Illinois Senate Floor Debate — February 24, 2010

Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will the guests in the galleries please rise? And the invocation today will be given by Major Charlie Smith.

Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs.

(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)

Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.

Senator Hunter.

Mr. President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has additions or corrections to offer.

Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.

Senator Hunter.

Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending the arrival of the -- of the printed transcript.

Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.

Madam Secretary, Resolutions Consent Calendar.

Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.

Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. I have an announcement.

Please make your announcement.

Senator Koehler will not be joining us here in the Senate this week. He had a death in the family. His wife, Nora’s father recently passed away, so he’s out of State. Just wanted to let everybody to know that.

Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Purpose of announcement, Mr. President.

State your announcement, please. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Requesting a caucus immediately in the President’s Office.

Senator Muñoz has announced that there’ll be a Democratic Caucus to meet immediately in my office. Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise?

Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise?

State your point.

Welcome to the Senate. …Risinger.

Welcome to -- welcome to the Senate. The Senate will stand at ease for each caucus to meet immediately. Actually, we -- we would recess until the caucuses have completed their business. So, caucus immediately. The Senate will recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senate will come to order. The Senate will now stand at ease for a few minutes to -- to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. If the members of the Committee on 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 Assignments would please come to the President’s Anteroom immediately. All members of the Committee on Assignments please come to the Senate President’s Anteroom immediately. Senate will now stand at ease. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Senator Link, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?

Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Please state your point.

Today I’m privileged to have two young gentlemen who are with the Boys & Girls Club. And they are Sebastian Rodriguez and Stefan McCall, who are both from my hometown of North Chicago, and they are here representing the Lake County Boys & Girls Club. And I would like to give ‘em a warm Senate welcome.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Let’s give our guests from the Boys & Girls Club a warm Senate greeting. We have some announcements for some Floor amendments. Floor Amendment No. 1 to House -- to Senate Bill, 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 pardon me, 365 will be heard in the Senate Executive Subcommittee on Legislative Tuition Waivers at 1:50 p.m. in Room 400. Floor Amendment No. 1 to 365 will be heard in the full Senate Executive Committee at 2 p.m. in Room 212. Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 355 will be heard in the Senate Executive Committee at 2 p.m. in 212. Floor Amendments 1 and Floor -- and 2 to Senate Bill 2505 and Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 2376 will be heard in the Senate Revenue Committee at 2 p.m. in Room 400. And then, finally, Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2602 will be heard in the Senate Licensed Activities Committee at 2 p.m. in Room 409. Senator Kotowski, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?

Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Gives me great pleasure to introduce my Page for the Day. Her name is Asher Horcher. She is a freshman at Buffalo Grove High School. She lives in Wheeling. She wants to - in the future - either be a senator, or a doctor, or a lawyer, ‘cause she likes to argue. She is a -- her family owns one of the -- oldest farm - in fact, the only farm, right now - in Wheeling. It’s about a hundred and sixty years old. And she’s very involved in her community and she’s very excited to be here. So, if you would please, please, join me in giving her a great Springfield welcome, to Asher Horcher.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Welcome, Asher. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you seek recognition?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Please state your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SCHOENBERG) Welcome, Kyle. Let’s give him a warm Senate greeting. That’s quite a string of adjectives, Senator Althoff. The Senate will now stand in recess to the call of the Chair. Wish to inform the Members that after committee meetings, the Senate will convene to receive committee reports and for substantive Floor action. The Senate now stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The Senate will come to order. The Senate will come -- come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We’re about to take substantial Senate action. Will all administrative assistants, as capable and able as you are, please locate your Senator and send them to the Senate Floor? We have substantial Senate business we would like to conclude in a timely manner, so you can get to your dinner occasions for this evening. Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Will all the Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? All committees should be over at -- at this moment. We have a few more committees later tonight, so you’d like to get in here as soon as you possibly can so we can handle this business and then you can get to your evening dinners. Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) This is Senator Hendon in the Chair. I am the current Presiding Officer, and you know when I’m in the Chair, it means 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 it’s time for us to move some legislation. So would all Senators under the sound of my voice, both Democrat and Republican, please come to the Senate Floor? We need all Senators on the Senate Floor immediately so we can handle proper Senate business in a timely fashion, so that those of you who have dinner occasions can go to those functions. Will all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor before I lose my proper etiquette here and begin to flash back to the old Senator Hendon? All Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor immediately. The Supplemental Calendar is being distributed right now. The Supplemental Calendar is being distributed. So we need you to get these Supplemental Calendars so we can begin. We’re going to begin immediately. So will all Senators under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We’re about to go to substantial Senate action immediately. I am very pleased at the number of Senators who have responded to my call, and if we’d just get a few more, we will begin. We’re going to begin without you as soon as the Supplemental Calendar has been completely distributed, which it is being doing {sic} right now. If you would like to vote on the upstanding legislation, you need to be on the Senate Floor at this very moment. Will all administrative assistants please reach out to your Senator and tell them that they need to be on the Senate Floor and right now would be a wonderful time? The Supplemental Calendar has been distributed, so we need all Members on the Senate Floor, especially those who have bills that are about to be called. We need you on the Senate Floor right now. The Supplemental Calendar has been distributed and we’re about to go to the two 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 bills that we’re going to be calling tonight, so I need the sponsors of that particular legislation on the Senate Floor immediately so that we can -- go -- proceed forward. Senator Maloney, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?

For the purpose of an announcement, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Make your announcement, my friend.

On Friday, February 26th, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Student Assistant {sic} (Assistance) Commission and the -- Illinois Community College Board is sponsoring a college affordability summit. It will be held -- with some very distinguished speakers. We are going to look at the whole concept of college affordability in the State of Illinois and its implication for the students. I would invite any Senator, and if they need further details, please contact my office. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. While we’re waiting for the sponsors to arrive, I do want to announce that the House/Senate softball game has been scheduled for -- month - not this month - early April. And since I did not win my run for Lieutenant Governor, I will be around to play in several of the games going forward. So this won’t be my last game - I was certainly hoping it would be. But -- so get in shape. Senator Lightford and many of us - - others, Senator Steans, have joined the Y so we can get in shape for the Senate softball game, which is coming up. Senator 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 Jones needs to get in shape for whatever, including the softball game. But he needs to get in shape just for walking. Emil Jones, III. You know, John Jones is in perfect health. Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?

A point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) State your point, sir.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have with me today a constituent of mine, Cleopatra Watson, who just happened to stop by my office and introduce herself. She was down here with the National Association of Social Workers and she introduced herself as a former recipient of a legislative scholarship from my office. And she is a graduate student. She’s a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, in Senator Righter’s district, and she’s currently studying social work at University of Illinois-Chicago. And she is a success story and an example of why we need to continue with the legislative scholarships.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Wonderful! Welcome to the Illinois Senate, young lady. A recipient of a State Senator’s legislative scholarship and a success story. Welcome. We’re now going to substantial Senate business. Senate Bill 355. Correct? 355. Senator Demuzio. Senator Demuzio, do you seek -- like to proceed? Senator Demuzio seeks… I’m faster than the board. Senator Demuzio seeks leave… The sponsor of 355 is Senator Demuzio and not Senator Cullerton. Senator Demuzio is now the current… Senator 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 -- Senator Demuzio seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 355 to the Order of 2nd Reading for purpose of amendment. Leave granted? Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 355. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. I do want to make note that 355 becomes the bill -- the amendment becomes the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there -- have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 355. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Chair would appreciate succinct descriptions of your bill 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 and discussion and questions, if any. Senator Demuzio.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 355, as amended by Floor Amendment 1, moves the general primary election from the first Tuesday in February to the third Tuesday in March, beginning with the 2012 election. Also, I might mention that this particular bill -- for over forty years -- voters know that the primary date for the third Tuesday in March is the one that most of us all recall. Going back over forty years is the -- the date. Nevertheless, back in 2007, the General Assembly moved that primary date back to early February because we had, as the only state, a very unique situation, that for the first time in over half a century neither political party had an incumbent President or Vice President running. Also, many states moved their primary date so that we could be players and be a part of that primary and that’s why we moved -- the date back to -- to the first -- February so that we, as the State of Illinois, could show our support for our President. The primary date passed both Chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support, and in 2008, we had a record turnout. However, that high point with -- was met with a -- dismal turnout numbers for this past election. And as was noted in committee today as we talked about this bill, there are several factors that we can contribute that to. The fact that February 2nd, you’re going back. There’s about a forty day -- day lag; it takes you right into the -- Christmas Eve, going up to January the 15th, for voter registration. We also notice that there’s a weather -- the -- the weather is a factor and the fact that many individuals did not have -- during that particular 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 short period of time, get to know the candidates, nor the candidates get to know the particular state, if they’re running statewide and had the opportunity. So, therefore, Senate Bill 355 really attempts to address the concerns of our constituents as we look at our election officials by moving the primary date back to our longstanding late March date, which was -- has been in effect, as I said, for over forty years. So, again, I -- I indicated in committee today that I am open to discussing other primary dates as other bills come forth. But I really think that we should get the ball rolling today and look at passing Senate Bill 355 now. And as the House Bill comes over, I would be agreeable to opening up the discussion. Again, I ask for your support. I feel that this is something that you, as elected officials, have a primary concern in as we look at the upcoming elections. I’m open to any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there -- is there any discussion? Again, the Chair would appreciate succinct questions and discussions on this issue. Senator Risinger.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Pankau.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Demuzio.

I just want to comment on the comments that were made here 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 from both Senators. We are going to try - I believe there’s a bill pending - to try to address Senator Pankau’s concerns. And to Senator Risinger, I -- I appreciate your comments. Again, I think that as we look at -- this is a first step in trying to make sure that we address the concerns of our constituents about that -- the fact that they are aware of that third Tuesday in March. And we did bring up the -- June, July. There have been bills addressing five different months and -- but this is a start and I appreciate your comments.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter. Leader Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) She indicates she will. Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.

Believe I -- I believe all of us did.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.

Sorry, I -- could he -- could the -- could Senator repeat his question?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter, would you repeat the question, please, sir? Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Demuzio.

Yes, thank you, Senator. As you recall, and you’re absolutely right, there were basically 48 Yeses, and I believe that at that point, you did -- you -- you voted No on the bill. And as I indicated in my opening remarks, that was the first time that we have ever had an individual from our Illinois State Senate to be on the national ballot - to be on the ballot for President. You also had individuals, yourself -- some of your colleagues voted for it. And, again, we moved the date up to February 2nd to show that Illinois supported their -- their favorite son coming out of the Illinois State Senate for President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator Righter. Thank you for being succinct. This is final action. Senator Demuzio, to close.

Thank you very much and I certainly appreciate all the comments that have been made. I appreciate the fact that Senator Righter is going on, as -- as a sponsor of this bill. And I certainly appreciate all of the time and effort that has 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 been put into looking into how we can best serve our constituencies back home when it comes to the election process. With that, I ask for a favorable vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 355 pass. 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 54 voting Aye, None voting Nay, None voting Present. Senate Bill 355, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Supplemental Calendar No. 1 is Senate Bill 365. President Cullerton. President Cullerton, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he does. President Cullerton seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 365 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 365. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) President Cullerton.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. The Floor Amendment No. 1, I move that we adopt it and I can explain the bill 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 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 365. Madam Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill deals with the legislative waivers that Members of the General Assembly grant. It would prohibit a Member of the General Assembly from awarding a waiver to a person if that person or an immediate family member has contributed a campaign contribution to the Member’s political committee within the previous five years after the effective date of the Act. It also would require a Member to terminate a person’s waiver if he or she resides at a location outside the -- the Member’s district and would prohibit a Member from awarding a waiver if the student has not yet been accepted to a university so that the student cannot use the waiver to garner any favoritism in admission. It would also allow a Member of the General Assembly to forfeit awarding such waivers in any given year. This is a change from the current practice where the -- the waivers, if not used, are 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 still accumulated. This way you could forfeit the waivers and indicate that they will not be used. It also would require the person receiving the waiver to disclose whether he or she or their immediate family has contributed to the political committee of the Member awarding the waiver, and if it’s false or misleading, then the person would lose their waiver and reimburse the university for any tuition waiver. Be happy to answer any questions and I would urge that we all support this…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Risinger.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator Risinger.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Yes, I think that’s correct. They’d be out of the district. If their -- if their legal residence remains in your district, then they would still be entitled to the scholarship. And I believe that that’s the current law.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Risinger. No, sir? 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator John Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield. Senator John Jones.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Mike Jacobs.

Question of the sponsor.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 He indicates he will yield. Senator Jacobs.

Senator, how does this affect athletic scholarships, those waivers that we give to athletes? Or does this just affect kids who are working hard and trying to get into school? So my question, I think, in the end is, we reward kids for being great basketball players, but if you’re a C student, maybe not the best student in the world, we don’t want to reward you. Is that -- is that what we’re trying to say?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Cullerton.

Senator, this bill deals with the General Assembly and their legislative waivers and it retains those legislative waivers, but -- but it’s meant to address perceived abuses of the -- of the process - like giving a scholarship to somebody who lives outside your district; giving a scholarship to somebody and then they give you a big campaign contribution, and that’s something we wanted to address; or using the scholarship to get somebody in who otherwise wouldn’t get in. So those are -- those are the things that we’re trying to address with this particular bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Jacobs.

I have noticed that there has been some abuses and I’m aware of at least a couple of Reps, maybe a Senator or two, who’ve taken large amounts of money from a parent and then turned around and given scholarships. Now, I don’t know if 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 that’s an abuse or not, because the voters in -- in my -- in -- in the case that I’m familiar with in my district - my Rep gave -- took sixteen thousand dollars and then gave a scholarship - the voters knew that; they voted for him anyway. I mean, I just think that maybe we’re chasing windmills. I know Senator Brady may have something to comment on this issue as that he has -- has been -- had this kind of problem himself. And so, I don’t know if Senator Brady might want to comment on how he feels about that particular situation.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Well, Senator Jacobs, the Chair would appreciate succinct questions and answers and we don’t want to prolong this issue. President Cullerton, you did not want to respond to that, did you? I didn’t think so. Leader Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Leader Radogno. Usually we go to the Leader last, but there were two other lights that I missed by mistake and these will be the last two speakers, Senator Raoul and then Senator Lightford, and then President Cullerton to close. Senator Raoul. Briefly, sir.

To the bill: I’d like to commend the sponsor for the bill. This -- this is not PR. This is clearly eliminating quid pro quo and -- with regards to giving legislative scholarships. With regards to the notion that legislative scholarships should 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 be eliminated altogether, well, I have right here, sitting in my seat right now, an example as to why legislative scholarships should not be eliminated altogether. There are people who would otherwise be looked over by -- and I thought the Senator in committee brought -- brought up a good point - to the extent that we’re going to review these waivers, let’s review them comprehensively, instead of isolating legislative scholarships. One of the things that I’ve done with regards to my committee that reviews these things, I say let’s have an essay so the applicants can explain challenges that they overcame that would otherwise put -- have them in a different situation. And Miss Watson, who’s sitting here -- in my seat right now, introduced - I didn’t know her - she introduced herself to me today, just happened to be here. She’s somebody who’s lending herself back to public service. She’s going to school right now as a graduate student for social work at UIC. And so, it’s a success story. And we in government are about investing in our citizens and I think that’s what happened in Miss Watson’s case and many other cases of legislative scholarships given by the Members in this Chamber on both sides of the aisle, whom I trust.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Lightford. Leader Lightford.

Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: As the Chairman of the subcommittee who listened to the testimony from Senator Frerichs and Senator Radogno, Senator Brady did not attend the subcommittee hearing to provide testimony. But one of the things that I do want to bring up, Senator John Jones brought up a point about waivers being looked at across the board; that 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 wasn’t even a suggestion until it was noted by President Cullerton that there’s veteran waivers, there’s waivers that faculty give for their family members. And we learned today that only ten percent -- waivers are part of General Assembly scholarships. Only ten percent of the total school waiver is averaged at ten percent coming from the General Assembly scholarship. So when we hear those numbers that Leader Radogno throw out, we’re up in arms, believing we’re the ones to cause all these financial burdens, which we found out today was not the case. So I’m hoping that President Cullerton will open up the door for opportunity to take a look at all the waivers when you’re considering getting rid of such a valuable piece, not only to my constituency, but I’m sure to many other Members here. And what I love about this amendment, as a Member you can opt out. Leader Radogno, even though you don’t agree with it, you passed out all your scholarships last year. You have students in school right now on General Assembly scholarships. So if you’re a legislator who speaks against the bill, you’re not interested in sharing this provision with your constituency, opt out - don’t accept the scholarship. But don’t stand on the Senate Floor and speak against it and then turn around and issue eight scholarships out to your constituencies. That’s one point I was hoping to make. And then I, finally, wanted to bring up the point that these parents still have to pay room and board. They’re not at SIU free. They’re not totally at U of I, Northern, any of our institutions, for free. Their parents still have to come out of their pockets, some kind of way, to pay for their room and board. So what we’re doing is helping them get there. We’re giving them an opportunity to have an 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 education higher than their high school education. And we want to produce quality constituents out of our districts. I see nothing wrong with this amendment, I think that our General Assembly scholarships is a plus for our constituency, and if any of you decide that you don’t want ‘em, I’d be happy to receive them in the 4th Senate District.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, Senator. Catie Sheehan from WICS-TV here in Springfield, one excellent location, seeks leave to videotape. Leave is granted? Leave is granted. Leader Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Radogno, I will always recognize you whether your name was spoken in debate or not, as long as I’m in the Chair. President Cullerton, to close.

Yes, thank you very much, Mr. President. A very good discussion. To address some of the points raised: Yes, I think 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010 it’s a very good idea for us to take up maybe a task force or committee to address all of the legislative -- all of the tuition waivers. I was -- actually I didn’t know the statistic, but in committee someone said that the legislative waivers are only ten percent of the total. So if that’s the case, if we’re going to talk about abolishing all of them or some of them, we should do it all at the same time and look at all of them kind of globally. So I think we should do that. I’ll be happy to do that. I don’t know how much money goes to veterans or how much money goes to the university employees - there’s -- they have legislative waivers - or how much goes to the athletic department. So, I think it’s something we should definitely do. But I would say that this is -- this is in response to allegations, specific allegations, that there were abuses. So, if it’s just PR, that means those allegations weren’t true. I don’t know that they were true or not. I think it’s clear that we should -- make it clear that -- since there’s a perception that if you get a campaign contribution and somebody gets a scholarship, that there’s some kind of a connection. So we should, going forward, say you can’t do that anymore. That’s very important. And as far as the legislator -- allowing the legislator to forfeit awarding such waivers, that’s an affirmative act that you can take to start saving money for the universities by not giving these scholarships out. And if you think that’s important, go ahead and start doing it. But, I -- I think that’s -- that’s a good way to respond to those folks who say they think they should abolish it. So, I think it’s a - - a good reform. I appreciate an Aye vote and appreciate your debate. 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 2/24/2010

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 365 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 54 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 365, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. There being no further business to come before the Senate -- I’m sorry. My great, distinguished, favorite Republican, Senator Millner, for what purpose do you seek recognition? Senator Millner.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senate Bill 3078 is tabled. Your request is in order. Now, there being no further business to come before the Senate. The Senate stands adjourned -- has been adjourned until the hour of 11 a.m. on the 25th day of February, 2010. The Senate stands adjourned. 38