PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 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 Jeff Smith of Modesto Christian Church, in Modesto, Illinois.
(Prayer by Pastor Jeff Smith)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Pastor. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of April 29th, 2009.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Hunter.
Mr. Chairman -- Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal of Wednesday, April 29th, 2009, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journals, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. WICS-TV seeks leave to videotape -- to record on videotape the proceedings. Is there any objection? Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Madam 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Delgado, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports House Bill 810 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Raoul, Chairperson of the Committee on Pensions and Investments, reports House Bills 1099, 1148, 2582, 2643, 3656 and 3964 Do Pass. Senator Forby, Chairperson of the Committee on Labor, reports House Bills 163, 762, 866, 952, 244 {sic} (2445) and 3634 Do Pass; and Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1715 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Martinez, Chairperson of the Committee Licensed Activities, reports House Bills 68, 1088 and 1150 Do Pass; House Bills 880, 1119, 1329, 2331 and 3874 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Silverstein, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports House Bills 35, 146, 276, 571, 1115, 1345, 2370, 2544, 2626 and 4075 Do Pass; House Bills 547 and 1195 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Joint Resolution 34 Be Adopted; Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 420 and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 932 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Viverito, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports House Bills 75, 174, 241, 242, 255, 441, 471, 472, 870, 1055, 1086, 1137, 1197, 1628, 2394, 3666 and 4326 Do Pass; and House Bill 3872 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1739 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Haine, Chairperson of the Committee on Insurance, reports House Bills 244, 394, 812 and 2275 Do Pass; and Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 240 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Noland, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 Law, reports House Bills 184, 192, 253, 265, 370, 396, 550, 584, 594, 610, 656, 675, 710, 721, 799, 867, 869, 881, 1116, 2245, 2353, 2513, 2610, 2660, 2669, 2678, 2680, 3714, 3716, 3877, 3885, 4008, 4013, 4049, 4177 and 4198 Do Pass; House Bills 1110, 2474, 2537 and 3681 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 865 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Delgado, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports House Bill 810 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Demuzio, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government -- State Government and Veterans Affairs, reports House Bills 49, 50, 77, 237, 282, 457, 480, 655, 706, 820, 897, 1002, 1200, 1332, 1994, 2302, 2376, 2400, 2435, 2644, 3670, 3970, 4027, 4153, 4197, 4199, 4213 and 4236 Do Pass; House Bill 379 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Resolution 137 Be Adopted; Senate Joint Resolution 48 Be Adopted. Senator Collins, Chairperson of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports House Bills 348 and 2005 Do Pass. Senator Holmes, Chairperson of the Committee on Consumer Protection, reports House Bills 446, 490, 813, 1142, 1793, 2247, 2286, 2688 and 4088 Do Pass; and House Bills 964, 2322 and 2443 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Bond, Chairperson of the Committee on Telecommunications and Technology, reports House Bills 617 and 3718 Do Pass. Senator Kotowski, Chairperson of the Committee on Commerce, reports House Bills 264, 436, 607, 624, 796 and 852 Do Pass; and House Bills 442, 2470 and 4186 Do Pass, as Amended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Madam Secretary, Resolutions. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009
Senate Resolution 248, offered by Senator Dillard and all Members. It’s a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 249, offered by Senator Risinger. Senate Joint Resolution 64, offered by Senator Luechtefeld. And Senate Joint Resolution 65, offered by Senator Steans. They are substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Jones, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today, I have three young ladies from St. Mary’s School in Mt. Vernon paging for me today. I have Courtney, Sydney and Maddie. And they’re paging with me today and trying to learn what goes on around the Capitol. So if we could welcome ‘em to the Senate, I’d appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Welcome to the Senate. Let’s join Senator Jones in welcoming his guests. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we’re going to turn to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. This will be final action. On page 9 of your Calendar on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 177. Senator Hunter. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 Senate Bill 185. Senator Cullerton. Senate Bill 186. Senator Lightford. Senator Frerichs, for what purpose do you rise?
For a point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point, Senator.
I would like to ask the Senate’s help in welcoming some students from Westville’s Grade -- Grade -- Grade School. In -- in our gallery today, we have Cassidie Parker, Beau Prater and Jill Bontjes. And if the Senate could join me in welcoming them, would appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise to be welcomed to Springfield? Senate Bill 218. Senator Forby. Senator Forby. Senate Bill 218. Senate Bill 219. Senate Bill 224. Senator Lightford. Senate Bill 228. Senator Althoff. Senate Bill 240. Senator Haine. Senate Bill 256. Senator Noland. Senate Bill 261. Senator Noland. Senate Bill 289. Senator Haine. Senator Haine, are you prepared to proceed on Senate Bill 289? With leave of the Body, we’re going to return to Senate Bill 256. Senator Noland, I’m sorry if I passed over your -- your bill too quickly. You’re prepared to proceed? Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 256. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 Senator Noland, on Senate Bill 256.
Thank you, Mr. President. As you may recall, I previously presented this on 3rd Reading. We pulled it from the record so that we could have further discussions. I had those discussions with Senator Righter. I don’t know if we really have his attention just yet. This is Senate Bill 256, which provides that, for five taxable years, each taxpayer here in the State of Illinois is entitled to an income tax credit for an investment in a qualified venture capital fund in Illinois. Provides that the fund must have its primary office here in Illinois. At least fifty percent of the total number of investments in the fund’s portfolio must be in companies that are based in Illinois. The salient provision here was that -- that was discussed previously, was that a seed-level investment in -- in Illinois -- there must be a seed-level investment in an Illinois company. Question was, what does “seed-level” mean? By seed- level, I mean start-up. We discussed the possibility of doing an amendment, Senator Righter and myself, and I’ve already agreed to do that. And would ask for an Aye vote and I expect perhaps he might have a question or a comment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Sponsor indicates that he will yield. Senator Righter.
6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, you’re -- you’re correct. After -- I think last night, after the subject matter hearing with regards to the swine flu, we discussed briefly this bill, and I reiterated to you my concern that that particular term was undefined in the bill. It’s -- obviously, it’s still undefined in the bill. What you suggested to me last night is the same thing you’ve mentioned here on the Floor, that perhaps we could do a House amendment. That’s happened on a number of bills that are -- we plan to fix over in the other Chamber. But the question still remains, Senator Noland, and I’m going to ask you to do this again, is to try to articulate as best as you can insofar as what you think that seed investment means. Tell me whether it’s a hypothetical or it -- do you have some idea for what the legislative language would be? But give me and -- and the Members on this side of the aisle some notion of what you’re talking about.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Noland.
Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, happy to, and thank you for the question, Senator Righter. What we are talking about here when we’re talking about a seed -- a seed-level investment would be, again, as I say, a start-up - that is, a company that had not previously existed. This would be new money, new venture capital in a company that had not, like I say, previously existed. And for -- for a Illinois resident to be able to obtain the tax credit, as I say, there are specific provisions in this bill. As you may have an opportunity, the bill is, of course, on the -- on the Internet in front of you. So -- but 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 the provisions that I think are probably in question are that this be -- at least a fifty percent of the total number of investments in the fund’s portfolio must be in companies that are based in Illinois. So this would be a start-up company, not previously existed in the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
Mr. President, not to belabor the point, and I appreciate that today is -- is get-away day, I do support this bill. I think most Members over here do support this bill. Obviously, this bill is going to get some work in the House. It needs some work in the House. I would’ve liked to have seen us -- considering how long this bill has been pending in this Chamber, I would have liked to have seen us get that work done or a little more of that work done over in this Chamber. Having said that, it is a good idea. It needs to move forward. I rise in support of the bill. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Noland, do you wish to close?
No. I just simply wish to ask for an Aye vote from the Body. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 256 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 256, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we’re going to return to Senate Bill 240. Senator Haine, we passed over you as we were getting into gear this morning. You wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 240. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Have there been any amendments reported?
No amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Haine.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I thought there was an amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Haine, we’re checking the paperwork. We appear to have a committee amendment that’s already attached to the bill. Is that the amendment you’re…?
That’s it. Okay, I apologize to the Chair and I apologize to the Body. This -- and I’ll explain the reason why. Senate Bill 240 is a bill that codifies an existing practice in many states, including Illinois, which is medical need sharing ministries. It’s a church-based ministry in which people 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 directly help to pay other people’s medical bills, without insurance, based upon their participation in a church congregation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Haine, may I interrupt you for a minute? We do appear to have a paperwork glitch here. There is a Floor amendment that you’re waiting for. Would you be prepared to take this out of the record for now and let the paperwork get caught up? Thank you, Senator. We’re back on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading where we left off before returning. Senator Hunter, on Senate Bill 291. Senator Sandoval. I’m sorry. Senator Schoenberg, on Senate Bill 324. Senate Bill 329. Senator Kotowski. Senate Bill 331. Senator Cullerton. With leave of the Body, we’re going to turn to page 16 on your Calendar. Still on the Order of Senate Bill 3rd Readings. Senate Bill 420. Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Schoenberg seeks leave to recall Senate Bill 420 to the Order of 2nd Reading for purposes of an amendment. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill -- 420. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 1 becomes the bill. It would allow the Department of Central Management Services to 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 enter into joint purchasing agreements with other governmental entities in other states or within Illinois so as to realize greater economies of scale in the purchase of goods. It would be required that all this be done by competitive sealed bid. If, in fact, Illinois were to be the lead agency -- Illinois would -- to be the lead state on the procurement, it would follow our procurement laws. And I’d be happy to answer any questions. I know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion of the amendment? Senator Righter. Senator Schoenberg moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 420. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. There any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 420. Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 420. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Schoenberg, to explain the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Just to add to what I had said earlier, by enter -- 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 there are forty-eight state procurement entities that already have this power. This would enable us to do things like enter into joint purchasing agreements with, say, Missouri or Wisconsin to purchase railcars for expanded Amtrak service. It would allow us to enter into joint purchasing agreements outside of the corporate boundaries of Illinois for things like wireless cell phones, where there are a limited number of vendors. The net goal here is to maintain the integrity of competitive sealed bids, but to realize greater economies of scale. I know of no opposition to this and I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, please, Mr. President. And thank you for the second recognition. I rise in support of Senate Bill 420. Why, Illinois obviously is bringing up the rear, if you will, with regards to this reform - it is something a lot of us have talked about for a number of years here, and that is, providing for greater efficiencies in the way we do the public’s business. I’d urge an Aye vote on Senate Bill 420. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 420 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 49 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 420, having 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Demuzio, for what purpose do you rise?
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege. I have with me today…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point.
…in the President’s gallery behind you, a group of students from Southwestern High School, and I would like to welcome them to the Illinois State Senate. Thank you, guys, for coming to the Senate here today. Thanks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Will our guests in the galleries please rise to be welcomed to the Senate? With leave of the Body - the paperwork has caught up with us - we’d like to return to page 10 on the Order of 3rd Reading. Senator Haine, are you prepared to proceed now that we are prepared to proceed? Senator Haine seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 240 to the Order of 2nd Reading for purposes of an amendment. Is there any objection? No objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 240. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Haine.
…you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 thank you again for your indulgence. I just explained the -- what they call a medical sharing trust. What the Floor amendment is designed to do is have standards and procedures in this trust and sets forth how the operation of the medical trust shall actually work. There is a problem, however, that developed just in the past hour. We had assumed that the -- that the Floor amendment had authorized the Attorney General to monitor the terms. Well, the Attorney General really doesn’t want to. They say they don’t have the background to do it. They want the Insurance Department to do it. And the Insurance Department says this is technically not insurance. So I would like to move the bill as is, because the gist of it will remain the same, and we will sit down with those offices and the Secretary of State and find a home for the regulatory authority. Representative Mautino, who’s in Leadership in the House, is going to pick this bill up. This is a deadline today and I just was informed of this, so I’m just being perfectly frank that this bill will be changed in the House just to find out where its home will be in the regulatory scheme.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion of the amendment? Seeing none, Senator Haine moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 240. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 240. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 240. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Haine.
That’s the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Sponsor indicates that he will yield. Senator Righter.
First, Senator Haine, is there any chance that myself or one of my colleagues would be named in the bill over in the House as the person who will oversee the program?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Haine.
I’m a Member of the Senate and I’m not clairvoyant.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
To the bill, Mr. President. I simply rise in support of Senate Bill 240. This is an idea whose time has come. We all 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 talk a lot in this building and out in our districts about helping people care for themselves in terms of medical coverage and insurance. This is a way to help people manage those issues. It’s a great idea. I would urge everyone to vote for it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 240 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 240, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we’re going to turn to page 29 on our Calendars, on Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 612. Senator Lightford. Senator Frerichs, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For a point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) State your point, Senator.
We’re joined today in the gallery by Centennial High School choir. Those of you walking through Rotunda might have been serenaded by them earlier today. They did a wonderful job. And I would ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming them to the Capitol.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Guests in the galleries would please rise to be welcomed to 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 the Senate. With leave of the Body, we’re going to turn forward in our Calendars to page 72, still on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1381. Senator Haine. We’re on the Order of Senator Haine. Do you wish to proceed? Senate Bill 1488. Senator Martinez. Senate Bill 1494. Senator Koehler. Senate Bill 1567. Senator Cronin. Senate Bill 1603. Senator Lightford. Senate Bill 1638. Senate Bill 1643. Senator Delgado. Senate Bill 1654, we’ll return to. Senate Bill 1689. Senator Hunter. With leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Bill 1715. Now at the top of page 74 on your Calendars. Senate Bill 1739. Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary -- Madam Secretary, Senator Schoenberg seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1739 to the Order of 2nd Reading for purposes of an amendment. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1739. Madam Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 3, offered by Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Schoenberg, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 3 becomes the bill. It represents an agreement between the State’s Department of Revenue and the motion picture and broadcast industries, identifying taxation of income and associated activities in the broadcast and cable industries. There are five criteria - advertising revenue, viewer subscription fees, programmer fees, broadcast license fees, and distributor fees - which are part of an intricate 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 formula. There’s income from each of these categories that is attributed to where it is received in Illinois. And there was an agreement between all the parties that the advertising revenue would be sourced to the commercial domicile of the advertiser. As I said, this has been a long -- an -- a difficult impasse that’s finally been resolved between the parties, and I urge its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, Senator Schoenberg moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 3. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1739. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1739. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Schoenberg, to explain the bill.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I gave a brief synopsis of the -- the details of the agreement; however, I believe Senator Collins will wish to be recognized to ask about a matter that will help establish 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 legislative intent. And so if you could recognize her at the appropriate time, I’d appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Collins, for what purpose do you rise?
A question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Sponsor indicates that he will yield. Senator Collins.
Thank you. Regarding the amendment to Section 304(a)(3) of the Income Tax Act, which I believe determines how much taxable income a business has earned in Illinois, if I read the -- if I read the new paragraph (B-7) and the new paragraph (C-5) together, am I correct that I -- that a broadcaster will use paragraph (B-7) to calculate the Illinois share of its income from broadcast services and will not use paragraph (C-5), which seems to apply to service income generally?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Senator Collins. That’s correct. A taxpayer that uses new paragraph (B-7) to figure out how much of its income from broadcast services is earned in Illinois is not subject to any of the new paragraph (C-5), including all its subparagraphs. They only look to the new paragraph (B-7) to apportion the types of income described in new paragraph (B-7). I hope that answers your question and gives you some clarity on the issue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 Is there any further discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise? Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the bill, Senator.
This piece of legislation came out of Revenue Committee unanimously in favor. Commend the sponsor for his work.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Schoenberg, do you wish to close?
I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 1739 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 49 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 1739, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1815. Senator Righter. Senate Bill 1852. Senator Link. Senate Bill 1857. Senator Schoenberg. Senate Bill 1874. Senator Kotowski. With leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Bill 1888. Senate Bill 1892. Senator Noland. Senate Bill 1893. Senator Haine. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to Senate Bill 1973. Senate Bill 1978. Senator Kotowski. Senate Bill 1988. Senator Noland. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1988. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Noland, are you prepared to proceed?
I am. Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1988 amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that if a fire protection district makes a contract with -- with a separate fire department entity to provide fire protection services for the district, then the fire protection district may sell assets and invest the proceeds using the Public Treasurers’ Investment Pool. I have had some discussions, again, with Members on the - - other side of the aisle. I’m not sure if this is soup just yet, but I would like to perhaps move this over to the House to work on it just a little bit further, if that’s possible. I wish we had more time to work on this, but considering the deadline, I’d like to give this a go, if we could.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Sponsor indicates that he will yield. Senator Righter.
Senator Noland, I would agree with your statement that this 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 bill, in my opinion anyway, is not soup yet. But let’s walk through the major provision that I started to ask you about here at my desk before you were called over to call the bill for a vote. As I understand -- I live in the Lincoln Fire Protection District. So, if the -- if this became law and the Lincoln Fire Protection District made a decision to sell off its assets and then use the revenue to contract with a third party to provide fire protection service to myself and the other residents of the Lincoln Fire Protection District, this would allow them to do that without going to the voters. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Noland.
Yes. As the bill is currently written, that is how the law would operate. Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
I mean, there are certain issues that we talk about here, Senator Noland, that legislators in their different judgments can say with -- reasonable people can disagree on whether or not the voters should pass on a judgment that’s being made by a governing board or elected board. Obviously, by sponsoring the bill with the language that has in it -- that has in now, you’re making a judgment that you do not think that this is a measure or a -- a step that is critical enough that the voters in the fire protection district ought to have a say in it. Assuming that is your opinion, why do you believe that this is not so important that they should have a say in it? 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Noland.
Thank you for the question, Senator. That’s not my opinion. My belief would be that, as in all democratic processes within various level -- levels of government, particularly for trustees in a municipality, for example, that oversee a fire district or a fire department, that the voters would have an opportunity to weigh in on this. This would be a topic of discussion. It would be on a local agenda and they could talk about whether or not this is something that would be in that community’s best interest. So I don’t necessarily share the view that voters would not be able to weigh in on this. And they have already elected the individuals that are going to be passing on this. And -- but that’s not to say that we couldn’t perhaps craft an amendment here in the House that might perhaps help assuage some of the concerns that you have.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, Senator Noland, unlike the venture capital bill that we acted on a little bit ago, I think that -- I think that the issue that needs to be addressed is far more important than the definition of a word or a term in the bill. I mean, this is a threshold question here, is whether or not the voters are going to be able to pass on this judgment. And I’ll leave it up whether there are other Members who might want to get up and speak or not. But as the bill sits today, we don’t have a firm commitment that it will be amended in the 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 House. So the Members, in voting on this, would need to assume that this bill will become law as it leaves this Chamber. And those voters would not have a say, then, in this kind of -- what I think is a relatively drastic action by the fire protection district. I, for one, am not comfortable with that, Mr. President, in leaving in the form. I think if we’re going to change who’s providing fire protection for the residents of a fire protection district and they want to make this monumental a change in the way they do business, the voters have to pass on that first. As -- as -- as that is the case, reluctantly, I stand in opposition to Senate Bill 1988. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there further discussions? Senator Dahl, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The sponsor indicates that he will yield for a question. Senator Dahl.
Thank you. Senator Noland, when -- when we passed this bill out of committee, we passed it out unanimously with the understanding that you were going to put an amendment on this bill and clean it up. This bill was called on the Senate Floor here sometime ago - a month ago or even before we took our spring break, whatever it was - and at that time, we asked for the amendment, and there wasn’t one. You pulled the bill back and said you were going to get the amendment for it. We come 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 here again today and, it’s my understanding, there still is not an amendment in the Senate. I’m just a little bit apprehensive to vote for a bill that you say is going to have an amendment in the House, when two times we haven’t had an opportunity to get the amendment here in the Senate. Is -- is there a Senate amendment to this bill, Senator Noland?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Noland.
Thank -- thank you, Senator, for -- for your comments and that question. As Senator Righter has just stated very clearly, there would be no assurances that there would be an amendment in the House. What I said today, as I said in committee at that time, was that I would be interested and willing to work with you to perhaps craft an amendment. And we said this the last time that I ended up pulling this bill from -- from the record. Now, obviously, I think that -- and, again, not to belabor this point, I think that the bill is probably fairly weak here today on the Floor, and so, as a -- again, as a -- as a courtesy, I will work with you to perhaps craft an amendment. But I want to make it clear for the record, I am not stating that there will be an amendment. But I am going to pull it from the record today. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Moving forward on our Calendar, Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate the -- the opportunity to have a point of personal privilege. Earlier I… 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point, Senator.
Thank you. Earlier I introduced my three Pages for today, and up in the gallery that -- the -- the gentleman that escorted them up here today from Mt. Vernon is in the gallery with a friend of his. I do not know his friend’s name, but Mark Kabat, a very dear friend of mine, brought his daughter and the other two girls up here today. So, welcome, Mark.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please join us in welcoming our guests in the galleries. Please rise to be recognized. On page 75 of your Calendar is Senate Bill 2060. Senator Kotowski. Do you wish to proceed? Senate Bill 2089. Senator Cronin. Senate Bill 2101. Senator Collins. Do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2101. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Collins.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2101 was introduced as a shell bill and there was -- and we were not able to reach an agreement with the advocates in the industry that objected to the principle of creating Illinois Land Banking Act. And so we would like to kick it over -- based on the deadline, kick it over to the House 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 and continue the negotiations.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate -- Senator Righter.
I apologize.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) What purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Sponsor indicates that she will yield. Senator Righter.
Thank you. Very briefly. Senator Collins, just to refresh everyone’s recollection, this is now a shell. This bill did contain the substantive language about the creation of allowing municipalities to create -- you’re waving your finger at me. My mother used to do that to me. Is there something I’m saying that’s wrong, Senator Collins? Can you go ahead and clarify then?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Collins.
Senate Bill 2101 was a shell and we had an amendment with the substantive language, but we never adopted it in the committee because of the problems in the committee. You might be confusing this with House Bill 1195, which is also the House version of the bill. But we never adopted the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. And, Senator Collins, thank you for that clarification and correction of my misstatement. Your hope, I would assume -- I want -- I’m -- I’m trying to get a good handle on where you think this is going. I mean, your hope is to put something in legislation that will resemble the language in the House bill that came over that would give municipalities some kind of authority or ability to purchase real estate under some format with some exceptions, I would assume. I mean, can you give us just a little better feel for what you’re looking for when -- when the Session comes to an end and -- with regards to this legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Collins.
I really don’t know what it’s going to look like. The objective was to give the municipalities the tools to deal with the rapid rise of vacant and abandoned property, those properties that were not -- that have no private market value at the time. And basically, it was the initiative of a lot of the municipalities - the mayors, DuPage Mayors and Managers. A lot of the municipalities were looking at some way to do three things, basically. If they were required to maintain the property - cut the grass, board up the property - they wanted to be able to recoup that money. When there was a foreclosure sale, they wanted a notice to go out when the property was heading towards foreclosure, because usually they found out too late when that property was within their districts. And so they 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 wanted a notice. Initially, it was a three-prong -- the goal was three-pronged - to send out a notice, to establish land banking, and to -- in reference to the foreclosure sales, to put some kind of priority on the liens and them recouping their costs for maintaining it. As it is now, it only deals with the opportunity to provide some way to get this abandoned and vacant property back on the tax rolls where it could be a productive and economic development, I guess, entity.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
Last question, Senator Collins. It -- it’s my recollection from committee yesterday that while you’re going to work diligently to try to find a compromise that all the various groups here in the Capitol can agree to, you’re not willing to commit to not moving a bill unless you have an agreement. Is that a fair characterization of your position on this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Collins.
The bill in committee -- let me explain. The House bill now that was in committee yesterday -- it wasn’t Senate Bill 2101 in committee; it was House Bill 1195. We have bifurcated or separated the issues out. This bill is just dealing with land banking. The bill I had in committee yesterday will deal with the priority of the lien and the establishment of who recoups the costs when we have a foreclosure sale. That was the bill that was in committee yesterday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 …Righter, are you seeking recognition? I’m sorry.
Yeah. I’m sorry. To the -- to the bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Collins, for your -- your forthright responses. The issue of -- of bifurcating and separating out the language over two bills. We’ve not seen that language. I don’t know if there is language yet. I would simply urge caution to the Members. This is a significantly controversial issue. 1195, in many’s views, gave an enormous grant of power to municipalities with regards to the acquisition and disposal of real estate. Obviously, we’re not sure where Senate Bill 2101 is going and what it’s going to look like in the final product. But I do, again, appreciate the Senator’s openness in where she thinks this ought to be. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Any further discussion? Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill. I’m a strong supporter of both initiatives of this. In fact, I’m a sponsor on the legislation, yet. But I, too, have an uncomfortable feeling, emotion with regard to moving this issue forward and sending a shell bill to the House. I would prefer that we keep our group together here in the Senate, address those issues, and perhaps we can find a House bill over the next several weeks to 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 use as a vehicle for this issue. I just think that -- that it would be better in the hands of your sponsorship, Senator Collins, to keep that here, as opposed to sending it over and working with a House sponsor. So, I would also urge everybody to vote No on this particular legislation, only ‘cause it is a shell bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Collins, do you wish to close? Senator Collins, do you wish to close?
I will pull it from the record and we would address it further. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Out of the record. Still on page 75 on your Calendar. Senate Bill 2106. Senator Hunter. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to Senate Bill 2159 -- 2149, I’m sorry. At the top of page 76 on our Calendar is Senate Bill 2161. Senator Radogno. Senate Bill 2163. Senator Radogno. Senator Schoenberg in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) The Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we’ll go to the bottom of page 73, Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1715. Senator Harmon. Do you wish to proceed? Senator Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1715 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of Senate Bill 1715, Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 3, offered by Senator Harmon. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 1715 becomes the bill. I move for its adoption and would like to debate the full bill on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. In the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration, Madam Secretary?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 1715. Senator Harmon indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1715. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1715 amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act with respect to the time frame for collective 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 bargaining, mediation, and arbitration of the initial agreement for a bargaining unit of fewer than thirty-five employees in a public entity. With the amendments, I’m not aware of any opposition and I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Anyone seeking recognition? Senator Pankau.
Thank you, Mr. President. I also urge an Aye vote on this bill. The sponsor has really honed this bill. It was much broader when it was first brought to us. By the three amendments, you can tell that he has been working on this. And I urge an Aye vote on this. It’s a good bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. Any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Harmon, you wish to close? The question is, shall Senate Bill 1715 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 51 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1715, having received the required constitutional majority, -- is hereby declared passed. With leave of the Body, we’re going to return to the bottom of page 29 to Senate Bill 612. Senator Lightford. Do you wish to proceed? The lady indicates that she does. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 612. (Secretary reads title of bill) 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 612 is the bill that we will use for our charter school legislation. We have been meeting on this issue since September of last year and we’ve worked on this and worked on this every week for the past three months, and so we’re -- we’re getting really close to coming up with an agreed-upon bill. And I just ask for your indulgence so we can send this over to the House as we continue with negotiations. But we’re very close. Perhaps we’ll have language within the next two weeks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? The gentleman from DeKalb, Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a couple of questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Indicates -- she indicates that she will.
Thank you. Senator, I know that you’ve been working very hard on this. I know that you’ve had a working group. And I really appreciate that, because charter schools are so very important to all of us. And we’ve all been lobbied, even this week, by parents expressing the need for more charter schools. Do you envision that this bill dealing with charter schools will 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 add additional charter schools downstate, as well as in the City of Chicago?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Lightford.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. I -- you know, that’s one of my concerns and -- and, you know, much as it was with Senator Collins’ bill, relative to the land banking, is that, you know, right now you have control. You have real strong control of the bill here in the Senate. I want to ensure -- I -- I have to ensure that we’re going to have more opportunities for charter schools downstate. And -- and I’m a real -- little reluctant to send this to the House and let them do something we might not like. So, can you please address that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Lightford.
Senator Burzynski, Representative Jerry Mitchell has already pre-filed for the bill. He’s been a part of every discussion that we’ve had. He is in total support of continuing on only from all of our discussions. In fact, there’s only two charters left downstate and there’s about thirteen left in the suburban area, and there’s zero in Chicago. So as far as our negotiations have led us this far, I can tell you that there will probably be a range of fifteen to twenty-five additional 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 charters that will be between downstate and the suburban area. And so I’m -- I can assure you, after all of our hard work, to make sure that the charter school supporters and the unions are brought together has been a huge challenge, but -- but we’re -- we’ve really worked hard and we’re just -- we’re almost there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Senator. I appreciate your work, again. You know, I -- I trust you at your word on this, and if you trust Representative Mitchell, I guess I will too. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Lightford to close.
I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) The question is, shall Senate Bill 612 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 48 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 612, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
I have an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Proceed, sir. 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009
Ladies and Gentlemen, just as a reminder, the Democrat Senators will be having an informational budget meeting at 2 p.m. this afternoon in the sixth floor conference room. That’s next to Senator Hendon’s office. All Democrat Senators are invited to attend. Again, that’s a budget meeting at 2 p.m. this afternoon on the sixth -- in the sixth floor conference room.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. Senator Righter, for what reason do you seek recognition?
Wanted to make an inquiry of the Senator who just made that announcement, Mr. President. I wanted to know from Senator Sullivan if I could drop by, just to visit a little bit. We also heard a rumor that Arlen Specter might be coming. Do you know if there’s any truth to that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) If Arlen Specter was coming, I’d be the first in the line to see it. But maybe there’ll be somebody else flipping next week, Senator. Want to remind the Members that there are approximately two hundred and fifty bills left for us to dispose of next week. I think we made -- we made significant progress this week, but there are two hundred and fifty bills left next week. So if everyone could get their legislation in order and prepare succinct remarks, we’d greatly appreciate it. Madam Secretary, Messages.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 52. Offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads HJR No. 52) Adopted by the House, April 30th, 2009. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Harmon moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 52. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Harmon now moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 52. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We’ll now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections have been filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. In the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it. The motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. There being no further business to 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 42nd Legislative Day 4/30/2009 come before the Senate, the Senate now stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009. The Senate now stands adjourned. 39