PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The regular Session of the 96th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their seats? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Mary Lou McLaughlin, Baha’i Temple, here in Springfield, Illinois. MARY LOU McLAUGHLIN: (Prayer by Mary Lou McLaughlin)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs, to lead in the Pledge, sir.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Good morning, Madam Secretary. Reading and Approval of the Journal, please.
Senate Journal of February 25th, 2009.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Hunter.
Thank you, 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 Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports, please.
1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 Senator Koehler, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Bills 1353 and 1379 Do Pass. Senator Noland, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Bills 42 and 310 Do Pass; and Senate Bill 104 Do Pass, as Amended. And Senator Garrett, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment, reports Senate Bill 125 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Resolution 81 Be Adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Risinger, for what purpose you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
Members of the Senate, I have a gentleman that is shadowing me today. He’s a good friend. He’s a member of the Peoria County Board. Brad Harding. I wish that you would give him a - - a welcome here in the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guest from Peoria please be recognized? Welcome to the Illinois State Senate, sir. Welcome. Madam Secretary, Resolutions, please.
Senate -- Senate Resolution 104, offered by Senator Murphy and all Members. It’s a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 Resolutions Consent Calendar.
And Senate Joint Resolution 42, offered by Senator Demuzio. And Senate Joint Resolution, Constitutional Amendment, 43, offered by Senator Murphy. They’re both substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills, please.
Senate Bill 2340, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2341, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2342, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2343, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2344, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2345, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2346, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2347, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2348, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2349, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 Senate Bill 2350, offered by Senator Garrett. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2351, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2352, offered by Senator Burzynski. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2353, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) And Senate Bill 2354, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading, please.
House Bill 5, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 22, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 43, offered by Senator Steans. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 68, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 70, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 80, offered by Senator Silverstein. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 84, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 88, offered by Senator Silverstein. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 210, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Senator Koehler, are you seeking recognition, sir? For what purpose you seeking…
Yes, Mr. President. If I may have a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir. Could you give the…
Yes, we have…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Excuse me. Could you give the gentleman your attention, please?
We have some people here for Career and Technical Day. You see some of their booths downstairs and they’re visiting the Capitol. I want to introduce Susan Sherwood and Carol Leach, from the Peoria Education for Employment, and some of their students from Woodruff: Ashley Wilson and Kendra Alexander. If they would please stand and have the Senate welcome them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests please stand and be recognized? Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Welcome. Senator Koehler.
We also have joining us from Canton High School, Billie 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 Vaultonburg and some students from Canton. They are not here -- yes, they are. Right over there. So…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Will our guests rise and be recognized? Welcome to Springfield, Illinois. Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Senator Koehler.
Yes, thank you for your indulgence. And finally, we have Kim Cioni, Associated Professor at ICC, and three students from their program. So, if they would stand.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests rise and be recognized? Welcome. Senator Hultgren, are you seeking recognition, sir?
Yes, I am, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
Thank you. I have some special guests here today from my district that I’d like to introduce, if I could. I’m going to have ‘em stand. I have Leila and Lilly Wangler, who are Pages - - serving my -- as a Page for me today. They’re both from Batavia, Illinois, which is in my district. Leila is a third grader and Lilly is a seventh grader, in our district. And then their parents, Tom and Paula Wangler, are up in the gallery up here. They’re waving…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Will our guests in the gallery please rise and also be 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 recognized? And to our young Pages working today, it’s been a - - it’s been a Senate tradition for many, many years, as you page here in Springfield, the tips are better on this side of the aisle. Welcome to Springfield. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d ask you to kindly turn to page 6 of your printed Calendar. Page 6 on the printed Calendar. At the bottom of page 6 comes House Bills 3rd Reading. Okay, turning your attention to House Bills 3rd Reading on page 6 of your Calendar, comes House Bill 1027. Ladies and Gentlemen, remind you, this is final action. House Bill 1027. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, House Bill 1027. Senator Schoenberg, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s bill.
House Bill 1027. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Schoenberg, to the bill, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 1027 will -- creates the Interfund Borrowing Act of 2009. Gives us the opportunity to finally make all the payments for the hospital assessment plan that, you recall, we had passed into law last year, the federal government had approved in December, retroactive to our getting this new infusion of 4.5 billion dollars over a five-year period. What we’ve done, as the result of cooperative effort between all the -- all four caucuses with the administration, is we have an 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 agreed proposal that would enable us to borrow a total of five hundred and ten million dollars from two funds - the General Obligation Bond Retirement and Interest Fund and the State Employees’ Retirement System Fund. We essentially would be loaning that to ourselves for repayment with interest by mid April. This in turn would -- coupled with five hundred and fifteen and a half million dollars in federal money, would catch up all the hospitals throughout our State who’ve been desperately waiting for this money, catch them up eight months, bring them current and ensure that we could pay for the whole program over the course of the year. I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Dillard, are you seeking recognition on this bill, sir?
Yes, sir -- yes, sir, I am. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of House Bill 1027. But I think it’s important to point out how sad it is, in the State of Illinois’ history, where we got to go raid these funds and borrow from ourself like this. And I think it’s endemic of how poorly, financially, the State of Illinois has been run over the past five or six years. You know, we can’t go to traditional sources of money and we’ve got to do this. I mean, we’ve protected the Road Fund and, you know, I commend Senator Schoenberg for talking to my Leader, Senator Radogno, on this. I do think that this is a -- a good bill to show that when the Democrats cooperate with the Republicans, things do happen that help our hospitals and -- and 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 move Illinois forward. So, I’m for this because there is really no other choice. And I thank Senator Schoenberg for working with my Leader, Senator Radogno, on this. And there’s a message there, as we go forward in this Session, that when the staffs cooperate and when the Members cooperate, we can fiscally move Illinois forward. My hospitals have called me on this. The law is the -- the State has to pay the hospitals before they’re required to pay the tax, so we are in a Catch-22 situation. To help our hospitals, we’ve got to do this. But I think one of the other underlying messages here is how sad it is when we got to go borrow from these funds like this, pay ourselves back with interest, because the State of Illinois has just not been managed well the last five or six years. But, again, I thank Senator Schoenberg for talking to us on this. And for our hospitals, we need to do this. But, you know, I am reluctantly, you know, going to push the green button. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, just briefly: I am going to support the bill. We need to do this. We need to access those funds. I appreciate that. But I also am glad that we didn’t borrow from the Road Fund. That’s -- with all the diversions that have taken place and so forth, I think the message is loud and clear that we need to steer away from those funds, and I appreciate that. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Jacobs, are you seeking recognition on this bill, sir?
Yes, Mr. President. I just want to thank Senator Schoenberg for his bipartisan effort. Not only his bipartisan effort, but, you know, this is something that is very important to many of our communities. He always takes care of our business, and I appreciate it greatly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Further discussion? Senator Forby, are you seeking recognition on this bill, sir?
Yes, I am. I just want to thank the Senator on this bill, because yesterday morning I got a call from my local hospital in Benton, Illinois, they said, “Gary, it looks like that we will probably be shutting our doors.” They said, “Is there any way you can find any money or anything in Springfield that can help us?” So this bill’s came up and this will probably keep the doors open at my hospital, and I really appreciate what you’ve done. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, seeing no further discussion, Senator Schoenberg, to close, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. You know, the phone call that Senator Forby received is a phone call that, if it hasn’t been placed up until now, your hospital CEOs are going to put you on speed dial to make it, 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 unless we pass this bill. Want to let you all know that it’s our expectation that within three business days of the Governor signing this bill, your hospitals - all of our hospitals - about two hundred across the State - will be getting eight months’ worth of payment for fiscal year ’09. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, thank you. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 1027 pass. All those in favor 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, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1027, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, on page 8 of your Calendar, on the bottom of page 8 on the Calendar is -- we’ll go to the Order of Resolutions. Once again, let me remind you, this is final action. I’d -- turn your attention to Senate Resolution 101 - Senate Resolution 101 on the Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. Senator Cullerton, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s resolution.
Senate Resolution 101, offered by Senator Cullerton. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Cullerton, to explain the resolution, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Resolution 101 creates the Committee on Deficit Reduction and 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 charges the committee with the task of studying all aspects of the estimated budget deficit and revenue shortfall. They would study the topics that would include: the fiscal costs associated with education, healthcare, pensions, the operation of State government, and revenue sources that support State government. The committee will be made up of five Republicans and five Democrats. So, a fifty-fifty split, just like the cost of our dinner last night. And we would expect that this committee would be able to meet on Tuesdays, starting next Tuesday after appointment of the members, and report back to us on March 25th with a report. Be happy to answer any questions and ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, President Cullerton. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the gentleman asks for a favorable roll call on Senate Resolution 101. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 101 pass. All those in favor 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, there are 57 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Resolution 101, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, we are going to go back to page 8 on your printed Calendars. Page 8. We will start on the top of Senate -- Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. On the top of the order is Senate Resolution No. 46. Senator Dahl, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s resolution. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009
Senate Resolution 46, offered by Senator Dahl. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Dahl, to the resolution, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 46 is a resolution that establishes March 13th as “Pluto Day” and reestablishes it as a full planetary status in honor of its discoverer, Dr. Clyde Tombaugh, who was a Streator, Illinois native and the only American that has ever discovered a planet. This -- this passed out of committee unanimously, and encourage a Yes vote for the good citizens in the City of Streator. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Okay, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 46 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. And it’s the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it. And the resolution is adopted -- receiving the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, I’d ask… Senator Lightford. Senator Lightford. Ladies and Gentlemen, can I ask all Members please be in their seats, all Members. Would ask staff to retire to the rear of the Chamber. All staff retire to the rear of the Chamber. All Members please be at their seats. Senator Lightford in the Chair for a special guest.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, it is my pleasure to 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 introduce to you His Excellency Milton Nathaniel Barnes. He’s the former Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He is now the current Ambassador to the United States of America. Mr. Ambassador.
(Remarks by Ambassador Milton Nathaniel Barnes)
Thank you, to our special guest, Ambassador Barnes of Liberia. Senator DeLeo in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please. We will go back to page 8. Page 8 of the Calendar. Senate -- Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. We will go to Senate Resolution 48. Senator Koehler, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s resolution, please.
Senate Resolution 48, offered by Senator Koehler. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler, to the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Senate Resolution 48 determines that the Senate fully supports the goals of the Illinois Primary Health Care Association’s Access Illinois plan and that we stand together to do our part in preserving, strengthening, and expanding qualified -- Federally Qualified Health Centers in our State. The resolution also 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 specifies that the Illinois Senate recognizes the valuable contributions of the Federal {sic} (Federally) Qualified Health Centers in expanding access to health care and improving the health and well-being of the citizens of the great State of Illinois. Let me just say that I, in the past, was a member of the board of our local Federal {sic} Qualified Health Center in Illinois -- in -- in Peoria. We went from a free clinic to a FQHC, expanding our health care coverage in Peoria from one thousand patients to well over fifteen thousand. This is an organization that really is the frontline of health care in many of our communities, and I would ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any -- Senator Syverson, are you seeking recognition for this resolution, sir?
Yes, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …the resolution, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. You know, I certainly stand in support of what’s going on -- what’s been being doing -- done with the Primary Health Care Association. They have done a excellent job and we have a facility in -- in our area that is - - does incredible work in dealing with those who are either uninsured or who are being treated through Medicaid. And I certainly support the legislation that we’ve looked at in doing some -- expanding some of their role. The -- the problem I have with this resolution is -- is the line where it says that be it 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 resolved that we fully support the goals of Access Illinois. And Access Illinois has additional goals beyond what this is, as Access Illinois is pushing and supporting the idea of universal health care for everybody. And so I think that Members on this side of the aisle, while we support primary health care, that portion of it becomes a problem for us. And I guess I was wondering if we could look at, at least, taking out that portion of it where it says fully support the goals of Access. And then we could limit it only to what we’re talking about here in supporting what is being done at the Primary Health Care -- with how health -- Health Care Association. So I would ask if you would at least consider that we could at least change that word “fully” support out of that resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator. I appreciate your concern. But this is a resolution; this is not a piece of legislation that authorizes any spending or whatever. Let me just read you what the goals are of Access Illinois: is to preserve and strengthen the current Community Health -- Health care {sic} Center Expansion Program; number two, to build capacity by implementing a new Community Health Center Construction Program; number three, to attract and sustain a comprehensive primary care workforce - and that’s particularly important, because we know that there’s not a lot of student’s going into primary care; they’re going more into the specialties, and, again, primary care is really the frontline of health care - number four, is to expand health care coverage for 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 Illinois’ uninsured and underinsured populations. Let me just also mention that one fact you might not be aware of is that Illinois Community Health Centers gather more federal grants than any other state in this union other than California. And so, I have to commend them for being able to put together programs and strategies by which we can attract federal dollars in here to do this. Because, remember, for everyone who has a medical home in the health -- in the -- one of the FQHCs, the Qualified Health Centers, that means that we have one less person using an emergency room for access to care. So, please don’t be concerned that we’re somehow writing a blank check for this. We’re not. All we’re saying is we support the direction and the effort of these Qualified Health Centers. This is really a -- a resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Syverson.
…you -- thank you. And I appreciate that; however, resolutions do have meanings or we wouldn’t be passing resolutions. And so, the points that you just raised are excellent points and totally -- and I think we would agree with that. The problem is that when it -- it goes beyond that and talks about that -- that we fully support the Access Illinois plan, which goes beyond the issues that you were just listing. And so, that’s where -- if we pass this, it means we’re sending a resolution that we fully support moving to a universal health care plan. And that’s where we have a -- differ on that. So, everything you said we agree with, and if that was in the resolution, we would certainly support the resolution. And 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 that’s why I’m asking if we can just take that fully support the Access Illinois plan, if we could take that out and list just the things you had talked about, then it would be certainly acceptable.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Further discussion? Senator Righter. Further discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.
Thank you. Senator Koehler, I don’t want to spend a lot of time on this. As you pointed out, it is a resolution. I would -- it’s not meaningless, otherwise you wouldn’t be carrying it, though. So I do think it is worth some discussion. At the top of page 2 of the resolution, it says that -- it refers to Access Illinois as a plan. What is that plan? We’re asked to fully support that plan. I’m curious about what it is that we’re being asked to support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler.
Yes, thank you, Senator, for your question. I just read you the four key elements of the plan. It -- it really is to preserve/strengthen the current Community Health Center Program, to build capacity, to attract and sustain the primary health care workforce, and to expand coverage. Again, this is -- this is a plan. It doesn’t say how it’s going to fund it. I know in 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 -- in our case in Peoria, they continually write grants and receive monies for expansion programs under the federal government. So, we’re not -- again, we’re not writing a blank check; we’re just saying that we support the efforts of our FQHCs. And, you know, I -- I don’t know how much clearer to say that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Further discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, now, with all due respect, Senator Koehler, when you responded to Senator Syverson with those four points, you referred to them as goals. Now, I think we can all agree that a goal and a plan to achieve that goal are two different things. Now, what you just read to me sounded more like “this is what we hope to get done”, as opposed to “this is how we plan to do that”. Would you agree with that characterization, that this outlines goals?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Koehler.
Yes, this is what they hope to get done.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Righter.
Inquiry of the Chair, if I might, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your inquiry, sir.
Does this require a roll call vote? 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) It does, sir.
It does. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Further discussion? Senator Viverito.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in favor of this particular resolution. And I want to commend the sponsor of this resolution. Because anything we can do to further the primary health care in any one of our particular areas, it’s highly needed. It’s something that will save us a lot of money in the long run. And I certainly am going to vote for this, and I hope that all our colleagues will as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, Senator Koehler, to close, sir.
Thank you. I just ask for your Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is final action. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 48 pass. All those in favor, 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, there are 41 Ayes, 13 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Resolution 48, receiving the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on Senate Resolutions. Senate Resolution No. 49. Senator Haine. Senator Bill Haine, 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator Millner, on Senate Resolution 50. Senator Millner, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s resolution.
Senate Resolution 50, offered by Senator Millner. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) …Madam Secretary. Senator Millner, to your resolution, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. The resolution finds that February 12th is the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. And the resolution also finds that in the spirit of one of Lincoln’s most famous speeches that government of the people, for the people, and by the people is the embodiment of civic engagement and one of the most basic tenets of democracy. So what we’re trying to do is promote civic engagement and have -- the month of February, have all of us in this Chamber look at doing what we can do to promote civic engagement. And that could be -- there’s a multitude of ways of doing that. Whether you want to get people involved in the local food pantries, whether you want to get people involved in cleaning up rivers and streams, whether you want to get people involved in anything, this is the month to do it, in honor of Abraham Lincoln. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 shall Senate Resolution 50 pass. All those will -- in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. And it’s the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it. And the resolution is adopted -- receiving the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Okay, continuing on Senate {sic} Desk, Resolutions. On the bottom of page 8 is Senate Joint Resolution 2. Senator Haine. Madam Secretary, out of the record. I ask you to turn your Calendars to top of page 9. Continuing on Senate -- Secretary’s Desk, Resolution {sic}, is Senate Joint Resolution 5. Senator Hunter, do you wish to proceed, ma’am? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the lady’s resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 5, offered by Senator Hunter. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Senator Hunter, to your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 5 basically creates the Parent {sic} (Parents) and Community Accountability Study Committee. And what the committee actually does, it’s a -- a joint partnership between the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services. And they will basically examine the issues related to -- to racial and socioeconomic disparities affecting the pro-social development of children and youth. They’re also identifying ways to encourage more parents in being accountable for the actions of 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 their children, and identify ways to -- to engage more communities in being accountable for investing in pro-social development of children and families. And I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution No. 5 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. It’s the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it. And the Senate joint resolution is declared adopted. Continuing on Senate -- Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions is Senate Joint Resolution No. 6. Senator Hunter, do you wish to proceed? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the lady’s resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 6, offered by Senator Hunter. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Hunter, to the resolution, ma’am.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Once again, Senate joint resolution basically reconstitutes the Illinois Justice Study Committee to review all non-capital wrongful felony conviction cases that have been -- been -- been resolved -- as the result of the effective date of this resolution and which results -- resulted from DNA testing; a pardon -- a pardon granted on the basis of actual innocence; and dismissal of charges or acquittals upon a pre-trial {sic} basis. This -- this bill passed the 95th General Assembly as 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 Senate Joint Resolution 9. And the new reporting date is December 31st, 2010. And I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution No. 6 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. It’s the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it. And Senate Joint Resolution No. 6 is declared adopted. Senate Joint Resolution No. 7. Senator Crotty, do you wish to proceed with your resolution, ma’am? Out of the record. Senate Joint Resolution No. 12. Senator Wilhelmi. Senator Wilhelmi, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 12, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Senator Wilhelmi, to the resolution, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 12 designates a route in Will County - it’s Route 53 from I-80 south to Hoff Road - as the George E. Sangmeister Memorial Highway. Several of you served with Congressman Sangmeister when he was in the State Senate. His history of public service is remarkable. It includes two years in the Korean War in the United States Army. And then he went on to become a magistrate, the Will County State’s Attorney, an Illinois -- Member of the Illinois House of 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 Representatives, a Member of this Body, and then a Member of Congress. We believe this is a very fitting tribute, because of the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery that is along this stretch of Route 53, that we rename and dedicate this stretch of highway in Will County as the George E. Sangmeister Memorial Highway. His widow, Doris Sangmeister, and his children, Kim and Kurt, they will be very thrilled, very honored. And I think it’s right that we do this. I ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s the opinion of the Chair that this does require State expenditures, very small State expenditures. But the question is, shall State -- Senate Joint Resolution No. 12 pass. All those in favor 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, please take the record. On that question, there are 52 Yeses, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Joint Resolution No. 12, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we’d ask to go back to Senate Joint Resolution No. 7. The sponsor’s asked to present the bill {sic}. Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please read the lady’s resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 7, offered by Senator Crotty. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Senator Crotty, to the resolution, ma’am. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009
Thank you very much. Currently, Illinois does not have a statewide, coordinated response to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder that includes data collection, education services, and mental health services. By reaching out to all of these groups, the State could better utilize the funds to better meet the needs of persons that have been victimized by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. This -- with this resolution, the -- it determines that the Illinois Department of Human Services is to issue a report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than January 2nd, 2010, highlighting it’s findings and recommendations for improving Illinois’ services to children, adults, and their families affected with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The resolution urges the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Departments of Children and Family Services, Healthcare and Family Services, Corrections, and Financial Institutions and Professional Regulation, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities to complete an assessment of the existing State and federal assistance programs and to conduct public hearings across the State to gather testimony from parents, educators, healthcare providers, clinicians, mental health providers, and service providers, and others regarding the services that they feel need to be in place in this State in order to serve this unique population of children and adults.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Seeing no discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, it’s the opinion of the Chair 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 that this does require the expenditure of State funds. So a roll call will be necessary. The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution No. 7 pass. All those in favor, 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, there are 55 Ayes, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Joint Resolution No. 7, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Senator Syverson, are you seeking recognition, sir?
Yes, Mr. President. We would seek a short caucus immediately upon adjournment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a request. The Republicans are asking for a caucus in Leader Radogno’s Office. Before we grant that request, which the request is always in order, sir, we’d like to make an announcement on committees that have been posted for this afternoon. Can I have your attention, please? Pension and Investments -- Labor -- Labor Committee has been canceled. Labor Committee has been canceled. Pension and Investments, at 12:30 in Room 409. Pension and Investments, 12:30 in Room 409. The Executive Committee will meet in 212. The Executive Committee will be in 212 at the hour of 1 p.m. Licensed Activities will be -- meet in Room 409 at 2 p.m. Revenue will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 400. Appropriations II - all members of Appropriations II will meet at 4 p.m. in 212. And I believe there’s one other committee today. And that is true. State Government and Veterans Affairs will meet at 4 p.m. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 18th Legislative Day 2/26/2009 in Room 409. Senator Jacobs, are you seeking recognition, sir?
Yes, Mr. President. I just want to give the Body a heads- up that Energy will be canceled tomorrow. So I just want to let you put that on your schedule.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, the Chairman of Energy has -- there’s a -- Energy was posted for 9:30 tomorrow morning, Friday, February 27th, in Room 400. Energy Committee will be canceled. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen, seeing that -- there being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 11:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Friday, February 27th, the year 2009. Thank you. 28