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 Pastor Ed Ingram, Western Oaks Baptist Church. Pastor Ed Ingram.
(Prayer by Pastor Ed Ingram)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of March 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th and 25th and April 6th and 7th, 2010.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter. Senator Hunter move…
Madam President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010
Senate Journal of Wednesday, November 17th, 2010.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journals just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcripts.
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, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1051, offered by Senator Kotowski and all Members. It is a death resolution, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Resolution Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 1049, offered by Senator Sandoval. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 3974, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3975, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 1st Reading of these Senate bills.
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 concurred with the Senate in the adoption of the following joint resolution: Senate Joint Resolution 80. Together with the attached amendment thereto, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1. Passed the House, November 17th, 2010. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The Senate will stand at ease just for a moment, please. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The Senate will now come to order. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Senate will now come to order. Can you please lower your voices? Thank you very much. On page 3 of the Calendar is the Order of Motions in Writing to Override the Specific Recommendations of the Governor. This is final action. This is final action. Senate Bill 2819. Senator Haine. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he does. Madam Secretary, please read the motion. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010
I move that Senate Bill 2819 do pass, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. Filed by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Madam President, and I want to say that, for this veto week, you are the prettiest of all of those who sat in that Chair. Thank you, Madam President. As -- as you recall, Members of the Bodys {sic} recall that 2819 was a Senate bill that requires for proof of collecting a life insurance benefit to be in writing, the fact and date of the insured’s death, the claimant’s identity and the interest and extent thereof, and the necessary documents for the insurer to determine its -- its liability. The -- the -- his Excellency, the -- the Governor changed that substantively by eliminating these requirements for loss, in effect making his veto noncompliant. And it was ruled noncompliant by our staff, our counsel, and the counsel for the House. And I’m asking to override. Some Members have asked me about further tweaking this law and I’ve assured them that there will be a trailer bill addressing some of the concerns raised by the Director of Insurance. And -- and that trailer bill will be guaranteed to come out of the Insurance Committee as long as the President of the Senate, John Cullerton, approves me as Chair of that Committee. So there -- so there will be a trailer bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Collins, for what purpose do you rise? 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010
Thank you, Madam President. A question to the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Collins.
Thank you. And I’ve had this conversation with Senator Haine because it was brought to my attention that with this override of the amendatory veto, it places a very high proof of loss on the -- onerous requirement on the consumer. And my concern is that families that are experiencing a loss -- if the standard and the criteria is not really spelled out, which it is not, and that’s why it’s important to have a trailer bill. Because when you raise such a high proof of -- of loss, when people are bereaving and sitting before a funeral director, a lot of times they need to -- an assurance that they’re going to have the proceeds to bury their loved one. And what I’m a little bit concerned about, this proof-of-loss language that we have or that we’re going seek to put in place with the override is a little bit different than what we had in a bill that you sponsored…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Excuse me. Excuse me, Senator Collins. Ladies, Gentlemen, please give her the common courtesy to debate the issue. Your voices are a little louder than she can speak over -- over your voices. Please. Senator Collins.
I just want to say on Tuesday, Senator, you had a bill, 2544, which created the standards for life insurance. So my question is, as I understand, how do the provisions on proof of 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 loss in Senate Bill 2819 differ from those in Senate Bill 2544?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Haine.
Senator, I’m not sure, but what -- what the bill was -- they both passed overwhelmingly in both -- both Chambers. I don’t think they’re inconsistent. What the -- the gist of this bill is is to prevent the potential for fraud. For example, if one submits a mere certificate of death - pay me my -- I’m the beneficiary of policy X - and that person murdered his or her spouse, they’re not entitled to the benefits, but the carrier doesn’t know that. And -- so -- and -- and I agree with you; we -- we -- if there’s a way to tweak this further, I guarantee there’ll be a -- a trailer bill. I told the insurance director. What was done here -- I would have preferred to have a trailer bill this week, but that wasn’t done. But we will have a trailer bill. And -- and the funeral expense - that’s the first time anyone’s raised that issue - that should be right at the top of the list.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Collins.
And the only reason I raise that issue is because I was told that the language that we did pass on Senate Bill 2544 with the passage of the override would put those two languages at odd {sic}, because the standards would be different now with the pass -- overriding this -- overriding the Governor’s amendatory veto.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 Senator Haine.
I -- I understand now. The -- the compact language may be different. That’s what we could address in the trailer bill too.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Collins.
So, in the example that you use with -- if someone murders their spouse, I think that is an outlier, more so than the norm when people are facing the burial of a lost one. And so I -- I think what I would require -- I’ll probably be voting Present on this, Senator, because I’m a little bit uncomfortable, because anything that puts a extra burden on a family that has paid insurance revenues over a period of time is very problematic for me. I would like to ensure that we do have a trailer bill and the trailer bill specify -- have more specificity in explaining what the criteria is so the insurer is aware of that, as well as maybe a timeline for timely processing of claims, where the insurance company is not -- not able to hold onto the proceeds for interests -- benefits to the insurance company instead of really relieving the grief and the pain of a family in grief -- in -- facing death.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Senator Collins. And I assure you, you will be…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Haine, I acknowledged Senator Koehler. Senator 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 Koehler.
Thank you, Madam President. I will just not repeat the things that Senator Collins talked about. I agree with her in terms of the -- the issues that we have to be sensitive to. I do support, you know, the gist of what the Governor did in his amendatory veto, but I understand that there is -- were some problems with it that both staffs of the House and the Senate pointed out. So I’m -- I’m going to vote, you know, with Senator Haine on this at this point, but it’s -- it’s only because we -- we’ll have a trailer bill to address some of these issues, because I think that we have to be very careful as to families who are in grief at this point, especially during the time of the funeral and -- and those kind of arrangements, aren’t made to jump through circles to try to prove something that -- that should be obvious. And Senator Collins said it very well. So I will vote to override, but I do expect that we’ll be successful in having the trailer bill come back.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Just a comment to the bill. I think there’s some -- some misinformation there and to -- maybe to address some of Senator Collins’ concerns. What we’re talking about is a -- a simple form that clarifies that the death occurred and who the beneficiary is. This is no different than when someone dies and they’re going to collect Social Security. Social Security doesn’t know if a person is still 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 married or if that wife is -- if the wife is deceased and the beneficiary is supposed to be the children or who the beneficiary is. So when a person dies, you contact the Social Security Office and you complete a form that says here’s who the beneficiary is. In the insurance side, when a person dies, they contact the insurance office and they say, “my spouse or my loved one died.” The insurance office then completes the form and says, “okay, this is who the beneficiary is that’s listed. Is that person still alive or not?” If they’re not alive, then there’s a contingent beneficiary listed. Completing that form never delays anything. The delay is getting the death certificate. The form is completed within five minutes. It’s a simple form that every company uses. The delay is they have to wait for that death certificate to come to attach to that form and then it’s sent to the insurance company. So this is only here to protect the individual so that the right one gets that - - gets that form. So there isn’t an additional form and there isn’t any delay from the insurance company standpoint. The real delay happens when there’s uncertainty who the beneficiary is. That gives the insurance company the right then to start the whole process of requesting additional information, which would have been in that initial form. So there is no delays that occur because of this form, just the opposite; this helps expedite that benefit that’s being paid. And, again, there’s -- it’s not hoops. It’s a simple form that says this is how you want the beneficiary -- or, this is the beneficiary, this is how you want the claim paid. In many cases, they’ll even ask about, do you want that payment in one lump sum? Or do you want it -- for tax reasons, do you want that payment spread out? If you’re 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 just submitting a death certificate, the insurance company doesn’t know how you want that check even paid to you and that’s going to delay it because then they’re going to request that of the family. All that gets completed in this simple form. So it’s something that other states do. It’s something that Social Security does. And it’s not a very onerous form. So I hope that clears up what -- the only form that we’re talking about using with insurance.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Garrett. Further discussion? Senator Garrett, for what purpose do you rise?
Yes. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The sponsor indicates he will. Senator Garrett.
So, Senator Haine, I’m just a little confused on -- on what your bill does and what the problem was that you’re trying to correct in your -- your legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Senator Garrett. The -- it provides a proof -- a series of things, as Senator Syverson pointed out, of the insurance beneficiary to be submitted - and I agree with Senator Syverson that this does expedite payment - fact and date of insured’s death, the claimant’s identity, the claimant’s interests and extent thereof. These are standard forms. The claimant shall not be required to provide any information or 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 documents otherwise available to the insurer. This is not -- we do have on the books, as I -- I recall, a vexatious delay statute now, which if an insurance company is proven difficult to deal with, then the -- there’s treble damages, plus attorney’s fees. That’s all this does. The amendatory veto changes that. Gets rid of it all and puts in a very simple thing, too simple in the eyes of the insureds -- of the insurers. They want to avoid fraud and -- or paying the wrong person and being subject to paying the right person through a lawsuit. That’s all this does. But I -- Senator Collins has raised an excellent point; on some bills, such as insurance bills that cover funeral expenses, that might be carved out and made a special expeditiously handled claim.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Garrett.
So, Senator Haine, what -- what was the catalyst for this bill? What made you decide to go out and draft this legislation? Are there problems currently in Illinois with life insurance policies and is there fraud?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Haine.
Yes. The insurance industry says there’s potential for fraud. They wanted to mitigate the potential for fraud. On the other hand, I don’t know of any case where an insurance company has vexatiously failed to pay. So, it’s new to me. I haven’t died yet and my wife hasn’t made a claim. But they say that there is the potential for fraud that they wish to -- to -- to 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 avoid by clarifying how the claims are to be made. That’s all it does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Garrett.
To -- to the bill: It appears, at least from my listening to the -- the conversation here -- is that we don’t have any real instances of fraud in Illinois where families are trying to receive life insurance benefits illegally or unnecessarily. What I am concerned about that this bill does is -- is, by using fraud, you are putting the survivor’s family at risk from actually receiving the life insurance benefits in having to jump through so many hoops at a time when it is very, very difficult. People are emotionally engaged and don’t maybe have the legal expertise to do all the things that this -- this legislation is requiring. I would be very careful about -- I -- I, personally, am going to vote No on it, but I think this is an issue that we shouldn’t just lightly agree to because I think it can have some long-term, very negative impacts on people who have invested whatever money they have into their life insurance policies.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you. Thank you very much, Madam President. To the bill: I don’t know of anyone that considers filling out an insurance claim a simple endeavor. It -- it’s very complicated. This certainly -- this bill makes it a little more complicated in my mind. And that was proven by the explanation that we got 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 from the -- the good Senator on the other side, ‘cause he totally confused me about what the heck he was talking about. And if this is a man who is used to explaining what happens in - - in these instances, just think about the common, everyday person. I’m opposed to this. If there’s going to be a trailer bill, make it a whole new bill. Let’s start over from scratch and make it simple enough for all of us to understand so the process can go forward. So I -- I’m going to vote No on this and encourage everyone else to do so. This bill, in my mind, is certainly flawed. We can do better for the people or for the consumer themselves and we should do so. So I -- I encourage everyone to vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Haine, to close.
This -- again, this is going forward and it’s not a retroactive bill. We -- we will assure the Senators that there will be a trailer bill addressing these concerns. I think they’re valid concerns. But, again, there’s a -- a question here to make what is simple something that is -- avoids the threat of fraud. But on the other hand, as the Senator pointed out, we don’t want to make it burdensome, so there will be a trailer bill. I assure the Senate of that. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2819 pass, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 35 voting Aye, 8 voting Nay, 7 voting Present. Senate Bill 2819, having not received the required three-fifth {sic} majority, is declared failed. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) …you, Senator. Please state your personal privilege.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I’d like to introduce a very special guest I have today. His name is Noah Hinton. He’s fifteen years old. He’s a sophomore at Kankakee Trinity Academy, an avid reader of fiction books, and I’m told very, very talented with computers and that everyone in his school comes and asks him for help. He lives in Bradley with his family. And his parents, Emilie and Dewey Hinton, are up in the gallery. Please join me in giving him a warm Senate welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Will the guests -- Senators, please welcome our guest, and his family in the gallery please rise. Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. Senator Wilhelmi, 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. I also have a guest with me today. Her name is 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 Diane Harris from Joliet. Diane is a liability representative in the Claims Department at ComEd. She’s been there for thirty years. Diane graduated from Phoenix University with her bachelor’s degree in Science Management. She is a member of the National Hook-Up of Black Women; a recruiter for Education First Foundation, which is a foreign exchange foundation; and also a proud member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Joliet. Please help me and give Diane Harris a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please welcome -- please stand and be welcomed by the Illinois Senate. Ms. Harris. Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, I, too, have a -- a guest with me here today. This young man, Ricardo Montoya-Picazo, is from Beardstown in my Senate district. He is a graduate student in Political Science at UIS, here in Springfield. He’s in his first year. He’s also doing a grad internship with the Illinois Department of Employment Security in the workforce specialist {sic}. And his future goals, which has me very concerned, is he wants to become a legislator or work for a State or federal agency. So I’d like everybody to welcome Ricardo to the Senate here today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please welcome our guest to the Illinois General Assembly. 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1050, offered by Senators Radogno, Cullerton and all Senators. (Secretary reads SR No. 1050)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Radogno moves to suspend all rules for the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 1050. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. Senator Radogno, to explain the resolution. Senator Radogno.
Thank you, Madam President. It always seems a little bit strange to be doing a retirement resolution, especially when it’s a Member that really has been such an asset to the institution and someone who has really dedicated themselves to good policy, and that is what Dan Cronin has done. I think it’s hard for us to imagine what it’s going to be like going forward with Dan not here, because he has been such a terrific participant. He is going out, though, with something that I think most of us would like to leave with and that is the sense that he’s really left his mark on an important area and that is education. I don’t think anyone can think about education policy in this State and not think about Dan Cronin and the really significant contributions he made that were enumerated in the resolution, particularly Chicago school reform, charter schools, vouchers. Those will always be identified with Dan and we will really miss that contribution. But, of course, our loss is DuPage County’s gain. And I have the good fortune to 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 represent part of DuPage County and have Dan just down the street, so we will be able to continue to work together and I think that will be great for DuPage County. Your service here and the relationships you’ve built hopefully will help you in -- in your future endeavors. So I know I wish you all the success in the world and I really look forward to continuing to work with you. So, thanks for your service here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Radogno has moved the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 1050. Is there any discussion? Senator Millner. Senator Millner, for what purpose do you rise?
To the resolution, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Millner.
I knew Dan Cronin for over a quarter of a century. Dan, as we know in this Chamber, is truly a professional, hardworking, collaborative, and a legislator who truly wanted to make a difference and has made a difference in this Chamber. But, as a member of a police agency that -- of Elmhurst, the City of Elmhurst, where Dan had grown up, I have been a police officer since Dan was in grade school and I would like to share some stories with you all. Okay, good stories. But there’s some things we don’t know about Dan and I think it just shows the type of a person that he is and the dedication that he has. And -- and when Dan -- as -- as an example, when he was in high school, most people in this Chamber don’t know that he was a State champion swimmer for Fenwick High School. And it’s 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 something that we in Elmhurst are very proud of, to have a -- a State champion in our midst. Dan was always involved in the community. Dan worked very hard. Dan came down here as a single man and then Dan found the love of his life. He got married, and where did he spend his honeymoon? Mansion View. Correct? Mansion View. I mean, think about this, folks. Talk about dedication. But then another thing that’s interesting, you know, when -- Dan got stopped by the police on the way home one day from Springfield. He just kind of got up and he -- I guess he was told -- I was told by my -- my peers, he rushed out of here, was driving on 55, he got stopped for speeding, because his wife was in labor. Again, dedicated to the Chamber, dedicated to the institution, and dedicated to his family. I mean, and that’s what Dan Cronin’s all about. Dan Cronin is somebody that has made a difference for the people of the State of Illinois. He’s a good friend of mine. I truly am going to miss him here. I mean, this is somebody I talk to. Dan’s been a mentor of mine. I’ve talked to -- to Dan on many issues, asking what he thinks we should do, et cetera. Dan, I’m really, really going to miss you in this Chamber. But the advantage that I have is I do live in DuPage County and Dan will be our -- our County Chairman. He’ll be a great county chairman. So what I want to end up with saying is, Dan, thank you for your service, thank you for your commitment, and thank you for all that you’ve done here. God bless you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Muñoz in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Garrett, for what purpose do you rise? 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010
To speak to the resolution. I would just like to thank Dan for being a -- a friend across the aisle. We’ve gotten to know each other pretty well in the last eight years. I’m sort of choking up here. Being from the suburbs we share, even though he’s a Republican and I’m a Democrat, many of the same issues. And it’s always been refreshing to me that Dan has had an open mind and always available to hear my concerns and sometimes he agrees, sometimes he -- he didn’t agree, but I always knew he was there as a friend and that he was in this job to do the best that he possibly could for his constituents. I think that came out loud and clear. I also had the honor of serving with him on the Education Committee. And sometimes when bills would come up, we’d make eye contact, like -- it’s different, maybe for the suburbs, how we vote on certain things and so we sometimes didn’t always agree with, maybe, you know, some of our -- our colleagues from Chicago or downstate. But I always found him to be very much of a -- a good friend and hopefully not -- it won’t end now, that we will continue to keep our friendship. But the relationship that I think we developed over the years is something that I wish all of us could see between, you know, the Republicans and the Democrats and work together. He’s just a perfect example of how that worked. Good luck to you, Dan.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Dillard, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. To, I guess, say goodbye, at least here, to a good friend. It’s great to have “Cronin Day” at the State Capitol and you see all those lovely, blond, 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 beautiful children and Juli over there as well. You know, on a John Cullerton scale of leaving here - and I think we’ll hear from the Senate President in a minute - Dan, you’re leaving the right way and that’s getting elected to a higher office. And as Senator Millner said, and Senator Radogno, you’ll be a great chairman for the second-largest county in this State. Now it’s kind of hard - he’s my former seatmate, one of my closest friends in -- in political life - to say goodbye to the Senate germaphobe. You know, he’s got that hand sanitizer back here, and, you know, I don’t know how often, Juli, he makes you and the kids wash their hands every day at home, but it’s -- it’s a big loss to the institution of the Legislature to lose Dan Cronin. You know, one of the things he agonized over - and if you know Dan, he can agonize a little bit too much sometimes - and he said, “You know, I’m really, you know, agonizing over whether I want to be the DuPage County Board Chairman or leaving.” Because it is about the collegiality to Senator Cronin that makes it so difficult to leave here. And, you know, Dan’s a good friend. I told Dan, “You can always come back and still have dinner with your buddies here. Just bring your credit card, Dan, ‘cause you’re buying next time.” But, you know, come on back, but do bring your credit card. I first really got to know Dan when I was Governor Edgar’s Chief of Staff. Dan, if you’re from DuPage County, you know he ran against an institution, a giant, in a Republican primary to -- to get here. So Dan arrived here by having a very difficult first race. But Jim Edgar immediately, you know, recognized that Dan Cronin was a superstar or a budding superstar. And I remember he said -- he used to refer to Dan, “That really smart 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 guy who went to Northwestern. He sits down in the first row in front of the Speaker.” And Dan was somebody that -- that Governors recognized very quickly was going to be an exceptional legislative talent. Dan came over to this Chamber by beating a very, very formidable Democrat candidate in -- in former Senator Leverenz. So Dan’s had in his life, including his last race for the DuPage County Chairmanship, some very, very difficult races. And when I was looking for somebody to succeed me as the Chairman of the Republican Party in DuPage County, I wanted somebody that had been through some difficult races, won them, but won them in a very clean issue-oriented way. Dan has -- does not run from difficult challenges. The Secretary read the resolution and there are very few Members of the Legislature that have had the prolific career of Senator Cronin, dealing with really difficult issues. Property tax caps - for those of us who live in the suburbs, when I first came down here, our property taxes were going up seventeen, eighteen, twenty percent a year. And one of the first things Senator Cronin did was lead the fight for meaningful property tax caps here. Chicago school reform - you all, especially -- from the City, know how difficult that is to tackle. Doesn’t get done without Senator Cronin. Tuition tax credits, you know, is one of Dan’s proudest achievements. The “Baby Richard” adoption case was, without a doubt, another agonizing, tough issue that Senator Cronin tackled. And then last but not least, recently, the recall provision. I mean, Dan is - and it’s one of the reasons that he works so well with Senator Garrett - a reformer. Now Dan’s a partisan, but Dan gets the big picture and he understands that he has to cross the aisle. And as the new incoming Chairman of 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 DuPage County, Dan understands that we’re all one region. Every year Dan has this gigantic - and you all should come to it; it’s great - corned beef and cabbage party. It’s only going to get bigger now that he has a million constituents, rather than a couple hundred thousand as a State Senator. But Dan has had Mayor Daley show up at his events in DuPage County and I think that bodes well that Senator Cronin, as the Chairman of the second-largest county in the State, understands that we are all intertwined together. You know, one thing I will, I guess, still get are those telephone calls. And I always love the way, if you’re on Senator Cronin’s call list, you know, his calls come in, “Hey, Kirk. Hey, buddy, it’s Dan. It -- it -- it’s Dan Cronin.” You know, as if I don’t know his voice when he’s calling me the sixth time in, you know, in one day, going, “Should I run for the DuPage County Board or -- or shouldn’t I?” But those calls will keep coming and we will greatly, greatly, greatly miss him. His influence is going to continue, though. I’ve -- I’ve been reminded by local papers back home that he’s about to probably replace about half the Members of the General Assembly as his powerful DuPage County Chairmanship, and our State’s Attorney as well. So, Dan, use your power wisely as you always have. You know, the Cronins are a great family. If -- you know, all you’ve got to do is just be around Dan. And, you know, there’s another plus that Dan and I talked about, is he gets to spend more time -- he gets to stay at home. He doesn’t have to stay in Springfield away from his kids. And, boy, does he adore his kids. His face is -- would light up when one of the children would call. But he gets to be home all the time and that’s another huge plus. And he gets to spend more time 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 with his dad. You know, dad’s -- Dan’s dad was a -- was a -- a football player for the great, legendary Frank Leahy. And, Dan, you know, I lost my dad in the last year and you get to spend more time with your parents too, and that’s important as we all get a little older. So, Juli, when you get tired of him - and you probably will get tired of him ‘cause you’ll have the old guy around the house all the time now - you know, send him on back down here with that credit card. And then just to close, you know, who’s really going to miss Dan, as it’s been alluded to, are the schoolchildren of this State. Dan has had a television show called Illinois Education with -- you know, in fact, I love how he -- always did that. I watched that show a lot. You know, “This is Illinois Education with Dan Cronin and I’m Dan Cronin.” But the schoolchildren of the State are really going to miss Senator Cronin. Just like I talked about his skills, generally -- you know, yesterday we had an override or a bill of Senator Noland’s on education, and the first thing I do is - like on agricultural issues, I look to Senator Sullivan, or Todd Sieben when he was here - you know, I look right to the board - how’s Dan Cronin voting on educational issues, not only as a suburbanite, but somebody that cares about kids. And we’re going to have a big hole to fill there. But Dan understands the whole educational picture. Nobody understands the public education and the private education and has a balanced approach to it better than Dan Cronin, and Dan, even though he’s a suburbanite and Senator Garrett and I and we suburbanites look to Dan to be our leader, he cares about Dave Luechtefeld’s kids. He’s been down to southern Illinois and he’s been in the City of Chicago with Senator Meeks looking at City schools. So Dan gets 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 it when it comes to education and the people who will really miss Senator Cronin will be the schoolchildren of Illinois. But, Dan, come on back, my friend, and it’s great. Enjoy that time with your family.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Gordon Graham, WAND-TV, seeks leave of the Body to shoot video. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Senator Lightford, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I’d like to wish Dan well. I had to come down from the Chair, Dan, just to state to you, when I arrived here twelve years ago, you were the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and I was able to serve on that Committee with you, and it’s been a long twelve years. And I think that when we say the -- Kirk just said the children of Illinois will miss you, the Committee is going to miss you here. We have had great debate on education issues. I believe we’ve learned an awful lot from each other and your knowledge and your just institutional knowledge of the subject of education alone is really outstanding. And then on a more personal note, because we’re neighboring colleagues, we attend so many functions together. We’re always in the community, either at North Riverside events, or Oak Park or Westchester, Broadview, and it’s been a delight over the years. Your wife, Juli, we’ve danced together and -- and we’ve had a great time. And so, when you had your baby boy, I was having my baby boy, and we even shared that in common that you had three girls and a boy and I’m three girls and a boy in my family too. So, we even have those things in common. So you learn through the years that you have 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 more in common than you have different. And so I’m really happy for you. I’m happy for your political career in DuPage County. I look forward to working with you; however I do not want to come out to DuPage County. I have no interest in representing Elmhurst. But I’m really happy for you and I’m sure I’ll see you around. God bless you and your family.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Burzynski, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you. To the resolution, Mr. President. You know, it -- it’s kind of a bittersweet moment, Dan. As I look around the Chamber, I think in the class of ’93, I think Senator Trotter came over from the House that year, I did, and you. And I think we’re the remnants of thirteen or fourteen of us that came over from the Chamber that year. And certainly I’ve known Dan for -- for a long time. We began our career twenty years ago in the House of Representatives down in the front row. At least Edgar recognized you were the bright one. But I -- I don’t know if we really knew what we were stepping into at that point in time. And I’m not sure if you totally know what you’re stepping into at this point in time or not either. But certainly I think that the expertise that you have -- and I will tell you, over the years, Dan and I have not always agreed on the issues. But I have always, always appreciated your perspective and expertise, as I’ve served on that Education Committee with you the last sixteen years. And, certainly, you know, when we take a look at education in the State of Illinois, you can’t think of some of the reforms that have been done without thinking of Dan Cronin’s name. And, you know, the kids really have been the recipient, 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 if you will, of his expertise here in the State of Illinois over the years. And I, too, looking at your family, your wife that are -- that’s here with you today, feel that really kids in the State have been a priority for you all these years and I think it’s appropriate, as you look at your family, they become that priority now as well. And certainly they are going to be the big winners in this move that you’re making, as well as the County of DuPage, but certainly your kids and your wife, as well, as you go home. I will tell you that we will miss you, Dan, and I certainly will miss you and your expertise in educational matters. And certainly wish you the best and may God bless you and your family. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Lightford in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
To the resolution, Madam President. I’m not certain, but I think I may be the only Member of the Senate besides Senator Cronin who can say that for many years Dan Cronin was my State Senator. Under the old legislative map, Dan represented four precincts on the western edge of Oak Park, as well as almost all of the west suburban Cook County municipalities that I have the honor to represent today. Somehow in that redistricting process, you and Senator Walsh, I believe, ended up living in the same district. I -- I thought he might be a little bit upset about that. I’m sure the victory in -- in that primary might have dispelled some of your -- your concerns. But after it was clear who was going to be representing which districts, I 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 got a call from Dan out of the blue. He said, “Let’s sit down and have breakfast.” We had a long breakfast - about two hours - and he said, “These are the communities that I used to represent that you’re going to represent. Let me tell you about ‘em. Let me tell you about the mayors. Let me tell you about the community groups.” I was so impressed not only by his knowledge of his district, but also that he would be willing to share it with a new Member and one of a different political party. I thought it was a terrific example of the collegiality and the nonpartisan way that we can conduct our business. And for me, it was a wonderful introduction to that kind of relationship that we can have across the aisle. So I would remind you, Dan, in your new job, you have a couple of Democrats in the DuPage Legislative District. I think Senator Holmes and I are, for the moment, the only Democrats to represent any of DuPage County. I understand you have broad latitude in making appointments. You’re welcome to appoint some Democratic Members to the DuPage caucus if you wish. But assuming that you’re going to appoint some Republicans to fill those vacancies, I would only ask but one request, that you send us some Senators like Dan Cronin. Godspeed, my friend, and I’ll see you in the neighborhood.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: To the resolution, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution. SENATOR MUÑOZ: 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 Senator Cronin, just wanted to say a few words, today being your last day. Since I’ve known you, my friend, you’ve always been a fair man, a good man. I’ve never seen you have a bad day here in the State Capitol. So my hat’s off to you. You’ve got a beautiful family. DuPage is very lucky they’re going to be having a man like you. You’re going to do an outstanding job. Keep being the good man that you are and everything should go perfect for you. You take care of yourself and God bless.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Kotowski, for what purpose do you rise?
To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution.
Thank you, Madam President. I know it’s probably the least attractive thing to look at the back of my bald head right now, Senator Cronin, but it’s difficult for me to give a presentation about you while looking behind me. But let me say a couple words about my good friend, Dan Cronin. It’s the people in this building who make it special and this is a beautiful place to work. There’s the, you know, great, ornate architecture. But Dan Cronin is one of those people that you walk on the Floor and you see his smile and, whatever it be, a -- a gesture of outreach and -- and goodwill and a kind word about your family and a question about your life, just makes you feel good about working here. And I’ve been so grateful to have this friendship with you that’s developed over time. I was struck, when I first met him in the early 90s, that he was one of these Senators who 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 would come out and he would give the lobbyists a straight answer about his position. I thought that was such a great example. Whether it’d be education or violence prevention or any issue, Senator Cronin would come out, and I’d sit and just watch him, and he would give a straight answer - a thoughtful answer - and I was -- that impressed me so much and I’ve endeavored to do that as a State Senator. I also want to say that there are few people in this world that you think that just -- I mean, that rise above party affiliation and Senator Cronin is one of those people. And I had the pleasure and honor of getting a group of Democrats together in support of him in Elmhurst this year, and -- and sitting down and having a chance to meet him and they all -- well, they all were so impressed by him and they all knew that he was somebody who -- it didn’t really matter whether he was Republican or Democrat that Senator Cronin was going to do the right thing as the DuPage County Board Chair. And that’s been so impressive. And just a couple other thoughts about Senator Cronin. As -- as -- as Senator Muñoz pointed out, you have a great family and it’s been a great opportunity to meet your wife. And some of the lessons you learn from Dan Cronin is he always says to you, it’s like, “You know what, Dan? We’re just going to do the right thing. It doesn’t really matter about party. Doesn’t matter about partisanship. It matters the issue. It matters the people. It’s just -- let’s just do the right thing. Let’s just get something done today, Dan. Let’s just make a difference in people’s lives.” And -- and I think we’ve always connected on that point and so many of us in the room share this. And I would just say this, personally, I’m going to miss you greatly, miss seeing you here on a regular 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 basis and -- and how much you bring to this place and how special you make this place, but I -- I look forward to our friendship growing and developing over the years and I look forward to seeing the great things you’re going to do for the people of DuPage and the State of Illinois. But, again, I will say that it has been a pleasure and an honor to work with you and I just wish you the best. God bless you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution.
Senator Cronin and I came into the Illinois House together and at that -- and at that time -- and, in fact, along with Senator Burzynski. He, too, was elected to that class. We were elected in the 1990 election and we had both encountered very difficult primary fights in order to get where we were going. And I know as -- as hard as it is to imagine now, particularly today, where we’ve heard so many laudatory praises about Dan Cronin - maybe it’s the gray in his temples; maybe it’s the wonderful influences that Juli and his family have had in his life - but when I met Dan Cronin, Dan Cronin was a firebrand. Before there were Tea Partiers, before there were angry people screaming, Dan Cronin was out there slugging away as an independent voice in his community and successfully won a primary election against someone who was not only an institution here at the -- at the Capitol, in the Illinois House, but who 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 was a top lieutenant of the Minority Leader, who was also from DuPage County. And perhaps it was the parochial school upbringing that we both shared - you didn’t know that Dan Cronin was Jewish, I’m sure. He told you he went to Fenwick, but… What -- but the reapportionment gods were smiling on Dan Cronin and when an opportunity came to go to the Senate, Dan Cronin, being a very shrewd person, pursued that opportunity as quickly as he could and we’ve all benefited from it as the result. I’ll never forget having sat with Dan Cronin as a member of the House Human Services Committee and telling Dan Cronin on a particular vote, sitting next to him one day and saying, “You know, Dan, what would Henry Hyde do in this situation?” It had to do -- Dan, you may not even remember this, but it made such an impression on me, our conversation. What would Henry Hyde do? I think it -- it had to do with public -- it had to do with funding for public support for low-income children. And I said, “What -- what was Henry Hyde’s philosophy on this, Dan? Dan, I know we differ on some other major social issues, but what was Henry Hyde’s philosophy?” “Henry Hyde’s philosophy was, when we have children in this world, we have to help them as much as we can and give them as many opportunities as we can to succeed, even when the circumstances under which they’re brought into this world are less than ideal.” And Dan Cronin has always been guided in his public service and in his personal life by those very kinds of principles. How do we give children in our society the best opportunity to succeed, even when the circumstances that -- that they’re brought into are -- brought into our lives are less than ideal? And so, as time has evolved and -- and as we’ve gotten a little grayer and -- and have come 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 to the Senate, we’ve seen the body of work that Dan Cronin has succeeded at -- at fulfilling in bringing about reforming the educational system and providing those very opportunities. One area that I was -- consider myself fortunate to be a tag-team partner of Dan Cronin’s on was our advocacy on behalf of the Golden Apple Foundation, a program run out of Northwestern University which has brought a whole new cadre of people, talents and skills, who, with the right training, are going into classrooms throughout the State and making a tremendous difference and being exceptional teachers. We fought side by side, Democrat and Republican, to stop some Governors, Democrat and Republican, from reducing or even eliminating support for this program. And why did we do it? Wasn’t driven by ideology. Wasn’t driven by any parochial interest. It was driven by the fact that it -- this program was a proven success story and that, if anything, we needed to expand it so that more kids would have the opportunity to have a quality education. I have to say that one of the enduring memories I’ll also have about my public service was one night when Dan Cronin did not have a cheerful countenance and that was the night that former Senate President Philip advised former Governor Edgar that they were not going to see things the same way when it came to changing how we were going to fund public education. Dan Cronin had put in so much sweat equity, working across the aisle with people like former Senator Art Berman and others to bring about a breakthrough, and to see that night that potential dissolve. I saw how Dan Cronin felt the impact of that -- of that series of events, because he knew that it would change the trajectory perhaps of how public education was provided to thousands of 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 kids throughout the State of Illinois and what it represented for their futures. So that probably made him redouble his efforts even more so to be the champion of public education and for private and parochial school education that he has been today. So, in closing, Dan, what I want to say is that I think what -- I have to say, your moving on to this new position, you know, I think provides certain benchmarks for some of us who have also seen our lives become fuller, not just professionally, but personally as well, as we’ve grown into adults. We retain some of our adolescence, no doubt, but as we’ve become -- as we’ve become adults and -- and start looking for new and fresh challenges in our personal and in our professional lives. So I want to wish you and Juli all the best and your family in this exciting new opportunity. But I also want to extend a word of caution that if you ever try to bring things at the Tollway back to what used to be the good old days in DuPage County, Senator Garrett and I will be here to shut it down. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) President Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?
Yes, for the purposes of seconding this resolution. I was in the office -- back in my office when the resolution was read and I didn’t hear the first part, so I didn’t know who they were talking about, and then I heard all these fantastic accomplishments and I said, I got to come out and find out who this is about. And so, Dan, you wrote a very nice resolution, but I -- I have to tell you, if anything, it was understated, because you really have had a remarkable career. And Senator 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 Dillard did mention that sometimes when people leave, it’s appropriate to talk about the -- the different ways in which you can leave this place. There are some real bad ways of leaving this place and some good ones. The worst I would imagine would be to die in office. That’d probably be the worst. Being impeached wouldn’t be a lot of fun or -- or being convicted of a -- of a crime. That wouldn’t be fun. And -- and, of course, there’s life after losing an election, but that’s not fun. A good way to leave, of course, would be to retire with a full pension. But the best way to leave is what you’re doing, ‘cause you are -- you are going on to higher office like others before you who served here, who go to Congress, statewide office, President of the United States. And so you’re going to really a challenging and higher office in DuPage. Many people may not know this, but I grew up in DuPage County. I moved to Winfield when I was in the second grade. I am now the second-most famous elected official from Winfield, now that Congressman Hultgren has been elected. And -- and stayed in DuPage until I left to go to law school after Pate Philip suggested I leave DuPage. I think is one of the reasons I -- I did as well. My family, my large family, most of ‘em still live out there and will be your constituents. So I just want to tell you that we all know, ‘cause we’ve experienced this, the people in your new role occasionally have a need to come to the Legislature. And we -- I know you’ve got the support of your colleagues and I just want to tell you that all of us on this side of the aisle will -- and me, personally, in this -- my role want to afford you any courtesies and any help that you possibly may need in your challenging future. And I just wish you the best of luck. 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall the Senate adopt Senate Resolution No. 1050. All those in favor, please stand, indicate it by voting -- saying Aye. Those -- those opposed will say Nay. Congratulations, Senator Cronin. The resolution is adopted. Senator Cronin.
Well, I am -- I am humbled and I am really honored, and, boy, you know, to sit there and listen to all that, I appreciate your patience and your kindness. I -- I have been truly blessed to serve in the Illinois Senate. I’ve loved it. I’ve loved it here. There are a lot of good people - a lot of good people here and I will miss you. I will miss working with you in this -- in this environment as a fellow State Senator - in this unique environment. I’d like to, if I may, just to say thank you to a few people. First, I -- I’d like to thank Tracy, who has been with me for many, many years and she ran my life down here and she is uniquely talented because, somehow or other, she always made me look good and -- and that’s a testament to her talent, not mine. Thank you, Tracy. I want to thank Barb Finn, who couldn’t make it here today, but she’s very devoted and runs my life back in the district, and thank you for everything you do, Barb. I know you’re watching out there. Jeanette. You know, everybody who chairs a committee and works with a staffer, you develop a special relationship. I’m fortunate, I’m lucky, I’ve had that with Jeanette. She’s sort of like my sister in a way - somebody that you trust, somebody that you can be candid with, somebody that you really -- you -- you like and you love. 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 And, Jeanette, getting immersed in important issues of public education with you over the years - will you stop it? - it has just been -- what a blast. What a blast that was. What a -- what a lucky, fortunate opportunity that was for -- for me to work with you in that regard. Amy, Peg, the staff, Tim Nuding - on both sides, boy, we really are lucky people that we have these young, talented, devoted people working with us day in and day out down here - what a delight it is to work with all of them. They’re -- they’re just so bright. To all of my colleagues, all of my fellow State Senators, Senator Radogno, the Leaders, John Cullerton, my friend, thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your sentiments. I want to thank people, you know, from the 21st District, all the people that voted for me, even the people that didn’t vote for me. I’m -- I’m -- I’m glad that -- that I had the chance to try to win you over. All those friends and volunteers, people that help you over the years to get here, people that believe in you, and we’re all really lucky that we have people that believe in us, ‘cause you can’t do anything in this business if you don’t have people with you. And so I’ve been fortunate in that regard and we all have. I have to thank my lovely and beautiful wife for - - for sticking with me and -- and enduring a lot and enjoying a lot. Hell, we’ve had a lot of fun, a lot of fun over the years and we’re going to have more fun. My kids - you know, my -- I measure my life down here with my -- my family. I can tell you exactly where I was, what the committee was, what the issue was when -- when my wife went into labor every time. Elizabeth, Sarah, Gracie and Danny, thank you very much. I love you guys for coming down here today. In any event, all of you, Susan and 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 Jeff and Don and Tony, everybody that got up, Chris, Kirk, Brad, Kimberly, Dan Kotowski, all of you guys, I just -- you’re my pals, and this has been a very, very big part of my life serving here, no doubt. And all of you have been a very, very big part of my life. And I will miss the friendships and the camaraderie that is unique to this institution. I do have a wonderful opportunity to serve as the Chairman of the DuPage County Board and I am excited about it. I want very much to work with all of you. You are my friends and I treasure that relationship very, very much. Thank you. Thank you very much and God bless you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
…you very -- thank you very much, Madam President. Are you crying?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) I am crying. I happen to like Senator Dan Cronin and I happen to think we’ve done great things in education together over the years, Senator, and he is my neighbor and colleague and I wish him well.
And -- and you have the right to cry and -- and be sentimental. I -- I rise for a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) State your point.
Thank you very much, Madam President and Members of the Senate. As we just witnessed, that this time of year, we say goodbye to some -- some old friends, sometimes gladly and we’re 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 glad they’re gone and others sadly some of ‘em leave us as well. And as alluded to by our President, sometimes you wonder who in the heck are they talking about as they’re telling you about these individuals, ‘cause it’s not always good, but most of the time it is. But what we tend to forget or it seems sometimes ignore is that it’s not just our Members who are leaving who have done all the great things in trying to make this a -- a place of where we really serve the people of the State of Illinois. We also leave -- leaving us at the end of the year after a tenure of sometimes two years, four years, five years, ten years, we have the big loss of staff. We have individuals who actually made us look good and sound good, which allows all of our colleagues to say great things about us when we didn’t know what the heck we were doing until that day. So we have individuals like this young lady standing behind me, Melissa Black. And believe me, Melissa and the thousands of people that have -- hundreds, I should say, without exaggerating, of people who have served for us on our staff do make us look good. Melissa Black served on Appropriations - certainly made me look good there - Human Services. She was in the Medicaid reform. She was in the forefront and going to all those boring meetings for mental health, hospital assessment. I mean she had to listen to Schoenberg. I mean, if you thought he was long today, go to one of his doggone committee meetings. And then try to interpret for the rest of us. You talking about endurance and - - and enduring pain and suffering. You know, I mean a multi… But -- but these are -- oh, yeah, I’m sorry I mentioned his name. That means he might have to talk. But our staff are truly multitaskers and they truly work many long hours, days and 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 nights, and -- and, believe me, we couldn’t accomplish the things that we do without ‘em. Melissa Black is leaving our Senate staff. She’s going to the -- the Carle Foundation Hospital. She will be the Manager of Government Relations over there, which means she will be coming back. So we’ll still have her around, but we certainly will miss her. I know I miss her already on staff, whispering in my ear, again, telling me and reminding me of the things that I must do to make this a -- a better State for all of us. So would you please join with me in -- in commending her for the service that she’s done and just give her encouragement for her new endeavors that she’s getting involved in. Melissa Black.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Congratulations, Melissa. You have done a tremendous job. You have done an awesome job. I will miss you as well. Congratulations. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. On a point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. I know today’s weather doesn’t necessarily bring to mind going outside and getting on a golf course and hitting a little white ball around, but I know that there are a number of golfers in the Chamber. This is your opportunity, Madam President, to recognize and say hello to some of the State’s best golfers. In the gallery immediately above me is the IHSA 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 State Champion 2A Golf Team from Mahomet-Seymour High School. The players are here, along with their coach, Nathan Mills. I wonder if the Senate would please ask them to rise and give them a warm welcome of congratulations.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Congratulations, gentlemen, and welcome to the Illinois Senate. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we have, in the gallery behind the Republican Chamber, former Leader of the Illinois Senate, Senator Frank Watson. Would you please welcome Senator Frank Watson to the Illinois General Assembly? It’s good to see you, Frank. The Senate will stand at ease for a moment to organize paperwork so that we can move forward. The Senate stand at ease. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, 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 please come to the President’s Anteroom immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (SENATE STANDS AT EASE/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bill 336, Senate Bill 759, Senate Bill 902, Senate Bill 1310, House Bill 306, House Bill 5057 and House Bill 6267. Filed by Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman. Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 902; refer to the Energy Committee - House Bill 5879; refer to the Executive Committee - Senate Bill 3973, House Bill 5424, House Bill 5420, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 5057; refer to the Human Services Committee - House Bill 6063; refer to the Insurance Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 336; refer to the Judiciary Committee - Senate Bill 3067 and House Bill 5224; refer to the Licensed Activities Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4934; refer to the Pensions and Investments Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 306; refer to the Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3952 and House Bill 354; refer to the State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Senate Resolution 1047; refer to the Telecommunications and Information Technology Committee - House Bill 5756; and Be Approved -- Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1310. Signed by Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.
41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 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 2800. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 2843, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 2874 {sic} (2878), with House Amendment 1. They all passed the House, as amended, November 18th, 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 bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 1366. We have received like Messages on House Bills 1410, 1422, 1444, 1450, 1453, 1457, 1510, 1617, 1716, 2022, 5635 and 6908. They all passed the House, November 18th, 2010. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 1422, offered by Senator Jacobs. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1453, offered by Senator Sandoval. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1457, offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads title of bill) 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 House Bill 1510, offered by Senator Demuzio. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1716, offered by Senator Steans. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5635, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of these House bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1052, offered by Senator Harmon and all Members. Senate Resolution 1053, offered by Senator Brady and all Members. They are death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Resolution Consent Calendar. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections have been filed, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution 128. Madam Secretary, 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 11/18/2010 please read the resolution.
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 128. Offered by Senator Schoenberg. (Secretary reads HJR No. 128) Adopted by the House, November 18th, 2010.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Schoenberg moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 128. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Schoenberg moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 128. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 p.m. on the 30th day of November, 2010. The Senate stands adjourned. 44