PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The regular Session of the 95th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Ron Moorman, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Springfield, Illinois. Pastor Moorman.
(Prayer by Pastor Ron Moorman)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, May 16th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Will all Members under the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor? Will all Members under the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor? Would all administrative assistants please 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 direct your Senator to the Senate Floor? We’re about to go to substantial business. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolutions 183 through 191, offered by Senator Lauzen and all Members. And Senate Resolution 192, offered by Senators Althoff, Pankau and all Members. They’re both -- they’re all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Further Resolutions.
Senate Joint Resolution 55, offered by Senator Brady. It’s substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all Members under the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor? Madam Secretary, Messages.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 471. We’ve received like Messages on House Bills 920, 1040, 1548, 2043, 2070, -- 2352, 2425, 2671 and 3765. All passed the House May 16th, 2007. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. I have another Message. A Message from the Governor by Joseph B. Handley, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 Dated May 10th, 2007. Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable Members of the Senate 95th General Assembly - I have nominated and appointed the following named persons to the offices enumerated below, and respectfully ask concurrence in, and confirmation of these appointments of your Honorable Body. Rod Blagojevich, Governor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 134, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 471, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 611, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 920, offered by Senator Hendon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1361, offered by Senator Hendon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill -- I’m sorry, House Bill 1548, offered by Senator Munoz. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1747, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1915, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 House Bill 2133, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2425, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3496, offered by Senator Brady. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 3765, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all Members under the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor? For your information, we’re going to go to 3rd Readings. If you are not on the Senate Floor, you do not call your bill. You will be passed up today. We are wasting absolutely, positively no time today. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
I’d like to announce that the Office of the Comptroller will be available in the -- in the President’s Conference Room from 12 to 3 p.m. today to assist Senate Members in completing forms to make any changes to health and life benefits. Members may also call Miss Chris Bell at 782-4659 of the Comptroller’s Office directly. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we’re about 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 to go to 3rd Readings - 3rd Readings. We’re going -- we’re going to go exactly where we left off yesterday, page 43 of your Senate Calendar. Page 43. House Bill 1744. House Bill 1744. Senator -- Martinez. 1744. Senator Martinez. House Bill 1752. Senator Link. 1752. Senator Link. House Bill 1753. Senator Link. 1753. Senator Link. House Bill 1758. Senator Ronen. Senator Ronen, 1758. House Bill 1759. Senator Collins. Senator Collins, 1759. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1759. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Collins.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, just give me a moment, please. I’m sorry. House Bill 1759 requires that all pregnant women be informed they will be tested for HIV, unless they refuse in writing, and that their newborn will be tested if the woman’s status is unknown. House Bill 1759 also mandates every health care facility caring for a newborn infant whose mother has been diagnosed with HIV positive prior to labor and delivery, to report a case of perinatal exposure through the HIV/AIDS Registry and in accordance with the Illinois Sexually -- Transmissible Disease Control Act. What this mean, and the questioning came up in committee, all it -- it requires is that they can -- the mother or the pregnant woman can say -- can be tested and respond verbally or in writing, and it will be documented in their records - medical records. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall -- House Bill 1759 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 51 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1759, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1775. Senator Crotty. 1775. House Bill 1778. Senator Luechtefeld. Senator Luechtefeld, 1778. House Bill 1780. Senator Holmes. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1780. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Holmes.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1780 amends the State Finance Act, changing the names of the Conservation 2000 Fund and Conservation 2000 Projects Fund to the Partners for Conservation Fund and the Partners for Conservation Projects Fund. Uses of the Funds are expanded to include natural resource restoration, preservation, water quality protection and improvement, and land use and watershed planning. In addition, the bill removes the Department of Transportation from the list of -- agencies that can use the Fund, and clarifies that the Funds may be used by the Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture. I’d appreciate an Aye vote, 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 and will take any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1780 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. House Bill 1780, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Chair would appreciate succinct descriptions of your bill. You do not have to read the entire analysis. House Bill 1790. Senator Haine. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1790. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
Thank you very much, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is an initiative of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts. There’s no opposition. It just changes from -- from the -- the Supreme Court to the Comptroller, where the fees go for court reporters because they are now under the jurisdiction of the local courts.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1790 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 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. House Bill 1790, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Radogno, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point, please.
I have with me on the Floor today, a friend of mine, Brandon Bless, who is a firefighter in Urbana and he’s able to visit with us for just a few minutes before he goes out to the Fire Fighter Memorial. So, I’d like to welcome Brandon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to the Illinois Senate, and be safe our there. Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point, Senator.
I would like to introduce to the Senate a constituent and dear friend from back home. It’s Mr. Ron Petrucci from Saint Charles, Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome, Ron. Welcome to Springfield. Senator Rutherford, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir? 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
Mr. President, thank you. For the purpose of introduction, I’d like to have the Senate please welcome Mr. Michael Dowdle, who is from the Sacred Heart School up in Winnetka, who’s here Paging with us as a part of an effort on the fundraising group from their folks back at home. Please welcome Michael Dowdle.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to Springfield, Mike. Welcome. Take care of Rutherford over there. Senator Hultgren, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
For purposes of an introduction, please, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Go right ahead, Senator.
Thank you. I -- I may have -- have the privilege of having Lance Kovacs, who is a graduate student at UIS, Springfield, from Wheaton, Illinois. He’s been an intern in my office for the last couple weeks. This is his last day working with me and has done a great job. I’d ask you to welcome Lance.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Love that suit. Brave enough to wear bright colors like the Presiding Officer. Yes, Senator. Senator Hultgren.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one other guest here this -- today as well, and -- and, Robert, if you could stand up. Robert Hurlow is from Niles, Illinois. He is a student at Dayspring Bible College and is my guest on the Floor today, and 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 is also down with Reverend Bob Vanden Bosch, who is kind of showing him around today. So I’d also ask if you’d welcome Rob Hurlow as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to Springfield. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Welcome the young man. Wake up around here. Welcome the young man. Senator Maloney, for what purpose do you seek recognition, my friend?
Purpose of an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Take your time. State your announcement, sir.
Okay. I would like to announce on behalf of the Ozzie Guillen of the Senate, or on -- given the fact the Cardinals are here, the Tony LaRussa of the Senate, Senator Hendon, our leader, our manager, our playing manager, our manager has called -- has called for practice today…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) I -- I -- I’m sorry, Senator, this is the most important announcement of the day. We must have order. Senator Maloney.
Okay, I’ll say it again then. On behalf of our -- the Ozzie Guillen of the Senate, our manager, our player-manager and leader, Senator Hendon, I would like to announce that the Senate softball practice will be today, 5:30 at Lincoln Park, not that we need practice, but it’ll sharpen up our game. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 Thank you. Please keep that announcement in mind. You don’t practice, you don’t play. Senator Haine, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Mr. President, a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point, Senator.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I want to introduce my wife, Anna, on the Floor, and her goddaughter, Elnora Roland, who’s here with her visiting from Alton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to Springfield. Good to see you, Mrs. Haine. Senator. Senator Haine.
I want to add that Elnora is an honor student at Alton Senior High School.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Wonderful. Welcome, honor student - straight A’s. Senator Bond, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
I’d like to introduce a -- a high school friend of mine from Staunton, Illinois, Tom Goozwell, and he’s a resident of Senator Demuzio‘s district. Thank you. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to Springfield, Tom. Welcome. All right, we’re going back to 3rd Readings. House Bill -- House Bill 1797. Senator Raoul. 1797. Senator Raoul. Out of the record. House Bill 1798. Senator Raoul. Senator Raoul. Out of the record. House Bill 1832, Senator Demuzio. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1832. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1832 amends the Historic Preservation Agency Act regarding life estates and concession lease agreements. This amends the Historic Preservation Agency Act to determine the agency has the power to acquire, for purposes authorized by law, any real property in fee simple subject to a life estate in the seller in not more than three acres of real property acquired, subject to the restrictions that the life estate is to be used for residential purposes only and that it is to be non-transferable.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1832 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, none 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 voting Nay, none voting Present. And by the way, someone did not vote the -- the Presiding Officer on that bill. House Bill 1832, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1833, Senator Demuzio. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1833. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1833 amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code, regarding the protection harvesting and sale of roe and roe-bearing species. It would make it illegal to fish or harvest these aquatic life forms without the proper credentials. It would also allow for the purchase of roe harvesting permits, as well as commercial roe dealer permits, and it would establish the cost of these permits, the timeframe that the permits would be valid and who would have to have the permits, and penalties for violating any of these requirements.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1833 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1833, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 passed. House Bill 1839. Senator Delgado. Out of the record. House Bill 1847. Senator Demuzio. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1847. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1847 amends the School Code -- regarding educational support personnel transfer rights. The purpose of this bill is to give educational support personnel the same transfer rights as teachers. Currently there are no provisions that safeguard educational support personnel when new school districts are formed, in cases of deactivation, consolidation and conversion or -- annexation. House Bill 1847 requires the creation of a list of the educational and support personnel employed in the original district for the school year immediately before the effective date of that reorganization.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1847 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1847, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Chair would appreciate succinct descriptions of your 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 legislation, especially if it’s going out of here 59 to nothing. House Bill 1864. Senator Hultgren. Madam Secretary, read the bill. 1864.
House Bill 1864. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hultgren.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is cleanup of language for the Snowmobile Act and Boating Act. There’s no opposition. I’d ask for the support of the Body.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1864 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1864, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1872. Senator Crotty. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1872. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Crotty. 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
Thank you very much. House Bill 1872 adds specific guidelines on how names are to appear on petitions for nominations to school board. Specifically, in the event that a candidate has changed their name in the last three years, they are to be listed as both their current name and -- and the name that they are formerly known as. It does not apply to cases of adoption, marriage or divorce. This is follow-up legislation which outline the same guidelines in the Election Code, but it was neglected to be put into the School Code. And I ask for a Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1872 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1872, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1875. Senator Rutherford. 1875. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s bill.
House Bill 1875. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Rutherford.
Mr. President, thank you. This legislation would allow for 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 a -- electric vehicles to cross highways, if they are under certain speed limit, with stop lights and stop signs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1875 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1875, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1877. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1877. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Garrett.
Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. President. House Bill 1877, it’s the second time around for us. Amends the School Code to require school districts under -- other than Chicago, give full- time teachers sick leave for birth, adoption or placement for adoption. It’s already passed the House 116 to 0.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. To the bill. I just rise in support of the bill. I am a little bit concerned that Chicago public schools 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 are exempt, but I do support the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 1877 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 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1877, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege. I’d like to go back to my vote on 1759. I made an error. I’d like the record to reflect my intention was to vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The record will so reflect. House Bill 1881. Senator Garrett. 1881. Senator Susan Garrett. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1881. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Garrett.
Thank you, again, Mr. President. This allows corporate authorities to provide for the cutting of weeds or grass and the removal of trees and bushes if the property owner refuses or neglects to maintain them. It allows the corporate authority, 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 municipality, to collect from the owners the cost of such maintenance through a lien on the real estate affected. It also allows a corporate authority to remove ash trees affected by the emerald ash borer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1881 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 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1881, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1910. Senator Garrett. 1910. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1910. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd -- 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Garrett.
Thank you, again, Mr. President. I’m glad I got here on time. House Bill 1910 amends the School Code to provide that a partial school day may be counted as a full school day if at least one full clock hour of instruction has taken place, and the reason for the abbreviated school day is in -- condition beyond the control of the school district.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Burzynski. 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this bill. This is brought about because of an incident in my district where a school district had a bomb threat. Had to vacate one building, and therefore lost their school State aid for the day. It makes the school State aid formula much better. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1910 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? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1910, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1911. Senator Harmon. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s bill.
House Bill 1911. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 1911 is an initiative of the Department of Labor. It makes technical changes to several Acts that were suggested by OSHA in regards to the State’s application to become an OSHA State plan. I’m not aware of any opposition. I ask for your Aye votes. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1911 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. All 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. House Bill 1911, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1919. Senator Demuzio. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1919. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1919 is an initiative of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois. It provides that a fire fighter who is elected to the Illinois General Assembly be granted a leave of absence without compensation -- during his or her term.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Hultgren.
Thank you, Mr. President. Real quickly, this bill did go through the Labor Committee. There was a little bit of a concern. Obviously we all support firefighters, but to grant a leave of absence if they’re elected to the General Assembly - I 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 know many of us have -- had to leave jobs and don’t get necessarily a -- a leave of absence to be able to be down here - so, I would just encourage people to take a look at this before you vote and make sure it’s something you want to support. That we just did have a little bit of concern about that. Isolating out again, we -- we love our firefighters, but to give them this special consideration other than other jobs, just had a little bit of question on that. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. First, inquiry of the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your inquiry, sir.
Mr. President, I notice, as I’m sure a number of our Members have, that you’re wearing a red suit today. Today also happens to be the day, it’s my understanding, when the St. Louis Cardinals 2006 World Championship trophy is in town. I’m wondering if you’ve felt a sudden conversion or epiphany on behalf of the ball club down in St. Louis, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator, being a baseball fan and certainly someone who appreciates the great efforts of the southern Illinois Cardinals, I certainly wore red today in their honor. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President, again, for recognizing me. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 She indicates she will. Senator Righter.
Thank you. Senator Demuzio, I think, myself and at least a few Members always get a little bit of the willies whenever we kind of carve out things for Members of the General Assembly, regardless of how noble they may be. Just to -- to put it out here on the record, are there Members of the General Assembly who you are aware of who this would affect?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.
No. No, Senator, I’m not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Was -- Senator Demuzio, can I ask who brought this bill to you?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Demuzio.
Yes. One of the firefighters. Someone associated with the Fire Fighters’ Association -- Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, very briefly. I would just urge the Members think through very carefully their vote on this. Sometimes the things that we do here in 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 Springfield as we’re running through these bills at the pace that the President has set us on, they look fine here, but sometimes they always don’t reflect that well back at home. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Demuzio, to close.
I just ask for a favorable vote for the firefighters that are here in Springfield today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 1919 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. All 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 50 voting Aye, 5 voting Nay, and 3 voting Present. House Bill 1919, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1921. Senator Haine. Madam Secretary, please read the gentleman’s bill.
House Bill 1921. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is an initiative of the Illinois Fire Caucus. It directs one cent of the current cigarette tax to be deposited in -- primarily into a Fire Service and Small Equipment Fund to 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 purchase for needy departments - gear, air packs, thermal imaging cameras, Jaws of Life and other necessary equipment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Lauzen.
Questions for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Indicates he will yield. Senator Lauzen.
Senator, there’s no new tax in this bill, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
…sir. Yes, sir, that’s correct. No new tax.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Lauzen.
In the past, I -- what I understand, you’re allocating a one cent -- one cent of the current cigarette tax to this worthy goal. Where does that money typically go right now?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
I -- I presume into the General Fund.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Lauzen.
I -- I’m sorry, I did not hear the reply.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 He assumed to the General Fund. Are there further questions? Senator Lauzen.
I just got corrected that it’s not one cent, but I -- I thought that I heard in he description that at one cent of the current cigarette tax would go to this purpose, but it’s not one cent, it’s six hundred thousand dollars a year -- or excuse me, a month and so that’s 7.2 million annually. Can you just clarify that for me? Is it one cent or is -- and did you say that in the description of the bill or is it the six hundred thousand?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
No, Senator, I’m -- I apologize for that. I have it in here. It’s four hundred -- this is per month - four hundred and eighty thousand into the Fire Service and Small Equipment Fund, sixty thousand into the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund and sixty thousand into the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator -- Senator Haine, to close.
I’d ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 1921 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? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1921, having received the required constitutional majority, is 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 declared passed. House Bill 1922. Madam -- Senator Sullivan. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1922. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd -- 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1922 requires the State Board of Education to develop an -- ag education teacher training continuum and to provide incentive funding grants to State university and community colleges. It is subject to appropriation. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1922 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. House Bill 1922, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1923. Senator Haine. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1923. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is another fund of money which would go into the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund, which would benefit, again, small departments and it would also go into the Circuit Court Clerk Operation and Administrative Fund. It’s a twenty-dollar fee for serious traffic violations. And the serious -- traffic violations are listed in the synopsis. Those are including serious accidents, illegal transportation and carrying of alcoholic beverages, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, involving a -- speeding thirty miles an hour over, passing in a no passing zone, et cetera.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Althoff.
Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Althoff.
We discussed this legislation in committee, Senator, and -- and I’m just curious, is -- is there a reason that you can give me -- don’t we already have an existing revolving loan fund that the State is providing moneys for?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
That is a good question, Senator, but the -- this is, again, a fire service request. Apparently there are many small departments, fire districts, throughout the State that are having 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 a very difficult time purchasing necessary fire equipment and that’s the need for the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Althoff.
Thank you. I understand that. I am part of the Legislative Fire Caucus and this is absolutely necessary and the reason it’s necessary is that currently our budget does not fund the revolving loan program. We have individual fire departments out there that try and access this program and there’s no available funds. And -- and I applaud the creativity to find another revenue stream. I’m just extremely disappointed that there’s not a regular program that funds the needs of this very important issue. So thank you for the legislation. I would urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator Peterson.
Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Peterson.
Senator, would you define what a small department is? Is it -- is it spelled out in the bill that it has to have a certain population or what kind of specifics would qualify a department to apply for these funds?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 I -- I don’t believe that is defined. It is defined in the statute, staff indicates to me, but it is not set forth in this bill, but it is defined somewhere else in -- in the statute.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Peterson.
Senator, will this bill be applicable to that other language or do we have to come in with an amendment to make sure that the other specifications are used for this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
Senator, I would presume, and it’s my legislative intent, that the other parts of the statute would be applicable, that they’d be cross-referenced to this bill, that they would be certainly entitled to access this -- this fund. That’s my legislative intent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Peterson.
To the bill, Mr. President. I think this is a great bill, but I think we should keep an eye on how these funds are spent. We -- we don’t need to be granting funds to those departments who have ample financial backing, and the sponsor has stated that we will use a definite formula to allocate these funds and I presume he will follow up on it and make sure that that is done accordingly. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Millner. 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a question or two?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Millner.
Thank you, Mr. President. Regarding the additional twenty- dollar fine, do we know that with the Supreme Court rules that they will allow that to take place? For example, I noticed one of the fines would be passing. It’s a seventy-five dollar fine; however, the Supreme Court said that they can’t -- we cannot collect fines and be beyond the bond, so how would that work?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
You know, that’s a very good question, Senator Millner, and I don’t have an answer for that. It may be that as to that particular offense, it may not be applicable because of Supreme Court rule.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Millner. Okay.
Mr. -- thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: One of the concerns that I have. I think it’s a great bill and a great idea; however, what will happen -- one of two things may happen, the money, that additional twenty dollars that we can’t get beyond the seventy-five dollars, will come out of Local Government’s Fund. So, currently the money that your local government gets, they probably won’t get because it would now go 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 to this fund. So that would be a -- a matter of priorities, number one. Number two, the issue of the Supreme Court -- the -- some of those fines listed here we won’t be able to -- it won’t be able to materialize. So it’s a feel good bill, but we might not be able to get the moneys that we need. And if we can get the money, some of that money may come from our -- our municipalities, which is going to hurt the municipalities. And for that reason, I just urge a little caution as we -- as we move forward with this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine, to close.
I would ask for an Aye vote, and I will get back to the Senator on those concerns.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 1923 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1923, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we’re going to return to page 43 of your Calendar - the bottom of page 43. House Bill 1798. Senator Raoul. House Bill 1798 will be Senator Kwame Raoul. Madam Secretary, could you please read House Bill 1798?
House Bill 1798. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Raoul.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 1798 amends the Wrongful Death Act to provide that in every wrongful death action, the jury may award damages that they may deem fair, including damages for grief, sorrow and mental suffering. Currently, under the Wrongful Death Act, damages for grief, sorrow and mental anguish of the family of a person wrongfully killed are not allowed. The law requires that the jury be instructed, specifically, not to consider the grief, sorrow and the mental anguish of -- of the loved one who’s -- who’s lost somebody as a result of a wrongful death action, which could -- which could be a drunk driver running over a child. And imagine in such a scenario, you would not be able to argue your grief, sorrow, and metal anguish. I -- I ask for your support and I will answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …WBBM TV - Channel 2 requests permission to videotape. Leave granted? Leave is granted. Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a major, major, major piece of legislation, and it’s ironic that we went back on the Calendar, since it was already passed. This is a controversial bill. I think most of you have seen the fliers expressing strong opposition from the City of Chicago, the Illinois Hospital Association, the State Medical Society, the Cook County and also the Illinois Civil Justice League. This bill undoes one hundred and fifty years of Illinois law, and it overturns several Supreme 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 Court decisions in the process. The Supreme Court has told us on many occasions that they run the court system and we should stay out of it. And, in fact, they are right. We should stay out of this. This Act really allows for double recovery in many, many, many cases. Current law does provide for recovery for a spouse and a next-of-kin in wrongful death cases for loss of society, for companionship with the deceased and damages like the deprivation of love and care and comfort, protection, guidance, advice and the affection of the deceased are covered today. And substantial sums of money are -- are awarded every day in the courts around Illinois for these types of -- of grief. It just - - this will be nothing more, I think, than a pay raise for trial lawyers. It awards more money for the same losses, and it allows for double recovery. But most importantly, most importantly - and let’s not have a short-term memory here, about a year or so ago, we were here in massive discussions over the loss of physicians throughout Illinois, especially in downstate Illinois because of our medical liability litigation issues in this State - this bill undermines and clearly undoes medical liability reform that Senator Clayborne, Senator Luechtefeld, Senator Watson worked so hard on just a year ago. We haven’t even had that medical malpractice reform bill yet ruled on by the Illinois Supreme Court. But here we are right back again today undoing, undoing all that medical malpractice reform from just a couple of years ago. This -- this move will exacerbate and go right back - especially those of you from downstate Illinois - this will clearly push doctors across the borders into Kentucky, into Missouri. And it undoes all of the hard work that was done on the medical liability reform just a year or so ago, here. And 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 most importantly, for a second time, the Supreme Court hasn’t even ruled on the statute we passed. And I don’t know why we’re in here undoing the law, except, I guess, that many of you feel some type of payback is necessary to the trial lawyers, since we had to do something to keep the bleeding of physicians from leaving Illinois. This is a bad bill. It’s untimely, it’s unwarranted, it allows for double recovery. And I’m very disappointed, Mr. President, that we went out of the Order on 3rd Reading to come back to this bill, which will leave access to medical care, especially in rural Illinois, floundering in the wind again. We ought to hit the red light as quickly as we can on this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator Dillard. Senator Dillard took up some other speakers’ time, so let’s be brief. Senator John Jones.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President, and to the bill and I will be rather brief. But, Senator Raoul, I -- I -- for the life of me I can’t understand why that you’re running a piece of legislation like this. Senator Dillard mentioned several Legislators that worked on medical malpractice a couple of years ago. He left out one main one, Senator Haine, who was involved in that process, along with myself and many others, because we were in a situation where doctors were leaving, especially southern Illinois, because they couldn’t afford to practice in the State of Illinois any longer. This will only create that problem all over again, because I’ve already had doctors in my district calling me saying, “You know, gee whiz, you guys give us a little reprieve two years ago and here you come back at us 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 again. We’ve had enough of it.” It’s kind of like the Gross Receipts Tax that’s been floating out there, you know. We keep hanging that over people’s heads and, you know, finally they just make a decision, the heck with Illinois, and that’s where our doctors and our medical people are -- are going. This does nothing but line the pockets of the trial lawyers, and I would urge a strong No vote on this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Discussion? Senator Garrett. Senator Murphy.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to make sure everybody in the room understands how in -- in practice this is going to end up turning out. There’s a real potential here when that jury, those twelve jurors, go into that room, they’re going to have a - a jury form with lines on it. They get to compensate for economic damages in a wrongful death case. They currently get compensate for loss of society, and under this bill, there will then be another line for grief and sorrow. There’s two lines covering essentially the same concept where right now there is only one. And just so we’re clear, loss of society currently means: “Loss of society” means the mutual benefits that each family member receives from the other’s continued existence; including love, affection, care, attention, companionship, comfort, guidance and protection. Does anybody believe, for two seconds, that when a jury is evaluating whether or not -- evaluating the loss of society as was just defined right there, that they’re not contemplating the grief and sorrow that goes into having lost that person in the society, thereof? It’s clearly already contemplated in Illinois law. We are going to 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 open up the potential for a double recovery, as Senator Dillard indicated. And the other thing we’re doing, frankly, here is we are encouraging people, as jurors, in what is already an extremely emotional situation, to think even more emotionally, rather than rationally and calmly. This is an idea that should be buried and defeated here today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- you want -- Noland.
Thank you, Mr. President. I’d just like to address the Senator’s last comments, and it’s important to note that on the jury instruction that grief and sorrow are actually not to be considered when considering loss of society. That’s the fact. Another thing, too, is that these cases have to be -- that the defendants in these cases have to be proved to be negligent before any recovery can be made; furthermore, that the caps are still in place. So this is not simply just lifting the caps and going back to what we had had before caps were put in place two years ago. So all of that are -- that discussion is nothing more than red herrings, and this is allowing the resolution or the -- the -- the remedying of a condition where we allow grief and sorrow for our pets, for dogs and cats, but not for human beings, family members and the people that we love. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Raoul, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. You know, I -- I -- I want to address some of the disingenuousness of the arguments that were made. First of all, as Senator Noland pointed out, the pattern 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 jury instructions -- I’m reading from Pattern Jury Instruction 31.07. It specifically says that grief and sorrow of the next -- of kin cannot be considered. It cannot even be talked about. You can’t talk about it. If you lose a child, you can’t talk about your grief and sorrow or mental anguish. Who here in this Chamber would want to face that type of situation, if they lost their child? The -- the hypocrisy is further demonstrated by the fact that this -- many people in this very Chamber, years ago, passed a law that said if you lose your pet, you can make these type of arguments - your pet. So this legislation is going to say that if you lose your pet, you can recover for mental anguish for -- for -- for -- for emotional distress, but if you lose -- if you lose your child, you can’t recover for it. That’s ridiculous and that’s hypocrisy. That is -- that is hypocrisy. And I have the roll call and I -- I’d love to match it to -- to what the roll call will be today. If a drunk driver runs over your child, you want to be able to talk about the grief and sorrow -- and -- and -- and -- and mental anguish. I urge a -- your support on this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 1798 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those 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 32 voting Aye, 23 voting Nay, and none voting Present. House Bill 1798, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 Thank you very much. On the -- on the last bill, I was not recorded as voting. I would like the record to show that if -- if I had voted, I would have recorded -- voted Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The record will so reflect. Senator Lightford, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I -- I hit the button, but it just didn’t make it in time. You’re so smooth in the Chair. I’d like to be recorded as an Aye, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The record will reflect your intent. And you are absolutely correct; I am smooth in the Chair. Senator Dillard, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. I know you’re trying to move us along very quickly, but we would request a verification on the last roll call, sir.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) You know the bill received 32, but you most certainly can request a verification. It’s always in order. I can’t recall seeing a verification on 32, but it is proper. Senator Dillard has requested a verification. Will all Members be at their seats? The Secretary will read the affirmative votes.
Bond, Clayborne, Collins, Crotty, Cullerton, DeLeo, Delgado, Demuzio, Frerichs, Garrett, Haine, Halvorson, Harmon, Hendon, Holmes, Hunter, Koehler, Kotowski, Link, Maloney, Martinez, Meeks, Munoz, Noland, Raoul, Ronen, Sandoval, Schoenberg, 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 Silverstein, Viverito, Wilhelmi and Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Does Senator Dillard request -- question the presence of any Member voting in the affirmative?
Is Senator Munoz on the Floor?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Munoz. Senator Munoz. Is Senator Munoz by the telephones perhaps? Senator Munoz. Going once. Going twice. If not, Madam Secretary, strike the name from the roll. Does Senator Dillard question the presence of any other Member voting in the affirmative?
Yes, Senator Munoz’s amigo, Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Munoz’s amigo, Senator Sandoval. There he is in all his blazing glory. Senator Sandoval is in the Chamber. Does the esteemed Senator question the presence on any other Member voting in the affirmative?
How about Senator Forby?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Forby did not vote for the bill, sir. Now, you said you weren’t going to waste the Senate’s time, sir. Please don’t do that. Does the Senator request the presence of any other Member voting in the affirmative?
I’m -- I’m sorry, that’s a good way to put it, ‘cause I do see Members on your side of the aisle that are in their seats 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 that didn’t bother to vote for the bill one way or the other.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) That is their -- they have that opportunity, sir. Do you question the presence or not, sir, of any other Member? We’re going to move on.
Go ahead and move on. Thank you, sir.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) On a verified roll call, there are 31 voting Aye, 23 voting Nay, and none voting Present. Senate -- House Bill 1798, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Chair would like to acknowledge the presence of the esteemed Speaker of the House, Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Will we welcome him to the Senate? And while you’re here, Mr. Speaker, cut a deal. Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
I, too, would like to welcome one of the greatest alderman, who happens to be my alderman, Alderman Richard Mell.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will the Senate please welcome Alderman Richard Mell. Dick Mell to the Illinois Senate. He’s finally found out where the rubber meets the road. Alderman Mell, welcome to Springfield. We hope you can encourage Speaker Madigan to get a deal cut and we can get out of here on time. Now we have a moment, don’t forget - and the Speaker’s on the Floor - the Senate will be having practice tonight at 5:15, so we can bring that trophy back from the House over to the Senate. We’re going to move on. House Bill 1926. Senator Haine. 1926. Senator Haine. Out of 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 the record. Senate {sic} (House) Bill 1947. Senator -- Senator DeLeo. 1947. Senator DeLeo? Jimmy? Out of the record. Senate {sic} (House) Bill 1960. Senator Bomke. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1960. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1960 provides that a member of the State Employee Retirement System, who participates in the University of Illinois Government Public Service Internship Program, may establish SER pension credit years, up to two years of their internship. The employee is responsible for paying both the employee and the employer’s portion, plus interest. Be happy to answer any questions. If there are none, I’d appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1960 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye -- oop, I’m sorry -- Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Just a question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Indicates he will yield.
42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 Senator, I understand when you said that both sides of the contribution are paid into this fund, but is it adequate to make sure that there is no unfunded liability in this measure?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Senator Lauzen. It -- you’re -- you’re absolutely correct. The employee’s responsible for paying the employer and the employee’s portion. I’m told if there is any cost, it would be minimal.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator -- any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1960 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 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1960, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1964, Senator Martinez. Madam Secretary, please read the lady’s bill?
House Bill 1964. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 1964 amends the Childhood Hunger Relief Act to require school 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 districts to create a summer food service program on or before February 15 of 2008, where at least fifty percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced price school meals. The plan must be implemented during the summer of 2008. Under this bill, school districts may opt-out of the program via a petition to the regional superintendent of schools by January 15th, if the reimbursement would not fully cover the cost of the program. And also, one of the questions that was asked of me during committee was this bill -- this bill -- this program is actually funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by ISBE. I’ll be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? José More from the Chicago Tribune requests permission to shoot photographs. Permission -- leave is granted. Leave is granted. Mr. Fowler from the State Journal- Register requests permission to photograph. Leave is granted. Leave is granted. Senator Cronin.
Yes, would the sponsor yield for a question, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) She indicates she will yield. Senator Cronin.
Senator Martinez, we talked about this in committee and there was a little bit of uncertainty about the program in -- in -- in the way it’s funded and -- and, of course, you know, the -- the -- the goals here are laudable. You know, there’s some concerns about the mandatory nature of this program, but I guess the biggest concern we have is -- is -- is money and is there a federal program in place right now that the State Board currently 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 accesses those dollars? I mean, are we talking about real money from the feds, and this is not an imposition on our State budget? That’s my question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Senator Cronin. Yes. This bill is -- this program is supported by federal funds.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cronin.
And -- and so, of course, we don’t know, though, whether or not it will be fully funded in the future, but today it’s funded. I mean, is -- is -- it -- it -- and that’s the best you can do. Is that correct? Okay. I just want to make sure the Members are advised. You know, we want to make sure that we have students that are fed in the -- in the schools, of course, that -- it’s students who come from poverty families, but in the years down the road, we’ll have to be mindful that this may create another pressure on the State budget. Be advised as you vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Martinez, to close.
I think when it comes to the hunger of our children in our schools, I think that we should always be ready to make funds available to make sure that our children are fed and kept from being hungry. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 The question is, shall House Bill 1964 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 52 voting Aye, 3 voting Nay, and none voting Present. House Bill 1964, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Leader Frank Watson will be now introducing some very special guests. Leader Watson.
Well, thank -- thank you very much, Mr. President. If I could, Senator Haine and Clayborne and Luechtefeld -- where’s Senator Haine? Bill Haine, we’d like to have you up on the Podium, if you would. First of all, I’d just like to thank Mr. President, Emil Jones, for allowing this celebration to take place here in the -- in the Senate Chambers. We appreciate it very much. It’s a great opportunity for me to -- to introduce the St. Louis Cardinal President, Mark Lamping, in just a moment. The celebration is taking place, obviously, in the -- more in the southern part of the State than maybe other places in the north. But one thing about the rivalry between the Cubs and the Cardinals that -- that is so good is it’s a -- it’s a friendly rivalry. It truly is and we have a wonderful time with that, and we both have had successes - maybe a little more in St. Louis. We like to think that, you know, in Chicago every now and then you’d have a World Series. You did have one a couple years ago. That’s a good thing, but unfortunately it was White Sox and not for the Cubs, but we’ve -- we’ve been very successful in St. Louis. Tradition of the St. Louis Cardinals is just unbelievable and it’s a family type of an organization and -- and they -- they 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 emulate what’s good about sports and -- and what they do for the City of St. Louis, and so we’re very, very proud to have them with me here today. Mark Lamping was -- began as President of the Cardinals in 1994, and he has an unbelievable list of accomplishments. If you’ve been to St. Louis in the last couple of years and seen the new stadium, Mark engineered that, directed that, and it was a -- it wasn’t an easy project. It was a -- a stadium that was built with private financed money, which is unusual in today’s world in -- of sports, and I have to congratulate him for that, and they’ve done a fabulous job. It‘s a beautiful stadium. It’s a fantastic stadium. So, things have gone well and for us in St. Louis, and as you know, I -- I’m a life-long Cardinal fan, grew up in Greenville, my hometown, listening to Harry Caray and Jack Buck and Joe Garagiola on the radio, and I’m a season ticket holder for the Cardinals. I wear it on my sleeve. I’m very proud of the fact that -- of the tradition of St. Louis and the Cardinals, and I’ve been a fan all my life. So it’s -- it’s an honor for me, a true honor for me here today to have Mark Lamping, the President of the Cardinals, and Ron Waterman, also is with us here today from the Cardinal organization, and I’d like for Mark to have the opportunity to say a few words. Thank you very much.
(Remarks by Mark Lamping)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) That diehard Cubs fan, President Emil Jones.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. President. We’re glad -- we’re so pleased to have the President of the St. Louis Cardinals here 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 with us today, and when Senator Watson first mentioned it to me, and knowing full-well that I am a strong, hard -- diehard Cub fan, but I do want to invite the President to Wrigley Field for the World Series later on this fall.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Leader Watson.
Well, thank you, and I guess all of you recognize the fact that we do have the World Series trophy here in front of us at the Podium here. I have a World Series ring on that I am going to keep very close care -- but it’s a beautiful ring. Get an opportunity to see that. It’s fantastic. They made about four hundred of these and each employee with the Cardinals got one of these, and that’s -- that just speaks well for the organization - the way they take care of their people, the players, the people that work for ‘em, and it’s nice of them to give me one of these also.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Let’s congratulate the St. Louis Cardinals, the southern Illinois Cardinals, one more time. They are great defending champions. Give ‘em a warm welcome of applause. Thank you, Mr. President, and make sure you do something about that pitching, ‘cause your pitching kind, you know, kind of weak right now, you know, you get… All -- all the Members on the softball team rub the trophy so you can get the feel of it, and, Mr. President I need a few hints to get some of these old bones going today, so we can take that trophy back from the House side. Senator Bond, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 Personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
I’d like to welcome the Grayslake Middle School from Grayslake, Illinois - the teachers and students. Please offer them a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to Springfield. Welcome. Why don’t we take pictures now? Get it over with, get it done. Do you want to take pictures with the… No? We have rules? What? Senator Delgado, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. On a personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. I just want to introduce my administrative assistant who’s in the gallery with her grandmother, who is here from the country of Panama, and we call her Abuelita, but I just want to recognize my administrative assistant, Jacqueline Killingbeck, her sister, Elizabeth and the great Abuelita, who’s traveled all the way from Panama to spend time here in the Capitol. The young senior, the teenage senior up there, and just give her a welcome here to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to Springfield. Welcome, ladies. Our intention is to keep working. During break, you can take your photographs. 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 House Bill 1969. Senator Bomke. 1969. Madam Secretary, read the bill. Take your photographs. We are about to do 1969.
House Bill 1969. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 1969 would allow Rochester School District to include -- or increase its bonding authority by fifteen million, Prairie Grove School District to increase its bonding authority by thirty million, and Prairie Hill School District 133 to increase its bonding authority by 13.9 million. All three are subject to approval by referendum.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? See -- seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill -- 1969 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 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1969, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1988. Senator Wilhelmi. Out of the record. Senator Viverito, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 State your point, Senator.
I would like very much, if you would, to welcome a wonderful school from Berwyn, St. Leonard’s School, with their teacher, Mrs. Johnson, and Mr. Munoz. Would you please give them a warm welcome? They’re on the Republican side in the balcony. St. Leonard’s of Berwyn.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome St. Leonard’s of Berwyn. Welcome to Springfield. You have an excellent Senator in Senator Viverito. Senator Bomke. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. House Bill 2023.
House Bill 2023. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill -- 2023 amends the Historic Preservation Agency Act to require the creation of individual business plan for each of the historic sites related to Abraham Lincoln.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2023 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed will vote No. 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 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 2023, having 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2035. Senator Crotty. Out of the record. House Bill 2036. Senator Righter. 2036. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s bill.
House Bill 2036. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President and ladies and gentlemen of the Chamber. House Bill 2036, which passed the House unanimously, is a twelve-year extension of the tax increment financing district for the Village of Villa Grove in my district. I want to thank the Chairman and the Minority Spokesman of the Senate Revenue Committee. The bill did pass out of the Revenue Committee unanimously, and I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2036 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 2036, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2044. Senator Halvorson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 House Bill 2044. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. House Bill 2044 came out of the House unanimously and it allows a person -- it allows a person who is eligible to buy -- or who is eligible to get a disabled veteran’s license plate to now be able to buy a second set for twenty-four dollars.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2044 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. House Bill 2044, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2194. Senator Demuzio. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2194. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2194 allowed 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to collaborate in specific health care programs in furtherance of its teaching and research and public service functions. It also updates the Southern Illinois University Management Act, as it relates to the SIU School of Medicine. Since the Act’s original enactment in the early ‘70s, the SIU School of Medicine has seen substantial growth in patient visits and the types of services that they provide. As a result, changes are necessary in order that the School of Medicine can collaborate in specific programs in furtherance of its teaching, research, and public service functions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2194 pass. All in favor will vote Aye. All those 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 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 2194, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2241. Senator Jacobs. 2241. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2241. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2241 requires that 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 each death which occurs in Illinois must be registered by filing a death certificate with a local registrar of the district in which they are filed, and the funeral directors are looking for a few more days, because they’re finding that the seven days is not long enough. I know of no known opposition, and I’d appreciate your support for your local funeral director.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2241 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 2241, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2242. Senator Jacobs. 2242. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2242. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.
This is to a bill, House Bill 2242, which would make - I want to say this right - pneumonia pneumococcus, a new vaccine accounting towards the six that we currently have. What we’re finding is that young children, specifically African-American, and Hispanic children, and Alaskan -- Alaskan children, are having very difficult time with this. It’s causing inner ear 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 infections and can lead to more serious things. I know of no known opposition, and I’d appreciate your support for this important bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2242 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. All those 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 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 2242, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2304. Senator DeLeo. Madam Secretary, please read the fine gentleman’s bill.
House Bill 2304. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 2304 is a conveyance bill for some of you that don’t remember. This is commonly referred to as the Read-Dunning bill. Back in 1991, we declared this property surplus. There was an agreement for this Read Joint Venture. It was a limited partnership. They were supposed to develop this property into an industrial park. It never happened, so here we are fifteen years later. We’re deeding this property to the City of Chicago. In the bill, it states for public use only. We hope 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 it’s for the expansion of Wright Junior College. We hope to put a new high school there. We hope to put a park there. If it does not happen, we put a reverter clause in this bill that it reverts back to the State if it is not used for public use only, and I ask for affirmative roll call, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator Righter.
Senator DeLeo, as you recall, I supported this bill in the Senate Executive Committee, because I thought you deserved the opportunity to come out on the Floor and present this to all fifty-nine Members of the Senate. I do want to walk through, if -- if you would, sir, a -- a few questions about the transfer that’s taking place. And first, I caught in your comments, you stated that you -- it was your hope that the property that’s being transferred back, if you will, will be used for an expansion of -- of Wright College. What degree of confidence do you have that it’s going to be used for an expansion of an education facility, as opposed to some other unnamed purpose?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Senator Righter. I -- as you know, Mayor Daley, the Mayor of the City of Chicago, was here yesterday and we spoke about this parcel, and on the southeast corner of 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 this parcel, he spoke about building a new school, high school or middle school, for the community. The community has not seen one in thirty or forty years. And I told him that would be very deemable {sic}. In regards to the Wright Junior College - Wright Junior College, as some of you that have been here for couple decades, like Senator Cullerton, and President Jones, and myself - we’ve deeded this property to build Wright Junior College back in the early ‘80s. As usual, we did not use foresight, and actually the campus has outgrown. We gave them a few additional acres a couple years ago to build a multiple deck parking garage for the students at Wright College, and now they’re asking if this property is deemed surplus. I spoke with Alderman Tom Allen of the 30th Ward who controls the zoning of that ward, and they’re asking for additional property for an athletic field and expansion of a building, and that’s what we’re going to have public hearings on if this property is released and deeded to the city.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
Senator DeLeo, I was not a Member of the Senate Executive Committee last year, but it’s my understanding that last year when this bill was presented in that committee, there were concerns raised by at -- at least some with regards to potential litigation, and the basis of that litigation if this kind of bill passed, would be that the entity who now owns the property has made some investments toward that. Obviously, if suddenly the property’s pulled away from them, they might have standing to sue, saying we acted in reliance of the property transfer. We’ve 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 put this much money in. Can you address that issue, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you. That original group that was selected jointly by the City of Chicago and by the State of Illinois, which was commonly referred to as Chicago-Read Venture Limited Partnership. I’ve been told by officials at CMS that there are -- making them whole in -- in doing some property swap in -- in -- in -- so there would not be litigation. There was some infrastructure that they invested in there. So I believe that they’re -- I don’t know the exact details of the relocation, but I think they’re giving them some other property in lieu of the infrastructure that was already -- been placed in that property.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
…you, -- thank you, Mr. President. Senator DeLeo, the last area that I want to ask about is in looking through the bill, it doesn’t appear to me that the bill specifies what property is going to go to the City of Chicago, as opposed to which property is going to go to the park district. Can you tell us who is going to make that decision and what kind of parameters or kind of guidance are they going to follow in making that decision?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you. Senator Righter, as you’re -- may or may not be familiar with, there’s -- it’s called the -- the last resort. 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 And the last resort is the aldermen of that ward. The aldermen have total control of zoning in each individual ward. That can’t be -- it cannot be deemed a park, it cannot be deemed expansion without public hearings, without the -- the aldermen signing off on the zoning. I can’t tell you -- I cannot say, this is going to be a park. I cannot tell you this is going to be the expansion, this is going to be the new because I don’t -- I have no idea at this point. So, to give it flexibility, that’s why we put in the bill that it goes to the city or the park district for the -- for optional proposals.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Are -- are you done, Senator Righter? Senator Righter.
Thank you. Senator DeLeo, so I understand - and you’re right, I am totally unfamiliar with the last resort rule or policy, however it should be characterized, but as I -- I want to make sure I understand it - the alderman, who represents that area, is going to decide the use of that property. And specifically the question I asked about before, how much goes to the city and how much goes to the park district? Is that accurate to say?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Absolutely.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Risinger.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield? 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Indicates he will. Senator Risinger.
Thank you. Senator, if you may recall a few years back in my district, property was used by Illinois Central College that was the old mental health center in Peoria. The Illinois Central College was forced to purchase that land, rather than us being able to transfer that land to them. Can you tell me how this is different than that transaction?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Well, this is very different, Senator. This was already deeded, gone, agreed to fifteen years ago. This has been -- this is a piece of property given for a development for an industrial park. The developer -- this property has been gone, deeded, agreed to. This is revoking the agreement of 1991, because it’s never been acted on and we want to take it back, back from private sector and make it for public use. That’s the difference. We’re -- we’re -- we’re putting in a school; we’re putting in a park, hopefully, and the expansion of this college, which I said three times in debate today. We’re taking it from a private entity and bringing it back for public use. And once again, to make sure that this property is protected, that it doesn’t happen and go to public use, and -- and we do not -- I -- I mean, private use -- we don’t want condos. We don’t want a Home Depot. We don’t want a development. We don’t want town homes. We don’t want single family homes. We want this property brought back for public use. 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further -- Senator Risinger.
Thank -- thank you, Senator. I appreciate that. I understand what you’re trying to do. I just want to make sure that we’re playing by the same rules. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator DeLeo, to close. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much. Once again, I think this is a great cause. We’re taking property, bringing it back for public use - parks, schools, expansion of a junior college. I ask for an affirmative roll call on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 2304 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 41 voting Aye, 9 voting Nay, 2 voting Present. House Bill 2304, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Meeks, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir? House Bill 2307. Senator Meeks. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2307. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Meeks. 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
Thank you so much, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of this great Body. Senate Bill 750 is a bill to increase school funding by raising the income taxes from three to five percent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senate -- Senator Meeks, we’re on House Bill 2307, sir. Got a little happy feet there, sir? Senator Meeks.
I’m -- I’m sorry, Mr. Chairman, I lost myself for a moment there. House Bill 2307 is a very boring bill. It extends the TIF for the Village of Riverdale for seven years.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just to let people know that this passed the Revenue Committee unanimously. I recommend an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 2307 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 59 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 2307, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. For the great Senator who wish it was 750. House Bill 2734. Senator Cullerton. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2734. 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is called the Smart Act, an Act for county drug schools. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office runs a court diversion drug school. It‘s offered to individuals who are charged with low- level drug offenses. They attend a course, and if they complete it successfully, then their cases are dismissed. Of the people that have been dismissed, they -- the recidivist rate is extremely low. So what this bill does is to allow, but not require, but allow the State’s attorney of a county to set up a drug school as a diversion program for criminal drug prosecutions. It would give the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse of the Department of Human Services the ability to issue grant moneys to the State’s attorneys to -- to set up these schools and to promulgate rules. Now, of course it’s subject to appropriation. But, I believe that it’s a -- we should put this in place and then make the argument, when we do the budget, that this will actually save money by diverting people from the Department of Corrections, which is a very costly endeavor - to house people in jail - and rather have them diverted through drug schools before they go to jail. Be happy to answer any questions, and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? See -- Senator Righter? No? Okay. The question is -- I -- I said Senator Righter. That’s 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 your…
I didn’t hear you say that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) When I call your name, sir…
Excuse me, Mr. President. Thank you. You weren’t…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, sir. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Righter.
Thank you. Thank you. Senator Cullerton, I noticed from my analysis that this legislation received 40 No votes over in that Chamber. I know sometimes we go back and forth on how much we are concerned about what the House does, but do you have any reason why it might have drawn that many No votes?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
You know, I -- I really don’t. And I -- I agree with you. It is surprising, but I -- I don’t know what the concern would be, because it’s not a -- an appropriation bill and -- and it’s not a tax. It’s -- sets up a program. It’s -- it’s proposed by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, and it seems to make sense, and no county has to do it. So I -- I really don’t know why those House Members did vote No, but obviously we’re -- it 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 did pass, and we’re over here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, having spoken to - and I think this issue was raised in committee - having spoken with a couple Members who voted against it, there was concerns. It’s my understanding, as you said, there is a free-standing appropriations bill out there that is not connected to this legislation, and there were concerns by a number of Members in the House that that appropriations calls for what is in their view a little bit heavy tilting in favor of the City of Chicago with regards to some of the money. I just want to make clear it’s your understanding that this bill doesn’t have any parameters in it about where the funding will go. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Yes, thank you, you have refreshed my memory. We did have this discussion in the committee, and you’re absolutely right. This does not have anything in the bill that says how much money goes to what county, in fact, my -- in my opinion, when we do the appropriation for this, it should be not even designated for any county. Let those counties make the pitch to the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and let those be evaluated at the State level and not predetermine what percentage goes to any county. It’s -- and it -- but -- but what’s amazing, though, is that it’s not that expensive to have these drug programs. I 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 mean, the -- it’s -- right now, in Cook County, of course its paid for by the county board, we would say, let the State pay for it, and then reduce the Department of Corrections’ budget by a corresponding amount.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter, to the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. In light of the sponsor’s comments, I rise in support of the bill. The State’s Attorney’s Office in Cook County deserves an immense amount of credit for putting this program in work -- putting this program in place. It works, it’s good for the -- particularly the young people in Cook County, and I hope to see it adopted statewide. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall House Bill 2734 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. House Bill 2734, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2782. Senator Hultgren. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2782. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hultgren. 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007
Thank you. This is just a notice bill in a library district with annexation. Everybody’s agreed to it. The Library Association is supportive of this as well. I’d ask for support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2782 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. House Bill 2782, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the President’s -- Antechamber. Then we will come back to your bill, sir. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Madam -- Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Halvorson, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1019, Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 1300 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 3721; refer to Education Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 846; refer to Environment and Energy Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 877, Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1041, Floor Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 1400, Floor Amendment No. 2 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 to House Bill 277, Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1011, Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1292, Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 3729 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 3730; refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 778, Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1011, Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1052 and Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 1455; refer to Higher Education Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 856; refer to Housing and Community Affairs Committee - Floor Amendment -- No. 1 to House Bill 369; refer to Human Services Committee - Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 570, Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 652 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1628; refer to Judiciary- Civil Law Committee - Floor Amendment No. 5 to House Bill 830; refer to Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 328, Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 991, Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1289, Floor Amendment No. 2 and 3 to House Bill 1641 and Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 3586; refer to Licensed Activities Committee - Floor Amendment No. 3 to House Bill 1423 and Floor Amendment No. 4 to House Bill 1947; refer to Local Government Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 831 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 832; refer to Pensions and Investments Committee - Floor Amendments No. 1 and 2 to House Bill 804; refer to Public Health Committee - Floor Amendment No. 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 133, Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 940 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 942; refer to Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 796, Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 811 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1558; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 to House Bill 3463, Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Joint Resolution 39, Senate Resolution 166, 168, 169, 170 and 178 and Senate Joint Resolution 48, 52, 53, 54 and House Joint Resolution 40; refer to Transportation Committee - Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 841 and Be Approved for Consideration, House Bill 1795. Senator Debbie Halvorson, Chairman. May 17th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Purposes of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Please state your announcement.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Civil Law will meet today at 1:15 in Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Thank you, Senator Harmon. Senator Garrett, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. For purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Please state your announcement.
Committee for Public Health will meet at 1:15 p.m. in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 On a point of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Please state your announcement.
Local Government will meet today at 1:15 in Room 409.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Thank you, Senator Crotty. Senator A. J. Wilhelmi, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Purpose of an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Please state your announcement.
The Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee will meet today at 1:45 in Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Senator Jacobs, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) State -- please state your announcement.
Housing and Community Affairs will meet in Room 409 at 1:45, and I like to be prompt, so 1:45 we’ll be done.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Senator Mahoney {sic}, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. The - I’m Senator Maloney by the 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 way - the Senate Higher Education Committee will meet at 4:45 in Room 409. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Senator Maloney, that was my cold. I’m -- I’m sorry. Senator Munoz, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. For the purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Please state your announcement.
Transportation Committee will meet at 1:45 p.m. today, and also Licensed Activities will be meeting at 4:15 p.m.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Thank you. Senator Lightford, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Purpose of announcement. Education will convene in Room 212 at 4:15. Room 212 at 4:15.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Thank you, Senator Lightford. Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Purpose of announcement. The Committee on Pensions and Investment will meet at 2:15 in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Purpose of announcement. Energy and -- Environment and Energy will be meeting in Room 212 at 2:45 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 this afternoon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Thank you, Senator Trotter. Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Yes. A purpose of an announcement. State Government and Veterans Affairs will meet today at 3:45 in Room 400 -- 409 -- 400, whatever -- 400? 409. 409. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Could -- please confirm that again, Senator Demuzio.
Oh, yes, my announcement will be State Government and Veterans Affairs will meet at 3:45 in Room 409.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Thank you, Senator Demuzio. Senator -- Senator Meeks, I’m sorry, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, so much, Mr. Chairman. For the purpose of an announcement. Human Services Committee will meet today in Room 400 at 2:45. Human Services today at 2:45, Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Senator Frerichs, for -- for what purposes do you seek recognition?
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I rise for announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Please state your announcement.
73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 I am announcing that Agriculture and Conservation Committee will be -- be meeting today at 2:45 in room 409.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Thank you. Senator Ira Silverstein, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President Clayborne. Purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Please state your announcement.
Executive Committee will meet at 3:45 in 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Thank you, Senator Silverstein. Madam Secretary, Communications.
I have a letter from Emil Jones, Jr., Senate President. Dated May 17th, 2007. Dear Madam Secretary - Pursuant to Rule 3-2c, I hereby appoint -- Senator Donne Trotter to temporarily -- replace Senator Delgado as a member of the Senate Public Health Committee. This appointment is effective immediately. Sincerely, Emil Jones, Jr. I have a like letter, dated May 17th, 2007. Dear Madam Secretary - Pursuant to Rule 3-2(c), I hereby appoint Senator Iris Martinez to temporarily replace Senator William Delgado as a member of the Senate Human Services Committee. This appointment is effective immediately. Sincerely, Emil Jones, Jr., Senate President. 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 And another like letter, dated May 17th, 2007. Dear Madam Secretary - Pursuant to Rule 3-2(c), I hereby appoint Senator Iris Martinez to temporarily replace Senator William Delgado as a member of the Senate Education Committee. This appointment is effective immediately. Sincerely, Emil Jones, Jr., Senate President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Since we’re on announcements, I just wanted to remind the Body after those 4:15 committees, you get the opportunity to get rid of all that food you ate yesterday at Taste of Chicago, so -- as Taste of Chicago/Taste of Springfield, so you should at least come to softball practice, straight down Sixth Street, grab one of these rookies who don’t know their way there, put them in your car, give them a ride, even if you’re not going to play ball, you need to at least come out there and run some of that fat you got yesterday at the Taste off of your body just for your health. And get prepared so we can defeat the House next week on Wednesday. Practice…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Thank you, Senator Hendon. Senator Dale -- Righter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Republicans would request a caucus immediately in Senator Watson’s Office for forty-five minutes, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) Senator Righter, we will give you thirty minutes to start 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 41st Legislative Day 5/17/2007 your -- for your caucus so that committees can start on time. We would greatly appreciate that. Senator Righter.
Just to clarify, Mr. President. You’d like us to try to do our business as promptly and quickly as possible so we can get it done in thirty minutes, so your committees can start on time. Is that what…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) That -- that is correct.
Thank you. Mr. President, we’ll endeavor to do that. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CLAYBORNE) You’re welcome. Thank you. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10 a.m., tomorrow, May 18th, 2007. Senate stands adjourned. 76