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 Dr. Clifford Hayes, First Presbyterian Church, here in Springfield.
(Prayer by Dr. Clifford Hayes)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Friday, March 15th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary. There being no objections, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolutions 102 and 103, offered by Senator Sandoval 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 and all Members. Senate Resolution 104, offered by Senator Brady and all Members. And Senate Resolution 105, offered by Senator Cullerton and all Members. They’re all death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Madam Secretary, Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 106, offered by Senator Althoff. And Senate Joint Resolution 39, offered by Senator Bomke. These are substantive, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Madam Secretary, Messages.
I have a Message, dated March 13th, 2007, from Frank Watson, Senate Republican Leader. Dear Secretary Shipley - Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-2, effective March 13th, 2007, Senator Carole Pankau shall resume her position as Minority Spokesperson of the Public Health Committee, concluding Senator Dale Righter’s temporary service in that role. Senator Righter shall continue to serve as a member of the committee. Sincerely, Frank Watson, Senate Republican Leader. I also have a Message from the House -- by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 30. We have received like Messages on House Bills 145, 148, 156, 215, 222, 237, 251, 258, 260, 286, 293, 334, 351, 365, 368, 371, 378, 411, 425, 427 and 456. All passed the House, March 15th, 2007. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Channels 59, 19, 17 and 20 seek permission to videotape proceedings. Hearing no objections, so ordered. Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise? Senator Koehler.
Yes, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your point.
We have today in the gallery, right behind me, a fine group of people from Pekin, from the Pekin Chamber of Commerce, led by Bill Fleming. So, if you would have them stand.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Would our guests in the gallery please stand? Welcome to the Senate. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I would like to bring out Senator Wilhelmi, who will present our guests.
Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, it is my distinct honor and pleasure today to introduce you all to the Lockport Township High School Lady Porters who won the cheerleading competition for -- the State competition that was held at Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Illinois. And 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 before we were so honored to come out here to -- to present these fine young ladies to you, I asked if they would come back on a day when I had my most controversial bill so that they could help me with cheerleading my bill through the Senate, and they did not agree to that. I want you to know. But it is an honor to have the State Champion Cheerleading Squad with us today. I want to thank them for making the time to come. The coach is Danielle Calabrese. And at this time, I’d like her to introduce the team and say a few words. Danielle.
(Remarks and Introductions by Coach Danielle Calabrese)
Thank you very much, Danielle. And just in closing, I have the honor of sharing this high school district with Senator Radogno and I know she’s equally pleased to have the State championship team for the cheerleaders from Lockport Township, and, again, let’s give ‘em a final round of applause. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your point.
Madam President, last week before we left here, we had a resolution on the war in Iraq, and this is the fourth-year anniversary of that war. And there were some things that were said in the paper and in the media about that resolution that 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 were not said on the Floor. And they were said in a public way, so I am responding in a public way. And Leader Watson was quoted in the Sun-Times as saying that the resolution was watered-down and it was ridiculous and, some kind of way, I was a joke if I expected President Bush or the Joint Chiefs to call me and ask me about my opinion of the war and its proposals and its plans. And since it was said publicly, I wanted to respond publicly and let Leader Watson know that I did not appreciate that and that the -- the resolution was put in a way where people would be comfortable voting for it. And if anyone had something to say about it, they should have said it on the Senate Floor at the time the resolution was passed, instead of saying it behind my back in a negative way to the media. So, since it was said in a public way, I wanted to respond in a public way, and with this being the fourth-year anniversary of that war, I thought it would be appropriate to do so. Because if it was me, I would have said what I had to say on the Senate Floor and then I wouldn’t have to stand here and -- and be rebuked, if you might, on the Senate Floor over -- over what was done. I think it was wrong and incorrect and I would appreciate if it did not happen in the future. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Luechtefeld.
Thank you, Madam Chairman -- or, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your point.
5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Behind me in the gallery is an unusual group of young people from Gibault High School in Waterloo, Illinois. They -- you know, it’s tough enough to win the State championship in anything one time. They’ve won two soccer championships -- State championships in a row. I’d like you to honor them, if you would. Gibault High School Soccer Champions. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you for visiting the Senate. Senator Halvorson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your point.
Today -- March must be a very, very special month, because we have another birthday in our Chamber, and it’s Senator Terry Link. It’s his birthday today. Now, you might all want -- you might want to ask him which birthday it is because I don’t feel at liberty to tell you, but it is one of those big ones. It’s not twenty-one, it’s not thirty, it’s not forty, but I will let you all surmise which birthday it is. But anyway, I just want the Chamber to help me wish our great Senator a happy birthday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Link, happy birthday. What purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Madam President. Before I make it, it -- it’s twenty-nine, in case anybody’s wondering. But in the gallery today, I -- we have the privilege of having my 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 township supervisor, Patricia Jones, and a group that’s down here working on a bill about recidivism, and I would like the Senate to welcome this whole group and the supervisor on this particular day. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) …the guests please rise? Will the Senate please welcome our guests? Senator Halvorson, for what purpose do you rise?
I rise, unfortunately for the second time - I apologize - for another point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your point.
I forgot in my excitement about wishing Senator Link a happy birthday that there will actually be cake in the Senate President’s Office for anybody who wants to stop by for some.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?
On a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your purpose.
Today I have paging for me my great-niece, Keelin Crotty, and this is her first time here in Springfield and certainly the first time on the Senate Floor. So, she’ll be coming around with a book and asking everybody to sign. She’s a fourth grader from the south side of Chicago at Sutherland School, but she also is a great Irish dancer and she dances in all the Irish Day -- St. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Patrick’s Day parades. So, please help me welcome Keelin to the Floor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Will the Senate please rise and welcome our wonderful guest? Ladies and Gentlemen, can I have your attention, please? We are going to 2nd Reading. We ask that every Member who wants to move their bills from 2nd to 3rd please be on the Senate Floor. We will be going to the top of page 2. Top of page 2. Senate Bill 8. Senator Kotowski. On Senate Bill 16, Senator Munoz. Senate Bill 21. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 26. Burzynski - - Senator Burzynski. Senate Bill 27. Senator Crotty. Senate Bill 30. Senator Luechtefeld. Senate Bill 33. Senator Jones. Oh, I’m sorry. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 33. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 34. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 34. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 51. Senator Garrett. Senate Bill 61. Senator Haine. Madam Secretary, read the bill. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
Senate Bill 61. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 62. Senator Collins. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 62. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Criminal Law adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 66. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 66. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs adopted Committee Amendments No. 1 and 3.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) …3rd Reading. Senate Bill 68. Senator Jacobs. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 68. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Civil Law adopted Committee Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 69. Senator Haine. Senate Bill 83. Senator Trotter. Madam -- Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 83. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 100. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 101. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 101. (Secretary reads title of bill) 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Revenue adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your point.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have in the gallery immediately above me about ten students and administrators from the Mattoon Area Adult Education Center. As many of you no doubt know, at 1:30 there will be a rally down in the Rotunda in support of adult education. And these students have come to be part of that rally today and talk to their Senators and Representatives about the importance of adult education. And I would ask everyone rise and please give them a warm welcome. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Will our guests please rise in the gallery? Will the Senate please welcome them to Springfield? Senate Bill 113. Senator Syverson. Senate Bill 115. Senator Collins. Senate Bill 117. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 121. Senator Raoul. Senator Raoul. Senate Bill 123. Senator Silverstein. Senate Bill 125. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senator Link. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 125. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 126. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 126. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 128. Senate President Emil Jones. Madam -- Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 128. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 133. Senator Garrett. Senate 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Bill 135. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 141. Senator Silverstein. Senate Bill 146. Senator Demuzio. Senate Bill 147. Senator Demuzio. Senate Bill 148. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 155. Senator Link. Senate Bill 157. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 157. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Committee Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 166. Senator Radogno. Senate Bill 171. Senator Link. Senate… Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you very much, Madam President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your point.
Yes, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce my assistant today and also one who will be a Page today. We have with us Qisti Gitosuputro, who’s visiting from Ohio during spring break, a former Springfield Illinoisan, who will be with us and 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 just enjoying what’s going on here today, looking at the process, and I would like everyone here to welcome her today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Can the Senate please rise and -- and greet her here to Springfield? We are now on the top of page 4. Senate Bill 175. Senator Sandoval. Senate Bill 177. Senator Raoul. Senate Bill 194. Senator Sieben. Senate Bill 200. Senator Cullerton. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 200. Senate Bill 201. Senator Sieben. Senate Bill 210. Senator Dahl. Senate Bill 211. Senator Crotty. Senator Crotty. Senate Bill 211. Senate Bill 215. Senator Jacobs. Senate Bill 216. Senator Sieben. Senate Bill 222. Senator Raoul. Senate Bill 290. Senator Collins. I’m sorry, 230. Senate Bill 233. Senator Radogno. Senate Bill 234. Senator Righter. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 234. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 243. Senator Ronen. Senate Bill 258. Senator Crotty. Senator Crotty. Senate Bill 262. Senator Jacobs. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 262. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 264. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 264. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 265. Senator Trotter. Senator Trotter, on Senate Bill 267. I’m sorry. Senator Watson, on -- let’s go back to 265. Senate Bill 265. Senator Trotter. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 265. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Criminal Law adopted Committee Amendments No. 1 and 3.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 267. Senator Watson. Senate Bill 268. Senator Collins. Senate Bill 280. Senator Halvorson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 280. (Secretary reads title of bill) 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 290. Senator Luechtefeld. Senate Bill 300. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 306. Senator Link. Senate Bill 308. Senator Sullivan. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 308 -- 308. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 310. Senator Sullivan. Senate Bill 311. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 314. Senator Maloney. Senate Bill 319. Senator Haine. Senator Haine. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 319. 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Civil Law adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 322. Senator Harmon. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 322. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Human Services adopted Committee -- Committee Amendment No. 2 {sic} (1).
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 325. Senator Hunter. Senate Bill 326. Senator Hunter. Senate Bill 327. Senator Hunter. Senate Bill 328. Senator Hendon. Senate Bill 330. Senator Pankau. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 330. (Secretary reads title of bill) 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Civil Law adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Forby, on Senate Bill 340. Senate Bill 330 - take it out of the record. Senate Bill 340. Senator Forby. Senator Forby. Let’s go back to Senate… Senate Bill 345. Senator Peterson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 345. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 346. Senator Sieben. Senate -- Senate Bill 357. Senator Haine. Senate Bill 360. Senator Ronen. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 360. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 378. Senator Harmon. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
Senate Bill 378. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 381. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 381. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Human Services adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 382. Senator Garrett. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 385. Senator Haine, on 386. Senate Bill 386. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 386. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Criminal Law adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 389. Senator -- Collins. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 389. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Civil Law adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Delgado, on Senate Bill 390. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 390. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Human Services adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 391. Senator Halvorson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 391. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on -- the Committee on Transportation adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 392. Senator Halvorson. Senator Halvorson, on Senate Bill 392. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 398. Senator Demuzio. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 398. (Secretary reads title of bill)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd -- out of the record. Senate -- Senate Bill… Senate Bill 398 is out of the record and will remain on 2nd Reading. Senate Bill 399. Senator Demuzio. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. Senate Bill -- 399 out of the record. Senator Kotowski, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam Chair, point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Please state your point.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge a tremendous group of young people from UCAN, which is short for Uhlich Children’s Advantage Network. I would like to ask them to please stand. They’re part of the Hands Without Guns program, as well as the S.T.A.R.S. program. And they’ve done tremendous work in reaching out to other young people, as well as great work as the potential leaders in running this country. And I’m just honored to know them and they’re here today to state their case. Listen to them because they have something to say. Please give them a round of applause.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Will the Senate please welcome our guests to Springfield? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Inquiry of the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your inquiry.
Thank you. Madam President, on page 49 of today’s Calendar, toward the top, there is a heading entitled Motions to Discharge Committee. There is one motion pending - Senate Bill 1836. This is a supplemental appropriations bill. The State owes its hospitals about 1.2 billion dollars. The deadline to pay that was one week ago today. The money is in the checking account, Madam President. I’m just wondering when we’re going to move to the Order of Motions to Discharge. 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Righter, thanks for the inquiry. We will get back to you as soon as we have an answer. Senator Righter.
Madam President, I raised the same exact inquiry a week ago, and not surprisingly that’s the answer I got. So, do -- can you give me an idea of when I should expect to be able to hear something from you?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Like I said it before, Senator Righter, we will definitely look into it and get back to you. We are now at the top of page 7. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 404. Yes. Senate -- Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 404. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Civil Law adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Dillard, on Senate Bill 417. Senator Hultgren, on Senate Bill 420. Out of the record. Senator Delgado, on Senate Bill 424. Senator Delgado, on page -- out of the record. Out of the record. Senator Maloney, on Senate Bill 435. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
Senate Bill 435. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Committee Amendments No. 1 and 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Maloney, on Senate Bill 438. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 438. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Has there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 448. Senator Sandoval. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 448. (Secretary reads title of bill) 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Munoz, on -- on Senate Bill 450. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 455. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 455. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Revenue adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 456. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 456. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 461. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 461. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Civil Law adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Millner, on Senate Bill 463. Out of the record. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 472. Out of the record. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 473. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 478. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 482. Senator Sieben, on Senate Bill 484. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 487. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 487. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Munoz, on Senate Bill 489. Senator Jacobs, on 494. Senate Bill 494. Senator Munoz, on Senate Bill 495. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 509. Madam Secretary, please return to Senate Bill 505. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 505. (Secretary reads title of bill) 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Committee -- Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 509. Senator Link. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege. I’d just like to -- to remind the Members on your side of the aisle that there are a lot of these bills that are on 2nd Reading that commitments have been made to hold them on 2nd until appropriate amendments have been placed. And I’ve noticed that there are several of those that have been moved today, and I would just like to remind your Members that they have made commitments to hold bills on 2nd Reading. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Delgado, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Personal -- personal privilege. Just want to introduce to the Chamber and all my fellow colleagues in the Senate - I’m being joined here by one of my colleagues from the Latino Caucus, newly elected over in the House - Mr. Fred Crespo, from Schaumburg, northwest suburbs. As we continue to grow, the first, actually, minority elected in that particular area, and I just want to give him a welcome. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Welcome, Representative, to the Senate Chamber. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 511. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 511. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Human Services adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 514. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 514. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 519. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 519. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Revenue adopted 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 521. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 523. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 523. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 526. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 526. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 532. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 532. (Secretary reads title of bill) 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Criminal Law adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Dillard, on Senate Bill 533. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 536. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 537. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 538. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 539. Senator Sullivan. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 539. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 543. Senator Delgado, on Senate Bill 544. Madam -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 544. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Human Services adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on -- Senate Bill 546. Senator Delgado, on Senate Bill 549. Senator Dillard, on Senate Bill 550. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
Senate Bill 550. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Agriculture and Conservation adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 551. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 555. Madam -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 555. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 570. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 577. Madam -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senate Bill 577. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 581. Senator Viverito, on Senate Bill 591. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 593. Senator Koehler, on Senate Bill 595. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 607. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 607. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 615. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 616. Senator Harmon. Senate Bill 629. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 629. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 3rd Reading. We are on the -- top of page 10 with Senate Bill 632. Senator Harmon. Senate Bill 635. Senator Harmon. Senator DeLeo, on Senate Bill 2 -- I’m sorry, 637. Senator DeLeo, on Senate Bill 639. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 647. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 649. Senator Sullivan. Senator Hunter, on Senate Bill 654. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 654. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Public Health adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 660. Senator Link. Senate Bill 661. Senator Link. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 662. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 663. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 663. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. Committee on Environment and Energy adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Koehler, on Senate Bill 665. Senator Koehler -- Koehler. Senator Koehler. Senator Maloney. Senate Bill 671. Senator Millner, on Senate Bill 677. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 677. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Bond, on Senate Bill 680. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 680. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Bond, on Senate Bill 682. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 682. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 684. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 684. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Local Government adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Halvorson, on Senate Bill 688. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 688. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Viverito, on Senate Bill 689. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 697. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 698. Senator Sullivan. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 705. Senator Hultgren, on Senate Bill 710. Senator Hultgren, on Senate Bill 711. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 711. (Secretary reads title of bill) 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 719. Senator Garrett, on Senate Bill 731. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 731. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Human Services adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Frerichs, on Senate Bill 733. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 733. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cronin, on Senate Bill 735. Senator Peterson, on Senate Bill 744. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senate Bill 744. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 745. Senator Demuzio. With the leave of the Body, we are going to go to page 28, and we will start with Senate Bill 1159. Senator Luechtefeld. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1159. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. With the leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Bill 1162, and -- and also 1164. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 1166. Senator Collins, on Senate Bill 1167. Senator Collins, on -- on Senate Bill 1169. Senator DeLeo, on Senate Bill 1173. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1179. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1179. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Pensions and Investments adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1180. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1180. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1183. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1184. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1184. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1188. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1188. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Halvorson, on Senate Bill 1189. 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senator Halvorson, on Senate Bill 1190. Senator Millner, on Senate Bill 1201. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1201. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. There are no committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Radogno, on Senate Bill 1208. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1227. Senator Cronin, on Senate Bill 1230. Senator Delgado, on Senate Bill 1237. Senator Hunter, on Senate Bill 1241. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1245. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1245. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Human Services adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Mr. Secretary, please take Senate Bill 1245 out of the record. It will remain on 2nd Reading. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1246. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1248. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1248. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 3rd Reading. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 1249. Senator Noland, on Senate Bill 1250. Senator Noland. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1252. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1257. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1257. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Jacobs, on Senate Bill 1261. Senator Munoz, on Senate Bill 1265. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1265. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 1276. Senator Cullerton. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1276. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. We are now at the top of page 30 with Senate Bill 1287. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senate Bill 1287. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1290. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1290. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Labor adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 1291. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 1293. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1293. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Schoenberg, on Senate Bill 1305. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
Senate Bill 1305. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on -- excuse me, the Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 1306. Senator Munoz, on Senate Bill 1314. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1314. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Labor adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1317. Senator Clayborne. Senate Bill 1317. Senator Clayborne. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senate Bill 1317. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Munoz, on Senate Bill 1318. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1318. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Schoenberg, on Senate Bill 1324. Senator Munoz, on Senate Bill 1344. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1344. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1346. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
Senate Bill 1346. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 1347. Senator Munoz, on Senate Bill 1348. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1349. Senator Ronen, on Senate Bill 1350. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1350. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Public Health adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1354. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1362. Senator Kotowski, on Senate Bill 1365. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
Senate Bill 1365. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Insurance adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1369. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1369. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd bill -- 3rd Reading. Senator Millner, on Senate Bill 1375. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1375. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 1381. Senator Raoul, on -- Senate Bill 1383. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 1384. Senator Lauzen, on Senate Bill 1385. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1385. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Hunter, on Senate Bill 1391. Senator Hunter. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1395. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1395. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Revenue adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1397. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1397. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 1. 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1398. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1398. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Jacobs, on Senate Bill 1400. Senator Jacobs. Senator Jacobs, on Senate Bill 1409. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 1415. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1415. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 1418. Senator 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1418. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Now proceeding to the top of page 32. Senate Bill 1419. Senator Halvorson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1419. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Murphy, on Senate Bill 1426. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 1428. Mr. -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1428. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported. 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 1429. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 1429. Senator Althoff, on Senate Bill 1430. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 1434. Senator Hunter, on Senate Bill 1435. Senator Hunter, on Senate Bill 1436. Senator John Jones, on Senate Bill 1438. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1438. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 1446. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 1448. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1448. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1452. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
Senate Bill 1452. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1453. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1453. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1454. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1454. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Sandoval, on 1455. Senate Bill 1455. Senator Sullivan, on Senate Bill 1460. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1460. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 1462. Senate Bill 1464. Senator Lightford. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 1468. Senator Kotowski, on Senate Bill 1471. Senator Kotowski, on Senate Bill 1472. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
…Bill -- Senate Bill 1472. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 1473. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1473. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 1474. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senate Bill 1474. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendments No. 1 and 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 1475. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 1478. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 1481. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 1482. Senator Bomke, on Senate Bill 1487. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1487. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Insurance adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Althoff, on Senate Bill 1493. Senator Althoff, on Senate Bill 1494. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 1497. Senator Forby, on Senate Bill 1504. Senator Forby. Senator Crotty, on Senate Bill 1508. Senator Raoul, on Senate 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Bill 1509. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 1511. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 1514. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 1518. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1518. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 1527. Senator Forby, on Senate Bill 1529. Senator Watson, on Senate Bill 1539. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1539. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Sieben, on Senate Bill 1543. Senator Frerichs, on Senate Bill 1553. Senator Frerichs, on Senate Bill 1557. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1557. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Frerichs, on Senate Bill 1559. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
Senate Bill 1559. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Righter, on Senate Bill 1566. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1566. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Hultgren, on Senate Bill 1568. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1568. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator John Jones, on Senate Bill 1575. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1575. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported. 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Noland, on Senate Bill 1576. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1576. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Bond, on Senate Bill 1578. Senator Bond. Senator Garrett, on Senate Bill 1581. Mr. President, please -- I’m sorry, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1581. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Human Services adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Has there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Garrett, on Senate Bill 1583. Senator Frerichs, on Senate Bill 1587. Senator -- Senator Hendon, on Senate Bill 1591. Senator Hendon, on Senate Bill 1593. Senator Dahl, on Senate Bill 1606. Senator Ronen, on Senate Bill 1625. Senator Collins, on Senate Bill 1674. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
Senate Bill 1674. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Collins, on -- Senate Bill 1675. Senator Harmon, on Senate Bill 1692. Senator Jacobs, on Senate Bill 1697. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 1699. Senator Collins, on -- on Senate Bill 1701. Senator Lightford, on Senate Bill 1702. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1702. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendments 1 and 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1729. Senator Link. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 1733. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 1734. Senator Delgado, on Senate Bill 1746. Senator… Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Please state your point.
Thank you. Keelin also -- and I also want to point out that we have Keelin’s grandmother up in the gallery, Barbara Crotty. So welcome to Springfield, Barb - grandma.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please everyone join and welcome her to Springfield. Ladies and Gentlemen, can I have your attention? We had some problems with the paperwork on Senate Bill 330. With leave of the Body, I want to be able to now say -- ask Senator Pankau for Senate Bill 330. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 330. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary-Civil Law adopted Amendment No. 4.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments approved, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 3rd Reading. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Now that we have concluded our 2nd Readings for the day, the Senate Republicans would request a caucus in Senator Watson’s Office. We’ll need about a half an hour, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senator Righter, your request for a caucus is always in order. We will be reconvening back here at exactly 2:55. The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The Senate will come to order. Ladies and Gentlemen under the sound of my voice, would you please come to the Senate Floor? We are about to go to 3rd Readings. 3rd Readings. Would all administrative assistants please send your Senator to the Senate Floor? We are about to go to 3rd Readings. Will all Senators please come to the Senate Floor for Senate action? Would all Senators please come to the Senate Floor for Senate action? We’re going to begin on page 42, 3rd Readings. Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill -- 1837, offered by Senator Sandoval. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 17, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 18, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 29, offered by Senator Demuzio. (Secretary reads title of bill) 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 House Bill 49. (Secretary reads title of bill) Offered by Senator Hendon. House Bill 118, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 148, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 202, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 204, offered by Senator Hendon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 209, offered by Senator Collins. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 212, offered by Senator Sieben. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 222, offered by Senator Collins. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 251, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 258, offered by Senator Koehler. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 260, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 277, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 293, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 365, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 House Bill 368, offered by Senator Hendon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 378, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 382, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 470, offered by Senator Frerichs. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 517, offered by Senator Syverson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 549, offered by Senator Forby. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 553, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 593, offered by Senator Dillard. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 670, offered by Senator Demuzio. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 719, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 900, offered by Senator Murphy. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 938, offered by Senator Peterson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 976, offered by Senator Koehler. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 977, offered by Senator Sandoval. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1024, offered by Senator Sullivan. 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1292, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Messages.
A Message from -- from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following title, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 457. I have received like Messages on House Bills 496, 499, 536, 539, 549, 552, 553, 570 and 579. All passed the House, March 16th {sic} (20), 2007. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, we’re going to start where we left off, which is on page 42 of your Senate Calendar. On the top of page 42 of your Calendar is Senate Bill 1224. Senate Bill 1224. Senator Holmes. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1226. Senator Ronen. Madam… I’m sorry. Senate Bill 1225. Senator Ronen. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1225. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senator Ronen.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill relates to the Acupuncture Practice Act. It makes various technical changes to bring it in line with other practice Acts, and it also extends the -- the sunset date to January of 2018. It removes the requirement that licensed acupuncturists conspicuously display their license in their office and it increases penalties from five thousand to ten thousand dollars.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1225 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take -- a Senator is having a problem with his voting equipment. Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1225, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1226. Senator Ronen. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1226. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Ronen.
…you. Thank you, Mr. President. This bill has to do with clinical psychologists and this allows psychologists from other states to come here to practice for up to ten days. This is to 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 accommodate different disasters or emergencies that might accrue. We amended this bill to remove the requirement that a disaster must be formally declared. I know of no opposition and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1226 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1226, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1228. Senator Collins. 1228. Senator Collins. Senate Bill 1242. Senator Holmes. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1242. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes, would you like to discuss your first bill? Senator Holmes.
Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you so much for pointing that out. I thought I could sort of slide by. Senate Bill 1242 is an initiative allowing cities that have met the following criteria to seek designation from the Illinois EPA as an Illinois Cool City. The city would have prepared and approved a plan to achieve a seven-percent reduction in greenhouse gas 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 emissions from 1990 levels by the year 2012, and they have endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. The bill also asks the Illinois EPA to provide technical expertise for an emissions inventory, information on carbon reduction strategies, and Cool City signage. As of March 6th, ten cities in Illinois have joined over four hundred and eighteen cities in the country to be designated as Cool Cities. I respectfully request an Aye vote from my very dignified and distinguished colleagues. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion on Senator Holmes’ very first bill as an Illinois State Senator? Her very first freshman rookie bill. Is there any discussion? Senator Risinger.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the Senator yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) She appears a bit nervous, but apparently she will. Senator Risinger.
Senator, how do you expect to have a Cool City when we’re in the midst of global warming?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
I -- I would like to say that probably any city that this distinguished Senator lives in would be a “cool city” just because he lives there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 That was pretty good for a freshman… Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a few questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) She indicates she will. Senator Link.
A little bit of a follow-up on that. You know, there was an indication today is my birthday and, you know, I might have exaggerated on the age, you know, when I said twenty-nine, so it might be a couple years older. Maybe it’s an anniversary of my twenty-ninth birthday, but there was a definition of “cool” back in the sixties, you know, that you had to be “cool” and you had to dress a certain way. Is there anything relating to that, the way a person has to dress if they live in one of these cities? Do they have to dress a certain way? I mean, is this the second coming to leisure suits?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
Considering it is the Senator’s birthday, I would say he might -- and -- and because we have global warming, he might want to wear his birthday suit, but -- but I would recommend the tie while we’re in Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
You may -- you may be surprised if I came in here in my birthday suit. So -- you know, I -- I have done weirder things 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 in my life, so I -- I would not request a lot of things. But seeing that you did not answer my question, as, you know, most -- most people with their first bill, they do not answer the question. But, you know, the -- the type of dress and the type of atmosphere, I don’t know. There is a few people -- President Jones told me that he had a few leisure suits still in his closet. So, you know, he might want to bring those out and, you know -- you know, a few other colleagues might want to bring those out. So, is there anything related to, you know, dress other than birthday suits that are -- are related to this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
I -- I would say that -- that the Senator is such a man of taste, I would suggest that he dresses how he sees fit, because he always looks perfectly turned out.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.
Question of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) She indicates she will yield. Senator Jacobs.
Senator, could you list the ten Cool Cities that you’re referring to?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes, to list the ten Cool Cities.
I can. Aurora, Carbondale, Carol Stream, Chicago, Highland 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Park, Normal, Northbrook, Rock Island, Schaumburg and Waukegan.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.
Yes, Senator. First, I’d like to point out that I live in a Cool City. But most importantly, what about the communities in my neighborhood that aren’t cool? Is this a discriminatory bill on your -- your part, where some cities are cool and some cities are wallflowers?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
I -- I would suggest those cities that are not yet designated as Cool Cities have their mayor look into the Climate Protection Act {sic} (Agreement), so they can soon become Cool Cities.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.
I was looking at your bills and I notice that you have another bill coming soon with another cute name. Is that a -- do you know what that name is by chance?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
I’m not sure which bill he’s referring to. I have a few different bills. I do have a smart cities and a green cities, and I promise, after these three, I’ll be done with cities for at least a little while. 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.
I would just point out to you that it’s very dangerous ground to start to call one city cool, another city uncool, one city smart, and another city not smart.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) I would have to agree, that might not be smart. Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Mr. President. Would the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) She indicates she will. Senator Cullerton.
Senator, just a quick question. It’s probably a technical one. I -- I assume that since this is your first bill, you probably took extra care in drafting this piece of legislation and probably familiar with just about every word that’s in it. Is that -- is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Holmes.
Continue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
You’re not worried about the fact that there’s something in here that you haven’t read and that you’re not familiar with, I’m sure. So, it’s just a -- it’s not a big point, I’m just curious. 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Do you have a copy of the bill? If you look on page 3 of the bill, line 4 and 5.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Page 3, Senator Holmes. That would come after page 2. Senator Holmes.
In…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
In -- in this bill, you wrote a Section 99 and it says, “This Act takes effect upon becoming law.” I’m just curious. Why did you write that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
I am looking at the bill, but I’m not seeing that line. So… It could -- it could be that for some reason in mine that I don’t have a line 99.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Not line 99. It’s Section 99, line 4 and 5. And I’ll just repeat it. Yeah. “This Act takes effect upon becoming law.” I’m just wondering why you wrote that, because I was trying to think to myself how else could an Act take effect besides becoming law. How -- how else could a law become a law without taking effect? It just doesn’t make any sense. And since it’s your first bill, it’s an important bill for you. I assume you 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 read every line. Take a guess as to what you meant when you wrote this particular line.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
I will just have to say, once it becomes a law, the Act takes effect. I -- I could always defer to -- there are many distinguished attorneys in here that can probably do a much better job of explaining all the legalese that ends up in these bills that the average layperson has such difficulties with, which keeps all of you wonderful lawyers gainfully employed.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Well, I think I’ll vote for your bill anyway. I just thought maybe we should find out before you do another one if we can -- if you write that again in one of your bills. I -- I also want to just point out that in -- in your findings here, you do say that global climate change threatens the State’s economy, public health, and the environment. You know, I think there’s a lot of people out there, maybe even some people in this room, that think that climate change is just a theory and that really it -- we’re not sure. Do you think we have enough scientific evidence that there’s some real climate change that we have to worry about?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
Absolutely. And I would submit that there were probably 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 people years ago who probably still thought the world was flat, even after it was proven not to be so.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Cullerton.
To congratulate you on reading the list of the Cool Cities and noting that Aurora, which happens to be your -- your -- in your district, is -- is one of the cities that will get this recognition. I think it’s very important. You’ve learned a very important lesson - your first bill, help your home district. So, congratulations.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Viverito. I’m sure Senator Viverito wasn’t here when the world was flat, but you did mention that right before I called on him. So…
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senator Holmes, I -- I noticed in the terminology of a -- Cool Cities that it says specifically that you must get the approval and endorsement of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. And, you know, I’ve been working in local government for thirty-five years and I know how independent those mayors are. Would you please tell me how you’ve been able to arrange that with all of these mayors?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
It was actually not me that arranged that. It was the Mayor of Seattle that started this program. So, they are very forward- thinking and I think it’s time we here in the Midwest catch up a 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 little bit.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Viverito.
And, Senator, I kind of thought maybe you were a little more charming and you were able to do it that way, and I’m a little bit disappointed to tell me you didn’t use your persuasive ways on that. But congratulations on your -- on your bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes, to close on her little weak bill. Senator Holmes.
I just want to say thank you very much and may I respectfully request an Aye vote on this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 1242 squeak through. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1242, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Now that the lovefest is over, Senate Bill 1243. Senator Holmes. Senate Bill 1243. The Cool City bill. Madam -- Senator Holmes. 1243. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1243. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
Gee, thank you so much, Mr. President. Can’t wait to do this again. Senate Bill 1243 really is just cleanup language and it’s as simple as that. So, I would request an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1243 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1243, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1244. Senator Sullivan. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1244. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senate Bill 1244 provides that under the Fire -- Protection District Act, “ambulance service” includes pre-hospital medical services. Provides that these changes are declarative of -- of existing law. Be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Any discussion? Senator Althoff.
To the bill, Mr. President. This came out of our committee unanimously. It’s an excellent piece of legislation. I would urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 1244 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1244, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1253. Senator Noland. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1260. Senator Millner. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1260. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Millner.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Senate. This bill amends the Vehicle Code to provide that persons who, after a court appearance, receive a disposition of court supervision for violation of a similar provision of a local ordinance, similar to a violation of any provision of the Vehicle Code, and shall pay the additional fees of twenty dollars and five dollars. In essence, what this bill does - it was passed in the Session 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 before with local -- or with vehicle ordinance - this allows local ordinances to be included in the bill. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1260 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1260, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1267. Senator Noland. 1267. Senate Bill 1279. Senator Harmon. 1279. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1296. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1296. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill deals with the Code of Civil Procedure. We heard this bill in Judiciary Committee and we had two very conflicting views as to what this bill does. I -- we passed the bill out of committee and I took a lot of time meeting with both sides to try to see if I could understand what the situation was, and I feel like I -- I have. There’s been a lot of misinformation, I think, spread about this bill. It requires a little bit of a history lesson. 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Back in 1986, the General Assembly passed legislation dealing with liability in personal injury cases where there’s multiple defendants. And what they said was, as a concession to the defense bar, that if there’s a trial and the plaintiff sues more than one defendant, that when the jury determines the liability, which totals up to a hundred percent, if a defendant is less than twenty-five percent negligent, that defendant only has to pay the percentage that the jury found. And that has been the law since -- since 1986, for twenty-one years, and it continues to be. In a situation where the plaintiff decided to settle with defendants, which is typical of situations where the defendants were -- only -- less culpable, if you will, and they don’t want to have to go through the cost of a trial, they go to the plaintiff and they settle as well. And the way it’s worked for the last twenty-one years in those cases is the -- the plaintiff then continues the lawsuit against the remaining defendant, and after the verdict, there’s a subtraction from the verdict of the amount of money that the defendants who -- who settled the case had to pay. And the remaining defendant -- pays the remainder. Now, recently, in Chicago, there was an Appellate Court case, called the Ready case, which interpreted that 1986 statute in a way that had not been understood to be the meaning of it, at least in all the courts over that twenty-one years. And they said in that decision that even though the plaintiff had settled with those defendants that, on the jury verdict form at the end of the trial, you could add those defendants to the form, allowing the jury to assign some percentage of blame to those settled defendants, even though they weren’t in the courtroom, even though they weren’t there to defend themselves. If this 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 would be allowed to -- this, by the way, is a misreading of the intent of the 1986 statute and a misreading of the -- certainly not the practice over that twenty-one years. By the way, the purpose of this bill is very clear, to do nothing but to clarify, if it needs clarification, what the intent of the 1986 law was. And that’s what the bill does. It’s only a couple sentences. It just makes it clear, if you settle with somebody, their names don’t go on the verdict form. You want to encourage settlements and here’s what the plaintiff lawyers are concerned about. If you allow people you’ve already settled with to be -- have their name on the -- on the verdict form, the defendant who’s left in the trial can point to those two empty chairs and say “They’re the one that did all this.” “They’re the one that did all this.” And if the jury buys into that, even though they’re not there to defend themselves, and that defendant -- remaining defendant then can somehow come under the twenty-five percent, then that defendant will not have to pay the full verdict and the plaintiff who settled with those -- those -- those defendants will not get a hundred percent of the verdict. If -- if this Ready case is -- becomes the law -- if it stays the law and if we don’t pass this bill, what will happen is the plaintiffs will never be able to settle with anybody, because of this empty desk -- this empty chair defense that the defendants would be using. And all the money that’s saved by not having to have a defendant go through all of that rigamarole, all that court expense, will -- will now be added back into the system because you’ll -- the plaintiff can’t take a chance of not having all the defendants there so that they can get their hundred-percent verdict. So, that’s -- that’s what the bill does. Now, some of the people who are 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 opposed to the bill say that they -- they come up with some hypothetical, where they say the -- what if the -- the plaintiff settles with the bad guys for a small amount, all -- all so they can just stick it to the -- the remaining defendant. Well, there’s a protection for that. There’s a protection for that, because when a plaintiff wants to settle with a defendant, he -- he or she has to go to court and they have to have the court approve of it. And if the remaining defendant doesn’t approve of the settlement, he or she just goes to the court and they file -- request a hearing. They can put on evidence. They can object to that settlement. So, that’s the protection that they have. So, quite frankly, there’s been a lot of misinformation put out about the -- this bill. I told members of the committee that I would investigate this and make sure that the plaintiffs’ bar is not trying to overreach and try to get something more than what’s been the practice for the last twenty-one years, and I believe that they have not. This is the way the verdicts have been handled throughout the State of Illinois. You settle with a defendant, their name is not on -- on the verdict slip. So, this is not an overreach. It’s simply a clarification and a reinstatement, in light of a court decision that declared otherwise, that we want to continue in this practice. It’s a fair practice, and I would be more than happy to answer any questions. I can tell you that I spent a lot of time on this. As -- as late as Friday, I was talking to some CPAs. The CPAs thought they were against this bill. And I explained to them that this bill only deals with personal injury cases. It does not deal with any other Acts, any other types of lawsuits dealing in the business world. This deals with personal injury where the 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 plaintiff is innocent, hasn’t done anything wrong, is hit by a car or a pedestrian hit by a car, and we’re only trying to make sure that the plaintiff is entitled to receive their fair verdict. Once again, I’d ask for an Aye vote. Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Discussion? Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I believe Senate Bill 1296 is a major assault on the Illinois business community and can affect individuals as well. You know, it’s one thing to try to move a bill like this in a year when we don’t have a seven-billion-dollar gross receipts tax facing us or a three-percent payroll tax on business, but this bill is another major assault that sends, with lightning speed throughout the United States, a message that Illinois is a terrible place to do business. This legislation is also unfair. It seeks to allocate fault on a party’s ability to pay rather than how much or what percentage they were at fault. To me, I think that is grossly un-American and this is clearly a change in Illinois law. There is, right now, pending across the street in the Illinois Supreme Court, a case that’s exactly on point to this particular topic. And I have, for the life of me, tried to figure out why we want to, as a Legislature, on top of a proposed gross receipts tax that’s received national attention, a three- percent payroll tax that’s pending before this Body on our business, why do we want to send one more message to the world’s business community that we have a terrible litigation climate in a State that is renowned in all kinds of studies with the 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 reputation, according to the American Tort Reform Association, as a judicial hellhole. Why do we want to do this and continue to pile on? Again, there’s a case pending across the street. I don’t know why the General Assembly wants to poke a stick in the eye again of the business community or to small business people throughout Illinois. Indiana, just to our east, which is going gangbusters, I mean, they don’t have anything like this. And this bill completely puts us out of touch with our neighbors in Missouri and in Wisconsin and throughout the -- the middle west. I guess, just to close, and -- and this is a highly, highly complex topic, and Senator Cullerton’s usually good at trying to come up with compromises on something like this, but it’s pretty clear that the Trial Lawyers Association think they got a lot of members in this Chamber and the one across the way. I know what’s going on, and they probably say, hey, Democrats, you’re in charge, it’s time to show us that, you know, you do things for people that help you get elected. But I can’t think of a worse time to pass this bill in my twenty-some years around this Chamber, when we have a gross receipts tax pending of multibillions of dollars on business and a three-percent payroll tax. I mean, we might as well roll out a sign in front of this Capitol Building and in all of the borders in Illinois that business is not welcome in this State. We already rate between forty-forth and forty-eighth on every survey since Rod Blagojevich has been elected Governor in terms of job creation, and this one, right up there with the gross receipts tax and the three-percent payroll tax, is a terrible, terrible thing to do. And, moreover, I really believe that the way that fault is apportioned where it’s on your ability to pay rather than your at 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 fault, is just the wrong public policy decision for American jurisprudence in that in Illinois. So, I emphatically urge a No vote on Senate Bill 1296.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator Raoul.
To the bill, Mr. President. I rise in support of the bill and I have to disagree with my colleague on the other side of the aisle. This has nothing to do with the gross receipt tax. And it’s not an assault on business, but it’s actually a protection of victims. To make this about business and ignore the fact that, in each one of these personal injury cases, there’s a victim attached to it - oftentimes a dead victim, a paralyzed victim or some -- or in some way a very seriously injured victim - and to disregard that victim and allow for the empty chair defense to be used on a lay jury would be an injustice. Why should the General Assembly act if there’s a pending case before the Supreme Court? Because we’re addressing the Code of Civil Procedure. The Code of Civil Procedure is enacted by the General Assembly. The -- the General Assembly should act because we are the General Assembly and we are lawmakers. The courts, in fact, do have an opportunity to interpret law and to interpret common law and make common law, but we are the lawmakers. And so I’d rise in support of this bill, and I think that we should all keep in mind the victims that are attached to each one of these cases.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senate. I, too, rise in support of the Senator’s bill and I would take issue with our colleague’s characterization of the bill as an offensive measure leveled against business. It is actually quite the opposite; it is a defensive measure. There is an attempt to unsettle twenty-one years of jurisprudence and -- and civil practice that provides for an allocation among the defendants at the trial based on their fault. If we were to buy into this new notion and allow the defense to shift that burden among parties already outside of the case, we don’t shift the burden among guilty defendants; we shift the burden to the plaintiff. And I do not believe there’s any compelling public policy reason that the plaintiff should bear the burden for the negligence of the defendants. And for that reason, I join Senator Cullerton in supporting this bill. And I, too, ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton, to close.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Maybe this would be helpful then to make it clear to all of the business interests that might be worried about what this bill would do, to make sure as the sponsor of the bill that people know what the legislative intent of this bill is. Its legislative intent is to continue the same practice that’s been going on in Illinois courtrooms since 1986, that when you settle with a defendant, that their names don’t go on the jury verdict. That’s all this bill says. We are continuing to do what we’ve been doing since 1986. And what happened here was that this court decision fell into the lap of the defense bar and they 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 said, “Ha-ha, this is -- this is something -- this is a gift horse.” We got to -- we got to see if -- now, if we can go back and renegotiate the deal that we had back in 1986. As a matter of fact, in 1995, when there was one party that kind of ruled this place that -- that was interested in protecting the defense bar’s point of view, they actually passed a bill amending this Section that did what they wanted to do, but it was later declared to be unconstitutional. So, let’s make it real clear, this is simply trying to keep the status quo that we’ve had since 1921 {sic}. If we don’t change this -- if we don’t pass this law and if this court decision becomes the law, it’ll actually be worse for -- for the defense bar. It’d be worse for the business interests, ‘cause there won’t be any more settlements in personal injury cases. Everybody will go to trial. All the litigation costs will have to be borne by the insurance industry, and that would not be a good thing. We should encourage settlements and we should protect the plaintiffs. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 1296 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 34 voting Aye, 23 voting Nay, and 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 1296, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1299. Senator Harmon. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1299. (Secretary reads title of bill) 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1299 is an initiative of the Illinois Commerce Commission. Under current law, a public utility may only construct new facilities and plants if it has obtained from the ICC a certificate of public convenience and necessity that such construction is required. The current items that the ICC may consider in determining whether that certificate is warranted includes factors such as whether it would provide adequate and reliable service. The bill before us would permit them to also consider whether that proposed construction will promote the development of an effectively competitive electricity market. I’m not aware of any opposition. I’d be happy to take questions if you have them, but I’d ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Risinger.
To the bill, Mr. President. This bill…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …bill, sir.
This bill passed out of the committee without any negative votes. We consider it to be a good bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1299 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 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 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1299, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
Well, I think all of us have a lot of independent insurance agents here in town today and I’ve got a few that’s up in the President’s Gallery. Marion Kiefer, from Dahlgren; Rebecca Dieters, of Teutopolis; Mike Beard of Mt. Vernon; and Jason Cass, of Centralia. So if they’d rise, and you’d welcome ‘em to the Senate, we appreciate it. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will our guests please rise and be welcomed to the Senate? Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Welcome. Senate Bill 1304. Senator Schoenberg. 1304. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1304. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 Senate. Senate Bill 1304 would require the Department of Central Management Services to allow employees of State colleges and universities to participate in a flexible spending program. This program is familiar to all of us who participate for things such as dependent care assistance or medical care assistance, or even using it for transportation or parking in the Chicago area. And that’s precisely why this bill came to me. I’d be happy to answer any questions. I urge…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Peterson.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: It…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) To the bill, sir.
The bill passed out of committee without opposition. It’s a good piece of legislation. I ask my colleagues to support it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1304 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1304, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1326. Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. 1326.
Senate Bill 1326. 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. 13 -- Senate Bill 1326 is exactly identical to what we passed out of this Chamber in the 94th General Assembly with Senate Bill 1959, without opposition. It lifts the twenty-five- employee threshold of -- of -- of vetting leases before that -- they are terminated. Right now, State facilities that have under twenty-five facility -- twenty-five employees are exempt from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability reviewing the reasons why they want to close the facility. This essentially would enable the Commission to review all properties when the leases are terminated. I ask for your favorable support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Peterson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Once again, I rise to support this bill. Ask my colleagues to vote Yea.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill -- 1326 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1326, having 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/20/2007 received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Appropriations I Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 212. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10 a.m. on tomorrow, March 21st, 2007. The Senate stands adjourned. 88