PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 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 gallery please rise? The invocation today will be given by the Reverend Rebecca Sundquist, First Christian Church, Springfield, Illinois.
(Prayer by the Reverend Rebecca Sundquist)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Crotty.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Crotty)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Friday, June 29th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless there are some additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary. There being no objections, so ordered.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?
1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007 On a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your point.
Thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have, up in the gallery here, a group of -- of young ladies from Markham, Illinois, who are known as the Pink Panthers. I think many of us certainly remember doing double-dutch jump rope, at least some of us, on the playground. Well, the Pink Panthers is an Illinois corporation founded by Joyce Dickerson in September 2004. In the beginning, the team consisted of two determined and committed parents and twenty enthusiastic jumpers, grades three through nine. Now the team has fifty-five jumpers, nine coaches, and continues to place first in major competitions nationwide. The Pink Panthers are sponsored by the Markham Park District in Markham, Illinois. Their mission is to promote physical fitness, athletic excellence and sportsmanship, and positive recreational activities for students by means of double-dutch as a competitive team sport. For two years in a row, the Pink Panthers are champions, placing as finalists in the annual World Invitational Championship in Sumter, South Carolina. They’re visiting us here, just shortly today, for the very first time. They’re also -- I just was able to attend in June their first Jump-a-Thon in Markham and they’re preparing for the AAU Junior Olympic Games, July 25th through July 31st, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Would you please welcome the young ladies and their coaches to Springfield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Will our guests please rise? Please rise. Welcome to Springfield, and good luck. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007 you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your purpose.
Thank you. A point of an introduction. We have been joined on the Floor today by our great State Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias. I don’t know whether he’s in the back visiting with the Senate President. I hope everyone can join me in welcoming him to the Senate Chamber.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Can we welcome our great State Treasurer? Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolutions 276 through 281, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 282, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolutions 283 and 284, offered by Senator Forby and all Members. Senate Resolution 285, offered by Senator Harmon and all Members. And Senate Resolution 286, offered by Senator Koehler and all Members. They’re all substantive, Madam President. I’m sorry. All death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Resolutions Consent Calendar. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007
And Senate Resolution 287, offered by Senator Link. It is a death resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Link moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution 287. Those in favor will say Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. And the rules are suspended. Senator Link moves adoption of Senate Resolution 287. All in favor will say Aye. All opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted.
And Senate Resolution 288, offered by Senator Link and all Members. And it is also a death resolution, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Resolutions Consent Calendar. 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 adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 64. Offered by Senator Delgado and adopted by the House, June 5th, 2007. We’ve received like Messages on House Joint Resolution 66, offered by Senator Demuzio and adopted by the House, June 7th, 2007. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. Both are substantive, Madam President. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) WICS-TV NewsChannel 20 seeks permission to tape proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 1850, offered by Senator Demuzio. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 1851, offered by Senator Watson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 1852, offered by Senator Watson. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 1853, offered by Senator Frerichs. (Secretary reads title of bill) And Senate -- Senate Bill 1854, offered by Senator Raoul, Garrett, Crotty and Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Rules Committee will meet in the President’s Anteroom immediately. Rules Committee in the President’s Anteroom immediately. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Halvorson, Chair -- Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 770 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 849; refer to Higher Education Committee - a Motion to Concur with House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1446; refer to Human Services Committee - a Motion to Concur to with House Amendment 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007 No. 1 to Senate Bill 581; refer to Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee - a Motion to Concur with House Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 1397; refer to Licensed Activities Committee - a Motion to Concur with House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 259 and a Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 4 to Senate Bill 360; and refer to Revenue Committee - a Motion to Concur with House Amendments 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 17. Senator Debbie Halvorson, Chairman. July 10th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Wilhelmi, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your announcement.
The Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee will be meeting today at 2 p.m. in Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Silverstein, for what purpose do you rise?
For purpose of an announcement. The Senate Executive meeting will meet -- Executive -- Senate Executive Committee will meet at 2:30 in 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?
On a point of an announcement. Today, at 2:15, Human Services will be meeting in Room 400; at 2:45, Licensed Activities will be meeting in Room 409; and at 3 o’clock, Higher 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007 Ed will be meeting in Room 409.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Noland, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For the purpose of an announcement. To announce that the Revenue Committee will be meeting at 2:30 in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be going to page 7 of the Calendar. Senate Bill 766. Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Schoenberg seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 766 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 766. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schoenberg, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 4 becomes the bill. Creates the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Act, specifically to set up a not-for-profit organization that would be -- that would be overseen by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide a receptacle for federal grant funds for high speed Internet access resources that go to underserved areas. There’s additional oversight from original iterations of this bill. And I’d be happy to answer any 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007 questions. Urge its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator Peterson.
To the sponsor: Now, is this the amendment that’s supported by Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois, or is that another part of the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schoenberg.
This -- this is support -- it is, in deed, supported by them. Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schoenberg moves for the adoption of Amendment floor -- 4 to Senate Bill 766. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Are there any other further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 766. Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 766. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schoenberg. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill is a very thoughtful and comprehensive effort that mirrors federal legislation introduced by our own senior Senator Dick Durbin to enable Illinois to be positioned to be eligible for and receive federal funds for providing high speed Internet access -- broadband access into underserved areas throughout the State. It requires that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity work with a not-for-profit organization in order to administer these federal funds. And when this bill does become law, there is a four-million-dollar balance sitting at the Illinois Commerce Commission that would be transferred over that would in turn leverage approximately sixteen million dollars in additional federal funding so as to provide Internet access -- high speed Internet access throughout the State. I’d be happy to answer any questions and I urge your support of this important measure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Indicates he will.
Senator Schoenberg, you mentioned in your -- in your opening that this was a suggestion or -- or otherwise offered by Senator Durbin. Senator Durbin believes that this Act is necessary in order to increase our chances of landing federal funds in this area? 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schoenberg.
This bill does mirror in language and intent the federal legislation that Senator Durbin has introduced and it is -- I can safely say that he would like us to be well positioned to receive these federal funds through the enactment of this law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Righter.
Senator Schoenberg, according to my analysis, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will be directed to enlist a non-profit corporation to assist with the -- I guess the implementation of high speed Internet capability across the State. Can you give me some details on what the not-for-profit corporation would look like, who might sit on its board, what their functions might be?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schoenberg.
Yes, the characteristics of the not -- not-for-profit organization are similar to those which are in the federal law. They want a not-for-profit that has some demonstrated proficiency in identifying and deploying resources for high speed Internet service and other relevant broadband and information technology services. Specifically, they want some proficiency in being able to identify those geographical areas in the State where broadband is deficient and also to be able to provide a baseline assessment for where the needs are the greatest. The not-for-profit can 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007 apply for federal funds that meet with the objectives of this bill. And they will also have the power to obtain or raise funds other than the grants that are received. So, this not-for- profit, for example, is not necessarily limited exclusively to the federal funds or the money which would be transferred from the Commerce Commission. But the not-for-profit could in deed go out and raise other funds.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, shall Senate Bill 766 pass. Those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 45 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 766, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hultgren, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Real quickly. I hate to do this. But I though my key was turned on, and unfortunately it wasn’t. I thought I’d voted Yes on that. My intention was to vote Yes on that bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The record shall reflect your intention. On page 35 of the Calendar, in the Order of Secretary’s Desk, Resolution. Senator Silverstein, do you wish to -- your resolution to be considered. Out of the record. Senator Luechtefeld. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 206, offered by Senator Luechtefeld. No committee or Floor amendments reported. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Luechtefeld.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Resolution 206 encourages efforts to bring a version of the Operation Recognition to the State of Illinois; also supports the Illinois Principals Association in adopting a recognition program for students who have decided to enter the Armed Forces of the United States. This particular resolution came to me from a -- a young man by the name of -- Marine Lance Corporal Drew Uhles, who served his -- his county -- or his country during the Operation Iraqi Freedom. Drew made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation while serving in Iraq on September 15th of 2004. Drew had suggested, and his parents also had suggested, that students who graduate from high school, on the graduation night, that they be recognized at the graduation ceremony. The Illinois Principals Association have adopted this. And this is really just to encourage schools to do this in the future if they wish to.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Could we please keep the noise down and listen to the Senator as he explains his resolution? Thank you.
Well -- well, actually -- actually, Senator, I did that already. You missed it. Hopefully you would -- would support this resolution. I think -- Drew, obviously, gave the ultimate sacrifice. I think there’s nothing wrong with recognizing young people who are going into the military right after high school. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 62nd Legislative Day 7/10/2007 Senator Luechtefeld moves for the adoption of Senate Resolution 206. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The -- have it. The -- and the resolution is adopted. Senate Joint Resolution 54. Senator Demuzio. Out of the record. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 1 p.m., July 11th, 2007. The Senate stands adjourned. 13