Illinois Senate Floor Debate — March 29, 2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The regular Session of the 95th General Assembly will please come to order. Will our -- Members be at their desks and the guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Clint Cook, Real Life Church, Springfield, Illinois.

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.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hunter.

Madam Chairman, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be 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. If all Senators could please come to the Senate Chambers, we will be going directly to 3rd Reading. 3rd Reading. So, please, if all Members could be in their seats. Madam Secretary, Resolutions. 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Madam Secretary, Messages.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Pankau, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Karpiel, it’s so good to see you. Welcome to Springfield. And will our guests in the galleries please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?

For purposes of an introduction, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Proceed.

I’m pleased to be joined by some special guests from Oak Park. Here at my desk are my Pages for a Day, Julia Meister and Jacob Meister. They are here with their family. Their mom, Connie Fleisher, is in the gallery with their brother David and sister Katherine, and some of you know their dad, Chris Meister. So, please join me in welcoming the -- the extended Meister clan 3  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 to Springfield for the day.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests please rise? Welcome to Springfield. It’s good to have the little Meisters. Senator Peterson, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Proceed.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? And welcome to all of you to Springfield. Senator Hultgren, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? And to the Pages, welcome to Springfield. Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you -- thank you, Madam President. I, too, have a Page for the Day. Matt is from Orland Park. He’s a third grader at Liberty School. He’s also a cousin to my sister-in-law and he’s accompanied today by his dad, Mike. So if you’d please welcome him.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guest in the galleries please rise? And welcome to you in Springfield -- here. Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Guests in the galleries please rise. And welcome to everybody to Springfield. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Proceed.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter, since we are going to 3rd Readings that will have to occur now, but can we keep it to forty-five minutes?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Okay. Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you rise? No. Out of the record. So, Senator Righter, how about 10:35? Will you be back on the Floor? 11 -- okay. I don’t have my glasses on. 11:35. Senate will stand in recess till the hour of 11:35. Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The Senate will come to order. All Members within the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Chambers. We will be going to 3rd Readings. Madam Secretary, House Bills.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise? All Senators, please come to the Senate Chambers. We are going to 3rd Reading. Senator Silverstein, for what purpose do you rise?

Point of personal privilege.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point. 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

With us today is my former State Senator, my predecessor Senator Howie Carroll. Wish everyone would give him a warm welcome back to the Senate.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to Springfield, Senator, and where’s your -- where’s your compadre? Senator Berman is also here, so we’ll be seeing him shortly. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you could turn to page 8, we’re going to start on the Order of 3rd Readings where we left off and we’ll be starting with Senate Bill 244. Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sure.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Madam President. I rise on a point of personal privilege. 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, it’s my honor today to be joined by a -- a bright young man, who has a tremendous future in politics. Josh Stoller is a fifth grader at the Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette. His interests include math and gymnastics. And he’s joined here today with his father, Jim Stoller; his mother, Susan Lieberman; and his sisters, Julia and Ellie. Please give them all a warm Capitol welcome. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guests please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Millner, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Watson, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to Springfield. It’s good to have you-all here. Senator Millner, do you still have something to say? Your light’s on. Your light is on. Did you want to rise again? On Senate Bill 244, Senator Silverstein, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Silverstein.

Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 244 makes it clear that the change of ownership of facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Act {sic} must meet the requirements outlined in that Act rather than those of the Health -- Illinois Health Planning Facilities Act {sic}. Take any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any -- is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 244 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 244, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Luechtefeld, on 253. Madam Secretary, read the bill. 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 253 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 253, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Crotty, on 258. Madam Secretary, read the bill. 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Crotty.

Thank you very much. Senate Bill 258 provides that in a case of a foreclosure where the tenant is current on his or her rent, any order of possession will allow the tenant to retain that possession of the property covered in her or her rental for either a hundred and twenty days following the notice of the hearing on the supplemental petition that has been properly served upon him or her, or through the duration of his or her lease, whichever is shorter. This exception for continued possession only applies if the tenant continues to pay his or her rent full during the hundred-and-twenty-day period.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 258 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 258, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Jacobs, on 262. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Jacobs.

Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 262 is a reentry to allow people to go into a casino and come off the casino to smoke a cigarette or to get lunch, and to enter back on without paying an admission tax again. The Fiscal and Audit Commission looked at this and -- and determined it’d be a nominal cost. I know of no opposition and appreciate your kind support.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 262 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 Yeas, 2 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. And Senate Bill 262, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cullerton, on 264. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This bill authorizes ten -- up to ten birth center alternative care models and it details the requirements for the location of the 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 centers and the services to be provided by the facilities. It’s a recommendation of the Illinois Birth Center Task Force. Thirty-five states, including all of our neighboring states, have birth centers and license them. These are ambulatory care facilities that furnish quality, low-cost, family-orientated care to women expecting a normal labor and birth. They provide prenatal care, labor and delivery, family planning, and the like. It’s of particular benefit to the rural areas that are -- are underserved, and of course, these birth centers are frequently one-half to two-thirds the cost of a hospital stay. I’ll be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Pankau.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Any further discussion? Senator Garrett.

Thank you, Madam President. I think I’m just going to speak to the bill. I did vote for this in committee, but I did ask the sponsor - who had a witness there - if, in fact, there would be a physician on the premises of the birthing center or in the room as a child is being delivered and the witness said yes. As I further looked at the bill, I realized that that wasn’t the case; that, in fact, there was going to be no physician present in the building, and I think the bill reads that the midwife can make a call to a physician. And I think I felt that that information should have been parleyed to the committee at the time when the 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 question was asked. And I think there is a big difference between having a physician that can be accessible via phone versus a physician that is there on the premises to take care of any particular circumstance that may happen. So while I appreciate what the sponsor’s trying to do with the bill, I have some major reservations knowing that, in fact, there will be no physician there and I think we should really think about this before we cast a vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.

Thank -- thank you, Madam President. Just to make it clear, there -- there was apparently a misunderstanding. Certainly the -- the witness at the committee did not intentionally misrepresent that answer. The fact is - I’ve done some research on that after talking to Senator Garrett - there are some protections. First of all, there very well could be a physician present; it’s just that it’s not mandatory. That’s number one. Number two, I learned that ten percent of all births right now are performed without a physician. In other words, there’s nurse-midwives that perform births -- or provide services for births in hospitals where there is no physician. And secondly -- and thirdly, there is, in the bill, a requirement that the facilities be a half-hour away from a hospital. And there’s strict screening beforehand to make sure that these are only for normal deliveries. So, with that, I hope that answers some of the -- concerns.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Dillard. 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he will yield.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Dillard. Both the Medical Society and the Hospitals are opposed to the bill, and there was an amendment that the Medical Society gave to me, which I drafted and introduced, but they indicated that they would still be opposed to the bill even if I adopted it. So I told them that if the bill passed the -- the Senate, we would continue to work on -- on their objections. The fact of the matter is, you know, they have a -- they are very -- up until now, have been very good -- very good lobbyists. There’s thirty-five states that have this, including all of our bordering states. But they’ve been opposed to this in the past. I think it’s time that we start off on this model, only ten, with all of the licensing provided, all the safety that could be provided, and I will pledge, if it passes, to continue to try to ameliorate their concerns on a House amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Dillard. 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.

On page 4 of the bill, it spells out exactly where these are to be located: Four in the area compromising {sic} Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, one of which shall be owned or operated by a hospital, one of which shall be owned or operated by a federally qualified health center; three in municipalities with a population of fifty thousand or more not located in the area described in paragraph one; and three in rural areas, one of which shall be owned and operated by a hospital.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Dillard. Is there any further discussion? Senator Sullivan.

Thank you, Madam President. Question of the sponsor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.

Senator, I’ve heard from some of my -- couple -- several of my hospitals that are located in my district. They have very 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 grave concerns with this. Their fear is, is that eventually - although this is limited to I believe ten centers I guess in the State, is that correct? You indicate, yes, it is - their fear is that out in the rural districts of the -- of the State that if they -- create additional birthing centers these hospitals that are already struggling to maintain their OB facilities in those hospitals, that that is going to basically divide the resources available. Can you comment on that, please?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.

Well, assuming we’re trying to help the women who are having babies in rural areas, we -- we want to provide the opportunity for them to go to a -- a -- a free-standing birth center no more than thirty minutes away from a hospital for one-half to two- thirds the cost of the hospital stay. So, you know, you can see where a hospital might be concerned about the financial impact it might have on ‘em, but, you know, we’re, at the same time, trying to help these women in the rural areas. We -- we’ve heard about a -- a malpractice crisis and we’ve heard about shortage of doctors. This is a -- a response to that in -- in part. So I think it’s a very good bill that -- that would be really aimed at helping women in the rural areas especially, and the hospitals are -- maybe they’re concerned a little bit about, you know, some financial considerations, but we should be about helping these women, I think.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sullivan.

20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Thank you very much. So I think you bring up really the -- the real concern there and that is the limited number of doctors, hospitals and so on. So if we’re actually spreading the need for additional doctors and nurses and staff to cover yet another health care facility, how -- how can we -- how do we justify that? I mean there’s -- there’s limited resources here.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.

We’re allowing certified midwives to deliver babies in some cases, as in ten percent of the births right now, with -- without doctors to make it easier for them to not have to travel so far to -- to receive all of these services the -- the -- that I talked about, the -- the services of -- of prenatal care and -- and postpartum and newborn care. This is to make it easier for them to be more accessible to it under very strict -- rules. And so, you know, it’s a response to that. It -- that -- we’re trying to help the women in that area and get -- get them these services. That’s what it’s designed to. Thirty-five states have done this. All of our bordering states. Well, it’s not surprising that the doctor’s society and the hospitals might be against it, but -- but it’s a turf thing. We’re -- we’re -- we’re talking about providing safe services for these women.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Any further discussion? Senator Ronen.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise in strong support of Senator Cullerton’s measure and I think -- I just want to reiterate the -- the response he made to the last question. The 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 purpose of this bill is to bring services to areas that are underserved now, especially rural areas where there -- are not enough ob-gyns. This bill really addresses a very, very important need in a -- in a safe way. We’ve done this before. Other states do this. And in response to the question about doctors being present, we’re talking about - and this should -- make this point to Senator Dillard as well - we’re not talking about lay midwives, the group that came before our committee this year that Senator Haine is so valiantly trying to do; we’re talking about certified nurse-midwives who are licensed under the State of Illinois to perform these activities as well as others. They had advanced degrees. They have a collaborative written agreement with a physician, so they’re always in touch. This is a very, very safe way of -- of providing services to a group of women who really, really need it. So I commend Senator Cullerton for his bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.

Yes. There’s a total of ten. Four would be up in the collar counties and Cook; three in municipalities of fifty thousand or more not located in the collar counties; and three in rural areas, one of which is owned by a hospital, one of which shall be owned by a federally qualified health center. And they have to be within thirty minutes of a hospital.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Cullerton.

Okay. I did address that, but I’ll do it again. Last year you specifically told us about the shortage of doctors in southern Illinois. Who’s going to deliver the babies? This is a response to that. These certified nurse-midwives are delivering babies now, safely, in hospitals, even when there’s no physicians there. So this is just an extension of that. And yes, it’s true, they can do it for less cost. That benefits your constituents, these women who are about to have these -- these babies. And it -- it’s true, it’s only for the -- the deliveries that are normal. Because if there’s any complications, they -- they would know that beforehand in most cases and they’d be at the hospital. So, I mean, we’re -- we’re trying to respond to our constituents, not to the, you know, the -- the financial interests specifically of the hospitals in this case. That’s all I can say to you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.

That is an issue that we -- we’re talking to the Medical Society about, and there could be a amendment to clarify that if -- if necessary, if it makes a difference to you, concerning the use of helicopters and -- and the like. That was an arbitrary distance in response to people who are concerned about what happens if there’s a complication. If you want to make it an hour so you can have these to serve more people, that’s certainly something that we can talk about if the bill is to pass and it goes over to the House.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Cullerton, to close.

25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 It’s been well debated. I just ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 264 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 35 Yeas, 21 Nays, 0 voting Present. And Senate Bill 264, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Trotter, on 265. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Trotter.

Thank you very much, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 265, as amended, rewrites provisions relating to the appearances of inmates at court proceedings via closed-circuit television or video conferencing. It clarifies which types of hearings may utilize appearances of this sort and the obligations of the circuit courts and correctional facilities related to facilitating the use of these technologies. It also makes it clear that no one has a right to appear in court via two-way audio-visual communications and also deletes provisions allowing for the use of video conferencing for any other pretrial or post- trial hearing in which there are no witnesses’ testimony to be taken. This does not broaden the present law at all. 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) There any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 265 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 265, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Crotty, on 266. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Crotty.

Thank you very much. Senate Bill 266 started out to be a bill that was passed out of the Senate, I think three years in a row, dealing with special education students that are adopted - either they were foster children and under the State’s custody and now they’ve been adopted. And sometimes for our -- not sometimes, but all the times in our school districts where we have a high number of children who are foster children and they’re adopted, those school districts -- our school districts end up now funding the entire special education costs. Amended, this bill now requires that if a child who is eligible to receive services is adopted and that child continues to receive support services through the Department of Children and Family Services and if the child’s program costs exceed four times the school 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 district’s per capita tuition rate, then that child shall continue to be eligible to receive services. This cuts down on the amount of money that the State would have to fund, but certainly, in our school districts where those kids are in the most need of services, and costly services, this will allow some relief to them. And I ask for an Aye vote. And if there’s any questions, I’d be happy to -- to answer.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 266 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 266, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Channel 20 seeks leave to videotape the proceedings. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?

I rise on a point of personal privilege, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, yesterday we were barely on the Senate Floor so we did not have the -- the opportunity to pay recognition to one of our colleagues for a birthday. My officemate and neighbor, Senator Carol Ronen, celebrated a birthday yesterday. There is cake in Senator DeLeo’s office. Please wish her a happy birthday.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Happy birthday, Senator Ronen. Just to clarify what Senator -- Schoenberg said: It is on the table in my office. Please go and -- take some cake. Please. Senator Watson, on Senate Bill 267. Madam Secretary, read the bill. Senator Watson seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 267 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 267. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Watson, to explain your amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Watson moves the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 267. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 267. Senator Watson, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, read the bill. 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Watson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Harmon.

Thank you, Madam President. To the bill: I rise in support of the bill. It did come through the Revenue Committee. I appreciate Senator Watson’s willingness to amend it to deal with those particular concerns raised. I also want to thank Senator Watson for bringing Mr. Wetzel to committee. He was one of the most entertaining witnesses we’ve had in the Revenue Committee this year. Senator Watson, if you bring any bills about any of the other products he’s been blending, I hope that they will go to the Licensed Activities Committee. Thank you very much.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 267 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 267, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cronin, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Will our guest in the gallery please rise? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Collins, on 268. Senator Hultgren, on 273. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Hultgren. 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 273 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 273, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Bill 280. Top of page 9 is Senator Sullivan, on 281. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Sullivan.

Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 281 says that in the event that the State of Illinois sells any timber off of any State-owned land, that the revenue generated from that money {sic} would go into the -- the Forestry Development Fund. Be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 281 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 281, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Dillard, on 285. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Dillard, do you wish to close?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 285 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 285, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator -- Senator Luechtefeld, on 290. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion? Senator Link.

Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield? 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.

Senator Luechtefeld, in committee we asked a number -- or I asked a number of questions about the possible effect that this would have on other hospitals and other possibilities that it could affect other districts throughout the State, and I know that that’s not your intent with this bill, that we talked about narrowing it down, and when the original bill was brought before the committee that it was talking about maybe eight hospitals, and then we came up to twenty-some hospitals, and I think that that was the biggest fear we had in committee is that this could expand to a number of hospitals throughout the State. And what assurance do we have that this would not be expanded to other hospitals throughout the State?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Link.

Well, Senator Luechtefeld, you basically answered my next question, in -- in that -- that you would give us the assurance that you would look into this in the House. And I think we have talked about this, if you would continue to look in this, that I think that we want to help, and I -- I told you I want to help in any possible way. For what you’re trying to do, I think, you know, that’s -- it’s a positive way of what you’re trying to do. I’m just worried about the adverse effects of what this could do to other hospitals and we could open Pandora’s box, which I don’t think we want to do in this. But we would be willing to work with you and I -- I -- as long as you’re willing to continue to work with this in the House - and whoever the House sponsor is - to keep on looking to make sure that we narrow and keep this as tight as possible. And I would encourage an affirmative vote if we do that commitment. Thank you. 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Luechtefeld, do you wish to close?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 290 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 290, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 300. Senator Cullerton seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 300 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 300. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton, to explain your amendment.

Yes, thank you, Madam President. This is 2nd Reading. I’d like to adopt the amendment - it’s a amendment dealing with DUI legislation and supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving - and then explain it on 3rd Reading after we adopt the amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 40  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Cullerton moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to - 2? - Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 300. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 300. Senator Cullerton wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This bill is an initiative of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving. They’ve chosen Illinois to make us a model state in their national campaign regarding the required used of ignition interlock devices. We have found, unfortunately, that our death rate with regard to drunk driving has been pretty -- has not gone down, as it has in the past. And this initiative is designed to address the concerns that we have when people are even -- have their licenses suspended because of -- they were arrested for drunk driving - they’re still out driving. There’s some fear that maybe two-thirds of the people are still driving. At the 41  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 same time, we have what’s called judicial driving permits here in Illinois, but only about twenty percent of the people are actually eligible for this. So I’m working on this measure which is not yet, I would say, a final product, but we’ve got a lot of work done. We’ve worked with judges, State’s attorneys, Department of Transportation, the Secretary of State’s Office, the State Police to try to bring about this change and even the - - the Bar Associations and even the defense lawyers are in favor of this measure. We would be requiring ignition interlocks for first-time offenders for a period of time, depending upon whether or not they took the Breathalyzer test or not, and they would be allowed -- the trade-off is they would be allowed to drive, but they wouldn’t be driving drunk. And so, again, I -- I indicate the Secretary of State’s Office still has some procedural questions they have, which we would continue to work in the House if it should past. I think it’s a very good idea and I’d be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Any question? Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Cullerton, to close.

Ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 300 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Yeas, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 300, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hendon in the Chair.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senate Bill 303. Senator Link. Madam Secretary -- Senator Link seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 303 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the -- now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 303. Madam Secretary, have there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment actually becomes the bill. I’ll be more than happy to explain it on -- after it - - it becomes the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Link moves the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 303. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 303. Senator Link, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 303 is a -- a bill that will change the Plastic Carryout Recycling Program {sic} from mandatory statewide program to a pilot program in Lake 44  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 County, and it will work on recycling and establishing rules for a pilot program and will set up a task force. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions. I know of no opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Senator Risinger.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Indicates he will. Senator Risinger.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

Yes, it is, Senator Risinger. We took the mandatory out of it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Risinger.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 303 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting 45  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 303, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 304. Senator Link. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is a -- legislation simply allows the county collector to wait until he or she is satisfied that all delinquent taxes that are going to be paid have been paid, and then they are -- finished that the record -- furnish the record and send it to the county clerk on or before the date the collector will apply the judgment to the court.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 304 pass. 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 304, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared 46  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 passed. Senate Bill 305. Senator Link. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

Thank you, Mr. President. This removes the provision requiring financial statements to be filed to the county treasurer in counties with a population of less than five hundred thousand. Inserts provision requiring the treasurer to withhold payments to officials -- of notifying the county clerk that a public official is not filing the necessary financial statements. I know of no opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Senator Althoff.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 305 pass. 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 the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 305, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared 47  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 passed. Senate Bill 306. Senator Link. Madam Secretary, read the bill. I mean… There’s an amendment. Senator -- Senator -- Senator Link seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 306 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 306. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. Amendment 1 is just -- will be deleted. We need to add it and then Amendment 2 will be the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Link moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 306. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment becomes the bill. I’ll explain it on the adoption. 48  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link moves to adopt Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 306. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is -- 3rd Reading. 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 306. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

…you -- thank you, Mr. President. This bill is the alternative teacher’s certificate. This would allow five years experience requirement, this experience to be waived statewide for individuals with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for schools which demonstrate failure to recruit highly qualified teachers. And with this amendment, and also that teachers would only be assigned, under this provision, only to districts where superintendents and the exclusive bargaining representatives of the district’s teachers jointly agree to allow this assignment. I -- this is an agreed-upon bill with all groups. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions. 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

I -- I guess under your interpretation -- you -- you’re more legally qualified than I am. I guess that would be the correct interpretation.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

Yes, it waives the five-year experience. What it does is the GPA has to be above 3.0. It has to -- it -- it’s with the students that have certain criteria in certain fields, and there has to be a demand in the type of school district. This is going to be for districts that are in need of teachers, that are having a difficult time in hiring teachers. I know I have ‘em in my area, and -- and there are a lot of us in this Chamber, that have difficulty in hiring these types of teachers. This will give them a better opportunity to be able to hire these young individuals and there’s a lot of reasons that this is here for it and I think that it’s a positive endeavor to do it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Lightford.

Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: I rise in support 52  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 of this legislation. I do realize that Senator Cronin has brought up some points in terms of teaching in hard-to-staff schools. We all know that highly qualified teachers is what we seek out. But groups such as Golden Apple and Teach For America, they’re working with these individuals while they’re students. They’re actually doing student teaching in the classroom and they’re being prepared to be our -- future teachers of tomorrow. So in the event that we have school districts such as in Senator Link’s district, in my district, in many areas across the State, they have substitute teachers teaching them in full years, we have to recognize that those substitute teachers are not trained to teach in the subject matter that they are teaching. I prefer that we take a chance at a student who is trained in a particular subject, who has had the support of Golden Apple, or Teach For America, or groups that have allowed them to go in the classroom during their student teaching, which has given them the opportunity to gain that experience that’s missing. So I applaud Senator Link for coming out with a creative approach to staffing his schools while we wait on qualified teachers. Our children can no longer wait while they’re in the classroom and continue to be educated by substitute teachers at full lengths in the school year. So again, I would urge an Aye vote. Give this legislation an opportunity. And I’m pretty sure that if it’s not working in Senator Link’s district, that the superintendent there, that the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers will close this program out if they found that it was not beneficial for the students. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, to close. 53  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

I -- I think my esteemed colleague over here to the right of me summed it up the best and I would ask for an affirmative vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 306 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 306, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 307. Senator Link. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

Thank you, Mr. President. Last one for a while. This -- Senate Bill 307 regulates the price for collision damage waivers for rental car. Agencies are required to offer CDW, but customers are not required to purchase collision damage vehicles {sic}. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions. I know of no opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 307 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. Voting is open. Have all voted who wish? 54  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 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 307, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 308. Senator Sullivan. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …Sullivan.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 308 simply states that as part of a State highway construction project, IDOT shall evaluate, fund, and repair, within their right-of-way, the entrances -- entrances to public educational facilities. Be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 308 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 308, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 309. Senator Sullivan. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sullivan.

Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 309 tries to address the lack of wireless communication -- telecommunication, Internet access in the rural areas of the State. It creates rural -- the -- the Rural Technology Development Zone Act through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. It -- states that the DCEO will implement three pilot programs in three rural areas of the State that are underserved and provides an income tax credit for investment in those areas. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 309 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 57 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 309, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 311. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 313. Senator Maloney. Madam Secretary, read the bill. Senator -- Maloney seeks leave to -- of the Body to return Senate Bill -- 313 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 313. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration? 56  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. President. The -- the amendment simply removes a reference to MAP, monetary award program money, which is not really relevant to the genesis of the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Maloney moves the adoption of Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 313. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 313. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Southern Illinois University’s Educational Research Council has found that thirty- 57  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 four percent of our high school graduating seniors are not ready or minimally ready for -- for college. Research and testimony at a hearing I held on the graduation and -- and retention rates in this State indicated that remedial or -- remedial or developmental courses has a positive impact on the retention rate. What this bill would do is that if the university determines that the student was in need of remedial coursework, that student would be required to complete that remedial coursework. I think this is a good bill. It will help our retention rates. Otherwise, by making this optional, we set students up for failure. This did pass out of this committee last year and is supported by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. I’d be happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Burzynski.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 313 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 58  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 313, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?

A point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I am honored and just thrilled actually that my nephew has decided to stop by and visit his little uncle and see what I do here in Springfield. He’s from St. Louis, Missouri, but we won’t hold that against him. He’s on his way up to Chicago. Tomorrow his grandfather will get the Maywood Post Office named after him, so he’s going up for the -- for the ceremony. So please join with me in welcoming Hasan Trotter to the Senate.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome, Hasan Trotter, to the Senate. Now you get the opportunity to see what your uncle does not do, ‘cause he barely does anything here. Senate Bill 319. Senator Haine. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine. 59  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Thank you, Mr. President. Sorry for the struggle here. Senate Bill 319 establishes a Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act. It establishes a commission within the Secretary of State’s Office to implement rules and regulations. The -- the bill caused a bit of a controversy with some of our lending institutions. The banks and the -- and the credit unions were quite concerned about how the Act was written and their role in it since they are a major constituency of the recorders’ offices that will be implementing the Act. And -- and we reached an agreement this morning, at 10 a.m. this morning. We had a final meeting with the people that were representing the banks and the credit unions and the recorder of deeds, including especially the Cook County Recorder. They were all in a room and -- right in the President’s hallway and we arrived at a -- an agreement, which will mean a major amendment of the bill, establishing a remedy if there’s a disagreement with one or another rule, as well as expanding the board to include more representatives from the credit unions and the banks. And, therefore, what I would like to do is ask the indulgence of the Senate, using my representations as a basis, to pass this bill, knowing that it will be amended in the House. The Majority Leader of the House, as I understand it, will pick up the bill, and with that assurance -- and there’s a bill coming over from the House that will be picked up by me hopefully and we’ll amend it further. So there is an agreement. There’s no opposition. So this bill remains, in effect, a shell bill, and I would appreciate an Aye vote. Thank you, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 60  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 There is no opposition. Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 319 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 319, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the pace is about to quicken. The pace is about to quicken. Please be prepared and please be succinct. The Chair would not to -- like to cut off anyone, but you can look up at me, and if you have no lights lit, wrap it up. Senate Bill 322. Senator Harmon. Senate Bill 325. Senator Hunter. Madam Secretary, read the bill. Senator Hunter seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 325 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 325. Madam Secretary, have there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 325 deletes all and reinserts language similar to the introduced bill, and I’ll explain it more on -- on 3rd Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter moves adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 325. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The 61  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 325. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter.

…Mr. -- thank you again, Mr. President. Making college affordable for all Illinois students has become a top concern of mine, as well as my colleagues in the General Assembly. Textbooks have skyrocketed, increasing at an average of six percent per year. Due to textbooks becoming a greater -- a growing barrier to college affordability for students and their families, what we have basically done is come up with a legislative package that will -- that we believe will bring some relief to students and hard-pressed families who struggle with trying to pay the costs of textbooks. We believe these proposals will lower student costs of textbooks and other required courses. It’ll also bring transparency. So we have -- I’m presenting three bills today. Senate Bill 325 creates the Textbook Advisory Council and basically what it will -- it does is it addresses the rising cost of textbooks by ensuring that students have a timely 62  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 and complete information that they need in order to make informed decisions for purchasing textbooks and other materials for college costs.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Burzynski.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Althoff.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) She indicates she will. Senator Althoff.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter.

Senator, the ISBN number is in there to -- to allow the students to -- to make a -- a more competitive choice. They can go on the Internet, they can go into the bookstores, and they can competitively bid for the books -- for the -- for the books. There are some issues with the ISBN number not being included, but we can’t fix it in this package. It’s going to have -- be fixed over in the House.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Althoff.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would just like to say that Senator Hunter has worked on this issue very, very diligently, beginning with the students. It wasn’t a question of simply going to publishers and the bookstores. She talked to the students personally about their problems. She has listened to their concerns. And we -- we continue to -- I think we do a good job in this State on terms of providing access to higher education. The affordability issue continues to be a problem, and 64  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 this package of bills that Senator Hunter has moved forward addresses that issue. And I urge an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 325 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 325, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 326. Senator Hunter. Senator Hunter seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 326 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 326. Madam Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …Hunter.

Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment basically clarifies the processes by which -- it -- it creates the Textbook Consumer Information Act and it -- it -- it makes -- it -- it allows the faculty to identify the required and recommended textbooks in the bookstore and it basically clarifies the institutions in the textbook rental program. And I ask for a favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 65  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Is there any discussion -- on the amendment? Senator Hunter seeks leave -- Senator Hunter moves to adopt Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 326. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 326. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter.

As I’ve indicated, Mr. President, 326 creates the Textbook Consumer Information Act and it basically ensures that the students have a timely and complete information as they need in order to make informed decisions about purchasing books.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Discussion? Senator Burzynski.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 326 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 326, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 327. Senator Hunter. Senator Hunter seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 327 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 327. Madam Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter, to explain your amendment.

Amendment 2 deletes and becomes the underlining -- deletes the underlying bill and creates an income tax credit, and I’ll speak more on 3rd.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Hunter moves the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 327. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the 67  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill -- 327. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is the last bill that’s a part of that package for textbooks. Basically, this bill creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who purchase textbooks for higher education for students. The tax credit is equal to three {sic} percent of the purchase price, but it will not exceed seventy-five dollars. And I ask for a favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 327 pass. All those in favor will say Aye -- will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The 68  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 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 327, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 330. Senator Pankau. Senator Pankau seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 330 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 330. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Pankau, to explain your amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Pankau moves adoption of Amendment No. 5 to Senate Bill 330. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 69  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 330. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Pankau.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 330 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 49 voting Aye, 5 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 330, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 333. Senator Cullerton. Senator Cullerton seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 333 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of amendment. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 333. Madam Secretary, have there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment amends the Recreational Use of Land and Water Area Act to expand the definition of recreational or conservation purposes to include fishing. Ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Cullerton moves adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 333. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 333. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill deals with the issue of liability for landowners when people come on their land for recreational purposes. Purpose of this 71  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 amendment is to expand it as we did a few years ago for hunting; this includes fishing. Be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Well, it’s possible. The -- the players in this are the Trial Lawyers and the Environmental Council and a -- and a bunch of parties interested in parks and use of parks and the like. It’s very complicated. So far, though, the only thing we could get the Trial Lawyers to agree to is -- is -- to expand is fishing. And I think if -- it’s possible that, working with Senator Demuzio and -- and -- and Representative Black, we may be able to move them a little bit further along. But for now, this is all we got as an agreement.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Dillard. 72  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Not -- not yet. Not yet. They’re for this so far.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 333 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 333, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 340. Senator Forby. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby.

Thank you. This bill is about AARP and is about local abuse -- people in the nursing homes. As of today, people that’s been abused in nursing homes, they don’t have any place that -- a phone number to call, except there are a few - like I think 73  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 there’s forty-three nursing homes and twelve of ‘em does what I’m trying to do today - and what I’m trying to do, get the rest of ‘em to, ‘cause -- ‘cause people in nursing homes that gets abused, usually people works between nine and five, so after that there’s no place for anybody to -- for a phone call or something. If the police departments or someplace come in or are called in at night, midnight or someplace, they need someplace where they can call to help these abused people. And -- and far as I know, there’s nobody against this bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 340 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 340, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 345. Senator Peterson. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Peterson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 345 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 57 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 345, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 357. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is an aggregate blasting bill. What it does, quite simply, is preempt home rule authority to allow the State to regulate all mines -- underground mines, other than coal mines - these are quarries; limestone mining is principally the occupation - in home rule units to provide a uniformity of regulation. We worked out any possible disagreement with the 75  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Department of Mines and Minerals -- or the Division and the Municipal League. This had been -- been brought forward by my city, a home rule unit who didn’t want to be regulating the mine because it was out of their competence and it was a great expense. It -- it -- it came to the attention of the municipal authorities in the past six months that the mine was basically unregulated, because the State didn’t have jurisdiction and the city declined to be -- or was finding it hard to become involved in it. So this is -- seems to be a reasonable solution to regulate them. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Burzynski.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Burzynski.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

Thank you, Senator Burzynski. That -- no, they’re on board; they -- they want the uniformity. Actually it seems to be a meeting of the mines. There will be a technical amendment in the House because of some issues that didn’t get resolved in the last amendment, but the -- substance is agreed to. 76  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sandoval.

Thank you, Mr. President. Question of the sponsor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator Sandoval.

Senator Haine, in committee, before the Energy and Environment Committee, there were several concerns raised by a number of miners in the State of Illinois concerning the overarching language in the bill as it relates to the issue that’s -- that is of concern to you in Alton, Illinois, concerning the mine. You had -- it was suggested to you to hold the bill so that an amendment could be discussed and resolved between some of the miners and the sponsor of the -- the bill. Has that discussion taken place?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Senator Sandoval, for that question. I forgot to mention that there was one mining operation, maybe two, that had a concern about the Department having an overly broad approach to the -- the regulation of underground mines based upon their experience of surface mines, which are regulated now. We had a meeting in my office, Senator, which seemed -- and -- and they accepted -- there was an agreement by the parties that the -- the Division of Mines would -- would adjust their rules to take into account the objection of the -- of those two mining operations. It’s highly technical. 77  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 It was the reporting requirements on the way blasting was conducted, which is different than in a surface mine. So, I took it to mean they would -- they would do this by rule and that the miners would have a say in those rules.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Sandoval.

Senator Haine, so I summarize that there is no -- there has been no amendment, there has been no meeting of the mines, there has been no agreement, there’s been no resolution as to the -- the agreed-upon language on how to regulate the -- this type of mining. So, at this time, I -- I find that in the spirit of the -- your testimony in committee, where you said you would hold the bill so that there would be a meeting of the mines and some resolution, I’d ask you to pull the bill from the record so that we can -- the -- the parties can discuss the -- the language as you so agreed upon.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

Senator, I appreciate that, but remember in committee - and I talked to the mine owner from your area there - I -- what I said in committee was this would be up to the Division. I didn’t want to hold the bill so that one mining operation would object. I -- I -- I offered to hold the bill for the possibility of an amendment, but not to hold the bill to get everybody on board. That would give a liberum veto to one mining operation when all the rest of the miners didn’t have any problem with it. So I suggested that we sit down in the office. If the Division - 78  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 remember I stated to your constituent mining operation that if the Division said okay, we’d amend the bill, and if they said no, we wouldn’t amend the bill, because I didn’t want to be telling the Division how to regulate their mines? The -- ‘cause otherwise why -- why are we passing the bill? We just leave it unregulated. And then your guy seemed to say okay. So we met in the office, they -- they cleared the air, and they said they would do this through the rulemaking -- they have standing to submit the rules. They would have the representation of the Aggregate Producers. So, it seems to be an agreement to me.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sandoval, if you would, please.

Senator, I -- I’m glad to hear you acknowledge the fact that you would hold the bill for an amendment. You just acknowledged your commitment in committee that you would hold the bill for an amendment. I, in my short career as a Senator, am always reminded of my commitment in regards to holding the bills on 2nd and 3rd Reading. I respectfully ask you once again to pull the bill from the record so that all parties can come to full resolution and discussion of an amendment. When government proposes to -- to regulate an industry that hasn’t been regulated, I don’t know if I necessarily always would trust my industry in the hands of those regulators in the State Capitol. So, I -- I’d ask you once again to pull the bill from the record so that we can -- so that we can discuss this amendment that you so agreed upon to discussing.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine, to close. 79  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Okay. Senator, I -- I remember clearly I said I would agree to hold a meeting. I didn’t -- I agreed to hold the bill and discuss with the Division of Mines and Minerals whether they would agree, and I -- I -- I mean, I don’t know what else to say. If the Division said we don’t like this scheme of adding rules and regulations in the statute, I would hold the bill. They said they didn’t like that scheme. They’re the ones that regulate. But your constituent seemed to be okay with it. He was concerned about -- I mean, if he had a problem with it, he -- he could have said I don’t want any agreement. But I didn’t agree to hold the bill for an amendment unless the Division of Mines and Minerals said, okay, we’ll put that in the bill. They said we don’t want to do it. So, I -- that’s why…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine. Senator Haine, would you please close, sir? Senator Haine, to close.

Well, I’m just -- I’m concerned that my good friend, the Senator, is not happy.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) I understand -- I understand, Senator. The Chair would appreciate if you close. The question is, shall Senate Bill 357 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 49 voting Aye, 4 voting Nay, 3 voting Present. Senate Bill 357, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. There will be a 80  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Rules Committee meeting in the President’s Anteroom immediately. Rules Committee meeting in the President’s Anteroom immediately. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senate -- Senator Meeks, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?

Thank you so much, Mr. President. There will be a Senate Human Services Committee meeting at the hour of 2:45, in Room 400. Human Services today, in Room 400, at 2:45.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Human Services, Room 400, 2:45. Senator Ronen. Senator Ronen, for what purpose do you rise?

I was just waiting to do my bill, which I think is next on the Calendar, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Okay. You’re a little -- you’re a little -- you’re faster than I am. Senate Bill 360. Senator Ronen. I’m -- I’m sorry, just a moment. Senator Link, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?

Thank you, Mr. President. I would ask for a Senate 81  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Democratic Caucus in the President’s Office immediately.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) How much time do you need, sir, for this Democratic Caucus meeting? Senator Link.

We -- we will come back after the committee. So it will be approximately a little longer than an hour.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) So granted. Taking that Democratic Caucus under consideration, we -- we -- the Senate will stand in recess until the call of the Chair, which will be after the Committee of Human Services meet. We will be coming back for further business. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Messages.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please report to the Senate Floor? Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please report to the Senate Floor? Would all administrative assistants please direct your Senator to the Senate Floor? We’re about to go to 3rd Readings. 3rd Readings. Will all Senators come to the Senate Floor? If you’re not on the Senate Floor when we call your bill, you -- it will be passed. We’ll also be going to Motions to Concur. We need all Senators on the Senate Floor immediately. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Resolutions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Please report to the Senate Floor. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Supplemental Calendar No. 1 is on your desks. We will now be proceeding to motions of concurrence. On the Order of Concurrence is Senate Bill 611. Senator Garrett, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, please read the motion.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Garrett, to explain your motion.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President. House Amendment to Senate Bill 611 extends the sunset of the Health Facilities Planning Act from April 1, 2007, to May 31, 2007.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Garrett -- this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments {sic} No. 1 to Senate Bill 611. 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 motion, there are 57 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments {sic} No. 1 to Senate Bill 611. And the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator DeLeo. Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the 84  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senate Floor? We’re about to go to 3rd Readings. Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Our guests please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois Senate. Welcome, the Murphy family. Seeing your wife, Senator Murphy, we see where the children get their good looks. We’re about to go to 3rd Readings, page -- middle of page 10 on your Calendar. On the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 360. Senate Bill 360. Senator Ronen. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Ronen.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill merely repeals and extends the -- the sunset date for the Nursing and Advanced Practice Act from 2008, January 1st, to January 1st of 2018.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 360 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting 85  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Present. Senate Bill 360, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 364. Senator Hultgren. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hultgren.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, 86  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 shall Senate Bill 364 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 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 364, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 365. Senator Hultgren. 365. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hultgren.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 365 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 87  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 365, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 378. Senator Harmon. Senator DeLeo, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir? SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I’d like a point of personal privilege, sir, and I hate to do this in the middle of 3rd Readings, but I’m sure you understand.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …your point, Senator. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much. If I could have the Body’s attention for just a moment, I’d like to introduce -- we have a guest here, a very special guest here today, Mr. President. The former President of the Illinois State Senate, Senator Phil Rock, is here. And that -- joining him -- joining him, Mr. President -- joining him today, Mr. President, is his beautiful wife, Sheila; his daughter, Meghan; her husband, Todd; and there’s three beautiful grandchildren here, Kylie, Connor and Maggie. Would -- would the grandchildren stand up to be recognized?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Our guests please rise. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Great to see you, Mr. President. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senate Bill 380. Senator Syverson. Madam Secretary, read 88  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 the bill. Senator Syverson seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 380 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Is there any objection? Seeing none, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 380. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Syverson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Syverson moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 380. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 380. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Syverson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 380 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 380, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 381. Senator Garrett. 381, Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Garrett.

90  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Thank you, Mr. President. The -- this bill, Senate Bill 381 says that the Department of Human Services shall establish reimbursement rates that will create incentives for providers to establish community-based residential programs for four or fewer persons with a developmental disability. And this comes because the funding has been so low sometimes there are -- too many residents in one room.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 381 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 381, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 382. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Garrett.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 382 creates a new Division within the Municipal Code that allows municipalities to enact design review ordinances. Establishes provisions to be adopted by municipalities authorized in the use of a design review. There is no opposition. It’s agreed-upon bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 91  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 382 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 382, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 384. Senator Haine. Madam -- Senator Haine seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 384 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Is there any objection? Seeing none, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 384. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine, to explain your amendment.

The amendment, Mr. President, is language to -- to -- adds a provision for the provider of sewer service, a township sewer district, to consider the financial ability of an owner to provide full payment and gives the option of a deferred payment system for any delinquent charges. Came out of committee and we went back to the committee with an amendment to satisfy those concerns.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Haine moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 384. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the 92  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 384. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

Mr. -- thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This involves township sewer districts, a very small number in the State. I have one in my district. They’re very low-budget operations. A delinquent payment or a series of ‘em can cause serious financial difficulties for the district. This provides the authority to cut off sewage services for nonpayment. The amendment was designed to mitigate that in the case of financial difficulty. The cities already have this authority and the other sewer districts already have it. So the only -- the townships don’t have it, so they’re asking for it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Any discussion? Senator Althoff.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 384 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 384, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 385. Senator Haine. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 4 becomes the bill. Senate Bill 385 creates the Midwifery Licensure Act, ensuring that certified professional midwives practicing in Illinois are licensed according to standards. And the bill requires standards of qualifications, education, training and experience for these licensed midwives. It creates exemptions, departmental duties, informed consent requirements, which are set forth in the law - the proposed law. It creates the Midwifery Board to provide the Department with recommendations concerning the midwifery license. It exempts licensed midwives from the provisions of the Medical Practice Act, et cetera. The requirements, Mr. President and 94  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, are CPMs are certified by the North American Registry of Midwives and that agency’s accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which accredits more than one hundred and fifty health care professional programs, including those administered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the National Certification for Obstetric, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties. This creates a system of licensure which brings certified professional midwives into the mainstream. Why do we need this Act, Mr. President? Quite simply, because the practice of midwifery in this bill concerns home births. There are hundreds of women every year who choose home births. They choose to have their baby in a secure and sacred area, meaning their home, even their bed, and to do that they need a trained attendant or a trained nurse-midwife. I’m sorry.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank -- thank you, Senator. There are a number of lights lit, so you will have opportunity. Senator Righter. Senator Righter, I -- I recognize you, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

It’s sixty hours or the equivalent of an associate’s degree.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter. Sorry, Senator Haine. Senator Haine.

Includes a number of other things, too.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine. 96  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Yes, sir, that is correct. That is my intent.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

And -- and I -- I agree, Senator. In fact, they would not take one. They would not take such a case under the scheme here. They avoid them. The -- in fact, there’s an informed consent which we added to the bill, which is a major change in past bills, which requires that the -- the -- the certified professional midwife inform the prospective client that she much seek a physician’s examination and a -- and a -- and a report. That’s why the rate for normal mothers is so low with home 97  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 births.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator John Jones. I mean -- I’m sorry, Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

That is a very good question and thought. They deal with that in the same way that any trained professional would -- would deal with it; they get them to the hospital. And that’s why they have a very low rate. Now these are normal mothers and normal births; they have a very low neonatal mortality rate. They are trained. The -- the purpose of this Act is to bring them into the system and assure that they are trained so they can sense a possible complication and get that person to assist the EMT to 98  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 get them to the hospital. You know, again, childbirth - which the good Lord in his wisdom did not give such a duty to men because we’d certainly go out of existence rather quickly - but it is a normal biological function for most women.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. The Chair would appreciate succinct questions and answers. We’re going to be here all night long if you don’t adhere to that. Senator John Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Appreciate you. Senator Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

An ob-gyn, of course, is an M.D., trained for hospital delivery, hospital delivery with all the complications that may result. And when we go to the hospital, we go to the hospital primarily because we are ill. Childbirth is an exception. 99  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Frequently women go to the hospital, they’re not ill; they’re having a child. There was a woman on -- on her way to Wisconsin in an automobile doing a hundred mile an hour last week - it was in the Tribune - she had a child in the car. Women {sic} are born on airplanes, in the backs of cabs. So it is -- it isn’t an illness as such. That’s the first thing. A second thing is certified nurse-midwives are nurses; they’re trained to work in hospital settings. A certified professional midwife is a trained midwife that’s -- according to this proposed Act, will have significant educational achievement - many, many -- over a thousand -- over thirteen hundred hours of supervised clinical internship. She’ll have to prove primary participation, the same number of supervised births, prenatal exams, newborn exams, spend three to five years on the average studying midwifery, plus an eight-hour written exam, plus a hands-on assessment. That is a certified professional midwife. A lay midwife is what we’re trying to prohibit by this Act. A lay midwife is someone who shows up and says I’d like to help you deliver your baby. We don’t want a lay…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine, you have a lot of lights lit. We’re going to be on this forty-five, fifty minutes, going to get fifty votes -- Senator John Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senate -- Senator Haine.

Real, real quick. We added that at the request of some Senators who were concerned about a lack of a formal degree to -- to filter out some less qualified people. That’s not the essence of this. If in the House they want to add science, that’s fine, too. I’m open to that. There’s no -- no objection. The key to this is the training - the didactic, experiential training. It’s not the associate’s degree. That was added after the fact at the request of some who wanted a more formal degree.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Crotty.

I move for the previous question.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Crotty moves the previous question. There are four more speakers. Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

I -- I assure you, Senator, you will not. By passing this, you will be assuring that a mother who makes this choice of home birth - and it’s hundreds every year - has a certified professional midwife among whose training will include - according to the bill I propose - the appropriate response to abnormal conditions in labor, including signs of fetal distress, variations in presentation, maternal exhaustion and excessive bleeding. The rate of complications for home births is very low. In the -- when we were debating the medical malp bill some -- couple years ago, there were numerous real cases of terrible situations in hospitals. None were presented from home births. In fact, the opponents of this bill have yet to bring forward a case as egregious as what was presented from the hospitals. So - - and I’m not arguing against hospitals. I’m saying that if there were cases replete with dangerous activity, we would have 102  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 those. We would -- you would -- you would have ‘em. There are twenty-two states which have this because of the need to assure a mother that the prospective midwife who’s coming to her home is certified and -- and is governed according to law, is -- is accountable.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The -- the Chair is about to go to the timer and that’s for both questions and answers. Please be succinct. Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

I don’t know. We -- we don’t have any requirement in the law for doctors to carry insurance. So there’s no requirement in the law, and we cannot assume -- we cannot anticipate every difficulty. This is to assure training so that a mother who makes this choice can have a trained certified professional midwife. These are women who make the choice everyday; they make it everyday, hundreds of ‘em.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Ronen.

Thank you, Mr. President. I also rise in strong support of this measure and I want to congratulate Senator Haine on the wonderful job he did bringing this to us. As Senator Dillard said, we -- we spent many hours in committee reviewing this. I have talked to many midwives. I’ve talked to many mothers across the State who have chosen this. They live in Winnetka, they live in Collinsville, they live all over the State. It’s their choice to do it. I think what this issue comes down to is are we creating more safety by licensing or less, and I think the answer is very clearly we are making Illinois a more safe State by setting standards and regulations and licensing midwives. So I would urge all of my colleagues to support this very important piece of legislation. 104  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sandoval.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Illinois Senate. I stand and rise in support of my colleague’s bill to bring midwives out of the shadows of the State of Illinois. Midwifery has been around since the beginning of time, even to the time of Adam and Eve. Since Adam and Eve, we have had midwives in this world, and last year I passed a resolution in this Chamber which recognized the efforts of midwives in the State of Illinois. This is one clear example where my colleagues downstate and upstate can agree, that midwives need to be recognized in the State of Illinois. And I urge all Members on this side of the aisle to support my colleague Senator Haine’s Senate bill licensing midwives in Illinois.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 385 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 51 voting Aye, 7 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 385 - after thirty minutes - having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 386. Senator Haine. Senator Haine, 386. Out -- Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 105  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Haine.

…you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Thank you, first of all, for delivering that bill safely to the House. Secondly, Senate Bill 386 is a bill which was brought forward by the Department of Corrections. It -- I’m sorry, Department of Human Services, and it provides for certain procedures to take place in the assembling of records for someone who’s in -- in -- in a forensic unit in need of mental treatment. There was a significant portion that the sheriffs objected to and we amended that out, so there’s no opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 386 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 386, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we’re about to speed it up. Senate Bill 387. Senator Haine. Senator Haine seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 387 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Is there any objection? Seeing none, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 387. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 106  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 …Haine, to explain your amendment.

The Floor Amendment No. 1 increases the amount of the loan per year and adds the University of Illinois’ operative dental program.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Haine moves adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 387. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 387. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is initiative of the Illinois State Dental Society, Southern Illinois University, the Alton Dental School and Dean Boyle, and the University of Illinois. It allows -- it requires the Department of Public Health to establish a program to help dentists and dental specialists in repaying their educational 107  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 loans, which are very high to attend these fine schools in Illinois, to -- to defer some of the payments and have them wiped out, if they serve in areas of great economic need, the poor primarily.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 387 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 387, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 388. Senator Collins. Senator Collins seeks leave of the Body to move Senate Bill 388 to the Order of 2nd Readings for the purpose of amendment. Any objection? Seeing none, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 388. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Collins, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 1 basically transfers the responsibilities of administering the task force from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to the Office of the State Treasurer at the request of the Department and the 108  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 approval of the Treasurer.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Collins moves adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 388. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 388. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Collins.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 388, as amended, creates a task force to develop a children’s savings account plan for Illinois. This would increase the levels of financial literacy and savings across the State, increasing the number of Illinois children who can attend post-secondary education or training, purchase a home, or open a small business. I know of no -- I know no opposition and I would appreciate a favorable vote. And I’m trying to talk as fast as I can.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any objection? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate 109  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Bill 388 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 388, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 389. Senator Collins. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Collins.

Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 389, as amended, amends the Condominium Property Act to create a -- separate procedures for addressing distressed condominium property that is a danger, blight, or nuisance to the surrounding community or the public and that is substantially unoccupied, without utilities, or in serious negative condition. This bill was brought to me by the City of Chicago trying to stymie the fraud involved in creating air units, and so I know of no opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 389 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 the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none 110  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 voting Present. Senate Bill 389, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 390. Senator Delgado. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Delgado.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. As amended, Senate Bill 390 replaces terminology "homemakers" with the terminology "home care aides" throughout various Sections of the Illinois Act on Aging, and I would ask for your Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 390 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 390, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 391. Senator Halvorson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson. 111  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 391 I like to call my George Shadid vehicles for the State Police bill. He’s worked very hard on this. This basically says that one dollar will be added to your vehicle registration beginning the year 2009, an additional one dollar, and every dollar will be deposited into a fund that was created in 1995 for the purchase of State Police vehicles.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Bomke.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) She indicates she will yield. Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson.

Yes, he is aware.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson.

I can’t speak for the Governor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson.

No.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson.

Because it is something that we have a responsibility to do, is to find a revenue source, which is what everybody preaches all the time, to find a way to fund things and have a reliable, ongoing revenue source. That’s what this creates.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Radogno, if you could, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Trotter.

…very much. To the bill: I would urge everyone to vote Yes. The reason why we haven’t had this in the budget in the past five years is that we have not been able to get a supermajority vote to vote for -- one, for a bill for road construction in which these dollars come out of. It comes out of the Road Fund. And because the Republicans have not been very cooperative in getting that done, this has not been done. Senator -- Halvorson has come up with a -- a good innovative idea to deal with our public safety needs and I would urge a Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 391 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed -- 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 31 voting Aye, 22 voting Nay and 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 391, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Burzynski, my good friend, requests a verification on the previous roll call. Will all the Members be in their 115  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 seats? Would all the Members please be at their seats? The Secretary -- the -- the Secretary will read the affirmative votes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …we’re -- we’re in the middle of a verification, Leader. I’ll come right to you as soon as the names are called if… Senator -- Madam Secretary, continue the roll.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Leader Watson, do you still seek recognition, sir? Leader Watson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …Watson, it is the tradition since I’ve been here that the person requesting the verification must call for any Member that they think is not present. Senator Burzynski, do you question the presence of any Member voting in the affirmative?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Handsome Senator Jimmy DeLeo is right here next to the handsome President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Burzynski.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Burzynski, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) On a verified roll call, there are 31 voting Aye, 22 voting Nay and 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 391, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Moving right along. Senate Bill 393. Senator Frerichs. Senate Bill -- I’m -- Madam… I’m sorry, Madam President -- Madam Majority Leader. Senate Bill 392. Senator Halvorson. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This one might be a little easier. Senate Bill 392 just requires that alcoholic beverage -- suppliers notify their distributors at least thirty days before the supplier amends or withdraws the required registration. That’s all it says.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 392 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 57 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 392, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 393. Senator Frerichs. Senate Bill 394. Senator Frerichs. Senate Bill 395. Senator Frerichs. Senate Bill 396. Senator Demuzio. Senator Demuzio, 396. Senator Demuzio seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 396 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 396. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio. 118  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Yes, thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment No. 2, Senate Bill 396 amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code, basically the transfer of rights. The bill was amended in committee that stated that the school districts must notify the student and the student’s parents of the transfer of rights in writing at a meeting convened to review the student’s individualized education program during the school year in which the student turns seventeen years of age. The bill, as amended, makes specific notification requirements by the School Board to the student and the student’s parents.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Demuzio moves the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 396. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 396. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.

119  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Yes, thank you, Mr. President. As -- Senate Bill 396 basically does the transfer of rights and the bill, as amended, adds specific guidelines in the event that a student has not been adjudicated incompetent and -- and wishes to delegate parental rights with respect to educational services.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 396 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 396, having received the required constitutional majority, declared passed. Senate Bill 398. Senator Demuzio. Madam -- Madam Secretary -- Senator Demuzio seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 398 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 398. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio. 120  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Yes, thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Floor Amendment 1 -- No. 1 basically makes a change to add to it “subject to appropriation”.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 398 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? 3rd Reading. Are there any other amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 398, as introduced, specifies that school districts of origin shall be reimbursed for educational costs when a disabled student is placed residentially by a State agency or the courts or placed and paid -- for by the State.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Now is there any discussion? Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 398 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 398, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 399. Senator Demuzio. Senate Bill 404. Senator Demuzio. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 404 amends the Emergency Medical Services System Act.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 404 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 404, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 417. Senator Dillard. Senator Dillard 122  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 417 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 417. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Dillard moves adoption of Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 417. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 417. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 417 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 57 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 417, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 420. Senator Hultgren. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hultgren.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 420 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 420, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 424. Senator Delgado. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Delgado seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 424 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of amendment. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 424. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Delgado.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 2 deletes all and becomes the bill. Floor Amendment No. 2 allows students in elementary grades to enroll in any of the courses required for high school graduation and receive high school credit upon successful completion of those courses. Courses under -- completed under the provision shall 125  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 count towards the student GPA. The amendment also requires that -- that credit earned under the provision must be transferable within the State as long as it meets curriculum standards of the school to which they are being transferred. And I would ask for your approval.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Delgado moves the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 424. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 424. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Delgado.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. I would ask for your approval on Senate Bill 424, as amended.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 424 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 the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 424, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 426. Senator Demuzio. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 426 provides and -- and decides where the -- the money and the distribution of the monies out of the Sex Offender Registration Fund should be so noted.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Discussion? Senator Millner.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 127  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 She indicates she will yield. Senator Millner.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.

…you -- Thank you, Senator Millner. Yes, the way the bill presently stands, the distribution of the money is to be between the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and then the Sheriffs’ -- the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association. What we would want to do and what I -- we noticed today that this amendment was not attached; it was still in Rules. I would like to go ahead and pass it out with the understanding that my State Rep will be handling the -- the bill and I have made a commitment to have that -- have him add the amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Millner.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 426 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 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 128  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 426, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 435. Senator Maloney. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. Floor… Senator Maloney seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 435 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 435. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Maloney.

Mr. President, I don’t believe Floor Amendment 3 ever came out of committee.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Just one moment, please. …come -- we will come back to Senate Bill 435, Senator. Senate Bill -- Senate Bill 437. Senator Maloney. 437. Senator Maloney seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 437 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 437. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Maloney.

129  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment simply clarifies that if a student is the recipient of a Merit Scholarship, they could not be the recipient of the scholarship as designated in the new bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Maloney moves adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 437. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 437. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate -- Senate Bill 437 would attach a one-thousand-dollar scholarship to the designation of being an Illinois State Scholar. Research findings we find in Illinois is that we are experiencing out-of-state migration for our best and brightest students and often they cite the fact that they receive nominal amounts of money to other schools. This -- this would give a thousand dollars to the designation of Illinois 130  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 State Scholar. I think it’s a worthwhile investment. The bill is subject to appropriation. I’d be happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Burzynski.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 437 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 437, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we’re going to go -- go back to Senate Bill 435. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Maloney. 131  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 435 was precipitated by the fact that there are many unscrupulous towing companies out there who take advantage of people who are in car accidents. They operate by using police scanners to get to the accident site; they leave a card - often the phone does not go to a direct line, but to some sort of answering service; they don’t specify the location the car is going to or the fee. The -- there are relocating tow companies that are governed by the ICC and those rates are set by the ICC and guidelines are in place. This bill, if passed, would be licensed with the Illinois Commerce Commission, comply with the rates set by the ICC and provide itemized invoice upon demand. The -- the -- the -- the bill, however, I don’t think is in its final form. The professional towers and relocators of Illinois and State Farm Insurance with the assistance of the Lieutenant Governor and the Attorney General and the Illinois Commerce Commission are negotiating -- with some minor provisions of this. Senator Althoff and I have been working together on this issue and I would like to send it over to the House so those negotiations can continue.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Discussion? Senator Althoff.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 435 pass. All those in favor 132  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 435, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 438. Senator Maloney. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. President. This bill is an initiative of the Chicago Fire Department. It allows the Chicago Fire Department to obtain vehicles from the Chicago Police Department’s auto pond to use for internal investigations, et cetera. The majority of the vehicles that they would get are from drug forfeiture vehicles that have been confiscated by the Chicago Police Department. Be happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 438 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 438, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. 441. 133  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Hultgren. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hultgren.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 441 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 441, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 445. Senator Martinez. Senate Bill -- out of the record. Senate Bill 448. Senator Sandoval. Madam Secretary -- Senator Sandoval seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 448 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the 134  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 448. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sandoval.

Thank you, Mr. President. The -- Senate Amendment 1 is agreed-upon language between the Department of Professional Regulation, Chicago and Downstate Illinois Roofing Contractors Association, as well as Roofers Local #11, all of whom are proponents. This amendment makes it easier for legitimate contractors to renew their licenses, while at the same time adding teeth to the law that cracked down on unscrupulous, unlicensed roofers who make the majority of the complaints against the roofing industry. This new language will help make the law more consumer friendly. There are -- there were no opponents.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Sandoval moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 448. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 448. Madam Secretary, read the bill. 135  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sandoval.

Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment basically is the bill and I ask a favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 448 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 448, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 450. Senator Munoz. Madam Secretary -- Senator Munoz seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 450 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 450. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Munoz.

Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 2, as amended, 136  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 deletes the language that would prohibit auxiliary police officers from serving as conservators of the peace when they are on duty. I would ask for its adoption.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Munoz moves adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 450. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 450. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Munoz.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 450 restricts the list of persons who are able to serve as conservators of the peace by deleting mayors, aldermen, village presidents and village trustees, as well as marshals and deputy marshals appointed by mayors and village presidents. Deletes the provisions allowing municipalities to authorize individuals to serve as conservators of the peace. The only opposition there was, the City of Chicago had some concern, 137  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 might be regarding the -- aldermen in the City. I had -- gave them my word, the sponsor Eddie Acevedo in the House, who’s my Representative, would put an amendment there to make sure the City was supportive of it. Other than that, I know of no opposition and I will attempt to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 450 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 450, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 455. Senator Clayborne. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne.

Thank you, Mr. President. This basically clears up a provision in the Tax Code. And basically what it does, when a -- when a -- an individual purchases an airplane, we have three facilities in the State that will customize those planes before he takes or she takes control of the plane and the only thing that will be taxed are the customized improvements, not the purchase or the -- or -- or the value of -- of the plane. 138  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Indicates he will yield. Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne.

The -- the only issue is that there were some people that were hesitant to -- to come to Illinois and have their airplanes customized because they thought that there was a possibility that the whole plane would be taxed.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 139  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Clayborne.

That’s a good question. I don’t know, ‘cause I have not seen the Governor’s proposal. So maybe once I get a chance to see his proposal I can respond.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne.

…they -- no, they have not responded to me about the gross receipts taxes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 455 pass. All those in 140  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 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 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 455, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 456. Senator Clayborne. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne.

Thank you, Mr. -- Mr. President. Basically, 456 deals with the -- is a change in the Electric Service Customer Choice and Retail Rate Law {sic}. There was a provision put in that dealt with reciprocity. Companies cannot buy power from other states that are not deregulated. This would eliminate that exemption and allow them to buy power from the lowest possible -- for the lowest possible rates.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 456 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 456, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate 141  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Bill 461. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Senate Bill 461 was drafted by the Real Estate Committee -- Transportation {sic} Committee of the Chicago Bar Association; adopted by the Chicago Board of Managers… 461 is supported by the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Property Trial {sic} Lawyers, the Illinois Tax Buyers Association, Cook County Sheriff. No one’s in opposition of this bill. Does four things: It would increase the time during which notices can be served by one month, giving the sheriff more time to serve notices and giving taxpayers more time to redeem after receiving notice. It would conform the requirements for service of notice in tax deed proceedings to the requirements of the Code of Civil Procedure. It will confirm the longtime understanding of judges and practitioners that the court may issue a order of possession to the deed grantee or successor in interest. Would codify the -- 2005 holding of the Illinois Supreme Court case of Forus Mortgage versus Dwyer that a taxpayer may file a motion to vacate a tax deed order thirty days after the order. And I refuse to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Burzynski.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 461 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 461, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 472. Senator Cullerton.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

A normal speed. 472 amends the Code of Civil Procedure. It -- it allows for the -- when subpoenas for Professional Regulation cases under the Medical Practice Act are -- are -- are sought, it allows that information to be given and it requires that a patient’s record maintained by a healthcare practitioner shall be available to any person, entity, or organization presenting a valid authorization for the release of the records signed by the patient or the patient’s legal authorized representative. It’s an initiative of the Chicago Bar Association. Medical Society is okay with it. Nobody’s opposed to it, and I will not answer any questions on this one either.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 143  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 472 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 472, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 473. Senator Wilhelmi seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 473 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the -- one moment, please. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Wilhelmi.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 473, as amended, amends the Illinois Municipal Code regarding annexations. Specifically, it states that when any land proposed to be annexed is part of a school district, the annexing municipality shall notify the school district of the proposed annexation not more {sic} than ten days prior to the annexation. This is obviously a good bill. The annexations have a huge impact on school districts. School districts should know about it before they occur. I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 473 pass. All in favor will vote Aye. 144  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 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 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 473, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 478. Senator Wilhelmi. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Wilhelmi.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the -- the Senate. This bill provides that when a lender in a foreclosure action dismisses its lawsuit against a condo owner, maybe because of a settlement with that owner, the dismissal will not apply to the condo association’s lawsuit; that part of the case would continue. Again, there’s no opposition to this bill and I ask for your favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 478 pass. All those in favor will say Aye -- 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 478, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 479. Senator Forby. Senator Forby seeks 145  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 479 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 479. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby, to explain your amendment.

Floor Amendment 2, all it does: There’s a spelling error. It takes heating and air conditioning, plumbing service and electrical service out of this.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Peterson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator Peterson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby.

That is correct.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 146  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Peterson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby.

What this bill is about is, I think if another vendor comes in and takes over, they want ‘em to use the same employees and still want ‘em to have the bargaining rights as the people had before. This does not contains to nonunion work or does not make a vendor unionize.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Okay. This is on -- on the amendment. Senator Peterson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby.

If another vendor comes in and takes this job over, they’re asking him to use the same people that was there before.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Peterson. 147  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator Forby moves adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 479. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) On the Order of 3rd Reading -- 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 479. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby.

Thank you. We described most of this bill on the amendment, but what Senate Bill protects are collective bargaining rights of employees of a vendor which contains a State service contract. That’s mostly what it does.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 148  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Questions? Senator Bomke.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Risinger.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator Risinger.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby.

Yes, that is correct.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby.

They can bring their own management and their own supervisor in. It’s not much difference than any contractor bidding a job, you -- you know, you use union wages, union people, and this is - - just mainly does the same thing, what’s going on with everybody else that’s in the contracting business, and has bargaining rights.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby.

I was in the contracting business for thirty some odd years. Every time I went to a different city, a different place, I got different people and they was all union people that was from that district and this is supplying really the same thing.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) To the bill, sir. 150  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Forby, to close.

I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 479 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 38 voting Aye, none -- I mean, 19 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 479, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Lauzen, I didn’t fail to recognize you, did I? Okay. Thank you very much. Senate Bill 481. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, read the bill. Senator Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 481 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Hearing no 151  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 481. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Harmon or -- Senator Cronin, to explain the amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Harmon/Senator Cronin moves adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 481. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 152  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Cronin, to explain Floor Amendment No. 2.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Harmon/Senator Cronin moves adoption of Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 481. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 481. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Harmon.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Cronin did an able job of explaining the bill, which had -- which the amendment became. I’d be happy to answer questions if anyone has any.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 481 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. 153  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 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 481, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 482. Senator Harmon seeks leave of the Body… Madam -- Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Out of the record. Senate Bill 486. Senator Cullerton. Senator Cullerton seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 486 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Is there any objection? Hearing none, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 486. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton, to explain your amendment.

Yes, this amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides for a mechanism for which residual funds in class action lawsuits are to be distributed. Ask for the adoption of the amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Cullerton moves adoption of Amendment No. 4 to Senate Bill 486. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and 154  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 486. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides for a mechanism when residual funds are remaining from a class action lawsuit and when the -- the class action fund has been distributed but there’s money that’s still remaining either from a settlement or a judgment, and it provides that these funds shall be distributed to eligible organizations as defined by this new Section. Now normally I -- common law, before we pass this law, courts rely on the cy pres doctrine, which is a -- comes from a French-Norman term called “cy pres comme possible” -- it’s pronounced “cy pres comme possible”. That’s the French-Norman phrase and we are changing that with this statutory scheme, whereby this money would be distributed under a formula. Be happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 155  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 486 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 the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 486, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 487. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. Senate Bill 488. Senator Jacobs. Senator Jacobs seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 488 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 488. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.

Amendment 1 adds five-year window for applying to convert past service and removes a provision allowing interest-free conversion of service.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Jacobs moves adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 488. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The -- the Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.

Floor -- Floor Amendment 2 makes one small change at the request of IMRF, amending the bill so only full-time officers qualify.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Jacobs moves adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 488. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.

Senate Bill 488 adds probation officers to the definition of sheriff law enforcement employee and permits these participants to convert non-sheriff law enforcement employee service by paying the difference.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 157  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Any discussion? Senator Brady.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.

A fiscal note was filed and they were unable to determine what that cost was because they said they couldn’t -- they couldn’t account for who -- who would use it and who wouldn’t use it and -- but we did try to tighten it as much as we can by making it only full-time employees.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.

Billions and billions. No, I really can’t determine that. I -- I would like to be able to, but a -- a State agency that I asked was unable to give me that figure. There will be some cost. I don’t want to hide that cost. I just think probation officers deserve that kind of opportunity that we’ve given other folks.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rutherford.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He -- he indicates he’ll yield. Senator Rutherford.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.

Yes, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rutherford.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator Jacobs, to close.

I ask for your affirmative vote and thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 488 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 the record. On that question, there are 36 voting Aye, 21 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 488, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 489. Senator Munoz. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Munoz.

160  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill simply provides for the issuance of Support Our Troops license plates for an additional fee of forty dollars at the original issuance of the license plate and twenty-seven dollars each for an annual renewal. The bill requires that twenty-five dollars of the fee shall be deposited into the Support of {sic} Our Troops Fund. It also creates the Support Our Troops Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. The bill requires all monies in Support Our Troops Fund shall be paid as grants to Illinois Support Our Troops, Inc., for charitable assistance to the troops and their families in accordance with the articles of incorporation. I know of no opposition and I’d be happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Discussion? Leader Watson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 489 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 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 489, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 495. Senator Munoz. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Munoz.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 495 is an agreed-upon bill that came out of the Fire Caucus. It just expands the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Act to include testing and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems. If a fire sprinkler system is not tested and maintained by a qualified individual, the sprinkler system could be inoperable and useless in the event of a fire, which can lead to fatalities. The legislation is consistent with the National Fire Protection Association standards already in place in the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act, as well as for fire sprinkler systems throughout the country, and there’s no opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 162  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 495 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 495, having received the -- required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 497. Senator Cullerton. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. -- Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is an initiative of the Chicago Bar Association. Senator Cronin is my cosponsor. It deals with a situation where there is a money judgment entered in civil court - the plaintiff becomes a judgment creditor, the defendant’s a judgment debtor. Sometimes the -- because the debtor doesn’t pay, he’s sued and the -- there can be a judgment against the judgment debtor. We have said in - - as a matter of public policy, certain assets are exempt from the plaintiff in -- in these cases, and what we’re doing with this bill is to add the proceeds of the College Savings Pool. This is a -- the -- the pool that was intended to supplement the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Program by allowing people who wish to attend school - private or out-of-state institutions - to put 163  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 that money in the -- in the fund. So we think that this money is intended for the kids, not for -- not subject to someone in a bankruptcy proceeding. Be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 497 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 the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 497, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 500. Senator Link. Mr. Secretary, read the bill. Senate Bill 500. Senator -- Senator Link. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today we probably are facing one of the most critical issues that we’ve faced in this Chamber and it’s the smoking ban for the entire State of Illinois. It’s one of these bills that we sit here and we’ve discussed and we’ve talked about for a long time. And a lot of people in this Chamber are caught in between a rock and a hard place, they think. But this bill has a lot of statistics to it. We talk on 164  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 an average of eight people a day die from secondhand -- or are exposed to secondhand smoke. We’ve heard testimony throughout the State on this bill. We’ve heard Surgeon General’s reports. We’ve heard the causes of premature deaths and diseases in children, in adults who do not smoke. We’ve heard the exposure of secondhand smoke and the immediate effects in heart -- in their heart system. Scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk level -- indicates there are no risk {sic} levels of exposure to secondhand smoke. Eliminating smoke -- indoor space fully protects nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. The current patchwork we have in the State of Illinois of ordinances being adopted in local municipalities and in different counties has only made it more difficult for businesses, instead of easier. I have local businesses coming to me constantly and saying if we have to have smoking bans in Illinois, let’s level the playing field and make it even for everybody and do it as a statewide smoking ban. We spend billions of dollars in health care - and I say that with a “b” - billions of dollars, of taxpayers’ money, in health care in the State of Illinois in related health care to smoking in Medicaid-related bills. This is our time to remedy this problem. I look for your support. I will be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Jacobs.

Question of the Chair.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your question, sir.

165  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Does Senate Bill 500 take away the home rule powers of a hundred and forty-eight local governments that are empowered with the -- with the -- with the decision to make smoking legal or -- nonsmoking in their community?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) It is the opinion of the Chair that Senate Bill 500 allows home rule governments to exercise concurrent authority in this matter and that it is not less -- that is not less restrictive than this bill itself. Therefore, pursuant to Article VII, Section 6-1 of the Illinois Constitution, this bill will only require thirty votes for passage. Senator Hunter.

To the bill, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) To the bill. Senator Hunter.

Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure affects minorities disproportionately. African-American men and women are much more likely than white men and women to suffer serious life- threatening health effects of smoking and secondhand smoke. The African-American community is heavily targeted by the tobacco and alcohol industries. We need to stand strong. We need to send a strong public health message - our community health is not for sale. As a person who suffers from asthma, I very strongly support this bill and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Crotty.

I move the previous question.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Crotty moves the previous question. There are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine Senators who will be recognized. Senator Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this legislation. We’re all aware of the elimination of some of the 167  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 health risks that will come about as a result of passing this bill. The complaint that is often lodged is that government may be overreaching in this respect. This is often used in an argument when we are advancing public safety and health issues. I remember when the seatbelt law passed; this was judged to be government overreaching as well. But in our automobiles and the way we drive today, we would never, ever, even consider not driving without a seatbelt today. I’m confident that if we pass this legislation, generation from now people will view this bill without controversy, saying it was a commonsense public health measure. And I thank the sponsor for his hard work on this. I urge an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs. I’m -- Senator Jacobs, did you -- do you seek further recognition, Senator Jacobs? No. Okay. Senator -- I mean, Senator Jacobs. I’m sorry, Senator Jacobs. Senator Jacobs.

I just feel that the temperance movement is attempting to fight -- big tobacco and, you know, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, but what you’re going to do in the end is take the lunch off of all the -- all the plates in my -- in my community that live along the river. And so far, you guys want to give me a gun ban, you want to give me a cigarette ban, you want to give me 6.1 billion dollars in taxes. I just hope at some point that this Senate gets on to the issues that we ought to talk about and that’s jobs.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Lauzen. 168  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Koehler. 169  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I wanted to ask if the sponsor would yield.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Indicates he will. Senator Koehler.

Senator Link, you and I have discussed this before and you know that I have struggled with this. I’ve tried to put this in two parts: One is it’s a health issue; the other, it’s a business issue. Certainly, on the health issue side, my own father dying of lung cancer, I understand the risks and I understand the -- the sorrow that it causes. As a business decision though, it does affect small business. It affects bars, taverns. It affects a lot of private clubs, VFW clubs, et cetera. I would like to support this bill, but I’m concerned about folks that do choose to smoke. I mean, I think we need to protect nonsmokers; I’m certainly in agreement to that. But I guess I’d like to request and ask you if you would be willing as -- if this goes over to the House, to ask for and to help facilitate a study that would be done after maybe eighteen months or twenty-four months just to see what the impact is on those small businesses, because I think we have to be following this and especially sensitive to those concerns.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

Senator Koehler, that -- that question you did -- you and I did talk about and I think is quite appropriate. I would be more than happy to talk to the President to look for a shell bill and 170  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 possibly put it on there if we can work out something to look at a study for the next two or three years to see what the effects are, and I’d be more than happy to work with you and whatever we have to work on to get that study into effect and see what we can do to see what this is. Because I think we’re going to all be surprised that there’s going to be a positive effect on this to the State of Illinois, to the economy, to the -- to the people, and that we’ll see a positive effect to this in an overall effect to the State of Illinois. But I would be more than happy to work with you on that. You have my commitment, you have my word, I will look for a shell bill to work with you on that.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I’m a cosponsor with Senator Link. I’ve worked with him on the sponsorship of this bill. I thank him for his efforts. Also want to thank the Cancer Society and the other folks in the coalition who have worked so hard on this measure. In addressing some of the concerns that were raised earlier, I just want to emphasize that what this bill is really about is secondhand smoke. So we’re really talking about not smokers, but nonsmokers. We’re talking about protecting nonsmokers, primarily people who work in the hospitality industry, who are - I say - should not have to choose between their health and a job. That is who we’re trying to protect here. So we’re not telling people that they can’t smoke; we’re just saying that those people who are working in those facilities for eight-hour days - which is the equivalent of sixteen cigarettes - that they would be in 171  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 effect smoking against their will. That’s what the Surgeon General report shows and that is what we’re trying to address here. This will be in every state in the nation. The Minnesota Senate just passed this bill forty-one to twenty-four a couple days ago. The Governor of Wisconsin said that he wants to pass this bill. Inevitably everyone will. Now, of course, we’ve heard the economic arguments. When you compare that to what this is really about, which is, after all, life and death, I think that the life and death side comes out on top. There’s not one study that’s shown that this has an adverse economic impact. The places that have passed this, in Europe, Ireland, Italy, France, these are tourist attractions - California, New York. It’s not going to affect our tourism. There’s no question that this bill is going to pass. The only question is when. I think we should do it right now. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Indicates he will yield. Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 172  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Link.

Yes, and residencies - your own private home.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Sorry, Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) But could we get some calm? Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

173  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Thank you for bringing that up, Senator Righter. Basically, what it’s meant in the -- in the nursing homes is that it means rooms or rooms in a nursing home would -- be designated for smoking, separated and ventilated in ways that smoke does not infiltrate to other areas of the nursing home. That’s what -- the intent. And I also, while we’re at it, would like to read something in for legislative intent, if that would be okay with you, on nursing homes. That, for legislative intent, according to the federal Fire Safety Code, residents in long-term care facilities are not permitted to smoke in their own bedrooms and we would not want licensures -- licensees or enforcement agencies to misinterpret the language of the Illinois Clean Air Act to mean that residents could smoke only in the residents’ bedrooms. So I just want to help clarify that in case it’s misinterpreted.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

The intent of this is to have it in a different wing of the nursing home, completely separated from the area of common areas where residents would be -- who are of nonsmoking, so that it would be completely ventilated and separated from those people. 174  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 But that is their residency; that’s where they live. That is the intent and the reason that this is stated in the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.

Yes, indoors.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Holmes.

Thank you, Mr. President. While I certainly appreciate the intent of this bill - and I, again, am always happiest going into a place that does not allow smoking - as I grappled with what to do on this issue, I talked to many different business owners in the communities I represent, I talked to mayors in communities I represent and the results were mixed. And it is because of that that I strongly believe local control is important in this issue, and I would like those local communities to have the ability to 176  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 vote the way they see best in their towns. So I will be a No vote on this.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Collins.

Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, I stand in strong and enthusiastic support of this piece of legislation and I commend the sponsor for his tenacity in pushing this forward. I stand because, believe it or not, I just recently read in the papers where legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco are more lethal and more toxic than marijuana, an illegal drug. Now I’m not standing here to say I’m a proponent of marijuana, but I’m here to say that I feel that I’m standing to advocate for this legislation on behalf of the workers like my colleague mentioned - Senator Cullerton. It has been proven in other studies that exposure to tobacco smoke combined with other workplace toxins can multiply the risk of getting lung cancer by as much as fifty- three times. Current secondhand smoking restrictions to -- in the workplace discriminate against blue-collar workers. As an example, hospitality workers often get no benefits. If they get sick, they get time docked, no sick time, no health insurance, no prescription-drug coverage, and risk being fired for missing work. So again, I enthusiastically support this legislation. I will be a strong Yes and I encourage my colleagues to vote Yes as well.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, to close. Senator Link, to close.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is probably one of the 177  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 tougher decisions we’re going to face in this Chamber. We talk about, you know, I -- I -- first, before I want to -- I start, I want to thank my colleague Senator Cullerton, who I always consider as my legal and spiritual advisor, and I -- I thank him for all the help on this bill. And I also want to thank all the associated groups, the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Association {sic}, and all the other groups, the Heart Association, other groups that were involved in this matter. And I was trying to think how we talk about this bill. There was a lot of pros and cons about this bill. We heard it today; we heard about regulations. I hate to tell you, in this Chamber, we regulate everything. We tell people almost when they can wake up in the morning, when they can go to sleep, where they can walk, where they can talk - we regulate everything in here. And I hate to tell you, when you talk about local control, we represent the same people that the locals represent. I hate to tell you that, too. So I talked to those same people in the Jewel and everywhere else that you talked to and the same that my mayors talked to. We talked to ‘em also and we listened to ‘em. But I tried to break this bill down to how important it is. Senator Cullerton mentioned that this bill is about not who can smoke and who cannot smoke. It’s not, because we don’t care if somebody wants to smoke. If you want to smoke, keep smoking. I’m not encouraging you to, but if you want to, fine. But what we’re talking about is secondhand smoking and we’re talking about the people that can’t defend against it, not only the workers, not only the people that come in and that want to be served at a restaurant, served at a bar, served at any other place that smokes. But you look at these young people here - they don’t 178  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 have a vote, they don’t have a lobbyist, so they don’t have somebody coming around knocking on your door. I looked at pictures of my grandson who’s only nine months old, and I guarantee you, I’m very concerned about his health. I’m very concerned about his welfare and where he goes that he’s safe all the time, as every parent and grandparent is with their kids. When we talk about this, those are the people we’re talking about. We’re talking about their health and their welfare, and I think if you’ve got the courage, this is the time to show your courage in this Chamber and show your leadership in this State and give a green vote not only for health and welfare and for the environment, but for the kids and the future of this State. I ask for all green votes. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 500 pass. 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, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 500, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator DeLeo in the Chair.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, in the middle of page 13 in your Calendar comes Senate Bill 505. Senator Cullerton. Senator John Cullerton, on Senate Bill 505. Do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

…you -- thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 505 provides -- it’s a - back up - it’s a -- one of the proponents is the Illinois Education Association. Provides assistance to school districts who use green building practices in school construction projects. The bill would allow the grant index under the School Construction Law to be increased by .05 for school construction projects that receive certification from three systems used to evaluate a project’s energy efficiency. The bill is important because investing in high-performing school facilities is the right choice. Can come with a modest additional up-front cost. So the idea here is that we want to encourage buildings of schools that promote long-term energy savings. Be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Burzynski, for what purpose you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

I’d say that’s fair to say. But in the Governor’s budget, as you know, there was a proposal to -- for -- to increase the pot, if you will, for school construction. And yes, I would admit that it does cost a little bit more to make energy- efficient buildings, but of course, there’s the long-term savings, long-term energy savings which would pay it all back. So this is a modest attempt to -- provide some type of an incentive for those schools. Because, you know, high-performance schools are -- schools that are energy-efficient have other benefits. There’s even evidence that’s there’s higher test scores, increased average daily attendance, lower utility bills, for sure, and for those reasons, I think we need to make this modest start. The real -- issue, of course, that you and I would agree on and work on is having a larger pot for people to -- to take to build our new schools.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Burzynski.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

Do I understand that they’ve already been -- been constructed? Well, I guess the theory is, you know, we’re -- we’re supposed -- it’s supposed to provide an incentive. It’s like an incentive, and if they’ve already done it, I guess there’s an argument that it’s not fair that they didn’t have this money, but I -- I don’t know if it would -- if it would further the goal of the legislation since we’re trying to provide an incentive.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Any further discussion? Senator Luechtefeld, for what purpose you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Any further discussion? Senator Lauzen, for what purpose you seek recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, Senator Cullerton, to close, sir.

Well, just to respond and ask for your Aye vote. This is, Senator, talked about in the long run. In the long run, these buildings save money. We’re not trying to waste money here; we’re trying to save money. And the current funding mechanisms do not encourage buildings that promote long-term energy savings. So this is a very modest start. We have to start somewhere and it -- the -- the -- the goal, of course, is to have more money for more school construction. So, for that reason, I would ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 505 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 48 Ayes, 8 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 505, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 509. Out of the record, sir. Senator John Cullerton, on Senate Bill 511, sir. Do you wish to proceed? The gentleman seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 511 to 184  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, so ordered. Leave is granted. Now, Mr. Secretary, on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 511. Are there any amendments approved for consideration, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton, explain your amendment, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is a technical amendment that makes sure that it’s clear that this Act does not affect local government or school districts or community colleges. Only affects the State of Illinois.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Thank you, sir. Senator Cullerton moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 511. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Now on the Order of 3rd Reading comes Senate Bill 511. Senator Cullerton, you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill initially was brought to me by the National Federation for the Blind. We later on then received assistance from the Illinois Assistive Technology Project and worked out agreements with the Department of Human Services and CMS. It’s a very interesting idea. It would deal with the issue of providing accessibility to information by individuals with disabilities. It calls for the Department of Human Services to develop standards for electronic and information technology for State entities. It -- is not retroactive, so it’s only going forward. It would set these standards, and then as we - the State - acquire new technology, we would just make sure that it would be compatible to these standards. Would, in fact, not even cost any more money, but would be a big help to the people with disabilities. I know of no opposition and ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 511 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 511, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, on 513, sir. Do you wish to proceed? Okay. Senator Link seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 513 to the Order of 2nd 186  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Reading for purpose of amendment. Is that correct, sir? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 513. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments have been approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …Link, to explain your amendment, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. It just adds a means -- a way of hooking up. I’ll be more than happy to talk on it on the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Senator Link moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 513. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …you. 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 513. Senator Link, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 187  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Link, to the bill, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. This amends the County Code and it -- for access to sanitary sewer systems specified for Lake County. It also specifies as to means of which such hookups to take place. I know of no opposition. Be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Senator Althoff, for what purpose you seek recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Link, to close, sir.

Just ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 513 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 58 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 513, having received 188  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, on 514, sir. Senator Link seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 514 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Is that correct, sir? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading comes Senate Bill 514. Mr. Secretary, are there any -- amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link, to explain your amendment, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. This raises the minimum from -- limitation from fifty-six thousand to sixty thousand pounds per - - pounds on a triple-axle manufactured recovery unit. Be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Senator Link moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 514. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading comes Senate Bill 514. Senator Link, you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link, on Senate Bill 514.

Thank you, Mr. President. That basically became the bill. It -- it amends the weight limitation from fifty-six thousand pounds to sixty thousand pounds to a triple-axel -- rear wheel axle manufactured recovery unit. I know of no opposition to the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Link. Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 514 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 514, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator John Cullerton, on 518, sir. Do you wish to proceed? You -- you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton, on the bill. 190  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is a bill which is supported by the National Rifle Association and the Humane Society. It makes it illegal to operate, provide, or use any computer software that allows a person not physically present at the location of a hunt to remotely control a weapon that could be used to take wildlife by remote control. Believe it or not, this guy down in Texas set up a -- a -- a website called Liveshot.com offering remote hunting via the Internet and -- and this is something which is -- as I indicated, the Rifle Association and the Humane Society thinks is wrong. I agree with them. I would ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, Ladies and Gentlemen, shall Senate Bill 518 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 58 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 518, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator James Clayborne, on 519, sir. You wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 191  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator James Clayborne.

Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 519 represents two years of negotiations between college savings plans across the country and the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. This bill amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and provides that earned interest from an out-of-state federally qualified Section 529 college savings plan shall be exempt from Illinois income taxes if the following disclosure is offered to customers: one, the program is in compliance with the college saving plans network’s voluntary disclosure principle and the sellers of out-of-state programs notify Illinois customers of the existence of those plans. So, basically you get a tax credit as a result of -- of participating in this plan.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen, for what purpose you seeking recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Clayborne, to close, sir.

I -- I would appreciate your favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 519 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have 192  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 519, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, we’ll turn to page 14 of your Calendar. On the top of page 14 is Senate Bill 521. Senator John Cullerton, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This -- this bill is -- was initially a -- an -- a suggestion of the Office of the State Appellate Defender and then we added an amendment for the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutors. So now the bill covers both of them and it expands the discretionary authority of both of their offices to include development of a juvenile defender resource center in the case of the State Appellate Defender, and in the case of the State Appellate Prosecutor, to develop model systems for the adjudication of juveniles. The center would develop model systems for trial level juvenile defender services, provide trial counsel with expert witnesses and investigators, and provide training for both public defenders on juvenile justice issues and State’s Attorneys 193  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 on juvenile justice issues, and make an annual report to the General Assembly. It is discretionary, and know of no opposition, ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 521 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 521, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Marty Sandoval, on 523, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sandoval.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 523 is a -- is a bill sponsored by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and it basically clarifies language for temporary appointments. It allows temporary appointments that are usually a hundred twenty days consecutive to be also nonconsecutive days per calendar year. I’d ask your favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 194  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Maloney, what purpose you seeking recognition?

On the last bill, Senate Bill 521, Mr. President, I neglected to hit the proper switch. I’d like to be recorded as a Yes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The record will -- reflect your intentions on a Yes vote on Senate Bill 521. Senator Sandoval, to close. The gentleman asks us for a favorable roll call. Seeing no -- Senator Althoff, are you -- seeking recognition on this? Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 523 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 523, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Sandoval, are you seeking recognition, sir?

Thank you, Mr. President. I’d ask to be recorded as an Aye vote on Senate Bill 523. As I was debating the bill, the Reverend Senator Meeks disturbed my concentration and now I’d like to clarify my concentration publicly for the record.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The record will so -- reflect that you will be an Aye -- would be an Aye vote on 523, sir. Thank you very much. Senator John Cullerton, on 526, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the 195  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton, on the bill.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is an initiative of the Illinois League of Conservation Voters. It’s a bill that’s patterned on a number of other states that have it. It’s called the Homeowners’ Solar Energy Act and it basically just prohibits certain homeowners’ associations from adopting measures to prohibit the installation of a solar energy system or other energy-saving device. Be happy to answer any questions. I don’t know of any opposition. Ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no -- no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 526 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 526, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator John Cullerton, on 528. Senator Cullerton, on 528. Do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is a bill dealing with condominiums. It’s in response to a concern in my district of which I have many condominiums. It -- it’s a situation where a -- parking spaces are deemed to be separate units and there’s a -- there’s a -- for example, there’s a building at 55 East Erie that’s two hundred units, but there’s four hundred parking spaces and a hundred and fifteen of ‘em are still owned by the developer. So what this does is give a -- a great deal of weight to a nonresident in -- when it comes time to the voting for the -- voting rights of the Condominium Act. So what this does is to address minimum voting requirements for -- for taking action by a condominium owners’ association. If it’s thirty percent or less of the condominium units possess fifty percent or more of the association votes, then a unit, for the purposes of voting on matters before the association, shall not include a garage or a storage unit. It’s supported by the Chicago Bar Association and I believe it’s reasonable. I would ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 528 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam 197  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 528, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Kirk Dillard, on 531, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Dillard. Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 531 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 198  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 voting Present. Senate Bill 531, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator John Cullerton, on Senate Bill 532, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is an initiative of both the Motion Picture Association of America and the Recording Industry Association of America. We had witnesses come in from Washington to our committee, the Judiciary Committee. It deals with the idea of -- of the crime of unlawful use of unidentified sound or visual recordings. This bill clarifies the -- the definition of manufacturer and provides for a permissive inference of an intentional or knowing violation where the offense involves substantial quantities of unidentified recordings. We had no opposition in committee and would ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 532 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will -- vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 532, having received the required constitutional 199  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 majority, is declared passed. Senator Kirk Dillard, on 533, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Dillard. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 533 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 533, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Raoul, on 534, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul, on the bill.

Thank -- thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 534 expands the protection of the Safe Homes Act, which was passed last Session, to oral lease holders 201  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 who are under credible imminent threat of domestic violence or sexual violence or have been sexually assaulted on the premises of where they’re a lease holder. It also allows for a reasonable period of time, forty-eight hours, for both a tenant to make a key available to a landlord or, vice versa, landlord making a key available to the -- to the tenant in the -- in the event that locks have been changed. I ask for -- favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 534 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 534, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Raoul, on Senate Bill 536. Out of the record. Senate Bill 537. Senator Cullerton. Out of the record. Senator Raoul, on 538. Senator Raoul seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 538 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Is that correct, sir? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 538. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul, to explain your amendment, sir.

Floor Amendment 1 deletes all and becomes the bill. I’ll 202  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 explain it on 3rd Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Senator Raoul moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 538. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. On the Order of 3rd Reading comes Senate Bill 538. Senator Raoul, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 538, as amended, encourages the concept of community schools, which encourages school boards to allow community organizations to use school facilities during nonschool hours. The amendment -- the bill requires the board to adopt a formal policy if it allows a community organization to use school facilities during nonschool hours and that policy shall address questions such as safety of students or school personnel, making sure that regular school functions are not interfered with, and 203  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 issues of liability. It is not a mandate on school districts, it should be noted; it’s only if school districts elect to allow their schools to allow community organizations into the school.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator -- Senator Luechtefeld, you seeking recognition on this, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.

Thank you, Senator. There’s -- there’s probably something that’s not happening enough in communities and -- and happening in some communities and -- and -- and that’s taking advantage of the school facilities, using the school facilities after school hours. There are various after-school programs that are being run in -- in various communities that we can maximize the -- we can maximize the use of school facilities.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.

Well, Senator, I appreciate your concern. I -- I -- I for one has -- have -- have -- have been one that has advocated not expanding our Criminal Code unnecessarily. What I think is different in this -- in this case, in addition to it being a statement from the Legislature encouraging that the school facilities should be used, it’s saying, to the extent that the school facilities are being used, that there should be a -- a policy to look after the safety of students, to make sure that the school functions are not being interfered with, to the extent that the school facilities are -- are -- are indeed being used, and I think that is where there’s a difference.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul, to close, sir.

I ask for your favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 538 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 46 Ayes, 10 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 538, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator John Sullivan, on Senate Bill 539, sir. Do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator Sullivan, on 540. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan, to the bill, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 540 adopts a uniform 206  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 speed limit for cars and trucks only on rural interstate highways in Illinois. This bill is identical to a bill that we passed out of this Chamber last year, but was vetoed by the Governor. We overrode the veto, but the House did not. There’s forty other states have -- that have adopted a uniform speed limit on their interstate highways, including all the states surrounding Illinois, which includes Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Missouri and Michigan. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 207  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Thank you. Senator Dahl, for what purpose you seeking recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Senator Forby. Senator Forby, how are you?

Fine. To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 208  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 …bill, sir.

In my billfold I have CDL license plates {sic}. I’ve drove trucks all my life. I’ve owned trucks. Running the same speed, you people is going to say -- some of you say eighty-thousand- pound trucks this heavy is bad. Running same speeds with the weight is a lot better than somebody running fifty-five in a sixty-five down here stopping, trying to stay with ‘em. It is a safer thing. Some of you might say you’ve used more fuel. That is not right. They’ve got trucks today, they gear these trucks to run down the road at a certain speed that will not use any more fuel. This is a safety thing. This is for trucks. They need to be running the same speed. You get in other states, they are running same speeds. So this is a good bill and I hope you look at it hard and not think this is a bad bill, that is going to hurt somebody. This will not cause any more accidents out there on the road running the same speed with the rest of the vehicles out there. So I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me just remind the Body, we are now on Senate Bill 540, on page 15 of your Calendar. The last bill on 3rd Reading tonight is effectively 1700. We have another twelve hundred bills to go through this evening. So if you’d like to order food or new clothes or some shaving kits, continue lighting those white lights up. Senator Luechtefeld, for what purpose you rise, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

I -- I certainly think some trucks are running sixty-five, yes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

No, I would not agree with that actually, Senator. There was a -- there’s been -- you know, anybody can give out any stats and any information that they want, but there was a study that was done that actually says that compliance rates actually -- when you have a uniform speed limit, the compliance rates are actually greater if everybody’s running at the same speed than there -- than they do if there is actually a -- a split speed limit.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 210  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

I -- I believe that having all the vehicles on a rural interstate highway running at the same speed limit is safer than having split -- speed limits - trucks running at one speed, a slower speed; cars running at a higher -- speed. I believe that that is safer.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 211  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Susan Garrett, you seeking recognition, ma’am?

Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. I just need some clarification on this bill. It seems like I’ve been here almost ten years now and every year this particular bill comes up, and for us in northern Illinois, it really is problematic and I understand the difference between southern Illinois. So would this particular bill apply just to rural highways in southern Illinois or does it include roads like Route 41, the tollway?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

No, it does not. It -- it -- it’s a designation of a rural interstate highway and obviously, those would not be up in your district.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett.

Senator, can you just read to me what that designation means 212  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 and -- and how that is applied?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

So you want a clarification as to what a rural interstate highway is? Is that what you’re asking, Senator?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett.

As it’s written in the legislation.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Senator, I’ll -- I’ll read what is current in the statute: Unless some other speed restriction is established, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle is - the way that the language that we’re putting in this bill is - the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle is sixty-five miles per hour for all highways under the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and for all or part of the highways that are designated by the Department that have at least four lanes of traffic, have a separation between the roadways moving in opposite direction, and that’s it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett.

You know, I appreciate that, but in my area and I’m sure in other suburban areas, we have Route 41 that is exactly that; it’s a four-lane highway with a divided area in the middle. And it’s 213  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 not clear to me how they’re going to distinguish exactly -- and Route 41 goes across the entire State. So it’s details like this that make this kind of legislation very problematic. While I understand what you’re trying to do, I think that it has to be defined much more clearly, much more precisely. And we can get into the argument of how fast trucks could go, but certainly in - - in my neck of the woods this is -- would be a huge safety concern.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any further discussion? Senator Jacobs.

I -- I rise in strong support of the Senator’s bill. I just want to make sure that all those folks that are leaving Illinois have a clear and direct path and can get out of the State as quickly as they can.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan, to close, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. I -- I would like to address a concern of Senator Garrett. According to the analysis here, there are portions of Lake County that are -- would not be affected by this; in other words, that they could not drive sixty-five miles an hour, the trucks could not, on portions of -- of some of the roads in Lake County. I’m not familiar with 41. I don’t know where it goes. I see you’re talking to our road expert over there. But at any rate, you know, I am convinced that the -- what we’re trying to do is out on the rural interstates where, you know, the traffic is not heavy, we want 214  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 the vehicles to be running at the same speeds. I believe it’s safer; it reduces congestion. I ask for a favorable roll call.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 540 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Aye. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 45 Ayes, 10 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 540, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. …Raoul, on 543, sir. Do you wish to proceed? I think this is a recall. It is. Senator Raoul seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 543 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Is that correct, sir? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 543. Madam Secretary, has there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Raoul, to explain your amendment, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 1 deletes a portion in the underlying bill that would have referred to a kindergarten student as a dropout.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing no discussion, Senator Raoul moves the adoption of 215  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Amendment -- Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 543. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration, Madam Secretary?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading comes Senate Bill 543. Senator Raoul, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the -- Senate. Two years ago I passed a bill out of the Senate that would have changed the compulsory age to attend school -- the minimum compulsory age to attend school from seven to five. That bill met some challenge in the House and -- and the -- the underlying reason that I brought forth that bill was to encourage parents to take kindergarten and early childhood education seriously. This bill is a kindler {sic} and gentler version that says that parents who have their children enrolled in kindergarten will see to it that their child attends kindergarten, as the language currently reads for first through 216  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 twelfth grade. I ask -- urge your support.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 543 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, 49 Ayes, 3 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 543, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Delgado, do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator John Cullerton, do you wish to proceed on 546? Senator Cullerton seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 546 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Is that correct, Senator? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 546. Madam Secretary, has there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton, explain your amendment, sir.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This amendment becomes the bill. Amends the Illinois Notary Public Act. It’s designed to address a concern about mortgage fraud and I would ask for the adoption of the amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, all -- Senator Cullerton moves the adoption of Floor Amendment 217  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 No. 1 to Senate Bill 546. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 546. Senator Cullerton, you wish to proceed? He indicates he does. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton, to the bill, sir.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is an initiative of the Illinois State Bar Association and we’ve been working with a number of different organizations to try to address the concern of mortgage fraud. We met with title companies, with the bankers, with anybody involved with the transfer of real property, and we have not yet -- I would say this is not a complete bill, but this is the first start of a potential complete bill that everyone has agreed to. It amends the Notary Act and it deals with the notary certificate for only real property. It requires that a paper or electronic form must be completed and retained for each act to keep a journal. The bill sets forth information that the form must include. It 218  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 allows for a notary to charge a fee of ten dollars for notary acts dealing with real property. I expect to continue work on this bill, to complete it over in the House, but for now it’s an agreed bill and I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Rutherford, for what purpose you seeking recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir, for a quick question.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

Senator, you’re absolutely correct. That is the controversial issue, requiring thumbprints or fingerprints on documents. That is not in this bill. We are not -- we are not in agreement on that yet. If we ever will, I’m not sure. But this part is agreed to.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Rutherford.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, sir. Seeing no further discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 546 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 546, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Delgado, on 549, sir. Out of the record. Senator Kirk Dillard, on 550. You wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Dillard, to the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, sir. Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 550 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. 221  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senate Bill 550, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Now on the bottom of page 14 of our Calendar, Senate Bills 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 551. Senator Cullerton, do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, turning your Calendars to page 15, on the top of page 15 is -- your Calendar, Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 555. Senator Haine, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Haine, short and fast.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is a -- this -- this bill affects the mine subsidence fund, which was established by statute many years ago, which allows companies to purchase additional reinsurance so they may be -- meet their mandate to provide subsidence insurance in those areas, such as mine and many others, where there’s old coal mines. This allows the entity, the fund, to purchase -- increase purchases for reinsurance, which now has to be done by statute; now they can be done by the fund with the approval of the Director. That’s all it does.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you.

222  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 No opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Senator Brady. Senator Brady, what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 555 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 555, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hultgren, on 561, sir. You wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hultgren, to the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, sir. Is there any discussion? Senator Althoff, are you seeking recognition on this matter, ma’am?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Seeing -- I’ll get back with you shortly. Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 561 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 561, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Althoff, for what purpose you seeking recognition, ma’am?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Althoff, the record will so reflect your intention on Senate Bill 555. Come -- continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 572. Senator Cullerton, you wish to proceed? He indicates he does. Madam Secretary, read the bill. 224  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I introduced this bill at the request of the Secretary of State. It’s really just a technical bill, cleanup bill for them. It clarifies that restricted driving permits may be issued to allow a driver to attend drug treatment, as well as alcohol treatment. It limits the issuance of restricted driving permits where a driver has two or more convictions for reckless homicide; currently that’s only for DUI. Expands the consideration of prior offenses to include DUI convictions from other states, and provides that multiple offenders are not eligible to receive restricted driving permits. I would ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, sir. Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 572 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 572, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Silverstein, on 573, sir. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, Senator Silverstein seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 573 to the Order of 2nd Reading 225  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 for the purpose of amendment. Is that correct, sir? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 573. Madam Secretary, has there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Silverstein, to explain your amendment, sir.

Floor Amendment No. 2 just adds six hours of continuing education for landscape architectures {sic} to be completed annually.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, sir. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Senator Silverstein moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 573. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 573, sir. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Silverstein, to the bill.

The amendment is the bill, like I just said.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 573 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 53 Ayes, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 573, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 574. Senator Wilhelmi seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 574 for the purposes of an amendment. Is that correct, sir? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 574. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Wilhelmi, to explain your amendment, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment makes the bill subject to appropriation.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Wilhelmi moves the adoption of Floor 227  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 574. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …you. 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading comes Senate Bill 574. Senator Wilhelmi, you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Wilhelmi.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the -- of the -- of the Senate. Senate Bill 574 requires any agency operating a community-integrated living arrangement to provide nursing services to all recipients. In addition, the bill sets forth various standards of care and nursing requirements. This is the result of a task force that was established under Senate Resolution 14 last year. I don’t know of any opposition to the bill, be happy to ask -- answer any questions, and I ask for your support.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 574 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those 228  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 574, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 577. Senator John Cullerton, you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill is a request of the Secretary of State. It deals with -- with administrative hearings in the Secretary of State’s Office. It makes technical and substantive changes proposed by the Department and their general counsel. It says that a petition to contest the imposition of a suspension of your driving privileges when you refuse to take the breathalyzer must be filed within ninety days after the effective date of the suspension. It also says that the failure of a law enforcement officer to appear at the hearing is grounds for a continuance and that the Secretary of State may suspend or revoke driving privileges of any person without a hearing if that person has, in connection with a formal hearing, committed perjury. I don’t know of any opposition and ask for an Aye vote. 229  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 577 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 577, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Wilhelmi, on 581, sir. This is, I believe, a recall, Madam -- Madam Secretary. Senator Wilhelmi seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 581 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Is that correct, Senator? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 581. Madam Secretary, are there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Wilhelmi, to explain your amendment, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment makes further clarifications regarding the definition of autism spectrum disorder and the age requirements of the Community Residential Choices Program that’s delineated under the bill. Further, the amendment clarifies that the program is subject to appropriation and the reimbursement rates for the participating providers shall be at the customary rate for a community-based residential program for persons with disabilities. Be happy to explain 230  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 further on 3rd Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Seeing no discussion, Senator Wilhelmi moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 581. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment’s adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 581. Senator Wilhelmi, you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Wilhelmi, on the bill, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 581 creates the Community Residential Choice Programs {sic} for persons with developmental disabilities. This program will create residencies for no more than four developmentally disabled persons of compatible gender, similar care needs and similar age. The initial placements in community- based programs will be reserved for people who have chosen roommates, then eighty other non-crisis placements will be made available. The bottom line is that this program would better 231  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 integrate non-crisis developmentally disabled persons into the community through the establishment of group residences. And as I said earlier, it’s subject to appropriation. I know of no opposition and I ask for your Yes vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 581 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 581, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. …John Cullerton, on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, continuing in the middle of page 15, is Senate Bill 585. Do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President. I’m sorry if I’m a little nervous, ‘cause this is my first bill. Where a person is required to use -- this is an initiative of the Secretary of State’s Office and the State Police and Department of Transportation. In those cases where we currently are asking people to use ignition interlock devices, this increases the 232  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 penalty for operating a vehicle without it when you’ve been ordered to do so and for tampering with it. It also prevents the Secretary of State from reissuing a driver’s license for one year after a person drives on a suspended or revoked license or operates a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device when they’re required to do so. I talked earlier about the possibility of expanding ignition interlocks. This bill only relates to those instances when they’ve been ordered by the Secretary of State and -- which is a relatively limited area, but this legislation comes at the request of the Secretary of State to clean this area up. Ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Cullerton. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 585 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 585, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Lou Viverito, on Senate Bill 591, sir. Senator Viverito is seeking leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 585 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Is that correct, sir? Yes. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 585. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration? Excuse me, a correction. For the purposes of a correction. The screen had -- the -- the bill should be as Senate Bill 591. 591, and this is now on the Order of 2nd Reading. Madam Secretary, 233  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Viverito, to explain your amendment, sir.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. The amendment really becomes the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Senator Viverito moves the adoption to Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 591. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. On the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 591. Senator Viverito, you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Viverito, on the bill, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. We have 234  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 been working on this bill for a long while on -- comprehensive care coordination. It’s probably one of the finest tools we have in the State of Illinois to guarantee our elderly to stay in their home as long as possible. And I feel that -- I want to thank many of the -- AARP and area agencies and all of us coming together. We’ve all worked together very, very diligently and very hard, and I do feel this will be a benefit to many of our elderly who truly want to stay in their own homes rather than going to a nursing home. As you well know, it provides great services, home-delivered meals, home health aides, transportation, all of the things that are essential to their well-being. I’d be happy to ask {sic} any questions that might be asked.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Viverito. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 591 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 591, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Koehler, on…(microphone cutoff)…sir? You wish to proceed? I believe Senator Koehler is seeking leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 595 back to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Is that correct, sir? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 595. Madam Secretary, has there been any amendments approved for 235  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler, on Floor Amendment No. 2, sir, explain the amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is a clarification of the definition of a licensed health care professional to include advanced practice nurse and a physician assistant. I’d ask for your approval.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing no discussion, all those in favor will say -- Senator Koehler moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 595. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Now -- 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 595. Senator Koehler, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he does. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator, on the bill, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the Senate, this is really a companion piece to Senator Viverito’s bill that we just passed before. This would, as amended, require the Department of Aging to establish a medication management program, subject to appropriation. This program, through agreements with local -- case coordinators, would assist persons that are sixty years or older in the management of their medications so they can stay at home longer. I would ask for your approval.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 595 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 595, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator John Cullerton, on Senate Bill 607, sir. Out of the record. Amazing. Senator Don Harmon, on 629. Senator Don Harmon, on 629. Out of the record. Senator Don Harmon, on 635, sir. Out of the record. Excuse me, a correction, 632 out of the record and 635 out of the record. On 637, out of the record. On 639, we’ll -- leave of the Body, we will come back to. On Senate -- Senate -- Senate Bill 647, Senator Wilhelmi, are you seeking 237  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 leave of the Body to return this to the Order of 2nd Reading, sir? Okay. On Senate Bill 647, Senator Wilhelmi, you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Wilhelmi.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Under current law, employees in IMRF are allowed to buy a service credit for up to twenty-four months of service in the armed services of the United States at the regular interest rate. This bill would allow those same employees to buy a service credit for up to forty-eight months of military service in the United States military -- armed services, again at the regular interest rate. I think that our veterans deserve this extended option and I ask for your Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Wilhelmi. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 647 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 647, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared 238  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 passed. Continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 649. Senator Sullivan. Senator Sullivan, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed coming down the aisle. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 649 amends the Motor Fuels Act by requiring a label be affixed to all diesel fuel pumps in the State of Illinois containing more than a five- percent blend of biodiesel fuel. It also states that blends less than five percent need not be labeled. And these labeling changes -- changes bring us into compliance with federal regulations.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Seeing no -- Senator Dahl, for what purpose you seek recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 239  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Thank you, Senator. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 649 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 649, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing, we’ll turn our Calendars to page 16. Senate Bills 3rd Reading on the top of page 16 is Senate Bill 650. Senator John Cullerton. Out of the record. Senator Mattie Hunter, on Senate Bill 654, ma’am. Do you wish to proceed? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hunter, on the bill, ma’am.

Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. As amended, Senate Bill 650 {sic} creates the Diabetes Initiative Act. It empowers to create the strategic plan by -- the Department of Human Services to create the strategic plan by 2010 to decrease the rate of diabetes due to obesity and environmental factors. It also gives the Department of Human Services more time to appoint the members of the State Diabetes Commission from -- changing the appointment date from December 31st, ‘06 to January 1, 2010, and I ask for a favorable vote. 240  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Pankau, for what purpose you seek recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 654 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 654, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Terry Link, on 660, sir. 660. Do you wish to proceed on 660? Out of the record. Senator Link, on 661, sir. Do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator Link, on 662. Do you wish to proceed? I -- Senator Link is going to seek leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 662 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Is that correct, sir? Yes. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 662. Mr. Secretary, has there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link, to explain Amendment No. 3.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is part of the elections 241  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 bill this year and this is -- this amendment is pertaining to write-in candidates and it also pertains to the amount of candidates to run for office without having a primary election and it also has to do with testing of election machines. Be more than happy to answer any questions on the bill -- when it’s adopted.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Seeing no discussion on the amendments, Senate -- Senator Link moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 662. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay -- Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 662. Senator Link, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link, on the bill.

Thank you, Mr. President. As I said, this is basic elections bill for the year and this is -- this is a multitude of several things. This would change the requiring of write-in 242  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 candidates to file for valid certification sixty-one days before an election; clarifies statutory direction for counting ballots without postmarks. It abolishes the requirement that a voter present government-issued photo IDs when early voting if the election authority can verify the identity as it would be at a polling place on election day. It reduces from four to two the number of paper copies for voting results that must be produced at the polling place; basing the signature requirements for referendum on the number of votes cast in the most recent election when the jurisdiction elected candidates, not the number of votes for Governor; eliminating unnecessary and costly consolidated primaries where possible; abolishing duplicate requirement for county clerks to publish consolidated primary ballot. And also what it did, as I said earlier, it would institute a program to -- for testing of new election machinery and it would charge the companies for this testing and that fee could not be passed on to the county clerks. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions pertaining to the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Link. Is there any discussion? Senator Althoff, for what purpose you seek recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …bill, ma’am.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any further discussion? Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

Senator Dillard, it’s not saying that you’re not required, but if a person can come in there and, you know, the judge -- you know, the clerk comes in there and says, “Oh, I know who Kirk Dillard is,” that requirement is not necessary, as it’s the same as if you walk into your local polling place. So it’s not making this requirement more difficult for individuals. If you have your voter card there and you show your voter card, you still wouldn’t need a photo ID for it. The same as if you walked into your polling place - you wouldn’t need your voter -- you wouldn’t need a photo ID if you walked into your polling place, you could show your voter’s ID card and still be able to vote. So what we’re doing is we’re making it the same as if you were voting in 244  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 person, which what -- was what the intent of early voting was, as if you were to vote in your polling place. That’s the only change it is. Not to make somebody that -- unnecessarily go out, like a senior citizen, to have to go out and get a photo ID for only the reason to vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Seeing no further discussion, Senator Link, to close, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. I -- you know, the county clerks were involved in this, so was the State Board of Elections, so were other numerous amount of people in this. I think this is a positive bill. I think we could save the State and the counties and every other election authority lots of money and a lot of confusion. And I think it’s a giant step forward and I would ask for a affirmative vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 662 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 662, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, would you like to continue on 663, sir? Out of the record. Senator Koehler, on 665. I think Senator Koehler would like to bring this -- seek leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 665 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. That is correct. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the 245  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 665. Mr. Secretary, have there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler, to explain Amendment No. 3, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. This clarifies that recordings can be used only for investigations, school disciplinary actions and hearings, proceedings under Juvenile Court Act, and criminal prosecutions, related to incidents occurring in or around the school bus. I’d ask for your approval.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing no discussion, Senator Koehler moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 665. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are -- Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 665. Do you wish to proceed? The Senator indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler, to the bill, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This was brought to me by the City of Pekin, which provides school bus service for the school district there, and this would create an exemption from the prohibition on eavesdropping to permit audio and/or video recordings of the interior of a school bus while the school bus is being used in transportation of students to and from school and school-sponsored activities. It requires that the recording policy must first be adopted by the school board and that notice of the recording be included in the student handbook and posted on the school bus itself. We had quite a bit of discussion in committee on this. The intent of this is to narrow this very specifically to help public safety in terms of students riding to and from school. I would ask for your approval.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, what purpose you seek recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler.

I think that would be up to the court, is my understanding.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler.

This would be confidential information and -- and, as such, it’s already covered under the Freedom of Information Act, Section 7, part C, where it says records compiled by any public body for administrative enforcement proceedings and any law enforcement or correctional agency for law enforcement purposes is thereby exempt. So this is exempt under FOIA and the purpose of this is not to -- to be public.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Any further discussion? Senator Garrett.

248  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Will the Senator yield?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator indicates he’ll yield for a question, ma’am.

So - I wasn’t in committee - I’m just wondering why we need to put cameras on school buses.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Garrett, this is primarily to help protect against bullying, fights that break out. So really the issue here is one of trying to provide a safe environment for students to travel to and from school.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett.

Are there problems? Fights breaking out on school buses, where, you know, there’s violence and -- and something that would lead us to have to put cameras on school buses?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler.

Yes, Senator, you’re at this -- yes, there is and I think that the intention here is to make sure that discipline is dispensed fairly. And so if there are recordings, both audio and video, that that can be done in a more equitable way.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Garrett. Further discussion? Senator Raoul, are you seeking recognition? 249  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Yeah, just to the bill. I -- I…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The bill, sir.

I -- I -- I rise in support of the bill. The sponsor did take into account some concerns that I raised to him about abuse of the audio, eavesdropping, and he narrowed the bill. The -- in response to -- Senator Garrett’s questions, cameras are already on the school buses; this is expanding to get audio. I urge support.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Jacobs.

Question of the sponsor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

Senator, I feel like I’m in some kind of -- of George Orwell novel. I mean, do you think this is repressive? I mean, what happens if this -- this film falls into someone’s hands and they put it on the Internet? Or, I mean, how do you control who has this film and how do I know that my child isn’t being filmed doing something maybe personal, maybe he’s picking his nose? I don’t know what the kid’s doing.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler.

Thank you, Senator Jacobs. This is very narrowly 250  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 constructed and it has to be, first of all, adopted by the school board as policy. It can only be used to -- to discipline and -- and for investigations of discipline on the school bus. It is not public information. It’s very tightly controlled. This is not the slippery slope. This is a very, very narrow definition really just to assure school bus safety.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Koehler, to close, sir.

Ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 665 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those -- opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 52 Ayes, 5 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 665, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Maloney. Continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, in the middle of page 16 is Senate Bill 671. Senator Maloney, are you seeking leave of the Body to return this to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment? He indicates so. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 671. Mr. Secretary, has there been any amendments approved for consideration, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Maloney, to explain Amendment No. 2. 251  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 2 clarifies what demonstrates legal responsibility as it relates to custody for purposes of determining district residency. It simply adds private insurance as one of those criteria.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Senator Maloney moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 671. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …you. 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 671. Senator Maloney, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Maloney, to the bill, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. Current language in statute requires -- provides that adults having custody must exercise both legal responsibility for the pupil and provide a regular fixed night-time abode for those purposes other than to have 252  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 access to the educational programs within the district. The provisions in this legislation assist adults in acting on behalf of pupils in school districts in determining residency in a concise, efficient manner. This language was a long time coming. We went back and forth for the better part of a year, but it is agreed to by the schools, by AARP and the Homeless, and as a result of that, I don’t know of any opposition. Be happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …you. Is there any discussion? Senator Cronin.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Cronin. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 671 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 671, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Righter, are you seeking recognition, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) State your purpose. 253  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Inquiry of the Chair. Please state your inquiry.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Righter. Senator Righter, your -- Senator Righter, your question is -- page -- on page 44 you have a Motion to Discharge the Committee. Is that your question? And when we’re getting to that order of business? Is that what -- was that your 254  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 question? Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. We’re currently on page 16. That’s about twenty-nine, twenty-eight page -- twenty some pages away. We will get to that shortly before we do the GRT vote, sometime before September. Ladies and Gentlemen, returning to Senate Bills 3rd Reading, in the middle of page 16 is Senate Bill 677. Senator Millner, would you want to proceed? The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Senator Millner. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Millner.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 677 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 677, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Bond, on Senate Bill 678. I believe Senator Bond is seeking leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 678 to the -- purposes -- for the -- Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Is that correct, sir? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the -- Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 678. Mr. Secretary, has there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond, on Floor Amendment No. 1. Is this your first -- Floor amendment, sir?

It is.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) I wasn’t sure. Could you say that again? This is your first? 256  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

That’s correct.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond, explain your first amendment, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment is technical. It removes two sentences that are redundant and ask for its adoption.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Seeing no discussion on your -- oh, there is -- discussion on the amendment? No. Seeing no discussion on the amendment, Senator Bond moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 678. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 678. Senator Bond, do you wish to proceed on your first bill? Indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond. 257  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Thank you, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) On your first bill.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 678 simply requires the Department of Transportation to deliver to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31st, 2007, a plan to ensure high speed data transmission service at fair and reasonable prices on our passenger rail system in Illinois, including Amtrak and Metra. This bill -- bill requires that the plan include recommendations for acquiring necessary right of way, installation of necessary infrastructure, operation of high speed data transmission, services, and funding sources. This bill is supported by Amtrak, the RTA, and the United Transportation Union, and the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The Illinois Department of Transportation and Metra are neutral. This bill -- came out of committee unanimously. I know of no opposition and - - and would be happy to entertain any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Demuzio, for what purpose you seek recognition, ma’am?

Yes, a question of the sponsor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, ma’am.

Yes. Senator Bond, I’m looking at the synopsis here and it 258  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 says here that IDOT is to deliver to the Governor and the General Assembly. Could you tell us how they’re going to deliver whatever they’re delivering? Is that going to be by broadband, rail, e-mail, snail mail? Could you tell us?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

Hope it would be delivered electronically.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Demuzio.

Then do you know when that is going to happen?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

The -- the bill calls for the study to be complete by December 31st of this year.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Demuzio. Senator Wilhelmi, what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. Question of the sponsor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor eagerly awaits your question.

Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. Senator Bond, I -- I have to tell you, I’m very curious about this piece of legislation you’ve brought forward. I notice that when you go to committee and when you come to the Floor and when you go pretty 259  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 much anywhere in this building, you carry along with you a -- a laptop computer. Is that true, Senator Bond?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond. Senator Bond.

Yes, that is true.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Wilhelmi.

I -- I assume that you want to be able to have the ability to travel on a Metra train and bring that toy or that tool with you. Is that correct, Senator?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

Now -- now, Senator…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Wilhelmi. Senator Wilhelmi.

Some -- some of the discussion we’ve had today in our -- in this -- in this august Chamber has related to issues such as -- as alcohol use and -- and even cannabis was on the board for a minute there. Senator, do you feel that this can contribute to an addiction to computers that I believe you might be suffering from?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

I would hope not. 260  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Wilhelmi.

…question, I -- I hope that the study will look into the effect of this kind of behavior and activity and addiction before you bring this back to this Chamber. Thank you, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Reverend Meeks, what purpose you seek recognition, sir?

Will the sponsor yield for a question?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Can’t wait. He -- he’ll yield for a question, sir.

Senator Bond, I’m sorry, I was really not paying attention. I wanted you to clarify something. Did Senator Wilhelmi say you had a toy in your lap?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

It’s a Treo 650.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Reverend Meeks.

Does that mean it does three things at the same time? Senator, I didn’t hear your answer.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

261  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 It’s one device here and it’s wireless.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Meeks.

I’ve been dying to ask you this question - my name is James; my father’s name is James; my son, his name is James - what is your father’s name, first name?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

Ron.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Meeks.

Thank you, Senator. I’m so glad you cleared that up. I know you’re wondering why is it that every time you come to speak to me I won’t have anything to say to you, but it had something to do with my fear that your father was a spy and you had a three-way contraption that you were carrying around. So thank you very much for your indulgence.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hendon. Senator Hendon, are you seeking recognition, sir?

Yes. Could I ask the -- the new Page -- is -- are you a Page?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) You have -- the gentleman will -- Senator will yield for a question. 262  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Beg your pardon.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Gentleman will yield for a question, Senator.

Oh -- oh, I -- I didn’t know I asked the gentleman. Are you related to Terry Link? You look like a young Terry Link. Did you know that? Do your hair like this. Could you do your hair like -- just do your -- no. Senator Meeks asked what -- your dad’s first -- are you the new James Bond or you…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

I am not.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Meeks. Senator Hendon. Senator James…

You got that right. I’m much taller, much more handsome than Reverend Doctor Meeks.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hendon.

Okay, I’ll -- I’ll just cut this short, but I mean, really, is this your first bill or second bill, third bill? I mean, you’ve been here so very, very long…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

Are these… 263  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

This is the -- my first bill, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hendon.

You -- you look like a freshman on his first date. You know, how you got your hands all clasped together and you got your little toy and everything. What kind of trains are these? Are these choo-choo trains or… Wooo! Wooo! You going to blow the little horn or something for us? Wooo! Wooo!

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link, what purpose you seeking recognition?

Will the sponsor yield for a question?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor will yield for a question, sir.

According to our analysis, it says there -- there was a drafting error on this bill. Is this true?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond. Senator Bond.

Yes, that is correct.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

Well, you’re trying to pass something pertaining to 264  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 passenger rail trains. If you can’t even get this bill correct, how are you going to get a schedule correct for a train? I mean, is -- is -- is this related to a schedule on a train? We want to get something and we’re talking -- and you’re Vice Chairman of Transportation. You can’t get this corrected. You want us to pass a bill of yours and you can’t get that corrected. Is this true? Is this related to transportation, related to a schedule?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

I -- I assure you it won’t happen again, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link. Senator Link, please don’t make the Chair invoke the Cronin Rule.

Well, I -- I just want to say that, you know, your -- your predecessor had a -- a way of doing things to make sure that errors were never, you know, found, and you know, I -- I just was wondering that -- you took such good advice from her that I was wondering how you let an error be even found. And you say it will never happen again; who’s saying you’ll even have a second bill? But I meant does this bill have any chance of passing? That’s what I would like to know.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

I would hope that it would have successful -- passage.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen -- Senator Cronin, are you 265  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 seeking recognition, sir?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cronin, the record will -- so reflect. Senator Bond, to close, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. I respectfully ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 678 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote -- Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 678, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the lovefest is over with. Let’s go back to Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senator Bond, on Senate Bill 680, sir. The Order of Bond. You’re now a junior Senator. Senator Bond, are you seeking leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 680 back to the Order of 2nd Reading for purpose of amendment. He is seeking leave for the purpose of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 680. Mr. Secretary, has there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond, to explain Floor Amendment No. 1, sir.

We added some clarifying language. Be happy to speak to it on 3rd.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Senator Bond moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 680. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. …Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 680. Senator Bond, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond, to the bill.

Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for your support of Senate Bill 680. Senate Bill 680 establishes net metering rules for Illinois utilities. Net metering is, simply put, a metering and 267  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 billing agreement between utilities and their customers with facilities - the connection of small renewable energy generation systems to the power grid. This program will remove the most significant barriers to homeowners, small business, farmers, and other small- and medium-sized users of electricity when they want to install small-scale renewable energy systems on their property. It will also provide substantial benefits to the electrical power generation systems, the economy, and the environment. I’d like to make three key points: First, this bill does not cost the State any money. Citizens interested in purchasing a solar panel or wind turbine or a farmer looking to put in an aero -- aerobic digester that would -- they would not be required to use their own money. This bill simply sets in place rules for how the energy generated from those systems would be metered. Secondly, this bill encourages investment in renewable energy resources, albeit on a small scale, which would contribute to the diversification of our energy supply and reduce some customers’ reliance on the power grid. Third, this bill benefits our utilities and -- and can help stimulate our economy. Grid-connected solar, wind and biomass powered systems can help utilities avoid the additional cost of power generation, increase the reliability and quality of the electricity on the grid, and produce power at peak times. In summary, I would ask you to adopt and support Senate Bill 680. It will help stabilize the grid, help reduce pollution, stimulate our economy, and most importantly help reduce our customers’ electricity bills. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator John 268  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Sullivan, what purpose you seek recognition?

Question of the sponsor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir. Senator Sullivan.

Senator Bond, can you explain to me right now with net metering how a residential customer, for example, that has the ability to generate electricity, what they -- what they can do currently and what your legislation proposes to change?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

Sure. Net metering is a -- a simple concept. If you have wind or solar, you generate eighty units of -- of electricity and you use eighty units of electricity, once you’re connected to the grid, at the end of the month, end of the period, you settle up. If for some reason your system generates in excess of your usage, you put it back on the grid and you get compensated at a wholesale rate. Currently, this is not permitted in Ameren territory at all. ComEd does have a small-scale pilot program that’s been in existence for about ten years.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sullivan.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Senator Bond. This is something that many of my constituents have -- have brought concerns to me and I very much appreciate you bringing it to the 269  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Floor, and I certainly ask all Members to support it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Further discussion? Further discussion? Senator Brady, you seeking recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Further discussion? Further discussion? Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

The -- most residential consumers have a meter and that meter is -- is in existence if they’re an energy consumer right now, an electricity consumer. That meter can run forward and as -- if -- if more electricity passes the other way, that meter can spin backward actually. In some areas, they’ve put locks on them and you cannot reverse the energy. You could literally go out and spin it backward. If energy flows in reverse -- it technically can do that, so the existing infrastructure is in place. That device however is the property of the public utility and it is their infrastructure up to that point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond. 271  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

In -- in those instances where it’s that type of meter currently, it -- it would work, but I can’t speak to all meters. Some of the -- my understanding is some of the older equipment in urban areas does have the lock and there is a -- if for some reason, the customer is not satisfied with the meter, for whatever reason, it is upon their responsibility to purchase the kind of meter that they would prefer.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

My understanding is, it’s your responsibility to get it back to the meter and -- and meet them at -- at the demarcation.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Further discussion? Further discussion? Senator Risinger.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 272  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Bill, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Further discussion? Further discussion? Senator Syverson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

The -- I -- I can speak to a wind turbine we have in our 273  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 neighborhood, twenty kilowatt, hundred foot tower, where we participate as a community in the ComEd pilot program, and it’s fairly straightforward. You have to have a -- a -- a point of demarcation where the main power source comes in, you hit a meter, and then you have to get it from your generation device to the meter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Syverson.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Bond.

If it were, that’s a responsibility of the consumer and that’s their -- it -- the equipment belongs to them. You -- you might have a -- a different scenario. If you didn’t want to put it back on the grid and you wanted to put it into a battery system, you would be responsible for managing the voltage and -- and putting it into a capture system. The -- the beauty of 274  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 allowing net metering to flourish is you don’t need batteries. You can put it on the grid and take it off the grid and -- for a fair and responsible price do an exchange. If you generate more than you use, if you have a windy year, you could presumably get paid at a wholesale rate, just like the -- the energy distribution companies paying on the wholesale market.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Seeing no further discussion, Senator Bond, to close, sir.

Thank you. I respectfully ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 680 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 680, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, we just spend fourteen minutes on a bill that got 57 votes. Once again, we’re still in the six hundreds; we have twelve more hundred bills to go through this evening. So let’s keep talking a little longer this evening. Senator Bond, on 682. Wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 275  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Senator Bond.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is a quick one. This bill is primary cleanup bill. Last year Public Act 94-930 added language to the statutes that had been inadvertently omitted when the initial legislation -- legislative proposal was drafted to comply with the federally mandated requirements that were outlined in the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act. According to the Secretary of State, as procedural changes are implemented, there are other areas in the Illinois Vehicle Code that are directly or indirectly impacted and require language modification as well. These proposals will further bring Illinois into compliance with the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act. This bill is supported by the Secretary of State. The Mid-West Truckers Association is neutral. I know of no objections. I’d be happy to entertain any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, seeing no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 682 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 682, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading, on the bottom of page 16 is Senate Bill 684. Senator Link, you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Link.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is a bill that includes bonding requirements for the North Shore Sanitary District commissioners, publications of ordinance, lengthening the period of time for the District may lease real estate, and increasing dollar value to allow for emergency contractor -- contracts. Basically what it’s doing is having -- the North Shore Sanitary District regards these changes as -- measures necessary to help modernize their operations. I know of no opposition.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there discussion? Senator Althoff.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The bill, ma’am.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, Senator Link, to close, sir. 277  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Thank you. To correct that thing, what it does on the pay increases, the board has to vote on the pay increases - we’re not giving them a pay increase - and this is no cost to the State. This is up to the district to decide if they want to. All we’re doing is allowing them the opportunity to do it. As I said, I know of no opposition to the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. The question is, Ladies and Gentlemen, shall Senate Bill 684 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 48 Ayes, 7 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 684, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Halvorson, do you wish to precede on Senate Bill 688, ma’am? She -- I’m sorry, Senator Halvorson will seek leave of the Body to return this to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Is that correct, ma’am? Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 688. Mr. Secretary, has there been any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Halvorson, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. This is truly a historic time when we can say that we have an agreed bill 278  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 between the Mobile Home Owners and between the MHOAI group that we’ve been working together, a consensus bill supported by both the manufacturing {sic} housing industry and the statewide Mobile Park Tenants Association. I can list the things, but let’s adopt the amendment and I’ll explain it on 3rd Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing no discussion, Senator Halvorson moves the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 688. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Senator Halvorson, do you wish to proceed, ma’am? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Halvorson, to the bill, ma’am.

Thank you, Mr. President. A few things that Senate Bill -- 688 does is it allows the Illinois Department of Public Health to impose monetary penalties against a person who operates a mobile home park in violation of the Mobile Home Park Act. Under 279  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 current law, DPH has no power to impose monetary penalties. It establishes within the Illinois Department of Public Health an administrative hearing procedure. Currently, no such hearing procedures exist. Requires the park owners to provide a written lease to tenants at least one day before the lease is to be signed. Requires park owners to provide tenants with a ninety- day notice. Park owners must disclose three years of projected rent increases. It goes on, and on, and on. At this point, I’d much rather answer any questions if there are some and I can answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Is there any discussion? Senator…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Further discussion? Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Halvorson.

280  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Thank you, Senator, for asking that question. If a mobile home is abandoned, the park owner may sell or otherwise dispose of the home, and any funds remaining after the park owner is reimbursed for disposing of the home should be returned to the tenant who abandoned the home. If the park owner cannot find the tenant by attempting to contact him or her at their last known address, the remaining funds should be turned over to the Illinois Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Division.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Halvorson. Seeing -- any further discussion? Senator Crotty, are you seeking recognition, ma’am?

Thank you. I just have a few questions for the sponsor for legislative intent.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates she’ll yield for a question, ma’am. Senator Crotty.

First of all, I’d like to thank -- thank the sponsor for all her hard work on this issue. But, again, I have just a couple questions for legislative intent. First question would be, does this new law require park owners provide the tenants with a copy of the lease that the tenant can take with them?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Halvorson.

Yes, Senator Crotty, the park owners must give tenants a copy of the lease at no charge if requested by the tenants. They should allow the tenants to take their copy of the lease with 281  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 them out of the park office.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Crotty.

…you, and can you please clarify what happens to unclaimed money after a park owner has disposed of an abandoned mobile home?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Halvorson.

I can -- Senator Radogno asked the same question, and basically, as I said before, if it’s abandoned, the park owner may sell or otherwise dispose of the home. Any funds would go back to the tenant. If the tenant cannot be found after contacting him or her at their last known address, it would go over to the Illinois Treasurer’s unclaimed property.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, Senator Halvorson, to close, ma’am.

I just ask for an Aye vote and I thank everybody who has helped bring this to closure.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 688 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 688, having 282  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link in the Chair.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senate Bill 689. Senator Viverito. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Viverito.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. In summary, this changes the length of time a municipality has to repay money borrowed from a bank or financial institution from one year to ten years. Proponents are the City of East Peoria, City of Eureka, DuPage Mayors and Managers, Illinois Municipal League, Village of Barrington Hills, Village of Lombard, Village of Roanoke, Will County and government -- Governmental League. The sponsors of this bill naturally are the municipalities and all they’re doing is coordinating what the townships already have and extending their borrowing period from one year to ten. I want to thank Senator Althoff for her work on this bill as well. She did an excellent job and I hope that we will have a favorable opinion by all of you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Sponsor indicates he will yield.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Viverito.

It -- don’t believe, Senator, that is the case. I think this is the working cash fund that is available and it would be in an interest-bearing account as well, and it just gives them a longer period of time to pay the money back.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Lauzen.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Viverito.

Senator, I believe that that’s a good question and I thank 284  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 you for it, but all this basically does is to allow them to have much more flexibility. And when you need that flexibility -- obviously a lot of these municipalities need this in order to be able to have that flexibility that’s necessary in balancing the funds that are available to them and many of them have limited. The townships already enjoy it. The road districts already enjoy it, but I want to thank you, Senator, for those questions and I would hope for a -- a -- a Yes vote by everyone.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any further discussion? Senator Viverito, to close.

I just appreciate a Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, shall Senate Bill 689 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. All those who -- who have voted -- all who have voted who wish? All who have voted wish? All who have voted who wish? I’m taking it -- it’s a long day. All -- have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that, there are 54 Ayes, 2 Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 689, having received the constitutional required -- has passed. Senate Bill 705. Senator Wilhelmi. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Wilhelmi. 285  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 705 amends the Criminal Code and creates the offense of prescription theft when a person knowingly alters a prescription, possesses a blank prescription without authorization, or possesses or attempts to fill a prescription not issued by a licensed prescriber. A first offense is a Class 4 felony, a second or subsequent offense is a Class 3 felony. This is an initiative of the Illinois Medical Society. I know of no opposition and I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing no -- no discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 705 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 705, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We will go to page 2 in your book, on bills of 2nd Reading. This will be the last time we will go through… Before going back to page 2, with leave of the Body, we will go back to Senate Bill 639, which we weren’t being able to get to because Senator DeLeo was in the Chair. Madam Secretary, read the bill. Oh, Senator DeLeo requests -- seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 639 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of -- amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 639. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator DeLeo, to explain your amendment. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 1 adds the fire department into the police bicycle Act. I’ll explain the bill after we adopt the amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Seeing no discussion, Senator DeLeo moves the adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 639. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 639. Senator DeLeo, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. As -- those Members that were not in the 287  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Transportation Committee, this is just basically -- as you know, the Chicago Police Department and other police departments are now using bicycles for beach patrol, Segways for different events in the City of Chicago and different park districts. It allows the bicycles they use -- be identified as actual police vehicles, sirens, lights, and it would be treated as a police vehicle. The amendment we just adopted allows the fire department to have the same privileges. I ask for a favorable roll call on Senate Bill 639, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Seeing no discussion, Senator DeLeo moves that -- that Senate Bill 639 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 639, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Now we can go back to page 2 of your Calendar. This is the last time we’re going to go through 2nd Readings. So if you want to move your bill, be ready. This will be the last time. So if you’re ready, move your bill. The last time. Senate Bill 16. Senator Munoz. Senate Bill 16. Senator Munoz. Out of the record. Senate Bill 26. Senator Burzynski. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 288  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 117. Senator Cullerton. Out of the record. Senate Bill 175. Senator Sandoval. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sandoval, to explain the amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 175 will authorize the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to institute an outreach program to create awareness of energy assistance program targeting low-income minority and senior heads of household. The amendment calls for the Department to implement the program through rules adopted under the Illinois Administrator {sic} (Administrative Procedure) Act. The energy assistance program is LIHEAP. This is an agreed-upon amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sandoval moves the adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 175. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any 289  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 177. Senator Raoul. Out of the record. Senate Bill 194. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. I apologize. Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sieben, to explain your amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Sieben moves the adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 194. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration? 290  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 201. Senator Sieben.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sieben, to explain the amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Sieben moves for the adoption of Amendment 2 to Floor -- to Senate Bill 201. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 210. Senator Dahl. Out of the record. Senate Bill 216. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sieben, to explain your amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Sieben moves for the adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 216. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 243. Senator Ronen. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Ronen, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill has to do with ambulatory surgical treatment centers and this amendment, which makes minor changes really, makes better definition of who are medically underserved as requirements for becoming an AST.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Ronen moves for the adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 243. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 310. Senator Sullivan. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sullivan, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. The -- the amendment deletes a reference of methamphetamine as defined in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act and it also -- the -- the amendment also adds an effective date of six months after becoming law.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Sullivan moves for the adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 310. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 294  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 314. Senator Maloney. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Maloney, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment makes the bill applicable to only State plans, not municipal, county or township plans, as it relates to design and construction and standards for bicycle and pedestrian ways.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Maloney moves for Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 314. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 328. Senator Hendon. Out of the record. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 346. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 463. Senator Millner. Senator Millner. Out of the record. Senate Bill 484. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 296  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 494. Senator Jacobs. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 570. Senator Sullivan. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 593. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Cullerton, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is a -- amendment was at the request of the Illinois Department of Human Rights and it just says, with regard to a place of education, it clarifies that the Act only applies in circumstances concerning the failure to enroll an individual and does not apply to issues traditionally handled by the Department of Education. Move for its adoption.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Cullerton moves for the adoption of Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 593. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other -- any -- have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 615. Senator Clayborne. Out of the record. Senate Bill 616. Senator Clayborne. Out of the 298  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 record. Senate Bill 697. Senator Wilhelmi. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 698. Senator Sullivan. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 764. Senator Crotty. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for 299  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Crotty, to explain your amendment.

Amendment No. -- is it No. 1 or No. 2 to 764? I’m going to table No. 1. I don’t and there’s another amendment that’s waiting to come out of Rules. And I -- can I move it to 3rd and then bring it back to 2nd for that amendment?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Crotty has moved to table Amendment 1. Hearing no objection, the amendment is tabled. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 765. Senator Crotty. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senator -- excuse me, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Crotty, to explain your amendment.

Thank you very much. Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 765 seeks to better address the civil rights of -- developmentally disabled persons and better integrate them into the community by creating voluntary home and community-based long-term care programs funded with Medicaid and other funds, and the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health would be required to establish guidelines and rules for the administration of the program.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Senator Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Crotty.

You know what then, what I’d like to do then is just table No. 1. I would like to move it to 3rd and then I’ll move it back to 2nd for the other two amendments. Would that be all right?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Crotty moves to table Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 765. Hearing no objection, the amendment is tabled. Have there 301  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. For the -- for the Body’s information, Senate Bill 1084 through 1093, Senator DeLeo has been added as cosponsor and will be carrying the bills from -- for tonight. Senate Bill 1084. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1085. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1086. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1087. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1088. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1089. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1090. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1091. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1092. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1093. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1208. Senator Radogno. Madam 304  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Radogno, to explain your amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Radogno, we only have Amendment 1. We do not have Amendment No. 2 on the board. We have to go one at a time, so we’ll wait. Senator Radogno moves the adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1208. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other amendment -- Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Radogno, to explain your amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Radogno moves the adoption of Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1208. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1324. Senator Schoenberg. Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary, read the bill, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schoenberg, to explain your amendment. 306  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor -- Floor Amendment No. 2 is the trailer bill that Senator Haine and I had worked on and have collaborated on for the disclosure -- the economic conflict of interest and disclosure requirements for the network of cord blood stem cell - - banks and also establishes the procedures for informed consent for donating cord blood stem cells. There’s no opposition to this.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Schoenberg moves for the adoption of Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1324. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schoenberg, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 3 strikes the word “State” so that we can help the Cardinal Glennon facility in Missouri with which we have a relationship.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Schoenberg moves for the adoption of Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1324. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. 307  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007 The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1327. Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1348. Senator Munoz. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Munoz, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 1 retains Senate Bill 1348 and limits the additional ten percent retained for sheriff’s office operations costs to bail bonds of thirty thousand or less.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Munoz moves the adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1348. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1384. Senator Raoul. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1400. Senator Jacobs. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Jacobs, to explain your amendment.

Sir, I’d like to table the amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Jacobs moves to table Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1400. Seeing no objection, the amendment is tabled. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1471. Senator Kotowski. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1504. Senator Forby. Senator Forby. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1508. Senator Crotty. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. 310  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Crotty, to explain your amendment.

Amendment No. 1 will now become the bill and it just states that once a building permit is issued, the applicable local building codes that are in effect at the time that the permit…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Excuse me. Excuse me, Senator Crotty, we have the wrong bill up there right now.

Yeah, it’s 1508.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Supposed to be.

1508.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) There we go.

That’s okay. 311  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Now we got it in order. Now, Senator Crotty, with that beautiful voice, you can continue.

This amendment now becomes…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Excuse me, Senator Crotty. We’ll start over on this till we get it correct for you. All right. Senator Crotty, now you can start and explain your amendment.

I don’t want -- I don’t want to. No. Amendment No. 1 now does become the bill and this would then state that once a building permit is issued, the applicable local building codes that are in effect at the time that the permit is issued shall be the only building codes that apply for the duration of that permit.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Crotty moves for the adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1508. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1543. Senator Sieben. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1553. Senator Frerichs. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Frerichs, to explain your amendment.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1553 protects disabled firefighters by providing that disability cannot constitute the cause for discharge. If a pension board determines that a firefighter is not disabled, then the marshal or chief must immediately return the firefighter to payroll. Firefighters who devote their lives protecting the public deserve the piece of mind to know that in case of disability their families will be taken care with a duty disability pension benefit.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Now that we have the right person, is there any discussion? Senator -- seeing none, Senator Frerichs moves the adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1553. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1578. Senator Bond. Senator Bond. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1583. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1587. Senator Frerichs. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1591. Senator Hendon. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1593. Senator Hendon. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1625. Senator Ronen. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Ronen, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This makes a change from one thousand feet to five hundred feet, the distance from which alcopop displays are to be kept away from youthful activities.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Ronen moves the adoption of Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1625. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1699. Senator Wilhelmi. Out of the record.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Link, on 1729. Madam Secretary, read the bill. 315  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/29/2007

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Link, to explain your amendment.

Thank you, Madam President. This reinstitutes the language regarding the Water Pollution Control Loan Program and the Public Water Supply Loan Program.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, Senator Link moves the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1729. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on 1733. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 3rd Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senate Bill 1751. Senator Sandoval. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 9 a.m. tomorrow, March 30th, 2007. The Senate stands adjourned. 317