PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The regular Session of the 96th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Father Bob Jallas of St. Agnes Church, here in Springfield. Father.
(Prayer by Father Bob Jallas)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Duffy to lead in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Duffy)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal, please.
Senate Journal of Sunday, May 17th, 2009.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Hunter, good morning, ma’am.
Good morning, Mr. President. I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending the approval {sic} of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, 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. Madam Secretary, Resolutions, please. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009
Senate Resolution 289, offered by Senator Cronin. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Ladies and Gentlemen, for purposes of an announcement. I’d ask all members of the Committee on Assignments -- all members of the Committee on Assignments, please report to the President’s Anteroom immediately. Committee will meet immediately. I’d ask the Senate to stand at ease for just a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. So, all members on Committee of Assignments, please report to the President’s Anteroom immediately. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports. And Senator Schoenberg in the Chair.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Commerce Committee - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 4186; refer to the Consumer Protection Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 4088; refer to the Criminal Law Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 682, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 800, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 2537; refer to the Education Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 363, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 806, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 2675, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 2675, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 750; refer to the Energy Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2688, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 3854; refer to the Environment Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 170, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 170, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3987 and Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4021; refer to the Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 182, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 470, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1345, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 932, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2173 and Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2101; refer to the Financial Institutions Committee - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 4011; refer to the Insurance Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 2325, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 660; refer to the Judiciary Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 821; refer to the Licensed Activities Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 563, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 786 and Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 2440; refer to the Local Government Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3986 and Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2187; refer to the Public Health Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 810; refer to the Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 2394, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3636; refer to the State Government and Veterans Affair {sic} (Affairs) Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4099; refer to the Transportation Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 71, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 71 and Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 944. Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) We have a number of committees that will be meeting. I 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 wish to announce them. The Public Health Committee will meet at 10:32 - 10:32 in Room 212. The Human Services Committee will meet at 10:45 in Room 212. At 10:45, as well, the Judiciary Committee will meet in Room 400. At -- at 11 a.m., Criminal Law will meet in Room 212, Environment will meet in Room 400, Local Government will meet in Room 409. At 12 -- at 12 noon, the Appropriations I Committee will meet in 212, Transportation will meet in Room 400 and Education will meet in Room 409. At 12:15, Appropriations II will meet in 212, Insurance will meet in Room 400 and State Government and Veterans Affairs will meet in Room 409. At 1:20 p.m., Pensions and Investments will meet in Room 409. At 1:40 p.m., Executive will meet in Room 212, Revenue will meet at 1:40 p.m. in Room 400, and Licensed Activities will meet in Room 409. At 2:45, Energy will meet in Room 212, Financial Institutions will meet in Room 400. And at 2:45 p.m., Consumer Protection will meet in Room 409. At -- at 3 p.m., the following committees will meet: Telecommunications and Information Technology in Room 212, Gaming will meet in Room 400 at 3 p.m., and Commerce will meet in Room 409 at 3 p.m. Wish to inform the Members of an important announcement. If you all could take note of the fact that an Agreed Bill List -- an Agreed Bill List has been printed and is in the process of being distributed. The Agreed Bill List that you’ll receive, Members have until 12 noon today - that’s 12 noon today - to strike any bill that you do not wish to vote for on your Agreed Bill List and to submit -- any -- I’m sorry, any bill that you wish to pull off the Agreed Bill List. You notify -- please notify the Secretary. Otherwise, we’ll anticipate receiving everybody’s agreed-bill -- agreed-bill form by noon today. No exceptions. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Ladies and Gentlemen, just to reiterate the announcement that was made moments ago. If you’ve sponsored a bill that’s on the proposed Agreed Bill List, then you have until 12 p.m. to indicate to the Secretary of the Senate that you want your bill removed from the proposed Agreed Bill List. When we return later this evening, there will be a Supplemental Calendar with the -- with the final list. If you want your bill pulled off the Agreed Bill List, you have until noon to indicate to the Secretary that you want the bill removed. Senator Garrett, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. For purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you, Senator Garrett. Please proceed.
Well, I have one of your constituents here next to me. Her name is Sadie Hurwitz. She’s from Evanston. She’s ten years old. She’s going to be your Page for the Day, but I’m going to, you know, participate in that, I hope. And she goes to the -- Orrington Elementary School in Evanston. So, please, let’s give her a warm welcome to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you, Senator Garrett. Welcome, Sadie. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we’ll now proceed to the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bills 2nd Reading, page 73 on your Calendar, the middle of the page. House Bill 50. Senator Brady. Senator Brady. Out of the record. House Bill 153. Senator Martinez. Senator Iris Martinez. Out of the record. House Bill 182. Senator Haine. Senator Haine. See the power 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 half of the Haine team, but where’s Senator Haine? Out of the record. House Bill 271. Senator Wilhelmi. Senator Wilhelmi. Out of the record. House Bill 436. Senator Lightford. Senator, 436? Out of the record. House Bill 441. Senator Syverson. Senator Syverson. Out of the record. House Bill 470. Senator Iris Martinez. Out of the record. Please turn to the top of page 74. House Bill 489. Senator Martinez. Out of the record. House Bill 798. Senator Syverson. 798. Out of the record. House Bill 917. Senator Delgado. Senator Delgado. Out of the record. House Bill 921. Senator Sandoval. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. House Bill 1142. Senator Clayborne. Majority Leader Clayborne. Out of the record. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to House Bill 931. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to House Bill 921. Senator Sandoval. Do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 921. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Public Health adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) 3rd Reading. House Bill 931. Senator Sandoval. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 House Bill 931. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) 3rd Reading. Now return to House Bill 1142. Majority Leader Clayborne. Out of the record. House Bill 1195. Senator Collins. Senator Jacqui Collins. Out of the record. House Bill 2325. Senator Garrett. Senator Garrett, 2325? Out of the record. We will skip 2400 and return to that. House Bill 2652. Senator Muñoz. Out of the record. House Bill 3641. Senator Bomke. Senator Bomke, 3641? Out of the record. House Bill 3697. Senator Sandoval. 3697. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3697. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) 3rd Reading. Now turn to the top of page 75. House Bill - - we’ll skip 3767. House Bill 3854. Senator Clayborne. Senator Clayborne. Out of the record. House Bill 4021. Senator Garrett. Senator Susan Garrett, House Bill 4021? 4021. Out of the record. House Bill 4122. Senator Holmes. Out of the record. We will now proceed to House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bills 3rd Reading. We will resume with House Bills 3rd Reading on page 65, bottom of the page of your Calendar. Want to remind the Members that if we skip -- if we skip a bill in 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 sequence, it’s because it is tentatively on the Agreed Bill List. So, beginning on page 65, bottom of the page, House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bill 2557. Senator Silverstein. Senator Silverstein. Out of the record. Now turning to the top of page 66 on your Calendar, House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bill 2619. Senator Righter. Senator Righter. Senator Dale Righter. 2619. 3rd Reading. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2619. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. House Bill 2619 is legislation that we’ve actually debated and talked about on this Floor before. I believe it was last week. It has to do with, in my Senate district, the Martinsville School District and in Senator Demuzio’s district - who I notice is not on the Floor - her school district in Gillespie, Illinois. It allows each of these school districts to increase their bonding authority beyond normally what State law would allow, to address, again, in Martinsville, a flooding problem from last summer in Martinsville. The federal government is picking up seventy-five percent of the cost of the construction of a new school. I appreciate all the good questions that were asked last time we debated this bill. And would appreciate a similar Aye vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Senator Righter, you wish to close?
Just appreciate an Aye…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. The question is, shall House Bill 2619 pass. All of 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 50 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, 2 voting Present. House Bill 2619, having received the required constitutional majority, hereby declared passed. House Bill 2625. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Toi Hutchinson. 2625. Out of the record. We’ll -- the lady with the baseball bat on her desk requests that we take the bill out of the record. House Bill 2626. Senator Jacobs. Senator Jacobs. Out of the record. House Bill 2643. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. House Bill 2660. Senator Garrett. Senator Susan Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2660. (Secretary reads title of bill)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Garrett.
Am I -- am I doing the amendment or am I doing the whole bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator, the amendment has been adopted in -- in committee. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009
I thought so. Okay, all right. Okay. Hold on. Basically, this is a trailer bill for the Cindy Bischof bill that was passed last year, which restores the current language allowing a circuit court clerk to retain ten percent, their usual fee, of the monies collected to cover the costs incurred in administering and enforcing the provisions of the Cindy Bischof Law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Garrett, do you wish to close? The question is, shall House Bill 2660 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, No. The voting’s 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 53 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 2660, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 2664. Senator Hunter. Senator Mattie Hunter, on House Bill 2664. Out of the record. House Bill 2675. Senator Demuzio. Senator Deanna Demuzio. House Bill 2675. Out of the record. House Bill 2686. Senator Cronin. Senator Dan Cronin. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2686. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Cronin. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009
Thank you very much, Mr. President. This piece of legislation permits the University of Illinois at Chicago and Southern Illinois University to enter into a cooperative agreement with the U of I College of Medicine at Peoria or Northwestern University. In this case, it’s Northwestern University. And I know of no opposition. It’s for purposes of funding forensic psychiatric fellowship training programs. I ask for your favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Cronin, do you wish to close? The question is, shall House Bill 2686 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting’s 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 53 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 2686, having received the required constitutional majority, hereby declared passed. Now turn to the top of page 67 on your Calendar. Top of page 67. House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bill 2688. Senator Koehler. Senator Dave Koehler. House Bill 2688. Out of the record. We’ll now skip to House Bill 3245. Senator Demuzio. Senator Deanna Demuzio. Out of the record. House Bill 3325. Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy has seceded from the Chamber. Out of the record. House Bill 3600. Senator Sullivan. Senator John Sullivan. Out of the record. House Bill 3606. Senator Demuzio. Senator Demuzio. House Bill 3606. Out of the record. House Bill 3634. Senator Lightford. 3634. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009
House Bill 3634. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 3634 amends the Equal Pay Act. The bill would extend the statute of limitation for civil actions from three years to five years. The change is due to a delay and refusal by the corporation’s with the Department. We created the Equal Pay Act in 2003 and needed to make some improvements and changes. And I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) There any questions? Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) She indicates that she’ll yield.
Thank you. Senator Lightford, could you walk through the explanation again of why we’re doing this? I -- I didn’t understand it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Lightford.
12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Thank you, Mr. President. I’d be happy to. We passed the Equal Pay Act in 2003 and we found that some of the employees learned of the underpayment of -- of the five-year term. So if they found out that they were being underpaid, the companies have been delaying providing the information to their attorneys. And so we’ve increased that statute of limitation by two years to allow the employers more time to provide the information so that the case could proceed forth.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any further discussion? Any discussion? Senator Lightford, do you wish to close?
I’d be happy to have a Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you. The question is, shall House Bill 3634 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting’s 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 Yea, 2 voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3634, having received the required constitutional majority, hereby declared passed. With -- with leave of the Body, we’ll return back to House Bill 3600. Senator John Sullivan, do you wish to proceed? The gentleman wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3600. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman {sic}, Members of the Senate. House Bill 3600 requires the Board of Education to provide grants to institutions of higher education that offer State- approved ag science teacher preparation programs. It is subject to appropriation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Sullivan, do you wish to close? The question is, shall House Bill 3600 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting’s 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 53 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3600, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 3636. Senator Bond. Senator Michael Bond. The gentleman wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3636. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Bond.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is an initiative of -- on behalf of the Department of Revenue. It amends the omnibus tax filing proposals. It touches five points: number one, 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 electronic filing; two, separate returns for married couples; three, synchronizes the tax collection for cigarette tax and use tax; the fourth relates to cleaning up some -- the tire tax; and the fifth is, clarifies current practice for publicly traded partnerships. Ask for a favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Bond, do you wish to close?
Just ask for a favorable vote. Thanks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Question is, shall House Bill 3636 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting’s 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 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3636, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 3649. Senator Silverstein. Out of the record. House Bill 3658. Senator Link. Senator Terry Link. The gentleman wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3658. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is the IDOT conveyance 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 bill. Be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Link, do you wish to close? The question is, shall House Bill 3658 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting’s 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 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3658, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. We’ll now turn to the top of page 68 on your Calendar. Top of page 68. House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bill 3664. Senator Sullivan. Senator John Sullivan. Madam Secretary, the gentleman wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 3664. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator John Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. The bill requires certificates of error to be issued whenever a property owner in any county - other than Cook qualifies - but fails to file an application for any homestead exemption, instead of just the senior citizens assessment freeze. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Sullivan, do you wish to close? The question is, shall House Bill 3664 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting’s 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 -- there are 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3664, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 3690. Senator Harmon. Senator Don Harmon, 3690. Out of the record. Senator John Sullivan, House Bill 3705. 3705. Madam Secretary, the gentleman wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 3705. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. President. The bill provides that a person may {sic} operate a neighborhood vehicle on a street, road or highway without obtaining a certificate of title from the Secretary of State, registering the neighborhood vehicle with the Secretary of State, and -- and obtaining liability insurance. It also defines what a neighborhood vehicle is. And makes it subject to approval from the locals. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Senator 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Sullivan, do you wish to close? The question is, shall House Bill 3705 pass. All those in favor will -- will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting’s open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 52 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3705, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 3714. Senator Righter. Senator Dale Righter, do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senator -- Senator Harmon. House Bill 3718. Out of the record. Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy, from the people’s republic of Palatine. Out of the record. 3785. Senator Althoff. Senator Althoff, do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. House Bill 3795, at the bottom of page 68. Senator Hunter. Senator Mattie Hunter. Out of the record. We’ll now turn to the top of page 69 on your Calendar. On top of page 69, House Bill 3832. Senator Sullivan. Senator Sullivan, do you wish to proceed? The gentleman wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3832. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. The bill provides that notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a clause or agreement contained in or affecting a motor carrier 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 transportation contract that purports to defend or hold harmless the promisee form -- from or against any liability for loss or damages resulting from the negligence of -- or intentional acts is against public policy. The bill exempts the Uniform Intermodal Exchange {sic} (Interchange). I’d be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Sullivan, do you wish to close? The question is, shall House Bill 3832 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting’s 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 53 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3832, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 3874. Senator Lightford. Senator Lightford. If we could break up the huddle by Senator Lightford, please, so the lady could present her bill. Thank you. Senator Lightford seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3874 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3874. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Senate. Floor Amendment No. 2 incorporates technological advancements made with the locksmith industry. The public will be protected through the fingerprinting and criminal background checks conducted on all employees and the safeguards within the Act to the protection of confidential information. It’s a amendment that was brought forth by the Social Engineering Associations {sic} (Associates) and the Data Net Systems. And I’ll be happy to do my best to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will -- will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. In the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration, Madam Secretary?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill -- I’m sorry. We’ll now proceed to House Bill 3922. Senator Hunter. Senator Mattie Hunter, 3922. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3922. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 City - City! - of the Senate. This bill is recommended by the Department of Public Health. Just a minute. Thank you, Mr. President. It ensures the cooperation between the Department of Public Health and IEMA in addressing technical {sic} (chemical), radiological, or nuclear agents or similar events authorized under this Act. It basically amends the public aid Acts as it relates to duties between the Department of Human Services {sic} and IEMA. And the purpose of this bill is -- and it -- it -- it -- it mandates that the Department of Public Health investigates public health effects, conditions, or human {sic} ailments pertaining to a biological, chemical or radiology -- radiological event in the event of a public health emergency. And it also further gives -- gives Public Health the option of - - of isolating and -- and putting people in quarantine in the event of a -- of an emergency. And I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Senator Hunter, do you wish to close?
I wish for a favorable vote, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) The question is, shall House Bill 3922 pass. All those in favor will say Aye -- will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting’s 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 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3922, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 3934. Senator Raoul. The 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 gentleman wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3934. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Raoul.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 3964 allows a member of the State Employee Retirement System who purchases service credit for unpaid leave of absence to have his earnings be equal to the rate of compensation immediately before the leave. Also provides that a member previously on a leave of absence may establish earnings credit for that leave by paying to the fund, within forty-eight months of returning to work, both the employee and the employer contributions plus interest to the actuarial assumed rate of 8.5 percent from the date the leave began to the date… Oh! Out of the record.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Thank you for that explanation. House Bill 3934. Senator Raoul, do you wish to proceed? The gentleman indicates that he does. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3934. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Raoul. 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009
Thank you. On -- on the correct bill this time. House Bill 3934 increases the penalties by one felony classification for theft by deception where the offender falsely poses as a landlord, or as a agent, or employee of a landlord and obtains rent payment for {sic} a security deposit.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Raoul, do you wish to close? The question is, shall House Bill 3934 pass. All those in favor will -- all those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting’s 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 53 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3934, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 3956. Senator Sullivan. Senator Sullivan. The gentleman wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3956. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is a bill that we’ve seen many times over the last several years. This is the bill to make a uniform speed limit on rural interstate highways in the State of Illinois. It would make 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 that uniform speed sixty-five miles per hour. It is very similar to the bills that we have voted on in the past, with one exception. It’s actually more restrictive than some of the previous bills in the fact that it specifically, in the language, excludes the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will. And, again, it is only on the rural interstate highways. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Sullivan, do you wish to close?
Just ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) The question is, shall 3956 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting’s 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 -- there are 40 voting Aye, 8 voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3956, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 3961. Senator Lightford. Senator Lightford. The lady wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3961. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Lightford. 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 3961 is a long awaited and anticipated legislation that I’ve worked on, and so many other Members in the Black Caucus, for the past five years. And it deals with expungement. Finally, the Attorney General’s Office took a lead in this area because of some ambiguity that was taking place in the State Police Department. And this is legislation to finally clear all of that up. What it does is it -- it clarifies the current law regarding expungement and sealing of criminal records. Under the current statute, many problems have arisen. Specifically, there has been much confusion about what types of records may qualify for expungement or sealing and what the appropriate waiting periods are for the sealing of records. And this led -- this has led to much litigation around the State, and particularly with the State Police refusal to comply with orders to expunge or seal issued by the courts. So what it clearly does is it sets definitions. It provides orders of supervision where needed. It prohibits expungement or sealing of orders of supervision on convictions for reckless driving. This is subsequent of DUI, and this is something that the Secretary of State’s Office is recording. And it also makes clear that all records in cases that were ultimately resolved as qualifying misdemeanor -- misdemeanors, excuse me, qualifying first offenders or qualifying Class 4 felony conviction are sealable. The Cook County Circuit Court has issued written orders reading the current statute in this way. And we’re just following their guidelines. It does a number of other provisions. And I’d be happy to answer questions. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Lightford, do you wish to close? The question is, shall House Bill 3961 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting’s 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 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3961, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 3964. 3964. Senator Raoul, do you wish to proceed? The gentleman wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read House Bill 3964.
House Bill 3964. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Raoul.
House Bill 3964 does everything I said House Bill 3934 did. Specifically, it allows a member of the State Employee Retirement System who purchases service credit for an unpaid leave of absence to have his earnings be equal to the rate of compensation immediately before the leave. It also provides that a member previously on a leave of absence may establish earnings credit for that leave by paying to the fund, within forty-eight months of returning to work, both the employee and employer contributions plus interest to -- to the actuarially assumed rate of 8.5 percent from the date of -- the leave began 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 to the date of payment. There’s no fiscal impact to the system and no impact to the State contributions to SERS because a member must contribute the employee and employer contribution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Raoul, do you wish to close? The question is, shall House Bill 3964 pass. All those in favor will -- will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting’s 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 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3964, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Senator Lightford in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point.
I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge a birthday today, actually, for the Illinois National Guard. In 1877, a hundred and thirty-two years ago, the General Assembly created the Illinois National Guard as we know it today. Now we have sixty armories, active in fifty communities, and thirteen thousand members. So I just want to take a moment today and have the Members of the Senate Chambers join me in saying happy birthday to the Illinois National Guard and thank you to all the men and women who serve and who continue to stand willing to 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 give the ultimate sacrifice today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hultgren, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point.
I am very pleased to have three of my four children with me. They came down with me yesterday and today. Kylie is a seventh grader, and Kaden, over here, is a first grader, and Kole is in preschool. And they’re helping me vote today and make sure that we represent the people of the 48th District as well as we possibly can. So, thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please welcome Senator Hultgren’s lovely children to the General Assembly. On page 74 of the Calendar is the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. We will now return to page 74, on the Order of House Bills 2nd Readings. House Bill 2400. Senator Schoenberg. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2400. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Now moving to page 75, on the Order of 2nd Reading, House Bills. 3767. Senator Schoenberg. He indicates 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3767. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Public Health adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Oh! Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we will recess to committees at this time. We will return to the Floor for further Floor action. The Senate stands at recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The Senate will now come to order. Alexandrea Davis, WICS Channel 20, seeks leave to shoot video. Leave is granted. Shannon Kirshner, SJ-R, requests permission to shoot photos. Leave is granted. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Delgado, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 9, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 542 and Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 810 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Hunter, Chairperson of the Committee on Human 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Services, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 415 and Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3641 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Wilhelmi, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 574 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Noland, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 682, Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 699, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 800, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 881, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 1110, Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 2537, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 2542, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3714, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 3795, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1300, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1320 and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1325 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Garrett, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment, reports Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 170, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3987 and Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 4021 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Koehler, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 849, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3729, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3986 and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2187 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Meeks, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 363, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 628, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 684, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 806, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 809, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 944, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1333 {sic} (1335) and Senate Amendments 2 and 3 to 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 House Bill 2675 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Sandoval, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 71, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 853 and Senate Amendments 3 and 4 to House Bill 4048 recommended Do Adopt; and the Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1417 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Haine, Chairperson of the Committee on Insurance, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 660 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Demuzio, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 237, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 751, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 4099, Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Resolution 93 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Raoul, Chairperson of the Committee on Pensions and Investments, reports Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 2557 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Hendon, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 182, Senate Amendments 2 and 3 to House Bill 470, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 773, Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 1322, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2494 and Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 932 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Martinez, Chairperson of the Committee on Licensed Activities, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 563, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 786, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 880 and Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 2440 recommended Do Adopt. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Senator Viverito, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 2394 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Holmes, Chairperson of the Committee on Consumer Protection, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1142 and Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 4088 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Jacobs, Chairperson of the Committee on Energy, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2688 and Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 3854 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Collins, Chairperson of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 4011 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Kotowski, Chairperson of the Committee on Commerce, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 436 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Link, Chairperson of the Committee on Gaming, reports Senate Amendment 4 to House Bill 261 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Bond, Chairperson of the Committee on Telecommunications and Technology {sic} (Information Technology), reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2527 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Schoenberg, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations I, reports Senate Bills 1209 through 1220 and Senate Bills 1222 through 1239 Do Pass. And Senator Schoenberg, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations II, reports Senate Bills 1156 through 1185 Do Pass.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Madam Secretary, Communications.
I have a Communication from the Secretary of State. Honorable Members, Illinois State Senate, 96th General Assembly - I am nominating Jim Burns for reappointment as Inspector General for the Office of the Secretary of State. I respectfully ask concurrence in and confirmation of this appointment by your -- by your Honorable Body. Received May 4th, 2009. Jesse White, Secretary of State. I have another one. Honorable Members, Illinois State Senate, 96th General Assembly - I am nominating Mike Masterson for reappointment to the Merit Commission for the Office of the Secretary of State. I respectfully ask concurrence in and confirmation of this appointment by your Honorable Body. Received April 23rd, 2009. Signed Jesse White, Secretary of State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Will all Members please return to the Senate Floor for Floor action? Would all Members please return to the Senate Floor for Floor action? Will all Members at the sound of my voice please immediately return to the Senate Floor for further Floor action? Will all Members please return to the Senate Floor for further Floor action? Senator DeLeo, for what purpose do you rise? Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank -- thank you, Madam President. I wanted to announce that we have softball practice in Lincoln Park - it is Lincoln Park, right? - straight down 6th Street, immediately upon 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 adjournment. We only have one hour because there’s a staff appreciation dinner that we all need to go to, because we really appreciate the staff. Kotowski told me to keep it low-key. Maybe we can sneak up on the House and they not know. But practice tonight, 5 to 6. 5 to 6. And I hope we’ll be out by 5 so we can make it. Game is Wednesday. House versus Senate. Upper Chamber versus the lower Chamber. We know who’s going to win - the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator Hendon. The Senate softball practice is 5 p.m. in Lincoln Park. Please be there for an hour. And also support Senate staff this evening at Brown’s. Will all Members please come to the Senate Floor? Senator DeLeo, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Madam President. I -- I rise for the purpose of two procedural motions. May I proceed, Madam President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator DeLeo has the Floor. If you could quiet it down for a moment, so that we won’t miss the announcement. Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I rise for the purpose of two procedural motions. First, we have circulated the Agreed Bill List. And with leave of the Body, the Agreed Bill List will be printed in the regular Calendar for tomorrow, at which time the Senate will take final action on that list, Madam President. 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Seeing no objection, leave is granted. And the Agreed Bill List will be printed in tomorrow’s regular Calendar. Senator DeLeo. SENATOR DeLEO: Thank you very much, Madam President. The second motion addresses the procedure of passing bills on the Agreed Bill List. We have circulated a copy to each of the Member {sic} for review. The cover sheet lists the instructions and you must indicate if you want to wish a No or a Present on any particular bill on the list. I want to remind the Members, if you fail to do so, you will be deemed a Yes vote. And I repeat, if you fail to -- mark a No or Present on a particular bill on the list, the roll call will reflect that you voted Yes. So we’d ask each Senator that he or she must mark the list and have this delivered to the Secretary of the Senate no later than 5 p.m. - 5 p.m. - on Tuesday. And the roll call will reflect that you voted Yes on any bill if it’s not so indicated on your list. So, Madam President, with leave of the Body, I request that we adopt the process that’s just been described for the Body.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. I can repeat it. Make sure that you have your list filled out by 5 p.m. on tomorrow, otherwise you will be marked as a Yes vote on all the bills on the Agreed List. Now, the Order of Concurrence. Senate Bill 1417. Senator Sandoval. Senator Sandoval, do you wish to proceed? He indicates that he does. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1417. Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Madam President. This is a concurrence to House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1417. It represents a compromise between the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. It actually allows -- adds conditions for dealers to be eligible for manufacturers to be required to buy back their vehicles. As we all know, the motor vehicle industry in this country has had a terrible impact and downtrend. And so this bill goes much to help this ailing industry that has caught much attention in the last few days. I’d ask a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Senator Millner, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam Chairman {sic}. I just, too, rise in strong support of this bill. Last week alone, on one day, we had forty-five Chrysler dealership’s licenses pulled away from them so they can no longer sell their -- that model. This will help prevent that, because all these car dealers who have purchased these cars from the manufacturers, what we’re saying to them is, if you do that to these dealers, you got to buy these cars back. Hopefully, that’ll prevent more dealer closings in the State of Illinois. And I urge an Aye vote. 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Sandoval. No need to close. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1417. 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 52 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate -- Senate Bill 1417, House Amendment No. 1, having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1, and the bill is declared passed. Senator Viverito, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam President, personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point.
I have a very important announcement and I hope everybody will give me just a moment. One of our colleagues, a very distinguished man who’s served here and heads the educational committee, was honored by Lewis University and got his doctorate’s degree, the honorable Ed -- Ed Maloney. How about a hand for Ed Maloney?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please congratulate Senator Maloney for receiving his honorary degree. Congratulations, Senator. Senator Meeks, for what purpose do you rise?
37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 Yes, Madam President. First of all, I want to congratulate Senator Maloney. And next of all, I want the record to reflect that I meant to be an Aye vote on Senator Sandoval’s bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The record will so reflect, Senator. Senator Hendon, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank -- thank you, Madam President. I -- I also rise to congratulate Senator Maloney on getting his doctorate degree from Lewis University, but it ain’t going to mean nothing unless he play left field like he’s been doing the last couple of years. So, I just hope he plays left field like the Maloney I’ve always known, with or without the doctor degree in front of his name. Let him be doctor outfielder. That’s what I want to see. Practice tonight, game on Wednesday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator.
Thank you, Madam. I’d like to introduce to the Senate a -- a -- a dear friend from back home and a constituent, but also a person who has volunteered to help on the administrative side in my office here and work here during the next two weeks while we pass a budget and hopefully a capital bill. My friend’s name is Sue Starrett. She is in-between two years of an MBA program at the University of Illinois. She’s a graduate of UCLA, where she 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/18/2009 was the national champion, number one doubles at UCLA. And so she’d make a good addition, if she could, onto our baseball team. So I’d like the Senate to welcome Sue Starrett to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Let’s please welcome Sue Starrett, Senator Lauzen’s guest. And we’d be happy to have her on the softball team, Senator. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. For purposes of announcement. There will be a Senate Republican Caucus immediately upon adjournment. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senate Republican Caucus immediately upon adjournment. Senate Republican Caucus. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned till the hour of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. The Senate stands adjourned. Ten -- 10 a.m. The Senate stands adjourned till 10 a.m. 39