PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The regular Session of the 96th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Reverend Jonathan Dixon, Riverton Methodist Church, Riverton, Illinois. Reverend Dixon.
(Prayer by the Reverend Jonathan Dixon)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the –- by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. 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, Committee Reports.
1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Senator Meeks, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3266 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Noland, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports House Bills 4715, 4738, 4776, 4807, 4895 Do Pass. Senator Koehler, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports House Bills 4639, 4710, 4758 and 4945 Do Pass.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 729, offered by Senator Kotowski. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Messages from 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 passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 4674. We have received like Messages on House Bills 4982, 5057, 5402, 5846, 5966, 6092 and 6213. All passed the House, March 23rd, 2010. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 House Bill 4674, offered by Senator Demuzio. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4858, offered by Senator Hutchinson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4928, offered by Senator Delgado. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5053, offered by Senator Forby. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5057, offered by Senator Raoul. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5282, offered by Senator Cronin. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5340, offered by Senator Holmes. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5341, offered by Senator Holmes. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5407, offered by Senator Delgado. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5515, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5838, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5858, offered by Senator Frerichs. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5863, offered by Senator Cronin. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5951, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5960, offered by Senator Crotty. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5966, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6041, offered by Senator Millner. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6077, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6101, offered by Senator Hutchinson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6359, offered by Senator Viverito. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of these House bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senator Righter has invited guests. May we please have your attention? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. It is my distinct privilege, along with -- State Representative Roger Eddy, a native of Crawford County, to introduce to you the 2009-2010 IHSA Class 2A State Champion Boys Basketball Team, the Robinson Maroons. They are here with us today. I’d like to turn the mike over to Coach Bob Coffman. Coach Coffman’s going to introduce his players and –- and say a few words. Coach, come on up.
(Remarks and Introductions by Coach Bob Coffman)
Again, Madam President, I want to thank you again for the 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 indulgence and Senate President Cullerton for allowing us to do this. Coach, you and your players not only provided a thrill for the people in Robinson and Crawford County and all across Representative and mine’s district, but all across the State. It was a thrilling overtime victory that you showed us in the State Championship game that had people holding their breath, I think, for the whole overtime championship. So, Madam President, if I could ask for one more round of applause for the Robinson Maroons. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?
Yes, thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege. I’d like to have Senator Righter stay there -- right there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point.
Well, as -- as the Senator from Peoria who represents Manual High School, I want to extend my congratulations as well. That was probably one of the most exciting high school basketball games I’ve ever seen and we congratulate you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. UIS Production requests permission to videotape. Leave is granted. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Please state your point, Senator.
I have, in the Chamber next to me, one of my -- one -- well, she’s a Page for me for the day and her name is Jasmine Tierra Whitt. She’s a tenth grade {sic} from Whitney -- I’m sorry, from Morgan Park Academy and she hoped to major in college in business and marketing. She is actually not a constituent of mine, but of –- Emil Jones. I was going to say President Jones. Emil Jones. So I’d like to welcome her to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please welcome Miss Whitt to the Illinois General Assembly. We hope you have a wonderful experience. Senator Maloney, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point.
In the gallery behind me, to my left, is a group of high school juniors from all over the State. They’re very, very interested in government. They’re down here as part of University of Illinois Springfield’s Under the Dome Program. I had an opportunity to speak -- to speak to them this morning. They’re very enthusiastic about their participation here. I would just ask that the Senate please welcome them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Will our guests in the galleries please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois General Assembly? Thank you for being 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 here. Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you very much. I also rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator.
With me today paging is Ellen Lipinski. Ellen is a fifth grader –- third grader. Well, I double promoted you. She’s a third grader and she’s here today from Lisle. Her State Senator is Senator Kirk Dillard, and she just met with Kirk. And her -- her dad is Todd. He’s right above the President’s Gallery here and her grandmother and grandfather, and that’s Barbara and Jerry Lipinski. Please welcome them to Springfield. It’s their first time here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome our guests to Springfield. Will the guests in the galleries please rise and be recognized. Senator Noland, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point.
Thank you. With me today is a young lady who has promised to serve as my Page for life. Her name is Claire. She attends Channing Elementary School. She’s a product of the dual language program there. Her favorite subject is math. Her favorite television program, believe it or not, is the TV 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 program Batman. She likes –- she’s an aspiring Batgirl. Her name is Claire Laude Noland. She’s my daughter and the apple of my eye. I ask you to give her a warm Senate welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please welcome Senator Noland’s daughter to the General Assembly. Welcome. Senator Duffy, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) State your point, Senator.
I’d like to introduce my Page for a Day. My Page for a Day is Joe Gerak. Joe is a junior at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights. He’s interested in pursing a career in politics and he’s also very active in his community and has formed a young entrepreneurial foundation. So please help me welcome Joe and his father Jay, who’s up in the gallery.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Joe and his family. If you could rise and be recognized at this time. Thank you for being here. Senator Luechtefeld, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. I have a family here today looking at –- certainly looking at the Capitol and -– and -- and hopefully enjoying their day. Would hope that you could give them a -- a warm welcome. They’re from my district. They are –- the parents are Lisa and Larry Johnson and they brought their two sons with them, Brent and Alex. So, would you please rise? 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome the Johnson family to the Illinois General Assembly. Hope you have a wonderful stay in Springfield. Seth Perlman, AP, requests permission to photo. Leave is granted. 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 immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator.
I would like everybody to join me in wishing Senator Link a happy belated birthday. His birthday was this past Saturday, when we weren’t down here. So, please, when you see him in the hall and around the Senate, wish him a happy birthday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) I’m sorry, I didn’t hear the name of the Senator. Senator Link, happy birthday. Please recognize Senator Link and wish him a happy birthday. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator DeLeo, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Refer to the Criminal Law Committee – Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3796; refer to the Environment Committee – Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3344; refer to the Executive Committee – Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2925; refer to the Executive Subcommittee on Education – Committee Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2494; refer to the Financial Institutions Committee – Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3781; refer to the Human Services Committee – Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2545, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3267; refer to the Judiciary Committee – Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3064; refer to the Local Government Committee – Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 580; refer to the Pensions and Investments Committee – Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2547; refer to the Public Health Committee – Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3822; refer to the Revenue Committee – Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2505 and Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3106; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee – Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2871, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3215; refer to the Transportation Committee – Floor Amendment 2 and Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 935; and Be Approved for Consideration – House Joint Resolution 89, Senate Resolution 729. Signed by Senator James A. DeLeo, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, if I could have your attention, please. I will make committee assignment announcements for this afternoon. May I please have your attention? At 12 noon, Exec will meet in Room 212 at 12 noon and Revenue will meet in Room 400 at 12 noon. At 1:30 in Room 212, Public Health will meet. At 1:45, Human 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Services in Room 212. At 2 o’clock, State Government and Veterans Affairs will meet in Room 409. Transportation -- oh, I’m sorry, I skipped Judiciary. You’re not off the hook, guys. Judiciary will meet at 1:45 in Room 400 - 1:45 in Room 400. Transportation will meet in Room 400 at 2:20 – at 2:20. Criminal Law will meet in Room 212 at 2:40. Environment will also meet at 2:40 in Room 400, and Local Government will meet at 2:40 in Room 409. Let me repeat that. Criminal Law in Room 212; Environment, Room 400; Local Government, Room 409 - all at 2:40. At 3:15, Financial Institutions will meet in Room 400. At 3 o’clock, Pension {sic} and Investments will meet in Room 409 at 3 p.m. And lastly, Appropriations II will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 212. Appropriations II at 4 p.m. in Room 212. The Subcommittee on Education for Executive will meet at 12 noon, followed by the full committee on Exec at 12:30, also in Room 212. The Senate will stand at ease. The Senate will stand at ease for the purpose of an introduction. The Senate will stand at ease for just a moment. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The Senate will now come to order. On the Order of Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions, on page 37. If Members will please turn their Calendars to page 37. On the Order of Secretary {sic} Desk, Resolutions, Senator Schoenberg, on Senate Resolution 625. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Senate Resolution 625, offered by Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Resolution 625 proclaims the week of March 21st through March 27th, 2010, as “Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Week” in the State of Illinois. We’re joined by our guests in the gallery behind the President’s Podium on the Republican side, a very important delegation of guests from Children’s Oncology Services - children who have shown remarkable resolve and courage in fighting the ravages of cancer and who can teach all of us how to be better leaders, how to be better role models, how to contribute more in our community, and how to be better people most of all. They, more than anyone who will walk in the door of this Capitol this Session, will be able to provide living testimony as to how important it is for us to retain our focus and our priority on ensuring that families throughout the State of Illinois have access to affordable quality healthcare. Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I’m pleased to tell you that the cure for pediatric cancers has risen dramatically in the last twenty years, but we haven’t made enough progress. And pediatric cancer survivorship can come at great costs - not just to the children themselves, but to their families, whether it’s physically, emotionally, or financially. There’s so much that we can learn from our friends who are up in the gallery today, and it’s with great pride that I’m once again offering this resolution and urge that you all support Senate Resolution 625, declaring this week Pediatric 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Cancer Survivorship Week. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) You’re welcome. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 625 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Will our guests in the galleries please rise and be welcomed to Springfield? We appreciate all the hard work that you do. Senator Holmes, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point.
I just want to honor somebody today because it is my great privilege and honor to have him as my seatmate. And I want us all to give Dan Kotowski a very, very happy birthday greeting. He is, as you all know, a man of great charm, great wit, and unparalleled professionalism here in the Senate and we are all honored to serve with him. Happy birthday, Dan.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Happy birthday, Senator Kotowski. Senator Steans, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your announcement, Senator.
Yes, just want -- for all the women legislators, the Conference of Women Legislators is having an informational 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 hearing tomorrow morning at the Capitol Development Board, Room 349-C of the Stratton Office Building, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. We’ve got eighteen people who are going to be presenting. It’s early, but we will feed you there as well. So we hope to see many of you there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Madam President. Senate Democrats requesting a caucus immediately in the President’s Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. That request is in order, which is always in order, for a Senate Democrat Caucus immediately following adjournment. Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. The Republican’s would also request a caucus at the same time in Senator Radogno’s Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. The request is always in order. There will be a Democrat and Republican Caucus immediately following recess, not adjournment. We’re just recessing. The caucus will go until 12 noon and then committees will begin to convene. The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. After committee meetings, the Senate will reconvene to receive committee reports and further Floor action. The Senate stands in recess. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The Senate will now come to order. The Senate now comes to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Silverstein, Chairperson of the Committee on –- on Executive, reports Senate Bills 2494 and 3522 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2925 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Demuzio, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs, reports House Bill 5412 Do Pass. Senator Delgado, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3822 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Hunter, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2545 and Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3267 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Wilhelmi, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Amendment 1 {sic} (2) to Senate Bill 3064 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Sandoval, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 935 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Noland, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3796 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Garrett, Chairperson of the Committee on 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Environment, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3344 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Koehler, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 580 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Martinez, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Pensions and Investments, reports Senate Amendments 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 2547 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Collins, Chairperson of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3781 recommended Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.
Thank you, Madam President. I just want to clarify: For the Committee on Judiciary, it was Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3064 recommended Do Adopt. 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 1578. 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, March 24th, 2010. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Mr. President – I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following title, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 354. We have received like Messages on House Bills 5026, 5183, 5304, 5329, 5448, 5513, 5525, 5527, 5555, 5571, 5671, 5791, 5923, 5972 and 6464. All passed the House, March 24th, 2010. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 354, offered by Senator Emil Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3869, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4927, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5183, offered by Senator Koehler. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5281, offered by Senator Wilhelmi. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5304, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5329, offered by Senator Forby. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5448, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads title of bill) 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 House Bill 5525, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5671, offered by Senator Dahl. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5791, offered by Senator Holmes. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5972, offered by Senator Koehler. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6003, offered by Senator Holmes. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6014, offered by Senator Hutchinson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6047, offered by Senator Noland. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6151, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6231, offered by Senator Dillard. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6272, offered by Senator Dillard. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of these House bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Will all Members of the Senate please come to the Floor? Will all Members please come to the Floor? We will be taking up substantive action and we need your participation, please. Will all Members please come to the Senate Floor? 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 immediately. 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Will Members under the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor for substantive action? The Senate will stand at ease. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The Committee on Assignments meeting will be postponed. We will convene this evening. For now, we will turn our attention to page 37 of the Calendar. The Senate is in order. Senate please come to order. And Members who have not arrived to the Senate Floor, can you please make your way here quickly? We will be going to Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions on page 37. On the order of Senate Resolution 435. Senator Sandoval. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senator Koehler, on Senate Resolution 576. Senator Koehler. Indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 576, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Koehler.
Yes, thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This resolution designates the third full week of September of each year as “Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week” in the State of Illinois and urges citizens of the State to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs. And this is brought to me, actually, by a friend of my district staff person whose 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 family has -– they have a child with this disease. And I know that Senator Millner is also involved in this. I think the family is from, actually, his area. So, I’d appreciate support for this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor - - shall Senate Resolution 576 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Koehler, on Senate Resolution 577. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 577, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This resolution designates the date of May 1st, 2010, as “Proper Drug Disposal Day” throughout the State of Illinois and urges all citizens to recognize the need for proper adherence to medication and appropriate drug disposal across the State of Illinois. This is something we actually got from Senator Rutherford’s area. They have done a program there with the high school on properly disposing unused prescription drugs. We have brought that to Peoria and it’s -– it’s really been very popular. It’s a way of preventing these drugs from going down the toilet and affecting our water supply system. So, I’d appreciate support on this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 577 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Resolution 635 -- 633, excuse me. Senator Wilhelmi. Out of the record. Senator Link, on Senate Resolution 635. Senator Link. Out of the record. Oh, I’m sorry, Senator Link. I did not see you. Madam Secretary, he indicates he wish to proceed. Please read the gentleman’s resolution.
Senate Resolution 635, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link.
Thank you, Madam President. This will recognize April 2nd, 2010, and every April 2nd each year thereafter, as “World Autism Day” in the State of Illinois in order to acknowledge and recognize a very valuable member of our societies with autism. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Are there any questions? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 635 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Haine, on Senate Resolution 642. Senator Haine. Out of the record. With leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Resolution 643. With leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Resolution 651. On the order of Senate Resolution 652. Senator Collins. She indicates she wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution. 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
Senate Resolution 652, offered by Senator Collins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Collins.
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Assembly. Senate Resolution 652 raises awareness for youth violence prevention and designates July 26th through August 1st, 2010, as “Ryan Harris: Hope for Children Week”. Back in 1998, eleven- year-old child by the name of Ryan Harris was brutally beaten and assaulted and found dead in an Englewood park, which is in my district. The predator is now serving a life sentence. And this is just to designate the week that we protect and work against youth violence whenever it -- the perpetrators try to inflict harm on our children. So I’d ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any question? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 652 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Madam Secretary, Messages from 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 1946. Together with the following amendments which are attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 4. Passed the House, as amended, March 24th, 2010. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Senator Kotowski, on Senate Resolution 681. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the gentleman’s resolution.
Senate Resolution 681, offered by Senator Kotowski.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Kotowski.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Resolution 681 recognizes the Lincoln Foundation for Performance Excellent {sic} (Excellence) and the organizations that the Foundation recognized in 2009, including Memorial Health System in Springfield, Black Hawk College in Moline, the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund in Oakbrook, and St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. This organization helped inspire language in the budget last year. I’m sorry, this –- this -- mildly distracted by the Chair right now. This language helped to inspire, in the budget last year, goals, objectives and performance-based measurements in our budget, in the agencies, in service and programs to have better accountability in our government. I would simply ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 681 pass. All those in 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. With leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Resolution 435. Senate Resolution 435. Senator Sandoval. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the gentleman’s resolution.
Senate Resolution 435, offered by Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Sandoval.
…you -- thank you, Madam President, Members of the Illinois Senate. Senate Resolution 435 urges Congress and the President to enact H.R. 915, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009, into law without changes to Section 806 of the bill, which provides equal application of federal labor laws to employees performing the same task and job functions at different companies in the express carrier -- carrier industry. The proponents are UPS, Teamsters Council 25, AFL-CIO.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 435 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Moving to Senate Joint Resolution 81. Senate Joint Resolution 81. Senator Harmon. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 81, offered by Senator Harmon. The Committee…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Park National Bank was a bank headquartered in Oak Park that had a -- a dramatic impact on the broader community, especially in Austin and on the west side of the City of Chicago. It was really the center of philanthropic giving to many community organizations on the west side and the western suburbs. In October of last year, the bank was seized by the FDIC, one of many community banks in trouble in the current economy. What is particularly troubling about this seizure is that not only was the bank so integral to the community, but also, just that morning, Treasury Secretary Geithner came to Chicago and awarded the bank fifty million dollars for community grants. So, there clearly is a disconnect between Treasury and the FDIC. This resolution would call on the appropriate committees in Congress to continue to investigate the seizure of the bank by the FDIC and its broader implications for community banking. I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 81 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Now on the order of Senate Joint Resolution 105 on the top of page 38. Senator Koehler. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the gentleman’s resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 105, offered by Senator Koehler. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 105 urges the Department of Agriculture to implement an Internet-based geographic -- information system in order to help identify sensitive crops, foster meaningful communication between specialty growers and pesticide applicators, lessen the likelihood of pesticide drift in the agricultural community, and protect the interests of all parties involved in production of -- agriculture. The resolution directs the –- the Director of the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the General Assembly regarding the process of implementation by December 31st of 2010. Let me just mention that this was the subject of a -– of a subcommittee hearing that we had earlier this year. There’s a lot of concern in the rural areas about chemical drift from aerial spraying. This is a program that will in part be funded by the federal government and it’s a good way to establish a base. If this doesn’t work, then we’re going to have to come back and think of something else. But I wholeheartedly ask for your support on this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution -- I’m sorry. There is discussion. Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank -- thank you, Madam President. To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator. 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
I -- I just rise in -– in strong support of Senator Koehler’s resolution here. I -- I want to commend him on -- on the work that he’s put in –- in -- into this resolution and working with all the groups and organizations that’s involved. I think it will work and -– and we hope that it does, but if it doesn’t, then we’ll come back and -– and try to do something differently. But I just wanted to commend the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 105 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Now on the order of Senate Joint Resolution 107. Senator Frerichs. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the gentleman’s resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 107, offered by Senator Frerichs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Frerichs.
Thank you very much, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 107 creates the Joint Task Force on Soil and Water Conservation Districts to study the history and purpose of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the administration and organization of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the current and future funding of such districts, and any other topic regarding Soil and Water Conservation Districts that the Chair of the Task Force sees fit to study. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 107 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. With leave of the Body, we will return to page 37. Senate Resolution 633. Senate Resolution 633. Senator Wilhelmi. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 633, offered by Senator Wilhelmi.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Wilhelmi.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This resolution would extend the deadline for the Re- Sellers’ Task Force to submit its report. It also would allow that if the Governor is unable to fill three positions for this Task Force by a certain date, then we’d be able here in the Senate to have those positions filled thereafter. I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 633 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Now on the order of Senate Resolution 642. Senator Haine. On Senate Resolution 642. Out of the record. Now moving to page 38 with House Joint Resolution 56. Senator Garrett, on House Joint Resolution 56. She indicates she wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution. 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
House Joint Resolution 56, offered by Senator Garrett.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Garrett.
Thank you, Madam President. House Joint Resolution 56 recommends that an Illinois Physician Workforce Institute be organized and operated as an independent, unbiased, and not-for- profit research organization whose purpose is to collect, aggregate, analyze, and distribute Illinois-specific physician workforce data to provide objective information for assisting health care, professional, and education organizations, policy makers, and the public on issues related to the supply, demand, distribution, use of physicians across the State. I’d be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Joint Resolution 56 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Hendon in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Terry Martin from the Illinois Channel seeks leave to videotape. Leave is granted? Leave is granted. Senate Resolution -- Senator Lightford, on Senate Resolution 643. Senator Lightford, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 643, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Is there any discussion? Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 643 urges President Obama and Congress to allocate two billion dollars of the next proposed economic stimulus to create an employment program throughout the year, with a particular emphasis on the summer, for seven hundred thousand youth, combining education and productive work in local neighborhoods. It’s important that we put our young people to work during the summer and I hope you guys would agree.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Resolution 643 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 651. Senator Lightford. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 651, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Resolution 651 recognizes and congratulates members of the American Institute of Architect {sic} (Architects) for improving our communities in Illinois through architecture. The American Institute of Architects -- this week is Architect Week. It will be celebrated during the week of April 12th through April 18th of 2010. Architects are in the State Capitol today and I’m hoping that you guys will recognize them as making considerable contributions to our communities. 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate Resolution 651 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The members on the Committee on Assignments will please come to the President’s Anteroom immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Lightford in the Chair. (SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The Senate will now come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Appropriations I Committee – Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 859; refer to the Education Committee – Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 618; refer to the Environment Committee – Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3750, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3320; refer to the Executive Committee – Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and –- with House Amendment 1 and House Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 1946 and 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1578. Signed by Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to move to reconsider the vote on Senate Joint Resolution 105. I voted on the prevailing side and the resolution was adopted by a voice vote. But since the resolution may require the expenditure of public funds, I seek reconsideration so that we may adopt the resolution by a roll call vote, pursuant to Rule 6-11(b) {sic} (6-1(b)). And I want to thank Senator John Jones for bringing this to my attention so that we can do this in the correct way.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Having voted on the prevailing side, Senator Koehler moves to reconsider the vote by which Senate Joint Resolution 105 was adopted. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Inquiry of the Chair, if I might, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
Can –- can you or your trusted Parliamentarian help us with whether not it’s appropriate under the Rules to reconsider a voice vote? Is there a specific provision in the Rules that we can point to that, or…?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter, a motion to reconsider is always in order on any action that we’ve already addressed. If you wouldn’t 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 mind taking a look at -- under Senate Rule 7-15(a). Senate Rule 7-15(a). Senator Silverstein, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your announcement.
Just announcement that the Senate Executive Committee will meet at 6:33 in Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. The Senate Executive Committee will convene in one hour in Room 212 - at 6:33. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Think we’re still on the –- we are still on the issue of Senator Koehler’s motion to reconsider. In looking at the rule that you pointed me to, Madam President, a member who voted on the prevailing side of a -- excuse me, on the side of a record vote. There’s no record of a voice vote. So I’m not sure how that could be a record vote. You don’t have a record.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator -- Senator Righter, we would defer to Robert {sic} (Robert’s) Rules of Order, which will, again, put us back in the position to reconsider a motion. Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
For an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your announcement, Senator. 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
The Appropriations I Committee will meet in one hour, at the hour of 6:35, in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President. Since we’re still on the order of Senator Koehler’s resolution, and -- and I –- I have no actual objection to the substantive action that Senator Koehler’s asking the Senate to undertake, but I do think it’s important that we follow the rules. We go to Robert’s Rules of Order when our rules are silent. On this particular issue, clearly the Rules are not silent. They say a record vote. You do not have a record of the vote on Senate Joint Resolution 105. So there may have been two or three people who indicated by their voices No. You don’t really know that because you don’t have a record and it requires a record vote in order to make a motion to reconsider. Having said that, Madam President, I’m not going to bother you again about that, but I -- I do think that we’re being a little liberal with the interpretation of what is a pretty plainly written rule. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. No bother, whatsoever, but we can proceed. Senator Koehler, this is only the motion to reconsider which is… All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Present. The motion carries, and the question before the Senate is subscribed. The motion to reconsider carried; therefore, we will return to Senate Joint Resolution 105. Senator Koehler, indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 105, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Koehler.
Yes, thank you, Madam President, and thank you to the Senate for your indulgence on this. We just wanted to do this in the right way since there may be an expenditure of funds. But this is an important program. It’s a voluntary program. It’s helped -- it’s -– it’s paid in part by the U.S. federal government. But it would allow the Department of Agriculture to set up a Internet-based program in order to identify sensitive crops so that the pesticide applicators can be sure to avoid them. So, we’ve had good bipartisan support and I’d appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Senator John Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank -- thank you, Madam President. Please vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 105 pass. All those –- the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 On that question, there are 53 voting Yea, 2 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. On that -- Senate Joint Resolution 105, having received the required constitution majority, is declared adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please turn your Calendars to page 2. At the top of page 2, Senate Bills 2nd Reading. Senate Bills 2nd Reading. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 1346. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please take note that this is the final time that we will go through the Calendar on 2nd Reading. This is the final opportunity to move your bill from 2nd to 3rd. Please be at your desk and ready to move your legislation to 3rd Reading. Senator Trotter, on Senate Bill 3064. Out of the record. Senator Trotter, on Senate Bill 3215. Senator Trotter, on Senate Bill 3215. Out of the record. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 3343. Senator Clayborne. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3343. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Energy adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Senator Steans, on Senate Bill 3480. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to -- to Senator Steans, Senate 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Bill 3480. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 3374. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 3374. Final time going through 2nd Readings. Out of the record. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 3474. Out of the record. Senator Steans, on Senate Bill 3480. No. Senator Emil Jones, on Senate Bill 3513. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3513. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 1 {sic} (3).
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Now on the order of page 3. Senate Bill 3545. Senator Crotty. Out of the record. Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 3564. Out of the record. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 3607. Out of the record. Senator Garrett, on Senate Bill 3611. Senator Garrett, on Senate Bill 3611. Out of the -– no. Out of the record. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 3617. Out of the record. Senator Kotowski, on Senate Bill 3750. Out of the record. On page 4, the middle of page 4. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 3775. Out of the record. Senator Collins, on Senate Bill 3781. She indicates she wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the lady’s bill.
37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Senate Bill 3781. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Collins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Collins, to explain Floor Amendment No. 2.
Thank you, Madam Chairman -- Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Basically, Floor Amendment No. 2 was an initiative of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to bring Illinois in compliance with the Safe Act, which was passed last year. It’s agreed-upon language with all the parties involved - the Illinois credit unions, Illinois Bankers Association, and the Department.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3781 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Oh! The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. President Cullerton, on Senate Bill 3797. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 President’s bill.
Senate Bill 3797. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) President Cullerton, to explain your amendment.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate -– Senate. This is an amendment with –- with the support of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, the CLEAR Commission, the Cook County State’s Attorneys, and the Bar Association. It would allow for multiple retail thefts committed by the same person as part of a continuing course of conduct which -- may be prosecuted as such, as if it was a single crime. Also, we are increasing the felony thresholds for retail theft from one hundred and fifty to three hundred dollars and increases the felony thresholds for theft, financial crime, online theft by deception from three hundred to five hundred, which is an adjustment that hasn’t been made in thirty-five years. Again, it’s with the support of the Retail Merchants, the CLEAR Commission, State’s Attorneys, and the Bar Association. Be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. President Cullerton, on Senate Bill 3800. 3800. President Cullerton. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read President’s bill.
Senate Bill 3800. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Senator Martinez, on Senate Bill 3811. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we will seek leave to return to page 3. On the Order of 2nd Readings, Senate Bill 3750. Senator Kotowski. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3750. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Consumer Protection {sic} (Environment) adopted Amendment No. 1. 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 3775. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3775. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Are there –- 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we’ll return to page 2. Senator Trotter, on Senate Bill 3064. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3064. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Trotter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Trotter… 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) …on Amendment No. 1.
Yes, thank you very much, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Actually, Senate –- the Senate amendment, Floor Amendment No. 1, is a Haine amendment, and if he can present it, I’d appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Absolutely, Senator. Senator Haine, on Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3064.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 1 removes a large homeowner association with a lake. It’s in the middle of my district.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you very much, Madam President. First, to apologize to you and the Body. Senate -– Amendment No. 1 is my amendment. And Senator Haine has Amendment No. 2. The -- Amendment No. 1 lowers the required percentage of households necessary to approve the dredging and redepositing of dredged materials on common areas from fifty-one percent to thirty-three percent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. Senator Haine, on Floor Amendment No. 1. 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
Thank you, Madam President. I believe that Floor Amendment No. 2, which I offered, embodies the language of Floor Amendment No. 1. So, if the Senator would withdraw No. 1, No. 2 becomes the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) On Floor Amendment No. 1, Senator Trotter, to Senate Bill 3064, is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Now on the order of Amendment No. 2. Senator Haine.
Thank you, Madam President. It takes Floor Amendment No. 1’s language, but adds the provision that it is not applicable to a situation where the homeowner association with a lake has more than four hundred members. That would remove the requirements of this bill from an -- a large area named Holiday Shores, which lies in Madison County, and there’s over four hundred members of that association. They don’t want to be in the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Trotter, is there discussion on Amendment No. 2?
This is a friendly amendment and I do accept it. 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Any further discussion? Senator Dillard, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you. I’ll –- I’ll let the sponsor and Senator Haine put their bill in any form they want to. But I want to point out that what this amendment does is it lets larger homeowners’ associations, who are more likely to have the money to do a dredging project for a homeowners’ association, out of these restrictions. And, you know, I understand what’s going on. Senator Haine wants to exempt out a project in his district, like I would, but all he’s doing is –- is -- is taking care of a problem in his district and making probably what is already a -- a questionable bill even worse. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Senator Trotter, on Senate Bill 3215. Senator Trotter. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3215. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on State Government and 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Veterans Affairs adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we will return to the top of page 2. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 1346. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1346. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) There any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Senator Wilhelmi, on Senate Bill 3474. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3474. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the Supplemental –- Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been distributed. We will be going to the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading. Senator Meeks. Senator Meeks, on Senate Bill 2494. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2494. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Committee Amendments 1 and 3.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Meeks. Has there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Senator Steans, on Senate Bill 3522. She indicates she wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3522. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Has there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. On the Order of Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions, Senate Resolution 729. Senator Kotowski. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 729, offered by Senator Kotowski.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Kotowski.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President. Thank you, Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Resolution 729 recognizes March 26th as “Purple Day”, a day dedicated to raising epilepsy awareness around the world. This resolution also recognizes the Purple Day Organization and their efforts to inform and dispel myths about epilepsy and seizures in general. In the State of Illinois, there’s about a hundred and thirty thousand people in our State who have epilepsy and about one in ten of our citizens who have seizures. As someone who has had epilepsy since the age of 13, I think it’s very important that we continue to educate people and inform them of the challenges other people have who live with epilepsy and to make sure we prevent people from suffering as a result of this illness. I would simply ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 729 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 resolution is adopted. Senator Jacobs, on House Joint Resolution 89. He indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the Resolution.
House Joint Resolution 89, offered by Senator Jacobs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Jacobs.
Thank you, Madam Chairman {sic}. House Joint Resolution 89 recognizes members of the United States Armed Forces, including our own Senator Bill Haine, who served bravely and fought for our country during the Vietnam War, and establishes March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”. I ask for your favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?
Just to express my -– my appreciation to the sponsor for this honor and I’ll see him at Augie’s on March 30. He can buy me a drink.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) So noted. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Joint Resolution 89 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Hendon in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re going to 3rd Readings. 2812. Senator Harmon. 2812. Senator Harmon. Madam Secretary, read 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 the bill.
Senate Bill 2812. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) I strongly recommend that you be prepared and ready. The pace will quicken. Senator Harmon, on 2812. Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2812 is an initiative of the Illinois EPA. It clarifies the clean air permitting process and the role of the Pollution Control Board. I believe, through our amendments, we have resolved all questions and objections to the bill and I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2812 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 53 voting Aye, 3 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 2812, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 2820. Senator Althoff. 2820. Out of the record. Senate Bill -- we’re going to skip to page 20 -- let’s try page 28. Page 27. 2925. Senator Frerichs. Sir. 2925, sir. Out of the record. I recommend you look at your Calendars. We’re going to move right on past you. 2950. Senator Silverstein. 2950. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2970. Emil Jones. Emil… Out of 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 the record. Senate Bill 2988. Senator Pankau. 2988. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2996. Senator Lightford. Senator Lightford. Out of the record. Senate Bill -- we’re going to skip past President bills and go to page 29. 3151. Senator Link. 3151. Senator Link. Are you ready to go, sir? Out of the record. Senate Bill 3152. Senator Link. Madam Secretary, read the bill. Looking -- looking for Senate Bill 3152. 3152. Senator Terry Link is the sponsor. Senator Link seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3152 to the Order of 2nd Reading for purpose of amendment. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3152. Madam Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link, on Amendment 2.
Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 2 just -- corrects some –- clerical error.
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. Are 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 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Bill 3152. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 3152. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. This -- any county or municipality with a -- a TIF needs to hold a status hearing on the TIF ten years after creation; needs to detail in annual budget TIF generate {sic} revenue and expenditures; needs to submit reporting data on {sic} the State Comptroller in electronic form; require the Comptroller to post the submitted information on a website; and requires the Comptroller to also report on his website those municipalities that have not submitted the required information on the TIF to his office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Any discussion? Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Mr. President. This passed out of Revenue unanimously, 6-0.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 3152 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? Someone needs to –- the Presiding Officer, please. Take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 3152, having 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 3231. Senator Sandoval. 3231, sir. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3251. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3266. Senator Lightford. Lightford. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3267. Senator Hunter. 3267. Senator Hunter. Senator Hunter. Out of the record. The Chair would appreciate -- Senator Hunter seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3267 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purpose of amendment. Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3267. Madam Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 3, offered by Senator Hunter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter, to explain Floor Amendment No. 3. Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment becomes the bill and I’ll explain it on 3rd…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Hearing 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 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Bill 3267. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 3267. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 3267 seeks to address the growing problem of financial exploitation by {sic} the elderly by fostering cooperation between the Department on Aging and banking institutions. This bill requires the Department of {sic} Aging to, one - it does two things - provide financial institutions with signage and other written materials concerning financial exploitation for the elderly and, two, it develops an online training program to be used by financial institution employees with direct consumer contact.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Senator Burzynski. Sir? I mean Senator Syverson. I’m sorry. Senator Syverson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) She indicates she will yield. Senator Syverson.
Senator, is this the legislation that we had in committee earlier today?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter. 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
It is.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Syverson.
I thought this was going to be -– this is legislation that was going to be held and you were going to be working with the sponsor -- or with the –- with both parties on addressing that - – that language that the -- that the bankers had - between that “shall” and “may”, is it?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter.
That was the recommendation of the Bankers Association, Senator. But, as it was indicated in committee, we’ve been working on this bill for more than three years and we just really cannot come to any resolution with the bankers at all.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Syverson, to the bill, sir.
Well, thank you. Well, this is an important piece of legislation and one that I thought was pretty clear in committee that this was going to be held and both parties were going to be working on it. This is legislation that has a dramatic and financial effect on banks, that everyone needs to understand what –- what it -– it does, in which it requires banks to now follow totally different education training programs than what they already have in place. Those training programs are -- have not even completely been established yet by the Department of -– 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 of {sic} Aging. The banking community is strongly opposed to this and wanted to work out some other amendments. So I -- I would urge a No vote until there’s an agreement on this legislation. I understand what the sponsor is trying to do would give more protection from financial abuse, but this is going to create more problems for the banks and credit unions and, in the end, is going to, I think, cause more problems than -– than solutions. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you, sir. Further discussion? Senator Crotty.
Thank you. I rise in strong support of this bill. Senator Hunter is right; we have been working on this for three years. It’s been brought to my attention by quite a few of the senior organizations - one of ‘em are AgeOptions, which takes in all of the south suburban area - this protects seniors from being exploited financially by -- whether it be a caregiver, a family member, and this is on the rise. And all this bill does is has the Department of {sic} Aging have materials available at the bank and it also offers training for tellers. I ask for a Aye vote. This is a very important bill for senior citizens. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Hunter, to close.
In spite of what Senator Syverson indicated, the community banks did not slip anything today. The credit unions are in town. I sit on the board of a credit union. No one has said anything to me about it. This -- who cares about the banks? I 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 mean, the banks are important, but they got billions of dollars in bailout. What about the seniors? Let’s protect the seniors sometime. What about the people? I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 3267 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 33 voting Aye, 14 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 3267, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body -- Senator Althoff, I’m sorry. For what purpose do you seek recognition, ma’am?
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. Inadvertently, I pressed the No button on Senate Bill 3152 and it should have been a Yes. I’d like the record to reflect that. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The record will so reflect. With leave of the Body, we’re going to go back to Senator Lightford’s bills. She did such a great job while in the Chair and we skipped over hers. Page 28 of your Calendar is Senate Bill 2996. Madam Secretary, read the bill. 2996.
Senate Bill 2996. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Lightford.
56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2996, as amended, makes various changes regarding bank regulation and pawnbroker regulations. This is a bill brought by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations {sic} (Regulation). There is no opponents and it left the committee on a leave roll call. I’d be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2996 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 55 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 2996, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we’re going to turn to -- ahead to your Calendar. Page 30 of your Calendar is Senate Bill 3266. Senator Lightford, on 3266. Senator Lightford seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3266 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 3266. Madam Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Lightford, to explain Floor Amendment No. 1.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Senate. Senate Bill 3266 amends the Section of the School Code concerning bullying prevention and gang resistance education and training. The bill defines bullying and convenes a task force of fifteen members to review bullying causes and policies and it issues a report to the General Assembly by March 1st of 2011. I -– I want to bring to everyone’s attention the importance of this task force. Bullying is a serious problem. It’s a serious problem in our State. It leads to violence. We had four children last year commit suicide who were being bullied at the young age of ten, eleven and fifteen. We should not take this lightly. I’d appreciate an Aye vote. And the next time bullying comes back to this Floor, I would appreciate an Aye vote so that we can help deter violence in our schools.
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 3266. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 3266. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Lightford. 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 3266 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 51 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 3266, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 3320. Senator John Jones. 3320, sir. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3344. Senator Clayborne. Clayborne, 3344, sir. Madam Secretary -- Senator Clayborne seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3344 to the Order of 2nd Reading for purpose of amendment. Hearing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3344. Madam Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Clayborne.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne, to explain amendment.
Thank you, Mr. -– Mr. -– Mr. President. Basically, what this does, this speeds up the permitting process for air and water. It’s still a work in progress. There’s a commitment to work with –- with AFSCME as well as IEPA to get this resolved.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) There any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 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 3344. Madam Secretary, read the bill. We just have a small glitch in the equipment and then we will read Senate Bill 3344. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 3344. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Clayborne.
Thank you. This –- this requires EPA to create a permitting -- a permit expediting unit within six months of the passage of the bill for air and water construction. Also, within six months of the bill, IEPA must form and convene stakeholders group to create a priority list of suitable categories of sources eligible for general permits. Also, IEPA must adopt and expedite a process for NPDES. And also, the Illinois Pollution Control Board may adopt, by rule, construction or operating air permits for certain classes of facilities or equipment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator Risinger. 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this bill. If there ever was a bill that’s pro-jobs, this is one of ‘em. We need to speed this process up and to allow businesses to make their investment and to move forward and -– and to get that information as quickly as possible. So I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 3344 pass. All those in favor will 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 56 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 3344, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 3346. Senator Steans. 3346. Out of the record. It’s the intention of the Chair to get through as many bills as we can -- be -– by -- before committee at 6:30. Senate Bill 3348. Senator Steans. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3375. Senator Haine. 3375. Senator Haine, sir. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3378. Senator Haine. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3382. Senator Schoenberg. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3482. Senator Steans. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3489. Senator Steans. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3523. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3558. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3560. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3619. Senator Syverson. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s bill.
Senate Bill 3619. (Secretary reads title of bill) 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Syverson. Are you ready, sir?
Yep. This legislation…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Syverson.
Thank you, Mr. President. This legislation just extends the –- the industrial TIF program that’s already been in place. Just extends the deadline.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3619 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 56 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 3619, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 3647. President Cullerton. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3702. Senator Noland. Madam Secretary, 3702, read the gentleman’s bill.
Senate Bill 3702. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Noland.
62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 3702 amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administration {sic} (Administrative) Code of Illinois. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish business ownership grants and loan program for unemployed individuals who have a credible business plan. Specified for -- the purposes of -- of which the grant funds may be used. It is effective January 1st, -- or, excuse me, 2011. Ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Is there any discussion? Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Question -- well, to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) To the bill, sir, my friend, Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill: Despite how quickly the bill is read, it doesn’t make it that -- any -- that doesn’t make it any better. You know, we had a long discussion sometime ago about a five -– what five-thousand dollars is going to do for someone to start a new business. And I think we concluded that it –- it really couldn’t do much as well, if it wasn’t included with any kind of a mentoring program, which already exists with the SCORE Program. This isn’t really a good risk and not really going to benefit that many people. So I would encourage a No vote on the vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator Lightford.
63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: Mr. President, five thousand dollars could do a significant support to an unemployed person. The legislation that the previous speaker spoke on was legislation that passed this General Assembly last Session, but it was specifically targeted for parolees, individuals who had been released from incarceration, and it was in an effort to reintegrate them back into society and help them on their way. I want to commend the sponsor for looking at that initiative and recognizing the high unemployment rate and also giving those an opportunity to become entrepreneurs and to have an opportunity to gain funding for their families. So I support Senator Noland’s legislation. I -- I rise to acknowledge these differences because I don’t want us to be misled by the previous speaker’s comments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Further discussion? Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Mr. President. To this bill: I -– I remember rising when we had a bill, a short while ago, that it was for ex-convicted people. And now we’re going to suggest that we give away five thousand dollars to unemployed people, you know, on top of, or in addition to, unemployment benefits. I don’t know whether a successful small business owner should be insulted that people think that it’s so easy to do businesses. But the -– the idea of this bill -- first of all, five thousand dollars. I have to agree with Senator McCarter, who runs a couple of businesses himself, that it is so much harder to make payroll, to provide services. Five thousand dollars isn’t going to do it. Eighty-five percent of the people who start in 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 business go out of business within three years. And you know what the primary reason for going out of business is? Undercapitalization. You know, the dream without adequate capitalization. And I got to tell you, five thousand dollars isn’t going to do it. Five thousand is a lot of money, but it is not enough money to launch a -– a business. And when I hear, with a credible business plan, I just -- sometimes I just wonder what we’re thinking about to propose legislation like this. I – - I suggest a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) The Presiding Officer would like to acknowledge the presence of the esteemed, brilliant, magnificent Speaker of the House. Speaker Mike Madigan has graced us with his presence. So let’s acknowledge the illustrious Speaker of the House, my personal friend, Michael J. Madigan. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) He indicates he will yield for a brief question, then we’re going to stop after this bill and go to Executive. Senator Righter.
Senator Noland, what is the definition of unemployed in the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Noland.
Well, thank you, Senator Righter. The bill itself -- I mean, the term “unemployed”, I think speaks for itself. But 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 what you should know is that the -- the program and the grants will be going to organizations and entities - okay? - that are assisting the unemployed with developing their credible business plans and for reentry into the work force.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
Senator Noland, as I’m sure you’re aware, there are people who work in seasonal occupations in this State and throughout the country who, for certain limited periods of time throughout the year, are unemployed. Is it your intention that this program would be available to those individuals?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Noland.
Those rules will be largely up to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. I don’t see a problem with that if these people were seeking to transfer into perhaps another career or some other employment objective.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
Senator Noland, it –- okay, given that, then do you have in mind any cap on the amount of money that an individual could make in their other employment and not be eligible for a low- interest or no-interest loan to start up their own business?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Noland, if a brief answer, I would appreciate it. Senator Noland. 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
No, I do not, except to say that many of the other tax credits that we passed earlier in this Session would probably complement their efforts.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter, brief response would be appreciated by the Chair. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Noland, would the individual be required to have submitted a business development plan or a business plan before being eligible for the loan?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Noland.
Yes, that’s my intention.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter, to the bill, sir.
One final question, if I might, Mr. President, and then to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Certainly, sir. Senator Righter.
Is -- that’s your intention. Is it in the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Noland. Is it in the bill, sir, or is -- are you making it your legislative intent? Senator Noland.
Well, let me speak directly to his question, and the answer 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 is, yes, it’s in the bill. All right? And they have to apply for certification through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter, to the bill, sir.
If I –- if I might, Mr. President. Tell me where it’s at in the bill, Senator Noland?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Noland, if we can get the exact location of it in the bill, I would certainly appreciate it so we won’t belabor this point. Senator Noland.
Appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. President. It’s a two page bill, Senator. Do you have it in front of you? Okay. All right, we’re on line 16. 15 and 16. Let me start at 14. The Department shall provide grants to organizations and entities that work with unemployed individuals to facilitate the entry or reentry of those persons into the workforce. Organizations wishing to participate in the program must present an application to the Department in order to receive funds -- or funding.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter, to the bill, sir, please.
Thank…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Righter.
68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Senate Bill 3702. I think Senator Noland answered my question. The answer is no. They have to file an application - not a business plan. That’s not what the bill says. It says they got to file an application. It doesn’t say what’s unemployed. It doesn’t say how long they have to be unemployed. I mean, could you get laid off and a week later get the five-thousand-dollar loan and then two weeks later be back at your job? Do you get to keep the money then? We don’t know. We don’t know the answers to any of these questions. I mean, it’s fine to get up and say, Mr. President, that, you know, we want to help the unemployed. But you know what? Then let’s do something. This bill doesn’t do anything except say, you know what, it makes me feel better to say that I am going to give a grant out to some folks and get ‘em some jobs. That is not the way to help people in this State. I would urge a No vote on what is a shell of a bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Kotowski was scheduled to be the last speaker on this bill. If -- and I don’t want to actually acknowledge him, but I will go briefly to Senator Kotowski. Senator Bivins, I’m under instructions. It’s 6:30. Senator Kotowski, Senator Bivins, and then Senator Noland. Senator Kotowski.
Thank you for acknowledging me, Mr. President. Just a couple points to the bill. The -- I think what’s important to remember about the legislation here is the challenges associated with securing revenue for start-up businesses in the State of Illinois. The banks, quite simply, are not willing to be in the 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 business and want to be in the business of providing these loans, low-interest loans, that the State can provide. Also, we’re not set up with these community development financial institutions to provide these working capital loans for start-up businesses. This is a –- an opportunity for a look at a -- look at a hole that currently exists and provide the support necessary to make sure there’s funds available. Is five thousand dollars a tremendous amount of money? No. But the fact is, if it gets someone started, small businesses are the life blood of our economy in the State of Illinois and if it gets them moving in the right direction -- let’s keep in mind that this is a loan. It’s supposed to be paid back. It’s a low-interest loan. Thank you. Just wanted to speak to that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Thank you and thank you for understanding. Senator Bivins, quickly to the bill, sir. Briefly, if you could. Thank you. Senator Bivins.
Very quickly. Thank you, Mr. President. Is there funding for this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Noland.
As much of our legislation, it is subject to appropriation. Thank you, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Senator Bivins.
Thank you, Mr. President. I think the difference between 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 this bill and the bill we passed last year, I believe there was federal funding for the -– the inmate program of the five thousand dollars, and I think that is a large difference, as -- as I understand it. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) This is final action. The question is -- I mean -- I mean, Senator Noland, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I’ll make it brief. Just to clarify, once again, that these grants are to be used for the sole purpose of acquiring a business plan developed by a credible source. In order to receive these grants, qualified unemployed individuals must submit an application and provide fifty percent of the cost to develop their business plan themselves. Look, every –- every little bit helps. This is something that is extremely popular with the people that I have talked to -– to about this. I strongly urge an Aye vote. This is a proven method of stimulating local economies world wide. I strongly, once again, urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HENDON) Question is, shall Senate Bill 3702 pass. All those in favor will 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 34 voting Aye, 20 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 3702, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Committee on Appropriations I will meet immediately - right this instant. Go straight to committee in Room 400, immediately, as in right now. Go straight to 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 committee. And Executive will meet in 212 immediately. Right now in 212. Executive will meet immediately in 212. Right now. Go straight to committee. Appropriations I will meet immediately in Room 400. The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. After committee meetings, the Senate will reconvene - don’t forget that - to receive committee reports and for further Floor action. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The Senate will come to order. The Members please be at their desk. All Members within the sound of my voice please return to the Senate gallery immediately. We will be going to 3rd Readings, final action. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports, please.
Senator Trotter, Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations I, reports Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 859 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Silverstein, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Motions to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1578 and House Amendment 1 and 4 to Senate Bill 1946 recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Madam Secretary, have we received Messages from the House?
A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 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 1182. 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 2 to Senate Bill 1182. Passed the House, as amended, March 24th, 2010. 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 passed a bill of the following title, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 5783. Passed the House, March 24th, 2010. 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 adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 80. Offered by Senator Link, and adopted by the House on March 17th, 2010. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) WICS requests permission to videotape the proceedings. 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Senate will come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you to turn to Supplemental Calendar No. 2. It’s been printed and currently being distributed to the Members. On Supplemental Calendar No. 2 comes Senate Bill 1946. Senator Cullerton, do you wish to proceed, sir? He indicates he wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, read the gentleman’s motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 1 and 4 to Senate Bill 1946. Signed by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Madam Secretary. President Cullerton, to the motion, sir.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I move to concur with House Amendments No. 1 and 4 on Senate Bill 1946. Senate Bill 1946 represents pension benefit reform for the public pension systems, other than those for the fire fighters and the police officers, which will be dealt with in a different bill. This applies only to new employees. Current employee benefits and retiree benefits would not be affected. And I think it’s worthy to note that many people have said that we…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Excuse me, President -- Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a very serious matter. It’s final passage. Could we please keep the conversations down and give the speaker 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 some respect? Members please be in their seats. Staff, would you please go to the rear -- rear of the Chamber? President Cullerton, I’m sorry. Please proceed, sir.
Thank you. There’s a question raised by some that -- that say that Illinois may reduce pension benefits for existing employees. We have done research on this. We believe it’s very clear, based on case law and cases interpreting New York’s verbatim provision, that we cannot do so; that the Illinois Constitution pension protection requirements kicks in when an employee enters State service and becomes a retirement system member. So this bill would apply to what we believe we can constitutionally apply it to - and that would be new employees. The provisions would allow for the minimum retirement age to be raised to sixty-seven with ten years of service. A reduced annuity would be available at age sixty-two with ten years of service. The final average salary will be calculated over an eight-year period, rather than a four-year period. The COLA would be reduced from a three percent annual compounded adjustment to a COLA based on the CPI increase up to three percent non-compounded. And there is a different provision that I’ll address later for the General Assembly and the Judges. The alternative formula would be limited to police officers, fire fighters and Corrections’ security guards. The retirement age for the alternative formula would be increased to sixty with twenty years of service. Survivor annuities are set at sixty- sixty point -- and two-thirds percent of the annuitant’s level. And there are some return-to-work provisions, which would be strengthened by suspending the annuity of any retiree hired 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 after the effective date who returns to full-time employment in a position covered under any other public pension system. Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund - amortization period would be extended an additional fifteen years and they would be authorized to pay normal costs for the next three years. There was a question raised in committee concerning the –- the -- the current –- the COLA provisions. COLA provisions in this bill will be at fifty percent CPI up to three percent simple after age sixty-seven. The General Assembly and the Judges - CPI is up to three percent compounded after age sixty-seven. The reason for that is that the General Assembly and the Judges are the only system that’s going to be reduced and -– and cut because the final average salary, which we now have at eighty- five percent for our systems, will be reduced to sixty percent. That’s the only system where that’s going to take place. That was a question that was raised in committee. I certainly appreciated the testimony in committee of representatives of the unions. They have worked with us to try to come up with an agreement. I am very moved by their interest in trying to protect their future employees that may join their union. But, folks, and I even would say this - I agree with them - that really the reason why we have such a problem here in Illinois is that we had, for many years - and I was part of it, ‘cause I was here - underfunded the employer portion of our five pension systems and it resulted in this big unfunded liability - the worst in the nation. And we have been paying a ramp-up that’s cost us billions of dollars every year, instead of spending money on paying our bills on time. But we’re here –- we are where we are. And it’s over four billion dollars that we’re 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 going to have to pay this year. And that’s why we’re trying to address this concern and it’s something we have to do. The Governor’s Office has indicated to me that they are about -- we are about to be reevaluated for our -- our bond rating. And we are about to issue bonds for our capital construction package, and if we don’t show that we’re trying to address our structural deficit, the rating agencies would likely downgrade us. And that’s why we want to do this now. It’s very important to send this signal. It’s very important to save the money, the billions of dollars that we won’t have to pay into the system in the future. And as I indicated in committee, Senator Radogno and I have met and talked about this issue. We have some proposed changes. This is a bill that was drafted in the House. It’s not a bill that we can amend. So we would suggest that we will be amending it and sending an amendment -- a trailer bill back over to the House. We’ve already found some items of agreement, which we will work on. We will include in that discussion of the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund amortization period. As most of you may know, we have a different system for the suburban and downstate teachers. We pay their employer contribution. This year, it’s going to be 2.1 billion dollars. Next year, it’s going up another hundred million. Whereas, in Chicago, for the Chicago Teachers’ Pension System, we pay ten million, not 2.1 billion. And so they’re not getting as much money into their system as the suburban and downstate teachers do. And as a result, they’re in a -– a -- a true financial crisis for this year. If our budget doesn’t come up with more money and we pass the Governor’s budget, there’ll be another three hundred million dollars cut from the Chicago Teachers -- 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Chicago Board of Education’s budget. So that’s why the House put this relief in. We are still paying the normal cost, but recalibrating when we begin the ramp-up. At the same time, we’re reducing the benefits of those Chicago school teachers, just like the downstate teachers, and there will, of course, be a corresponding savings to the fund. So, with that, I’ll be happy to answer any questions and urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Thank you, President Cullerton. The Chair apologizes for the late delay on the Supplemental Calendar, but I believe every Member does have one. Continuing on discussion. Is there any discussion? Senator Radogno, for what purpose you seek recognition, ma’am?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, Leader.
I have to say that I am somewhat surprised that we’re here this evening voting on this, but also pleasantly surprised. This is obviously an issue that we’ve needed to tackle for a long, long time. We’ve had a lot of discussion about the need for pension reform. We had a Deficit Reduction Committee last year. That was one of the recommendations. We had a Pension Reform Commission, which recognized the need to make changes, although they weren’t able to come to a conclusion on that. I actually introduced a bill a number of weeks ago, Senate Bill 2825, that is very similar to what we’re discussing tonight. So there has been a lot of discussion about the need to modernize 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 the pension system and I am grateful for the fact that we are here doing this tonight and hopefully in a bipartisan fashion. This bill is not window dressing. It is substantial reform. This is really going to be different for employees going forward. However, I believe firmly that we will not have difficulty attracting people to State employment, attracting teachers. I think that what we’ll be doing is bringing the benefits in line with the private sector, which I think is quite important. This is not a perfect bill. There are a few things, in particular the underfunding of the Chicago Teachers’ Pension, and President Cullerton has indicated a willingness to revisit how we provide some relief for the Chicago public schools this year, but still make that -– make sure that that system is funded. It’s important that we do that because the -- to the extent that their system is underfunded, it impacts their entire budgetary picture and then, of course, they come back to Springfield and need help. So we need to be sure that they are funding that system in an adequate way. But, yes, there are reforms for Chicago teachers as well. I think there are some other things, again, the Senate President and I have talked about that may need to be revisited - some of the pieces with respect to age. And I think we’ll all be open to hearing more about people’s suggestions as we go forward. But I think substantially this bill will go forward and it’s the kind of reform that we need. And we need it really for two reasons. One is the sustainability of the pension system that we have. We all know we cannot continue to have a system where people are able to retire, sometimes as early as age fifty, and live until eighty-five. We just can’t do it. We need to make these 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 reforms to make sure the people that are currently in the system have a system that can actually fund the benefits that they are entitled to. So it’s important for that reason. But it’s also, I think, important for the equity issue for the people that are paying the bill. Taxpayers subsidize public pensions, and in many, many instances, the private sector doesn’t have any pension that is even remotely close to what’s available to public employees. And so it’s critical that the folks paying the bill have some sense that their interests are taken into account as well. So I urge an Aye vote and I congratulate everyone who votes Aye. I anticipate we’ll have a lot of Aye votes. This is something that has been sorely needed for a long time. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Lauzen, are you seeking recognition, sir?
Thank you very much. Yes, to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Bill, sir.
Thank you so much. Senator Cullerton and Senator Radogno, I just wanted to thank you very much for the work that you’ve done on this bill and bringing all of us together. If this were just a prudent thing to do, it would be very much to your credit to propose this and pass this at any time, especially tonight. However, it is absolutely necessary for the solvency of our State to address the staggering deficit that the pension plans are -– are putting and the strain that it’s putting on the 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 State. Our pensions really are bankrupt by two classic definitions of bankruptcy. One, the liabilities exceed -- the unfunded liabilities exceed the assets, and according to the generally -- or, excuse me, the Government {sic} (Governmental) Accounting Standards Board, we can’t pay it back. When you consider a seventy-six-billion-dollar deficit and Government Accounting Standard Board say that you have to pay it back over thirty years, and there’s twelve payments in a year, three hundred and sixty payments, it means about two hundred million dollars every thirty days. So we can’t pay that back. In fact, when our constituents who are teachers call with any concerns that they might have, we can share with them that according to a study that was done for the Teacher Retirement Fund, the checks will stop flowing - if we do nothing, or if we –- if we don’t vote Yes tonight - the -- the checks stop in 2023, according to this independent consultant. That’s just thirteen years from now. So we can either wring our hands, or we can point at each other come 2023, or we can do something tonight and be smart about this. So I congratulate every person who is going to put a Yes vote on this bill and I appreciate the work that the leadership has done to bring this forward. But…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Lauzen.
One -- one other thought that I would like to share with the Body is that -- you know, that this does a very good job of setting in place people who are hired in the future and for all of their term of service and when their pensions are. We do have a problem that will continue to be an overhang on us, for 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 folks who are currently in the system, that seventy-eight billion dollars, trying to bring that down. I –- I -- I hate to rain on any kind of parade; I think this is a wonderful thing - but that still is work that we have to attend to. But I -- I enthusiastically recommend an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Further discussion? Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir. Senator Risinger.
Yeah, Senator Cullerton, if a teacher retires in the -– in the Teacher Retirement System, many of those go back and substitute teach. I think, in the bill, it says that they will continue to be able to do that and not have to forgo their pension while that’s taking place.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) President Cullerton.
Yes, that’s correct, because they would not be considered full-time.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Risinger.
Also, State employees that retire in the State Employee 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Retirement System, many of those are called back for seventy- five days. I think those are also considered temporary assignments. Would those also be able to be called back and work in those seventy-five days without forgoing their pensions at that time?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) President Cullerton.
Senator, each system has its own definition of full-time. I’m not familiar with all of the different definitions, but if it -– if that definition you described is not full-time, then they –- they would -– they would still be allowed to keep their pension. Would not be suspended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Risinger.
To the bill, Mr. President. I think this is a good bill. Long overdue. I think it’s something that we needed to address. And I congratulate you on bringing it forward and I hope that everybody in this Body can vote for it. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Luechtefeld, for what purpose you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the -- of the -- of the Senate. A question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield for a question, sir. Senator Luechtefeld. 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
First of all, I don’t know whether you all noticed this or not, but there has to be something wrong with this bill. Senator Lauzen and Senator Cullerton on the same side - that is impossible. A -- a question to the sponsor, and -- and of course, the first one, Senator, I -- maybe you’ve mentioned this, but there’s a certain percent paid in by teachers and –- and –- and -- and in -- into different pension funds. Will that be diminished at all or will they continue to pay -- put in the same percent that they have been putting in?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) President Cullerton.
The same amount.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Luechtefeld.
So, they’re going to be putting in exactly what they’ve been putting in for years and –- and the –- the -- and the -- the benefits they’re getting are -– are definitely diminished. Am -- am I right about that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) President Cullerton.
Well, there’s a -- there’s a few exceptions to people paying in as much. There’s -- there’s a Social Security cap of pensionable income at a hundred six thousand dollars. That’ll affect judges and a number of other employees that make more than that. They will not have to pay in as much as they are 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 now. They’ll be paying in up to that amount. But I think your question was concerning teachers and they pay in the same amount.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Luechtefeld.
So -- so they will be paying the same percent in, knowing that the –- the -- the benefits are diminished dramatically?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) That was asked and answered twice.
He -- there seems to be…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) President Cullerton.
I -– I guess maybe I can ask you to restate the question. Are you talking about current employees? Are you talking about the new employees that this affects?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Luechtefeld.
Current employees pay in -- in -- in a certain percentage. Future employees will pay that same percentage, is what you’re saying? All right. The second thing is, you know, you have -- I heard you say in committee that you are going to follow this with a trailer bill to clean up certain things, such as maybe the fact that the judges and legislators -- the COLA is a little different. And you will follow that with a trailer bill, is that right? 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) President Cullerton.
What I was –- what I said in the committee is I’d explain why the House put it in here. They -– they -- they do have a different COLA for the judges and the General Assembly because we are the only ones that are taking a cut in the maximum salary that we can get. We now have the ability to get eighty-five percent of our -– our salary, as do the judges. This is being dramatically lowered to sixty percent. So that’s why there was a distinction between the COLA formula. Now, again, that’s open to discussion and we will negotiate in a bipartisan way any trailer bill. And, of course, we don’t have an assurance that the House will concur with us, but that’s one of the items that we can discuss. But I wanted to give you the rationale for the distinction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Luechtefeld.
To the bill: I -- you know, I think we –- we –- we -- we must not overstate what we’ve done here. You know, we –- we’re not really solving the pension problem. The pension’s still going to be there. The -- the problem is still going to be there. Thirty years from now, we will see savings from that. Now, again, I -- I definitely believe we need to do something in -- with regard to the pensions. No question about it. But this is not necessarily going to solve -- the –- the -– the thing I think that we have to take, as a General Assembly, some blame for, and –- and –- and -- and I’m not real sure we want to do 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 that, is the biggest reason that the pension is -– is in trouble is the fact that we have not put the money into it. We saw fit to put that money in other areas. A number of years that has happened. And -- and that has happened in Republican and Democratic administrations. But now we’re basically saying we didn’t do our job maybe correctly and -– and we’re now going to ask -- we’re going to -- we’re going to really make drastic changes in the benefits of the future. So, you know, again, I think we have to take some of that blame and I’m not real sure that we have -- we’ve stated that. Again, it is something I think that we need to -– that we need to do. There’s no doubt there are -– there are problems. Some of it is the perks that were added. But the biggest issue has to do with the fact that we, year after year, put money someplace else rather than -– rather than actually trying to put it in the Pension Fund. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Further discussion? Further discussion? Senator Althoff, are you seeking recognition, ma’am?
Yes, thank you, Mr. President. Just a point of clarification. It was mentioned that the police and fire pension reforms are not included in this legislation. I would just like the Body to know that, under the direction and guidance of Senator Link and myself, those negotiations are ongoing. We’ve been meeting for three weeks. We anticipate that we’ll come to a great collaboration. Through collaboration and cooperation, we too will bring forward wonderful reforms. And hopefully, we will see step one of that when we return from 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 break. So, just wanted to clarify. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator Althoff. Our final person seeking recognition on this matter, Senator Murphy.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: To paraphrase…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) To the bill, sir. Senator Murphy.
To paraphrase Vice President Biden, this is a really big deal. I want to -– I want to commend the President for his work on this and his –- his courage in carrying this and working with us in a bipartisan fashion. You know, last week, we had Section 25 reform to try and stem the flow of red ink, with Senator Trotter. This week we have pension reform that is really meaningful reform. Obviously, some of us on this side of the aisle, when the campaign finance bill came up, didn’t really feel that it was meaningful. I don’t think anybody can credibly question that what’s being done here in this Chamber today is a fundamental change to government. We are lifting a one-hundred- billion-dollar weight off of the shoulders of the people of this State going forward with the legislation that’s going to move out of here tonight. That is a credit to all involved. Again, it has been our pleasure to be involved in this in a bipartisan fashion. The legislation Senator Radogno referenced earlier, a lot of the ideas in the bill she filed have been incorporated into this bill. And, Mr. President, it is to your credit that you were willing to do that. This is a great bill. This is a great thing for the future of the people of this State and I 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 strongly encourage an Aye vote tonight, for a brighter future for Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments No. 1 and No. 4 to Senate Bill 1946. All those in favor will vote Aye. All those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 48 Ayes, 6 voting Nay, 3 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 and No. 4 to Senate Bill 1946, and the bill is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate will stand adjourned until the hour of 6 a.m. Oh, I’m sorry, there’s a correction. Correction. Excuse me, a correction. Correction. The Senate will stand at ease for one moment while the Committee on Assignments meets. So I’d ask all members of the Committee on Assignments to please report to the President’s Anteroom immediately. And the Senate will stand at ease for just a moment. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports, please.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 102nd Legislative Day 3/24/2010 Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration – Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1182. Signed by Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, there’ll be no further business, really, to come before the Senate. The Senate stands adjourn until the hour of 10 a.m. on the 25th day of March, the year 2010. The Senate stands adjourned. 90