PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) The regular Session of the 96th 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 will be given by Pastor George Rosales of the First Baptist Church, in Greenfield, Illinois.
(Prayer by Pastor George Rosales)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Please be seated. Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Thank you. Senate Journals of February 27th, 2009.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Mr. President. I’m filling in for Senator Hunter this morning. I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators have additions or corrections to offer. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Koehler moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 110, offered by Senator Martinez and all Members. Senate Resolution 111, offered by Senator Koehler and all Members. Senate Resolutions 112 through 116, offered by Senator Harmon and all Members. Senate Resolution 117, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolutions 118 through 122, offered by Senators {sic} Frerichs and all Members. Senate Resolution 123, offered by Senator Viverito and all Members. Senate Resolution 124, offered by Senator Burzynski and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 125 and 126, offered by Senator Demuzio and all Members. These are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. Resolutions Consent Calendar.
And Senate Joint Resolution 45, offered by Senator Lauzen. And it’s substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009
Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Dear Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed a bill of the following title, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 229. We have like Messages, Mr. President, on House Bills 244, 247, 278, 336, 338 and 348. All passed the House, March 3rd, 2009. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 2361, offered by Senators Sullivan and Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2362, offered by Senators Sullivan and Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2363, offered by Senators Sullivan and Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) And 2364 -- Senate Bill 2364, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 36, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 78, offered by Senator Koehler. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009 (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 150, offered by Senator Maloney. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 156, offered by Senator Bond. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 229, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 244. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) The Senate will stand at ease momentarily to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. If the Committee -- if the members of the Committee on Assignments could come to the President’s Anteroom immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senate is in order. Senator Viverito. The gentleman from Cook, Senator Viverito, seeks to be recognized. Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Please state your point.
I’d like very much and I’m deeply honored to be able to introduce to you, our Mental Health Director he was, and now 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009 he’s our Public Health Director, Dr. Chris Grunow, who’s here with his two children, both in college. So, would you give them a nice warm welcome? Dr. Chris Grunow.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. Please give our guests a warm Senate welcome. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For purposes of an introduction, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Please proceed.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Today is Catholics in the Capitol Day and, as a part of that effort, we have a group from my alma mater, St. Ignatius College Prep, on the near west side of the City of Chicago. Father Paulson and the students are in the President’s Gallery. I’d ask you to join me in welcoming them to the Capitol.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. Will our guests in the galleries please rise and be recognized? Senator Haine, for what purpose do you wish to be recognized?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Please proceed, sir.
I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to you as the President of the Senate at this time. Is this your first time in the Chair? I -- I’m very happy to be a part of this 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009 Senate with you presiding, with your sense of fairness and decorum, knowledge of procedure. And I conclude by saying, on behalf of us all, shalom.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you, Senator Haine. It’s actually the second time I’ve presided. If you blinked the first time, you missed it. And by the way, Senator Haine, your hospitals all got paid yesterday, as did everyone else’s. Senator Bomke, for what purpose do you wish to be recognized? You don’t? You don’t have any compliments or anything you want to throw my way? Okay, thank you. We’ll just stand at ease then, while the Committee on Assignments is meeting. The Senate will stand at ease. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Senate Bills 293, 1693, 1835, 2129, and Senate Joint Resolution 42; refer to the Appropriations I Committee - Senate Bills 1679, 1686, 1696, 1697, 1714, 1720, 1806, 1856, 1979, 2114, 2118, 2132 {sic}, 2182, -- excuse me, 2133, 2182 and 2284; refer to the Appropriations II Committee - House Bill 210, (Senate Bills) 1684, 1862, 1949, 1985, 2023, 2038, 2222 and 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009 2264; refer to the Commerce Committee - Senate Bill 1559, 1753, 1852, 1863, 1906, 2052, 2109, 2160 and 2172; refer to the Consumer Protection Committee - Senate Bills 1769, 1820, 1922, 1978, 2105, 2107, 2143, 2170, 2180 and 2224; refer to the Criminal Law Committee - Senate Bills 1668, 1674, 1677, 1688, 1702, 1706, 1708, 1710, 1721, 1724, 1725, 1774, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1832, 1840, 1841, 1843, 1848, 1896, 1916, 2010, 2024, 2026, 2095 and 2248; refer to the Education Committee - Senate Bills 750, 1626, 1675, 1796, 1828, 1850, 1853, 1882, 1884, 1885, 1956, 1957, 1977, 1984, 2014, 2071, 2119, 2220, 2226 {sic}, 2268, 2270 and 2277; correction, refer to the Education Committee - it’s 2266; refer to the Elections Committee - Senate Bills 1662, 1666, 1790, 1799, 1801, 2022 and 2168; refer to the Energy Committee - Senate Bills 1570, 1823, 1912, 1923, 1941, 2009, 2116, 2150, 2162 and 2338; refer to the Environment Committee - Senate Bills 1676, 1680, 1690, 1897, 1932, 2034, 2039, 2103, 2104, 2122, 2184, 2252, 2285, and Senate Joint Resolutions 36 and 44; refer to the Executive Committee - Senate Bills 44, 1331, 1536, 1584, 1588, 1663, 1673, 1681, 1726, 1727, 1728, 1734, 1768, 1810, 1857, 1868, 1893, 1934, 1945, 1961, 1973, 1983, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2028, 2029, 2036, 2063, 2075, 2076, 2077, 2079, 2080, 2081, 2083, 2085, 2086, 2088, 2092, 2135, 2137, 2144, 2153, 2216, 2240, 2242, 2265, 2281 and 2296; refer to the Financial Institutions Committee - Senate Bills 1874 and 2244; refer to the Gaming Committee - Senate Bills 1362, 1740, 1754, 1797, 1937, 1986, 2067, 2164 and 2166; refer to the Higher Education Committee - Senate Bills 1883, 1926, 2013, 2124 and 2279; refer to the Human Services Committee - Senate Bills 1354, 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009 1407, 1478, 1498, 1499, 1515, 1564, 1576, 1689, 1704, 1776, 1785, 1786, 1807, Senate Bill 2050, 2069, 2093, 2100, 2113, 2226, 2234 and 2271; refer to the Insurance Committee - Senate Bills 1683, 1809, 1877, 2019, 2250 and 2287; refer to the Judiciary Committee - Senate Bills 1424, 1519, 1667, 1670, 1672, 1695, 1716, 1738, 1772, 1800, 1888, 1903, 1904, 1930, 1933, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 2073, 2102, 2108, 2111, 2112, 2149, 2151, 2178, 2230, 2236 and 2282; refer to the Labor Committee - Senate Bills 228, 1594, 1715, 1735, 1743, 1918, 2072, 2094, and Senate Joint Resolution 35; refer to the Licensed Activities Committee - Senate Bills 1711, 1722, 1830, 1887 and 1894; refer to the Local Government Committee - Senate Bills 279, 1514, 1560, 1661, 1783, 1784, 1791, 17 -- excuse me, 1972, 1980, 1988, 1995, 2012, 2021, 2030, 2044, 2057, 2078, 2106, 2121, 2141, 2218 and 2272; refer to the Pensions and Investments Committee - Senate Bills 1469, 1705, 1707, 1709, 1713, 1741, 1742, 1744, 1751, 1802, 1827, 1858, 1861, 1913, 1943, 1946, 1971, 1974, 2011, 2020, 2110, 2127, 2142, 2212 and 2246; refer to the Public Health Committee - Senate Bills 1259, 1288, 1665, 1685, 1687, 1699, 1703, 1712, 1731, 1736, 1752, 1777, 1836, 1855, 1869, 1902, 1917, 1919, 1927, 1959, 1960, 1976, 2001, 2025, 2043, 2048, 2059, 2145, 2152, 2232, 2256, 2258 and 2267; refer to the Revenue Committee - Senate Bills 1543, 1552, 1555, 1664, 1669, 1671, 1678, 1691, 1739, 1748, 1749, 1750, 1775, 1825, 1826, 1829, 1846, 1867, 1886, 1901, 1908, 1935, 1936, 1942, 1948, 1975, 1990, 2018, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2046, 2053, -- 2065, 2115, 2125, 2126, 2262, 2273, 2280, 2283, 2289 and 2339; refer to the State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Senate Bills 1461, 1462, 1730, 1732, 1737, 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009 1837, 1838, 1928, 1929, 1955, 1987, 2017, 2045, 2061, 2090, 2097, 2131, 2148 and 2228; refer to the Transportation Committee - Senate Bills 1694, 1729, 1762, 1763, 1788, 1789, 1845, 1866, 1944, 1950, 1958, 2035, 2064, 2084, 2128, 2130, and Senate Joint Resolution 19; re-referred from the Revenue Committee to the Pensions and Investments Committee - Senate Bill 1638. Signed by Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman. Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Matters -- Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Committee Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1443; refer to the Criminal Law Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 31, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 48, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 62, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 211, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1275, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1425; refer to the Education Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1508; refer to the Elections Committee - Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 80; refer to the Executive Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 49, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 50 and Committee Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 285; refer to the Financial Institutions Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1563; refer to the Higher Education Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 204; refer to the Human Services Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Joint Resolution 3; refer to the Judiciary Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 259, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1579; refer to the Licensed Activities Committee - 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009 Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 289 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1383; refer to the Local Government Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1414, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1451 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1527; refer to the Pensions and Investments Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1401, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1611; refer to the Revenue Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1544; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Committee Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 40, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 47, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 262 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Joint Resolution 30; and refer to the Transportation Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1291 -- 1299 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1417. Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. The lady -- the lady from Macoupin, Senator Demuzio, for what reason do you rise?
Yes, point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) State your point.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President. It’s my privilege today to have, in the President’s Gallery, students from St. Louis Catholic School in Nokomis, Illinois. And if our students would please rise, we’d like to give them a great big hand. They’re here for the Catholic Conference Day. Thank you. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. Will our guests in the gallery please rise? And let’s give them a warm Senate welcome. The lady from McHenry, Senator Althoff, for what reason do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Please state your point.
Thank you. I, too, have a very special guest with me today. I have the Village President of Deer Park. Deer Park is actually in Senator Duffy’s district; however, President Gifford used to be, in eighth grade, my very favorite-ist boyfriend. So, he’s here today on official business. Can we…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you.
Thank…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you very much. Some may say that that’s a little too much information. But we appreciate it. And welcome to the Capitol. The gentleman from Will, Senator Wilhelmi, for what reason do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) State your point.
11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009 Thank you, sir. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have joining with me today -- by two wonderful Pages from the great City of Joliet. They are Loren and Lucas Reeves, that are -- they are sixth and eighth graders at St. Ray’s School, which is our home parish in Joliet. I’d like to welcome them to the Illinois Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. Please welcome our guests. The gentleman from southwest suburban Cook, Senator Viverito, for what reason do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I have a very special announcement to make. Someone here is celebrating a birthday, and he’s a staff member that does a great deal of work for us. He’s just working back there, not paying attention. Giovanni. Giovanni Randazzo is celebrating his thirtieth birthday. Geno. Hey…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Happy birthday. Thank you so much, Senator Viverito. Committee announcements. The gentleman from Cook, Senator Meeks.
Thank you so -- thank you so much, Mr. President and Members of the General Assembly. I rise -- I need silence. I need a little order. Thank you so much…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Could we please give our undivided attention to Senator Meeks for an important matter? Please proceed, sir.
12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009 Thank you so much, Mr. President. I rise -- I have a constituent, Simone Robinson, she was serving in Afghanistan and a suicide bomber hit they’re battalion and she has died of her wounds. The young lady was twenty-one years old. She was a graduate of Thornton High School in Harvey. And she leaves to mourn a -- a two-year-old, along with her parents. And I just ask that, as we always do, we would spend a moment of silence in reflection to her life. The unit -- the Illinois National Guard unit is out of Senator Crotty’s district. And so I just ask that on behalf of Simone Robinson, we have a moment of silence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. If we could all please rise for a moment of silence in reflection of the memory of Simone Robinson, who served our country. (Moment of silence observed) Thank you. The gentleman from St. Clair, Senator Clayborne, for what reason do you rise?
For point of an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) State your point.
Just to renew the message from last week. If Members have vehicle bills they intend to use, we would request that they submit amendment language by the close of today - by the close of today. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 5th, 2009. The Senate now stands 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 20th Legislative Day 3/4/2009 adjourned. 14