PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The regular Session of the 95th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? And will the guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Father Christopher Layden, St. John’s Catholic Church, Champaign, Illinois.
(Prayer by Father Christopher Layden)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, March 27th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary by approved, unless some Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 1839, offered by Senator Schoenberg. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 170. We’ve received like Messages on House Bills 297, 324, 439, 824, 1300, 1542, 1553 and 1756. All passed the House, March 23rd, {sic} (27) 2007. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 30, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 324, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 371, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 425, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 903, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 924, offered by Senator Link. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 986, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1288, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1300, offered by Senator Collins. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1425, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1545, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1756, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 2035, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) If I could get everybody’s attention, please. Senator Sullivan has some guests, if we could bring them out, and -- Senator Sullivan.
Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. I’d like to introduce to you some young people from my district. These are the A-C Central Lady Knights and they are your Eighth Grade Class 2A State Champions in volleyball. I’m going to introduce Head Coach Dena Leinberger, but before I do I want to give you a couple little stats that they gave me. There’s fifty-three girls in the junior high. There’s thirty-seven that are on the junior high team. We have fourteen of ‘em here today, and they won the State 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 champion -- they are the State champions in the Class 2A. I’d like to introduce Head Coach Dena Leinberger and she’s going to introduce the team for you. Coach.
(Remarks and Introductions by Coach Dena Leinberger)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an introduction, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Proceed.
Thank you. I’m pleased to be joined today by Ellen Lesser, a constituent of mine who’s serving as a Page for the Day. She’s an eighth grader at the Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Oak Park. And I’d ask my colleagues in the Senate to join me in welcoming her to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guest please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Good morning, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
I, too, have a guest with me today. Her name is Alina Hill. She is an eighth grader at Olson Middle School and she is here to learn about government. Her mother serves on the County Board in McHenry County as well. May we give -- welcome her to 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 Springfield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guest please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Today, I also have three guests and their families. I’d like to introduce Jared Fruland, who is a senior at Newark High School. His dad is the Mayor of the Town of Newark; Gary Fruland is up in the gallery today. And then Jessica Christensen is a junior at Newark High School, and in the gallery are her mom and dad, Jim and Renee Davis. And then, finally, Leigh Ann Thomas, who’s a freshman at Rosary High School in Aurora, Illinois. Her mom and dad are Greg and Julie Thomas, and her sister, Alexis, joins them today. I’d ask the Senate to welcome them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Wilhelmi, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I am privileged today to have Chris Pelech from Joliet with me. He is an eighth grader at St. Paul the Apostle in Joliet, which is my alma mater. And, in fact, he’s being taught this year by Mr. Mudron, who taught me when I was thirteen years of age. He’s with his mother, Gwen Pelech, and her friend, Holly Corwin, who 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 are in the gallery. I’d like you to make a warm welcome to Chris Pelech.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests please rise? And welcome to Springfield. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have another introduction, if we could please bring out Senator Bond to introduce his guests.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I’d like to introduce someone from my district that we are all very proud of. Ashley Willner is our Miss Illinois County Fair Queen for 2007. Ashley graduated from Grayslake High School in 2005 and is currently attending DePaul University in Chicago. Please join me in welcoming Ashley to the Senate Chamber today. 2007 MISS ILLINOIS COUNTY FAIR QUEEN ASHLEY WILLNER: (Remarks by 2007 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Ashley Willner)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Next, we have Senator Rutherford to bring in some guests.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I have a very special guest with us today as well. Brad Pilcher is the President of the Future Farmers of America. He is from Paxton-Buckley-Loda FFA Chapter, and he is the -- this year’s President. He’s the son of Mike and Mary Jo Pilcher and he has -- has an older brother by the name of Chad and a younger sister by the name of Katie. His advisors are -- are Mike White and Doug Anderson. Brad’s supervised agricultural experience is in diversified livestock, which includes swine, goat, sheep, and poultry production. Before serving as the State President, he 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 was a Section -- Section President - good friend of Senator Sullivan’s, whose son is involved in FFA in the Section level as well. And before he became the State President -- his favorite career development -- development event is poultry judging. Brad plans on attending Lake Land Community College before transferring to the great University of Illinois majoring in Agriculture. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome the President of the Future Farmers of America of the State of Illinois.
(Remarks by FFA State President Brad Pilcher)
The only thing -- the only thing I would add - and Senator Sullivan looked up here - the only thing I would add, Brad, is we’re very proud of you. We know that someday you will probably be a future Member of this august Body, the Illinois State Senate. The only thing I ask, since you are my constituent, is let me finish this term of office before you decide to run.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Peterson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
I’d like to introduce my Page for the Day, Eric Seiler, from Gurnee, and we’d like to give him a warm welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to Springfield. Madam Secretary, Messages.
7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 A Message from Emil Jones, Jr., Senate President, dated March 28th, 2006 {sic} (2007). Dear Madam Secretary - Pursuant to -- Rule 3-2(c), I hereby appoint Senator James Clayborne to temporarily replace Senator Ira Silverstein as a member of the Senate Judiciary-Civil Law Committee. This appointment is effective immediately. Sincerely, Emil Jones, Jr., Senate President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could get your attention, please. We have committees that will start at 9:30 - we’re a little late - but immediately. They were listed. They were announced yesterday. And the Senate will stand in recess till the call of the Chair while committees meet. The Senate -- Senator Righter.
Inquiry of the Chair, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your inquiry.
Thank you. Madam President, is it the Chair’s expectation that after committees conclude that we will come back to the Floor for substantive action or will you be just engaged in reading reports into the record?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The -- the intent of the Chair is to keep it open. We don’t know what will happen, and so the possibility is that we could do something and we’ll let you know. The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES) 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 123, offered by Senator Althoff and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 124 and 125, offered by Senator Koehler and all Members. They’re death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Any further resolutions?
Senate Resolution 126, offered by Senator Althoff. It’s substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Committee Reports.
Senator Cullerton, Co-Chairperson, and Senator Dillard, Co- Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary-Civil Law, reports Floor Amendment No. 5 to Senate Bill 330, Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 333, Floor Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 481, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 996, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1306 and Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1434 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Crotty, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 113, Senate Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 413 {sic} (417), Senate Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 662, Senate Amendment No. 3 to 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 Senate Bill 1250, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1508 and Senate Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 1746 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Garrett, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 243, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 937, Senate Amendments 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 1324, Senate Amendment No. 4 to Senate Bill 1566 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Munoz, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 314, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 639 and Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1173 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Wilhelmi, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary- Criminal Law, reports Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 121, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 165, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 300, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 450, Senate Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 665, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1005, Senate -- Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1006, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1348, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1391 and Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1397 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Jacobs, Chairperson of the Committee on Housing and Community Affairs, reports Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 688 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Raoul, Chairperson of the Committee on Pensions and Investments, reports Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 488, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 810, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 826, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1383 and Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1553 recommend Do 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 Adopt. Senator Meeks, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports Senate Amendments No. 1, 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 108, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 544, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 574, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 581, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 591, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 595, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 776, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 867, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 934 and Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1244 {sic} (1245) recommend Do Adopt. Senator Clayborne, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Energy, reports Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 680, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1184, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1241, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1257, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1400 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Sullivan, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, reports Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 201, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 216 and Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 824 recommend Do Adopt. Senator -- Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 101, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 267, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 327, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 794, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1395, Senate Amendments 2 and 4 to Senate Bill 1429 and Senate Amendment No. 1 to 1514 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Demuzio, Chairperson of the Committee on Government {sic} (State Government) and Veterans Affairs, recommends Senate 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1475 -- I’m sorry, Senate Bill 1479 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Silverstein, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 500, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 593, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1625 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Ronen, Chairperson of the Committee on Licensed Activities, reports Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 128, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 155, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 211, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 509, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 573 and Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 745 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Forby, Chairperson of the Committee on Labor, reports Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1249 and Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1734 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Lightford, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 194, Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 306, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 396, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 398, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 424, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 538, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 543, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 671, -- Senate Amendment No. 1 to -- Senate Bill 841, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 843, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 844, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 850, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1183 and Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1426 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Collins, Chairperson of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 310, 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 388, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 546, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1169, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1224 and Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1347 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Sandoval, Chairperson of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, reports Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1079 {sic} (1097) and Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1606 recommend Do Adopt. Senator Haine, Chairperson of the Committee on Insurance, recommends -- I’m sorry, reports Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 21, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 811, Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 935 and Senate Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 1208 recommend Do Adopt. And Senator Maloney, Chairperson of the Committee on Higher Education, reports Senate Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 313, Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 325 and Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 326 recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, Message.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 611, together with the following -- amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 611. Passed the House, as amended, March 28th, 2007. Mark Mahoney, 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/28/2007 Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until 10 a.m., tomorrow, March 29th, 2007. The Senate stands adjourned. 14