PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The regular Session of the 95th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Reverend Joseph Eby, Chatham Presbyterian Church, Chatham, Illinois. Reverend Eby.
(Prayer by the Reverend Joseph Eby)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) You may be seated. Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal of Thursday, May 21st {sic} (31st), 2007, pending arrival of the printed transcripts.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. 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 inform your Senator that we are going to substantial Senate action on today? We need them on the Senate Floor immediately. Please come immediately to the Senate Floor. The Illinois Information Service seeks leave 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 to videotape. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. …all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor. The Presiding Officer needs you on the Senate Floor. We’re about to go to substantial Senate action. There will be a Rules Committee meeting very soon. Will all Members please come to the Senate Floor? The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. Would all Senators please come to the Senate Floor? We’re going to substantial action as soon as Rules Committee comes out, which will be quite soon. Would all Members please come to the Senate Floor? Senator Link in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hendon back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Halvorson, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment No. 8 to Senate Bill 5. Senator Debbie Halvorson, Chairman. June 1st, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We’re about to go to substantial Senate action. Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come immediately to the Senate Floor? We are about to -- begin voting on the Senate Floor. Would all Members please be at their desks? 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 Will all Members please come to the Senate Floor? We are about to start voting on substantial Senate business. You need to be on the Senate Floor if you wish to vote on the measures or have your measures called. The Chair will appreciate succinct descriptions of your legislation, as well as succinct questions of any sponsor. Will all Members please be on the Senate Floor? The Rules Committee has met. The report has been read in. We’re about to go to substantial Senate action. As you know, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Friday, getaway day. We’re about to go to House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bills 3rd Reading. Leave of the Body, we’re going to go to page 3. Page 30 of your Senate Calendar, middle of the page. Page 30 of your Senate Calendar. Senate Bill -- I mean, House Bill 29. Senator Demuzio. Out of the record. House Bill 38. Senator Holmes. House Bill 38. House Bill 118. Senator Sullivan. 118. House Bill 260. Senator Harmon. 260. House Bill 334. Senator Althoff. 334. Senator Althoff. House Bill 374. Senator Link. 374. House Bill 415. Senator Demuzio. 415. House Bill 427. Senator Delgado. House Bill 699. Senator Koehler. 699. Koehler. House Bill 703. Senator Harmon. House Bill 824. Senator Harmon. House Bill 830. Senator Cullerton. House Bill 1050. Senator Cullerton. House Bill 1074. Senator Halvorson. House Bill 1100. Senator Munoz. House Bill 1284. Senator Ronen. House Bill 1514. Senator Watson. Leader Watson. House Bill 1752. Senator Link. Senator Link, 1752? Madam Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Link seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1752 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1752. Madam 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is just a -- an amendment that will -- we took out of the bill yesterday. Be more than happy to talk on it on final 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Link moves adoption of Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1752. All those in favor will say Aye. All opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments? Are there any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, on Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 1752. Senator -- Senator Cronin, on Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 1752. Senator -- Senator Cronin.
Thank you very much. Senate -- Floor Amendment No. 2 seeks to address an issue of signatures that are required for county board members in the County of DuPage - DuPage.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Cronin moves adoption of House -- I mean, Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 1752. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, on Amendment No. 3.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is just taking something out of the bill that was in there pertaining to the Republican State Central Committee, with an agreement. I’ll be more than happy to answer anything on it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none -- I mean -- on the Amendment No. 3, Senator Lauzen? Seeing none, Senator Link moves adoption of Amendment No. 3 to House Bill 1752. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 752. Madam Secretary -- I mean, 1752. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1752. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is the omnibus bill pertaining to all of our election laws for this year. I -- as you can see, it’s -- this is just the highlights of the bill, how long it is. It’s probably about couple hundred pages long. It pertains from everything from college students serving as election judges to how we’re doing absentee ballots, to judges getting a -- a pay raise of twenty dollars, to changing signatures on home rule communities, to requiring polling place signs, prohibiting ballot counting during the day of a polling while opening on election day, pertaining to undercounting {sic} (under-voting) for constitutional officers only. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions pertaining the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. The Chair would appreciate succinct descriptions of your bill, succinct questions and answers. Senator Lauzen.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I would like to thank the sponsor very much for -- in -- in the language from Senate Bill 600, allowing that to at least be, you know, considered in the process of this bill. I appreciate your giving all Republicans who vote in the primary the opportunity to directly elect our party leadership. Democrats have done it this way and show great electoral strength in Illinois with all the constitutional officers and healthy majorities in the House and supermajority here in the Senate. Republicans used to do it this 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 way in -- before 1986, when we began our slide into the condition that we currently see ourselves. I believe that we’re even fighting a war in Iraq, in part over the principle of electing our leaders. I also appreciate - I’d like to state again publicly - that two years ago, we passed out of the Senate by a unanimous margin -- so every downstate, suburban and city Senator, Democrat and Republican, voted to pass the language, identical language as Senate Bill 600, two years ago. But I understand that you were called and received an objection from the top leadership in our party, who requested that you remove the direct election of that leadership from your bill. I think that it is very sad. It’s -- it’s nearly pathetic that folks don’t want to be held accountable for action, don’t want to allow our neighbors and friends, who vote in the primary, to elect the leaders of the party. I would just -- with that, I understand there’s a lot of good in this bill, and again, I’d like to emphasize my gratitude to the sponsor for trying to help.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Senator -- the -- Senator Burzynski. The Chair would appreciate succinct descriptions, questions or answers -- and answers to your inquiries or your legislation. Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. Senator, in your -- in your -- yeah, you will. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 This one’s an easy one. In your discussion, you were -- or when you presented the bill, you were talking about it allows college students to be election judges, but I -- it also deals with high school students, does it not?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
Yes. It -- it adds juniors with a grade point average of above 3.0. That’s what it’s adding to it. So, we already have seniors being allowed to be election judges, so the only thing we changed was the availability of allowing juniors to be in there too.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. Is there an age requirement or is it just juniors with the -- with the cumulative grade point average?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
No, it’s just juniors that can be there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Murphy. I’m sorry. Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. To the bill then, just very quickly: I -- I’m going to vote for the bill because there are a lot of great provisions in it, but I do have a concern about potentially sixteen-year-olds serving as election judges because -- I don’t know about any of you, but I have seen instances where there are 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 situations at the polls that are very difficult for more mature election judges to handle and that -- that just raises a question in my mind. But, anyway, thank you, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator, and I appreciate you being succinct. Senator Murphy.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just briefly to the bill: We’ve got a twenty-dollar-per-day increase in the pay of election judges and obviously everybody in this room greatly appreciates the efforts of election judges. I think it’s somewhat of a labor of love, though, when you decide to become an election judge; it’s part of your public service. If we could afford to pay them more, I don’t think there’s anybody in this room who would object to paying them more. But the State Board of Elections is going to be on the hook for about another million dollars a year that they, I think, justifiably claim they do not have with this bill. I -- I think the additional twenty dollars a -- a day for the election judges is -- is unnecessary in this circumstance, and I would urge an Aye vote -- or a No vote as a result.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Frerichs.
A question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator Frerichs.
Senator Link, I think early this year this Chamber had passed Senate Bill 439 dealing with ranked, order balloting for 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 overseas military. Is that included in this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Althoff.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: I, too, would like to commend the sponsor for working so very closely with all of our county clerk associations. This bill is an initiative from the county clerks. I would just like to point out again for the Body, too, one small concern I have. There is a new requirement for the electronic machines that there is an immediate rejection notification. There might be a cost associated with this upgrade and I just want the Body to be aware of that. I intend to vote Yes and strongly urge everyone else in the Body to do the same.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 1752 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, 3 voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1752, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cronin, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
For purposes of an announcement, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 State -- state your announcement, Senator.
We have a very important announcement today that -- regarding my friend and seatmate here. He’s a -- he’s a Hinsdale Central Red Devil, he’s a Western Illinois University Leatherneck and a DePaul Law School Blue Demon. And he’s not one of those guys that doesn’t want to tell you how old he is. He’s proud to tell you that he’s fifty-two today and he’s serving cake back in his office, Room 300; none other than my friend, my seatmate, Senator Kirk Dillard.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Happy birthday to you, Kirk. Happy birthday, old fellow. And many more. Senator Bond, for what purpose you seek recognition, sir?
Point of personal -- privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
I’d just like to introduce a constituent and a good friend, and a leader in our community. Bryan Gutraj is here. Lives in Grayslake and he has a CPA firm and law firm in Senator Peterson’s district, in Libertyville, Illinois. Like to offer a warm Springfield welcome to Brian.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to -- to Springfield, Brian. Welcome. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
There’s another birthday person amongst staff who’s here today. The Doorman, Ed Lauer {sic} (Sauer). Today is his birthday. I don’t know if he can hear my voice, but he’s the gentleman that sits outside in the chair, that opens up the door for us, and he’s been around for a long time.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Happy birthday, Ed. Happy birthday. You look younger than Dillard, much younger than Dillard. Happy birthday. Good Lord been good to you. We’re going to finish the Order of 3rd Readings. House Bill… House Bill 1876. Senator -- out of the record. House Bill 1917. Senator Link. 1917. Out -- Senator Link, 1917. Out of the record. Senate {sic} Bill 1926. Senator Haine. 1926. Senator Haine. Out of the record. Senate {sic} Bill 1979. Senator Millner. Madam Secretary, read the bill. Senator Millner seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1979 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1979. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senators Harmon and Raoul.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Floor Amendment No. 2, Senator Millner -- Senator Harmon or Raoul, to explain, or Senator Millner. Senator Harmon, to explain Floor Amendment No. 2. Senator Harmon, to explain Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 1979. Senator Harmon. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The underlying bill, House Bill 1979, deals with the crime of child luring. Senator Millner brought the bill to the Judiciary Committee. We identified some drafting concerns that might end up capturing behavior that we do not intend to capture. The amendment clarifies that, and I thank Senator Millner for his willingness to work with our committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Harmon moves adoption of Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 1979. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Murphy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Murphy, to explain Floor Amendment No. 3. Senator Murphy.
Thank you. This would add language making it a -- a Class 4 felony for anybody to impersonate a government official. This came about with the -- with the scam of people calling seniors and saying, “If you want” -- “I’m from jury service. If you want to get off jury service, give me your Social Security number and we’ll help you get off jury service.” It’s -- it’s -- it’s a way to avoid identity theft.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Murphy moves 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 adoption of Amendment No. 3 to House Bill 1979. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 1979. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1979. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Millner.
Thank you, Mr. President. The bill does two things. Therefore, it creates the new criminal offense of luring a child, and number two, expands the crime of false personation of attorney, judicial or governmental officials. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Raoul.
To the bill: I’d just like to commend the sponsor for his willingness to work on the bill. I think, with his patience, we were able to -- to put -- put in some provisions that makes it a good bill. I urge your support on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 The question is, shall House Bill 1979 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 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 1979, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Please let the record reflect that, for the previous bill, I had intended to vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The record will so reflect. House Bill 2035. Senator Crotty. Out of the record. House Bill 2106. Senator Demuzio. House Bill 2179. Senator Demuzio. House Bill 3667. Senator Sullivan. House Bill 3728. Senator Althoff. 37… House Bill… Going to go to the Order of Secretary’s Desk, Concurrence, page 36 on your Calendar. Senate Bill 153. Senator Sieben. Senator Sieben, do you wish your motion to be considered? Senate Bill… Page 37 of your Senate Calendar. Senate Bill 473. Senator Wilhelmi. Madam Secretary, read the motion.
I move to -- nonconcur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 473. Signed, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Wilhelmi.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask the Body to -- to -- to 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 nonconcur with the House amendment in -- on Senate Bill 473.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Wilhelmi moves to nonconcur in House Amendments {sic} No. 1 to Senate Bill 473. All those in favor -- all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Secretary will so inform the House. Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Those who are not on the Senate Floor need to be on the Senate Floor immediately. Senator Cronin, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Inquiry of the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your inquiry.
What are we doing? Does any…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Cronin. Senator Cronin, we will be taking substantial action in just a few moments now, so just give us a few more minutes. I believe we’re working -- waiting for a piece of paperwork and then we will proceed. WLS ABC News Chicago requests leave to videotape. Leave is granted. Leave is granted. AP requests leave to take photos. Leave is granted. Leave is granted. Chicago Tribune seeks leave to take photos. Leave is granted. Leave is granted. Senator Burzynski. Thank God for you. For what purpose do you rise and seek recognition, sir? And talk as long as you like.
16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 An inquiry of the Chair, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your inquiry, Senator, as long and succinctly as you would like. In fact, you could actually read a paragraph or two…
Well…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …at this movement. Senator Burzynski, state your point.
Well, Mr. President, I know that just a few moments ago Senator Cronin asked exactly what we were doing, and I just wanted to ask a follow-up question. Is this the substantial business you were talking about that we would be doing? Or how do you define substantial? We can just start a dialogue on what substantial means. We’ve got -- we’ve got time to do that, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Well, Senator Burzynski, if you’d like, you could certainly walk over on that side of the aisle and speak with President Jones about your legislative initiatives, and I’m sure he will be amenable to discussing that with you, because we may need a few of you along on the ride here soon. So get all you can, most certainly. But we will be taking substantial action soon. Senator Meeks, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thanks so -- thank you so much, Mr. President. I thought that while we were at ease and you were looking for individuals who could stand and filibuster for a long time, that I would be happy to share with the Body my Sunday sermon. And… 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Pastor -- Pastor Meeks, I -- I -- I saw your last Sunday sermon and you were in rare form. So, by all means, go right ahead. I’m sure it’ll only take thirty/forty-five minutes. Act as if you were on television. You know, how you cut your sermons just a tad short to fit into that timespan. But, most certainly, go right ahead.
I actually would use a live audience, like this one, to be able to talk about that sermon. And I was trying to figure out, Mr. Chairman, Mike Jacobs gave a -- a small speech yesterday that for the life of me - and I’m sure that for the life of the Body - nobody knows exactly what he rambled about the Titanic, but he shows up today with his picture in all of the papers, and giving a speech that didn’t connect to anything. And -- and -- and I don’t know, when he gave the Titanic speech, I didn’t know what in the world he was saying, but obviously he had some deal with some photographer that if he would use that picture, they would put him in the paper. So, that was good. The second thing I wanted to talk to you about was softball, sir. Do you have a moment?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Your time has expired. Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 Well, I -- you know, we’re -- we’re here at ease right now and -- and waiting for some action to happen in the -- in the Senate and I -- I presume that what we’re waiting on is the -- is -- is the help that the citizens of the State of Illinois really want, and that’s some electric rate relief. So is that what we’re waiting on, is for the resolution of the electric rates? Is that what we’re waiting on to try to get solved here today?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Well, Senator, the lights are still on on that particular negotiation, so they haven’t gone out yet. And I don’t think that that’s exactly why we’re here, but if that gets worked up -- I mean, if that gets settled while we’re here, that will most certainly be a wonderful thing. Senator Jones.
Well, thank you, Mr. President. But, you know, the lights may still be on here, but some of the residences in -- in our districts, I think the lights are about ready to go off.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) We certainly understand that. That’s why I voted personally for Senator Clayborne’s bill against disconnections. To -- I would like to remind the Members about cake on the Senate Floor. Cake has icing, has food coloring in it, and it’s hard to come out. We’ve already been criticized for redesigning this wonderful facility in which we sit, these Chambers, so let’s not bring cake, birthday cake especially, on the Senate Floor. It would be greatly appreciated. Other than that, I’m sure you have to have your little snack. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you seek recognition, my friend?
19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 Inquiry of the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your inquiry, sir.
Does that mean we can’t have our cake and eat it too?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) I certainly hope that side of the aisle understands that and maybe we can get a few votes on something. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Inquiry of the Chair, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your inquiry.
Well, Mr. President, while we’re at ease, I wonder if it wouldn’t be appropriate. On our side of the aisle, we’re working up a list of bills that we’d like to see have an opportunity to have a discussion and to debate, either in substantive committee or even, better yet, out here on the Floor. If we were able to give you such a list here, Mr. President, in the next ten or fifteen minutes, perhaps we could have another Rules Committee meeting and move those bills out.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Well, Senator, you know I would love to review the list. I am not the Chairman of the Rules Committee. The illustrious Senator Debbie Halvorson is Chairman of that Committee and makes all the decisions. I sit there and simply vote with her with -- like a rubber stamp should. So, you can submit the request to Senator Halvorson, and I’m certain she will entertain those. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just as a follow-up: Now that we have embarked upon our first day of overtime, I know that there is going to be a heightened importance on cooperation between the parties and we hope that we can get that started off on the right foot. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) And you are certainly right. That is why - I don’t know if you’ve noticed - but I have been exceptionally pleasing and pleasant today, because we need you. It’s just like a marriage now. So, I’ll clean up the house. I’ll take out the garbage. I’ll even cook a meal for you before we leave out of here. Hopefully it won’t take that long, but if it does, you most certainly can come over to my apartment and dine with me. Senator Righter.
And I have no reason to doubt your sincerity on that, Mr. President. It might also have something to do with the fact that we really don’t have anything else to do right now.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Well, we may have one or two orders of business that we will handle. I hope just like you, because this is go -- go-home day, I hope we will handle that very soon. Thank you. Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. It’s my honor today to have on the Floor a -- a -- a Page that I think all of you might recognize. Would Representative Mautino please raise his hand? 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 He’s serving as our Page today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will our young Page Mautino -- welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. An inquiry of the Chair, again.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your inquiry.
You know, Mr. President, what specifically can you advise that the Senate is waiting on to act on? I mean, is there paperwork coming over from the House? Are we trying to find some votes for something that we can’t quite scare up the votes for? Are we hoping that once we get past 1 o’clock that perhaps the Senate President and the Minority Leader will break down and buy pizza for everyone? Can you tell us specifically what we’re waiting on?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Well, Senator, I hope if they buy lunch, it won’t be pizza, you know, ‘cause that cheese. There’s enough cheese around here right now. Everybody’s kind of stuffed up. We don’t need a bunch of pizza. And I hope this answer doesn’t scare you too much, but I’m not quite certain exactly why we are -- and how much longer we will be waiting before we get to that substantial business. Senator Righter.
That answer does scare me, Mr. President. You are always in the know. You’re always in on the inner circle and we’re -- 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 we’re aware of that. So, I wonder if it wouldn’t be appropriate at this time, Mr. President, for us to make a motion to adjourn.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) That would not be in order at this time. I think we will be doing some business in a -- a -- a few moments, and I would appreciate the patience of my esteemed colleague from Cole {sic} (Coles) County. Senator Righter.
Mr. President, according to Rule 7-16, motion to adjourn is in order at any time, except when a prior motion to adjourn has been defeated and no intervening business has transpired. It’s not my recollection today, Mr. President, that a prior motion to adjourn has been made, so that motion would appear to be in order according to our rules.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Give me a moment. I’ll check that rule and get back to you. Senator Righter, you -- you are correct in your interpretation of rules. We need for you to put it in writing. If you would get me that motion in writing, then we could act on it accordingly. But I need that motion in writing. WBBM-TV seek -- requests permission to record Senate proceedings. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Senator Righter.
Mr. President, I want to point out something again in our Senate Rules, although I know I don’t need to do that for you because you have an encyclopedic knowledge of these rules. Senate Rule 7-4, subsection (a) {sic} (1) explicitly states that a motion to adjourn need not be reduced to writing. That’s in our rules. So at this time, once again, Mr. President, I would 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 renew my motion to adjourn the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter, we have just received some new information. So the Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. Please stick around. We will be taking substantial action. The Senate is in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, on the Order of Resolutions.
Senate Joint Resolution 60, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads SJR No. 60)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 60. Those in favor will say Aye. Those opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Halvorson moves adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 60. All in favor will say Aye. All opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With the leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, have there been any -- any -- have there been any objections filed to any resolutions on the Consent Calendar?
24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 6/1/2007 No objections filed.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The resolutions are adopted. Pursuant -- pursuant to joint -- Senate Joint Resolution 60, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, June 5th, at the hour of 12 noon. The Senate stands adjourned. 25