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? Would our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor David Pinkerton, First Baptist Church in Harrisburg, Illinois.
(Prayer by Pastor David Pinkerton)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Hunter, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Hunter)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, October 26, 2011.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journals 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, Reading and Approval of the Journal. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011
Senate Journals of May 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 16th, 2011.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 400, offered by Senator Brady and all Members. Senate Resolution 401, offered by Senator Brady and all Members. Senate Resolution 402, offered by President Cullerton and all Members. Senate Resolution 403, offered by Senators Harmon, Clayborne, Radogno and others. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Tony Yuscius with the -- blueroomstream.com requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Madam Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 Senate Bill 2514, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2515, offered by Senator John Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of these Senate bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 384. We have received like Messages on House Bills 507, 508, 588, 605, 691, 909, 3840 and 3848. They all passed the House, October 26, 2011. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 41. Offered by Senator Raoul. We have received a like Message on House Joint Resolution 42, offered by Senator Holmes. They were both adopted by the House, October 26, 2011. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. They are substantive, Mr. President. A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 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 73. Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 2. We have a like Message on Senate Bill 664, with House Amendment 2. They passed the House, as amended, October 26, 2011. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 384, offered by Senator Hutchinson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 507, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 588, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 691, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 909, offered by Senator Raoul. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3848, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of these House bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise? 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011
Thank you, Mr. President. Inquiry of the Chair, if I might.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) State your inquiry.
Thank you, Mr. President. First, obviously you and I are joined by - it looks to me like - well in excess of a half a dozen number of our colleagues to get to work here this morning. I'm just wondering if you can give us some idea of what the schedule looks like here today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter, I was just getting ready to make an announcement. I will do that at this time. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have a committee announcement. The Senate Executive Committee will meet today at 10:30 a.m. in Room 212 to hear Floor amendments released by the Committee on Assignments. 10:30, in Room 212, the Senate Executive Committee will meet today to hear Floor amendments released by the Committee on Assignments. After the committees, we will be coming back to the Floor for Floor action. Senator Righter.
Thank you for that information, Mr. President. Now, the Senate Executive Committee is going to be meeting at 10:30 and we'll be in there for some time. It's my recollection, Mr. President, that you're not on the Senate Executive Committee. So, while we're in there toiling on what I am sure to be important matters of public policy, what will you be doing?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 Senator Righter, I really appreciate your concern and thank you for that. I -- that's -- that's -- that really touches my heart. I will -- I will be working on constituent issues in my office and doing the people's business. Thank you very much. Senator John O. Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point.
Thank you, Mr. President. With me today, I have two Pages from Mt. Vernon, who's up here paging today for me. I have Tyson Hill and Javontay Moss with me today. So I would like the Senate to give them a warm welcome. They're two outstanding young men from Mt. Vernon. Both -- in fact, I think Tyson has a thirty-two on his ACT test and -- and so there's -- there's great things going to happen. In fact, Mr. President, he may be standing up there where you're at one of these days. Who knows? So, if we could welcome these two great young men today, I would appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Gentlemen, welcome to the Illinois State Senate. We're -- great to have you here today. Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Also, on that point of personal privilege, the -- the person that brought 'em up here today, who's kind of been mentoring these two young men for the last few years, former city councilman of Mt. Vernon, former Mayor of 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 Mt. Vernon, retired from the Army National Guard here in Illinois, David Keen, who's sitting up there on the Democrat side. David, welcome to you also.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) David, welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Great to have you here today. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. After committee meetings, the Senate will reconvene to receive committee reports and further Floor action. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendments 1, 2, 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 405 recommended Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) WAND-TV and WLS-TV ABC 7 Chicago, both request permission to record the proceedings. Is there any objection? Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Madam Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 2516, offered by Senator Dillard. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2517, offered by Senator Sandoval. (Secretary reads title of bill) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 Senate Bill 2518, offered by Senator Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of these Senate bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we have a few more orders of -- of work to do, but we are going to be turning quickly to substantive final action. I would ask all Members within the sound of my voice to be at their desks on the Senate Floor. We are turning to substantive final action. Will all Members of the Senate please be at their desks? Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, 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 1795. Together with the following amendments which are attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 3 and House Amendment 4. They passed the House, as amended, October 27th, 2011. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you. Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 508, offered by Senator Schmidt. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of this House bill. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we will be turning next to substantive final action. I would ask all Members within the sound of my voice to be at their desks. We are turning to final action. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on a point of personal privilege, if I might.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point.
Thank you. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber, I would like to make an introduction to a almost constituent and good friend of mine, Mr. Alan Nudo. He is from Champaign County. Mr. Nudo is a thirty-year businessman in the Champaign County area. He's a member of the Champaign County Board and a candidate for the Illinois State Senate. So I'd ask that the Senate would give Mr. Nudo a warm welcome, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Mr. Nudo, welcome to the State Senate. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, on page 3 of your printed Calendar is the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading. We're going to turn to that order now. This is final action. I'd ask all Members to be in their desks. First on the Calendar is House Bill 1224. Senator Hutchinson. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1224. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Hutchinson.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Senate Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1224 becomes the bill and authorizes the Comptroller to enter into intergovernmental agreements with units of local government, school districts, and public institutions of higher education to recover debt owed to those entities. When the State makes a payment to any person against whom there is a claim due to the State, the federal government or to a local government, the Comptroller shall deduct either a portion or the full amount owed from the payment. I know of no opponents to this bill. There's a long list of proponents. And I'd appreciate an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator Hutchinson. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Sponsor indicates that she'll yield. Senator Righter.
Senator Hutchinson, explain to me how this bill will work, if you can give me an example of -- of, if this becomes law, how this would work.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Hutchinson.
The Comptroller will notify the payee of the reason for the 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 deduction and then will charge, I think, a fifteen-dollar per transaction fee so that they can do this. We already do this for a lot of different State debt currently. So this would just include municipalities.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
Well, Senator, I know that, for example, State law authorizes the withholding of income tax refunds for child support and -- and -- and targeted issues like this, but this is much broader than that, is it not? I mean, if -- if -- I mean, is there -- are there particular restrictions in the bill about what can be owed insofar as money from the individual, or is it just any -- any money owed to a State or local government?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Hutchinson.
This is -- I think your question was, is this much broader than what we're already -- I think it broadens the -- the -- who can go into the program to do this and it includes municipalities. And I think the reason for it is because -- or the underlying reason for it is because municipalities are hurting pretty significantly right now due to the State's overall fiscal crisis in terms of where they get their payments from anything, whether that's the -- their portion of the Local Government Distributive Fund or their portion of the sales tax money that's collected and then supposed to go back to their municipalities. The -- they are experiencing extremely late payments on all of those on both sides. So, this is an effort 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 for them to be able to - in a much more streamlined fashion and in a program that we already currently do offer - to be able to collect those debts so that they can handle and administrate their business.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, for example, Senator Hutchinson, if an individual owes money to a municipal government - parking ticket, a -- a fee that wasn't -- that the municipality says wasn't -- wasn't paid - the municipality can notify the State government and the Comptroller's Office will hold whatever money might be coming from State government to that individual, like a -- let's say, a tax return. Is that -- is that a fair example? Would that fall under the parameters of this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Hutchinson.
I believe so.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
What if it's an individual who is receiving child support and it's been coming through the State -- State Disbursement Unit, would that qualify under this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Hutchinson.
12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 I'm not sure that I can answer that now, but I can request that information and get it to you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
Okay. Now, I think we're on thin ice now, Senator. I mean, let's -- it's not hard to envision a scenario whereby a municipality or a county or a township or one of our other thousands of units of local government believes that an individual, let's say -- let's -- a single mother, owes money for something and notifies the State government, the Comptroller's Office, and as a result, a portion or all of her check from the State Disbursement Unit for child support suddenly is not forthcoming. Do we want to give -- I mean, I'm sure -- I think we have to question whether or not Springfield ought to have the power to be enforcing a local unit -- a local unit of government's collection authority anyway, but do we want to go that far with regards to something like this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Hutchinson.
You know, you've raised some interesting points that I think I want to get answers to, so I'm going to pull this from the record right now until I can get those answers and we'll revisit this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Madam Secretary, please take the bill out of the record. Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?
13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 A point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Please state your point.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I want to take a moment here to introduce two citizens of my district, Kelly and Margaret Kinder. They're from Moro, Illinois, and they're here today to tour the Capitol and observe the General Assembly in action. And they've had a very interesting morning and I would ask you to give them a -- a warm welcome from the Illinois Senate. Please stand, Margaret and Kelly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Welcome to Springfield and to the State Senate. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. How are you today?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Doing very well, thanks. Thanks for asking.
Thank you. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point, Senator.
Everyone in this Body knows today is October 27th, and on this side of the aisle, it's a very special day, because it is Senator Sue Rezin's birthday today. So might we extend some birthday felicitations to her as well?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 Happy birthday, Senator Rezin. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, on page -- Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. On a -- an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your announcement.
And it's an informational announcement. In case you thought that there was something different, looking at the President of the Senate, it's because he's got a birthday coming up. I think it's tomorrow. So, he's looking quite older to me. So I'm thinking that he's probably looking the same to you. Don't be afraid to tell him that. Thanks. Happy birthday, John.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator Crotty, for calling that to our attention. Did you just volunteer to sing "Happy Birthday, Mr. President", as well? Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, on page 5 of your printed Calendar, on the Order of Motions in Writing to Accept Specific Recommendations for Change, is Senate Bill 170. Senator Sullivan, you have a motion on Senate Bill 170. Do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to accept the specific recommendations of the Governor as to Senate Bill 170, in manner and form as follows. Filed by -- filed by Senator John Sullivan.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 Senator Sullivan, on the motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I do wish to sustain the veto on Senate Bill 170. The -- the -- the changes come at the request of the Department of Human Services and it clarifies language establishing a -- a locally held fund to administer to the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired, as the fund's intended to provide financial assistance for students who attend those schools. Be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate accept the specific recommendations of the Governor as to Senate Bill 170 in the manner and form set forth in the motion. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, none voting No, and none voting Present. The specific recommendations of the Governor as to Senate Bill 170, having received the required constitutional majority, are declared accepted. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're going to continue on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading on page 2 of your printed Calendar. Near the bottom of the page is Senate Bill 678. President Cullerton, do you wish to proceed? Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 678. (Secretary reads title of bill) 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill is the bill that has come to be known as the Tenaska bill. It actually would allow for the Illinois Power Agency to pick a project - it is expected to be the Tenaska Taylorville Energy Center. Strong support from labor. Strong support from environmentalists in committee, when this bill came out yesterday. Now, that's because it will be a three-and-a-half- billion-dollar clean coal energy facility. A great number of construction jobs will be created, as well as permanent jobs after the construction. The bill is different than the bill that was called in the past. There were changes made. More skin in the game, if you will, from the Tenaska Company. We retain, of course, the rate cap on the residential customers, extended it to ARES customers as well. But then we also put in a rate cap, if you will, a rate cap of fifty million dollars that Tenaska is adding to the -- pay the bills of the larger non- residential customers. It has a number of provisions. I talked about energy efficiency. There's a new provision here that allows for the Illinois Power Agency to procure energy-efficient products, which is something that the ICC recently said they cannot do because the statute is not clear. So that's a big change. So this is different than the bill that was passed -- that was voted on before. It provides safeguards. Examples of where the company is taking up new responsibilities: It has the rate cap for the residential and commercial customers; Tenaska 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 would absorb two-thirds of any capital cost overruns; it would absorb two-thirds of any sequestration cost overruns; and if Tenaska fails to satisfy prudency reviews - the ICC prudency reviews - then there would be no cost recovery. The effect of this legislation is delayed, if you will, until the facility is constructed. And the real important point to note, this is a baseload generational capacity - a baseload, not a peaker. And if you look at -- the Illinois Power Agency estimates that as much as forty percent of the coal-generating capacity in Illinois will be shut down in the near future because of new emission rules. So as those dirty coal facilities are shut down, we need to have clean coal to -- to make up the difference. And so when people look at the extra cost of this, it's the extra cost based on today's prices, but today's prices would otherwise and most likely go up as we close those dirty coal facilities. And so it's innovative. It's using Illinois coal. It's a new technology that it'll result in sequestration, as well as create a whole bunch of jobs and more tax revenues for the State. Be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you seek recognition? SENATOR McCARTER: Excuse me. Questions of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The sponsor indicates that he will yield. Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 Senator, in the bill, there's a -- there's a definition of -- that I'm interested in. It says initial clean coal facilities. Can you -- can you explain to me what that is or who that is, and who that would apply to?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
Senator, I don't think the word "Tenaska" is in the bill. I think what we -- what you're talking about here is that the Illinois Power Agency will select the initial clean coal facility. The most advanced project would -- would most likely be the one selected as Tenaska's Taylorville Energy Center. So that's probably what you're referring to.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: But would it -- would it be that Tenaska is the only one that could qualify for this definition?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
Well, I don't know, but we're not picking winners here. It's the Illinois Power Agency that makes that decision. But…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton, I'm sorry. I cut you off.
But I obviously started my -- my comments by saying we fully expect it will be the Tenaska Taylorville Energy Center. So, for the purposes of our discussion, I certainly hope that 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 they're the ones that are going to do it. They're the ones that are testifying. They're the ones down here asking us to pass this. They're the ones willing to make the investment in Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Senator, what is -- what's the -- what is the current cost of electricity to, let's say, a large user like a hospital? Are you aware of that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
Sixty to seventy dollars a megawatt hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: So if we go to, let's just say, a kilowatt, which we normally know of, say cents per kilowatt, it would be -- you're saying around six cents a kilowatt?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
Well, I'm not certain. If you -- maybe another way of discussing it, if you don't mind, it's -- I think I've had some different opinions about how much this is going to cost on -- per megawatt hour and how much it'll raise people's energy prices. But I think a fair way of looking at it is both sides agree there is a two-hundred-and-eighty-six-million-dollar cost 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 annually, more than what we're paying now, and that would be made up first by a two percent increase on residential, fifty million dollars thrown into the pot from Tenaska, and the larger users would make up the difference. But that two hundred and eighty-six is over what we pay now. If, in the next thirty years, you don't think, as -- as prices inevitably go up, 'cause we're not going to build any more nuclear, we're not going to build any more -- and we're going to close dirty coal, this -- the argument I'm making is that this'll actually save money, because the only way you make up for that lost capacity is to -- is to build new peakers and the new peakers are much more expensive than this baseload operation. So that kind of sums up my argument. I don't know if that's where you're going with your -- with your questions, but that's -- that's basically the -- the issue. Is it going to be paying more if energy costs stay the same? Yes. Is it going to be saving money if the energy costs go above that number? Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter, you got another question? Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: If you'd allow me to talk about this. I think -- I think this is an important issue that -- and -- and -- and we're really going and -- we're deciding what direction we're going in this State as far as what the cost of power is going to be. So if you would allow me to just slow things down a little bit and talk about this. I think it's important that we all know what we're doing here. The -- so, I understand the cost in the millions per year, the two eighty-six - over the time period, 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 about three billion. I -- I guess I understand it a little easier and I think most people that -- that are looking to us to vote on their behalf would understand it as kilowatts. And the way I understand it is about five cents for somebody, a kilowatt hour today - for instance, a hospital in my area. Twenty-one cents is probably what it's -- what all those numbers equate to. But I have -- but I want to ask a question regarding what you just said. How are you -- how do you know -- or how do we know that prices are definitely going to go up so that this higher price that we're talking about paying for electricity is going to somehow be competitive?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
Senator, as I indicated, the IPA - Illinois Power Agency - estimates that as much as -- as much as forty percent of our megawatts of coal-generating capacity in Illinois will exit the market. So, they're going to shut down dirty coal facility plants that are generating electricity. You and I know we're not going to build any more nuclear plants. There's only so much you can get from solar and wind. So, over the next thirty years, my argument is, and the argument of the people for this bill, is that we're going to need new baseload plants. And in an unregulated market, the only way for folks to invest three and a half billion dollars is to know that they're going to have somebody to buy that power for the next thirty years. And will that money have to be paid off? Yes. I've indicated that both sides seem to agree on what that number would be and I've indicated who it would have -- who would -- how that would be -- 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 would be paid - who has to pay it. But I believe, and if you don't believe, I can't prove otherwise - we're predicting the future - that the cost will go up because of these -- need for more capacity, no new places to -- to generate the electricity except for something like this. And -- and it's clean. So that's why -- that's why I make the argument.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: I think we're all for clean coal facilities. I mean, we -- we -- and we were all for using and making -- making use of the, you know, the great resource that we've got in this State. But I think we're -- we're -- we're making a big guess on how this is going to increase in the next thirty years. We're exporters of power now, so I would have -- I -- I would -- I guess I would have some questions about that. The -- the cap that you talked about on commercial users, can you explain that, because apparently that's new and, even as of an hour ago, there were some large users that were not aware of this? Could you explain that for us?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
Senator, if you don't want to call it a cap, that's fine. There is a cap on residential at two percent. If this -- total cost is two hundred and eighty-six million, that two percent of residential will eat up some of that two hundred and eighty-six million, and then Tenaska is putting fifty million into the pot. So Tenaska is, in effect, paying fifty million dollars towards 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 the larger user's electricity bills and then they make up the difference. Okay? So, as -- and we're guessing -- we're predicting that there's a two-percent increase for residentials. That's capped. We -- we estimate that for the nonresidential users, the large users, there'll be about a three or four percent increase.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Is the fifty million out of the two hundred and eight-six million a year? And so, would that be about 1.5 billion, or is that fifty million out of two hundred and eighty-six over thirty years?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
It's in addition to the two hundred and eighty-six million.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: And that's fifty million over thirty years?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator, is that a question? SENATOR McCARTER: Fifty million…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
I'm sorry. I… 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter, could you please restate your question? It seemed a bit rhetorical. Perhaps you could… SENATOR McCARTER: It's not rhetorical at all. I -- I -- I just want to understand this. Is that fifty million every year for thirty years or is that fifty million over the life of the project?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
I'll have to come back to you to answer that. I'm going to double-check it and make sure I have the right answer for you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter, do you have more questions? SENATOR McCARTER: Yes, I do.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Thank you. And we will come back to that, 'cause it makes a big difference. It's fifty million or 1.5 billion. So, the - - we talk about skin in the game. Is -- is this fifty million the skin in the game that you were talking about?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton.
No, there's more than that. They also have - that's new from the last bill - two-thirds of the cost -- they absorb two- thirds of any capital cost overruns; two-thirds of any 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 sequestration cost overruns, up to twenty million annually. The -- Tenaska would transfer the facility to the Illinois Power Agency at no cost at the conclusion of the thirty-year contract. Ratepayers will not begin paying for the facility until it enters service. All construction costs and interest is to be paid up front by Tenaska. In fact, they've already spent forty million dollars on this project. And it limits the amount of return on equity that the Commerce Commission can order. Those -- those are all changes from the original bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the bill, Senator. SENATOR McCARTER: And -- and let me just say that if fifty million and 1.5 billion isn't a -- isn't different to you, then you really don't care what -- what this bill is about. It means something. I -- I know I'm repeating myself on power, but, Ladies and Gentlemen, we talk about some jobs in construction to build this, but let's talk about the jobs that we're going to lose in this State because power is no longer competitive with our neighboring states. As many as sixty thousand jobs we could lose. The difference is twenty-one cents versus five cents, over four times difference. Why? Because they are the company; they are the initial clean coal facility. They're the only one that meets the definition. We are picking winners here. But who else can do this? I'll give you an example, Secure Energy over 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 in Decatur has in their warehouse the same equipment that Tenaska will purchase, the same equipment. Why aren't they working today? Because they are still collecting investors for the project to go forward. And they continue to work for that, because they want to make their money the old-fashioned way. What's their cost of -- of putting that facility together with the same equipment? 1.8 billion dollars versus three and a half. Now where do you think the difference is? Is it bigger? Is it better? No, it's the exact same equipment. I've seen it. That's where your increased cost in power comes from. And I can't believe that after we passed legislation to raise rates by only three dollars, we're going to come back and raise the price again. This is part of the formula that companies look at when they decide whether they're going to stay in Illinois or they're going to leave. We've increased their taxes. We've done nothing to get -- to lower workmen's comp. We've got increased regulations, and now we're going to increase the cost of power to commercial users six to -- at least six to seven percent a year - based on the idea that, "you know, twenty-one cents might be competitive some day in the next thirty years". I don't buy that. We are picking winners and we're picking winners at a high cost. Overruns - well, they take care of two-thirds, right? Well that's a third for us. A third of what? Well, let's see. If you go to Indiana, it's about two point -- I'm sorry, 1.1 billion dollars. There's another half billion for us. Who? The ratepayers. Residential, no. Commercial users, another half billion for them. How can we accumulate enough votes to pass a bill like this? I don't know. Could it be thirty million dollars for an education fund set up by Tenaska? 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 This is wrong. This is wrong for us to go in this direction. If you want to keep jobs in this State and you want to keep job creators in this State, don't force 'em out by doing this. It's wrong. And I just -- I just encourage you, take -- be -- be courageous, vote No on this. This is not the right thing to do if you want to keep your family living in this State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Further discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, if I might.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. I -- this is an issue that we've all heard about for a few years and we've voted on, I think, at least once in this Chamber. I rise in opposition to the bill. I do so reluctantly, because, quite frankly, where this plant would be built is pretty close to my hometown in my district. But it is not the right thing to do. Let's rewind the tape a little bit and look at the last time this Chamber addressed this issue. This bill that embodies this project got eighteen votes in this Chamber. Eighteen. Not even enough to put on Postponed Consideration. Now, the Senate President's right, that there have been a few changes to the bill since that vote. We've given the Illinois Power Authority {sic} (Agency), which I think many of us question its ability to execute some of its most basic duties, a little -- few more things to do. Senator 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 McCarter talked about the investment, if you will, that the company that would benefit from this bill has made in a scholarship fund, and I suppose that there are other changes. But the basic structure of the bill hasn't changed at all. In Illinois, when it comes to large-scale power use, we are deregulated. We made that decision several years ago, that we were going to let power producers get into the market in Illinois and compete for large-scale users in your districts and mine and let those people - the employers - say I want to buy from company A or I want to buy from company B based on the best price. That's the way it works in Illinois, and uniformly the reviews on that system in terms of choice and price and competition are outstanding. The fact that power supply for these employers in Illinois is so reasonably priced is one of the few attractions, as Senator McCarter said, that -- for employers in Illinois. Not this bill by itself, this bill isn't going to drive - I don't believe that - drive up rates astronomically and drive all the jobs -- that's not going to happen. That's not going to happen. But this is going to incrementally raise those rates. But here's the bigger danger - here's the bigger danger - is that we are going to start going down the road whereby before we said we're going to stay out of it and we're going to let these people compete and now we're going to start picking. And I appreciate the sponsor said we're not picking winners and losers here. Yes, you are. I appreciate the word Tenaska does not appear in the bill anywhere, and I'm sure there are good reasons why that's the case, but as the Senate President also said, there is exactly one company down here talking about this. There's one privately 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 held company from another state talking about where the plant's going to be. There's -- one company has already spent forty million dollars on this. Okay? You are picking a winner here. Now, you're not saying you can come into the market and compete like everybody else. You're saying if you come in here and build this plant, we will, by State law, once you have it up and running, guarantee you a minimum return on your investment of seven percent and a maximum of eleven percent. How many of you have businesses back home that have a guaranteed floor profit of seven percent and a maximum of eleven? I don't have any. Would sure like to have 'em though. And for thirty years, they have a guaranteed purchaser for their power - for thirty years. Now, I suppose there are things that we could do to move a little bit away from a market-based approach that we have now, a little more regulation, but this isn't moving just a little bit. This is a huge leap away from a system that attracts investment to Illinois. Going down this road will create a patchwork quilt of power supply that will diminish investment in Illinois. And for all of you, all of us, including me, who have been back home over this summer break and who were on the campaign trail last year and the year before saying "What we need in this State is jobs, we need jobs", well, it's true that the construction of this plant would create jobs. There is no question. But what's the long-term effect? What's the long-term effect of this? The long-term effect of this is to diminish investment in Illinois, because we will begin to erode one of the most significant reasons employers have to come to Illinois in the first place. I would urge a No vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 Thank you, Senator. The final speaker seeking recognition is Senator Sullivan.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill: I'd like to -- the previous speaker spoke to the long-term effect and I -- and it's ironic that he said that, 'cause that's absolutely what I wanted to speak to, because the debate here - and I think I made this debate when this bill came up for discussion earlier this year - but the debate here is whether you believe that baseload coal- fired plants are going to be closing in the State of Illinois. It -- it -- it's about forty percent of our generation. Or they're saying that forty percent of the plants -- the coal- fired plants are going to be going offline, you know, over the course of the next years because of increased emission standards. Obviously, this legislation is a clean coal -- you know, is a low-emission plant that they're working on. So, the debate is, do you believe that or do you not believe that? I know firsthand that -- because I've seen this happen just in the last couple months, where the coal-fired plant at Meredosia, which is right next to my district, and some of the employees that work there -- that plant just closed, because they cannot meet emission standards. It was a baseload plant. It is real what the -- in my opinion, it's real what the discussion is out there as to -- as to whether these plants are going to be shut down over the course of the next years. I think it's very real. I saw it happen in my district, or right beside my district, and I know some of the employees that worked at that plant that were laid off. It's because they cannot meet the emission -- current emission -- or the upcoming emission standards and it certainly 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 costs too much to retrofit that plant. It's an old plant. We need the baseload capacity. So, in addition to that, we've already talked about the fact that it is going to create jobs - first construction jobs and then ongoing jobs. But it's also going to be -- create the -- it's going to lay out the plan for the future in using Illinois coal. This isn't just about construction jobs. It's also using Illinois coal and the jobs that will be created from that entity as well. It's for these reasons and many others that I encourage an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. The Chicago Tribune requests permission to take still photographs. Is there any objection? Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Apparently I woke a couple of you up with my note that we were on our last speaker. Senator Cultra, are you seeking recognition on this bill? Senator Cultra.
To the bill: Last week I was in El Paso at a steel fabrication plant, touring, and they have a sister plant in Kankakee that recycles metal and makes it into steel that -- that this plant in El Paso uses to build their buildings. And the manager of the Kankakee plant was there. And when I asked him if he had any concerns, his number one concern, he said, is they use two million dollars a month in electricity to run their plant in Kankakee, and he said his major concern here in Illinois is the cost of electricity. He said that the two bills before the General Assembly, the one that we passed yesterday, and specifically this particular bill, would hurt his company's ability to compete. And that's -- that's real world. That's 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 jobs in Kankakee that will affect jobs in El Paso. So, I would ask for a No vote. And also, I'd like to ask for -- if this receives the required number of votes, I'd like to ask for a verification.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Dillard, for what purpose do you rise? Senator Cullerton, to close.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President. To answer the question that was posed. I didn't have the answer earlier. It's fifty million dollars annually that is being put into the -- the fund by Tenaska. I think it's been a very healthy discussion, because, really, I don't think there's a lot of, really, difference of opinion as to the facts here, which I think is very helpful. One of the speakers kind of highlighted some of the points that I would want to make. The cost, if there's an increase in cost, because there's no -- going to be no increase in cost in the next thirty years, it's incremental. We talked about job creators. This plant itself - three and a half billion dollars. If we could -- if you could think of another bill that brings in three and a half billion dollars' worth of investment from another company that wants to put that at risk, we'd be voting for that bill, wouldn't we? The fact is that the bill's different from the one that failed before. I highlighted those differences. There's an energy-efficiency component in here that was not in there before, which is a major -- piece of legislation that'll end up saving money for folks down the line. The electricity rates that we have right now - and here's the fundamental difference or decision to make - the electricity 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 rates that we have right now are at an historic low. They're not going to stay that way forever, because of the arguments that Senator Sullivan talked about. There's not going to be any more nuclear. There's only so much you can get with -- with wind. It's a very small part now. And we're going to be closing dirty coal plants. Who's going to make up the difference? If it's expensive peakers, then this will save money. That's what the argument is. That's what the argument is. So, for that reason, I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) There was an inquiry as to the required vote on this measure. Because the bill has a delayed effective date, it's the ruling of the Chair that the passage of this measure requires a simple majority. The question is, shall Senate Bill 678 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? Take the record. On that question, there are 25 voting Aye, 31 voting No, and 2 voting Present. Senate Bill 678, having failed to receive the required constitutional majority, is declared lost. Senator Cullerton.
Postpone.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cullerton requests that Senate Bill 678 be postponed. The bill will be placed on the Order of Postponed Consideration. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. It's just been pointed out to me that the light beside my name indicated that I voted Aye. I 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 would simply like the record to reflect my intention to vote No on the bill. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The record will reflect your intention. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're going to return to the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading on page 3 of your printed Calendar. Senator Hutchinson, you had taken out of the record House Bill 1224, and my understanding is that you wish to proceed at this point. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1224. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Hutchinson, to present your bill again.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. There were some questions raised about how broad this could be and I wanted to make sure that we did get those questions answered. One is that Medicaid is exempt and child support payments are, indeed, exempt. So the fear of very vulnerable populations being hung up in this program is not there. So, Senate Amendment 1 becomes the bill and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're still on the order of final action, if we could have your attention. Senator Righter, you -- for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, if I might, Mr. President. 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the bill, Senator.
I simply rise to thank Senator Hutchinson for her courtesy in taking the bill out of the record when we had some unanswered questions. Obviously, what she said is correct. It's also my understanding that no more than twenty-five percent of any one total check can be taken at one time. And I want to thank Senator Hutchinson, because I know that she -- she and I are going to work together on a bill to see that a taxpayer doesn't have to pay their taxes if State government owes 'em money, too. So, with that, thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, as this bill has an immediate effective date, it's the ruling of the Chair that pursuant to Section 10, Article IV of the Illinois Constitution, passage of this measure will require a three-fifths majority. The question is, shall House Bill 1224 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? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, 1 voting No, 1 voting Present. House Bill 1224, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Delgado, for what purpose do you rise?
I'm sorry, Mr. President. For a personal privilege. A brief…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point, Senator. 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011
Yes, I just wanted to acknowledge I have a great friend, a constituent, who's here with us this week enjoying the Capitol, and really on a very controversial strong difficult week. Good friend in Hipolito Ramirez, a great young man and a homeowner and a family man. I just wanted to acknowledge him up on that side of the gallery, and it's Hipolito Ramirez. Thank you for being here, Hipolito.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Mr. Ramirez, please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois State Senate. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Madam Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections have been filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. Senator Maloney, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point, Senator.
Yeah, in the gallery behind me, I'd like to introduce two 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 ladies, constituents from my district, a very good family friend, known for a long, long time - she raised her kids across the alley from me - Fran Moore, and her friend, Patty Cavanaugh. I would like the Senate to please give them a warm Senate welcome. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Will our guests in the gallery please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois State Senate? On the Order of Resolutions is Senate Joint Resolution 36. Madam Secretary, read the resolution, please.
Senate Joint Resolution 36, offered by Senator Crotty. (Secretary reads SJR No. 36)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Crotty moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 36. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Crotty moves for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 36. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the Senate is going to stand at ease for the purpose of allowing the Committee on Assignments to meet sometime between now and the hour of 2:30. There will be no subsequent Floor action after the Committee on Assignments returns with its report. We will stand at ease. (at ease) The Senate will come to order. The Senate stands at recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES) 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 44. Offered by Senator Lightford. Adopted by the House, October 26, 2011. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The Committee -- the Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) Senate will come to order. Madam Secretary, Introduction of House Bills.
House Bill 605, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of this House bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senate will come to order. Committee Reports. 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011
Senator Harmon, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Criminal Law Committee - House Bill 909, House Bill 1984, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 73; refer to the Education Committee - House Bill 605, House Joint Resolution 44, Motion to Accept the Specific Recommendations of the Governor to Senate Bill 1744 {sic}; refer to the Environment Committee - House Joint Resolution 34; refer to the Executive Committee - House Bill 691; refer to the Human Services Committee - Senate Bill 2502; refer to the Insurance Committee - House Bill 3443 and House Bill 3462; refer to the Judiciary Committee - House Bill 2558 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 664; refer to the Licensed Activities Committee - House Bill 2956 {sic}; refer to the Local Government Committee - House Bill 588; refer to the Pensions and Investments Committee - House Bill 3375; refer to the State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Senate Resolution 262; re-referred from the Revenue Committee to the Appropriations I Committee - Senate Bill 2501; and Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bill 275, Senate Bill 276, Senate Bill 406, Senate Bill 773 and House Bill 1883. Signed by Senator Don Harmon, Chairman. Senator Harmon, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to the Criminal Law Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3292; refer to the Education Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1462; refer to the Energy Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 230, Floor Amendment 2 to House 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 65th Legislative Day 10/27/2011 Bill 230; refer to the Human Services Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 348; refer to the Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2022 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 7 to Senate Bill 395 {sic}. Signed by Senator Don Harmon, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Rise on a point of personal privilege, if I might, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point.
Mr. President, in what I am quite sure will be the last introduction made for the day, I would like to introduce some constituents of mine from Charleston, Illinois, who are in the gallery above my head here, coming to Springfield to see what State government would look like were we actually here working. So, I would ask that everyone who's left in the Chamber, please give them a warm welcome here to the Capitol.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Everybody please rise, be recognized. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 p.m. on the 8th day of November, 2011. The Senate stands adjourned. 41