PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The regular Session of the 95th General Assembly will please come to order. Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of February 21st, 2008.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 555, offered by Senator Koehler and all Members. Senate Resolutions 556 and 557, offered by Senator Lightford and all Members. Senate Resolution 558, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 559, offered by Senator Radogno and all Members. And Senate Resolution 560, offered by Senator Murphy and all Members. They’re all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 2/27/2008 Madam Secretary, Resolution Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, Messages.
I have 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 83. Adopted by the House, February 20th, 2008. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. It is offered by Senator John Jones and it is substantive. I have a Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 4093 and House Bill 4182. Passed the House, February 21st, 2008. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. I have another Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 4129. We’ve received like Messages on House Bills 4189, 4216, 4228, 4255, 4283, 4288, 4350, 4353 and 4407. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 2/27/2008 All passed the House, February 22nd, -- 2008. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. And a final Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following title, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 4459 and House Bill 4522. Both passed the House, February 26, 2008. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Wilhelmi, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your announcement.
Thank you. It’s my honor to let everyone in this Chamber know that my seatmate, my great seatmate, Senator Deanna Demuzio, celebrated a birthday this past Saturday. And she was so kind to give every one of us a bag of chocolates and candies. And we know how much she appreciates her candy. So this was quite a -- a great thing for her to do, and we want to let her know how much we appreciate her on her birthday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Happy birthday, Senator Demuzio. Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on a point of personal 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 2/27/2008 privilege. Hearing Senator Wilhelmi be Senator Demuzio’s bagman a few moments ago, reminded me that a couple weeks ago I announced that my dear seatmate, friend and colleague, Senator Garrett, celebrated her birthday this month, but there were some procurement issues in making arrangements for the cake. I’ve left CMS out of this. I handled it on my own, and there’s cake in the conference room by Senator Garrett’s office, immediately upon adjournment for the afternoon. Cake and coffee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Thank you, Senator Schoenberg, for handling that task. Rules Committee will meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. Rules Committee in the President’s Anteroom, immediately.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
…a couple -- a couple of days ago one of our colleagues -- another one of our colleagues had a birthday. And I just wanted us to recognize that Senator Iris Martinez is one more year older this year.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) I -- I think she looks a year younger. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator DeLeo, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 2/27/2008 the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Senate Bill 2407; refer to Education Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Resolution 483, Senate Bill 2402, Senate Bill 2352, Senate Bill 2379, Senate Bill 2387, Senate Bill 2482, Senate Bill 2487 and Senate Bill 2500; refer to Environment and Energy Committee - Senate Bill 2370, Senate Bill 2390 and Senate Bill 2410; refer to Executive Committee - Senate Bill 2399 and Senate Bill 2472; refer to Financial Institutions Committee - Senate Bill 2338; refer to Housing and Community Affairs Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1979 and Senate Bill 2434; refer to Human Services Committee - Senate Bill 2336, Senate Bill 2504 and Senate Bill 2505; refer to Insurance Committee - Senate Bill 2486; refer to Judiciary-Civil Law Committee - Senate Bill 2436; refer to Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee - Senate Bill 2349, Senate Bill 2354, Senate Bill 2366, Senate Bill 2382, Senate Bill 2396, Senate Bill 2401, Senate Bill 2426, Senate Bill 2429, Senate Bill 2452, Senate Bill 2488, Senate Bill 2494 and Senate Bill 2509; refer to Labor Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1879 {sic}, Senate Bill 2375, Senate Bill 2397, Senate Bill 2437 and Senate Bill 2460; refer to Licensed Activities Committee - Senate Bill 2330 and Senate Bill 2424; refer to Local Government Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2005, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2033, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2314, Senate Bill 2353 and Senate Bill 2422; refer to Public Health Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1925, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2300, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Resolution 481, Senate Bill 2348, Senate Bill 2444, 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 2/27/2008 Senate Bill 2461, Senate Bill 2464, Senate Bill 2468, Senate Bill 2473, Senate Bill 2475, Senate Bill 2492; refer to Revenue Committee - Senate Bill 2334, Senate Bill 2342, Senate Bill 2398 and Senate Bill 2474; and refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1850, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1930, Committee - - Committee Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1930, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2149, Senate Bill 2332, Senate Bill 2378 and Senate Bill 2404. I’m sorry, Mr. President. For clarification: Refer to Labor Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1878. Senator James DeLeo, Chairman. February 27th, 2008.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on yet another point of personal privilege. I’m honored to be joined today by the Chief of Police of the Village of Winnetka, Joseph De Lopez, who’s with me here in the Chamber today. Chief De Lopez served with distinction for many years with the City of Chicago, and he’s now in Winnetka. And please give Chief De Lopez a warm Illinois Senate welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome, Chief, to the Illinois Senate. We will go to -- to the top of page 2, 2nd Reading. House -- Senate Bill 1863. Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1863. (Secretary reads title of bill) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 2/27/2008 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1867. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1872. Senator Harmon. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1872. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1874. Senator Forby. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1874. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1957. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1958. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1990. Senator Sieben. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1990. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 2/27/2008 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1992. Senator Althoff. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1992. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2044. Senator Dillard. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2049. Senator Althoff. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2049. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Could I have everybody’s attention, please? We will be going to committees and the first committee starts at 1 o’clock. Check your Calendars. We will be going to committees immediately at 1 o’clock. Check the Calendar. Excuse me. Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
My administrative assistant, Marie Rucker, who has been with me for some time now, has been blessed with a higher paying 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 2/27/2008 position - that’s the only reason she’s leaving me, of course. I mean, who wouldn’t want to work for me? You know what I mean? But, anyway, we have food and libations up on the sixth floor to see her off to her new career, and everyone is invited to come up to six to celebrate with Marie and myself. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Thank you, Senator Hendon. With the exception of those who are going to committee. Committees will start on time at 1 o’clock. So check your Calendar to make sure what time. We will be coming back -- tomorrow morning we have committees, starting in the morning. Check the Calendar on what committees start at what time. We want to start on time. All right. There being no further business to come before the Senate -- and -- the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 2 p.m., when we will be coming back to do business on 3rd Readings, at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, February 28, at -- 2008. The Senate stands adjourned. 9