PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The regular Session of the 97th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Don Pritchard, Chaplain with the Illinois State Police and the Zion Lutheran Church, Pleasant Plains, Illinois. Pastor.
(Prayer by the Reverend Don Pritchard)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney, to lead us in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, May 18th, 2011.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 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 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
Senator Muñoz, Chairman of the Committee on Executive Appointments, reports the following: Appointment Messages 81, 82, 83, 95, 96, 97, 99, 100, 101 and 102 recommended Do Advise and Consent. Senator Delgado, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3090 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Wilhelmi, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports House Bill 1698 Do Pass; Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3025 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Lightford, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Resolution 149 Be Adopted; Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 190 recommended Do -- recommended Do Adopt. Senator Sandoval, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, reports House Bill 3308 Do Pass; House Bill 1315 Do Pass, as Amended; House Joint Resolution 24 Be Adopted; and Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3403 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Forby, Chairperson of the Committee on Labor, reports House Bill 2987 Do Pass. Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports House Bills 219, 1444, 1530, 3384 and 3500 Do Pass; Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 668, Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 1091, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1193, Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 1670, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1825, and Senate Amendment 4 to House Bill 3131, all recommended Do Adopt. Senator Hutchinson, Chairperson of the Committee on 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Revenue, reports Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 2955 recommended Do Adopt. Senator Martinez, Chairperson of the Committee on Licensed Activities, reports Senate Bill 2255 Do Pass, as Amended; House Bill 700 Do Pass; House Bill 1973 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Holmes, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs, reports House Bills 3372 {sic} (3276) and 3315 Do Pass; Senate Resolution 218 Be Adopted; House Joint Resolution 31 Be Adopted; and Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1537 recommended Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 248, offered by Senator Collins. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Madam Secretary, motions on file regarding Executive Appointments.
I have a motion filed May 19th by Senator Muñoz. Pursuant to Senate Rule 10-1(c), as Chairman of the Executive Appointments Committee, I move to compile the following Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate: Appointment Messages 81, 82, 83, 97, 99, 100 and 102.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Madam Secretary, please place the motion on the Calendar. Senator Christine Johnson, for what purpose do you rise?
3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 I rise on a point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point.
Mr. President, Members of the Senate, today I’d like to introduce to you some guests from my district. They’re good friends of mine. They’re here in the back. Sheldon and Joyce Rueff, of Chana, Illinois. Sheldon is a retired site superintendent of Shabbona Lake State Park. Joyce is a retired teacher. And then their friends, Carl and Sharon Davidson, of Paw Paw. Both worked in our community for many years. Please give them a warm Senate welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Congratulate… Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Great to have you here today. Welcome. Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?
Purposes of an announcement. Just ask that the record reflect Senator Millner is back home in the district due to a family medical situation and just ask that his absence be deemed excused.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The record will so reflect. Thank you. Will all Members please come to the Senate Floor? Will all Members in their offices please come to the Senate Floor? Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?
Purpose of an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Go ahead and state your announcement.
The Senate Republicans request a caucus for one hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy, if you’ll stand at ease for just a second for a couple other announcements. Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we’re all so fortunate today to be joined by my Page for the Day, who may some day aspire to be my successor for all I know. Her name is Elise Born. She has not only an active interest in student government as a student at -- in eighth grade at the Wilmette Junior High School, but she has a number of other very interesting and varied interests, which include tennis, horseback riding, soccer, debate team. She’s an exceptional student. She’s been an absolute delight to be with throughout the course of this day, helping me during this very busy time of the legislative Session. I’d like to ask Elise to stand up, so that everybody watching on the Internet can see you. And welcome her and her mother, Laura, who’s in the President’s Gallery. Please give them a warm Senate greeting.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Great to have you 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 here today. Senator Crotty in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. We have some guests, also in the gallery, from, really, throughout the State of Illinois. They are some young people, men and women, from the -- representing the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team. They are behind the President’s Podium there. You can recognize them with their bright green shirts, for the most part, on. And they are speaking -- they’re in Springfield speaking for 4-H and the -- and -- and they represent, as I said earlier, counties from all across the State. The youngest one of these young people in attendance is in the eighth grade. I understand the oldest is a sophomore in college. So we have a -- a broad range of -- of youth there as well. And they are under the direction of Denise Legvold. She is a -- a 4-H -- State 4-H Director. I’d like everybody to welcome these young people to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? And welcome to Springfield. There’s quite a few of us that love that color green. Welcome to Springfield. Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?
The Republicans request a one-hour caucus, please. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator, do you know long you would be caucusing for? Sorry - you’ll get my age someday. Senator Murphy -- Senate Republicans have moved to recess the Senate for the purposes of a one-hour caucus. Seeing no objection, the motion to recess is granted. The Senate now stands at recess until 3:20. Thank you. Or the call of the Chair. Thank you very much. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The Senate will come to order. Will all Members please come to the Senate Floor? We’re ready to do business. Please come to the Senate Floor. 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 1637. Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 1761, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1804, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1972, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 2007, with House Amendment 2; Senate Bill 2042, with House Amendments 1 and 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 2; Senate Bill 2064, with House Amendment 1. They all passed the House, as amended, May 19th, 2011. 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 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 32. Offered by Senator McCann. Adopted by the House, May 19th, 2011. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President. A Message from the House by Mr. Mahoney, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that 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 1602. It passed the House, May 19th, 2011. Mark Mahoney, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 587, offered by Senator Hutchinson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1602, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of these House bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Ladies and Gentlemen, will all Senators in their offices or -- come to the Senate Floor. We will be going to Supplemental Calendar No. 2, Senate Bills 2nd Reading -- House Bills 2nd Reading. Please come to the Senate Floor. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will turn to Supplemental Calendar No. 2 to the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading is House Bill 219. President Cullerton. Out of the record. House Bill 700. Senator Hunter. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 700. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1315. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1315. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1444. Senator Wilhelmi. Out of the record. House Bill 1530. Senator Delgado. Senator 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Delgado, on House Bill 1530. Out of the record. House Bill 1698. Senator Mulroe. Senator Mulroe, on House Bill 1698. Out of the record. House Bill 1973. Senator Crotty. Senator Crotty, on House Bill 1973. Out of the record. House Bill 2987. Senator Hutchinson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2987. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3276. Senator Lauzen. Senator Lauzen, on 3276. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3276. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3308. Senator Lauzen. Senator Lauzen, on 3308. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3308. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3315. Senator Lightford, on House 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Bill 3315. Out of the record. House Bill 3384. Senator Dillard. Senator Dillard, on 3384. Out of the record. House Bill 3500. Senator Dillard, on House Bill 3500. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ll -- on -- we’re still on Supplemental Calendar No. 2, House Bills 2nd Reading. We’ll go back to House Bill 3384. Senator Dillard, on 3384. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3384. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3500. Senator Dillard. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3500. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, on Supplemental Calendar No. 2, at the bottom of the page, is Resolutions, Secretary’s Desk. Senate Resolution 149. Senator Pankau. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 149, offered by Senator Pankau.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Pankau. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
Thank you. Senate Resolution 149 commends the efforts of those schools that have already taken the necessary steps to become Illinois Democracy Schools. It also encourages all secondary schools in this State to take the necessary steps to become Illinois Democracy School and resolves that each school district’s school report card shall designate which of the district’s secondary schools, if any, are Illinois Democracy Schools and which are not. And I ask for its approval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Joint -- or House -- Senate Resolution 149 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next on the Calendar is Senate Resolution 218. Senator Tom Johnson, on Senate Resolution 218. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 218, offered by Senator Tom Johnson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Johnson, to present the resolution.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President. This resolution urges the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs to continue to provide technical and financial services to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans so that the shelter may continue to provide essential services to homeless veterans of the U.S. military. This shelter, homeless shelter for veterans, is a real successful thing in the City of Wheaton. I would urge the 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 passage of this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Is there any discussion on the resolution? Seeing none, all those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you turn to the second page of Supplemental Calendar No. 2 is House Joint Resolution 24. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. House Joint Resolution 31. Senator Althoff. Senator Althoff, on House Joint Resolution 31. Indicates she’d like to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 31, offered by Senator Althoff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Joint Resolution 31 creates -- or what it does is actually adds the availability of both the Senate and the House to add outside members to the task force that are not legislators.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Is there any discussion on the resolution? Seeing none, all those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment -- or, excuse me, the resolution is adopted. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Point of personal privilege. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point.
I would just like the Members of the Body to indulge me for a second so that I can say congratulations to Parker Junior High, which is the school that my daughter goes to. She decided to run track on a whim about three months ago, and qualified for State. So they will be traveling to Peoria to run in the statewide competition. I’m so very proud of her. And my daughter is watching right now. So congratulations, baby, and I will see you in Peoria tomorrow. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Let’s give Senator Hutchinson’s daughter a congratulations. Very -- very well done. Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we will return to House Bills 2nd Reading on the Supplemental Calendar No. 2 on the first page, and that’s House Bill 1973. Senator Crotty. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1973. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we will return to Supplemental Calendar No. 2 and House Bill 3315. Senator Lightford, on 3315. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3315. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and -- Ladies and Gentlemen, on Supplemental Calendar No. 2, with leave of the Body, we will go to Secretary’s Desk, Resolutions. On the second page is House Joint Resolution 24. Senator Sandoval. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 24, offered by Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Illinois Senate. House Joint Resolution 24 establishes a joint hearing between the House of Representatives’ Mass Transit Committee and the Senate’s Transportation Committee between July 1st and December 1st of 2011. These two committees will hold at least one joint hearing and take testimony from Regional Transportation Authority, the CTA, the Suburban Bus Division, and the Commuter Rail Division, better known as Metra, concerning the provisions of more modern and efficient mass transit systems. It’s an 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 initiative of the Regional Transportation Authority and a number of other transportation leaders under both Chambers to look at better ways to improve our mass transit systems in Illinois. I’d ask a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Is there any discussion on the resolution? Seeing none, as this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 24, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advise and Consent. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on appointments set forth in Appointment Messages 81, 82, 83, 95, 96, 97, 99, 100, 101, 102.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the appointments set forth in Appointment Messages 81, 82, 83, 95, 96, 97, 99, 100, 101, and 102. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. Madam Secretary, Executive 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Appointments. Appointment Message 95.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Commissioner of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, for a term commencing April -- excuse me, for a term commencing May 9th, 2011, and ending February 1st, 2014: Stephen B. Schnorf.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Will you put the question as required by our rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the -- from the Appointment Message just read. 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? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 2 voting Present. Appointment Message 95, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. To make a correction: A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Madam Secretary, Executive Appointments – Appointment Messages. Appointment Message 96. 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Assistant Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, for a term commencing May 10th, 2011, and ending January 21st, 2013: Dan Seals.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Will you put the question as required by our rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Senator Duffy, for what purpose do you rise?
To the appointment, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the appointment.
You know, here we go again. This is a real doozy. I know the Governor has appointed some very interesting people in the past. Before, we’ve seen people that have given him over a hundred thousand dollars -- have been appointed, and now we have one of the most politically connected people that’s being appointed to DCEO. Now I have no idea what Seals is qualified to do, other than he ran for three congressional campaigns that -- that he did not -- was not successful with, but now here we 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 go with the Governor giving him an appointment for all of his hard work and being appointed as -- a hundred-and-twenty- thousand-dollar job to DCEO. I strongly urge a No vote on this appointment. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any further discussion? Is there any further discussion? Senator Link, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Just to follow up on the last comment there. I think it’s time we stopped disparaging remarks on an individual because they might have been in the political process; because some other individuals that have been in the political process before have been appointed to positions in the past and we have okayed ‘em. This individual has immense qualifications and has been highly recommended. And I would ask that there be all green lights for him and I think he’s immensely qualified for the position that he is being appointed for.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Any further discussion? Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the -- of the Message.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the Appointment Message, Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you. I am the Senate sponsor for Mr. Seals, who has a -- an impeccable track record in the business community, in 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 the private sector, whose skill sets are going -- have already proven to be a tremendous asset to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. I think some of the earlier mischaracterizations don’t do justice to this fine individual, both his integrity and his skill set. Dan Seals is exactly the type of person who we should welcome into the public sector to make State government work more efficiently and more effectively. And for that reason, I’m proud to be his Senate sponsor and to vote Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any further discussion? Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. 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? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there -- there are 38 voting Aye, 10 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Madam Secretary, Executive Appointments. Message 101.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Division of Financial Institutions within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, for a term commencing May 9th, 2011, and ending January 21st, 2013: Roxanne Nava. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Will you put the question as required by our rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Senator Muñoz. Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 48 voting Aye, 5 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Madam Secretary, Motions in Writing – Appointment Messages.
I have a motion in writing from Senator Muñoz, Chairman of the Committee on Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Madam Secretary, read the motion.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 10-1(c), as the Chairman of Executive Appointments Committee, I move to compile the following Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate: Appointment Messages 81, 82, 83, 97, 99, 100, and 102. 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Signed by Senator Muñoz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I withdraw the motion to compile all of the unsalaried to be put on one vote. I would like to take a vote on each one of the unsalaried as they’re read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) That request is in order. We will proceed on an individual -- individualized basis. Madam Secretary, Appointment Message 81.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried {sic} appointment: To be a member of the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University, for a term commencing April 28th, 2011, and ending January 16th, 2017: Jay D. Bergman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Will you put the question as required by our rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 34 voting Aye, 12 voting Nay, 4 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Madam Secretary, Appointment Message 82.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following appointment: To be a member of the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University, for a term commencing April 28th, 2011, and ending January 16th, 2017: Anne Davis.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Will you put the question as required by our rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 5 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Madam 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Secretary, Appointment Message 83.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following appointment: To be a member of the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University, for a term commencing April 28th, 2011, and ending January 16th, 2017: Betty J. Kinser.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Will you put the question as required by our rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 49 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 4 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected -- elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Madam Secretary, Appointment Message 97.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following appointment: 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 To be a member of the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, for a term commencing May 9th, 2011, and ending January 20th, 2014: Kennard Tucker.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Will you put the question as required by our rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 51 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. The Senate -- a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Madam Secretary, Appointment Message 99.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following appointment: To be a member of the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, for a term commencing May 9th, 2011, and ending January 20th, 2014: John Hipskind.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Will you put the question as required by our rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. And opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring -- concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Madam Secretary, Appointment Message 100.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Finance Authority, for a term commencing May 9th, 2011, and ending July 16th, 2013: Barrett F. Pedersen.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Will you put the question as required by our rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, -- does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 53 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Madam Secretary, Appointment Message 102.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following appointment: To be a member of the Weatherization Initiative Board, for a term commencing May 9th, 2011, and ending February 19th, 2016: Percy Harris.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I now seek leave to consider the appointment on a roll call. Will you put the question as required by our rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Madam 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate has arisen from Executive Session. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will turn to -- on the printed Calendar, bottom of page 65, is House Bills 2nd Reading. If you’ll turn to your printed Calendar, on the bottom of page 65 is House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bill 186. Leader Radogno. Out of the record. Turn the page to the top of page 66 and we have House Bill 190. Senator Righter. Senator Righter. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 190. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Righter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Senator Righter, on the amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. Floor Amendment 2 would add to the bill, in that it places students who may be at risk of dropping out into the categories outlined by the bill. It also changes language that -- right now, the bill reads that no more than five charter schools would be reserved for this purpose. The amendment would make it at least five charter schools. The amendments were suggested by Senator Lightford and Senator Martinez. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? 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 SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, at the top of page 66, again on the printed Calendar, is House Bills 2nd Reading, is House Bill 230. Senator Koehler. Out of the record. House Bill 242. Senator Koehler. Out of the record. House Bill 466. Senator Kotowski. Senator Kotowski. Out of the record. House Bill 1079. Senator Christine Johnson. Out of the record. House Bill 1163. Senator Jacobs. Senator Jacobs, on 1163. Out of the record. House Bill -- excuse me, 1197. Senator Emil Jones. Senator Emil Jones, on 1197. Out of the record. With leave of the Body, we will -- we will return to House Bill 1197. Senator Emil Jones, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 please read the bill.
House Bill 1197. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd -- 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. In the middle of page 66 is House Bill 1215. Senator Crotty. Out of the record. House Bill 1241. Senator Martinez, on House Bill 1241. Out of the record. House Bill 1253. Senator Martinez. Out of the record. House Bill 1293. Senator Schoenberg, on House Bill 1293. Senator Schoenberg. Out of the record. House Bill 1297. Senator Clayborne. Leader Clayborne, on 1297. Madam Secretary, please…
House Bill 1297. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1470. Senator Clayborne, on 1470. Leader Clayborne. Madam Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1470. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. At the bottom of page 66 is House Bill 1476. 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Senator Delgado. House Bill 1476. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1476. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will turn to the top of page 67 of the printed Calendar, still on the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading, is House Bill 1490. Senator Martinez, on 1490. Senator Martinez, on House Bill 1490. Out of the record. Something was blocking my view. I couldn’t quite see you. House Bill -- excuse me, 1576. House Bill 1576. Senator Koehler. Out of the record. House Bill 1670. Senator Crotty. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1670. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Crotty.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Crotty, on Amendment 1.
Senate Amendment No. 1 allows elected school board members to satisfy the training requirements of the bill by 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 participating in a course of training sponsored or conducted by a school board association.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Crotty.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Crotty, on Amendment 2.
And Senate Amendment No. 2 is a technical amendment that corrects an oversight regarding the criminal penalties imposed by the Open Meetings Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the -- the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Continuing on the Calendar is House Bill 1703. Senator Clayborne. Leader Clayborne, on 1703. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1703. 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1730. Senator Hutchinson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1730. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1929. Senator Wilhelmi. Senator Wilhelmi, on House Bill 1929. Out of the record. House Bill 2089. Senator McCann. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2089. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2095. Senator Noland. Senator Mike Noland, on House Bill 2095. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2095. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported. 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2259. Senator Crotty. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2259. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2555. Senator Wilhelmi. Out of the record. House Bill 3025. Senator Maloney. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3025. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Maloney.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Maloney, to present your Floor Amendment 1. Senator Maloney.
Thank you, Mr. President. The -- the Floor amendment carves into -- creates an exception for financial institutions in the bill. It was agreed to and I’ll be happy to explain it further on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Is there any discussion on the amendment? 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 SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3131. Senator Pankau. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3131. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 4, offered by Senator Pankau.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Pankau, to present your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. Amendment 4 deals with the forty-eight-hour period that a meeting notice must be presented and a continuous notice.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? 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? 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Next on the Calendar is House Bill 3372. Senator Koehler. Senator Koehler. Out of the record. House Bill 3440. Senator Emil Jones. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3440. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re going to go to Senate Bills 3rd Reading and those -- those Senate bills with a deadline extended to May 31st. So those Senate bills with a May 31 deadline extension, we will be going to that Order. And first up is Senate Bill 102. Senator Link. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 102. Out of the record. Senate Bill 400. Leader Clayborne. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 400. Out of the record. Senate Bill 669. Senator Crotty. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Crotty seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 669 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 669. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Crotty.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Crotty, to present your amendment.
I’d like to explain the amendment, because it is the bill, at the time when you call the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? 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?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 669. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 669. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Crotty.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 669 ensures that one million dollars be -- one million of the dollars deposited in the Nursing Dedicated and Professional Fund is to be set aside 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 and appropriated to the Department for the administration of the Illinois Center for Nurses {sic} (Nursing). And what this actually does is -- that money is to be used for evidence-based research on the impact of APNs on improving patient outcomes and access to care in the -- in Illinois, Nursing Workforce 2020, the impact of multi-state licensure, and data collection regarding the ratio of school nurses to children in schools. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 669 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 669, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up is Senate Bill 1044. Senator Wilhelmi. Senator Wilhelmi. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1305. Senate Bill 1305. Senator Althoff. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Althoff seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1305 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1305. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Althoff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff, to present your amendment.
38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Thank you. Amendment 2 becomes the bill and I’ll explain it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will vote Aye -- 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 SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1305. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1305. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1305 amends the Nurse Practice Act. It ratifies and adopts the Nurse Licensure Compact. It provides for rules and regulations for nurses to practice in any state that has adopted the Compact. This legislation actually addresses the need for access to health care and -- in the electronic age. We are continually working with the Department. And this bill will be worked on while it’s over in the House as well, but I would like an Aye vote to move it over there today. Be happy to answer any questions. 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1305 pass. 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? Madam Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1305, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1436. Senator Althoff, on House Bill 1436. Oh, excuse me, I said House Bill. Excuse me, correction, Senate Bill 1436. Senator Althoff seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1436 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1436. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Althoff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff, to present Amendment 1.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. It does become the bill and I’d explain it on 3rd Reading, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? 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. 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1436. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1436. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1436 amends the Illinois Municipal Code and it includes areas owned by a conservation district under the definition of a “conservation area” to -- to permit municipalities to annex over these properties.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1436 pass. 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? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1436, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1735. Senator Jacobs. Senator Mike Jacobs, on 1735. Madam Secretary, Senator Jacobs seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill -- just one second. Ladies and Gentlemen, we will come back to Senate Bill 1735. Working on a little paperwork. Let’s move ahead to Senate Bill 1750. Senator 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Crotty. Senator Maggie Crotty. Madam Secretary, on Senate Bill 1750, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1750. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Crotty.
Thank you. Senate Bill 1750 creates the Registered Nurse Registry Pilot Program, which requires the Department of Central Management Services to create and maintain a registry of extra help employees for State-operated facilities. The bill, as amended, sets up the requirements for the registry, including the termination date of the pilot program; empowers CMS to appoint a registered nurse or a correctional nurse to provide extra help under certain conditions at State facilities. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Crotty. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1750 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1750, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 2170. Leader Clayborne. Senator Clayborne, on Senate Bill 2170. Senate Bill 2170. Out of the 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 record. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Bill 1735. Senator Jacobs. Senator Jacobs seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1735 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1735. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Jacobs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Jacobs, on Amendment 2.
I’d like to describe the amendment as we reach to -- to 3rd. I appreciate your indulgence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? 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 3, offered by Senator -- Senator Righter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter, on Amendment 3.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. Amendment 3 represents an agreement between Lake Land College and Local 150 that would allow a labor union that has a certified training facility to take over part of the training that is done -- or, required by the Illinois Department of Transportation. 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? 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 SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1735. Indicates he’d like to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1735. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Jacobs.
I would like to thank Senator Righter for fighting so hard for his district to make sure that nobody got hurt. And this bill is now a cooperative agreement and I appreciate your support, sir.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the bill? Is there any discussion? Senator Cultra, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you. Would you -- would the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Indicates he will yield. Senator Cultra.
Yes, at one time, Associated Building {sic} (Builders and) Contractors, Associated General Contractors, the Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers were against this bill. Are they okay with it now?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Jacobs.
Yes, sir. With the cooperation of Senator Righter and his wise counsel, we were able to remove that opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1735 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 53 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1735, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have an announcement, a point of announcement. If Members have Floor amendments they intend to be -- intend to be heard before the 3rd Reading deadline, you should file your Floor amendments by the close of business on Friday - this Friday. This will -- this will provide time for those amendments to be assigned to committee so they can be heard during the 3rd Reading deadline week. I’d also like to remind everyone that next Friday, May 27th, is the 3rd Reading deadline for House bills. Again, if Members have Floor amendments they intend to be heard before the 3rd Reading 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 deadline, you should file your Floor amendments by the close of business on Friday. This will provide time for those amendments to be -- to be assigned to committee. Again, everyone that -- next Friday, May 27th, is the 3rd Reading deadline for House bills. Thank you. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes. (at ease) Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re going to go to the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading on the top of page 60 of the printed Calendar. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will turn to the top of page 60. Ladies and Gentlemen, again, we will go to the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading, but -- but actually turn to the middle of page - excuse me - 58. Middle of page 58 of the printed Calendar, House Bills 3rd Reading. We’ll go to the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading and we’ll start off with House Bill 78. Senator Frerichs. Senator Frerichs. Out of the record. House Bill 79. Senator Syverson. Senator Dave Syverson, on House Bill 79. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 79. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Syverson.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is legislation that we’ve seen before. It just allows the county’s Veterans Memorial Hall to sell alcohol. This is on behalf of Winnebago County. Know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 79 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 51 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 79, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 132. Senator Steans. Out of the record. House Bill 147. Senator Hutchinson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 147. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hutchinson.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. House Bill 147 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if an employer has reasonable suspicion to believe that a school bus driver permit holder is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds, the employer may require the driver to undergo testing at a licensed testing facility before driving any vehicle for which a school bus driver permit is required. I would ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Bomke, for what purpose do you rise?
47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Thank you, Mr. President. Question to the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates she will yield, Senator Bomke.
I was of the understanding there was going to -- amendment on this bill; that there is a problem. The State Police had a problem with the drug testing and -- and it’s problematic without that amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hutchinson.
That’s the first I’ve heard of that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Bomke.
Well, as I understand, the amendment’s been filed.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hutchinson.
Okay. Well, to resolve some confusion on this, I’ll pull it from the record and we’ll come back, to make sure we have it right. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Hutchinson. Out of the record. Continuing on the Calendar - we’re on the bottom of page 58 - is House Bill 180. Senator Wilhelmi. Senator Wilhelmi, on House Bill 180. Out of the record. House Bill 212. Senator Hutchinson, on House Bill 212. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will turn to the top of page 59 of the printed 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Calendar, again on the -- on the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading, is House Bill 220. Senator Dillard. Senator Dillard, on House Bill 220. Out of the record. House Bill 224. Senator Steans. Out of the record. House Bill 237. Senator Holmes. Senator Linda Holmes, on 237. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 237. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Holmes.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. House Bill 237, very simply, creates the Illinois Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission. And if anybody has any questions, they have to spell and say “sesquicentennial”. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 237 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 237, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 263. Senator Millner. Out of the record. House Bill 277. Senator Mulroe. Senator John Mulroe. Out of the record. House Bill 279. Senator Delgado. Senator Delgado, on House Bill 279. Out 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 of the record. House Bill 298. Senator Lightford. Senator Lightford. Out of the record. House Bill 332. Senator Muñoz. Senator Muñoz, on House Bill 332. Out of the record. House Bill 350. Senator Muñoz. House Bill 350. Out of the record. House Bill 363. Senator Harmon. Senator Harmon, on House Bill 363. Out of the record. House Bill 464. Senator Hutchinson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 464. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hutchinson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Let’s try this one more time. House Bill 464 allows the Department of Veteran {sic} (Veterans’) Affairs to transfer any property valued under one hundred dollars that was donated for the explicit benefit of residents of IDVA’s veterans homes to any civic organization.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill -- excuse me, I see a light has popped on. Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?
Oh, thank you very much, Mr. President. I apologize for being so slow on that. Senator…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Question of the sponsor? Indicates she will yield. Thank 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 you, Senator Lauzen.
Thank you. Our analysis has something that must have been a previous -- you know, something about a district issuing express imitation {sic} bonds. But is that in an earlier life of the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hutchinson.
No. Thank you, Senator Lauzen. No. What happened was, there was to be an amendment for a colleague who had another issue that we were going to add to this. Erroneously, it was made a gut and replace. So we took all that off. The original bill, as it stands, is just to make sure that veterans homes, when people donate goods that we can sell then later at, like, a garage sale to raise money for the home, that we can still do that. So that is now irrelevant. It’s not on the bill. We never adopted the amendment. The original bill, clean as it stands, is what this is. So, thank you for the clarification.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 464 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 464, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 585. Senator Harmon. Madam Secretary, please read the 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 bill.
House Bill 585. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 585 is an initiative of the -- the Pace transit service. If you may recall, several years ago, we assigned to Pace responsibility throughout the RTA service area to provide the ADA paratransit services. And we provided for funding before the remaining funds were allocated among the three service boards. Because of the economic conditions, the sales tax receipts and -- and other factors, the amount we allocated proves -- has proven to be insufficient to fully fund the ADA services. This represents a -- a -- what I hope is a permanent solution to that problem and it’s supported by the RTA, as well as by Pace, and I believe the other service boards are in support as well. So I’m not aware of any opposition. I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 585 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 55 voting Aye, 0 voting 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 585, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 653. Senator Althoff, on 653. Out of the record. House Bill 711. Senator Muñoz. Senator Muñoz, on House Bill 711. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ll turn to the top of page 60 of the printed Calendar, and that’s House Bill 806. Senator Rezin, on House Bill 806. Out of the record. House Bill 1056. Senator Sandack, on House Bill 1056. Out of the record. House Bill 1091. Senator Steans. Madam Secretary -- Senator Steans seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1091 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1091. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 3, offered by Senator Steans.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans, on Amendment 3.
Yes, Amendment 3 makes several changes to the public- private partnership. I’ll explain it when we get it to 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Is there any discussion on the amendment? 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 SULLIVAN) 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is… Okay, continuing on the Calendar is House Bill 1149. Senator Wilhelmi. Senator Wilhelmi, on House Bill 1149. Out of the record. House Bill 1151. Senator Haine. Out of the record. House Bill 1192. Senator Muñoz. Senator Muñoz, on House Bill 1151 -- excuse me, 1192, rather. 1192. Out of the record. House Bill 1193. Senator Steans. Senator Steans seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1193 to the Order of 2nd Reading, and leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1193. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Steans.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans, on Amendment 1.
This amendment makes it an agreed bill for the recruitment -- recoupment. And when it’s on 3rd later, I will explain.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. And opposed, Nay. And the Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, as we continue down the Calendar is House Bill 1195. Senator Bivins. Senator Bivins 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 would like to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1195. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Bivins.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1195 amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that all police animals used by State and local law enforcement agencies shall be trained by programs that meet the minimum certification requirements set by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. I know of no opposition. Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1195 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 53 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1195, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1233. Senator Emil Jones, on House Bill 1233. Out of the record. We’re in the middle of page 60 and that’s House Bill 1272. Senator Kotowski. Senator Kotowski. Out of the record. House Bill 1298. Senator Annazette Collins. Madam Secretary, please read the bill. 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
House Bill 1298. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Collins.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. House Bill 1298 just takes a portion of the fee that’s collected from citations and to be directed into the Police Fund. We ask for an Aye vote at this time. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1298 pass. 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? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1298, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1317. Senator Noland. Senator Mike Noland. Out of the record. House Bill 1320. Senator Millner. Out of the record. House Bill 1368. Senator Jacobs. Senator Mike Jacobs, on 1368. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will turn the page to the top of page 61 of the printed Calendar, still on the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading, is House Bill 1398. Senator LaHood. Out of the record. House Bill 1426. Senator Kotowski. Senator Dan Kotowski. Out of the record. House Bill 1466. Senator Kotowski. Out of the record. With leave of the Body, 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 we will come back to House Bill 1526. We’ll skip over it for now. House Bill 1537. Senator Holmes. Senator Linda Holmes. Senator Holmes seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1537 to the Order of 2nd Reading, and leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1537. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Holmes, to present Amendment 1.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. Amendment 1 retains the bill, but we add a provision that establishes Purple Heart Day. Purple Heart Day is to be designated on the seventh day of August each year to honor and remember those who have been wounded or killed in battle.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1537 pass. All those -- that was the amendment. Excuse me, that was the amendment. Is there any discussion on the amendment? 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 SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Continuing, we’re on the middle of page 61 of the printed Calendar, is -- is House Bill 1571. Senator Steans. 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Senator Steans, on 1571. Out of the record. House Bill 1600. Senator Trotter. Senator Trotter, on 1600. Out of the record. House Bill 1610. Senator Millner. Out of the record. House Bill 1656. Senator Hunter. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1656. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 1656 requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in conjunction with the Department of Human Services, to report to the General Assembly by January 1 of 2012 on the feasibility and the potential consequences of centralizing the administrative functions of medical assistance applications, to the extent allowed by federal law. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1656 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 53 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1656, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Bill 1663. Senator Dillard, on 1663. Out of the record. House Bill 1689. Senator Hutchinson. Out of the record. House Bill 1699. Senator Wilhelmi. Out of the record. Senate -- or, excuse me, House Bill 1702. Senator Luechtefeld. Senator Luechtefeld, on 1702. Out of the record. At the bottom of page 61 is House Bill 1709. Senator Kotowski. Senator Kotowski, on 1709. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re going to return to Supplemental Calendar No. 2. At the top of Supplemental Calendar No. 2 is House Bills 2nd Reading, and that’s House Bill 219. President Cullerton. President Cullerton. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 219. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ll return back to the printed Calendar now. We’re on page 62. At the top of the page is House Bills 3rd Reading, and it’s House -- yeah, excuse me, House Bill 1717. Senator Harmon. Leader Harmon, on 1717. Out of the record. House Bill 1719. Senator Raoul. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1719. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Raoul. 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 1719 is identical to Senate Bill 1831 that passed the Senate unanimously on April 14th of this year. It amends the Chicago Teachers Pension Article by updating the way the pension credit is awarded.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Senator Raoul.
I -- I’d like to pull this out of the record.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Madam Secretary, take it out of the record, please. Ladies and Gentlemen, 1723 -- with leave of the Body, we will skip over 1723. Next on the Order is House Bill 1825. Senator Steans. Senator Steans, on House Bill 1825. Out of the record. House Bill 1883. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson, on 1883. Madam Secretary, out of the record. House Bill 1908. Senator Haine. Senator Bill Haine. Out of the record. House Bill 1909. Senator Koehler. Senator Dave Koehler, on 1909. Out of the record. House Bill 1926. Senator Steans. Senator Steans, on 1926. Out of the record. House Bill 1957. Senator Trotter. Leader Trotter, on 1957. Out of the record. House Bill 1985. Senator Haine. Out of the record. House Bill 2001. Senator Millner. Out of the record. House Bill 2023. Senator Harmon. Leader Harmon, on House Bill 2023. Out of the record. House Bill 2056. Senator Schmidt. Out of the record. House Bill 2073. Senator Silverstein. Madam Secretary, he indicates he would like to proceed. Please read the bill.
60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 House Bill 2073. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Silverstein.
Thank you, Mr. President. You’re doing a very nice job of moving thing {sic} along. No one wants to call their bills, so you’re doing one heck of a job. This creates the Small Business Development Grant (Fund). It would award grants to small businesses with the -- within the State, with small businesses outside of the State that are committed to locate within Illinois. Take any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2073 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2073, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you’ll turn the page to the top of page 63 of the printed Calendar, on the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading is House Bill 2193. Senator Haine. Out of the record. House Bill 2249. Senator Haine. Out of the record. House Bill 2267. Senator LaHood, on 2267. Out of the record. With leave of the Body, we will skip over 2313 to House Bill 2804. Senator John O. Jones. Senator John O. Jones. Out of the record. House 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Bill 2858. Senator Althoff, on 2858. Madam Secretary, out of the record. House Bill 2860. Senator Forby. Senator Gary Forby, on 2860. Out of the record. House Bill 2902. Senator Garrett. Senator Susan Garrett, on 2902. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2902. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Garrett.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. House Bill 2902 creates the Electric Vehicle Act and establishes the electric -- the Illinois Electric Vehicle Advisory Council. The Council shall investigate and recommend strategies that the Governor and the General Assembly may implement to promote the use of electric vehicles. We actually passed this bill out before. This is the House version.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Garrett. Is there any discussion on Senator Garrett’s bill? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2902 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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 53 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2902, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2903. Senator Steans. Senator 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Steans, on 2903. Out of the record. House Bill 2922. Senator Mulroe. Senator John Mulroe. Indicates he’d like to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2922. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 2922 amends the State Comptroller Act to require State agencies to report all necessary financial information to the Comptroller’s Office by October 31 each year. This was an agreed bill. I know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2922 pass. 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? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2922, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2938. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. House Bill 2955. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson -- seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2955 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2955. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Hutchinson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hutchinson, on Amendment 2.
Senate Amendment No. 2 makes an income tax deduction with - - which the technical clean-up bill creates, retroactive to tax years 2009 and later. And I can explain the full bill on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on Amendment 2? 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?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Continuing on the Calendar is House Bill 2974. Senator Holmes. Out of the record. House Bill 2976. Senator Wilhelmi. Senator Wilhelmi. Out of the record. At the bottom of page 63 is House Bill 3005. Senator Delgado. Senator Delgado. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will turn to the top of page 64 of your printed Calendar, still on the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading, is House Bill 3010. Senator Schoenberg. Senator Schoenberg, on House Bill 3010. Out of the record. House Bill 3022. Senator Lightford. Senator Kimberly Lightford. Madam Secretary -- Senator Lightford seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3022 to 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 the Order of 2nd Reading, and leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3022. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Lightford, to present Amendment 2.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Amendment No. 2 amends the School Code, containing ISBE’s annual obsolete and duplicative changes. I’d be happy to answer questions and more than happy to debate it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: Question of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates she will yield. Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Senator, there’s a -- there’s a -- a clause in this bill that says that the State Board will respond to under -- non- performing schools, but there’s a portion that says that it’s -- they will do that if they have appropriated funds. Can -- can you explain that to me and -- and just assure us that it is a responsibility of the State Board to respond to schools that have not made the AYP?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Senator McCarter, just to be clear, this is on -- in the amendment, is that correct? Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, the Section that you’re referring to is 105 ILCS 5/2-3.25 {sic} (5/2-3.25f). That Section details the State intervention requirements for low- performing schools. So, just so you know, and the rest of the Body, there is four hundred and seventy-one schools in the State of Illinois who have not met AYP for three consecutive years. When the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 was implemented, we all know that schools cannot continue to be on the no -- failing watch list. But we don’t have adequate funds to accommodate the low-performing schools, and so this is an area where ISBE has been audited. They don’t want to be pretty much labeled for not being able to accommodate four hundred and seventy-one schools. They’d like to make that Section subject to appropriation so that they can get to as many schools as they can with the designated revenue that we give them. So if your side of the aisle decides to vote on a budget that will give them enough funds to address low-performing schools, then we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Senator, I’m not sure this is a -- that -- that my side has any -- I -- I think -- I personally have questions about this. So, I know, in the committee, we did ask ISBE to come forward and explain this. And then afterwards, we -- and -- and -- and you weren’t there at the time and I understand, but we 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 specifically asked them to -- to let us know whether they were responsible for this and they’re willing to do this. Then we followed up with their chief legal counsel, who agreed that it wasn’t necessary to say “subject to appropriation”. And I think my -- my -- my -- my question is, can we agree that this is their responsibility to respond to underperforming schools?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Lightford.
Who -- who else responsibility is it, Senator, if it’s not the State Board of Education? It’s the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 - that’s the federal mandate to all of the states and the State of Illinois. We submitted our packet on how we would respond to that Act. We have four hundred and seventy-one schools, currently, that have not met AYP for three consecutive years. Now, of course, it’s ISBE’s responsibility, but if their budget doesn’t allow them to do it, I think what they’re wanting us to do is say, okay, let’s make it subject to appropriation, that we, based on how much funding we have, get to as many schools as -- that we’re able to. And so there is some opportunity for you, and for all of us, to put more funding in the lowest-performing school category, which will allow them to get to all four hundred and seventy-one schools across the State, which would be my desire.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: But, Senator, doesn’t this really take the -- the teeth out of State intervention? I mean -- I mean, we’re -- we’re saying 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 that this is your job, but not if you don’t think you have enough money to fulfill it. And -- and aren’t we setting a bad precedent for other things that are their responsibility and any other agency? Can any other agency say, “Well, listen, you know, I would have done what you asked me to do, but I just didn’t have enough money”?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Lightford.
Senator, this does not move their obligation. This does not take power away from them to do what it is that they’re statutorily required to do as it relates to meeting AYP and our schools on the failing list. What this does is acknowledge the fiscal limitations that they have at the State Board as it relates to lowest-performing schools. Now, if we all want to make sure that all four hundred and seventy-one schools are being adequately addressed, then we need to put the funding there. And since the budget is not reflecting that, then all they’re wanting to do is to say, “Give us enough funds to address as many schools as we can, and if you do not, can you make that portion subject to appropriation?” So as much money we give them, that’s how many schools they’ll cover.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Well, if that’s the case, then how much -- how much should we give them?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Lightford. 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011
In the -- in the Governor’s introduced budget, there was a line item for five million dollars, which would’ve addressed eighty schools. I’d like to increase that to address four hundred and seventy-one schools. Would you like to join me in that, Senator?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: So how much money does it take to address the number of schools? What -- with four hundred and seventy-one, how -- how much money does it take to address that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Lightford.
I don’t have a calculator with me, but if you want to calculate five million for eighty schools, divide that into four seventy-one, that’s your number.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter, perhaps to the bill? SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill. SENATOR McCARTER: So -- so over thirty million dollars, you’re saying is appropriate for the -- for the State Board to do what we’ve asked them to do, and that is to respond to the schools that don’t meet the AYP -- failing schools that don’t meet the AYP. 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 So, I -- this is just a bad precedent. I -- I -- I think the -- the State Board, in our conversation with them, admitted that they -- they didn’t mean to put “subject to appropriation”. I think this is -- this is not the way we should be -- this is not a precedent we should be setting, because they can say for any other responsibility that they have, and that we expect them to perform, that they just didn’t have enough money. And I think we could carry this on to any other agency and department in -- in this -- in this State. This is a -- this is a -- this is -- I -- I just don’t think this is the right thing to do, especially to tie this into the budget, which is a -- really, a separate issue at this time. I just -- this -- this -- this is -- there’s a lot of good things in this bill that -- to address things. This is just one minor thing that I think we should have done differently. I’m not speaking in opposition to the bill. I think this is just a -- a principal issue that we should get right now. And -- and -- and -- and we could have, and I think we had, an amendment drafted to address it. So, otherwise, like I said, I think there’s a lot of good things in the bill and I appreciate you working on it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any further discussion on the amendment? Senator Lightford, do you wish to close? Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I appreciate Senator McCarter’s questions and concerns on the legislation. I’d like to remind you that this is the State Board of Education’s clean-up language that we do every year to remove items from the School Code that are either 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 duplicative or not within our reach, and here’s an area that the only concern that is truly being indicated is the word “shall” instead of “may”. You had an idea to switch the word from “shall” to “may”, but it doesn’t change the -- the -- the background of the issue, in that we don’t have enough money to go out to four hundred and seventy-one schools that are performing under the standards and have not met AYP in the past three years. So for that, I’d ask for an Aye vote or -- or to debate this on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Madam Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, back to the Calendar. We’re in the middle of page 64. It’s House Bill 3027. 3027. Senator Steans. Senator Steans, on 3027. Out of the record. House Bill 3034. Senator Wilhelmi. Senator Wilhelmi, on 3034. Out of the record. House Bill 3036. Senator Harmon. Senator Don Harmon, on 3036. Out of the record. House Bill 3037. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. House Bill 3038. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. House Bill 3041. Senator Kotowski. Senator Kotowski. Out of the record. House Bill 3090. Senator Delgado. Senator Delgado. Out of the record. House Bill 3158. Senator Schoenberg. Senator Schoenberg. Out of the record. House Bill 3184. Senator Harmon. Out of the record. House 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Bill 3188. Senator Frerichs. Senator Frerichs, on 3188. Out of the record. House Bill 3237. Senator Koehler. Senator Koehler. Out of the record. House Bill 3244. Senator Dillard. Senator Dillard, on 3244. Out of the record. House Bill 3256. Senator LaHood. Out of the record. Ladies… Ladies and Gentlemen, if you’ll turn to the middle of page 54 of the printed Calendars, Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 2170. Senator Clayborne. Leader Clayborne. Senator Clayborne seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2170 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2170. Madam Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 3, offered by Senator Clayborne.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Clayborne, on Amendment 3.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Amendment 3 basically deletes the bill and it basically removes the county board from the process of imposing a countywide sales tax for schools if the voters approve the tax through a front-door referendum.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Is there any discussion on the amendment? 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?
72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 2170. Senator Clayborne indicates he’d like to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2170. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator -- Senator Clayborne.
Thank you, Mr. President. Current law allows a school district to put a countywide sales tax on the ballot. And what we’ve done is - there has been some hesitancy by the county board to actually impose this tax - if the tax is approved, then it’s bypassed by the county board and it is implemented.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?
Just to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Lauzen.
I certainly respect what the sponsor is trying to accomplish. There was opposition in the committee, in the Revenue Committee, basically around one of the checks and balances of having a sales tax applied to -- you know, a -- a 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 new county -- having that applied, taking the county board out of the decision-making process. So it’s -- it was one the people who had to check off on it. That’s removed in this bill. I would just caution folks to give that consideration as they vote on the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any other discussion? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Well, you know, where I -- this -- this is an idea that you take the county board out of this, and I understand this is a tough decision. I’ve gone through this in my district, in Decatur, with this one percent sales tax for education. You know, that’s a tough vote for a county board member to make. In fact, there was a lot of -- a lot of late-night meetings, fighting going on. I mean -- they just don’t want to have to make a decision on increasing taxes or being for kids. I mean, you know -- I mean, if you say you’re -- you’re against the tax, you’re against -- you know. It’s a tough vote. But I think it’s -- I think it’s responsible to keep the county board within this. And, you know, we’ve seen some different actions. Decatur passed it. Madison County just now turned it down by, I think, seventy -- over seventy percent against that. But in that case, the -- the county board was involved. And I just -- I just think it’s a -- you know, this is the forever tax that 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 we’re talking about. Tax that goes on. As long as someone has bonded money against that -- that revenue, it will continue. So, in twenty-five years, one day before the twenty-five-year bond is up, another can -- and put another bond in place and it’ll -- and it -- and it’ll go forever. So, I’m -- I’m -- I’m not a big fan of the -- the way the tax is imposed and especially not if the county board’s taken out of it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there further discussion? Senator Cultra, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Cultra.
You know, as a -- former county board chairman, I think it’s important to leave the county board involved in this. Just like school districts sometimes have a levy and they don’t need all the money, a county board, I -- I think, needs to be involved to ascertain exactly how much money - even though a one-cent levy is passed, maybe the school districts don’t need the whole -- whole amount of money. And -- and besides that, school boards are elected -- the -- the members are elected from a very small geographical area, where the county board represents the whole county, and I think it’s important to have input from more than just the local school boards. So, I think it’s a mistake to take the county board out of this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Jacobs, for what 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 purpose do you rise?
Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield. Senator Jacobs.
So if voters vote on this bill, Senator, and the county board decides that they’re wrong and they don’t know what they’re talking about, they can stop this bill. Is that -- is that -- is that -- am I reading that correctly?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Clayborne.
Yes, that’s what we’re trying to avoid. Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Jacobs.
It seems to me, Senator, that voters really don’t need an overlord and we ought to have government as close as we can get to the people. And how can we get government any closer to the people than let the people vote on an issue themselves? Do you know a way to -- to get the voters closer to the issue than actually voting on it themselves?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Clayborne.
Well, it’s a front-door referendum and -- so they have the option, countywide, to determine if they’re going to support the one percent sales tax. So, no, I don’t know how you get any 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 closer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Jacobs.
So there’s really -- it -- it -- it may -- some people here may believe that it’s best for the county board to determine what the people that they work for should do, but some people on this side of the aisle actually think that the voters are smart enough to make decisions for themselves. Is that correct? Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Clayborne.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Senator Schmidt, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Schmidt.
I, too, was a county board chairman, actually for ten years, and I remember when -- when this came up in -- in Lake County, and I will tell you that there’s a reason for school boards. This is a decision to be made by school boards. I do not think the county board should be involved in this. And I think that you’ll get much cleaner referendums if the county’s not involved in it and let the local people decide on their 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 school issues by their school boards, not by the county board members. The county board members are not elected to be school board members. So I would support this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Clayborne, do you wish to close? Senator Clayborne.
Thank you and I -- I appreciate the comment coming from -- the last comment coming from the other side of the aisle. And - - and -- and one of my -- my colleagues over there said that the system did work. One county voted for it and it passed. One county voted for it and it failed and -- and it didn’t go into effect. Again, as long as I’ve been here, sixteen years, we’ve always talked about a front-door referendum. Well, this is a front-door referendum. We let the taxpayers decide whether they’re willing to pay a one percent, and if they vote in favor of it, then obviously they want it. And they’ve -- they’ve spoken and what we’re saying is allow what the people desire to go into effect. I would ask for your favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2170 pass. 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? Madam Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 35 voting Aye, 16 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2170, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 Will the members of the Committee on Assignments please come to the President’s Anteroom immediately, behind the Senate’s Presiding Officer? The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) The Senate will 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 Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2804; refer to the Appropriations I Committee - House Bill 2109, House Bill 2165, House Bill 2168 and House Bill 3717; refer to the Appropriations II Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill -- 2337, House Bill 123, House Bill 124, House Bill 327 and House Bill 3700; refer to the Commerce Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 1262 and Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3034; refer to the Criminal Law Committee - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 263, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 277, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 1689 and Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1929; refer to the Education Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 78 and Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 78; refer to the Executive Committee - House Bill 2934; refer to the Human Services Committee - House Bill 3635; refer to the Insurance Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 2249; refer to the Judiciary Committee - House Bill 1226, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1317, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 1699, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 1909 and Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 1985; refer to the Labor Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 47th Legislative Day 5/19/2011 1041, Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 1041; refer to the Licensed Activities Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1490, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 1490; refer to the Local Government Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 242, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1056 and Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 2974; refer to the Public Health Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 1600; refer to the Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 363, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 363 and Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2313; refer to the State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2095, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 3188, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Joint Resolution 30, Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Joint Resolution 30; refer to the Transportation Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 147 and House Bill 1220 and Senate Resolution 244; re-refer from the Education Committee to the Public Health Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3027. Signed by Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Thank you. And immediately upon adjournment, the Criminal Law - revised posting - at 5 p.m. in Room 212, Environment at 5 p.m. in Room 400, and Local Government also at 5 p.m. in Room 409. These committees will be meeting immediately upon adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10 a.m. on the 20th day of May, 2011. The Senate stands adjourned. 80