Illinois Senate Floor Debate — May 9, 2012

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) The regular Session of the 97th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? And will the guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation for today will be given by Pastor Andrew Fitzgibbon, West Side Christian Church, Springfield, Illinois. Pastor Fitzgibbon.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Maloney.

(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Maloney)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Mr. Secretary, Reading and the Approval of the Postponed Journal.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Madam 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 CROTTY) Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journal -- to -- moves to postpone the reading and the approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 so ordered. Senator Duffy, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your announcement.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) The record will so reflect. Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your announcement.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) We'll hold on to that motion for just a few minutes. Thank you. While I ponder which decision I need to make - the twenty- three-day or the one-hour. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 Senator Sandack, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Will our guests in the gallery please rise? And welcome to the Senate. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions Consent Calendar. Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senate -- Senator Annazette Collins, for what purpose do you rise?

3  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 Thank you, Madam President. For a point of personal privilege.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point.

I would like everyone in the Senate Chamber to know that today is Greek Day; that is, all of "The Divine Nine" are here. So all of the Greek and -- fraternities and sororities are here in Springfield today celebrating with us. So they're down here lobbying us. So make sure that we say hello to them. So, in the gallery, we have some of them. Would you all like to stand? And so, I see our AKAs are here - Alpha Kappa Alpha - and the Delta Sigma -- Delta -- Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho. And we have Phi Beta Sigma. The Alpha -- Alpha Phi Alpha is up there. And so all of -- all of our Greek sorority {sic} and fraternities are in the gallery. And we also have some of our young ladies who are in training that are here today. So give them a warm round -- welcome and say hello to them today.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Will -- will our guests in the galleries rise again and be welcomed by the Senate? Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?

Madam President, for the purpose of an announcement.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) …your announcement.

Yes, for Members of the Senate, immediately upon recess, the Senate Democratic Majority will be caucusing in the 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 President's Room for approximately one hour.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Thank you. Senators Murphy and Trotter has moved that the Senate recess for the purposes of a one-hour Senate Republican and Democratic caucus meetings. Seeing no objection, the motion is granted. The Senate now stands at recess to the call of the Chair. After the caucus meetings, Senate committees will meet. The Senate will reconvene after caucus meetings to conduct Floor actions and other business. The Senate stands at recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senate will come to order. Will all Members please be at their desk? We're going to -- going to 3rd Readings, Floor action. While the Senators are making their way back to the Senate Floor, the Senate will stand at ease for just a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The members of the Committee of {sic} (on) Assignments will come to the President's Anteroom immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) Mr. Secretary -- Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Ladies and Gentlemen, the following committees will be meeting to take up Floor amendments: Executive will meet in Room 212 at 3 p.m. today. Revenue will meet in Room 400 at 3:20 p.m. today. And Licensed Activities will meet in Room 409 at 3:20 today. Insurance will meet in Room 400 at 3:31 p.m. today. And also, for tomorrow, Energy will meet in Room 212 at 9:31 in the morning. The Senate will go to final action. If you will turn to page 7, on the bottom, we have Senate Bill 3564. Senator Forby wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Forby.

Thank you. Senate Bill 3564 gives the General Assembly a say in facility closing. Right now, COGFA, the committee that gets -- recommend to the Governor a facility to keep it open, but the Governor can ignore the recommendation. What this bill does, require the General Assembly to vote to accept or reject COGFA recommendation in a blind {sic} joint resolution. It tells the Governor he can't do -- tells the Governor he can {sic} do anything to close a facility until the General Assembly votes on it. This is important to me and my district -- in my district, because the Governor wants to close Tamms Correctional Center. Tamms is one of the biggest employees {sic} in Alexander County. Alexander County has already a 12.1 unemployment rate. We're going to put three hundred people out of work. There is nowhere for them to go find a job. Tamms is also a prison to hold the worst of the worst - murderers, rapists, cop killers, gang leaders, and people who has attacked prison guards and other inmates. Our prisons is already overcrowded. Where are these dangerous people going today? And Tamms isn't the only State facility the Governor's wanting to close. He's wanting to close dozens of others all over the State. I believe the General Assembly, the people who represents the people -- works in these facilities, should have a say-so. That is why I'm running this bill today. I'll try to ask {sic} any questions. 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Raoul.

To the bill, Madam President. I'd like to echo some of the sentiments of the previous speaker. I -- I want to commend the sponsor for advocating for his district and for the employees that would be potentially impacted by such facility closure and for his district with regards to economic development generally. But this touches upon the philosophy of looking at correctional facilities as economic engines. And to the extent that that is the underlying purpose we look at correctional facilities for, we will never approach criminal justice policy in the appropriate way. If it's all about preserving the jobs and -- not in my backyard, we will never approach criminal justice policy in an appropriate way. There are the fundamental civics -- there's a fundamental civics lesson that we often forget here, about the separation of powers. Just like Senator Dillard pointed out, the Governor has to have that autonomy and that authority. Then, finally, there's the underlying facility that we're talking about, which is Tamms, and the history of -- at Tamms. Yes, we have to have a place to put the worst of the worst, but some of the occurrences at Tamms are unconscionable and we ought to be embarrassed by it. And I could not with good 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 conscience advocate for continuing the operation of that facility. We do have to look at economic development, and I -- I would love to support efforts for alternative employment, alternative economic development in that area, but we cannot just base it on keeping open a correctional facility that ought to have been closed some time ago. I urge a No vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you rise?

To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) To the bill.

I, too, echo the same sentiments about trying to make sure that we keep employment, that we keep economic development in some of these districts where some of these facility closures, you know, can occur. But I -- I want to just stand and speak about Tamms. And the last few years, I sat on a committee that dealt with the Tamms issue and what was going on there. My biggest concern is, you know, in closing a facility -- I mean keeping it open is one thing, but if it was to close, what happens with the resources that are needed to now take a situation like the Tamms inmates that have been there -- that should have only been down there for two or three years, and some of them have been down there for ten years, living in a -- being in a facility where they are, you know, twenty-three hours in solitary confinement to one hour of some time off. So, I -- I'm -- I'm concerned, you know, in -- in keeping a facility open where this type of human problems that -- have occurred. I've 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 talked to many family members that have -- that have inmates -- family members at Tamms and they have, you know, really demonstrated that we do have a problem in keeping a facility of that nature open, because of the fact that we -- you know, there is just some issues there - mental health issues - that we have to face. You know, while I think that, you know, Senator Forby's idea of -- of wanting to keep it open for the reasons -- for the right reasons - for the reasons of jobs, for the reasons of economic development, for the reasons of making sure that people have, you know, quality of life, especially people that work there, I have to stand up and -- and -- and -- and I'm going to vote No, but I'm going to vote No because of the fact that we have some real serious issues with what's going on at Tamms. And moving, you know, these folks out of there if the facility was to close down, I also do feel that we have a bigger issue as far as what's going to happen with them. Is the resources going to follow? What happens also to the families that have been involved in this committee? So I -- I just want to encourage some of the Members to really look at this and -- and see that this is a human rights -- human fracture that has occurred there far too long and it's time -- and it's time for us to start looking how -- how to change the mentality of the way Tamms continues to operate. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 Sponsor will yield.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Forby.

Yes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Forby.

You know, one of the things is we cannot tell the Governor how to spend the money. As legislators, I think we ought to be able to say something, where the money goes to and where it's spent, 'cause we vote on a budget. And today is, I think -- why 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 I'm running this bill is because I think with the budget problem in the State of Illinois and I think one of the things is that we can balance the budget in the State of Illinois is -- by putting people to work. But when you lay people off, you put 'em out of jobs; it costs a lot of money. So I think this is a -- a budget problem -- that will help the budget problem.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Forby.

Well, as you know, I've been up here several years, and most bills that I run is trying -- I think the major issue in the State of Illinois is putting people to work. And here is -- what we're doing today is we're putting people out of work. You know, I think you can look at a budget and with one hand - and just for example - say, I'm cutting four hundred million dollars out of there, but in the other hand, it might be costing you more money - then what it does, it looks good. By the time -- by the time you take these people, change 'em, move 'em and go someplace else, and it's still going to take the same -- as many people to operate. You're going to shut a building down. We got one building now shut down, where -- costing us over a million bucks a year just to keep it going. We're going to have 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 another building shut down too, so that's another million bucks a year. So, the bottom line, as a business person, you know, I like to see the bottom total, the -- the money that is saved and what you're going to do. So -- but, you know, this district alone is like fifty million dollars, I think. You take fifty million dollars out of this little county, so when it's all over with, you're going to have stores, you're going to have grocery stores, you're going to have filling stations, you're going to have people get their houses repossessed, and you're going to have people -- probably more people in jail. So, I'm not sure this is the right thing to do, so that's why I'm fighting for this facility to stay open.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Forby.

You know -- you know, I'm not go -- about amendment on that bill, but right now this is the bill we're working on.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Forby, could you please repeat that?

The bill you're talking about is going to become a shell bill, so there's nothing on that amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Forby.

You know, what you're saying is, is not with -- this bill, but I'm going to say exactly what I said a while ago, is putting people to work and then tighten your belts.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Are you…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Please, to the bill. I -- I don't know if you're questioning me or making a statement, but to the bill, Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter, to the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) To the bill, Senator.

Madam President and Members of the Senate, I sit on -- on - - on the COGFA committee, which had the responsibility of traveling throughout the State to visit the various facilities that the Governor had proposed to close. And Tamms - no different from the other places that we visited. I heard a lot of compelling stories of why it should stay open, but it also takes me back to - since I have been here for a while - why we opened it. We opened it because we were, one, trying to make jobs, or at least try to deal with some economic development. And -- but that was the beginning of our problem. Because the State of Illinois, when we talk about economic development, it doesn't mean that we have to become the employer. And that's exactly what we did. So, when we had money, we became an employer, which means we had to have employees, which we had to pay for their pensions and had to pay for their health benefits as well. Well, to me, economic development is -- is building those small businesses that are there which will sustain the community. This prison is not sustainable for the community or even is it healthy for those individuals that we've incarcerated. Back in the nineties when we did this, we also said - our mantra then was - we were going to get tough on crime. We're going to build the super prison for the worst of 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 the worst. Well, believe it or not, going down to Tamms, the worst of the worst are not there. Some of 'em are short-timers. So if they're the worst of the worst, why are we letting 'em out in seven and ten years? So it's a place - basically, what it has turned into - a place of punishment, pace -- place where we send prisoners, those who are incarcerated, who have really made someone in the system so mad that they're going to send you to a place where -- and torture you for twenty-four hours a day - twenty-three hours of sitting in a cell with -- with no kind of human contact, one hour in another isolated place with no human contact - for as long as they deem they want to. We don't do that anymore, not only in this State, but in this country. Facilities -- those supermax prisons have been closing, falling like dead flies, all over the country. So this is nothing new. Everyone realizes that we have to do something. That's been the mantra of -- of that side, it's been the mantra of the people of this State - that the State of Illinois has to do business differently. Well, sometimes when we do things differently, we also do it correctly. The correct thing is to close this prison. We have places in which those, who are not the worst of the worst, can be transferred and integrated into. We've had that system for years and years, before we built this - our own personal crime scene. If these individuals are the worst of the worst, we have Chester for the criminally insane. These people are not criminally insane. We have institutions for that kind of prisoner. This place creates insane people, and it's the wrong thing to do. It's -- it's -- what we should be back into, and that is, doing the business of the State and not making ourselves employers for people of this State. So I ask 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 wholeheartedly for a No vote on this -- on this bill and any other bill -- subsequent bills that may or may not come before us this Session.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) To the bill.

I stand in support of Senator Forby's bill. And I know there's been a lot of discussion about Tamms' facility and I'm sure that we could debate and discuss Tamms for a long time, but this bill goes -- is much broader than that. It includes many facilities -- any facility, really, around the State of Illinois that the Governor takes the initiative to close. Another facility that hasn't been talked about is Jacksonville Developmental Center, which also is slated to be closed as well. Many of the -- I don't know how many have -- of you have been and visited the facility. I did recently and talked to -- and have talked to a number of family members that have individuals there in Jacksonville. And those -- many of those family members had the individuals with severe developmental disabilities in Lincoln Developmental -- Developmental Center before it closed. And they went from that facility into a residential setting, and it was a disaster. It was chaos. And many of those individuals committed crimes. They were out on the street. They were out of control. They need that type of a setting where they have care around the clock and the support 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 that they need. Many of those individuals, after trying a residential setting, ended up over in Jacksonville. That's where they are now. They get the care -- the quality of care that they need. If Jacksonville closes, the -- and -- and a residential setting doesn't work - and I would be supportive of moving some of those folks into a residential setting, but it's not for everybody - and if that facility closes, the -- the family members that live in western Illinois are going to have to drive hundreds and hundreds of miles to a State-operated facility so that they could -- they could visit their loved ones. I stand in support -- Oh! And the other thing I want to say about the residential homes - those settings right now, we aren't paying them for the services that they are providing. Why would other people want to come and -- why would they want to accept other individuals into their home -- homes when we aren't even paying -- the State of Illinois is not paying -- paying them for the services that they are providing now? I stand in support and I ask for an Aye vote on the Senator's legislation.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? Senator Forby, would you like to close?

Thank you. We've heard a lot from everybody here today and I appreciate what everybody said, and everybody's got their mind made up or -- or what they think what's going on. But for the person that's living down there and been in Tamms and looking at it, and going back, we heard that people in the nineties -- what they've done. These people that went to Tamms is not the people 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 out on the streets. They go to a prison first, and in a prison, they rape guards - women. They murder. They're cop killers. They're gang leaders. And back in the nineties, when all this was going on, and believe it or not, I don't know exactly how to say this, but they was running girls, they was running drugs, and one of the prisons even had -- they told me - I ride a motorcycle - said one of the prisons even had a motorcycle in it. So, when Tamms was built, that's what this was for. The State of Illinois has took the prisons back over. And the people that goes to Tamms don't stay there all their lives. There might be some that might. But I get calls every now and then. It was like three weeks ago I got a call. Said, "Gary, we're moving ten people out of Tamms." He said, "We move people out of Tamms all the time." They do not stay there in that one facility. And another thing about the Governor - Governor is not a king. He's only one person. So I don't know why the Governor has a say-so over everybody in the State of Illinois. So I just think this is a bill that we really, really need to look at. I think we need to think about it. Most everybody in here has got people in their district -- mental hospitals in my -- in the districts down there close to me. If you move these people to Chicago or someplace up north, we have people that does not have cars that -- able to go see their loved ones. And we're letting this Governor do this. So if you have a facility close in your district and they move them people out of your district, and these people - I'm going to say low-income people - cannot afford to drive there - cannot afford to go see them. And these people needs their family. This is part of their training, part of their education, part of healthcare. You're 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 going to destroy some of these peoples. What I'm saying today, now, this Governor is not doing the right thing. And we got a way of balancing the budget and this is not the way to balance the budget. If you want to do something with the people in Tamms, I -- you know, I think this is more about prisons. I think there's an issue on Tamms. They think we're mistreating people. I've been with a State Senator -- I mean a federal Senator. He came to Tamms. Me and him toured it. And first, we went into a press meeting before we went into the prison. "Why are you here today?" "Well, the story is that I've heard that we're mistreating these people, so I want to go there today and see what happens." So we went in and up and down the prison. We went into the med -- the med part of it, asked prisoners, "Are you being mistreated? Is this -- are guards -- are they mistreating you?" We never got an answer like that. We got answers like -- one guy, for example, he said, "I've been in California, I've been in another prison in another state, this is the best one that I've ever been into, if you have to be in a prison. They treat us right here." And as far as, you don't get to talk to everybody, whatever, they got eight cells, they're telling me, that people talks back and forth all the time. The cell rooms -- they -- they -- they get exercise. It's not like you're just throwing 'em in a hole and forgetting 'em. We are human people, our corrections people are human people. They're not going to do that. We're -- we're not them kind of a people. Them people that -- at corrections are not that way and they're not going to treat that way. Talk to people that works in corrections and see what they say. I've got letters in my office today from Tamms - "If you let me out 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 of here, if you put me in a prison, I'll guarantee I'll be the first one to kill somebody. So just keep this letter and remember that." You let me in someplace else -- "Tamms has saved my life because I've tried to kill myself in other prisons." So today I'm just asking you, give the Legislature a chance to keep these places open. Legislators have voted before to close places. It's not like they're not going to close anything. I'm just asking you for an Aye vote. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) The question is, shall Senate Bill 3564 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 29 voting Aye, 23 voting Nay, 1 voting Present, 6 not voting. Senate Bill 3564, having -- having failed to receive the required constitutional majority, is declared failed. Senator Forby? Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Madam President. For purpose of announcement.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Make your announcement. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Just want to let everyone know in the Chamber, Madam President, today one of our colleagues, it is her birthday - Senator Lightford. If we can wish her a happy birthday today.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Happy birthday, Senator Lightford. Senator Clayborne, for what purpose do you rise?

23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 For point of personal privilege.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point.

I have my twenty-year-old son, who's home from college, here with me today, Justin Clayborne.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Welcome to the Senate Floor, Justin, and you're the same age as Senator Lightford. Now, if you go to page 6, on Senate Bill 2491. Senator Hunter. Senator Hunter wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Thank you, Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2491 grants the -- the IDOT the power to enter into agreements to make low -- low-interest loans to minority-owned businesses, female-owned businesses, and disadvantaged business enterprises certified by the Department for participation on Department-procured construction and construction-related contracts. Basically, many disadvantaged businesses, better known as DBEs, lack the financing or the ability to obtain capital equipment financing and working capital and et cetera. Their inability to obtain lines of credit severely hinders them from becoming prime contractors and 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 obtaining bonding. This legislation will allow IDOT to provide both financing opportunities to a DBE who has already been selected by a prime to complete a contract and an educational component allowing the DBE to work with the capital fund agent in order to -- to further develop their business management aptitude. And also, the Secretary of IDOT will have the authority to transfer moneys from the Road Fund into revolving {sic} when a fully vetted applicant has been approved for a line of credit by an established loan committee.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: Questions of the sponsor, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Sponsor says she'll yield. SENATOR McCARTER: Senator, explain to me why one of these selected contractors would need a loan.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Senator, these contractors will need a loan because some of them simply do not have the working capital in order to purchase supplies or equipment required by the contract to fulfill the obligations of their contract.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Is there -- are there not provisions made to obtain an 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 early payout for materials used on a construction project?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

I'm not aware of any, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: I -- I believe there is a way. You -- you know, I understand how difficult it is to find these -- these DBEs, and it's -- and it's a good thing that we set aside work for them, but why would one job keep them from not being able to obtain capital? I mean, would this be one job that they couldn't get the -- enough working capital for or -- or are they going to be so new that they don't have equipment, that they haven't accumulated from past profits? Why do they need this?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Senator, it depends upon the requirements of the -- of the contract that's signed. Some contracts will require that particular type of equipment or supplies are required under that contract. And if a subcontractor has been granted this grant -- this contract, rather, they may not have the starting capital to purchase the equipment or the supplies, and therefore, needing a loan.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 We -- we probably wouldn't pick a prime contractor that didn't have enough equipment to complete the job, nor would we pick a prime contractor who didn't have enough capital to buy the materials to complete the job. Why would we choose -- a DBE that was not well -- well enough funded and had not accumulated enough profits to have capital to stay in business? Wouldn't this be a risk?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

No -- no, there is no risk, Senator. These are already approved DBEs by the Department. They're already approved by -- by the Department and they're already approved by the prime contractors. And -- and these are small businesses who do not have the working capital. They've -- already qualify by -- by IDOT to become a DBE. They've already jumped through the loopholes and everything, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: I -- I understand how difficult it is to go through that process, 'cause I've got people in my district that I've been trying to get approved for years, but nowhere in that process does it say you have to prove you have adequate working capital. And -- and -- and I -- and so I guess my question is, how much is this going to cost the State?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 This will be a ten-year pilot program, Senator. And what we're looking at doing is drawing -- pulling out about three million dollars of -- a year - no more than three million a year. That's what it costs.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: So what happens if they're not able to pay us back?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

In -- in the event of -- of -- of a -- well, first of all, that's why we're setting up the revolving loan fund. You have a fund agent who is receiving the funds and they are paying all the bills, thereby allow -- not allowing the contractors to receive any of the dollars. The invoices are submitted by DBEs to the loan fund. The loan fund pays all the bills. And the only dollars that the -- the DBE receives are basically those dollars after all bills are paid. And also, Senator, to clarify one point, in terms of -- of the -- the -- the grant -- or the loan, rather, that the DBE receives, it's -- it's the revolving loan program. So the moneys, as they're coming in, they're going right back into the fund, and they're just circulating around and around and around. So -- so, therefore, there's really no moneys taken out of the fund.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: So, what you're telling us is, the bank sees these people 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 as too high a risk to give them money, so instead we, the State, are going to take the risk and possibly not get paid back. Is that correct?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

There is no risk, Senator. For whatever reason -- I have no idea what the guidelines are that the banks have. However, I know that under this particular fund -- under this particular fund, they will be able to provide the loans to DBEs based upon their contracts received. Some of the businesses who are not approved by the banks may have late payments and maybe they're - - they are -- sometimes they have slow payments on paying their bills and the banks have problems with that, and you know it. So what we're basically doing under this fund is -- is working with the contractors to strengthen them, because they have slow pay or -- or they're just very small businesses. That's one of the problems that you have with small businesses; they do not have the working capital needed to fulfill obligations of the contract.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) To the bill. SENATOR McCARTER: To say there are no risks is just not right. There are risks. And if the banks aren't willing to loan these people the 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 money, why should we? There are risks, and you're taking away money from the Road Fund when the Road Fund is as small as it's ever been and possibly even smaller with this next budget. We are putting the taxpayers' hard-earned tax money in jeopardy. There are ways to get advanced -- advances through contracts, through IDOT, from prime suppliers, already, with the understanding that there, typically, are materials that are a large component price of the contract. That's available now. There's no need to go out and purposely target businesses that have -- don't have that much ability to pay us back. I think this is just wrong. I urge a No vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?

To the bill, and -- and also have a couple questions for the sponsor. The way I've read the bill and have looked at this, and the way I view government, this is how we're supposed to be using taxpayer dollars, not building sites and hiring people, becoming employers, but building the community, building that infrastructure, utilizing those entrepreneurs, those individuals who just need an opportunity to grow. That's how we invest our taxpayer dollars to make Illinois strong. This bill, as I've read it, does just that. There is no risk here, because the dollars themselves that come out of the -- the Road Fund go into a fund and those spent come right off the top. Before there is any accumulation of profit, the loan is repaid first, before the contractor, these small DBEs, see a single dollar. It comes off the top. This is just, again, assisting people become self-sufficient to help build this State, not becoming 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 employers. And -- and questions to the sponsor. These loans can only be given to disadvantaged business enterprises who have already received contracts in the past - so there's already a history with these individuals - but because of their lack of capacity, they have not been able to get larger contracts, because, again, they're -- they're just small businesses attempting to grow?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

That's correct, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Trotter.

Thank you. The DBE will only be permitted to use the line of credit to pay for supplies for a current job and certified payroll. Is that correct?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Yes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Trotter.

So, with that being said, these dollars are not for if they have multiple projects going that they can use on another project. Essentially, any line of credit that is extended to these subcontractors will only be used on an IDOT road project in one of our districts in the State of Illinois. Is that 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 correct?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Yes, that's correct, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Trotter.

To the bill: I just want to reiterate, this is how our taxpayer dollars are supposed to work for the little man, as well as the big man. And -- and I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Says she will.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Are you referring to a letter that you received from the Secretary of IDOT?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Althoff.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

That's correct, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Althoff.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter. 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012

Some of the safeguards, Senator, to prevent default and to protect the State is, the loan will provide the security necessary to protect the State's interest, and it may include withholding the payments due under the contract accepted for the loan assistance under the program. IDOT is uniquely situated to be able to require the DBE -- the DBE loan applicant to agree to have all of his checks paid by the prime to be signed over to the fund control agent prior to receiving any profit from the project in order to allow the fund control agent to make repayments to the fund and account for all other debt accumulated under the current contract. Essentially, the DBE will not handle any money, including payments from the prime, until all debts are repaid. And loan funds can be used for current liabilities or working capital expenses associated with the contract procured by IDOT for transportation construction and the construction-related projects -- purposes.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Sandoval, for what purpose do you rise?

To the bill, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) To the bill.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Illinois Senate, I -- I -- as I stand here, listening to the question on some of the Members of this side of the aisle, as well -- as well as the other side of the aisle, I am very disappointed at the pointed questions as it relates to the merits of this bill. It is very simple. You 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 know, we've all heard that it's a basic premise in this country that a government should be representative of the people it serves. It makes no difference whether you're in elected office or whether you're a contractor; there is a moral obligation if - - when the taxpayers' funds are being used to build and invest in public improvements, we are to give opportunities to all Illinoisans, and that includes Black, Latino, Asian and women and veterans and disabled. And this bill falls in line not only with the Civil Rights Act of this -- of this great country, the affirmative action laws of this State, it falls in line with the corporate policies of the business world in America - Coca-Cola, John Deere, Caterpillar, a number of firms that have spent their entire business existence developing diversity, developing subcontractors. It is to our best advantage, it is in our best interest, that we, as the elected officials that represent Black, Latino, Asian and women, we invest in people that we represent so they have an opportunity to become general contractors. If we require our contractors to mentor, to -- to develop subcontractors, we will have greater pricing and greater savings for the people of Illinois. If there are more people building roads, there are more people providing supplies. If there are more people doing design, an architect, then we will have greater pricing, then there will be greater savings and we will build our roads at a cheaper cost to the taxpayers. But that is only when and if we decide to invest and provide equal opportunity to Blacks, to Latinos, to Asians, to women and to veterans and disabled community in Illinois. If you have any of these demographics in your district, I would urge you to vote Yes for this bill, 'cause it gets at the core of why we are here 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 and it gets at the core of who sent you here. I urge an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) To the bill.

If -- if any of you have sat and listened to some of the stories of the small contractors that are included in this program and listened to how hardworking they are and the fact that they have invested their life savings into their business, I think you'd have to be very sympathetic. Number one, if you believe that small business is the backbone of this economy and, number two, that disadvantaged businesses ought to be given every opportunity to participate in that, then this is a good bill. I see no reason why we should not vote this out and have all unanimous votes on this. I'd urge an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Says she will.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Senator, the interest will be tied to the interest the Treasurer's Office currently receives as a holder of the Road Fund.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Senator, you will not find that information in the bill. If you can recall in committee, and I'll repeat it again here today, that JCAR will set the rules. They will make all the rules for the -- the implementation of this program.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Senator, they -- the businesses cannot default on this bill because the -- there are safeguards already put into place so that the prime transfers -- the -- the funds over to the -- the fund manager and the fund manager pays all the bills. So there is no room for default, Senator. And just to clarify, in terms of JCAR - I used to sit on JCAR as well - and the -- and -- and the bill very clearly states that IDOT intends to outline the following to JCAR: qualifications for applicants, including two rejection letters of a conventional lender. They will also set the -- the interest rates, as well as the guidelines and the role of the committee. It's in the bill, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Senator, the prime transfer the funds to the Road Fund -- to the fund managers and they pay the bills. So how can you default on the bills when the bills are already being paid by the fund manager? Do you understand that?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 Senator Hunter.

Senator, if you look on the flow chart, and maybe -- maybe the second line, depending upon how you look at it, there is a fund control agent - a fund control agent. They control the funds, Senator, and they pay all the bills. They pay all the bills. I mean, it's right here in front of your face. They -- the -- the -- the -- the DBEs do not hold any of the dollars. The dollars are -- are transferred from the prime to the fund control agent, and they pay the bills.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Okay, I'm starting to feel left out, because I don't have that document. Senator Righter, do you have any other questions?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.

Okay, Senator. So this is what happens if the DBE leaves before the contract is complete. Subcontractors are progressively paid throughout the course of the project. Normally, if a subcontractor leaves a job before it has been completed, the subcontractor's paid for the work and supplies that he or she has contributed to the completion of the project and a substitute DBE is paid for the work that they can finish on the project. That fact will not change in this program. The prime will make these payments to the fund control agent in accordance to the contract. And the fund control agent will pay the creditors accrued during the course of the current project and the line of credit before the subcontractor receives any profit or final -- final payment from the work that has been complete. This program will decrease -- it will decrease the chances of a subcontractor leaving in the middle of the job, because he/she does not have the finances to wait for progressive payments from the prime and make payments for supplies or certified payrolls.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?

To speak to the bill, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 42  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 To the bill.

Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I want to commend Senator Hunter on advancing this bill and I rise in support. It is a complicated bill. As one of the prior speakers mentioned, the flow chart that describes it is a little bit complicated and it requires you to take a little time to get familiar with it. I was confused early on too. The bill came through the Executive Committee and I had to spend some time with it. Now that I understand the program, I'm -- I'm concerned that it is so alarming to so many. This is really a very simple and good program. And I'd like to try to just amplify a couple of the points, so that folks can take some comfort. First of all, this is not a diversion from the Road Fund in any way. It's a closed system. It's essentially a cash management tool. All the money being advanced to pay vendors' bills are for inputs to the road projects. This is money that would be spent on building the roads. It never leaves the road system. So it is not a diversion; it is simply an advanced funding cash management tool. Second, as Senator Hunter has said many times, there -- there are no greater risks, because the money does not pass through the subcontractor. It is paid directly by the -- the paying agent, and it purchases the raw materials that go into the roads and associated costs. That material is always available for the roads regardless of a default. The subcontractors would have a performance bond. If they don't perform, the bond becomes available and any offsetting cost can be recouped. This is a closed system. It's not about when -- where the money is spent; it's only about when 43  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 the money is spent. This is a tool for DBEs that don't have access to traditional capital, not because they aren't able to do the work, but because the systems aren't designed to provide them with that capital. This is what IDOT should be doing. We are coming up with a system that allows them to perform their obligations with the resources and the cash necessary to do so to get on their own feet, so that the next time they go to a commercial bank, they'll be able to get one of those loans. I urge an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter, do you wish to close?

Thank you, Madam President. You know, we've been working on this bill for over a year. There were hearings held throughout the State of Illinois - Peoria, East St. Louis, Chicago, to name a few - regarding the target market program. And so many DBEs - some of them said they drove one hundred miles to come and testify at a hearing. And these DBEs stated that they cannot get loans. They -- they receive a contract from IDOT, prime selects them, and they have no working capital, so some of them wind up turning their contracts back in. We're always talking about jobs. We need jobs. We need to strengthen and expand small businesses. Well, guess what, this is an opportunity to do so. This is the opportunity -- this is an opportunity to put moneys back into the economy, in the hands of subcontractors. They hire people, and folks work. This is not my money, this is not your money, this is not the Road Fund - this -- this is the people money. This is the people's money. And I ask for an Aye vote. Let's -- let's -- let's -- let's do 44  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 the right thing today. Today is the -- is the day that we can turn things around in terms of small businesses and how we really feel about the disadvantaged businesses in this State. Let's do something about this today. And I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2491 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 31 voting Aye, 20 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 2491, having received the constitutional -- required majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I'd like to inform everyone that the Senate President has announced that we will be canceling Session scheduled for this Friday, May 11th, and -- and for Monday, May 14th. After we adjourn tomorrow, the Senate will reconvene on Tuesday, May 15th, at 12 p.m. But we're not finished today yet. Senator Sandoval, for what reason do you rise?

Madam President, I was -- like to inquire of the Chair. I was -- had some guests in from the City of Berwyn on a resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) What's your inquiry?

Will there be an opportunity to present the resolution and pass the resolution?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Which resolution? Do you have a number? Senator Sandoval, 45  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 we will be moving to that. Senator Lightford, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have a gentleman here with me, who has enjoyed observing how we do things here in the Senate. Perhaps he can take notes over to the House, as he's the new Senate Democrat nominee for the 7th District. He will be my Representative. Chris Welch. Please welcome him to the Senate Chamber.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Welcome to the Senate Floor. We're going to go to Senate Resolutions on page 27. Up toward the top is Senate Joint Resolution 62. Senator Sandoval, you wish to proceed? He says he does. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Sandoval.

Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Illinois Senate. Today I am joined by two respected Illinoisans. I am -- we are joined by "Tony" Umberto Turano, President of Turano Bakery, as well as his brother, the Chairman of the Board, Renato Turano, who is also a fellow colleague. He is a Senator in Italy. They 46  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 are from the province -- the region -- State of Calabria. Today they are joining me because Turano Bakery has been synonymous with some of the finest bakery in the State of Illinois. I'm honored that they have -- celebrating their fifty-year anniversary of doing business. They are an immigrant family that came from Italy in 1958 and arrived here in this great country and are truly reflective of the entrepreneurial spirit of the immigrant community of Europe. They founded Turano Bakery in 1962 and, thus, have expanded it to be one of the finest bakeries - not only in this country, but in this world. And so, with that said, and their -- on their fiftieth anniversary, we have this resolution. And in Berwyn, we have redeveloped and invested through the capital program the revitalization of Roosevelt Road from Cicero through Berwyn through Oak Park, area that Senator Harmon and myself have represented for a number of years. And so as a result of this great honor, their employment of thousands of residents of our region, today, on their anniversary, we would like to pass this resolution that bestows and designates the south side of Roosevelt Road between Ridgeland and East Avenue in the City of Berwyn as "Mariano Turano Way" by the Illinois Senate. And I'd ask a warm welcome for the Turano family, our colleague, Senator Turano, and passage of this resolution naming that designated State road as "Mariano Turano Way".

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? Senator Dillard.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?

For a -- on a point of personal privilege and to the resolution. Madam…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I, also, rise -- we don't have any of your bakeries here, Senator, but we - my wife and I - still appreciate what you did for us in Rome three years ago. And I can say that this man is held in great stature in the Eternal City, as well as in the Second City. Thank you so much.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Sandoval, to close.

It's a great day for the Turano family and it's a greater day for the people of Illinois and its economy. God bless the 48  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 Turano family. And I'd ask an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The question is, shall -- shall Senate Joint Resolution 62 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye and none voting Nay. Senate Joint Resolution 62, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Now we're still on page 27. At the top, we have Senate Resolution 742. Senator Collins, do you wish to proceed? Senator Annazette Collins. Do you wish to proceed? Thanks. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Collins.

Thank you, Madam President. We had our -- today is Greek Day, when our National Pan-Hellenic group comes down every year. That was started back in 1932 or so. But they're all gone now and we wanted to say just congratulations to all of them and honor our Members that's on the Floor that are also Greek. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) I see no discussion. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 742 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Now we go to Senate Joint Resolution 63. Senator Forby. Senator Forby wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Will -- will everyone please give Senator Forby your attention? Thank you. Senator Forby.

Thank you. I'd like to have a point of personal privilege first.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point.

Today this resolution is about Travis Picantine and I have his mother and his sister, Tammie Goessman (Severs) and Megan Bowlin, right behind me in the gallery. Can we give them a good Senate hand today?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Will our guests in the gallery please rise? Welcome to the Senate. Senator Forby.

Thank you. Senate (Joint) Resolution 63 -- 63 is honoring a soldier who grew up in my district, Travis Picantine. Travis tragically lost his life in defending our country in -- in 2009. He had only served in the infantry for two short years. He died with high decoration -- soldier. He won the Army Commendation Medal, two Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf, the National Defense Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal with Stars, the War of Terror 50  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 -- Terrorist with {sic} (War on Terrorism) Service Medal, the United Nation {sic} (Nations) Medal, the Basic Training Service Ribbon, Overseas Medal, the Army President {sic} (Presidential) Unit Ribbon with a Bronze Oak Star {sic} (Leaf), the -- the Marksman Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Infantry Cord. Travis enlisted in 207 {sic} (2007), completed his Basic Training and his Army training at Fort Benning, Georgia. And he was stationed at Fort Drum, New York with the 10th Mountain Division. He served with the I-32nd {sic} (1-32) Charlie Command {sic} (Company) in Afghanistan. At the request of his family - his mother, Tony {sic} (Tammie) Goessman (Severs), and his sister, Megan Bowlin, and his niece, Lily Bowlin, and his nephew, Travis Ryan Bowlin, and his grandparents, Harold Dean and Margaret Goessman - we would like to rename a stretch of Illinois Route 148 the Army Specialist Travis Picantine Memorial Road -- Memorial Road {sic} (Highway). The part of -- of Route 148 would remain -- run between Christopher and Sesser, where Travis lives. This is a little bit more than ten miles. I urge you to vote to honor this fallen soldier and his family. Please give -- give us an Aye vote on this. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Thank you, Senator. Now, the question is, shall -- shall Senate Joint Resolution 63 pass. 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? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye and none voting Nay. And having -- Senate Joint Resolution 63, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. The 51  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 112th Legislative Day 5/9/2012 Senate will stand at recess to the call of the Chair. After committee -- meetings, the Senate will reconvene to receive committee reports. The Senate stands at recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate, pursuant to the adjournment -- no. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 p.m. on the 10th day of May, 2012. The Senate stands adjourned. 54