, there’s eight hundred and fifty million dollars out there. I don’t have any idea where that’s going to go and I’m very concerned about where that money will go, and I’m very concerned about whether or not I can believe what’s going to be told to me about where it’s going to go. And for those who think that that’s not a legitimate concern, I want you to come to my district, to Lake Land Community College, and talk to the students and the teachers and the administrators who waited for over two years for fifteen million dollars to replace old dilapidated buildings on that community college’s campus, monies that had been appropriated years before. They had to wait till the eve of an election before that money was released. I want all of you to come to the Village of Jewett in my district, a tiny little town in my district that through Illinois FIRST was promised money to address their water treatment problems. And the reason they needed that money was because they had dangerously high levels of arsenic in their drinking water. They couldn’t get that money released until the threat of, not a 97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 first, but a second front-page story about why the administration wouldn’t release the money came out. And then the money popped out. Come to a dozen other communities in my district…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter, to the bill, please.
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
Thank you. A dozen other communities in my district that are still waiting. Within the context of the bill, Madam President, there will be promises made about schools who will get funding. Those promises by some will be believed just as my communities have believed as well. I’m not willing to do that anymore. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Schoenberg, to close.
Thank you, Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Let me briefly disabuse some of the mischaracterizations which have been raised throughout the debate. With respect to the prior speaker, who I have great admiration for, I want to make it abundantly clear, there are twenty-four school districts which applied in Fiscal Year 2002 for a hundred and forty-nine million dollars. They underwent a rigorous program and vetting process jointly administered by the State Board of Education and the Capital Development Board. They are still waiting for their money. There is an additional two hundred and seventy-five schools dating back to Fiscal Year 2003. The list is right here. It’s public information and I’ll add parenthetically there is not a single school of mine on this list. These two hundred and seventy-five schools have not undergone this rigorous joint review process in which they are scored and then weighted and then the funds are disbursed. Why has that been? Because there has been no bond authorization to do it. We have heard a great deal about creating false hope and breaches of trust. What could be a greater breach of trust than to ask school districts, to ask parents, to ask teachers to stand out in the rain and hand out 98 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 flyers for referenda that more likely than not won’t pass. The batting average, we all know, for passing a school referendum is incredibly low. What would be a greater breach of faith than to ask them to go out and ask their community for more money in order to be able to access these school construction grant funds, but there’s no bond authorization? That, my friends, would be a breach of trust. And with respect to retaining the very inherent integrity of the process for these school construction grants, which have been currently reviewed, those which hope to be reviewed if we have sufficient support for this bill, plus those school districts across the State which would be eligible for fifty thousand dollars in matching funds from the State in order to deal with their maintenance and upkeep needs for their buildings and their grounds, that one billion dollars is here. That one billion dollars would undergo the same uniform scrutiny and review through the Capital Development Board and the State Board of Education that we’ve seen historically throughout this program which has enjoyed bipartisan support. So, my friends, how often do we discuss in this building and throughout the communities in our State the need to invest in critical infrastructure? How many hours do we obsess about roads and bridges and trains, and I daresay, even toll roads, because we realize that infrastructure is an invaluable part of our State’s economic growth? Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this is intellectual infrastructure. Our schools are the very place where we give our children the tools to compete in a rapidly changing economy. Our schools are the place where we currently ask many teachers across the State to work in substandard working conditions as they develop and nurture our very future. And in many communities, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, schools are the only safe haven that protects our children’s intellectual, moral and physical safety. We’re all for infrastructure. We need to be for intellectual capital as well. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 668 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 32 Yeas, 26 Nays, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 668, having not 99 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 received the required constitutional majority, is declared failed. Ladies and Gentlemen, please turn to page 8 on your Calendar. Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We’ll be resuming where we left off. Senate Bill 2983. Senator Hendon. Senator Hendon. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3053. Senator Trotter. Senator Trotter seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3053 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3053. Mr. Secretary, have there been any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter, to explain your amendment.
Thank you very much. If I could, Amendment No. 1 is the bill. However, I would like to adopt that amendment and -- ‘cause I need to make a technical change to it as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) For the record, we have had a sponsor change. It is Senator Trotter. So, Senator Trotter, to explain your amendment.
Well…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Amendment No. 1.
Which is the bill. I think if we can adopt that and just go back on 3rd and then read the whole thing, ‘cause I need to adopt the -- the technical amendment to make some changes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion on Amendment No. 1? Senator Trotter moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3053. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Trotter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter, on Amendment No 2. 100 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
Thank you very much, Madam President and Members of the Senate. Amendment No. 2 is a technical amendment to correct some drafting errors that were made.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter moves the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 3053. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 3053. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 3053. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Amendment -- the bill, 3053, increases bond authorization to the Department of Transportation by 2.7 billion dollars. This -- increase raises the total allocation for IDOT to eight billion sixty-three million dollars. A total of that -- of those dollars, 2.3 billion, will be for statewide use for highways, freeways, roads, bridges and railroads maintained by the State. A total of four hundred and twenty-five million dollars will be used for statewide use for rail facilities and for mass transit facilities. It further increases GO bond authorization for higher education, which are the public universities and community colleges, by 556.3 million dollars. Of this, the -- the total dollars would be 2.767 million -- billion dollars. Of that, fifty million dollars additional will go into the Build Illinois authorization for higher education for community colleges for scientific, technical and vocational programs. This bill does have a funding stream. The funding stream will be from the Motor Fuel Tax. We have seen increases over the -- the past year. We 101 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 accept this -- modest increase to continue from one to 1.5 percent. Madam President, could you get some order just so I can -- can you get a little order for me, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Excuse me. We cannot hear Senator Trotter. I know you’re all planning on what to say, but first let’s hear what Senator Trotter has to say.
Again, with this, we will be able to not only deal with those public safety issues that we have throughout the State, but we’ll also, with this bond and the authorization, be able to capture those federal dollars which have come from the feds of last year. With those monies, we will be able to have seventy- three million dollars which will go to local governments so that they can deal with their match and have the road projects without going to a referendum or trying to find dollars in any other way. Again, this is a necessary bill. We have not had a bond authorization in the past three years. Certainly with the passage of this bill, we also will be able to create one hundred and forty-five thousand jobs in transportation, another eight- five in the -- the mass transit portion as well. So, we’re looking at -- at the growth of two hundred and sixty thousand jobs with the passage of this legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) There are a number of speakers. And I just want to remind you that I will stop you if this gets into a political debate instead of to the bill. Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Madam President. I reluctantly rise in opposition to this bill. I wish I could vote for a capital program. We need one, but I can’t. And the reason I can’t vote for this bill tonight is, there is nothing in this bill to stop the pay-to-play pattern that has taken place, not only at IDOT, as recently documented by a lot of people, including your former Chief of Staff, the Auditor General, Bill Holland, but pay-to- play has become the hallmark of the Blagojevich administration. Senator Radogno and those of us on this side of the aisle have put forth a number of very good proposals to tighten up the contracting process in this State, and there is no doubt that 102 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 this particular gentleman on the second floor who wishes this bill has clearly been the leader when it comes to taking campaign contributions and having contracts…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Dillard, to the bill. Senator Dillard.
This is to the bill. I mean, the reason I can’t support this is there are not changes in what will end the pay-to-play pattern here. We just barely confirmed the Secretary of Transportation here a week ago. Even Members like Senator Demuzio on your side of the aisle had no confidence and did not vote to reconfirm the Secretary of Transportation. The Chicago Tribune in an editorial about a week ago entitled, “The Dan Ryan Honey Pot”, pointed out, as did the Democrat Auditor General, that we have hundreds of thousands of dollars of missing money, unaccounted for money, at the Illinois Department of Transportation. I don’t know how we’re going to hand ‘em a couple of billion more when they can’t account for the money they have today. You know, again, I wish I could vote for this thing tonight. I believe we need a capital plan. You know, I have voted for, unlike some who would pull out a roll call on the school construction plan, I’ve voted and spoke for every capital plan that has ever been here in the time I’ve been in the Legislature, including the revenue sources that back it up. And to Senator Hendon, my friend over there, at least it’s not me. It’s not that this is a Democrat Governor, Rod Blagojevich. As you pointed out, I voted against Jim Edgar, my old boss’s and George Ryan’s school construction programs as well. But I do cast tough votes if I have to. For the Governor, I voted for his ten-billion-dollar pension refinancing plan. When he’s got a good plan, I’m with him and I’m with him when it’s inappropriate to do so. But without contracting, tightening safeguards that will end this preemptive pay-to-play hallmark of this particular administration, I can’t be for this. I will say this, I am sure and I hope that by the time we leave here both a school construction program and a regular capital program that will include our roads will pass. It will pass when these programs are put together the right way and not when a Governor swoops into town some forty-eight hours before our scheduled adjournment 103 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 date and things are put together haphazardly. So, I’m confident and I hope that I can vote for both a school construction program and a regular capital program, but until we put some pay-to-play safeguards in this particular bill, I’m not for it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jacobs.
Madam Chairman, I’d like to move the previous question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jacobs, there looks to be fourteen speakers. Thank you. Again, let me remind you, I will not be giving anybody a second chance. Once I’ve cut you off because you’ve gone to politics, then I will go onto the next speaker. ‘Cause I’ve given everybody three and four chances and they keep going to the next -- the same thing. So, again, if I have to cut you off because it goes to politics, you will not be recognized again. Senator Risinger.
Thank you, Madam President. And I’ll speak to the bill. I think most of you know that I have spent some thirty-five years of my life working with the Department of Transportation. Some seven years as assistant district engineer and eleven years as district engineer. And I’ve worked on good programs for the Department of Transportation. And this is not a good program. Illinois has the third-largest system in the nation. I think transportation has made Illinois the great State that it is and we need to have a capital program and we need to work on the roads. But I’m going to point out five issues that I think is troublesome with the road portion of this bond issue. First, we don’t know what projects are going to be funded. The Department of Transportation - and I’ve had meetings with them - gave us this booklet. This booklet has 1.1 billion dollars’ worth of projects in it. Does not cover the full amount of the bonding that we want to issue. So, we don’t know what projects are going to be funded. Second, there’s no time frame on these projects. A lot of these projects that are in here the engineering hasn’t even started yet. We’ve asked the Department, give us a time frame on when you’re going to do these projects. Are you going to do phase one, phase two and the construction? Give us -- you 104 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 know, and we’ve done that in the past. I’ve been a part of that. We don’t know when that’s going to happen. Third, the federal government -- the -- didn’t do us any favors in earmarking a lot of projects. The projects that are in this booklet are Opportunity Returns and the federal earmarks. Now, the problem with the federal earmarks is that they didn’t give us enough money to build the full project. So, we have projects in here, such as Wacker Drive, where there’s some like twenty-five million for the project and the project’s going to cost two hundred and fifty million. We’ve asked the Department of Transportation, are you only going to match the federal dollars so we don’t lose the federal dollars, or are you going to throw the -- all the money in and build the whole project? In Galesburg, we have two bridges. One of ‘em, they gave three hundred thousand dollars for the engineering; another, they gave four hundred thousand. If you match the money, you come up with a half million and four hundred thousand. That’s not enough to do the engineering. We’ve asked the Department, what are you going to do? Are you going to fund the whole project? They won’t tell us whether they’re going to fund the whole project. So, we don’t know at this -- at this stage what the projects -- what projects are going to be funded. And the real problem with this project, and -- and -- and the Senator said, we have a revenue stream. But this is the Department, what Department of Transportation gave us in their booklet. They say the multiyear program, the normal multiyear program, dollarwise is not going to change whether we pass the bonding bill or not pass the bonding bill. And yet, they’re only going to spend 1.75 billion on roads. They’re asking us to approve 2.35 billion, but we’re only going to spend 1.75 billion on roads. What are we going to do with the other five hundred and seventy-five million? We’re going to throw it into the Road Fund where the bond indebtedness is going to be paid for, for this for the next six years. That is, you know, that -- that’s just a terrible way to pay for this, using bond money to pay for the bonds. The last issue that I’d like to touch on is the -- where we’re going to be whenever this program -- as we go through this program. If you take a look at what the Department gave us, we’re going to put a -- a hundred million dollars into the Road Fund for bond indebtedness in 2007, to -- a 105 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 hundred million in 2008, a hundred and twenty-five in 2009, a hundred and twenty-five in 2010, a hundred and twenty-five in 2011. At the end of that period, what happens is, the road program drops off the table. The program itself then is smaller than it is today. We still have nineteen years to pay on the bonds and we don’t have a revenue stream to do that. We’re going to be paying it out of the Road Fund where the dollars come in from -- from the gas tax and from the license registration fees, but we’re going to be paying twenty-six percent of the Road Fund for bond indebtedness. So, we’re going to have the lowest program and yet -- twenty-six percent of the -- of the -- the Road Fund is going to go for -- only for bond indebtedness. So, it’s a bad program. It needs to be funded properly. It needs to have a real revenue stream and, yes, can I vote for it? You bet I can. You know, I’ve worked in it all my life. I know that infrastructure is a good value. It’s something that we ought to invest in. It is jobs, as the Governor says. And it touches every corner of the State of Illinois. But as a civil engineer that’s worked in it all my life, I can’t vote for this program because it’s not properly funded. We don’t know what the program’s going to be and we can’t get answers. And why? I don’t know. I’ve had meeting after meeting with ‘em and they don’t want to provide the answers. I don’t understand that. If they really want a program, why can’t they sit down with us and give us the straight scoop? Here’s a guy that’s worked in it all his life that wants to vote for it, would vote for a tax increase if we had to do it, and yet we got a terrible program.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Madam President. Just three quick points. I -- I think that we’ve just heard from a professional engineer, a person who spent all of his life with the engineering pieces of a project like that. I believe that any person in this Body who -- with any knowledge of finance, plus a conscience, recognizes that these proposals are nothing more than a cynical campaign stunt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator.
106 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Three…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lauzen.
When -- when folks tell us that the money is going to come out of a balanced budget, that, you know, no dedicated; it’s going to be just a -- a portion out of the gas tax. No concept of a cruel truth in accounting would back up that statement. We do not have a balanced budget when we have two billion dollars of unpaid bills and it’s growing, when we’ve raided in the last two years 2.3 billion dollars of public pension money. We have the worst pension deficit of any state in the union. When we take diversions of hundreds of millions of dollars and we are so desperate that we sweep a hundred and fifty million dollars out of programs like the Veterans Rehabilitation Fund, Breast and Cervical Cancer Fund, we are desperate. This is not a balanced budget.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lauzen, that is not to the bill. Senator Righter. I’m warning you. We do not need to talk about all that other stuff. This is about a road bill. Senator -- Senator Lauzen. Well, I’m not. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Thank you. Senator Trotter, Senator Risinger held up earlier a document that was put out by the administration of the Department of Transportation that outlined what new roads would be built with this money. And it outlined approximately 1.1 billion dollars in construction. Now, if you net out the -- the borrowed money that you’re using for debt service, there’s actually about 1.75 billion dollars available for road construction. That leaves about six hundred and sixty million dollars that is totally unaccounted for in the document that’s been distributed by the administration. As the sponsor of the bill, can you tell me where that money’s going to be spent?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 107 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Senator Trotter.
I’d have to see what he was holding up. I -- I haven’t see this report that he has. I haven’t read the report, so the answer to your question, no.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Senator Trotter. And we’ll be sure and get that right over to you, ‘cause a number of communities in my district and I think other Republican districts have seen it as well. Well then, do you know where the money is going to be spent for - - 1.75 billion in new construction?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
I do not have the list with me. I know there has been a priority list put together.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter.
…bill, Madam President. You know, six weeks ago, myself, along with I believe Senator Jones and Senator Risinger, had the opportunity in my Senate office to meet with the Department of Transportation’s Director of Highways. And we asked him the very same question six weeks ago that I just asked Senator Trotter. And, not surprisingly, got exactly the same answer. I and my colleagues are being asked to vote for a bill that will create one and three quarters billion dollars in new money for road construction, Madam President. We have some notion of what 1.1 billion of that will go. We haven’t the foggiest notion of where six hundred and sixty million of that is going to be spent. That’s a lot of walking around money, Madam President, even for your party and this administration. We have to have better details. My constituents have to have better details before we can vote to borrow this kind of money. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Roskam.
108 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Senator Trotter, earlier Senator del Valle mentioned that there were some vast protections in the previous bill. Does this bill enjoy those same protections in terms of a rigorous process and so forth that are embedded in law and -- and statute? I mean, in law and -- and rule?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
In principle, yes. The language is not in this bill, but the principle is there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Roskam.
Well, what -- what is that principle that animates your hope that this is going to be very tightly directed, as I assume you would argue that it is? What is that principle exactly?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
As it was alluded to earlier, that there was an audit report done by the Auditor General. As a consequence of that, I’m certain and I have been told that there is more accountability that will be maintained and more oversight that would be seen to ensure that these dollars would be spent properly. And those receipts that we talked about earlier in committee, that they will be in place. So, there -- we should not have the problems that have been alluded to in the press before.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Roskam.
Senator, I wasn’t alluding to those tonight. Another speaker has touched on it. But my question is really, in -- in the school construction program, even though I argued against it, there -- there are elements that you can say will pin it down. And I -- I don’t want to get into that again. But there are -- 109 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 there’s a strict guideline. Is there any kind of guideline that binds the Department of Transportation or binds the Governor in where the money is going, or is this simply a list that’s promulgated by the Department of Transportation that could be subject to change?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
It is a list that has been laid out. It is the policy and the practice that we’ve always used throughout the years through every administration. So, there’s nothing different than -- in place now that hasn’t been used before.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Roskam.
Thank you. Briefly to the bill: You know, we’re -- the question before us is -- is about borrowing almost -- approaching four billion dollars in this bill and it’s within the context of moving us originally from about a nine-billion-dollar indebtedness now, if this were to be enacted, up to a twenty- five-billion-dollar indebtedness. It’s when -- within the context of diverting money from -- 2.3 billion dollars from the Pension Fund, the -- the downstate teachers’ pension funds primarily. It’s within the context of 1.2 -- billion dollars in fund sweeps and chargebacks over the past couple of years. And it -- it sort of reminds me of, you know, when you’re invited to dinner for someone and -- and you sit down and it’s kind of a big affair and it’s nice out and -- and really sort of beautiful and someone welcomes you in and they say, “Hey, great, come on it. We’ll get you some really great… What -- what kind of wine do you like? Merlot? Fabulous.” And they get -- “Oh, let’s get some hors d'oeuvres, and oh, I’m paying. Absolutely. Get all the good stuff.” And then at the end of the evening, the person that was the gracious host saying, “Oh, this is really fabulous to have you here.” All of a sudden you look around and the bill comes around and that person’s gone. Well, that’s kind of like what this is. This is -- this is giving things away and -- and wanting to be the great host and have the great time. But when the bill’s going to come around, this General Assembly and this 110 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Governor is going to be long gone. And I think we can do better. I think we need to be -- act more responsibly, Senator. I hope that when this bill goes down, I hope you - and I know you’re sincere - will be part of discussions to retool this idea, because I think there’s a lot of folks on this idea -- on this side of the aisle that want to be part of a capital program, but we’ve got some serious concerns the way this is being proposed. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield for a couple questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Thank you. Senator, we went through some of this in committee, but just to reiterate again, because it will help me make my point a little bit later on. First of all, we said there’s five hundred and fifty-six million dollars in this bill for higher education. Do we know where those funds are going to go?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Burzynski.
Could you read those to me?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
They’re going to all the public universities here in the State, as well as the community colleges. You want me to go down the whole list of all the universities?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Burzynski.
111 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 No, I -- I don’t think that’s necessary. My point is, though, do we know specifically where those five hundred and fifty-six million dollars are going to go, for what projects at what universities? My -- my suggestion to you and to the rest of the Body is that we really don’t. And I think that’s one of the concerns that a lot of us have. We’ve got that. We have a situation where we’ve got another six hundred and some odd million dollars in road projects that we don’t know where they’re going to go. Senator, I have faith in you. I said this about Senator Schoenberg as well. I have faith in you. If you were the man making these decisions and if it were left up to you, there is no doubt to me they would be fair, they would be equitable, but that’s not the case. Another question, with those additional funds, do you know if there have been any memorandums of understanding signed?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
None to my knowledge.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Burzynski.
Well, I would suggest that maybe we’re going to anticipate some memorandums of understanding. After all, that seems to be the way of doing business here in the State of Illinois the last few years. Unprecedented to have memorandums of understanding between an Executive Branch and the Members of the General Assembly to make sure that what the administration says they’re going to do, they will actually do. It really does, I think, beg that question of credibility again when we look at this. You know, to the bill itself: We look at the spinning. We look at the amount of debt that this State has incurred in the last four years. It grows, it grows and it grows. You know, I liken it to -- to all of us and to a lot of families in the State of Illinois and around the country. We take that credit card. We know what it’s for, don’t we? Oh, sure, we go to the grocery store. We go wherever we want to. We say, “Here, put it on my tab. Put it on my credit card.” So that’s what we do. But you know what? There are an awful lot of people that don’t know there’s a day of 112 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 reckoning. And there’ll be a day of reckoning for this bill should it pass for this capital program. And the problem is, people will take that credit card that all of a sudden balloons up to 21.9 percent interest or 26.9 percent and then they’ll say, “We’re going to renegotiate. We’re going to get a new credit card. We’re just going to shuffle it around.” And as one of my -- one of my colleagues said prior, you know what? That person’s going to order all of this stuff and they’re going to be gone. They’re not going to be left to pay that bill. Well, I’m going to suggest to you, it’s time we take and we cut up the State’s credit card. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Wendell Jones.
Well, thank you, Madam President. That, indeed, is difficult to follow. But if I say, to the bill is that enough to get me to the -- to the -- to speak?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) We’ll see.
Well, I’ll make this -- I’ll make this very brief, because it’s been a long night. On Frank Watson’s office cabinet, there’s a bust of a pensive Abraham Lincoln. I think we’ve all see it - where he’s thinking, his hand is on his chin. We’ve all seen this pensive Lincoln who we know is -- was quite a thinker. But as I left Frank’s office, I turned and I looked at that bust and I thought I saw Lincoln put his hand over his mouth. I think Lincoln would be sick at this bill and I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Brady.
Thank you, Madam President. I think I stand in joining of my colleagues on this side of the aisle that we all believe that we need a capital bill. It’s embarrassing that it appears now. For the full four years of Rod Blagojevich’s administration, the State of Illinois is going to do without a capital bill because of the lack of leadership to bring votes from this side of the aisle and bring about negotiations. And this bill is another indication of that lack of leadership. There are really three 113 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 reasons I think we need to stand in opposition to this bill. First of all, there’s no comprehensive list, no guarantee that any projects could be funded in your district or ours or anywhere else in the State of Illinois. Second of all, we’ve got a revenue problem. You know and I know the revenue to fund the capital bill is in the budget, but we don’t have a budget. We don’t know where that revenue is going to come from and it would be irresponsible to vote for this without knowing where that revenue’s going to come from. You know, we have a Governor who stole two billion dollars from the pensions his first year, a billion last year, a billion this year.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Brady, the word steal is probably not the best use of terms. To the bill. Just stick to the bill. Senator Brady.
I believe it’s irresponsible to vote for spending without revenue to support that spending. This is going to cost somewhere between three and five hundred million dollars annually. Where you going to come up with that revenue? You’ve shut us out of the budget negotiations, but we’d like to at least know where your budget is going to come up with that revenue. And lastly, the issue of pay-to-play and bidding of -- of bonds. Over the last four years, this administration has issued over ten billion dollars in bonds and given out fifty million dollars in fees. This bill would provide over fifteen million dollars in fees to Rod Blagojevich’s friends. Stand…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Brady, that is not to the bill. Senator Bomke.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. You know, historic precedent has been established over the last four years by diverting more than one and a half billion dollars out of the Road Fund for normal operating expenses. And we know who did it, but I’m reluctant to say 'cause I don’t want to get cut off, but I think you know. We’re -- we’re talking about a 2.3-billion- dollar bonding program of which 1.75 billion will go for roads. So, we diverted one and a half billion over the last four years and we’re going to make it up by borrowing 1.75 billion over twenty-five years for roads that might last, at best, ten to 114 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 fourteen years. I mean, this just does not make sense. This is just fiscally irresponsible and I think you-all know that it is. We all believe we need a Road Fund. There’s not one person on this side of the aisle that would not agree with that. But what we’re doing tonight would be fiscally irresponsible and I would urge an Aye vote -- No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator John Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. And I will be very careful. Okay? Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Senator Trotter, first off, let me say I have the greatest admiration for you. I think you are one of the most outstanding Senators in this Body. And I have a tremendous amount of respect for you. Secondly, I want to say that I stand in favor of a bonding bill, not this particular one, but I do stand in favor of a bonding bill. The question -- one of my questions to you is, over the last several weeks in my district - and I want you to tell me whether it’s in this bill or not - I have been bombarded by people in my district saying, you know, support the four-lane highway, which is a two-lane right now, of Route 50 from Salem, Illinois, to Lawrenceville, Illinois, which is the Indiana state line. Actually goes into Senator Righter’s district in Lawrenceville. So, my question to you is, is the money in there to build a four-lane highway from Salem, Illinois, to Lawrenceville, Illinois?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
There are certainly dollars here that can do that. Staff is checking now to see, in fact, if that’s one of the programs that may be on that priority list. That I do not know the answer to.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator John Jones.
Well, they’ve -- they’ve had a few hearings in -- in my 115 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 district on this the last couple weeks. Most of ‘em happened -- in fact, they all happened while I was up here, so I could not attend ‘em. But we’ve hired -- IDOT has hired an outside consulting firm to do the study and the last remark in the -- local newspaper in Olney, Illinois, two weeks ago from the consulting firm was, this is a great project but it probably ain’t never going to happen. That was their words, from the consulting firm that IDOT has paid. So, my question to you is, is there four hundred and thirty-two million dollars in this bill to build a four-lane highway from Salem, Illinois, to Lawrenceville?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
Certainly a -- a program of that size, magnitude, it’ll be a multiyear expenditure. So, certainly there are dollars here that can pay for that. I just do not know where on the priority list or what degree have you gone past the engineering stage or where you are to specifically answer your question yes or no.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jones.
Senator Trotter, this is -- this is the very first movement on this road. So, you know, they might be a few dollars in there, but -- but the citizens are all stirred up because they think they’re going to get a four-lane highway, you know. And -- and that’s false really. It may happen, but it may be fifty years from now. It may be, as one person said, a hundred years from now. Let me -- let me ask you a couple other things here to the bill. I think you’re -- I think you’re really serious about this bonding bill, as I am. I -- I’m serious about doing a bonding bill. And you know what? There’s revenue sources that I would support, but not the revenue sources in this bill. I want to ask you, are you dead serious about passing this bill tonight?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
In the absence of having a -- a -- a bond bill or having any kind of construction bill in the past three years, a capital 116 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 program, and in looking at the needs of this State, certainly. We need to pass this bill tonight.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jones.
And -- and you’re serious about passing it tonight. Right?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
Say -- say it -- I’m sorry. Say it one more time, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jones.
You’re serious about passing it tonight?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
Yes. This bill needs to be passed. We need to -- to move forward here in our State. We need to certainly go forward and - - and capture those federal dollars that are still sitting on the table. We need to let the -- these small local municipalities know that we are here to help them so they can capture those dollars and -- and also deal with their smaller roads. Yes, we need to pass this bill tonight.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jones.
Well, I -- I agree with you, Senator Trotter. We need to pass a bonding bill. And -- and I’ve said for the past several months, in fact since January when it was first thrown out to us in the State of the State Address, that, you know, we need to do a capital bill this year. And I’ve told my constituents it’s -- that’s a great idea and I -- and I support a capital bill. I guess my question to you tonight - and it probably should have been asked on the -- the previous sponsor that sponsored the -- the earlier bill tonight - if you’re really serious about this tonight, you know there’s a meeting that’s going to take place tomorrow with the Governor and Senator Watson about a capital bill. So, if you’re really serious about this tonight, if this 117 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 vote comes out just like the last bill did, will you put this bill on Postponed Consideration? Which, if you’re serious, that’s what we do around here. If you’re really serious about passing a bill that’s important to the people of the State of Illinois and it falls just a little short, we will put that bill on Postponed Consideration and muster up the votes and work out an agreement and come back and call that bill for a vote and pass it. So, if you’re really serious, I want to see you put this bill on Postponed Consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Madam President. First of all, to have Senator Trotter say he’ll put the -- this bill on Postponed Consideration is to assume that it will fail. And I believe this bill will pass. Will the sponsor yield for just a couple of brief questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Senator Trotter, how many jobs -- I believe you said earlier that this bill will create jobs for the residents and the people of Illinois. How many jobs will this bill create?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.
It is estimated at -- from a hundred and forty/hundred and forty-five thousand jobs from the Transportation A bond series and for the rail and for the transit portion of another eighty- five thousand jobs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hendon.
I -- I -- I hope everyone heard Senator Trotter as well as you can hear me. Something may be a little wrong with his mike. But that’s a lot of jobs. Those are a lot of jobs. And I see earlier - I had a -- a press release here - that the Republicans led by Senator Lauzen, which is amazing to me, had a press conference today, saying that we’re not creating any jobs. So, 118 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 here’s a jobs bill that will create jobs and you’re prepared to vote against it. You can’t have it both ways. The Governor’s trying to create jobs. We have programs going to Bloomington- Normal, Springfield, Galesburg, Macomb, Decatur, Rockford, and the list goes on and on. All over the State, jobs created for the entire State. The Senator has -- has already identified a revenue stream, and when you voted against the -- the children earlier, you said it was because it doesn’t have a revenue stream. This one has a revenue stream. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lauzen, your name was used in debate.
Thank you so much, Senator Hendon. Just address…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Yes. Thank you, Senator Hendon, 'cause he knows he wouldn’t have got a chance again.
The promise of this bill is two hundred and forty thousand jobs. If you multiply fifty thousand dollars times those two hundred and forty thousand jobs, you get a twelve-billion-dollar -- you know, like a benefit - a promise benefit. This bill, I believe, this portion of the bill is about three and a half billion - so, exaggerated job claims. That was the point of that -- of that press conference.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Schoenberg. Oh! Senator Trotter, to respond.
It’s not particularly all the jobs would be in construction. It’d be all those ancillary services in all those other communities that -- that would benefit from this. We know that the gas stations, the restaurants. I mean, people will be going to work. You know, once you put someone to work, more dollars will be coming in here. There’ll be more sales taxes. When you talk about what’s been pushing us where we are now, it’s been consumer confidence. Putting people to work will give us those dollars. They’re going to be paying more income tax. So, this is not just people going to work on the -- the -- the highways themselves, but also the other services that -- that it will create. So, that’s how we get those dollars. 119 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Watson.
Yes. Thank you very much, Madam President. First of all, I -- I’m glad you called on Senator Lauzen, because I think it was totally inappropriate. I think you feel bad for what you did, because the gentleman had a point and I think the point is the funding is not here to do this and he’s talking about why it wasn’t here. He was talking about the debt of this State. He was talking about the unpaid two billion dollars’ worth of bills that are out there that are unpaid. He was talking about the -- the stealing - yes, stealing - out of dedicated funds, Madam President, stealing out of dedicated funds, and the raid on our pension systems. That’s what he was talking about, a very legitimate issue in regard to this. And I just think you need to be more careful when you trample on the First Amendment rights of the people on this side of the aisle. And I -- we might recall the last gentleman who did that is back in LaSalle-Peru. The -- let me just bring -- I’m going to just -- and another outrageous statement was made just a moment ago and that was about the jobs that were going to be created. The Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, the Auditor General, once again, Bill Holland, who was the Chief of Staff of the Democrat Party, Chief of Staff of your caucus, Auditor General, comes out and says that the -- the numbers -- the job numbers by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity were inflated, grossly inflated. And I can tell you firsthand: I’m down in the Governor’s Office, we’re talking about this bill and the Governor -- says, “Frank, we’re going to create seventy-five hundred jobs in Decatur.” I said, “Governor, don’t insult my intelligence by telling me that.” And -- and one of his staffers says, “No, it’s not seventy-five hundred in Decatur.” “Well, then it’s Macon County.” “No, Governor, it’s not Macon…” It was thirteen counties in Central Illinois. That’s how these things happen. The Governor has no clue. I’ve got a sign in my office. I’ve got a sign in my office back in Greenville and it says, “Governor Revitalizes GOP.” And people come in there and they say, “What -- what is this about? I flip it over and that actually came from the San Francisco Chronicle talking about Arnold Schwarzenegger. But, 120 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 you know what? It could be -- very well come from the Chicago Tribune, because the Governor has done more to revitalize the GOP than anything we could have ever done. And it’s just outrageous things such as this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) This is about politics, Senator Watson. Please speak to the bill. Senator Watson.
Thank you, Madam President. Here’s another sign I have in my office. If any of us propose new spending, whether it’s the Governor, Members of the Legislature, Constitutional -- Officers, or anyone else, we should identify how we’re going to pay for it. Is there a dedicated revenue source? Is there a corresponding cut? Where is the money going to come from? Who do you think said that? Sure enough, Governor Rod Blagojevich. Rod Blagojevich, annual budget address, February 16th, 2005. Governor, you have to live up to your own declarations. That’s all we’re asking him to do. Let’s just back up here a moment to see where we are right now. There’s people out there that are watching this screen at home probably on their little Internet or -- and they’re watching this and they’re saying, what in the heck? How did this happen? We didn’t know. We -- we had no clue that this was going to happen. I thought this had to go through a committee. I thought this had to go through a couple of readings on the Floor. What happened? Well, they weren’t here. They weren’t notified. The taxpayers of the State weren’t notified. Why? As we all know, the sound system went down. One-hour notice is what we had. This bill was crammed through the committee. It went from 3.2 billion to 4. -- 4.3 billion now in a matter of hours. The debt of this State, nine billion dollars, Madam President. Nine billion dollars when this -- administration took office. It’s almost twenty-two billion now. And with this it goes to twenty-six billion. It’s record-high debt. We’re second only to California. 4.3 billion dollars in debt creates fourteen hundred dollars obligation on every single household in this State, just what we’re talking about in these two bills tonight, and no means by which to pay it off. We’ve been about trying to be reasonable on this -- on this type of legislation, on a bonding program, we truly have. We’ve 121 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 demonstrated that we can support legislation such as this and we’ve got a track record of the past that will indicate that. But we want a responsible funding plan. We -- we think it has to be funded in a manner that makes it responsible. This is fiscally irresponsible and a reliable funding source is necessary to do this. You heard people talk about the whole pay-to-play issue. This isn’t addressed in this issue and someone will say, “Well, we passed a bill here.” Sure we did. It went to the House. It’s held in the House. They passed a bill over there and bill’s held here. It’s one of these deals. You know. Well, does that solve the problem? No, and there is no language in here that addresses the pay-to-play. We have to make sure it’s geographically balanced. And that -- that’s been mentioned. Questions have been asked, Senator Trotter, of you about how this money will be spent in the outyears. What are the projects that are going to be dedicated? How is it going to be -- how are these going to be funded? And -- and -- and you can’t answer, because it’s not there to be answered. That is a -- that’s a huge problem. We want to make sure it’s geographically balanced. And the last issue, and that has to do -- deal with, will this happen? Will people who are expecting projects throughout this State, will it happen? And that is the trust issue. And once again, there’s a track record there, Madam President, of a lack of trust. And it’s not only on this side of the aisle. It’s on your side of the aisle, also. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter, to close.
Thank you very much, Madam President, Members of the Senate. I just want to address a couple of things that -- that were said. One, they were talking about that -- one of the Members said we have three-hundred-and-fifty-million-dollar debt service. The average debt service on the transportation/ed bills is one hundred and twenty-four million dollars. The total cost of the - - even in its peak years, including the Transportation B bills and the A bills, as well as the Build Illinois bills, it only comes to two hundred and seventy-three dollars -- two hundred and seventy-three million dollars, and that’s in 2014, peak year. So -- so, the -- the fears that we do not have the money just 122 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 doesn’t exist. We know that we’ve seen relative growth, not only in our income tax and our -- our sales tax and our General Revenue funds, but we’ve also have seen growth in the motor fuel tax as well. This bill can be paid for. And it’s necessary that we do it now. We have not had a bond bill in the past three years or a -- excuse me, a capital budget. They talk about the numbers that we had, from Senator Lauzen and -- and also from the Leader, talking about where did we get these -- number for all these jobs. That came from the Bush administration. It was the Federal Highway Administration that made those estimates on projects of this size on highways. These are the kind of jobs and the numbers of jobs that will be generated and created. So, this is a bill that is needed. This will create jobs. This will spur our economic growth. It’ll get us back, once again, to that level that we were at in 2001. And -- and just in -- in final, I do have faith in this Governor. This Governor has earned my faith. We started out with a five-billion-dollar deficit three years ago and we no longer have that. We see this cycle, this economic cycle and this trend, which happens all the time. We know what goes up, goes down and -- and vice versa. Well, we are now on the upward trend. We are seeing growth. We have not only gotten rid of that deficit, but we have put more money into healthcare. We have put more money into education. It’s now time for us to start dealing with our infrastructure. And I ask for passage of this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 3053 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 32 Yeas, 26 Nays, 0 voting Present. And Senate Bill 3053, having not received the required constitutional majority, is declared failed. Senator Hendon, on Senate Bill 3056. Out of the record. Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?
I just wanted to rise on a point of information.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your information.
123 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 At 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, Local Government will be meeting in the Stratton Building, A-1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Collins.
Thank you. For a point of information, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your announcement.
Financial Institutions will meet tomorrow morning at 11:30, in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Harmon, with an announcement.
Thank you, Madam President. The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet tomorrow morning, at 9:30, in Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Demuzio, for your announcement.
Yes, point of information. Licensed Activities will meet at 11 o'clock tomorrow, at Stratton Building.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Ronen, for your announcement.
Thank you, Madam President. Health and Human Services will meet at 10 a.m., tomorrow, in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lightford, for announcement.
Thank you, Madam President. Education will meet at 9 a.m., in Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hunter, for an announcement.
State Government will meet tomorrow at 10:30, in Room A-1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis, for what purpose do you…
Madam President, will the Executive Appointments Chairman, 124 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 98th Legislative Day 4/6/2006 Senator Hendon, will he tell us whether we’re having a meeting tomorrow or not?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Geo-Karis, did you hear an announcement for Executive Appointments?
Frankly, I want to make sure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) No, there is not one.
There is none?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) No.
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Emil Jones.
Yeah. Thank you, Madam President. For the purpose of an announcement. Our previous schedule had us scheduled to be in Session Saturday and Sunday, but since the Members on the other side of the aisle want to involve in a lot of political rhetoric on the Floor, we’re going to cancel Saturday and Sunday. And -- and that’ll give you time to go back to your respective districts to do all your political work and we will -- we will return on Monday at noon. And perhaps by that time, you’ll have done all your political work in your respective districts and everything. So, we’re going to cancel Saturday and Sunday and we’ll come in at noon tomorrow and come back on noon on Monday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon tomorrow, April 7th, 2006. The Senate stands adjourned. 125