PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The regular Session of the 95th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor John Hamilton, of the Laurel United Methodist Church, here in Springfield. Pastor.
(Prayer by Pastor John Hamilton)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney and Senator Molaro, to lead in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Good morning, Madam Secretary. Reading and Approval of the Journal, please.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, July 24th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Good morning, Senator Hunter.
Good morning, 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 DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. We have WCIA Channel 3, here in Springfield, seeking leave of the Body to videotape the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 granted. NewsChannel 20, here in Springfield, ABC, seeking leave to videotape the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 1849, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Messages, please.
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 363, together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 363. Passed the House, as amended, July 24th, 2007. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir? Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Mr. President. Could I just have a point of personal privilege?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 Many of you know Bill Anderson, who is a lobbyist with the Counties Association here in Illinois, and you might also know that he has cancer -- is struggling with cancer. He is, right now, undergoing some additional treatment. He -- his family sends us the message he really needs your thoughts and prayers. I’ve got a card here, a get-well card. If you’d like to sign it, I’ll keep it on my desk here. But please remember Bill Anderson in your prayers today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Sandoval, for what purpose you seek recognition, sir?
Mr. President, a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, sir. Please state your point.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Illinois Senate. Today I have the distinguished -- today I have the distinguished honor of presenting to you one of the newest alderman to the City council of the City of Chicago. She is the alderman that represents Senator Hunter, Senator Munoz, Senator Sandoval, Senator Collins. And had a chance to meet with her over the last few months, since her victory. She is going not only -- she is not only the newly elected alderman of the 16th Ward, she will soon be the next committeeman of the 16th Ward, and she’s a retired lieutenant at Cook County prison. And now I’d like to give -- like the -- the Illinois Senate to give her a warm welcome to Alderman Joann Thompson and her Chief of Staff, Debbie Blair, from the 16th Ward, City of Chicago. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Alderman, welcome to Springfield. Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Welcome, and congratulations on your victory. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. I would just like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and the Senate Democratic organization for presiding today over the record-breaking day of Session. This is truly a great day here in the State of Illinois. And we have people in the gallery that are a part of this record-breaking day of overtime Session on July 25th. Fifty-five days. And so I just wanted to congratulate you today for presiding -- having -- having the ability to preside over this Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Halvorson, our Majority Leader, for what purpose you seek recognition, ma’am?
Thank you, Mr. President. I would -- I would like a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point.
Today I have with me Megan Burke. I want everybody to welcome her. She’s been my intern in my Chicago Heights and my Kankakee office this summer. And, unfortunately, she hasn’t seen a lot of me. So she’s come to Springfield to spend the day and to be able to meet all of you. So if we could all welcome Megan to Springfield. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Welcome to the Illinois State Capitol. Welcome to the State Senate. Senator Hunter, for what purpose you seek recognition, ma’am?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) State your point. And your hair looks very nice today, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. We have a guest in the -- in the Chambers today, a young man visiting from Atlanta, Georgia. He’s fifteen years old, attends -- he’s a freshman at Pope High School. Let’s welcome Mr. Ansyl Carpenter to the Chambers.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Andrew {sic} (Ansyl), welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Welcome to the State of Illinois. Enjoy having you. Senator Hunter.
He’s one -- he’s one of my honorary Pages for today. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Welcome. ABC Channel 7 in Chicago and NBC Channel 5 seeking leave of the Body to videotape the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Also seeking leave of the Body to videotape the proceedings is Channel 2 CBS in Chicago. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Ladies and Gentlemen, could I have your attention, please, for the purposes of an announcement? Ladies and Gentlemen, could I have your attention, please? We’d 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 ask all members of the Rules Committee -- the Rules Committee will meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. We’d ask all members please come to the committee room immediately. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Halvorson, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Public Health Committee - Floor Amendment No. 9 to Senate Bill 5; and refer to Revenue Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 556. Senator Debbie Halvorson, Chairman. July 25th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
I have a motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your motion, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I move to waive all posting requirements so that House Bill 556 can be heard in the Senate Committee on Revenue today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Cullerton moves to waive all posting requirements so that House Bill 556 can be heard in the Senate Committee on Revenue today. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion’s adopted. Senator Garrett, for what purpose you seek recognition, ma’am? 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007
Thank you, Mr. President. For purpose of making an announcement. Public Health will meet today at 1:15 in -- in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Garrett has announced that Public Health will meet at the hour of 1:15 in Room 400. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
For purposes of an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your announcement, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Revenue Committee will meet today at 12:45 p.m. in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Thank you, Senator. Senator Harmon has stated that the Revenue Committee will meet at the hour of 12:45 in Room 400 today. Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention for purpose of an announcement, please. Ladies and Gentlemen, before we recess regular Session, we will be going to committees, which the two committees were just announced, we will reconvene, come back to the Senate Floor, and then -- for regular Session and also Special Session will be called at that time, at the completion of the two committees today. And then I believe that the respective caucuses will be going into… Senator Righter, for what purpose you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Republicans would 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 request a caucus in Senator Watson’s Office immediately, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) That request is always in order. Senate Republicans will caucus in Leader Watson’s Office immediately. Committee announcements have been made. The committee -- the first committee will start on time, at the hour of 12:45, Senate Revenue, in Room 400. Seeing -- the Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair, after the committees meet. The city -- the Senate will reconvene for further Floor action. The Senate stands in recess to call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the regular Session of the Senate will please come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports, please.
Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports House Bill 556 Do Pass, as Amended. And Senator Garrett, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Floor Amendment No. 9 to Senate Bill 5 recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention, please, for purposes of an announcement? Ladies and Gentlemen, a -- purposes of an announcement. Ask all members of the Rules Committee to please meet in the President’s Anteroom immediately. All members of the Rules Committee will meet immediately in the 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 President’s Anteroom. The Senate will stand at ease for just a moment while the committee meets. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senate will come to order. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d ask you to -- on your desk is Supplemental Calendar No. 1. House Bills 2nd Reading. Supplemental Calendar No. 1, House Bills 2nd Reading, comes House Bill 556. Senator Cullerton. Senator John Cullerton, on House Bill 556. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 556. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on -- on Revenue adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Has there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports, please.
Senator Halvorson, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Appropriations II Committee - Senate Bill 1109, 1114 and 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 1134; refer to Education Committee - Floor Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 1; refer to Environment and Energy Committee - a Motion to Concur with House Amendment No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 1704 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 3388; refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2, Floor Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 770 and Floor Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 824 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1084; refer to Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee - a Motion to Concur with House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 363 and a Motion to Concur with House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1023; refer to Licensed Activities Committee - a Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 128; refer to Local Government Committee - Floor {sic} (Committee) Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1664 and Floor {sic} (Committee) Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 2306; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and 2 to Senate Joint Resolution 9, Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Joint Resolution 54, Senate Resolutions 242, 256, 275, 293, 298, 299, House Joint Resolutions 22, 28, 31, 48, 49, 51, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, and Senate Joint Resolutions 64 and 65; and refer to Transportation Committee - a Motion to Recede from Senate Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 654. Senator Debbie Halvorson, Chairman. July 25th, 2007.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much, Madam Secretary. Senator Clayborne, for what purpose you seek recognition, sir?
I want to make a motion, Mr. President. Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I move to waive all posting 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 requirements so that Senate Bill 1109, Senate Bill 1114 and Senate Bill 1134 can be heard in the Committee on Appropriations II tomorrow, and so that House Bill 66 -- I mean, 1664 and House Bill 2306 can be heard in Senate Committee on Local Government tomorrow.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Good evening, Senator Burzynski. Are you seeking recognition, sir?
Yes, sir.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) For what purpose do you rise?
Would request a roll call vote on that motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Senator Hendon, for what purpose you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. It was a little noisy in here a moment ago and I wasn’t quite sure what Senator Burzynski was requesting of -- of the Chair. It is -- I’m just making an inquiry of the Chair. Perhaps you could ask the -- esteemed colleague from the other side of the aisle if he could repeat his motion, because I wasn’t -- I wasn’t clear on it. I don’t know if anybody else was, but I wasn’t clear on his -- his question to you or even if it was in -- in -- in order if I heard him correctly. But I’m not sure if I heard him correctly. So could you ask the esteemed gentleman if he would repeat his motion, because I -- I didn’t get it. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Burzynski, there’s been a request by Senator Hendon. I don’t think he understood what the request was from -- from your side of the aisle, sir.
Thank you. I -- I requested a roll call on the motion that Senator Clayborne made. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Oh! I’m sorry, Senator Hendon. Were you seeking recognition, sir?
Yes, Mr. President. This -- doesn’t this -- I understand Senator Burzynski now. He made it very clear that time. He was a little emotional. I know it’s a little late. But won’t this take just a simple majority -- will -- to -- to sustain the Chair and then Senator Clayborne’s motion could go forward?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator, that’s a -- separate parliamentary inquiry and we’ll get back with you in just one second, sir. Senator Burzynski, are you seeking recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Inquiry of the Chair. Is there a reason why it’s taking so long to act upon my request? It is a…(microphone cutoff)… We’ve been here for months waiting to do the State’s business. All of a sudden we have to waive the rules for posting. I don’t understand. I just simply asked for that consideration, a -- a roll call vote on that motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) That’s a very good -- very, very good question, sir. And I 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 think your statement is -- is very valid in the fact that you said we’ve been here for a very long time, and I think earlier today, Senator Burzynski, you got up at -- and on -- on this Floor, under this Body, and let the people know that we’re in the record fifty-fifth day of overtime Session. So, I think that while we’re researching our Rules of the Senate, I think another three or four minutes, based on your request, sir -- we want to make sure that the ruling is perfect. And so a few more minutes after fifty-five days of overtime is not going to inconvenience anybody in this Chamber, sir. So, we’ll be with you very, very shortly. Senator -- Senator Burzynski, you also -- if you want to move the process, you could withdraw your -- your inquiry too, sir. Senator Halvorson, how are you this evening?
I’m good, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Are you seeking recognition, ma’am?
Yes, I am. I figured there’s a little time while we’re visiting with each other. You know, I -- I just wanted to clarify. I know I heard the -- the Minority Leader say that we threatened him. I just wanted to clarify that the Senate President, out of courtesy, made a phone call to Senator Watson to just explain what were in the bills that we were trying to make sure got to committee tomorrow. So, you know, as I sit here, I’m able to really hear what really goes on. So, just so that Senators on the other side of the aisle understand, that these are bills that everybody wants heard in committee. So, we appreciate the fact that we’ll -- be able to do that. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, can I have your attention, please? Senate will please come to order. Senator Burzynski has asked the Chair for a ruling. He made a request for a roll call on this motion. Senator Burzynski, as you know, under the Rules of the Senate and -- Senate Rule 7-1, your request is in order, sir. But I must remind you that it must be accompanied by a request of two or more Senators, Senator Burzynski. So, as a courtesy to --and following the rules of this Senate, so Senator Burzynski made a motion for a roll call vote on this and it’ll be seconded by another Member. And -- Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise, sir? Senator -- Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to second Senator Burzynski’s motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a request for a roll call. Since we had a request for a roll call, I’d ask Senator -- Senator Clayborne, would you renew your request, your -- your motion, sir? This -- Ladies and Gentlemen -- restate your motion. And, Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, once the gentleman restates his motion, there will be a roll call vote. Senator Clayborne, on your motion, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and -- Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I move to waive all posting requirements so that Senate Bill 1109, Senate Bill 1114 and Senate Bill 1134 can be heard tomorrow in Senate Committee on Appropriations II, and so that House Bill 1664 and House Bill 2306 and House Bill - 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 Oh! I’m sorry - and House Bill 2306 can be heard in Senate Committee on Local Government tomorrow, and House Bill 3388 can be heard tomorrow in Energy and Environment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the gentleman’s -- Senator Clayborne moves to waive all posting requirements so Senate Bill 1109, Senate Bill 1114, Senate Bill 1134 can be heard in the Senate Committee on Appropriations II on tomorrow, 7/26/07; also, House Bill 1664, House Bill 2306 can be heard in the Senate Committee on Local Government tomorrow, 7/26/07; and House Bill 3388 will be heard in Energy and Environment on Committee tomorrow. Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President. You are always fair and gracious, and I apologize for any problems that I have caused you this evening. However, just in case that things got moving so quickly on taking the roll on this particular vote, I’m going to go ahead and ask now that we verify that roll call afterwards. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The gentleman’s request is in order. There will be a verification on this roll call. So, you’ve heard the motion, Ladies and Gentlemen. All those in favor of the gentleman’s motion will vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, the gentleman’s motion, there are 32 Ayes, 12 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. The motion carries. …gentleman has requested a verification. Madam -- would all Members please be at their desk? I ask staff to return to the 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 rear of the Chambers. Madam Secretary, read those people voting -- read those Members voting in the affirmative.
Bond, Clayborne, Collins, Crotty, Cullerton, DeLeo, Demuzio, Forby, Frerichs, Garrett, Haine, Halvorson, Harmon, Hendon, Holmes, Hunter, Jacobs, Koehler, Kotowski, Link, Maloney, Martinez, Meeks, Noland, Ronen, Sandoval, Schoenberg, Sullivan, Trotter, Viverito, Wilhelmi and Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much, Madam Secretary. Senator Burzynski, do you question the presence of any Member voting in the affirmative, sir?
Senator Schoenberg, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Schoenberg. Senator Schoenberg. Dilatory. He’s always in his chair, sir. Senator Burzynski, do you question…
Thank -- thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …the presence of any other…
I -- I think he was hiding behind Senator Garrett. Senator Sullivan.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator John Sullivan. Senator John Sullivan is in the rear of the Chamber on his nineteenth phone call of the evening. Senator Burzynski.
16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 Thank you. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the Senate Democrats on having their Members here on this late fifty- fifth day of overtime Session. Thank you. No more questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, sir. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, on a -- on a verified roll call -- on a verified roll call -- on a verified roll call, there are 32 Ayes, 12 Nays, and the motion carries on a verified roll call. Senator Hendon, for what purpose…(microphone cutoff)…recognition, sir?
Just point of an observation, Mr. President. I appreciate Senator Burzynski acknowledging the fact that us Democrats are here and -- but it didn’t -- it didn’t fail to -- to -- to hit me and strike me that the Republicans are not there. Half of the Republicans are not in attendance. So, I appreciate your observation, but I wanted to make my observation as well. And I was wondering, is there anyway we can verify the -- the attendance of the Republicans on the other side of the aisle? See who’s here and which ones are not here. ‘Cause I looked up there. I saw many, many, many, many Republicans not here, not doing their responsibility to the citizens of the State of Illinois. So, I just wanted to point that out since, you know, you guys wanted to point out our brief shortcomings.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Hendon, for lighting the fire. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Senator DeLeo -- I mean, Mr. President. Excuse me. I appreciate very much the -- previous speaker’s observations, and 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 given the strength of the Democrat Majority here this evening, perhaps we could try to move a bill like Senate Bill 5 and see what kind of strength maybe underlies the Majority in that regard.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Let me get right back to you on that.
Thank you very much, Mr.…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator -- Senator Lauzen, for what purpose you seek recognition?
For an observation. Previous -- previous speaker should not be referring to anything about people doing their duty when we’re here fifty-five days setting new records. The duty was to have our work done by May 31st. There are schools waiting for the answers of what their appropriations are going to be. There are social service agencies that have not been paid. This is an embarrassment. I get calls every day of people who are ashamed of our State government, and you talk about duty…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Lauzen. Senator Lauzen. Senator -- Senator Lauzen.
…you ought to be ashamed…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Under our rules, I don’t see points of observation. Senator Hendon, are you seeking recognition, sir?
Mr. President, I don’t mind being chastised by an honorable 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 man like Senator Burzynski or an intelligent man by Senator Righter, but I’m simply not going to be put up with being chastised by Senator Lauzen. I simply cannot do it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s getting very late. Ladies and Gentlemen. Committee announcements. Senator Cullerton, for purpose of an announcement, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. The Judiciary Committee will meet tomorrow morning, at 8:30 in the morning. 8:30 in the morning, in Room 212 - Judiciary Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Crotty. The -- the Chair -- the Chair will announce the committees. The Chair will announce the committees. Ladies and Gentlemen, for the purpose of announcement. At 8:30, tomorrow morning, Local Government will meet. At 8:30, Local Government. At the hour of 8:45 on July 26th, Judiciary will meet at 8:45. Followed at the same hour, 8:45, tomorrow, Thursday the 26th, Transportation will meet at the hour of 8:45. Moving to the hour of 9 o’clock. At 9 o’clock, tomorrow morning, Thursday, Environmental {sic} and Energy will meet. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on committee announcements. At the hour of 11 o’clock, Thursday morning, Executive will meet at the hour of 11 o’clock. At the hour of 11 o’clock, State Government and Veterans Affairs will meet, tomorrow, Thursday, the 26th. At the hour of 10 o’clock - at the hour of ten o’clock - Education will meet. And Licensed Activities will meet at the hour of 10 o’clock. At exactly 12 noon, Appropriations III will meet at the hour of 12 noon, on 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 74th Legislative Day 7/25/2007 Thursday, July 26. Senator Cullerton, for a correction on the committee announcement.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I’d like to correct the announcement. The Judiciary-Civil Committee will not be meeting tomorrow. We -- the -- the Criminal Law Committee will meet at 8:45, in Room 212. The Civil Judiciary Committee will not meet tomorrow at 8:30. We will not meet at 8:30.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …you, Senator Cullerton, for the correction. Ladies and Gentlemen, there’s also a further correction. It was announced that Appropriations III is meeting. A -- a correction: It will be Appropriations II. Appropriations II, at the hour of 12 noon. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10:30 a.m., tomorrow, July 26th, the year 2007. The Senate stands adjourned. 20