PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 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 Ron Burnett of Berean Baptist Church, Bunker Hill, Illinois. Pastor Burnett.
(Prayer by Pastor Ron Burnett)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Will all administrative assistants please let your Senator know that we are on the Senate Floor? We’re going to substantial Senate action. Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Thursday, May 21st, 2009.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the -- of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Senator Hunter moves to approve {sic} the Journals just read by the Secretary. Being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Joint Resolution, Constitutional Amendment, 69, offered by Senator Righter. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Messages from the Governor.
Message for the Governor by Larry O’Brien, Acting Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs. Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable Members of the Senate, 96th General Assembly - I have nominated and appointed the following named persons to the offices enumerated below and respectfully ask concurrence in and confirmation of these appointments of your Honorable Body. Pat Quinn, Governor. Received February 10th, 2009. Message for the Governor by Sean Vinck, Chief -- Chief Legislative Counsel to the Governor. Mr. President - The Governor directs me to lay before the Senate the following Message: To the Honorable Members of the Senate, 96th General Assembly - I have nominated and appointed the following named persons to the offices enumerated below and respectfully ask concurrence in and confirmation of these appointments of -- of your Honorable Body. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Pat Quinn, Governor. Received May 4th, 2009.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Silverstein, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Just a -- somewhat of an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Go right ahead, Senator.
As you know, Mr. President, there’s usually a conflict between Chicago Legislators and downstate Legislators. And we - - one of the major conflicts we have is with the baseball teams. As you know, last night, the Cardinals swept the Cubs, my team. And, obviously, this is -- the Cardinals is Senator Clayborne’s team. And, Senator Clayborne, I’m a man of my word. Okay? Here’s your broom, Senator Clayborne. I am hoping that when the Cubs play the -- the Cardinals in Chicago, you will give me a red -- it’s blue for the Cubs. I told you I was going to get you a broom. And I hope that you guys come in second place.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Silverstein, is that a kosher broom?
Yes, it’s kosher.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) We need a kosher broom for the Cubs - my Cubs - being swept by the Cardinals. The Cardinals played a great series. Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We intend to get a lot done today. Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Floor? Would all administrative assistants please instruct your Senator to come to the Senate Floor? We intend to do substantial Senate action first thing this morning, right -- right away. Please come to the Senate Floor. We’re going to go to House Bills 3rd Reading. If you want your bill called, you need to be on the Senate Floor. House Bills 3rd Reading. Please turn your Calendar to page 53. Page 53. We’re going to pass HB 7. We’re going to House Bill 88. Senator Silverstein, on House Bill 88. Out of the record. House Bill 174. Senator Bond. Senator Bond. Out of the record. House Bill 277. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. House Bill 313. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. House Bill 314. Out of the record. House Bill 402. Senator Garrett. Senator Garrett. The Chair would strongly recommend that you come to the Senate Floor to have your bills called. It is not my intention to keep going back to bills for tardy Senators. Please come to the Senate Floor. We intend to move this legislation. Out of the record. House Bill 441. Senator Syverson. Out of the record. House Bill 542. Senator Sullivan. Out of the record. House Bill 607. Senator Martinez. Out of the record. House Bill 656. Senator Noland. Out of the record. House Bill 806. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. House Bill 810. Senator Haine. 810. Senator Haine. Out of the record. House Bill 821. Senator Cronin. Senator Cronin. Out of the record. Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We are on 3rd Reading. And we’re going to keep going. House Bill 852. Senator Forby. Madam Secretary, read the bill. Out of the record. House Bill 1105. Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy, sir, my good first baseman friend. Out of the 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 record. House Bill 1110. Senator Jacobs. Senator Mike Jacobs. Out of the record. House Bill 1195. Senator Collins. Out of the record. House Bill 1306. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. House Bill 1345. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. House Bill 1597. Senator Forby. Out of the record. House Bill 2129. Senator Sullivan. 2129, sir. Out of the record. House Bill 2132. Senator Sullivan. Out of the record. House Bill 2145. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. House Bill 2194. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. House Bill 2206. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. House Bill 2239. President Cullerton. Out of the record. House Bill 2240. President Cullerton. Out of the record. House Bill 2343. Senator Steans. Out of the record. House Bill 2376. Senator Crotty. Out of the record. House Bill 2414. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. I know. House Bill 2424. Senator Crotty. Out of the record. House Bill 2494. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. House Bill 2643. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. House Bill 2664. Senator Hunter. Oh, my God! Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2664. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 2664 strengthens the State’s existing diesel vehicle no idling law. The -- it 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 increases the fines for excessive truck and bus engine idling. The legislation allows local governments, for the first time, to keep some of the proceeds and allocates a portion of the violation money to be used by the Illinois EPA for idling education. This is the Treasurer’s bill. And I’m doing this bill also on -- for one of my aldermen of the -- 42nd Ward. Ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Burzynski.
Thank you, Mr. President. Since we’re going to do a piece of legislation, it’s only right that we should have some debate, some thoughtful consideration of this fine piece of legislation that the good Senator’s bringing forward. I’d like to point out to the Body that this is identical to another bill that we had earlier this year that did not pass. It only had twenty-nine votes. I would also like to point out to the Members of the General Assembly, those in the Chamber today, that this bill is opposed by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Waste Management, National Solid Wastes Management Association, School Management, among others. And there are a lot of concerns relative to what excessive idling is. There are a lot of concerns relative to what this means for those buses that are dropping children off at various venues in the City of Chicago or wherever they might be and to what this might mean for the trucking industry as well. So I would just encourage the Members to give thoughtful consideration and to please vote No on this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Is there further discussion or deliberation or comment? Seeing none, Senator Hunter, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. For the record, I’d like to clarify what was indicated. The Illinois Truckers Industry Coalition is neutral on this bill. So is the Mid-West Truckers Association, the Illinois Truckers Association, the Pork Producers, the Farm Bureau, EPA, PIRG, IEPA. The proponents are the Respiratory Health Association of Chicago, the Treasurer’s Office, one of my aldermen, Citizen’s Action, and the Illinois Environmental Council. And I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall House Bill 2664 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 40 voting Aye, 13 voting Nay, and none voting Present. House Bill 2664, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Burzynski, sir, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Well, thank you, Mr. President. I realize that that bill did get forty votes, but the Chambers are pretty sparse this morning, so I request a verification.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) A verification is always in order. And a verification has been requested by Senator Burzynski. Madam Secretary, would you read all of the affirmative votes?
7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Members voting in the affirmative: Althoff, Bomke, Bond, Clayborne, Collins, Crotty, DeLeo, Delgado, Demuzio, Frerichs, Garrett, Haine, Harmon, Hendon, Holmes, Hunter, Jacobs, Emil Jones, Koehler, Kotowski, Lauzen, Lightford, Link, Maloney, Martinez, Meeks, Millner, Muñoz, Noland, Pankau, Raoul, Sandoval, Schoenberg, Silverstein, Steans, Sullivan, Trotter, Viverito, Wilhelmi and Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Does my esteemed colleague Senator Burzynski, a gentleman of bright intelligence, question the presence of any Member voting in the affirmative?
Thank you. And, you know, Mr. President, I love the deliberative nature of your tone today. It’s very good.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) I don’t. But if you do, wonderful. I’m enjoying this. Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. Let -- let me go down the list on this excessive idling fines and bills for trucks and buses just to make sure everybody that’s just now entering the Chamber understands the bill that we’re dealing with. Would Senator Bond be here by any chance?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is Senator Bond in the Chamber? Senator Bond. Senator Bond. Senator Bond. Strike the name of Senator Bond. Does Senator Burzynski question the presence of any other Member voting in the affirmative?
8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Senator Crotty.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) I’m sorry, sir.
Senator Crotty.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Crotty. Senator Crotty. Senator Crotty. Strike her name, Madam Secretary. Continue, Senator Burzynski, if you wish.
Thank you. Senator Demuzio.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio. Senator Demuzio. Is Senator Demuzio in the Chamber? Senator Demuzio. Hearing no response, Madam Secretary, strike Senator Demuzio’s name from the record.
Senator Frerichs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Frerichs. Senator Michael Frerichs. The tall, lanky Senator Michael Frerichs is not in the Chamber. Madam Secretary -- wait -- there -- nope, wrong color. Madam Secretary, please strike Senator Frerichs’ name from the roll call. Senator Burzynski.
Thank you. And -- and, again, for those that are just entering the Chamber, I can’t believe a lot of my downstate colleagues would want to vote for this excessive idling fines. Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Senator Lightford. Senator Kimberly A. Lightford. Senator Lightford. Senator Lightford. Senator Lightford. Last call. Senator Lightford is not responding. Please strike Senator Lightford’s name from the record. Senator Burzynski.
Senator Althoff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Althoff is on your side of the aisle, Senator. You want to strike your own member?
Absolutely.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Althoff. Senator Althoff. Is Senator Althoff in the Chamber? Senator Althoff. Madam Secretary, hearing no response, please strike Senator Althoff’s name from the record. Senator Burzynski, any further Senators being -- presence being questioned?
Yes, Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Sandoval. Senator Marty Sandoval. Is Senator Sandoval in the Chamber? Madam Secretary -- here comes Senator Sandoval? Senator Sandoval, not being present, please strike his name from the record. Senator Burzynski.
Senator Hutchinson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) It was her birthday. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson. Senator -- Senator Burzynski, you got me on that 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 one. Senator Hutchinson did not vote in the affirmative, sir. Senator Burzynski.
Thank you for that. Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Schoenberg. I just saw Senator Schoenberg. Senator Jeff Schoenberg. Senator Schoenberg has to be in the Chamber. Oh! There’s Senator -- no, that’s Senator Frerichs. Senator Frerichs is in the Chamber. Madam Secretary, add Senator Frerichs’ name back to the roll call while you strike Senator Schoenberg’s name from the roll call. Senator Schoenberg’s name is scratched from the roll call. Senator Burzynski.
Senator Millner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Millner. Senator Millner. Another fine Republican, bright and intelligent gentleman. Senator Millner. My good friend Senator Millner is not responding. Seeing Senator Millner not being in the Chamber, the Secretary’s instructed to strike his name from the affirmative roll call. Senator Burzynski. Do you question any further Members voting in the affirmative, Senator Burzynski? If not, we’re going to move along and pick up the pace. Senator Burzynski. Senator Millner is now back in the Chamber. Senator Millner has just left out of the Chamber. Senator Burzynski, do you question the presence of any other Senator in the Chamber -- voting in the affirmative?
11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 You know, Mr. President, you’ve done a very fine job of slowing the pace down. I think it’s unfortunate some people weren’t here to realize what they voted for. But I have no further verifications. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) On a verified roll call, there are 32 voting Aye, 13 voting Nay and none voting Present. House Bill 2664, having received the required constitutional majority, on a verified roll call, is passed. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re going to go quickly after the -- Senate will stand in recess to call of the Chair. The Committee of -- after the Committee on Assignments - - members of the Committee on Assignments, please come to the President’s Anteroom. The Senate will reconvene to receive committee reports and other matters not… Just do recess. Stand at ease till after the Committee on Assignments meets and we’ll make committee announcements. Committee on Assignments -- will all members of Committee on Assignments please come to the President’s Anteroom? (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Appropriations -- refer to the Appropriations I Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 13, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 83, Committee Amendment 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 1 to House Bill 609, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 612, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 859, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 991, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2270, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2314, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2469, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2640, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3841; refer to the Appropriations II Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 84 and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 962; refer to the Executive Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 51, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 54; refer to the Criminal Law Subcommittee on Constitutional Review - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1013, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1013, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1013, Floor Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 1013, Floor Amendment 5 to Senate Bill 1013, Floor Amendment 6 to Senate Bill 1013, Floor Amendment 7 to Senate Bill 1013, Floor Amendment 8 to Senate Bill 1013, Floor Amendment 9 to Senate Bill 1013 and Floor Amendment 10 to Senate Bill 1013; Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 806, Floor Amendment 2 to -- to House Bill 2688 and Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 3641. Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator… Going to have some announcements and then I’ll come to Senator Muñoz. The Committee -- Criminal Law Subcommittee on Constitutional Review will meet at noon, at noon in Room 212. The Criminal Law Subcommittee on Constitutional Review will meet at noon in Room 212. The Executive Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 212. Criminal Law Subcommittee, 12 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 noon, 212. Exec Committee, 1 p.m., 212. Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. Purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your announcement. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Senate Democrats request a caucus for thirty minutes in the President’s Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Muñoz said the Democrats are requesting a caucus in President Cullerton’s room for thirty minutes, from 11 -- I mean, ten to 11 to 11:20. That is granted. There will be a Democratic Caucus from now to 11:20. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President, on two points, if I might. First, inquiry of the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your inquiry, sir.
Can you tell me whether it’s the intention to schedule a full -- I’m sorry, a -- a hearing of the full Committee on Criminal Law in case the bills that are in the Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments come out of that subcommittee and -- so they can be heard in the full committee today?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Yes, the Criminal Law Committee will meet immediately after the action is taken in the subcommittee, if I -- so, 12:01 we’re 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 calling it, but immediately after. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Second point, the Senate Republicans would request a caucus immediately also, in Leader Radogno’s Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The Senate Republicans are requesting a caucus for the -- I will grant you the same amount of time, Senator Righter. Is that sufficient? Thirty minutes, sir? Thirty minutes. The Republicans will caucus in Leader Radogno’s Office for thirty minutes. The Democrats will caucus in President Cullerton’s Office for thirty minutes. And the Presiding Officer would like to recognize the young people who just came into the Chamber. Welcome to the Illinois Senate whatever school you’re from. Welcome our guests to the Illinois Senate. Will all Members under the sound of my voice go to your designated respective caucuses? The Senate will stand in recess till 11:20. Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The Senate will come to order. Channel 20 WICS seeks leave to videotape. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. The Criminal Law Subcommittee will begin immediately in Room 212. Criminal Law Subcommittee will begin immediately in Room 212. And the Executive Committee will begin at 1 o’clock in Room 212. Be prepared to return back to the Senate Floor after Executive Committee - 2 o’clock, 2:30. The Senate will stand in recess to 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 the call of the Chair. After committee meets, the Senate will reconvene to receive committee reports and other matters -- the committee… Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The Senate is now in Session. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Noland, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Amendments 1 and 10 to Senate Bill 1013 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Silverstein, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports House Amendment 1 and 2 -- Motions to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 51 and House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 54 recommended Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We’re about to go to substantial Senate action. Would all administrative assistants please send your Senator to the Senate Floor? We’re about to go to substantial Senate action and we will be moving at a normal “Rickey Hendon in the Chair” pace. Madam Secretary, Messages.
Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Senate Bill 138 -- 138, together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, May 21st, 2009. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 122, together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 290, with House Amendments 1, 2 and 3; Senate Bill 337, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 577, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1293, with House Amendments 1 and 2; Senate Bill 1339, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1384, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1477, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1555, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1920, with House Amendments 1 and 2; Senate Bill 2043, with House Amendment 2; Senate Bill 2256, with House Amendment 1. All passed the House, as amended, May 22nd, 2009. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has refused to concur with the Senate in the adoption of their amendment to a bill of the 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 following title, to wit: House Bill 3981. Which amendment is as follows: Senate Amendment 1. Non-concurred in by the House, May 22nd, 2009. Mark Mahoney Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) All Members under the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor. Would all administrative assistants please send your Senator to the Senate Floor? Let ‘em know that we are back doing substantial Senate business. It is Friday, let me remind you. Senator Hultgren, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point. And great game -- two days ago.
Thank you very much. You, too.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hultgren.
I’m very pleased to have a Page with me today. It’s been an interesting day and she’s been helping me today. Rachael Taylor is a senior at Batavia High School. Rachael’s going to be going to Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, next year. And I’m very pleased to have her. She’s also here with her grandma, Jeanette Static, and her mom, Sharon Taylor, up in the President’s box up there. So I’d ask the Senators if they would 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 help me welcome Rachael and her mom and grandma to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will our guests please rise? Young lady and your parents, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Welcome. Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Mr. President, I rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your brief point, sir.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, it is my great pleasure to be joined today by my Page, Zach Hennenfent. Zach is actually a constituent of Senator Duffy’s in Barrington. He -- his -- in sixth grade at the Station Middle School in Barrington. His -- he’s a spelling bee champion, a scholastic bowl team tournament winner; he’s an honor student and he believes in community service. Sounds to me like we are grooming Senator Duffy’s successor today. Please welcome him and his father, Greg, who’s in the…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Welcome, Zach. Welcome to the Illinois Senate, Zach. Welcome. Okay, we’re going to go to substantial Senate action right now. Supplemental Calendars have been distributed. Should be on your desks. Well, let’s distribute those Supplemental Calendars right now. It’s Friday. Senator Dillard, sir, for what purpose do you seek recognition of the Chair, sir?
Thank you. Point of parliamentary inquiry, if I may, Mr. 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 President. I have, on behalf of our caucus, filed a -- a motion to discharge from further consideration from the Committee on Assignments Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 350, which is the Collins Reform Commission report. And I was curious if the new schedule or new -- or the new Calendar that is being distributed has that motion on it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Dillard, the Presiding Officer, which is myself, has just received your motion. So, of course, it would not be on the Calendar that quick. We’re going to move. Senator Viverito, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir? Senator Viverito, do you seek recognition, sir?
Yes, personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point.
I would like to -- everyone if you’d pay attention to me for just a moment. We have a very honorable person that’s in this Body that’s very distinguished today because he’s having a birthday. And he just was bestowed with the doctor’s degree. Our good friend, Ed Maloney.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Doctor Maloney, congratulations, sir. And while we’re waiting for that Calendar to be distributed and Ed is standing up, let me just say what a great job he did in left field in the Senate/House softball game. I wanted to talk about it yesterday, but we had so much on the Calendar and so much to do. But everyone did a great job. I wanted to especially thank the 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 newbies. We had some newbies who did a fantastic job, especially Senator Duffy. And Senator Hultgren made a catch over the back of his head. God only knows how he caught that ball. Senator Steans looked good in her -- her outfit. She didn’t do anything on the softball -- field, but she looked good. Senator Hunter did great. Senator Hutchinson did great. And we beat the House once again, bipartisan cooperation. And I’m sure everyone knows “skinny legs” - I didn’t name him that; they named them that - Kwame Raoul was the most valuable player. He gave his life for the team. Give him a big hand. Next year, we go for the three-peat. Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to add, not only did you do -- do such a wonderful job leading us to victory, but I think that we need baseball caps for next year, because Senator Steans was wearing a Chicago Public Radio hat. And that’s not a baseball cap. That might be good for the jazz festival in Grant Park. That might be good for a night at Ravinia. That might be good for a boat ride along the Chicago River - but it’s not a baseball hat, Mr. President. So, let’s work on that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) We’ll make sure we have hats next year. The Supplemental Calendar having been distributed, we’re now going to go to it. Supplemental Calendar No. 1 is Senate Bill 51. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this is substantial Senate action. We need your attention and cooperation so we can do this in an expedient manner. Senator Schoenberg, on Senate Bill 51.
21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I move that the Senate concur with House Amendments 1 and 2…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Just one moment, Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary, read the -- the -- we -- we have to read the motion first and then we’ll come back to Senator Schoenberg. Madam Secretary, read the motion -- please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 51. Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I move that the Senate concur with House Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 51. And I ask that -- and if -- if we succeed, as I expect we will, in sending this concurrence to the Governor’s desk, that it will be signed into law. I’ve worked closely with members of the Collins Commission to refine this proposal so that we provide greater independence and insulate individuals who are involved in purchasing decisions from any external influences. We do that through the appointment by Executive Ethics Commission Chief Procurement Officers that are subject to approval of the Senate. We also include State purchasing officers, procurement compliance monitors and independent internal auditors to ensure that there is nothing that’s unkosher about contracting for millions of dollars in 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 goods and services. We have public hearings for sole source procurements, full disclosure of subcontractors and lobbyists who make any communication on behalf of anything relating to a bid for goods or services. We provide -- we significantly strengthen the Procurement Policy Board, which has been our independent watchdog for -- for State contracts and leases. We have the toughest penalties, Mr. President, in the nation for violations of the Municipal Security {sic} (Securities) Rulemaking Board rules on -- on bonds and municipal securities and political activity - even tougher than the federal laws. We prohibit long-term leases and set limitations on month-to-month holdover leases. We ban the -- we ban the development of specifications for an RFP and participating in that RFP, so the IPAM -- so the IPAM abuse would never occur again. I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion on the motion? Senator Radogno.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. These are good reforms and they are long overdue. They have included a number of provisions that have been introduced over the last five years, many by the Senate Republicans. And we are pleased to see them finally come to fruition, particularly some of the contracting reforms. There’s a few other things that we wish we could have included, but I do think this is really a substantial reform effort. And I appreciate the work of Senator Schoenberg and encourage everyone to vote Aye on this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Further discussion? President Cullerton.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I would like to congratulate Senator Schoenberg on the work on this bill. Again, to talk about the process, this is a product of the -- initially the Collins Commission. This would be the second major reform that we would have passed this year. The -- the earlier being -- dealing with our pension funds. This is the product of a lot of work between the Governor’s Office, the House, the Senate, both parties. And we have more to go. And I congratulate the people that worked on it. And point out, once again, that we are very, very committed to reform in this General Assembly. Encourage an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) This is final action. The question is, shall -- does the Senate concur in House Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 51. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendments No. 1 and No. 2 to Senate Bill 51. And the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 54. Senator Garrett. Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 54. Signed by Senator Garrett.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Senator Garrett.
Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. President. This bill also has been back and forth over the last three years. Simply, what it does is, it opens the door of State government to make sure that when there’s wrongdoing and any violation of the State Ethics Act by State employees that we will have a mechanism in place to identify, punish and publicize the incidents for all to see. I’d be happy to go through all of the parts of the bill, but…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate concur in House Amendments {sic} No. 1 to Senate Bill 54. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. And 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. The Senate concurs in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 54. And the bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Now we’re going to go to the Order of 3rd Reading on your Senate Calendars. On page 37 is Senate Bill 1013. The sponsorship is now Senator Kotowski. Senator Kotowski seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1013 -- 1013 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1013. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Kotowski.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Kotowski, on your amendment, sir. Floor Amendment No. 1. Yes, sir. Senator Kotowski will be explaining Floor Amendment No. 1 and there will be another amendment that will follow Floor Amendment No. 1. Senator Kotowski, on Amendment No. 1.
Thank you, Mr. President. Floor No. -- Floor Amendment No. 1 is a procedural amendment that shells the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 10, offered by Senator Kotowski.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Kotowski, on Amendment No. 10.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 10 retains Senate Bill 1013, as amended, and creates the Public Corruption (Profit) Forfeiture Act, modeled on the Narcotics Profit Forfeiture Act, which requires the forfeiture of the profits from bribery, kickbacks and extortion, together with all campaign contributions, upon conviction for bribery, kickbacks and extortion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1013. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 1013. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Kotowski.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The inspiration of this Act is -- the provisions of the Public Corruption Profit Forfeiture Act are modeled on those of the Narcotics Profit Forfeiture Act. Apart from the provisions relating to the forfeiture of campaign contributions, all of the provisions of the Public Corruption Profit Forfeiture Act are based on language and procedures which are well litigated and withstood repeated court challenges. What, essentially, instigates this is -- the triggering offenses are intimidation by a public official, bribery and kickbacks. This is an opportunity, through this legislation, to go after the assets of people who violated the public trust and committed acts of political corruption - more specifically, to go after their campaign funds, as well as to make sure we do a better job in 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 confronting corruption and addressing pay-to-play politics in our State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Dillard. Senator Jacobs.
Mr. President, is there a reason why there’s no analysis for the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs, we’ll make sure that you get an analysis. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none -- oh, Senator Jacobs.
Senator, could you -- could you describe for the -- for the future what “intimidation by a public official” actually means, so that we can all understand exactly what it is you’re outlawing?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Kotowski.
Thank you, Mr. -- thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator. Intimidation is -- while Illinois does not have a crime with the label of extortion, extortion is criminalized in Illinois as intimidation. Under the model legislation that Illinois adopted as the Criminal Code of 1961, when the person doing the extorting is a public official, subsection (a)(6) of intimidation provides an extended term of two to ten years for a Class 3 felony.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 is -- all those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1013, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Page 26 of your Calendar. Please turn your Calendar to page 26, is Senate Bill 744. Senator Link. Madam Secretary, read the bill on Senate Bill 744. Senator Link seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 744 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 744. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, on Amendment No. 2. Quiet in the Chamber. Senator Link.
I would ask that we table Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Amendment No. 2 is -- has been tabled by the sponsor. Madam Secretary -- Madam Secretary, we’re tabling Amendment No. 2. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 3, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, on Amendment No. 3. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009
I would ask that Amendment No. 3 be tabled also.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Amendment No. 3 is also tabled. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 4, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, to describe Amendment No. 4.
I would ask to table -- Amendment No. 4 be tabled also, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Floor Amendment No. 4 is tabled. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 5, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, on Amendment No. 5.
Thank you, Mr. President. Amendment No. 5 becomes the bill. I’ll be more than happy to explain it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 6, offered by Senator Link. 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, on Amendment 6.
Amendment No. 6 is part of the cleanup on it. And I’ll be more than happy to explain it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 7, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, on Amendment 7.
Amendment No. 7 is also a cleanup. And I’ll be more than happy to explain it all on -- on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 744. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 744. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link. Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill is a major -- major modification of the gaming industry in Illinois. It will help - - this is -- I -- I want to make this very clear. This is a business type of approach. We -- we look at this - and I want to make it very clear - we look at an industry, when we’re talking about thousands and thousands of jobs in the State of Illinois, that brings us billion dollars in tax revenue, we look at it very favorable. And I think what we should be doing is looking the same way with this type of industry. What we are looking at is an additional three casinos in the State of Illinois. One would be located in Rockford in Winnebago County, one in Park City in Lake County, and one in the City of Chicago. We would also be looking to allow slots at the race -- five racetracks in the State of Illinois to be owned by the nine existing riverboats. We would also allow the existing casinos to go from twelve hundred positions to two thousand positions and also to go land-based if they desire. This is basically the contents of this bill. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Dillard. Senator Dillard, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. I know it’s late on a Friday 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 afternoon, but I do want Members who didn’t serve on the Gaming Committee to be very clear what’s in here. First, and above all, this would make Illinois, if it became law, the largest revenue-producing gaming state in America. More than Atlantic City, more than Nevada. This allows land-based casinos - a major, major policy change of the State of Illinois. It gives the City of Chicago a special status in the gaming industry and it allows them to take twice. They get the money as the operator and they get the fifty million dollars as the local governmental unit. So they take twice, while other riverboats only take once. We have a major, major structural budget deficit in Illinois, and maybe we want to talk about using that extra fifty million dollars, the supplemental fifty million to the City of Chicago, for other needs. I don’t know, but we ought to discuss it and we ought to make it part of our budget negotiations. Additionally, the -- there are eight hundred positions that currently existing riverboats get in here for slots and those are no bid. No bid at all. We just give ‘em eight hundred positions. So, I just want to point out -- I don’t -- I think most of you all know where you are on gambling issues. But we just legalized slots in bars all over the -- State of Illinois forty-eight hours ago. This is a gigantic expansion that would make Illinois, replacing Nevada, as the number one gaming-dependent State in America. I’m going to vote No, like I did in committee. It’s a little early to do this. I think this bill needs refinements. There are portions of it I want. And I’m not opposed to a Chicago casino. But I just think we ought to, at a time when the State is dying for revenue, have some tougher negotiations about who’s taking what 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 out of this bill. So I’m going to vote No. But I just wanted to warn people, this is a huge, huge jump forward, as we made that vote the other day, to send Illinois down the State of the land of gambling.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The Chair understands the importance of this bill. The Chair would also appreciate succinct discussion on this bill. Senator Syverson.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: First of all, I want to say thank you to Senator Link for the hours of work that he has done on this legislation, working with an awful lot of organizations to try to get support and build consensus, which is very difficult to do when you’re dealing with so many sources. Is this bill perfect? No. Is there a likelihood that there’s going to be more in additional changes as this bill works its way through the House? I think that answer is -- is yes. But, clearly, we understand that other states have declared war on Illinois. All you have to do is look at the map of the five surrounding states and you’ll see the number of facilities that have been built on the Illinois border so they can attract Illinois taxpayers, Illinois families to leave Illinois and go to our surrounding states. Along the Wisconsin border - that represents the areas that Senator Link and myself represent - the plan is to build massive Indian casinos. That would be devastating to northern Illinois. The issue isn’t about expanding gaming. Gaming is here. The issue -- this is an opportunity for Illinois to, number one, defend itself, but, number two, also create a tourism spot for Illinois, especially 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 when it comes to Chicago. To the issue of land-based: It’s interesting, years ago, when the legislation was first passed, the goal was to say let’s put it on the water so these facilities wouldn’t look large and massive. Well, the reality is, land-based makes it less - thank you - land-based makes it - - less noticeable. These days, the land-based facilities are usually built inside a hotel. So, for those people who are concerned that it’s a -- becomes a big eyesore and a standout in a community, actually what happens, it becomes really more of a -- a setting in a -- in a -- a tourism -- in a tourism area of a community. The last thing I want to talk about is the fact of - - of jobs and revenue. Illinois still has not recovered from the last recession. We need jobs. And this is not just about the jobs that come with gaming; it’s about all the ancillary business that comes with it. Not just the construction. But most of these are the -- the domino effect, that if a -- a casino is built, along with it become -- comes other options, other revenue-producing hotels and entertainment facilities. So, from a job standpoint, it’s significant. And for the State of Illinois that’s looking desperately for revenue, this is a way to generate significant revenue, with much of this money being paid for by out-of-state individuals as opposed to Illinois taxpayers. Again…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Could you wrap it up, Senator Syverson? There are six additional speakers that the Presiding Officer is going to recognize and only those six. Could you wrap it up, Senator Syverson?
35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Yes, I will. Thank you, Mr. President. So, I want to just wrap it up by saying, yes, there -- I think there needs to be some -- some improvements made and I think there will be some more work done on these, but this is crucial to Illinois’ economy and to those areas that are suffering the greatest that this legislation really affects. And I want to thank Senator Link for his leadership on this and the fact that he was able to bring so many parties together to make this happen. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Chicago Tribune seeks leave to take photographs. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Senator Maloney.
Thank you, Mr. President. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator Maloney.
Senator Link, in the last time we did this - I believe it was last year we passed a -- a huge gaming bill - there was extremely detailed data available as to which particular groups were in favor of this - labor groups, various municipalities. In our analysis, we don’t have that. I -- I just don’t know if labor is in favor of this, if the City of Chicago is in favor of this. I don’t -- unless they slipped it. I wasn’t in the Gaming Committee. But, if you could give me an…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
City of Chicago came in and they did not slip it, but they had their lobbyist come in there and spoke. And they said that 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 they would like to see this bill in its entirety continue on and become law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, he asked you about organized labor. I -- could you answer that follow-up question for Senator Maloney, please? Senator Link.
As far as the other groups, we have got consensus of all the tracks, all the boats, all the people that have come in there. We have opened this process up to everybody. We know of no opposition from anyone other than one track that is opposed to this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Maloney.
Okay, and -- and one final question: Could you again explain the rationale for the location choices for the -- for the -- for the new boats?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
Well, first of all, I wanted to make sure that there was transparity {sic} in this bill, that everyone knows what’s going on, because we have lost a lot of money with the -- the way the Gaming Board handled the last couple bidding processes. So what we did is we named these two locations -- three locations - the City of Chicago, which is long overdue; the other two locations was for stopping the influx into Wisconsin, which we were losing. And the idea of slots going to the track would take 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 care of the south suburbs, because you will have over three thousand slots going into the south suburbs and the Chicago boat when it comes on the line.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Meeks.
Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman {sic}. To the bill: I hope that we all can pay special attention to what we’re getting ready to do here again in the Illinois Senate. Since I’ve been a Member - Mr. Chairman, I can’t hear myself - since I’ve been a Member of the Illinois Senate, I think we’ve passed four gaming bills. I agree with Senator Dillard: Illinois is now the home of gambling. I’ve heard and -- I -- I listened at all of the speakers speak and I’ve heard people congratulating individuals for working hard on their gaming proposals. I’ve heard people congratulating individuals that we now will have video poker machines in all the restaurants and all the bars. I’ve heard people congratulating individuals that we’ll now have the ability to access the Illinois Lottery in our own living room. I can’t wait. But I haven’t heard since I’ve been here -- I haven’t heard since I’ve been here in seven years, anybody being able to stand up and to congratulate somebody for working hard on school funding reform and for being able to get school funding passed. Yet, every year, we run on it. We tell the people of the State of Illinois, “If you vote for us, we’re going to fix your schools.” But what do we do and what have we done this year? We’ve given them gaming, more boats, more slots, video poker - which is the crack of all gaming - and now we stand here and we are ready to vote on some additional gaming 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 and some additional votes {sic} (boats). We have in Illinois a Gaming Board, and I thought, maybe I’m mistaken - I don’t know everything there is to know about this process - but I thought the Gaming Board decided where boats go. I thought the Gaming Board decided that based on the economic condition of certain neighborhoods, that’s where they will locate. I -- I didn’t -- I -- I -- that whole process was skipped. And so we’re just writing now into legislation where boats should go. It’s too much. It’s time to stop. We have to look and get a hold of ourselves and see what we’re doing here in the Illinois Senate. We are allowing our country, we are allowing our State to go down the tube. And somebody, I hope, would have enough conscience to give this vote a red light, because enough is enough. Video poker, gaming enough is enough. I like Terry Link, but I hate all of these gaming ideas.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? President John Cullerton. President Cullerton.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker {sic}, Members of the Senate. I just wanted to mention and point out that, in the past, we’ve had a capital bill here in the Senate. We attempted to pass that and fund that with a -- a bunch of gaming, and we actually passed -- passed that a couple of years ago. The problem was that we were trying to reach a magic number of a billion dollars and the gaming bill itself became an unpassable and unreachable goal. So, we asked Senator Link this year to not have to worry about the burden of funding a capital bill, but rather talk to all the interest groups to see if he could reach a consensus. 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Now, I’m not a gambler myself. I don’t like gambling. I would like -- as many of you may know, even the video gaming was not my favorite part of our capital bill. But it turns out, in a year like this, when we need money, nobody wants to vote for a tax increase and they say “What about gaming? What about gaming?” Well, this is a responsible gaming bill. It is an increase in gaming, but the interest groups, who rarely get together, have come together on this one. So, I think, we should seriously consider this as an alternative to some of the cuts or taxes that we may have to consider as an alternative in this worst economic crisis of my generation. This is unfortunately one of those times and this is an alternative which I think we should take seriously. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) On another matter, Mr. President. President Cullerton.
Oh, yes. And if we finish our legislative business in the next few minutes or so with a few more bills, we will then be able to cancel Session tomorrow. So, we will not have to be in Session tomorrow. We’ll come back at noon on Tuesday, because I think we can get our legislative business completed this afternoon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) That in mind, Senator Frerichs.
Mr. President, question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield for a question or two. Senator Frerichs. 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009
I’ll -- I’ll try and be quick. I haven’t had time to read the entire bill. I understand that there are some spots designated in here. Are there any locations south of Interstate 80 in your bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Frerichs.
It’s my understanding -- I want to thank Reverend Meeks -- Reverend Senator Meeks for his discussion about the original intent of this bill was to help disadvantaged communities. If you look at a map of Illinois, you look at gambling locations, you have some around the Chicago area, you have a lot along rivers on the western side of this State, nothing on the eastern side of the State. We have a community, Danville, Illinois, which is economically disadvantaged, right on the border, would be a community that would benefit from this, would draw about sixty percent of its revenues from the State of Indiana. I think the best kind of money we can raise for the State are Hoosier dollars, rather than dollars from the State of Illinois. I would like to see it included in a -- in a bill expansion -- the State of Illinois. I hate to outright request a -- a red vote for Senator Link on a week when he’s already had his red light bill go down with so many red votes. But, unfortunately, I can’t support this bill in its current form. 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator John Jones.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. Just a -- just a couple of comments and then I have a legislative intent that I would like to ask Senator Link. And as I look at this piece of legislation, you know, I -- I do have some concerns with it because the tenth license, there’s still two percent goes to Chicago State University and -- and that -- it’s about nine million a year, and then there’s two percent that goes to Cook County, which that’s another nine million dollars a year. There is about sixty-seven million that goes to the horseracing industry and -- and that’s good. And then there’s about fifty million that goes to the City of Chicago for a year. So for the legislative intent, though, Senator Link, there’s -- there’s questions out there that the quarter horsemen will receive two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year and there’s -- there’s a question of whether that’s from -- from each one of the -- the electronic gaming facilities or just one. So my -- my question to you is: I see in the bill that some funds are dedicated to quarter horse purses. Can you tell me how much will go into those funds and those purses?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
It is the legislative intent to have all the tracks give two hundred and fifty thousand in an aggregated amount, not individually, to the quarter horsemen.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Senator Holmes.
Thank you, Mr. President. I’d like to speak on the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) To the bill, ma’am.
I was going to say -- many of you know that I have casinos in my district and therefore I tend to vote very much in favor of what is good for our boats. And I just want to say -- and that’s because I’ve got fifteen hundred people in my district employed by those boats. I just want to say that we’ve sat here for how many years talking about gaming bills and we always pit the casinos against the racetracks. It is so nice to finally see a bill that has the approval of both sides. So I want to thank the sponsor for working so hard to get the tracks and the boats on the same side of this issue, because I think that is a great, great achievement. And I also want to say, let’s not be hypocritical here. Gambling has been a factor in Illinois for decades. Is it a problem for some? Yes. Is drinking a problem for some? Yes. But nobody’s sitting here advocating that we close down all the bars. Let’s not forget the millions of dollars we as a State take in because of gaming. And in this tough, tough economic time, we in Illinois do need that money. On top of that, we also need to create jobs, and expanding gaming will do that for us. So, I want to say, I urge a strong Aye vote. And when you talk about where these casinos are located, as a State, being that we take fifty percent off the top, it benefits all the residents of Illinois. And I urge an Aye vote. 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Final speaker. Senator Jacobs.
I just want to begin by thanking Senator Meeks for his work on school reform. He’s really worked hard. I appreciate it. I think it’s a admirable thing you’re trying to do. It’s tough to convince voters that you will lower their property taxes and raise their income taxes. That’s a tough thing to do. It’s the right thing to do, but it’s a tough thing to do. It would just seem to me in these times of debit and these times of the need for tax revenue, and Governor Quinn calling for a huge massive income tax increase, that this kind of bill makes sense. Question of the sponsor. Mr. Sponsor, how much money will this generate to the State of Illinois for needed programs?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
In the first year, it’s estimated approximately a hundred million dollars. When everything is online, approximately five hundred million dollars. And if economic {sic} turns to the way they were, it could approximately do a billion dollars for the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.
Isn’t it true, Senator, that currently the State of Illinois generates about a billion dollars in gaming revenue that we spend in this building everyday?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Senator Link.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.
I want to tell folks what I saw in Rock Island. I’m one of those “home of a riverboat” town and people said it was going to be the worst thing that ever happened. Eighteen years later - I want to tell you what happened - this -- the town has -- has turned around. The gaming has proved to be a powerful economic engine. It’s helped tourism. It’s helped us on employment. They’re among our largest employers today. Charity - these folks are very active in my community, giving charity where charity is needed. And I recently saw a study that, in moderation, seniors are helped on a health benefit by using -- by going to a casino and getting out of the house and moving and enjoying themselves. I want to say this too, Zeke Giorgio {sic} (Giorgi) was the original sponsor of this bill in the House and the Illinois Lottery. And I went around the State with Zeke Giorgio {sic} and my father when they passed the original gaming bill. And Zeke Giorgio {sic} deserves a riverboat. He deserves a riverboat. My friends in Rockford are facing 14.5-percent unemployment. We better do something to help those folks. And I just want to close by saying that folks that want us to spend money need to understand that sometimes we raise it in a way that you don’t like. It’s not perfect, but, I’ll tell you what, you go raise six billion dollars to make up the income tax and then ask your friends if they’d better {sic} go to a casino. 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to answer a few of the questions before I go into my closing. Number one, when we passed this bill, I wasn’t here; but when they passed the original bill, they named all ten locations where these bills -- these boats were going. And all ten communities -- or the original amount of communities at that time were designated. It wasn’t a board making the decision. The regular amount - and I -- I -- I don’t want to say ten, because it wasn’t ten originally - but the original boats were designated at the locations. When we allowed the Board to make this decision on the tenth license, I got to tell you, they didn’t do too good of a job, because the State has lost over a billion dollars in revenue. Let me make that very clear again, over a billion dollars in revenue in taxes. And, Senator Meeks, we could have educated a lot of children with that billion dollars that we lost because of that Board and their decision. We talk about ethics and we talk about transparity {sic} in this Chamber in the last few days. This bill is transparity {sic} if ever was any, because we’re spelling out everything in this bill. We’re spelling out location. We’re spelling out everything that’s happening in this bill. The operators of these casinos will still have to go through a vetting process. They still have to go to the Gaming Board to be vetted. They still have to pass their litmus test. Everybody has to go through that, but we will know the locations. As far as my colleague asking the question why these locations and not theirs, these cities meet 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 the requirement, just as every other city. We could have ten locations new in this city -- of cities that are in need of these types of facilities and these types of shot in the arm. Yes, it’s been a lot of work trying to get everybody on board, but we’re not helping just a small segment. We’re helping the agricultural industry. We’re helping the horseracing people. We’re helping the horsemen. We’re helping a lot of people in the State of Illinois. What this will create is a number of jobs in the State of Illinois. This will help a lot of people. When this is talked about that we will have more gaming than Atlantic City, well, it’s not going to be in one location; it’s all throughout the State of Illinois. And it’s helping a lot of those cities. As my colleague said, go to these cities that these boats are in right now and ask ‘em if they want to give it up. If they’d like to, say, “Well, we’ll take it away from you and we’ll give it to somewhere else”, and try and take it away from ‘em. They won’t give it up right now, because they know what good it’s done for them. They know what tax dollars it’s brought in to them. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re talking about a business. We’re talking about something that’s helping people in this State. As my one colleague said, there’s people with problems. We know that. But if we close down gaming - and when I’m talking about gaming, it’s just not slots - we got to close down racetracks, we got to close down bingo, we got to close down raffles, we got to close down the lottery, we got to close down everything if we’re going to close it down in this State. But guess what? Those problemed people will still find a place where to go to. What we need to do is help those people. And in this bill, there’s more money going into it to help the 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 problemed people that need it. What we need to do now is not put a heavier tax burden on the citizens of State of Illinois. This is a choice if people want to go to this. But it’ll generate a lot of tax dollars for the people of the State of Illinois. It’s a good business decision. I would ask for a -- a whole lot of green lights in this. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) This is final action. The question is, shall Senate Bill 744 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed will vote Nay. And 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 28 voting Aye, 28 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 744, having not received the required constitutional majority, is declared failed. Senator Link.
I would ask that it be put -- on Postponed Consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link requests this bill be placed on Postponed Consideration. The bill will be placed on Postponed Consideration. Turn to page 56 of your Calendar. Top of page 56 is Senate Bill -- House Bill - 3rd Reading - 2688. Senator Clayborne. House Bill 2688. Senator Clayborne seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2688 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill -- House Bill 2688. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Clayborne.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne.
Thank you. This just changes the -- it’s a pilot program and we changed the date that you have to apply a year from the date that it becomes effective.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2688. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2688. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne.
Yes, thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2688 allows for the permitting and limited testing of gasification conversion technologies on a pilot scale basis if they use municipal waste, chicken litter, distillery -- distillers grain, or switchgrass and convert them into a 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 synthetic gas for use as a fuel to generate electricity.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote 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 57 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill -- House Bill 2688, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. While we have a brief moment, I -- I hope you all enjoy your weekend and your holiday. Of course, if you’re on the highway, drive carefully. Illinois’ finest will be out there waiting for you if you decide to speed. We recommend that you do not speed. And we want to have everyone back here safe and sound. So, enjoy your weekend, but be careful out there, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. We love you all. Madam Secretary, Resolutions. On your Calendar, on the Order -- page 57 of your Calendar, Resolutions. Senate Resolution 93. Senator Wilhelmi. Senate Resolution 93. Out of the record. Senate Resolution 127. Senator Luechtefeld. Out of the record. Senate Resolution 166. Senator Kwame Raoul. 166. Madam Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 166, offered by Senator Raoul.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Raoul.
Senate Resolution 166 just is a delayed hearing of a resolution that declared a Kappa Alpha Psi Day a couple of months ago. 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? All in favor of the resolution will say Aye. Leave -- say, no. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 190. Senator Clayborne. 190, sir. Out of the record. Senate Resolution 48. Senator Steans. Senator Steans, Resolution 48. Out of the record. We’re going to House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bill 3641. Senator Bomke. Madam Secretary -- Senator Bomke seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3641 to the Order of 2nd Reading for an amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3641 for Senator Bomke. Madam Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Bomke.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 2 is a technical amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 3641. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3641. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bomke.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 3641 will establish a Children’s Healthcare Partnership Pilot Program in Sangamon County to fund the provisions of various health care services by a single provider. It is subject to a federal waiver. And the technical amendment removed all opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none -- Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President. I’d like to commend the sponsor for working diligently with all of your opposition persons in order to make this bill a reality. So I’d like to congratulate you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Leader Radogno.
…you -- thank you, Mr. President. I have a question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator Radogno.
52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Senator, is -- am I correct in understanding that with the federal waiver that this will be cost-neutral, so this pilot program will not cost the State any money?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bomke.
That is correct, Senator Radogno.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) This is final action. The question is, shall House Bill 3641 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed will vote 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 58 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 3641, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Committee on Assignments will meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The members of the Committee on Assignments will come to the President’s Anteroom. The Senate stands at ease, briefly at ease. Do not leave. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Agriculture and Conservation 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 38; refer to the Consumer Protection Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1408, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1629, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1631, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1922; refer to the Criminal Law Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 145, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1677, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1817, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2010 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2026; refer to the Education Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1391, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1557, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1718, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1882, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1956, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1977, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2119 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2277; refer to the Elections Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1662 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1801; refer to the Energy Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1357 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1570; refer to the Environment Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 125, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1489 and Motion to 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1601; refer to the Executive Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 206 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 269; refer to the Human Services Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 209, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 340, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1499 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1583; refer to the Insurance Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1877; refer to the Judiciary Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 266, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1390, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1493 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2111; refer to the Labor Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1133, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1770; refer to the Licensed Activities Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 69, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 149, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 318, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1486, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1830; refer to the Local Government Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 246, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 587, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1784 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2272; refer to the Pensions and 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 Investments Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 214, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1479 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1705; refer to the Public Health Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 133, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 212, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1254 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1685; refer to the Revenue Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1490, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1544; refer to the State Government and Veterans Affair {sic} (Affairs) Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 27, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 47, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1737, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2045, Senate Resolution 236, Senate Resolution 252, Senate Resolution 254, Senate Resolution 255, Senate Resolution 260, Senate Resolution 261, Senate Joint Resolution 67, House Joint Resolution 17, House Joint Resolution 37 and House Joint Resolution 39; refer to the Transportation Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1341, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1729 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1866. Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, because of the graciousness of President Cullerton, all House Bills on 3rd Reading will receive a deadline extension until May 31st. We 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 55th Legislative Day 5/22/2009 will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read 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.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 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, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The resolutions are adopted. Senator -- on the Order of Resolutions is Senate Joint Resolution 70. Madam Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 70, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads SJR No. 70)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne moves adoption of Senate Joint Resolution -- Senator Clayborne moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 70. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Clayborne moves the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 70. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The Senate stands adjourned until noon, Tuesday, May 26, 2009. The Senate stands adjourned. 57