PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 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 we -- will be given by Father Richard Chiola, St. Frances Cabrini Church, Springfield, Illinois. Father.
(Prayer by Father Richard Chiola)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of April 29th, 2008.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 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 HENDON) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We’re about to go to substantial Senate action. Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008 Senate Floor? Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 682, offered by Senator Wilhelmi and all Members. It’s a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
And Senate Resolution 683, offered by Senator Delgado. And Senate Joint Resolution 97, offered by Senator Meeks. They’re both substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Meeks, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports House Bills 4190, 4456 and 5017 Do Pass; and House Bill 3508 Do Pass, as Amended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Will all administrative assistants please contact your Senator and send them to the Senate Floor immediately? We have substantial business of today. We have committees coming up very soon. So we need to move forward the Senate business. 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 passed a House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment of the following title, in 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008 the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 44. Offered by Senator Righter. And adopted by the House, April 29th, 2008. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. And it is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 3035, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3036, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) And -- Senate Bill 3037, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 4605, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4714, offered by Senator Raoul. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4813, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4814, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4956, offered by Senator Crotty. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008 (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5188, offered by Senator Cronin. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5238, offered by Senator Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5611, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 5928, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There will be a Rules Committee meeting at -- quite shortly. Rules Committee will meet very soon. Will all members of the Rules Committee please come to the Senate Floor and give -- be prepared to go to the President’s Anteroom? Senator Clayborne, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
A point of personal privilege to make an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Make your announcement, Senator.
Just a reminder that -- to everyone that the staff members from CUB are downstairs today in the north hall near the Rotunda helping people save money on their residential phone bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Pankau, for what purpose do you seek recognition, ma’am?
An issue of personal privilege. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Go right ahead.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to introduce to all my fellow Senators a young lady from Wheaton North High School who is here visiting us today. She’s a freshman. This is Sammantha Pisciotta. And her mother, Allison, and her grandfather, Anthony, are in the gallery above your head, Mr. President. Please put your hands together and welcome them to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will our guests please rise? Welcome to the Illinois Senate, the young lady and her grandparents. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
Yes, Mr. President, I have a correction: House Bill 5238 is sponsored by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cronin, for what purpose do you seek recognition, my friend?
For purposes of -- what is it now, personal privilege? Is that what they call…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Take all the personal privilege you need.
Yes. Thank you. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cronin.
God bless you, Senator Hendon. I just wanted to direct the attention of the Senate to some very special young people here today. Students are here from St. Pius. We have Kristina and Nicole Marzullo. They’re down here learning, soaking it all in. And I wanted the Senate to give ‘em a warm welcome. Kristine {sic} and Nicole Marzullo from St. Pius School in Lombard, Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senators, welcome the young ladies, the Marzullos. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Kotowski, for what purpose do you seek recognition, my friend?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Go right ahead and state your point.
It gives me great privilege today to introduce some very -- very august guests from the City of Park Ridge, my hometown - the -- the -- the Brosnan brothers. There’s five of them, but three of ‘em are my Pages for the Day. We have Brendon and Sean and Ryan. They go to Emerson School, the two older brothers do, and the youngest goes to Franklin. Their favorite things to do are sports, basketball and football, but I would probably hazard to guess that their next favorite thing to do is to come down to Springfield and to be with their State Senator. So please give 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008 them a great Springfield welcome to the Brosnan boys.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to the Illinois Senate, to the Brosnan bunch. Senator Kotowski. Welcome. The Rules Committee will meet in a few moments, so please come to the Senate Floor. Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We’re about to go to substantial Senate business. Will all Members under the sound of my voice come to the Senate Floor? Please turn to page 12 of your Senate Calendar. Page 12 on your Senate Calendar. On the Order of -- at the bottom of page 12. On the Order of Constitutional Amendments 2nd Reading, Senator Cronin, on Senate Joint Resolution, Constitutional Amendment, 70. Do you wish to proceed, sir? Madam Secretary, please read the gentleman's resolution, as amended, in full for the second time.
Senate Joint Resolution 70, Constitutional Amendment, as Amended by Senate Amendment No. 1. (Secretary reads SJRCA No. 70, as amended by SA No. 1) 2nd Reading of this Constitutional Amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Rules Committee will meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. Will members of the Rules Committee come immediately to the President’s Anteroom? The Senate would like to acknowledge and welcome State Representative Annazette Collins to the Senate Floor. Welcome, Senator -- Representative Collins. Senator Sullivan. John Sullivan. Senator Iris Martinez in the Chair. Senator Iris Martinez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008 Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your business.
I’d like to introduce to the Senate some fine students from my district that I share with Representative Annazette Collins and -- and Majority Leader Art Turner - from the AP course of North Lawndale Prep. Give them a big hand. They also won -- as the world knows, the west side rules in basketball, so they also won the AA {sic} (2A) Class A State Championship. North Lawndale Prep. Give them a big hand. West side. We win everything.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Will our -- will our guests please rise? Will the Senate please welcome them to the Senate Chamber? Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) State your business.
My business today, Madam President, my business today is that I’m joined by another outstanding student from the north shore who is my Page for the Day. Maria Kahn is a fifth grader at the Winkelman School in Northbrook, where she lives. Her interests include math, dancing and ice-skating. She’s joined 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008 in the gallery by her mother, Suzanne. And please give them both a warm Senate welcome. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Welcome to Springfield. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Halvorson, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Education Committee - House Bill 4159, House Bill 4252 and House Bill 5399; refer to Executive Committee - House Bills 4726 and 5494; refer to Higher Education Committee - House Bills 3286, 3677 and 5074; refer to Housing and Community Affairs Committee - House Bills 4178 and 4611; refer to Human Services Committee - House Bills 5318 and 5983; refer to Insurance Committee - House Bill 5285; refer to Judiciary-Civil Law Committee - House Bills 4869 and 5121; refer to Judiciary- Criminal Law Committee - House Bills 4203, 4206, 4506, 5082, 5603 and 5653; refer to Labor Committee - House Bill 5141 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 773; refer to Local Government Committee - House Bills 4132, 4674, 4700, 4766, 4931, 4936, 5022 and 5195; refer to Revenue Committee - House Bills 4175 and 4788; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - House Bills 4369, 4811, 5596 and -- 5904; refer to Transportation Committee - House Bill 946, 4221, 4839, 5607 and 5907; and Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bill 751, 761, 804, 813, 886 and 887. Senator Debbie Halvorson, Chairman. April 30th, 2008. I have a second report. Senator Halvorson, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008 reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Higher Education Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2691; refer to Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 751; refer to Licensed Activities Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 887 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 886; refer to Local Government Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 761; refer to Pensions and Investments Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 813; and refer to Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 804. Senator Debbie Halvorson, Chairman. April 30th, 2008.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Ladies and Gentlemen, we are going to have Senator Hendon here with some special guests that are visiting him here in Springfield. Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Madam President. As I said earlier, the west side of the City of Chicago pretty much won every basketball championship statewide this year. And if I could get Majority Leader Turner and Representative Annazette Collins to come up here with me. We want to acknowledge Marshall High School. Marshall High School, both the young ladies and the both -- the young men from Marshall High School on the great west side, won the State Championship in Class 3A this year. We have the coaches here. If we could get all the future NBA and WNBA stars up here. Let’s give Marshall High School a warm welcome and congratulations for winning everything in Class 3A in basketball this year. Coaches. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thank you very much. Thank you and bring that back next year. Senator 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008 Hunter, very briefly. Senator Mattie Hunter.
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
State your point.
I’d like to put a few things into a historical perspective here. This year marked the fiftieth anniversary that a Chicago public school’s basketball boys section team won the statewide championship - fifty years ago. And guess who they were? Marshall High School. Fifty years ago, and now they come back again this year and win it again. How about that? And also when I was a teenager, your coach, Mrs. Dorothy Gaters, was my softball coach, longtime ago, and we were champs then. So, welcome back, Coach. I’m so proud of you. I’m so proud of all the young people. And keep up the good work. Thank you and God bless you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you. And welcome to Springfield. Senator Hunter -- Senator Hendon back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Mr. President, a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
I have a very special introduction to make to you today. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008 Let me introduce to the Senate Major Ron Zessin. He just got back from Iraq two weeks ago. He is a county board member in Fulton County for the last five years. He was the Chief of Air Operations for MND-CS, the first of eighteen Army National Guard members to work with the Polish division as a part of the Partners in Peace agreement. He is also a -- a recipient of the Polish Army’s Medal for Merit that -- which was given to him this past year by the Polish Secretary of Defense. I want to introduce, as well, his -- his family: his wife, Casandra, who’s in the back, and his son, Travis and Chad. And please help me welcome home, after a fine job, a -- a very dedicated and loyal American.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Welcome home. Let’s welcome our American hero back home. Welcome home, sir. Thank you for defending our freedom. Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For the point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
Today in the gallery, we have a great middle school that’s from my district that’s visiting me. I would like to welcome the Executive Director, José Rodriguez, and the wonderful ASPIRA-Haugan School. Can you please rise and be recognized?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will our guests please rise? Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you seek 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008 recognition, sir?
Point -- point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
First of all, what -- what side of the City is Marshall from, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The west side.
Thank you, Mr. President. I’d like to introduce my -- my Page for today and -- and get a big Senate welcome. Marty Nix is a sixth grader from Thomas Junior -- Middle School - it was junior high when I was a kid - Middle School in Arlington Heights. He’s here with his mother, Kelly, his grandmother and a couple of siblings. So if you could all please give Marty and his family a big Senate welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Would you let the record show that Senator Burzynski is back in his district on personal business?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The record will so reflect. Senator Martinez in the Chair. We have one more group of fine young people from my district who won the championship. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Hendon and his special guests.
Thank you, Madam President. Quick, briefly we have with us today the champions of Class 2A from the -- great west side, the school North Lawndale Prep. Give ‘em a big hand. Champion -- basketball champions 2A. Right, Coach? 2A champions. Thank you. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. And lastly - Coach, if you’d go that way - I said the west side ran all the basketball in America this year - we have the champions from Whitney Young. Give ‘em a big hand. The Whitney Young girls won first place. State champions. Give ‘em a hand, everybody. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Move right on around. And we’re going to take a quick picture. We -- we should always acknowledge these young people for their accomplishments. Isn’t that right? They did a great job. And these are your State champions. Give ‘em a big hand. Whitney Young. And they’re all brilliant as well. Thank you, ladies. Thank you very much. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Hendon back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Okay. Now we’re back to Senate business. Senator Maloney, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
A point of announcement, Mr. President. I’d just like to announcement that while the west side is justifiably proud of their basketball teams this year, the Class 4A Champions - that is the biggest schools - is from Oak Lawn, Illinois, District 18. Thank you very much. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 151st Legislative Day 4/30/2008
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The record will so reflect. Senator Brady, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. I’d like to introduce to the Senate my two Pages for the Day, Daniel Lunny and Kip Barber, from Clinton, Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will our young men, guests please rise, wave your hand? Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Welcome them to the Senate, Senators. Welcome. Madam Secretary, Communications.
Yes, I have a letter dated April 30th, 2008. Dear Madam Secretary - Pursuant to the provisions of Senate Rule 2-10, I hereby establish May 31st, 2008, as the 3rd Reading deadline for the following Senate Bills: 751, 761, 804, 813, 886, 887, 2691, 2692 and 2693. Sincerely, Emil Jones, Jr., Senate President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Committees for this afternoon have been posted. Please check your Calendars for committees. There are a number of committees that will be convening shortly. Please -- check your Calendars. All the committee -- committees have been posted. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 1st, 2008. The Senate stands adjourned. 15