PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The regular Session of the 95th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation will be given by Reverend Marty Marks, Immanuel Lutheran Church, DeKalb, Illinois. Reverend.
(Prayer by the Reverend Marty Marks)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) And as a Sox fan, I will forgive you, Reverend. Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Friday, June 15th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 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 LINK) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 252, offered by Senator Sullivan and all 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 Members. Senate Resolution 253, offered by Senator Emil Jones and all Members. And Senate Resolution 254, offered by Senator Demuzio and all Members. They’re all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Resolution Consent Calendar.
And Senate Resolution 255, offered by Senators Syverson, Burzynski and Hendon. And Senate Resolution 256, offered by Senator Cullerton. They’re both substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Illinois Information Service requests -- requests leave to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. All Members - - all Members at the sound of my voice, please be at their desk. We are going to Concurrences. All Members at the sound of my voice, we are going to Concurrences. Please be at the Floor. Could I get everybody’s attention? We have some guests today and I’m going to turn over the Podium to Senator Burzynski and Senator Syverson, who will introduce our guest today. Senator.
Thank you very much. This afternoon, we are honored to have with us in the Senate Chamber, Rick Nielsen, who is the founder, and writer, and singer, and lead guitarist for the group Cheap Trick. Now I’m sure many of you, as we’ve been talking… Yeah. Guy’s got fans everywhere. Now most of you have probably seen Cheap Trick in concert or had their albums, but allow me just to 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 give you a little bit of background on Cheap Trick that really has them standing out in the field of entertainment. Few bands have the ability to stick together for thirty years and this group has been playing and involved and out there for thirty years. Second, produced twenty-eight albums, certainly something that many groups never reach to that level. The third, very few bands ever reach the milestone of twenty million records sold, but that’s what Cheap Trick has done. And lastly -- he still is playing. And lastly, a -- a milestone that many groups have never hit, is they have put on in excess of five thousand concerts around the world. Cheap Trick started in the early ‘70s in Rockford and they played throughout the State-line area. In fact, we talked earlier, and I think he has played at every single State university in Illinois over the years. Ultimately, they were picked up by a record label and they went national and then went international, and playing in a variety of places, including, for those of you who remember seeing ‘em, on Saturday Night Live. But let me give you a little more trivia about Cheap Trick that you may not know about. First, for those of you who are Homer Simpson fans and fans of The Simpsons, he’s been mentioned a couple of times in there. In fact, that wise speaker, Homer Simpson, was quoted as saying, “I prefer to listen to Cheap Trick.” Also in the movie, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, if you’ll remember in that movie, Rick Damone -- or Mike Damone was talking to a girl about -- trying to convince her to buy Cheap Trick tickets, and he started singing Cheap Trick songs. Some of the songs that they have written and soundtracks, some of the theme songs that you may recognize, That ‘70s Show, that most of you I’m sure watch; the new sitcom, ABC’s, Sons and 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 Daughters; some of the other soundtracks they’ve done, Spring Break, Top Gun, Caddyshack, Look Who’s Talking Too, Gladiator, Encino Man, Howard Stern Private Parts, Detroit Rock City, Joe Dirt, Daddy Day Care, and The Garfield Movie {sic} Garfield: The Movie. Let’s talk about diversity: Garfield Movie/Howard Stern Private Parts. This guy can do it all. In addition, they’ve been listed as Rolling Stone’s -- as one of the greatest live acts ever. They have produced songs for Kiss, Aerosmith, Motley Crew, John Lennon, and others. It’s enough to say that they are icons in the music industry. But today, we’re here to honor them, not just for their accomplishments in music, but what they have meant to our State and what they have meant to this country. They have done significant amounts of charitable work. Have done USO concerts in twelve countries and helping not only our soldiers, but helping citizens throughout the country. What’s also important is they haven’t forgotten their roots. Many people we remember have made it big in Illinois and then have left the State. Rick Nielsen and Cheap Trick are proud to call Illinois their home and continue to make Illinois their home. Not that he’s just Rockford; we talked earlier, some of the groups that he’s expanded and also has a restaurant in Chicago, Piece, for those of you who have been there. Also named, I think, for having the best beer in the country, something like that. So, I see a lot of beer drinkers are grateful for that. So -- but we are grateful and -- and we are honored, and because of what they have meant to this State and the fact that they so proudly represent Illinois, we have introduced a resolution - myself, Senator Hendon, Senator Burzynski and others - that will proclaim… Senator Hendon, come on up here. That’s okay. You 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 can borrow his tie. We have introduced a -- a resolution proclaiming April 1st as Cheap Trick Day in Illinois. And so we appreciate all your support, and we will now turn it over to our guest of the day, Rick Nielsen. Rick.
(Remarks by Rick Nielsen)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Ladies and Gentlemen, I know we were given the day off, but we decided to change that. We will be going to the Order of Concurrences. So if we can get everybody back in their seats and we could start going, we will be going to the Order of Concurrences. So if we can get back into order here, please. Senator Watson, for what purpose do you rise?
Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. President, and I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce a -- a young man to all of us here in the -- in the Senate. Most -- most of us know him. I’ve been around long enough now that I’ve -- I’ve seen him grow up and he’s grown up pretty -- pretty -- pretty lengthy. And -- but anyway, it’s William Schuh, and this is Patty Schuh. Where’s Patty? Right over here. Patty is our Press Secretary, my assistant. Patty Schuh. This is William Schuh, her son, and he is a Cadet Private First Class at U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He just completed his first year - the plebe year, they call that - so he’s glad to, obviously, get that behind him. He plays basketball for the U.S. Army Academy and leaves Thursday to go back there. And, of course, graduated from Sacred Heart- Griffin, right here in Springfield. And, of course, when -- when he was there, they were very successful in their basketball 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 endeavors. So I just wanted to introduce him. We’re all very proud of him. Just to get accepted and be in the -- in our Military Academy at West Point is quite an accomplishment. He’s doing well and we’re all very proud of him. And I just wanted to take this opportunity to introduce him to all of you, and I know most of you probably do know him and have seen him grow up over the years, and proud to see his accomplishments. So, William, Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Will the Senate please welcome him? Senator Collins, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Thank you, Mr. President. I am also honored today to have an organization from my district here, the Southwest Youth Collaborative. They’re sitting to my right, and I would like to have them receive a warm welcome from my colleagues. Please welcome Camille O’Day, the Executive Director; Jonathan Peck, the Associate Director; and Maggie Bonjean, the Policy Director. This is an organization that deals with youth; offers them programs during the summer to keep them off the street. So, I would like for you to welcome them to this General Assembly this morning.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Will our guests rise and be welcomed to the Illinois General Assembly? Senate Bill 13. With leave of the Body, we’ll return 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 to Senate Bill 13. Senate Bill 153. Senator Sieben. Out of the record. Senate Bill 678. Senator Clayborne. Do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 4 and 5 to Senate Bill 678. Filed by Senator James Clayborne.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Can we please have it quiet on the Floor for this bill? Senator Clayborne, to discuss your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a motion to concur on Senate Bill -- I mean, 678, Amendments 4 and 5. Basically, what this bill does is it will speed the entry of facilities-based competition to the Illinois video market and give the cable monopoly the competition it needs…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Excuse me, Senator Clayborne, one second. Could we please have it quiet? Would everybody please quiet to let the speaker continue on his bill? Please quiet on the Floor or we’ll clear the Floor. Senator Clayborne.
Thank you, Mr. President. With -- with allowing competition into the video market, competition will lower prices, improve service for all Illinois consumers. New competitive entry will also bring thousands of new union jobs and to -- close to -- close to a billion dollars in new infrastructure investments in this State without any government assistance, tax breaks or handouts. This bill -- bill relies on the market, but it is also 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 the strongest -- has the strongest provisions in the nation to ensure consumers are not at a disadvantage. It has the most aggressive build-out provisions in the nation, thirty-five percent within three years, fifty percent within five years, subject to a fifteen-percent market trigger. Of that build-out, thirty percent must be low income, as defined a household with an annual income of less than thirty-five thousand or less. On top of that, it is the only bill in the country to require low end -- low-income build-out commitments at both the State and local exchange level, designed to prevent and detect any redlining or so-called cherry picking. It is also the most aggressive as it relates to consumer service. It -- it maintains the -- it preserves and maintains the PEG television -- programs. And it is a great bill for competition. It is a great bill for the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I rise in support of the Senator’s motion. This legislation will create thousands of new jobs. It will attract hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure investment, but most importantly, it provides for real consumer protections, and in fact, the strongest video reform consumer protections in the nation. It applies to cable -- existing cable providers as well, and I urge you all to support the motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Risinger.
8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the bill. Would the sponsor yield for a -- a couple of questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Indicates he will.
Senator, there’s been a lot of work done on this bill and a lot of changes and -- and this bill is probably the -- the most consumer-friendly bill of all the bills that have been passed so far to allow this type of -- competition. There’s been a lot of people involved. Are there -- are there any groups or any people opposed to this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne.
Verizon is opposed to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Risinger.
At this time, the cable companies themselves are not opposed to the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne.
They are neutral on the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Risinger.
Thank you, Senator. The mayors were very nervous about this bill whenever we started discussion on it. They were nervous 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 about losing revenue from the cable companies. And is there protection in this bill so that the communities do not lose revenue?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne.
Yes, there is.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Risinger.
The public service cable companies were concerned that they would lose their connection and that the -- AT&T wouldn’t have to provide that type of service or, at least, the -- the type of coverage that is provided now. Has that been provided for in this bill, Senator?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Risinger.
Yeah. To the bill: This bill has been worked on very hard. There’s been a lot of input into it. There’s been a lot of give- and-take. I think this is a very consumer-friendly bill. I think this is one that is going to provide a lot of jobs, a lot of competition. It’s going to bring our cable bills, our -- our home television bills down. I think it’s the kind of bill that we should all support in this Assembly. Thank you. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Mr. -- thank you, Mr. President. I -- I just want to add, because in committee Senator Risinger asked a very pertinent question about the public access, and I did speak with CAN TV and other public access people who are now comfortable with the bill. So I wanted to bring that to Members’ attention. It was a concern, but it has worked out, and I -- I urge an Aye vote on the legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Kotowski.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in strong support of this bill. Was pleased to see the progress that was made on public education and government access in this bill. As a result of the changes, Illinois subscribers are assured that they’ll receive community channels at the same quality standard as commercial channels. With the new providers, as with cable today, local health, arts, education, and civic programming will be on equal footing with the commercial channels. That is very important for the people of Illinois, and that’s why I strongly support this legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Garrett.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. A question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Indicates he will yield. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007
Senator Clayborne, I just want to understand what the differences are between Senate Bill 678 and House Bill 1500.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne.
Senate Bill -- I mean, Senate Bill 678 is on the Senate Floor for concurrence and House Bill 1500 is still over in the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Garrett.
Okay. I’m a little bit familiar with House Bill 1500 and I know some changes were made. Let me ask it this way. What changes were made to Senate Bill 678 that are different than House Bill 1500?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne.
One of the biggest differences is we now -- under this bill, we would have the strongest consumer service quality standards than they are in House Bill 1500, in fact, in -- in the country.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Garrett.
What -- what makes it stronger, better? What provisions were changed?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007
There are -- there are mandated standards as it relates to - - a -- a four-hour gap to respond. If they don’t respond, there are certain fines and penalties. Obviously, the build-out is different. There has to be, as I -- as I stated earlier, there has to be thirty-five percent build-out within three years, fifty percent within five years, subject to a fifteen-percent market trigger. And also, of that build-out, if you go to an area, thirty percent of the build-out has to be in low-income areas as defined by annual income of -- of thirty-five thousand dollars or less.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Garrett.
So, in essence, this bill is stronger for some of the more rural areas or the areas where there is no broadband service?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne.
Yes. It’s -- it’s broken out into - and I don’t have that in front of me - the northern, Chicago, the central, and southern Illinois. Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Garrett.
And then, I know that House Bill 1500, as an example, was agreed upon by the municipalities, Illinois Municipal League, the Northwest Municipal Conference. Are they in support of -- of this new version or changed version? 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne.
My understanding is that the only person that slipped this bill was Verizon. Nobody else slipped the bill. They -- and they -- they were the only ones in opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Lauzen.
Thank you -- thank you very much, Mr. President. Senator, I congratulate you on a lot of the hard work that’s gone into -- a lot of hard work and compromise that’s gone into this bill, both here and over in the House. I think that that work is reflected in the outcome of the vote over in the House. I understand that people who may still be criticizing the proposal that we’re going to vote on today ask what is it that the, you know, the people and cable users in Illinois, what do they gain from this effort? Could you summarize that briefly? There’s a concern that come in, that the rates actually aren’t going to go down, that competition’s not going to result in the benefits that some people would expect competition would bring. But could you -- could you answer the question that I’ve seen in print a couple of times - the public criticism of -- of, well what do people -- what will the people back home get out of this bill that they’ll be able to count on, you know, a year or two years from now?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne will -- will yield for a question. Senator Clayborne.
14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 Well, you know, one -- one of the -- the biggest things, obviously, there will be close to a billion dollars of -- of new investment in our infrastructure here in Illinois, which means thousands of jobs. Two, I believe that any time you add an additional entity to the market, it will create competition. It’s interesting that in the -- in the House, you had a -- had an economist come in and -- who said that the -- the -- the entity that will probably take advantage of this the most is probably another cable company, not -- not so much AT&T. But what this does by having a statewide franchising, where cable companies or -- or telephone companies don’t have to go and negotiate city by city, municipality by municipality, that they will get five percent and one percent, so they will get the revenue. So the issue is -- the PEG -- the PEG service, public access doesn’t change. So the issue is, does bringing more companies into the market provide a better service? Does it provide better programming? Does it provide competition in terms of -- of -- of rates? I would think it does. I mean, I -- I -- I look at - and I don’t want to stray to -- to answer your question - I look at how at one point we had one Bell system and we -- when it split up, now we have the Internet, we have cell phones, we have -- I mean, we just have a host of things that have come about as a result of competition. So, I think this is another step to give -- to give people right now, who enjoy video entertainment, that gives them another venue that they can use. Plus, I’ve been told, and I have not seen it, that through the telephone lines and the -- and the infrastructure that they’re going to put into our system, will actually improve the video quality as well. 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Lauzen.
Thank you. Thank you very much for your answer. Following right at the end of the answer, the possibilities of advancement in technology and innovation, I think that is very important. The -- the one billion dollars is a lot of money and those jobs, very important. Are the -- is what’s being held out to all of us here, is that going to be the best technology, or the modern technology, that’s going to be put in, the most recent kind of technology to benefit the people of Illinois?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne.
From my understanding that we know of, yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Clayborne, to close.
I would just ask for your favorable vote for competition in this market, and as -- as Senator brought out, to keep innovation going, and to keep improving the quality of -- of life, and entertainment, and jobs, and -- and growth in the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) This is final action. The question is, shall Senate concur in House Amendments 4 and 5 to Senate Bill 678. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, no 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 Nays, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill -- the -- on that question, the Senate -- the Senate concurs in House Amendments 4 and 5 to Senate Bill 678. This bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1327. Senator Schoenberg. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1366. Senator Clayborne. Out of the record. House -- Senate Bill 1625. Senator Ronen. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1625. Filed by Senator Carol Ronen.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Ronen, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. This makes minor changes to the bill that we sent to the House. Remember, this has to do with the marketing of alcopops in venues where youngsters might be. This, after the word alcoholic beverages, inserts the wording or flavored malt beverages as a way to define alcopops. Would ask for concurrence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1625. All -- all those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate has -- concurs with House Amendments {sic} 1 to Senate Bill 1625. The bill, having received the 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1746. Senator Delgado. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 1746. Filed by Senator William Delgado.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Delgado, to explain your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. On Senate Bill 1746, I do ask for concurrence in House Amendments No. 1 and No. 3, which was brought over by the House for the purpose of changing how the committee would be -- or the council would be named. We wanted to add in Minority Leader, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, Minority Leaders there, Majority Leaders. That’s what the essence was - to make sure we had more inclusiveness. And I would ask for the concurrence so that we can create the Latino Family Commission Act and the Latino Illinois Family Commission.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Althoff.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: I rise in support of this legislation and would like to thank Senator Delgado for following through and adding these amendments to the legislation. Theses were actually recommendations from our committee on the Senate side. So thank you very much. I would urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 Senator Watson.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to follow suit here a little bit. You’re a man of your word. I appreciate what you did here, Senator Delgado, and the fact that you did follow through and made sure this happened in the House, and I’d just urge everybody to support your -- your efforts here. Thank you, sir.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Delgado, to close.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. And I -- I do want to point out that this commission’s very important. It deals with children and that’s why I’m so happy to be able to work with the committee members, make sure that this is a bipartisan effort, as this will serve the best interest to -- of the children and assist the Governor and other leaders in giving direction in the future as to human services and child welfare to our children in the State. I would ask for your concurrence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) This is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 1746. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 1746. The bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise? 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007
Thank you, Mr. President. For purposes of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your announcement.
Thank you, Mr. President. Simply rise to announce that both Senators Cronin and Dillard will not be with us today. They are back home on legislative business.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Record shall reflect.
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator -- Halvorson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like the record to reflect that Senator Viverito is not here today due to personal business.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The record shall reflect. Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you rise?
For the purpose of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) …your announcement.
There will be a Democratic Senate Caucus meeting upon adjournment, immediately in the Senate -- in President’s Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 57th Legislative Day 6/19/2007 Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Republicans would request a caucus in Senator Watson’s Office immediately upon adjournment, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 11 a.m., tomorrow, June 20th, 2007. The Senate stands adjourned. 21