PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 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 28th, 2008.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 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 HALVORSON) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Senator Wilhelmi, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
Thank you. I am honored today to have two of my dear friends from Joliet, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reardon and her sister, Taylor Reardon, who are honorary Pages, with us today. And we also have a young lady from Australia who’s living with the Reardon family in Joliet, Louise Pappagallo, who’s sixteen years old. And she’s with the Rotary exchange program in Joliet. Please welcome them to the Illinois Senate. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 133rd Legislative Day 3/5/2008
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome to the Senate. It’s good to have you here. Senator Frerichs, for what purpose do you rise?
I rise for a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
I’d like to make an announcement to my colleagues here in the Senate that today the University of…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Hold on, Senator Frerichs.
Sure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) If we could please have everybody’s attention. I cannot hear a thing up here. Thank you.
Madam President, thank you very much. I’m rising to inform my colleagues that today the University of Illinois Student Senate is having their inaugural University of Illinois Day. This evening, Members are invited from the public to attend -- a reception at Sammy’s, from 6 to 9 p.m. this evening. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Thank you, Senator Frerichs. Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you very much, Madam President, Members of the Senate. I’m very proud to be joined today with Natalie 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 133rd Legislative Day 3/5/2008 O’Donnell, who is the Illinois State liaison for NCSL. For those of us that’s been around for a while, NCSL is one of those premier groups that we always go to when we need to have that information to know what’s going on fast and accurate. Natalie will be around for the rest of the afternoon, if anyone would like to talk to her about their various programs, their Toll Fellow Program, their bill program. Please take time to stop and chat with her. Please welcome, if you will, Natalie O’Donnell.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome, Natalie. I’m sure everybody will have a lot of questions. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point.
I, too, have a very important guest with me today. I have Karen Foster, who is not only a councilwoman from the fine city of Champaign - she’s already spoken to her Senator, Michael Frerichs - but she’s also partaking as one of the participants of the Republican’s Women Lincoln Series and is doing some shadowing here in the Capitol today. May we welcome her?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Welcome, Karen. Good to have you here in Springfield. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 566, offered by Senator Emil Jones and all Members. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 133rd Legislative Day 3/5/2008 Senate Resolution 567, offered by Senator Demuzio and all Members. And Senate Resolution 568, offered by Senator Althoff and all Members. They’re all death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Resolutions Calendar.
And Senate Joint Resolution, Constitutional Amendment, 86, offered by Senator Frerichs. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) 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 86. Offered by Senators Collins and Althoff. And adopted by the House, February 27th, 2008. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. And it is substantive, Madam President. 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: 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 133rd Legislative Day 3/5/2008 House Bill 4167. We’ve received like Messages on House Bills 4174, 4180, 4183, 4199, 4201, 4212, 4215, 4219, 4226, 4309, 4378, 4428, 4434, 4450 and 4455. All passed the House, March 4th, 2008. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Simply, I’d like the record to reflect that Senator Cronin will not be with us here today. He is back in the district on business. Please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Thank you, Senator.
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Ladies and Gentlemen, on page 7, I believe… Page 7 of the Calendar, Order of Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. Senator Hunter, do you wish your resolution considered? Senator Martinez, on Senate Resolution 483. Madam Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate -- Senate Resolution 483, offered by Senator Martinez. The…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Madam… 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 133rd Legislative Day 3/5/2008
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Excuse me, Senator Martinez. Hold one second, please.
The Committee on Education adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Senate Resolution 483, as amended, urges the State Board of Education to formally request the U.S. Department of Education to not use ISAT and PSAE scores of students otherwise eligible to make {sic} the IMAGE Test in calculating Annual Yearly Progress for the next two years. The U.S. Department of Education is urged to grant the request, and if so, the State Board is urged to work aggressively to develop an alternative examination for English language learners that will be ready for adoption in two years. I’ll be happy to -- answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Is there any discussion on the resolution? Seeing none, Senator Martinez moves the adoption of Senate Resolution 483. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. And the resolution is adopted. Senate -- Senate Joint Resolution 65. Senator Clayborne. Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) State your point. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 133rd Legislative Day 3/5/2008
Thank you, Madam President. Just want to announce to my colleagues that a tradition that was started six years ago is going to continue again this year. The Sullivan Caucus will be held on Tuesday, March the 11th - that’s next Tuesday evening - at 5 p.m., and that will be at Sammy’s. And we want to invite all our colleagues and staff to the annual Sullivan Caucus St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. That’s next Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. -- starting at 5 p.m. at Sammy’s. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the President’s Antechamber. Rules Committee, immediately. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Halvorson, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Senate Joint Resolution 64, Senate Bill 2562, Senate Bill 2570 and Senate Bill 2750; refer to Appropriations I Committee - a Motion to Accept Specific Recommendations for Change to House Bill 4144; refer to Education Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2091, Senate Bill 2013, Senate Bill 2071, Senate Bill 2084, Senate Bill 2170, Senate Bill 2182, Senate Bill 2293, Senate Bill 2412, Senate Bill 2481 and Senate Bill 2738; refer to Environment and Energy Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2547, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2783, Senate Bill 2017, Senate Bill 2018, Senate Bill 2079, Senate Bill 2110, Senate Bill 2157, Senate Bill 2166, Senate Bill 2369, Senate Bill 2395, Senate Bill 2456 and Senate Bill 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 133rd Legislative Day 3/5/2008 2514; refer to Executive Committee - Committee -- Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2006, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2825, Senate Bills 2653 through 2730, Senate Bill 1999, Senate Bill 2113, Senate Bill 2207, Senate Bill 2210, Senate Bill 2231, Senate Bill 2256, Senate Bill 2322, Senate Bill 2374, Senate Bill 2400, Senate Bill 2432 and Senate Bill 2501; refer to Financial Institutions Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2513, Senate Bill 1996, Senate Bill 2786 and Senate Bill 2828; refer to Higher Education Committee - Senate Bill -- 2043, Senate Bill 2087 and Senate Bill 2413; refer to Housing and Community Affairs Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2434, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2566, Senate Bill 2416 and Senate Bill 2770; refer to Human Services Committee - Senate Bill 2112, Senate Bill 2218, Senate Bill 2394, Senate Bill 2403 and Senate Bill 2877; refer to Insurance Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2002, Committee Amendment No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2534, Senate Bill 2008, Senate Bill 2134, Senate Bill 2201, Senate Bill 2237, Senate Bill 2263, Senate Bill 2296, Senate Bill 2323, Senate Bill 2358, Senate Bill 2380, Senate Bill 2499 and Senate Bill 2502; refer to Judiciary-Civil Law Committee - Committee Amendment No. -- Committee Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2124, Senate Bill 1941, Senate Bill 2080, Senate Bill 2085, Senate Bill 2111, Senate Bill 2128, Senate Bill 2139, Senate Bill 2140, Senate Bill 2161, Senate Bill 2232, Senate Bill 2287, Senate Bill 2428, Senate Bill 2435, Senate Bill 2458, Senate Bill 2489, Senate Bill 2527, Senate Bill 2594 and Senate Bill 2909; refer to Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2452, Committee 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 133rd Legislative Day 3/5/2008 Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2488, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2596, Committee Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 230, Senate Bill 1972, Senate Bill 2047, Senate Bill 2051, Senate Bill 2102, Senate Bill 2137, Senate Bill 2159, Senate Bill 2198, Senate Bill 2294, Senate Bill 2295, Senate Bill 2305, Senate Bill 2340, Senate Bill 2355, Senate Bill 2365 and Senate Bill 2476; refer to Labor Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to (SB)2397, Committee Amendment No. 1 to (SB)2460 and House Joint Resolution 78 and Senate Joint -- Joint Resolution 83; refer to Licensed Activities Committee - Senate Bill 2028, Senate Bill 2100 and Senate Bill 2838 and Senate Bill 2893; refer to Local Government Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1992, Committee Amendment No. 1 {sic} (2) to Senate Bill 2005, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2190, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2297, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2536, Senate Bill 2004, Senate Bill 2031, Senate Bill 2034, Senate Bill 2077, Senate Bill 2158, Senate Bill 2162, Senate Bill 2175, Senate Bill 2191, Senate Bill 2214, Senate Bill 2304, Senate Bill 2356, Senate Bill 2532, Senate Bill 2580, Senate Bill 2586, Senate Bill 2588, Senate Bill 2733, Senate Bill 2744 and Senate Bill 2747 and Senate Bill 2181.
Refer to Pensions and Investment Committee - Senate Bill 1959, 1960, 1985, 2003, 2066, 2067, 2090, 2362, 2448, 2479, 2530, 2558 and Senate Bill 2778; refer to the Public Health Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2444, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2865, Motion to Accept Specific Recommendation for Change to House Bill 1279, Senate 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 133rd Legislative Day 3/5/2008 Resolution 546, Senate Resolution 565, Senate Joint Resolution 76, and Senate Bills 1965, 2012, 2155, 2252 and 2506; refer to the Revenue Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1981, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2584, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2882, and Senate Bills 1983, 1995, 2007, 2072, 2099, 2148, 2227, 2282, 2329, 2589, 2874, 2875 and 2912; refer to the State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2009, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2074, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2564, Senate Resolution 484, Senate Resolutions 550, 554, House Joint Resolution 21, House Joint Resolution 49, House Joint Resolution 82, Senate Joint Resolution 77, Senate Joint Resolution 78, Senate Joint Resolution 82, and Senate Bills 2063, 2092, 2174, 2178, 2203, 2302, 2312, 2326, 2344, 2364, 2391, 2415, 2431, 2615, 2626, 2632 and 2801. Signed by Senator Halvorson. March 5th, 2008.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HALVORSON) Ladies and Gentlemen, as a point of information: Our committees will start immediately upon adjournment. For instance, the 1 o’clock committees will be 1:45, and so on. So, they’ll just be a little backed up. But committees will start immediately upon adjournment, and they are posted in your Calendar. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 2 p.m., on Thursday, March 6th, 2008. The Senate stands adjourned. 10