PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) The regular Session of the 95th General Assembly will please come to order. Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journals.
Senate Journals of January 17th, 23rd, 30th, and February 6th and 7th, 2008.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Hunter.
Madam 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 MARTINEZ) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary. There being no objections, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Communications.
I have a letter, dated February 7th, 2008. Dear Sirs - Pursuant to 10 ILCS 5/25-2(2), I hereby tender my unconditional resignation as State Senator from the 7th Legislative District of Illinois, effective February 10th, 2008. Sincerely, Carol Ronen. I have another letter, dated February 13th, 2008. Dear Ms. Shipley - This office is forwarding herewith a copy of the Notice of Vacancy from the Democratic Legislative Committee of the 7th Legislative District declaring the existence of a vacancy in the Office of Senator in the 95th 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 126th Legislative Day 2/13/2008 General Assembly in the 7th Legislative District, as a result of the resignation of Senator Carol Ronen, effective February 10th, 2008. Also enclosed is the copy of the Legislative Committee’s Certificate of Appointment for Heather Steans, 5348 North Lakewood, Chicago, Illinois, who was appointed to fill the vacancy in the Office of Senator in the 95th General Assembly for the 7th Legislative District, along with her Oath of Office. Very -- yours truly, Jesse White, Secretary of State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Can we please quiet it down a little bit? Thank you. Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I’d like to rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your point.
Actually, there are two items I wish to call to the Body’s attention, Madam President. The first is, I would like to formally introduce to the Body the newest Member of the Illinois Senate, Heather Steans, who will share Suite 218, between the Treasurer’s Office and the men’s room, with me for the duration of this term. Heather just successfully won, by an overwhelming margin, the primary in the effort to succeed Senator Carol Ronen. I’m sure that she will be as effective, if not more effective, an advocate that Senator Ronen has been. Her expertise is in government finance - which I’m sure we’ll put to use this year - in education reform, economic development. She’s been very actively involved in Chicago’s philanthropic 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 126th Legislative Day 2/13/2008 community and in the arts. And most importantly, her husband Leo and her children, Ryan, Sam and Abby, have a great deal to be proud of with her ascension to the Senate. So please join me in welcoming Heather Steans to the Illinois Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator, welcome to the General Assembly. Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Madam President. I have another order of business of another important woman in my life. My other seatmate, Senator Susan Garrett, recently celebrated a birthday on Monday. I have not gotten around to procuring the refreshments. We had to competitively bid them, so it’s taking a little longer than I would have hoped. But please join me in welcome -- in wishing Senator Garrett a happy birthday on Monday. She’s twenty-eight yet again. And the refreshments will be coming on a date to be named later.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Garrett, happy birthday. Senator Luechtefeld, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your point.
I would -- I would like to make an announcement that I know all the Members of this Body will be interested in. So if you would possibly pay attention, I’d appreciate it, because it’s the only -- it’s the first time -- it’s an announcement that’s 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 126th Legislative Day 2/13/2008 the first time in history that this has ever happened. Not many things you can say…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) I’m sorry. Let me just… Can we please quiet it down? We cannot hear the Senator. He’s going to make an announcement.
On February 12th, 2008, at 5:53, there was the birth of a boy, who -- who actually -- they’re not real sure that it wasn’t part of the birth - it had a Cardinal uniform on when it was born - and that doesn’t happen very often. And it is the -- as I said, the first in history - the first grandson of Senator Frank Watson. Last night. So if you’d recognize that, I’d appreciate it. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Congratulations. WMBD requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, so ordered. Senator Watson - or Grandfather Watson.
Well, I thank you very much, Madam President, and thanks to Senator Luechtefeld. Couple things I do want to -- I want to follow up on that if I could. I got a memo from my son, says that -- a scouting report on -- on the new Ram, actually. He’s a new St. Louis Ram. He’s Brennan Charles Watson. Born February 12th, 2008, at 5:53. 21 ¾ inches long. 7 pounds, 6 ounces. He runs the forty-yard dash in 5.9 seconds. My son says, well, that’s because of his father’s notorious lack of speed. His color is light brown. And here’s the good one - the strength and stamina, about twenty minutes on each breast. So, anyway, mother, father, child are doing very well. This -- this 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 126th Legislative Day 2/13/2008 is so typical of my son. But, as we welcome Senator Steans, and I -- we want to welcome you to the Senate, I think it’d be appropriate that as we talk about the birth of a new child and a new Senator, we also are very much aware of one of our former Senators who passed away this past Monday. Actually, it was Sunday evening that Adeline Geo-Karis did leave us. The -- there will be -- everyone should have gotten an announcement of the arrangements. Friday, there’ll be a visitation. The funeral will be Saturday. The -- the family will be here at a time -- sometime in the future to come and visit with us, and we’ll have a resolution at that point and we can all express our -- our best wishes to the family and -- and be a part of that. But I think it’d be appropriate, Madam President, if we would ask the -- the Body for a -- a moment of silence as we remember Senator Adeline Geo-Karis and what she meant to all of us. And we wish their family well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Would everybody please rise for a moment of silence for a great lady, Senator Geo-Karis? (Moment of silence observed) Thank you. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I, too, have an announcement and would like to take the opportunity to remind Members of the Body, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and we’ve asked everyone to wear red in honor not only of the day, but as COWL is recognizing, with the American Heart Association, the importance of informing women about heart disease, and it’s still the number one killer. So can I remind everyone to wear some type of red clothing. Thank you very much. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 126th Legislative Day 2/13/2008
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you, Senator. There’s a Rules Committee in the Senate Antechamber immediately. A Rules Committee. WCIA-TV requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, so ordered. …Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Halvorson, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Higher Education Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1908; refer to Human Services Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1864; refer to Pensions and Investments Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1702; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1867; and re-refer to Rules Committee from State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Senate Joint Resolutions 65. Senator Debbie Halvorson, Chairman. February 13th, 2008. I have a second Rules Report. Senator Halvorson, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Joint Resolution 65. Senator Debbie Halvorson, Chairman. February 13th, 2008.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Maloney, for what purpose do you rise?
For an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your announcement.
6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 126th Legislative Day 2/13/2008 Tomorrow morning, at 10:30 a.m., the Higher Education Committee will meet in 409. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you rise?
Yes, thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. I rise in -- for an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your announcement.
Yes. Tomorrow morning, at 9:30, State Government and Veterans Affairs will be meeting.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) What room?
409. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you. Senator Halvorson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. For an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your announcement.
Executive Committee will meet tomorrow, 9:30 a.m., in Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose -- purpose do you rise? 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 126th Legislative Day 2/13/2008
Thank you, Madam President. For purposes of an announcement. The Appropriations II Committee will meet today in Room 212 at 3 p.m. Appropriations II, at 3 p.m., in 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you. Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
For an announcement. The Ag and Conservation Committee will meet tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your announcement.
Thank you, Madam President. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Civil Law will meet today at 1:30 in Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
Purposes of an announcement. Today, at 4 p.m., Appropriations I will meet in Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?
For two announcements.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your two announcements. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 126th Legislative Day 2/13/2008
Today, at 1:30, in Room 409, Local Government will -- will be meeting. And also, tomorrow morning, at 9 a.m., in Room 400, Human Services will meet.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you. Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you rise?
For -- for two announcements.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State the two announcements.
My first announcement is congratulations.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you.
My second announcement is that the Committee on Pensions and Investment will meet in Room 400 at 4 p.m.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Today?
Oh, yeah. Today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Today. Thank you. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 509, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolution 510, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. Senate Resolution 511, offered by Senator Haine and all 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 126th Legislative Day 2/13/2008 Members. Senate Resolution 512, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. Senate Resolutions 513 and 514, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolutions 515 and 516, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolution 517, offered by Senator Schoenberg and all Members. Senate Resolution 518 and 519, offered by Senator Collins and all Members. Senate Resolution 520, offered by Senator Lightford and all Members. Senate Resolution 521, offered by Senators Demuzio and Bomke and all Members. Senate Resolutions 522 through 528, offered by Senator Lauzen and all Members. Senate Resolution 529, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolution 530, offered by Senators Pankau, Watson and all Members. Senate Resolutions 531 and 532, offered by Senator Lauzen and all Members. Senate Resolutions 533 through 535, offered by Senator Dillard and all Members. Senate Resolutions 536 and 537, offered by Senator Wilhelmi and all Members. Senate Resolution 538, offered by Senator Emil Jones and all Members. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 126th Legislative Day 2/13/2008 And Senate Resolution 539, offered by Senator Bomke and all Members. They’re all death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. The Senate Republicans would request a caucus immediately upon adjournment in Senator Watson’s Office. Madam President, we need about -- about a half an hour, if you would. It’s my understanding the committees have been -- the start of committees has been moved back a half an hour to 1:30. So, if we go pretty soon here, then we should be able to conclude our business and be in committees on time.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) That request is always in order. The committees have been moved back for half an hour, so you do have the thirty minutes. So the Republicans will have a caucus in President -- I mean - I’m sorry - Minority Leader Watson’s Office immediately upon adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 11 a.m. tomorrow, February 14th, 2008. The Senate stands adjourned. 11