PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 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 Rabbi Michael Datz of the Temple B’rith Shalom, here in Springfield, Illinois. Rabbi.
(Prayer by Rabbi Michael Datz)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs, to lead, sir.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal, please.
Senate Journal of March 11th, 2009.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Senator Hunter, good morning. Excuse me. Good afternoon, Senator Hunter. 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 DeLEO) …you for joining us. Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending the arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 Senator Jones, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. For an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) State your announcement, sir.
Thank you, President. On March 25th - couple of weeks from now - we will be having our Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus dinner and fundraiser out at the fairgrounds in the Department of Natural Resources building. And those of you that have participated before in bringing stuff we can auction off and the like, if you want to drop that off at my office, 309H, in the next week or so, we would really appreciate having those items. So -- and look forward to everybody coming. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports, please.
Senator Martinez, Chairperson of the Committee on Licensed Activities, reports Senate Bills 1339, 1711, 1722, 1830 and 1894 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 53, 69 and 318 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Haine, Chairperson of the Committee on Insurance, reports Senate Bills 1632, 1809, 1877, 2250 and 2287 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 240, 1506 and 1683 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Demuzio, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs, reports Senate Bills 327, 1462, 1602, 1732, 1737, 1837, 1838, 1928, 1955, 2045, 2090, 2097 and 2148 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 40, 1461, 1929 and 2228 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Resolution 93 Be Adopted. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 Senator Sullivan, Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations II, reports House Bill 210 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Silverstein, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Bills 1 through 25, 108, 109, 111, 112, 120, 133, 134, 149, 175, 177, 185, 218, 219, 223, 291, 292, 315, 329 through 384, 386 through 599, 601 through 749, 752 through 1155, 1260, 1264, 1265, 1273, 1291, 1300 through 1329, 1330, 1375, 1410, 1411, 1435, 1440, 1488, 1500, 1501, 1503, 1538, 1567, 1682, 1698, 1718, 1719, 1723, 1770, 1833, 1847, 1860, 1865, 1892, 1905, 1907, 1909, 1920, 1925, 1938, 1947, 1981, 1982, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2051, 2060, 2089, 2091, 2101, 2123, 2155, 2159, 2161, 2163, 2165, 2167, 2169, 2171, 2173, 2175, 2177, 2179, 2181, 2183, 2185, 2211 {sic} (2185 through 2211), 2213, 2214, 2215, 2217, 2219, 2223, 2225, 2227, 2229, 2231, 2233, 2235, 2237, 2239, 2241, 2243, 2257, 2260, 2269, 2288, 2290 through 2295, 2297 through 2337 Do Pass; Senate Bills 28, 19 -- I’m sorry, 28, 1296, 1448, 1857, 1934 and 1973 Do Pass; Senate Bills 44, 49, 50, 206, 1282, 1331, 1810, 1868 and 1893 Do Pass, as Amended; and House Joint Resolution 1 Be Adopted. Senator Koehler, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Bills 279, 1511, 1514, 1560, 1661, 1783, 1784, 1972, 1988, 1995, 2012, 2044, 2078, 2106, 2121, 2218 and 2272 Do Pass; and Senate Bill 2057 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Noland, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Bills 171, 12 -- I’m sorry, 1628, 1655, 1668, 1677, 1702, 1706, 1708, 1710, 1725, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1832, 1841, 1843, 1896, 1916, 2010, 2024, 2026, 2095 and 2248 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 48, 211 and 1657 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Garrett, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment, reports Senate Bills 99, 1269, 1601, 1690, 1932, 2034, 2103, 2122, 2184, 2252 and 2285 Do Pass; Senate Bills 1489, 1603, 1607, 1897 and 2104 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Joint Resolutions 36 and 44 Be Adopted. Senator Forby, Chairperson of the Committee on Labor, reports Senate Bills 228, 322, 1350, 1423, 1547, 1594, 1743, 1918 and 2072 Do Pass; and Senate Bill 1715 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Raoul, Chairperson of the Committee on Pensions and Investments, reports Senate Bills 250, 1479, 1648, 1827, 1858, 1946, 1971, 1974, 2011 and 2212 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 1638, 1642 and 1705 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Collins, Chairperson of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports Senate Bills 253, 1874 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 251, 252, 268 and 1647 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Jacobs, Chairperson of the Committee on Energy, reports Senate Bills -- 1570, 1912, 1923, 2116, 2162 and 2338 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 2009 and 2150 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Holmes, Chairperson of the Committee on Consumer Protection, reports Senate Bills 1507, 1631, 1922, 1978, 2180 and 2224 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 316, 1483, 1629 and 1769 Do Pass, as Amended. And Senator Link, Chairperson of the Committee on Gaming, reports Senate Bill 1654 Do Pass; and Senate Bill 1937 Do Pass, as Amended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Crotty, for what purpose you seek recognition, ma’am? Senator Crotty. Ladies and Gentlemen, could you give 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 the speaker your attention, please? Senator Crotty, you have the Floor, ma’am.
Thank you. On a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point.
Thank you very much. Up in the gallery here, I have a teacher from Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Scott Aronson. And he has brought with him today, Ally, Melanie, Bob, Seth and Ben. They’re here for the Secretary of State’s Capitol Forum. So if everybody would help me join in welcoming them to Springfield. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Will our guests rise and be recognized? Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Welcome to Springfield. Before you leave, go to Senator Crotty’s Office. She’ll give you a travel voucher and it’s good for a hundred dollars each. Senator Cronin, are you seeking recognition, sir?
Yes. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. I’d like to introduce a very special person and his family, who has joined us here today. He’s my favorite cousin. My first cousin, Peter Cronin, originally from River Forest, now living in southern Illinois. He’s a great guy. Let’s give him a warm welcome, he and his 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 family. Pete Cronin.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please stand up and be recognized. Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. And, Senator Dahl, are you also seeking recognition, sir?
Yes, Mr. President. A moment of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
I have with me today, as my Page, Abby Olsen, from Coal City. And up in the gallery up here is her mother, Allison, and grandmother, Rosaline. Give ‘em a warm welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Our guests please rise and be recognized. Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Madam Secretary, Resolutions, please.
Senate Resolutions 144 through 146, offered by Senator Demuzio and all Members. Senate Resolution 147, offered by Senator Frerichs and all Members. Senate Resolution 148, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 149, offered by Senator Sullivan and all Members. Senate Resolution 150, offered by Senator Risinger and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 151 and 152, offered by Senator 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 Forby and all Members. They’re all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Resolutions Consent Calendar.
And Senate Joint Resolution 49, offered by Senator Murphy. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Messages, please.
I have a Message -- 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 490. We’ve received like Messages on House Bills 497, 542, 543, 546, 548, 550, 557, 562, 564, 569, 584, 585 and 597. All passed the House, March 11th, 2009. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much, Madam Secretary. And let’s have Introduction of Bills, please. House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 497, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 542, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 546, offered by Senator Frerichs. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 562, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 584, offered by Senator Munoz. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much, Madam Secretary. Messages from the House. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, I -- can I have your attention, please? I’d ask you to go to the printed Calendar, to the printed Calendar, page 20. Near the bottom of page 20 comes Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 2016. Senator Raoul, do you wish to proceed? Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, on page 20 of the Calendar, Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 2016. Senator Raoul wishes to proceed. He indicates he does. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s bill.
Senate Bill 2016. An Act concerning the Olympic… Senate Bill 2016. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Raoul, to the bill, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2016 is, in its present form, a shell bill, but it will become the bill in -- related to the Olympic games. And it has several components to it. First of all, it provides for a medical licensure exemption for physicians -- it will 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 provide for medical licensure -- an exemption for physicians and trainers for the games, firearms exemption from ID card requirements for competitors in the games, enhanced protection for the Olympics and -- and games -- trademarks in the State, formation of Chicago Olympic Public Safety Command, approval of the State’s entry into governmental cooperation agreement. And the most…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Just a minute. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is final action. 3rd Readings. This is final action. Please give the gentleman your attention. Senator Raoul, to continue, sir.
And -- and the most important component would involve a two-hundred-and-fifty-million-dollar guarantee provided by the State that would be -- that -- that would come into effect subsequent to a projected four-hundred-and-fifty-million-dollar surplus, two-hundred-and-fifty-million-dollar guarantee provided by the City of Chicago, and would be backed up by private insurance. I should note that all the cities competing for the Olympic -- the IOC requires that there be a guarantee provided by the host country and the host country in all of those cities has agreed to provide such a guarantee. In the past, where Olympics have been held in the city -- in -- in the United States, there’s been no Olympics in the United States that has had to go to the -- go to the guarantee. And we’re pretty confident that with the market that we have in Chicago, the media market we have in Chicago, that the surplus projection is a conservative estimate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield briefly, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Now, Senator Raoul, I want to make sure that -- that I and -- and the people on our side of the aisle are clear where we’re at procedurally. Senate Bill 2016, as it stands right now, is a shell bill. And what you’ve been describing insofar as, you know, the elements of what will -- is yet to come will be, either in the -- in the House or -- hopefully in the House, when it comes back here, that will be the substance of what comes back to the Senate. Is that a fair characterization?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.
Yes. The -- there, obviously, will be continued conversations over the course of the next week to -- to -- to put those elements… But I wanted to give you an idea of what the elements of -- of the final product would be.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. I simply rise in support of 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 Senate Bill 2016. Obviously, this is a complicated matter. We are all very hopeful, all very excited of the notion of the Olympics coming to Illinois. And what we can do to assist in that effort, obviously we’re all interested in helping in that regard. With that, I would urge an Aye vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Further people seeking recognition? Senator Hendon. Senator Hendon, are you seeking recognition on this bill, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. I just have a couple of things. I’m going to run through ‘em as quickly as possible. I know this is getaway day, but I have to do this for legislative intent. There are four quick amendments to the bill that we expect in the House. And just for legislative intent, I wanted to ask the sponsor, shall the -- are you in support of the OCOG to establish the diversity program that will ensure that there is fairness when it comes to contracts and jobs of twenty-five percent for minorities and five percent for women?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.
Yes. I’m -- I’m in support of the establishment of a diversity program that would include a Diversity Program Commission that would look at promoting equal employment opportunity and look at trying to ensure that the goals of twenty-five percent and five are met by the Olympic -- by the OCOG. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hendon.
Number two, Senator Lightford was instrumental to make sure that, Section B to establish and maintain, that there will be coordination with the Diversity Program Commission and the OCOG. Is it your legislative intent that that also will be done?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.
Yes. It’s my -- my anticipation that that will be part and parcel of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hendon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Beginning May 31st, 2010, and each day thereafter until the completion of the games, the OCOG shall report to the Governor, President of the Senate - President Cullerton - Minority Leader - Leader Radogno - Speaker of the House and Minority Leader Cross on the number of respective employees, as -- as well as contractual members of minority groups. Is that your intention?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hendon.
12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 Finally, Mr. President, and I appreciate your indulgence, we are seeking that penalties will be forthcoming as we continue to advance the diversity program if they don’t meet the numbers for minorities and women, and there will be a creation of a Diversity Program Commission in which - and everybody needs to get this - the commission will consist of two members appointed by the Governor, two members appointed by the President of the Senate, two members appointed by Minority Leader, two members appointed by the Speaker of the House, and two -- two members appointed by the -- the Minority Leader in the House. And as Senator Lightford has added, and Senator Trotter, the OCOG shall cooperate with the commission in implementing the program required in this Section. Is that your legislative intent?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.
It -- it would be my intent that the Diversity Program Commission be established as -- as you have described. With regards to the notion of legislatively established penalties, due to the constitutionality of that, I don’t think that that is possible.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hendon, anything further, sir?
I -- well, just one thing. With the descriptions just -- just described, I can support the bill, but I do want to ask you about that last phrase which is in the Amendment No. D that Senator Lightford put in here about penalties. Because, Senator Raoul, if there are no penalties, then people really don’t care 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 whether they meet the goals or not. So did I hear you say -- did I hear you say that implementing penalties will be unconstitutional? Because I don’t think that it will be unconstitutional.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.
The nature of -- the -- the reason why they’re set as diversity -- as diversity goals in lieu of mandated requirements is because there have been multiple Supreme Court cases that say that you cannot set quotas. And so, if there were some -- some legislative language that would have it -- within it that there are penalties, it would be akin to setting quotas.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Senator Hendon. Let me just say this one more time. The Chair has recognized that this is a shell bill. This is a shell bill. There’ll -- there’ll be plenty debate when the bill comes back with the language. Senator Hendon. This is the…
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, with your -- what you just told me, I -- I will rest and we will work further to make sure, as -- as Senator Hutchinson has said, that at least there’s some kind of way to make sure that we do what we should do, incentivize. Because right now, just for the record, minority participation is at four percent, and that’s just not acceptable. So with that -- assurances, I urge an Aye vote on this measure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Is there further discussion? Further 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 discussion? Senator Sandoval, on this shell bill that has nothing in it.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Illinois Senate. To the sponsor: Senator Raoul, I’m going to rise in support of passage. It says this is shell bill, but nonetheless I’d like to understand further intent in regards to the furtherance of this shell bill. In -- and I’d like to -- for -- I’d like the - - like to know the answer of whether or not the State affirmative action program -- will this supersede all State affirmative action compliance requirements currently on the books?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul, on this nothing-to-do shell bill.
In response to your question, ‘cause I -- I don’t quite comprehend what you mean by supersede, what this will do is set the language that is proposed to go in - there’s no language in it right now, so it’s being negotiated - would have a twenty- five percent -- twenty-five percent and a five percent goal. And so that would be the goal for the -- for -- for the Olympics with the -- as indicated from Senator Hendon’s questions, there would be a Diversity Program Commission to -- to -- to -- to -- to oversee an audit and -- and try to ensure that these goals are met.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Sandoval.
As you further work on the shell bill, I’d like to work 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 with you to ensure that -- that the OCOG diversity program does not supersede State law as relates to affirmative action compliance, ‘cause I think we’ve got some pretty good laws on the books currently today as relates to affirmative action on State procurement. I also want to ask -- I also wanted to suggest to you, as it relates to local affirmative action code - for example, the City of Chicago has its own target market program, has its own affirmative action - we need to take into consideration those local affirmative action ordinances that may be stronger than the OCOG. And we also need to also take into consideration those affirmative action -- those municipalities where there will be work done -- construction work to be done that don’t have an affirmative action program. I look forward to working with you on this -- on this shell bill so that the minority businesses and female businesses get their fair share of opportunities.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Chris Brooks of WICS-Television requests permission to videotape the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Discussion? Senator Burzynski. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. A question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir.
Thank you. Senator, I -- I -- I -- there was a little noise, but I know when you were reading through what the 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 intended amendments would be, did you indicate that there would have to be an amendment for a -- a gun exemption in the City of Chicago during the Olympic period?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Raoul.
There -- there would be a firearms exemption from ID card requirements for competitors in the shooting competitions for the games.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President. Then I -- I might suggest this would also be an appropriate time perhaps that we consider a trial period for a concealed carry law in the City of Chicago. Just want to throw that out there for you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2016 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 52 Ayes, 5 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 2016, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. President Cullerton. President Cullerton, are you seeking recognition, sir? President Cullerton.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. A point of personal privilege. 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir. Can I ask all Members please be in their desks? All Members please be in their seats.
We…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Mr. President.
Thank you. I’d like to make an announcement. The Secretary of the Illinois Senate, who we voted for earlier this year, has decided to take an offer from our Governor to be the Director of Legislative Operations with the Executive Branch. Today will be her last day. And I have to tell you that I am very excited about this opportunity, because the Governor’s Office recognizes the need to be able to work with the Legislature this year. The new Governor has asked for this assistance because there’s a lot of new folks. He’s been thrust into this position. And Deb has been the Chief Financial Officer of -- of our Senate budget, of a twenty-two-million- dollar budget, has been in State government for over twenty years, has supervised on a daily basis her operation of - a bipartisan operation, I might point out - of over twenty employees. She has really done a fantastic job since February of ’06 in co-chairing the governing board of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol that was involved with the renovation of the Capitol. So I’m really very happy for her and I’m happy for us as well. So I’d like to congratulate Deb Shipley.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, it’s your time to respond. She declines 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 the offer. And we’re sorely going to miss you. Deb Shipley, Ladies and Gentlemen. Madam Secretary, Resolutions Consent Calendar, please. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ll now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read into the -- today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, has there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Is there any discussion? If not, the discussion {sic} is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. 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 motion carries. The resolutions are adopted. Okay, on the Orders {sic} of Resolutions is Senate Joint Resolution 50. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate -- Senate Joint Resolution 50, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads SJR No. 50)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, on the Orders {sic} of Resolution is Senate Joint Resolution 50. Senator Harmon moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 50. Those in favor will say Aye. Those opposed will say Nay. It’s the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it and the rules are suspended. Okay, Senator Harmon now 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 moves for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 50. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, for purposes of an announcement. The Revenue Committee and the Commerce Committees will be meeting immediately upon adjournment in their respective hearing rooms. For those that are -- have travel arrangements, the plane has been changed to the hour of 3:15 - the hour of 3:15 today. Revenue Committee and the Commerce Committee will meet immediately upon adjournment. Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. The Senate will reconvene later today in a perfunctory Session for receipt of Messages, the introduction of bills, and other matters not requiring Floor action. After which, the Senate will stand adjourned until the hour of 12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17th - on that beautiful St. Patrick’s Day - the year 2009. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
The Senate is now in perfunctory Session. Committee Reports. Senator Kotowski, Chairperson of the Committee on Commerce, reports Senate Bills 78, 256, 1559, 1753, 1906, 2052, (2109) and 2172 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 328 and 1852 Do Pass, as Amended. (Bill within parentheses submitted in writing, but inadvertently not read into the record) 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/12/2009 And Senator Viverito, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports Senate Bills 227, 1552, 1555, 1691, 1750, 1825, 1936, 1942, 1948, 1975, 2046, 2115, 2125 {sic}, 2126 {sic}, 2283 and 2289 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 88 and 1846 Do Pass, as Amended. There being no further business to come before this perfunctory Session, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 50, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 17th, 2009, at the hour of 12 o’clock noon. 21