PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) 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 James Beardsley, who is a Major with the Salvation Army. Pastor.
(Prayer by Pastor James Beardsley)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs, please lead.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of March 10th, 2009.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Senator Hunter moves to approve the -- 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 MUNOZ) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Frerichs, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, reports Senate Bills 293 and 2129 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/11/2009 Do Pass; Senate Bill 139 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 42 Be Adopted. Senator Crotty, Chairperson of the Committee on Elections, reports Senate Bills 176, 1591, 1662, 1666, 1799, 1801, 2022 and 2168 Do Pass; and Senate Bill 600 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Maloney, Chairperson of the Committee on Higher Education, reports Senate Bills 37, 1485 and 1926 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 1373, 1524 and 1883 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Wilhelmi, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Bills 84, 239, 1487, 1556, 1578, 1582, 1610, 1670, 1716, 1738, 1930, 1933, 1970, 2111, 2112, 2149 and 2230 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 1888 and 2178 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Hunter, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports Senate Bills 1348, 1499, 1576, 1643, 1689, 1776, 2069, 2100 and 2271 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 1704, 2093 and 2226 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Sandoval, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Bills 297, 1450, 1467, 1729, 1866 and 1958 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 236, 1341, 1417 and 1944 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Meeks, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Bills 186, 750, 1391, 1557, 1675, 1796, 1828, 1850, 1853, 1882, 1885, 1956, 1957, 1977…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Madam Secretary…
I’m sorry - 1984, 4014 {sic} (2014), 2119, 2270 and 2277 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 2071 and 2220 Do Pass, as Amended. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/11/2009 Senator Delgado, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Senate Bills 95, 1665, 1685, 1703, 1736, 1917, 1919, 2001, 2145, 2256 and 2258 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 105, 1455, 1494, 1516, 1855, 1959 and 2043 Do Pass, as Amended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 140, offered by Senator Demuzio and all Members. Senate Resolutions 141 and 142, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. And Senate Resolution 143, offered -- offered by Senator Viverito and all Members. They’re all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
And Senate Joint Resolution 48, offered by Senator Steans. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.
I have a Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed 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 488. Passed the House, March 10th, 2009. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/11/2009 House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 52, offered by Senator Hutchinson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 325, offered by Senator Hutchinson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 336, offered by Senator Hutchinson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 441, offered by Senator Syverson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 457, offered by Senator Hutchinson. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 483, after -- offered by Senator Sandoval. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) The Senate… Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege. I have today two guests from Bradley University. If the Senate would please welcome Dr. Fred Fry and Assistant Professor Tanya Marcum. They’re in the gallery here behind me to the left. And they’re from Bradley University in Peoria.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Hi. Will our guests in the gallery please rise and the Senate welcome them? Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise? 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/11/2009
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) State your point.
I have with me on the Floor today Dr. Amir Al-Khafaji. Dr. Al-Khafaji is the head of the Civil (Engineering) and Construction Department at Bradley University and a very dear friend of mine. I wish the Senate would give him a warm welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Welcome, Doctor. Please let our Senators welcome him. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The members of the Committee on Assignments will come to the President’s Anteroom immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) The Senate will come to order. Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) State your point.
In the gallery off to my left is a group of ladies from the General Federation of Women’s Club. And I wish that we would 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/11/2009 all give them a warm welcome to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Welcome to Springfield. Will our guests in the gallery please rise? Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Appropriations II Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill -- I’m sorry, House Bill 210; refer to Consumer Protection Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 316, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1483, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1558, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1629 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1769; refer to Energy Committee - Committee Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2009; refer to Executive Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 44, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1548, Committee Amendment No. 1 to -- Senate Bill 1633, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1810, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1868, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2008 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2063; refer to Financial Institutions Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 251, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 252, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 268 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1647; refer to Insurance Committee - Committee Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 68, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 240 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1506; refer to Judiciary Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2282; refer 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/11/2009 to Licensed Activities Committee - Committee Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 69; refer to Revenue Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1664; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Committee Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1929; and re-referred from the Financial Institutions Committee to the Executive Committee - Senate Bill 1355. Senator James Clayborne, Chairman. March 11th, 2009.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Senator Brady, for what purpose do you rise?
For announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) State your announcement, Senator.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to announce that today’s a very special day. Two of our youngest colleagues who are up- and-comers in our party - M.M. and D.D. - Matt Murphy and Dan Duffy are celebrating their birthdays today. Please join me in congratulating them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Happy birthday, Senators. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) State your point.
I have a very, very special guest with me here today. She’s not only a very dear personal friend, she happens to be 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/11/2009 the McHenry Township Assessor and she’s here to testify on a bill later on this afternoon. Might we give her a warm welcome, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Welcome to the Senate, ma’am. Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. First, what happened to the days when people’s birthday, you know, they would bring cake in for everybody? I’m concerned that we have two birthdays and no cakes. That’s very disappointing. But, secondly, to government business, the Republicans would like to have a ten-minute, brief caucus immediately upon adjournment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Senator, once we recess, your caucus will be granted. Senator, is that fine? Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President, and it’s good to see you in the Chair today. Personal -- personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) State your point.
Up in the gallery, up above the Democrat side there, we have some Republican women from my district. And one of ‘em happens to be one of my mayors, Janie Grimes, from -- the Mayor of Iuka. So, welcome them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Will our gallery -- will the guests please rise and the 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/11/2009 Senate welcome them? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For an announcement. Tomorrow morning, there’ll be a Legislative Fire Caucus breakfast in the Rathskeller, starting at 7:30 a.m.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman {sic}. I have an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) State your announcement.
Could I have the Senate’s attention? I have a very important announcement. As you well know, the month of March is St. Patrick’s Day, which means that the annual Sullivan Caucus St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is coming up. It’ll be our seventh annual. It is on Tuesday, March 24th, at Sammy’s from 5:30 to 8:30. Good food, good drink, good entertainment. We’d like to have everybody. Senators, staff are invited - lobbyists, so on and so forth. That is Tuesday, March the 24th at Sammy’s, the annual Sullivan Caucus St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair - and this will be right after Senate Executive Committee - then the Senate will reconvene to receive committee reports and for further Floor action. At this time, the Republicans are 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/11/2009 requesting a ten-minute caucus in their Leader’s room. Senate will stand in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Silverstein, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Bill 2016 Do Pass.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we just distributed Supplemental Calendar No. 1. On Supplemental Calendar No. 1 in the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading, 2016. Senator Raoul, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2016. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported. I -- I apologize, 2nd Reading. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUNOZ) 3rd Reading. We have some announcements. The 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 24th Legislative Day 3/11/2009 Appropriations II Committee will meet immediately upon adjournment in Room 212 tonight. The Insurance Committee will meet immediately upon adjournment in Room 400. The State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee will meet immediately upon adjournment in Room 409. Labor Committee will reconvene at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning in Room 212. The Pensions and Investments Committee will reconvene at 8:30 tomorrow morning in Room 409. The Revenue Committee will reconvene at 12:45 tomorrow in Room 400. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12:30 p.m. on 12th of March, 2009. The Senate stands adjourned. 11