PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) The regular Session of the 95th 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 Pastor Ed Ingram, from the Western Oaks Church, here in Springfield.
(Remarks and Prayer by Pastor Ed Ingram)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) The Reading and Approval of the Journal, Madam Secretary.
Senate Journal of Friday, February 23rd, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate -- Senate Resolutions 75 through 77, offered by 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007 Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolution 78, offered by Senator Sandoval and all Members. And Senate Resolution 79, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. They’re all death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, Messages.
A Message, dated February 28th, 2007. Dear Madam Secretary - Pursuant to Rule 3-5(c), I -- hereby appoint Senator Terry Link to replace Senator Louis Viverito as a member of the Rules Committee. This appointment is effective immediately. Very truly yours, Emil Jones, Jr., President. Have a like Message, dated February 28th, 2007. Dear Madam Secretary - Pursuant to Rule 3-5(c), I hereby appoint Senator Donnie Trotter to replace Senator Rickey Hendon as a member of the Rules Committee. This appointment is effective immediately. Very truly yours, Emil Jones, Jr., President. Have a Message from the Governor by Joseph B. Handley, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs, dated February 9th, 2007. Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable Members of the Senate of the 95th General Assembly - I have nominated and appointed the following named persons to the offices enumerated below and respectfully 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007 ask concurrence in and confirmation of these appointments of your Honorable Body. Rod Blagojevich, Governor. I have a like Message. A Message from the Governor by Joseph B. Handley, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs, dated February 23rd, 2007. Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable -- Honorable Members of the Senate, 95th General Assembly - I have nominated and appointed the following named persons to the offices enumerated below and respectfully ask concurrence in and confirmation of these appointments of your Honorable Body. Rod Blagojevich, Governor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 1757, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 1758, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) And Senate Bill 1756, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 6, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007 House Bill 25, offered by Senator Viverito. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 250, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Frerichs, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam Secretary {sic}, I rise for a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your privilege.
We are joined today by -- some constituents from the University of Illinois, the School of Social Work - University of Illinois at Champaign -- at Urbana-Champaign. And I wanted to ask my colleagues to join in giving them a warm welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Would -- would our guests please rise? Would everyone in the Senate please welcome our new -- our guests? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Maloney, for what purpose do you rise?
For purpose of an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your announcement.
Thank you. Today -- I’d like to announce, as a reminder to all Members, that at 4 o’clock today, at the Sangamo Club, myself, as Chair of the Higher Education Committee, and 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007 Representative McCarthy, as Chair of the House Higher Education Committee, along with representatives of the National Conference of State Legislature {sic}, will conduct a briefing on their report called Transforming Higher Education and National Imperative and State Responsibility {sic} (Transforming Higher Education: National Imperative - State Responsibility). This report will help all of us, I think, gain a perspective on the status of higher ed, its challenges and proposed solutions. We have distinguished authorities, researchers included in those who will be there to -- to report, and also those who have -- some of the Members who have authored the report, including Senator Rauschenberger, who has agreed to come back and talk to us about this report. I think all of us can benefit this and -- from this report and all are cordially invited to attend. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) The President’s Rule {sic} Committee will meet in the President’s Anteroom immediately. Rules Committee will meet immediately. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Halvorson, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Referral -- refer to the Agriculture and Conservation -- Conservation Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 201; refer to Environment and Energy Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 376 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1174; refer to Human -- Human Services Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 335; refer to Judiciary- Civil Law Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 68, Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 229, Committee Amendment 1 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007 to Senate Bill 333 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 486; refer to Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 97 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 363; refer to Local Government Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 270 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 290; refer to Pensions and Investments Committee - Committee -- Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 153; refer to Public Health Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 10. Senator Halvorson -- Senator Debbie Halvorson, Chairman. Dated February 28th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?
Well, thank you very much. Good morning. I just wanted to announce that the Local Government will be meeting in Room 409 at 1 o’clock. And, we also have Human Services -- no. We have Public Health in Room 400. Okay. We -- that’s -- okay. We also have Human Services that will be meeting at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning. That’s all. So, two announcements: Local Government today at 1, the new meeting room, in Room 409; and tomorrow morning, at 9 a.m., Human Services will be meeting.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Garrett, for what purpose do you rise?
Yes. For purpose of announcement. There’ll be a Public Health Committee meeting today at 1 o’clock in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Wilhelmi, for what purpose do you rise?
6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007 Thank you, Madam President. Point of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your announcement, please.
Thank you. Announcement that the Criminal -- or, excuse me, the Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee will be meeting at Room 212 at 2:30 this afternoon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
To make an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your announcement.
The Judiciary-Civil Law Committee will meet today at 1 p.m. in Room 212. And, Madam President, after announcements, I’d ask to be recognized again for a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you rise?
For the purpose of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your announcement.
The Pensions and Investment Committee will meet today at 4 - - 4 p.m. in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007 Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Point of -- of announcement. At 9 a.m., Thursday, Energy and Environment will be meeting in 212. That’s Energy and Environment at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam President, a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Haine, we’re going to finish the committees and then we’ll go right back to you.
Okay. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you. Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
Purpose of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your announcement.
The Senate Ag and Conservation Committee will meet tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. in Room 409.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Bond, for what purpose do you rise?
For purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your announcement.
8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007 The Transportation Committee will be meeting today at 2:30 in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise? Senator Haine.
…President, I rise on a point of personal privilege. Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I want to take a minute here to introduce the distinguished and able State’s Attorney in and for the County of Madison, the Honorable William Mudge.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your point, please.
Thank you. We have a guest today in the President’s Gallery, Rocco Terranova, from Local 73 of the Sheet Metal Workers’ Union, down to testify on a bill. I’d ask the Senate to join me in welcoming to -- him to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Would our guest please rise? Senators please welcome our guest. Welcome to Springfield. Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your point.
Madam President, and to the Members of the Senate here, I would just like to rise on a point of personal privilege. I’m a great sports fan and I know all of you have heard the -- the -- the phrase before, where “Let the games begin.” Well, I’ve come up with a new one today, and I would hope that this Body and -- and the President of the Senate, Emil Jones, would listen very carefully, but I think it’s time for the games to end. You know, over the last several months, we’ve -- we’ve seen everybody’s electric rates going up. And I’ve brought just a few letters and -- and -- and bills from -- from constituents of mine, and I think it’s time that the President of this Senate, who has -- it seems to be that he has the where to call the Governor about anytime he wants to. I would like for him to pick up the phone and call the Governor…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Jones.
…call the Speaker.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Jones, I -- I -- this is a point of personal privilege, so I hate to cut you off, but what you have been discussing is not a point of personal privilege. Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007 State your purpose.
I would like to introduce to the Senate my wife, Nora Sullivan, who is down here on business, but also, I think, to check on me, how I’m doing. But, Nora Sullivan, my wife.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) All the Senators welcome. And -- and welcome to Springfield. Senator Halvorson, for what purpose do you rise?
For an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your announcement.
I would like to announce that Senator Meeks is not here due to business in his district.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Inquiry of the Chair, Madam President. Madam President, I’m a little concerned about -- I -- I think it was a ruling that the Chair just made with regards to Senator Jones’ comments. And so my specific inquiry for the Chair is, how is the Chair defining what’s appropriate for a point of personal privilege? Is there some reference you can give us in the newly adopted Senate Rules for what’s appropriate to raise in that point and what’s not?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Righter, as you well know, the purpose of standing for personal privilege is to acknowledge just that. And there will be no ruling on this. Thank you. Senator Righter. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007
I wonder then -- a inquiry of the Chair, Madam President. I wonder, then, if the Chair can provide, if not a specific ruling, then at least some general guidelines or advice, because I’m pretty sure as we go through the course of this week and next week that Members will continue to talk about our concern about the electric rate issue. And I would think that that is a severe enough issue, and is becoming more important everyday, that whether it’s you, ma’am, as the presiding officer, or anyone else who’s in that chair, would be -- want to be very careful in cutting Members off who want to raise this issue. So, perhaps if you can provide us with some general guidelines, that would be extraordinarily helpful.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Righter, as you know, and I think that the years that I have been here, we have used the moment of personal privilege to welcome people to Springfield and to generally just make announcements. We have never used this time to talk about legislative matters. And so that will be discussed during committees. Senator Righter, we have to go to committees.
Well, I…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Go ahead.
Thank you, Madam President. I would call to the Chair’s attention the hour at which we actually gaveled in. I mean, I appreciate that very much, Madam President. Just two points to make on that. First of all, the privilege that Senator Jones 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 11th Legislative Day 2/28/2007 enjoys, as do the other Members of the Body, is that of a personal nature. And if Senator Jones or someone else wants to raise an issue that is important in their districts, I think that fully complies with the point of personal privilege. And I hope, Madam President, that as -- again, as we move forward in the next few days and other Members seek recognition on this issue, that they’ll not be shut down so quickly, as was Senator Jones. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you for the point, Senator Righter. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on Thursday, March 1st. The Senate stands adjourned. 13