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? Our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Alvina Williams, Christian Science {sic} (Scientist) Church, Springfield, Illinois.
(Prayer by Alvina Williams)
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 Thursday, June 28th, 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 Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We’re about to go to substantial Senate action. Would all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 Senate Floor? Would all administrative assistants please direct your Senator to the Senate Floor? It would be greatly appreciated. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 275, offered by Senator Demuzio. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 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 concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 17, together with the following amendments which are attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 17 and House Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 17. Passed the House, as amended, June 29th, 2007. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 1847, offered by Senator Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) And Senate Bill 1848, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 Senator Righter, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Good morning, Mr. President. How are you today? I would like the record to reflect, if it can, Mr. President, the absence -- excused absences of both Senator Lauzen and Senator Jones from the Republican side of the aisle, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The record will so reflect their reasons for absence. Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Please turn your Senate Calendar to page 35. Page 35 of your Senate Calendar. That is where we’re going to begin, on the Order of Concurrences, so we need you to turn to page 35. We’ll be going to those concurrences in just a few seconds. Would all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? You know what today is. Let’s handle this business and then you can be home with your families. The Illinois Information Services {sic} (Service) seeks leave to videotape. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Mark Suszko seeks leave to video. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Someone please direct Representative David Miller to the -- Representative side of the Chamber. This is the Senate, not the House. Thank you very much. Good to see you, but you are -- you guys are across the hall. Thank you. Unless you intend to vote with the Senate and not with the Speaker, you -- you belong on the other side. Madam Secretary, on the Order of Concurrences is Senate Bill 13. That would be out of the record. Please turn to the top of page 36. On the Order of 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 Concurrence is Senate Bill 153. Senator Sieben. 153. Senator Sieben. Senator Sieben, 153? With leave of the Body, we will return to 153. Page 37 of your Senate Calendar. 182 is out of the record. Page 37 of your Senate Calendar. 545. 545. Senator Delgado. Now on the Order of Concurrence is Senate Bill 545. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 545. Filed by Senator William Delgado.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Delgado.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I would ask for… Thank you, Mr. President. I would ask for concurrence on Senate Bill 545 on Amendment No. 1. Amendment No. 1 became a technical amendment allowing -- which is a compromise between the proponents and DPH, retains the underlying bill. Makes some technical changes in it, and specifically makes reference to 2006 {sic} (2007) -- instead of 2007 {sic} (2006) issue of the Health Department Improvement Plan and makes minor technical changes to various components of the Plan. In addition, and last but not least, it’s given permissive instead of mandatory authority to contract with a vendor with experience in racial and ethnic health disparities and cultural competency to conduct the evaluation and provide support for the collaborative learning project. And I would ask for your Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, this is final action. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments {sic} No. 1 to Senate Bill 545. All those in favor will vote Aye. All opposed, 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, none voting Nay, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments {sic} No. 1 to Senate Bill 545. And the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. 577. Senator Cullerton. 577. Madam Secretary, read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 577. Filed by Senator John Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. There are two amendments in the House. The -- the first one, the -- the bill itself is an -- a Secretary of State’s Office bill dealing with administrative hearings and the first amendment deleted language requiring that the -- that the petition to contest an implied consent suspension of a person’s driving privileges be filed within ninety days. It also removed language requiring a petition -- a withdrawal petition to be refilled -- refiled within ninety days and removed the language prohibiting refiling of a petition that’s been withdrawn twice. So it’s really just a technical amendment. The second amendment actually adds a Senate bill, which is Senate Bill 572, which passed 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 unanimously out of the Senate. Senate Bill 572 is being used by Representative Hamos for a RTA bill. So that -- that -- Amendment No. 2 simply added that bill to this bill. So I would ask that we concur with both amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments No. 1 and No. 2 to Senate Bill 577. All those in favor, vote Aye. All 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 52 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 577. And the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 778. Senator Bond. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 778. Filed by Senator Michael Bond.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bond.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is the IDOT land transfer -- land transfer bill. I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, this is final action. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments {sic} No. 1 to Senate Bill -- 778. All those in favor will vote 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 Aye. All opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments {sic} No. 1 to Senate Bill 778. And the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1327. Senator Schoenberg. 1327. Senator Schoenberg. Out of the record. We’re about to go to House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bills 3rd Reading. Please turn your Senate Calendar to page 30. Page 30 of your House -- of your Senate Calendar is House Bill 291. Senator Sullivan. Madam Secretary. 291. Page 30 of your Senate Calendar. With leave of the Body, we will go to page 30 of your Senate Calendar, is -- on 3rd Reading is House Bill 291. It is a big bill. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 291. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Senate. House Bill 291 amends the Children and Family Services Act and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 by raising the age from thirteen to fifteen for which the Department of Children and Family Services can take minors to be -- that have been determined to be delinquent into custody. It also codifies that minors can also be taken into the custody of DCFS when an independent basis of abuse, neglect or 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 dependency exists which do not arise from the same facts as the charge. Currently, if a delinquent minor under the age of thirteen is abused and neglected, the delinquent will be -- will be moved to DCFS to be placed in a foster home. If the delinquent is thirteen or older, the child is -- is sent to a juvenile detention facility. This legislation moves the current age requirement from -- from delinquents under thirteen to delinquents under fifteen. It’s supported by the State’s Attorney Association, the Cook County Public Defender, Voices of {sic} (for) Illinois Children and the Juvenile Justice. DCFS is opposed to the legislation, mainly because of the fiscal impact. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President. If the sponsor would yield for a question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Indicates he will yield. Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Senator Sullivan. What -- what is the cost to this particular proposal?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sullivan.
According to our analysis, DCFS has indicated -- when the -- when the -- when the bill was initially introduced in the House, and there has been some changes, an amendment put on from that time, but initially they said that the cost was twenty-two 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 million. I kind of question those numbers simply because we’re talking, according to their analysis again, approximately two hundred children. And if you do the math, that’s a hundred and ten thousand dollars per child based on the twenty-two million. That’s also assuming that that child is going to be in a program for three hundred and sixty-five days of the year. So I don’t believe that the cost is anywheres near that amount, but that’s - - that is according to their numbers.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Things -- Ladies -- Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we need some kind of decorum around here. It is awfully loud in the Chamber. I would appreciate some kind of respect for the speaker. Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President. One other question before I -- I -- I speak to the bill. Is there still a problem, Senator Sullivan, with DCFS worrying about where and how they’ll house these children?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sullivan.
Their -- that concern has also been raised by DCFS. Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Dillard, are -- Senator Dillard.
Sure. Thank you. I’m for the gentleman’s bill and I was for it in committee. I mean, Senator Sullivan’s working to address a -- a problem that’s here. But I do hope, at least to the budgeteers -- and -- and, Senator Sullivan, I know you’ll -- 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 you’ll bring this up with Senator Trotter and others. There is - - there is some price tag to this. I’m not so worried about the price tag as I am I just want to make sure that DCFS has a way to make sure that these children - and you and I share that same concern - are really protected and are really taken care of. So, we just got our Calendar from the Senate President, so we’re going to be here a lot, Senator Sullivan, in the month of July. And, you know, please don’t forget that DCFS had some -- some issues with how they’re going to physically handle these children. And they are children. And please, John, use your time here, and I’m sure you will, to work with DCFS to make sure that these kids are going to be accommodated. But I rise in -- in support of the bill knowing that there is a fiscal implication and the budgeteers better be aware there’s -- here’s another cost. We keep rolling up the cost of State government on an hourly basis around here. But I’m in support of Senator Sullivan’s bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Righter.
Thank you. Senator Sullivan, I want to raise - and I was unaware of the problem with the bill concerning where these children are going to be -- are going to be kept - but I want to raise a different issue and it has to do with the cost of the bill. Is the bill subject to appropriation, Senator? I mean, do 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 they have to do this if they’ve got the money?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sullivan.
The bill is not subject to appropriation. And just to kind of follow up on Senator Dillard’s comments, because they relate to -- to your question, as well. And that is the fact that right now the -- the financial responsibility does fall on the counties themselves and this has had a -- a very dramatic fiscal impact on the -- on the local level, on the county level. I have -- really the reason I’m carrying the bill is one of my counties had an instance - thank you, Mr. President - had an instance where the - - they had a -- a -- a juvenile who actually had to go to a facility. Ended up costing that county approximately a hundred thousand dollars. So -- but to answer your question, no, it is not subject to appropriation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Another issue, Senator Sullivan, a number of Members on the Republican side of the aisle have been told that any legislation that they have, or some legislation at least that they have, that is currently mired in the Senate Rules Committee is being held because it costs money. And since we don’t know what the final budget’s going to look like, that we will just -- those bills will be held until we’ve, you know, have a much better picture of what the final Fiscal Year 2008 budget will look like. Can you tell me whether or not any of those concerns with -- were raised with you by the Senate President or 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 his staff or your leadership team?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sullivan.
I have been actually in contact with the agency more than I have the staff and the President here about this particular legislation. And, again, going back to Senator Dillard’s comments, I have pledged to the agency that I will work with them to try to address to the best of my ability their concerns with regard to the fiscal impact of this legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter, are you done, sir? Senator Righter.
To the bill, Mr. President. I think that Senator Sullivan’s got a good idea here. There are a lot of good ideas out there, Mr. President, and I think that this is a time when the Members ought to take note, particularly as this overtime Session drags on, that there are bills being held in the Rules Committee under the auspices of, gee wiz, they’re going to cost us some money, and gee wiz, we really don’t know what the Fiscal Year 2008 budget’s going to look like. It appears that that’s not being uniformly applied. I’m not sure that that’s a shock to many, particularly on our side of the aisle. Congratulate Senator Sullivan for his good work on the bill and hope that -- that he and some other Members on his side of the aisle can help with some equity in this regard. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. The Chair would appreciate succinct questions and answers. This is getaway day. Senator Haine. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007
Thank you, Mr. President. Would the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Indicates he will. Senator Haine.
Senator Sullivan, as I understand it, and -- and I stand to be corrected, this -- this returns the State really to a policy that was in place prior to 1995. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sullivan.
That is correct.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Haine.
…bill, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is a -- this is part of the historic mission of DCFS. This -- this policy is returned to DCFS, this obligation, and it was theirs until 1995. Yes, there’ll be some difficulties in meeting this new obligation that is not new. Again, it was theirs historically, but it’s within their mission. Meeting the obligations of caring for the neglected, the locked-out, or whatever, is part of DCFS’ mission. And this relieves the counties from this burden. The counties do not have the infrastructure for it. This will be good news to the counties. It will be -- we will be voting for something that actually relieves them from an unfunded mandate. So this is good news. It’s good for law enforcement. It’s good for child care. And it’s good for the counties. Thank you. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Sullivan, to close.
I just want to thank all the Members that spoke in regard to the legislation. I appreciate your comments. I agree with Senator Haine absolutely on his -- on his summary there, and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 291 pass. Those in favor, vote Aye. Those 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 52 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 291, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Associated Press requests leave to photo. Leave is granted. Leave is granted. With leave of the Body, we’re going to page 33 of your Senate Calendar. House Bill 3920. Senator Donne Trotter. House Bill 3920. Hope we have everyone’s attention. Senator Donne Trotter, on House Bill 3920. Senator Trotter. Oh! Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3920. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Trotter.
Thank you very much, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Please, I’d like to have everyone’s attention. House Bill 3920 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 is the core services one-month budget that represents - and if I could, sir, please - which represents the agreed language of the Legislative Leaders and the Governor, providing a one-month budget beginning July 1st, 2007, sunsetting July 31st, 2007. It provides appropriations for State agencies, boards and commissions in order to ensure the State government operations are not interrupted. These are necessary and ongoing operational expenses to run State government. Specifically, in education, it contains operational funding for the State Board of Education at the ’07 enacted level. There are no funding grants for general State aid, transitional assistance and mandated categorical programs. These grants, as we are aware, are not paid out during the month of July. Categorical grants that pay out during the month of July, such as the free/reduced lunch and breakfast, are at the ’07 level. Pensions - the Judges’ Retirement System, General Assembly Retirement System, Teachers’ Retirement System, and the State Universities Retirement Systems {sic}, all are funded at the ’08 certified level. Certified retirement systems contribution lines are at the ’07 level. There are no changes in the higher education level past ’07. Higher education agencies and State universities receive operational and grant fundings at that level. There is…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you. Senator, you have a thousand lights so I’m sure you’ll get a chance to explain the entire thing there. You’ve got every light in the world lit. Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 Before -- before you start, Senator Dillard, the Chair, once again, will reiterate that I would appreciate succinct questions and answers on this issue. Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of Senator Trotter’s one-month budget and I do it with a couple of caveats. Obviously we need to keep Illinois State government working and operating for the most needy, including senior citizens and the disabled. But what I want to point out here this morning is that we now have a government that I call of personality politics. When you have the kind of one-party total-dominated control that we have today, instead of policies and checks and balances, it’s evolved into the politics of personalities. Senator -- President Jones has been my friend for twenty years and I respect him, and no man has ever represented his district better than Senator Emil Jones. I respect Speaker Madigan immensely, both as a family man and as, especially, a political leader. And we had, Republicans had, in 1994 total control of State government as well. And that was great and we had our problems. We had Senate President James “Pate” Philip and House Speaker Lee Daniels, both of whom had the same strong personalities that the triumvirate of Blagojevich, Jones and Madigan have today. But there was one big difference. The difference was we had an engaged Governor in Jim Edgar, who was here every day, who managed State government well. And we don’t need to pass a resolution like the House did to remind the Governor that he needs to be in Springfield working with our four Legislative Leaders, especially the two gentlemen from his own political party. You don’t need a resolution because the Constitution of Illinois says that the Governor must maintain a 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 residence in Springfield. So the difference between one-party rule in 1994 - when we adjourned in April, by the way, in April, not in July, not in August, not in October - was an engaged Governor. So I rise in support of the bill. We’ve got to keep the government operating, but I just am very saddened by the degeneration here in Springfield to what is, what I think, I call personality politics. And would hope that the Governor would be here every day with our leaders to formulate a real, real budget. And even if you are a partisan Democrat…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Dillard. Senator Dillard.
…wrap it up, Mr. President. Even if you’re a partisan Democrat who has policies you believe strongly in, your policies are not reflected in whatever State budget-making process we have, because it’s dominated by personalities, not the policies of the Democratic Party. Thank you, Mr. President. You’ve been more than patient.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The -- the Presiding Officer’s going to be forced to go to the three-minute clock if anyone else decides to speak as long as my esteemed colleague. He went well over the three minutes. And we would like -- you know what today is. It’s getaway day. Senator Silverstein.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, I -- Mr. President, I move the previous question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Silverstein moves the previous question. There are 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 seven speakers and those are the only ones we will hear from. Senator Brady.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen, I stand in opposition to this piece of legislation and in opposition to the complete chaos that we are operating here under. You know, we were elected to be leaders. Leaders make tough decisions and work hard. As much as we all want to go home and be with our families and friends to celebrate the independence of this country, it is incumbent upon us to stay in Springfield and do our jobs. Passing last year’s budget is not doing our job. We are letting down the people who elected us to be leaders. We ought to demand that the Governor come and stay in Springfield. We ought to demand that we ourselves stand up at leaders and pass a budget that the people of Illinois can count on, not one that extends last year’s appropriations. Many of you ought to think about that. There are many things in last year’s budget that you didn’t agree with. By passing this piece of legislation, you are embracing things that you are -- know are not important for Illinois. I respect the gentleman who is doing this and, like you, I want to see State government operate. Like you, I understand that Governor Blagojevich gave us a piece of legislation, a budget document, that was ridiculous and something that would have -- further bankrupted Illinois. And we put a stop to that. That was the right thing to do. Now the right thing to do is to come to Springfield, demand that the Governor stay here, not fly back and forth every day at cost to the taxpayers. Demand that he come to here, help us, as leaders, elected leaders by the people we represent, to do the right thing 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 - to deliver a budget that moves Illinois forward. A budget that’s balanced, a budget that meets our pension obligations, a budget that funds education not only for our children but for the property tax relief our citizens deserve. You, by supporting this piece of legislation, are failing the people that elected you. I hope you’ll join me in opposing this. You know, some call this a Band-Aid. It may be a Band-Aid, but it’s a Band-Aid when the scars require sutures and surgery. We shouldn’t abandon our responsibilities, because the scars are only going to get worse. Vote No. Stay in Springfield. Do our job as we were elected to as leaders.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. It is not the intention of the Chair to embarrass any Member, so if you -- if you pushed your light to speak after Senator Silverstein’s motion, then you will not be recognized. The Presiding Officer is going to recognize the following Senators only: Leader Watson, Senator Radogno, Risinger, Senator Murphy, Pankau, Garrett, and Sandoval. If -- if -- if you did not hear your name, you missed it. Leader Watson, are you ready? Lead -- Leader Watson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank -- I find myself -- this is a very frustrating time for all of us, to be here at this point in time of -- in June and with the deadline of State government’s closure looming out there. None of us would prefer to be here. We would like to think that this could have been taken care of in the normal process of the Legislative Session. Unfortunately that didn’t happen and I think a lot of that has to do with the lack of leadership, primarily from the administration. I think 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 we were all willing, and certainly before May -- May 31st, I assume all of you on your side over there were willing, to get something done. Didn’t happen. Governor’s attitude is he wants to continue with this massive spending initiative without any revenue. There’s no revenue. There’s no support for the revenue he wants to do. He should recognize that. He should understand that there are different levels of -- of operation here in State government. He’s certainly the Executive Branch. We have our own Legislative Branch and we are equal partners in this process. I don’t believe he totally understands that at this point. And his attitude about wanting to persist with all of the massive new programs and new spending in light of the fact that there’s real -- no support for that here on this side or on the other side, certainly, and the House has already shown their true colors on this. It didn’t even get a vote. Didn’t even get one single positive vote. So, Governor, understand, message has been delivered, you ought to receive it, and we should go on with the ability of negotiating a budget that is meaningful, that lives within our means, it pays our bills and represents what I think the vast majority of the people of this State want. So I rise in support of this effort by Senator Trotter and -- and others. I think it’s a -- has to -- we have to do this to keep government going. The lights can’t be turned off. We’ve got to pay our people. We got to pay the people that supply great services to this State. So we need to make sure we maintain some consistency of State government and that’s why I, I guess almost reluctantly, ask for this side of the aisle to support Senator Trotter’s motion and effort here in keeping the State operating for at least the next thirty days. Thank you. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Pankau.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will. Senator Pankau.
Is there anything in here that either is stated or could be construed as money for stem cell research in whatever form? Because there have been a number of years when we have been duped by the Governor on that particular issue, saying that there wasn’t and then there actually turned out to be money in various forms. Is there anything in this one-month budget to that effect?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Trotter.
No, Senator, there is not as you have mentioned. In the proposed budget, ’08 budget, there was twenty million dollars that was going to be set aside for stem cell research. That is not in this one-month core budget.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …Pankau. Senator Murphy.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: First I’d like to commend Senator Trotter for his efforts in this -- in this regard. I have the utmost respect for him. As a -- as a freshman down here, this is fascinating process we’ve got, I’m 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 finding. One of the interesting things down here is all the acronyms we have, and I think this bill actually should be retitled with an acronym, the PCOLA bill, Political Cover for Obstinate Leaders Act. If you feel that this budget process negotiation, the manner in which it has been conducted to date, is an utter embarrassment, you should oppose this -- this bill and force the leaders out of their entrenched corners into the middle where common ground can be reached. Extending this one month does nothing more than provide cover for the people who need to check their egos at the door and get something done for the people of the State of Illinois on a long-term basis. There’s not hard deadline after this, folks. There’s no difference between July 1, August 1, September 1, October 1, and on down the line. We’re going to be doing this ad nauseam and the people of the State of Illinois deserve better. If you don’t keep their feet to the fire, we’ll be doing this until calendar year 2008, and it’s wrong. We have people back home who sent us down here to put pressure on leadership. I represent two hundred and twenty thousand people who have said that they think this is a disgrace and they want to know that I’m putting pressure on people to make a difference. Everybody needs to join this, and if you think that the person running against you next time wouldn’t be saying the same thing, take a close look ‘cause he’s probably measuring drapes in your office. I urge a strong No vote on this. We have got to keep pressure on leaders to get a twelve-month budget not a one-month budget. The time to do that is now. Comptroller Hynes said we have till July 9th before there’s real pain. Spend the next ten days hammering out a twelve-month budget and let’s get the job done. 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator -- Senator Sandoval. Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I’ve heard a lot this week about how bad it would be if we had a government shutdown. We’re supposed to vote for this budget because we have to avoid at all costs a government shutdown. Let me tell you about government shutdowns. In my community, there’s one going on right now. There are thirty- seven hundred children but only enough classrooms for twenty-five hundred of them. So that means twelve hundred children face a government shutdown every day of the year. They get bused out of their neighborhoods every day to go to school. I’m glad that is not our children. Let me tell you about another government shutdown. At the end of the summer - and we’ve read the papers this week - the CTA and the Pace are shutting down big chunks of their service. People going to work, for example, on the Cicero bus in my neighborhood are going to be out of luck. And why will they be out of luck? Because there won’t be a Cicero bus. And what does that mean? That means they can’t get to work. They will be shut out of a job. Those are the real government shutdowns that occur today in our communities. And what are we going to do about ‘em, the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Illinois Senate? Nothing. Nada. Zilcho. This budget does nothing to solve the current government shutdowns that exist in our community. Let me tell you what this budget is. This budget -- ready, are you ready? This budget is a no-growth budget. Sound familiar? We’ve been talking about it for the last month. It’s arrived. It may be only for one month. Let’s hope it’s only for 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 one month not twelve months. But it’s a real budget. It is the first month of Fiscal Year 2008. Happy new year. It has arrived. Bring out the party hats. Bring out the favors. We -- it’s a new year. It’s a new budget. The easy thing to do today is to wave the white flag, pass this budget, and go home to parades and picnics and tell everyone in our communities - tell everyone in our communities - that we’ve been fighting for them, January and February, March and April and May and June, and we will continue fighting for them in July. We are the real fighters of the people of Illinois. Ladies and Gentlemen, I cannot face my constituents back home and tell them that I voted for a budget that doesn’t build a school, doesn’t save their bus routes, doesn’t protect grandma and grandpa from getting taxed out of their homes because of high-rising property taxes, yet -- yet vote on a budget that finds resources to pay for the State employee that drives State department heads around town to meetings. Yet, it is a budget that continues to keep the paycheck flowing for the IDOT pilot who continues to ferry our Governor back and forth from Chicago to Springfield. Let’s not hear no more rhetoric anymore after today about the Governor’s flights from Chicago to Springfield, about the abuse of taxpayer money, because you know what? We have condoned his -- his behavior. You will have financed the friendly skies of Illinois the -- Governor Rod Blagojevich flies day in and day out in the month of July. I know my President doesn’t like this budget. President Jones, I know you don’t like this budget. I see it in your eyes. I see it in the tone and the texture of your face. And you know what, President Jones? I don’t either. I support my President Emil Jones in his never-ending battle for a real 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 budget that speaks to the core Democratic values of education, transportation, and tax fairness. But I cannot and will not support this or any other no-growth budget that perpetuates the ongoing government shutdowns of the status quo in my community and in other communities from Cairo to Chicago. No schools, no buses, no tax relief, no growth, no vote. Have a great 4th of July and keep on fighting.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Radogno.
Thank you, Mr. President. I -- I will be brief. As I look at this budget, and I had the opportunity to work with Senator Trotter and the other budgeteers on putting it together, I do think that there’s good news and there’s bad news in this. The good news is that we’re talking about a budget, which is something we haven’t been doing; we’re not shutting down government, which is something I think would be extremely bad for the State in general. But, of course, the bad news is, it’s only for thirty-one days and it’s June 29th that we’re doing this. But having said that, I think there’s a number of things in this budget that I hope that we will look at going forward as we craft the full-year budget and that is that for the thirty days, and hopefully for the rest of the year, we will fully fund pensions at the statutory level. That’s something that’s been important and been an issue for a number of -- for the last several years. This budget cuts out pork that had been included in the ’07 budget, so we’ve taken that out. Something, again, people have been very critical of. It pays our debts, and while it doesn’t shorten the payment cycle, it also doesn’t expand the payment 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 cycle. But most importantly what it does is it keeps most spending at the ’07 level, of course with the -- exception of education, which will bring us back here and force us to look at a longer term budget because that’s been zeroed out in this budget. But everything else is generally at the ’07 level. So I think what we’ll see is that at the end of the month, we can survive by living within our means, without massive expansions. And if we look -- take those good elements of this budget and apply those going forward, I think that we’ll be in good shape. So I would urge folks to vote Yes for this budget. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. We’re going to have Senator Risinger, Garrett, and then President Jones. That’s it. Senator Risinger.
Thank you, Mr. President. Here it is July and we don’t have a budget. We ought to all be embarrassed by that and your side of the aisle ought to be particularly embarrassed by that. It’s interesting to listen to the eloquent speech of Senator Sandoval and -- and the plea for a -- a -- a realistic budget and a permanent budget. And yet he sits over there and -- with the supermajority in his party and we haven’t seen a permanent budget yet. You know, I’m going to vote for this budget ‘cause I don’t want to shut government down. I spent thirty-seven years in the -- with the Department of Transportation. That will keep the money flowing to that agency, but let me tell you, it won’t be business as usual for the agencies. This budget isn’t one month short. It’s two months short. We should have had it done May 31st. And why should we have had it done May 31st? Because there’s a lot of planning that goes into the agencies in putting 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 their work together, they’re planning for the next year, signing contracts. When I was with the Department, we were buying salt, buying commodities for the roads, we were signing contracts to trade the cars and trucks. We were doing all those types of things. And they’re going to be paying their bills, and they’re going to be going to work, and they’re going to be doing the things, but they don’t know what that budget’s going to be. So they’re not doing all those important things that need to be done for the planning to move forward. Like I said, Mr. President, I’m going to vote for this bill today because we need to keep government open. But I’m telling you today, I will not vote for one more month extension after this bill. This is it. We need to get to work. We need to get it done in July and we need to stay here until it happens. And the Governor needs to quit complaining about us not doing the work and he needs to be here, and he needs to get realistic about the budget. And we need to get it done.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Garrett. Senator Susan Garrett. Ladies and Gentlemen, please keep your decorum. Senator Garrett.
Thank -- thank you very much, Mr. President. Unfortunately, it’s -- as -- as my colleague Chris Radogno said, it’s good news and bad news that we are here today voting on a thirty-one-day budget. But what we really need to look at is the -- the process and how it’s happening and -- and why things aren’t moving any more quickly. Our constituents are well aware of what’s going on in Springfield. They read the newspapers and, you know, they shake their heads and they wonder why we’re not being more 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 responsive and more responsible. A thirty-one-day budget is clearly a symptom of what’s -- gone wrong. What we have here in Springfield is a tug-of-war politics between the leadership, and we as Legislators - at least the rank-and-file Legislators - are here almost as a backdrop. I am going to support this budget because I want to see it move forward, but on the other hand, what we thought we were going to be accomplishing this year is to make some major strides forward when it comes to education reform. We don’t have that package out there. We’re not talking about the accountability, the -- Durham {sic} (Burnham) Plan, or any of the -- the issues that came before many of us on the Education Committee. Instead, what we have is thirty-one days of the status quo and I believe our constituents expect more and deserve more.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) President Emil Jones, Jr.
Thank you, Mr. President. It is very interesting listening to all the debate around government shutdown and what we should be doing. We come here. We all come from our respective districts. We all have different issues that we like to foster and -- and see addressed in this Chamber, but one thing we do not want to do -- the hard working people who are employed for Department of Corrections, our State Police, I think they deserve their salaries if we do not agree on a budget. The commonsense thing to do is to make sure that those persons who need the benefits of government, that those benefits shall continue. When we get a budget -- we’ve been in overtime before and we did, back then, pass emergency budgets so that those persons employed on 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 these services of State government would continue. That’s the responsible thing to do. The irresponsible thing to do is to vote No. I think we are responsible Legislators. That is what we should do. There are a variety of issues I hear people talk about, but when you talk about those issues, say I’m going to vote for the necessary revenue so that those issues can be addressed. That’s what we should do. The responsible thing to do today is to make sure that those core services for the people of the State of Illinois stay in place to make sure that no one gets hurt by a government shutdown. The irresponsible thing to do is to vote No. I don’t think we want to be in that posture, to -- to -- to have persons, our elderly citizens, those prison guards, our State Police, all those employees who look out for our interests, we should not place them in a position where they will not get paid for the work that they do. So I urge the Members on this side, and even the Members on the other side of the aisle, to be responsible. The responsible thing to do is to vote Yes on this budget until such time we get a budget that can satisfy all the Members of the General Assembly. I urge a Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Trotter, to close.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you all for your remarks. You know, when I got up this morning, I was reading the paper and my horoscope read as such, it says, you can’t expect things to run smoothly right now. There’s going to be glitches, delays, confused communications, and short tempers. Things are really in the toilet at work. Just take it one minute at a time; 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 that’s all you’re ever going to do anyway.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator, I don’t know how appropriate that is.
But -- but that -- the point being is…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) But since you put it out there…
…the point being is…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …we’ll let it…
…it -- it’s not about me. It’s not about us. This bill, this core services budget that we’re going to vote on and hopefully vote -- all vote Aye for, holds harmless those individuals who are dependent upon us cutting their paycheck. It holds harmless those contractors, those providers. It keeps operations of our -- our universities and our hospitals ongoing. We’re not going to get any kind of medal for profiles in courage for what we do here today, because this is just the responsible thing that we must do for the citizens of the State of Illinois. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 3920 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 45 voting Aye, 7 voting Nay, and none voting Present. House Bill 3920, having received the required constitutional majority, 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 is declared passed. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. For point -- purpose of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …your announcement, sir.
Thank you. Senator, we have one of our Members today who’s celebrating a birthday here with us in Springfield. And a lot of people have guessed that he’s probably in his seventies, but very well preserved. But I would like my colleagues to recognize one of my friends here - well, at least his wife tells me he’s my friend - Senator Dave Syverson, who is celebrating the big 50 today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Oh! Big Dave. Cheap Trick. The big 50. Happy birthday, Senator. Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, and Senator Syverson has indicated that he didn’t have cake or cupcakes today, but that he will make up for that when we come back in July.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007
First, I actually thought that Senator Syverson was older than that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) So did I. Senator Trotter.
But, on that note, on a -- a very other positive note, I would like the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate to help me recognize and -- and welcome Yamika Stokes who comes in from Franklin, Virginia. She works for the federal government out there as a District Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resource and Conservation Services. She’s here today visiting us and her aunt, our health guru, Nia Odeoti. Please welcome Yamika. Yamika Stokes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to the Illinois Senate, Yamika. Welcome. Madam Secretary, on the Order of Resolutions.
Senate Joint Resolution 68, offered by Senator Halvorson. (Secretary reads SJR No. 68)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Halvorson moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 68. Those in favor will say Aye. Those opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and -- and the rules are suspended. Senator Halvorson moves the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 68. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 6/29/2007 leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolutions on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) …not, the question is, shall the resolution {sic} on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The resolutions are adopted. Pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 68, the Senate stands adjourned until 12 noon on Tuesday, July 10th, 2007. The Senate stands adjourned. Enjoy your 4th of July. 33