PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The regular Session of the 97th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be -- will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by our esteemed colleague, Senator Koehler. Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Madam President. In driving here this morning, I thought quite a bit about the whole concept of understanding and how important that is in the work we do and just how important it is in life in general. And so I’ve selected a prayer that I think really talks about that in a very meaningful way. And so, if you will, I’m going to read the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi. Please join me in prayer. (Prayer by Senator Koehler)
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, February 15th, 2011.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Crotty.
Madam President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 2/16/2011 arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you. Senator Crotty moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Will all Members at the sound of my voice -- legislative assistants, please notify your Members that we are on the Floor for action, if they could please come to the Illinois General Assembly Senate Floor for action. Thank you. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 58, offered by Senator Koehler. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Madam Secretary, Committee Report.
Senator Muñoz, Chairman of the Committee on Executive Appointments, reports the following: Appointment Messages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and the Governor’s Message filed during the 96th General Assembly dated April 6, 2009 recommend Do Advise and Consent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) …Secretary, motions on file for appointments.
I have a motion to compile Appointment Messages, filed by Senator Muñoz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please print that on the Calendar, Madam Secretary. Madam Secretary, Messages from the House. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 2/16/2011
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 10. Offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads HJR No. 10) Adopted by the House, February 15th, 2011. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Risinger, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. For a point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your personal privilege.
I have with me today a couple of my very dearest friends. One of ‘em is the constituent of Senator Dave Koehler. It’s Charlie -- Charles Barton. He’s a retired engineer from IDOT and a very good friend of mine. The second guy is Bill Wahl, also a good friend of mine, a guy that makes me want to change the Chicago handicap system and put a cap on it, because he -- I think he overuses it - but that’s another story. But will you please help me give them a warm welcome to the Illinois Senate?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please welcome Senator Risinger’s guests to the Illinois 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 2/16/2011 General Assembly. On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution No. 10. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 10, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harmon. Senator Harmon moves to suspend all rules for the immediate consideration of House Joint Resolution 10. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Harmon moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 10. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, may I please have your attention? We will be going to the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading. On the top of page 2, please turn your attention to Senate Bills 2nd Reading. And if you could please lower your voices, so Members can hear their names. Senator Silverstein, on Senate Bill 53. Out of the record. Senator Kotowski, on Senate Bill 107. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 107. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs adopted Committee Amendment 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 2/16/2011 3rd Reading. 3rd Reading. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 123. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senator Sandoval, on Senate Bill 131. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senator Frerichs, on Senate Bill 154. Senator Frerichs. Senator Frerichs, on Senate Bill 154. Madam Secretary, he indicates he wish to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 154. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Senator Jacobs, on Senate Bill 165. Senator Jacobs indicates he wish to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 165. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise? 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 2/16/2011
A point of -- point of personal privilege. I’d -- I’d just like the record to reflect that Senator Althoff is off today, away from the Capitol on an excused absence. And just ask that the record so reflect.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Absolutely. Thank you for the message. The Senate will stand at ease for a few moments. The Senate stands at ease. (at ease) Senate -- the Senate will come to order. Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you very much, Madam President. An inquiry of the Chair. I would like to ask for leave to be on the Floor today without a tie. Our rules dictate that I be fully dressed here in the upper Chamber. However, in recognition of African American History Month, I have on the traditional Ghanaian jacket, which a tie doesn’t go with. Couldn’t find one to match it anyway. So -- so I’m asking if I could have leave to be on the Floor today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator, in lieu of African American History Month, leave is granted. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Don’t you look beautiful in that Chair today? Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point.
First, I’d like to thank all of the women…(microphone 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 2/16/2011 cutoff)…Senate who joined us last night for our first Senate women’s meet-and-greet dinner at Maldaner’s. We had a wonderful, wonderful time and we were able to welcome our new three Senate Republican colleagues and take some time to get to know one another and break bread. It was a wonderful night, and thank you all for coming. Secondly, I’d like to extend an invitation to all of my colleagues to the annual Black Caucus soiree at the Governor’s Mansion tonight at 6 p.m. This happens every year. The food is wonderful and we would love to see each and every one of you there. So, thank you so much for your attention, and that’s about all I have. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the following Senators are appointed to the Committee of Escort to escort the Governor to the House of Representatives for the Joint Session: Senator Collins, Senator Maloney, Senator Steans, Senator McCann, and Senator Schmidt. Again, Senator Collins, Maloney, Steans, McCann and Schmidt. When the Senate recesses, I would ask the committee to meet at the rear of the Chamber. Also, the Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair until after the Joint Session. After the Joint Session, the Senate will reconvene for further Floor action. Please return to the Senate Floor after the Joint Session. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 2/16/2011 Senate will come to order. Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your announcement.
I would like to announce that there will be a Democratic Caucus immediately in the President’s Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) That announcement is the President’s Office -- we are holding a caucus for the Democratic side. All Senators please report to the Democratic Caucus in the Senator’s -- in Senate President Cullerton’s Office. Thank you, Senator. Senate committees will meet immediately after caucus. Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. After committee meetings, the Senate will reconvene to receive committee reports and for further Floor action. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
I have a Committee Report correction. The following Appointment Messages were reported as recommended Do Advise and Consent from the Senate Executive Appointment {sic} (Appointments) Committee: Appointment Messages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 2/16/2011 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. This Committee Report replaces the Committee Report previously read on February 16th, 2011. Senator Koehler, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Bills 41 and 42 Do Pass. Senator Forby, Chairperson of the Committee on Labor, reports Senate Bill 115 Do Pass. Senator Meeks, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Bill 1226 Do Pass. Senator Steans, Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations I, reports Senate Bill 24 Do Pass. Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 13 Be Adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 60, offered by Senator Forby and all Members. Senate Resolution 61, offered by Senator Forby and all Members. Senate Resolution 62, offered by Senator Link and all Members. They are death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 59, offered by Senator McCann and all Members {sic}. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 2/16/2011 It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senate will come to order. On page 1 of the Supplemental Calendar is the Order of the Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions, to amend the Constitution of the State of Illinois. Madam Secretary, on Senate Joint Resolution Committee Amendment No. -- Constitutional Amendment - sorry - No. 13. Madam Secretary, having not been read previously, we will now proceed to the 1st Reading of this Joint Resolution 13.
Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 13. (Secretary reads SJRCA No. 13) 1st Reading in full of this Senate joint resolution constitutional amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 2nd Reading. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10:30 a.m. on the 17th day of February, 2011. The Senate stands adjourned. 10