The regular Session of the 94th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Rabbi Marks, Temple Israel, Springfield, Illinois.
(Prayer by Rabbi Marks)
Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of Wednesday, May 3; Thursday, May 4; and Wednesday, November 1, 2006.
Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Messages.
A Message from the President, dated November 14, 2006. Dear Madam Secretary - Pursuant to Rule 3-5(c), I hereby appoint Senator Debbie Halvorson to replace Senator Rickey Hendon as a member of the Rules Committee. This appointment is effective immediately. Very truly yours, Emil Jones, Jr., President. Message from the Senate Republican Leader, dated November 14, 2006. Dear Secretary Hawker - Pursuant to the provisions of Senate Rule 3-5(b) and (c), I am hereby appointing Senator Dale - - Righter to replace Senator Peter Roskam as a member of the 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 11/14/2006 Senate Rules Committee. This appointment shall take effect immediately. Sincerely, Frank Watson, Senate Republican Leader.
Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bills 611, 858, 2185, 2295, 22 -- I mean, pardon me, that’s 2664, 2762, 2772, 2796, 3088 and 4173 {sic} (House Bill 4173). Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Labor Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1275. Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Education Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 858, Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 -- pardon me, that’s 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 2762, Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2796; refer to Housing and Community Affairs Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2772; refer to -- pardon me, to Judiciary Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 2295; refer to Local Government Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 611, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 5 to Senate Bill 2664, Motion to Recede from Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 4173; and refer to Revenue Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2185, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3088; and Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bills {sic} 1275 and HJR 121.
Senator Millner, what purpose you rise?
Just for a point of personal privilege.
State your point.
2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 11/14/2006 Thank you. It’s come to my attention that we have some open seats on this side and I was wondering if anybody over there would like to volunteer and come on over. We’re taking applications. Feel free. We’re friendly. This is the place to be, believe me. So come on by. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator, for that very, very kind gesture. We -- we’re here because all of us know our Chambers are being renovated, and for the Veto Session, we expect to be here. These are nice accommodations, and -- in the Lincoln Library. And perhaps the words of Lincoln will prevail in this Chamber. You know - a house divided. Perhaps we can be more cooperative in working together on issues and everything that’ll impact the people of the State of Illinois. Committee Reports, Senator Lightford. Committee Announcements, Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Education Committee will convene at 2:45 in Room 212.
Senator Crotty.
Thank you very much. And Local Government will convene at 2:45 in the Stratton Building, Room A-1.
Senator Martinez.
Community Affairs will meet today at 3 o’clock in A-1.
Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Revenue Committee will meet today at 3:30 p.m. in Room 400.
Senator Forby.
Labor Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 400.
Senator Harmon, again.
3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 11/14/2006 Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 212.
The new chairman. Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 3187, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3188, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3189, offered by Senator Collins. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3190, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3191, offered by Senator Munoz. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3192, offered by Senator Munoz. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3193, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3194, offered by Senator Bomke. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3195, offered by Senators Trotter, Collins, Schoenberg and Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3196, offered by Senator Collins. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3197, offered by Senator Collins. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3198, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3199, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
Senator Haine, what purpose you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
State your point. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 11/14/2006
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have here in the -- the balcony of this great facility, this great library, some citizens from my district who formed an organization to assist people in Louisiana after the Katrina Hurricane. And as part of their mission, they saved many animals, house pets mostly, of people who had to leave them because of distress. They brought joy to many people who were poor, who desired these house pets be saved. They risked their own fortunes and time to go down there and assist the people, and to do an extra effort, which no one was doing, to save these animals. They call themselves Noah’s Wish. They’re headed by Assistant State’s Attorney Amy Maher of Madison County, Roger Smith, Terri Crisp, Gail Monick, Lisa Hendrick {sic} (Lyn Kendrick) and David Lesser. And I would ask the Senate to give them a round of applause for their work.
Will the… Now these accommodations are very good. Everyone sitting a little closer together, you know. And perhaps, you know -- Senator Millner, perhaps the littler closer together, we all begin to think alike and act alike. That’s wonderful. Senator Link, what purpose you rise?
I would like to call a Democratic Caucus immediately upon adjournment in -- or, on recess immediately on -- after in the President’s conference room upstairs.
Senator Burzynski, what purpose you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. We would like to call for a Republican Caucus immediately upon recess, adjournment - whatever it will be - back in the Capitol in Senator Watson’s Office. Thank you.
Very good. Madam Secretary, Messages.
A Message from the Secretary of State, dated October 19, 2006. To the Honorable President of the Senate: 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 11/14/2006 Sir - In compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, I am forwarding herewith the enclosed Senate Bills from the 94th General Assembly that are being returned by the Governor with specific recommendations for change. Senate Bills 830, 2445 and 2477. Respectfully, Jesse White, Secretary of State. Second Message from the Secretary, dated October 19, 2006. To the Honorable President of the Senate: Sir - In compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, I am forwarding herewith the enclosed Senate Bill from the 94th General Assembly to be -- pardon me, as vetoed by the Governor, together with his objections. Senate Bills 185, 2255, 2555 and 2732. Respectfully, Jesse White, Secretary of State.
Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 855, offered by Senators Viverito, Emil Jones and all Members. Senate Resolution 856, offered by Senator -- Senators Righter, Emil {sic} (John) Jones and all Members. Senate Resolution 857 through 860, offered by Senators {sic} Forby and all Members. Senate Resolution 871 {sic} (861), offered by Emil Jones and all Members. Senate Resolution 862, offered by Senator Lightford and all Members. Senate Resolution 863, offered by Senator Collins and all Members. Senate Resolution 864, offered by Senator Wilhelmi and all Members. Senate Resolutions 865 and 866, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolution 867 through 874, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. Senate Resolution 875 and 876, offered by Senator Forby and all Members. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 11/14/2006 And Senate Joint Resolution 93, offered by Senator Brady and all Members. And they’re all death resolutions, Mr. President.
Resolution Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 877, offered by Senator Haine. Senate Resolution 878, offered by Senator -- Wendell Jones. Senate Joint Resolution 92, offered by Senator Silverstein. Senate Joint Resolution 94, offered by Senator Lightford. Senate Joint Resolution 95, offered by Senator Collins. And Senate Joint Resolution 96, offered by Senator Haine. {sic} They’re all substantive.
Messages from the House, Madam Secretary.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 129. Adopted by the House, May 4, 2006. It is substantive.
House Bill 1st Reading, Madam Secretary.
House Bill 782, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
There being no further business, the Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. After the committee hearings, the Senate will reconvene to receive committee reports and other matters not requiring Floor action. There will be no Floor action until the Senate reconvenes at noon tomorrow. The Senate stands in recess until the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 110th Legislative Day 11/14/2006
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Motion to Concur with House Amendments 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 2762 and House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2796 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Crotty, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports the Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 611, House Amendment No. 5 to Senate Bill 2664, and a Motion to Recede from Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 4173 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Martinez, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Housing and Community Affairs, reports the Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2772 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2185 and House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3088 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Forby, Chairperson of the Committee on Labor, reports Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1275 recommended Be Adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, do you have any motions on file?
Yes. I have motions -- the motions have been filed with respect to the Governor’s action on the following Senate Bills: Senate Bill 185, by Senator Silverstein; Senate Bill 2255, by Senator Sandoval; Senate Bill 2445, by Senator Cullerton; and Senate Bill 2477, offered by Senator Shadid.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) That will be reflected on tomorrow’s Calendar. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on Wednesday, November 15th, 2006. The Senate stands adjourned. 8