PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Good morning. The regular Session of the 97th General Assembly will come to order. Will all the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Dr. Roger Ross, First United Methodist Church, here in Springfield. Dr. Ross.
(Prayer by Dr. Roger Ross)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Mike Jacobs, to lead us in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval -- Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, May 16th, 2012.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise?
Mr. President, I move to -- to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
Senate Resolution 775, offered by Senator Dillard and all Members. It's a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 773, offered by Senator Hunter. Senate Resolution 774, offered by Senator Link. They are substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 4929, offered by Senator Dillard. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of this House bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, will all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Will all Members please come to the Senate Floor? Senator Schmidt, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Just some information: Senator Althoff will not be here today or tomorrow. She is on legislative business.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you very much. Record will so reflect. Senator Lauzen, good morning. For what purpose do you rise?
2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Good morning, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege. I would…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Lauzen, please state your point.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I would like to introduce to the Senate a friend from back home. His name is Max Mollenhauer. He is a freshman at St. Charles East. He is both a wrestler and a track athlete. He does well in school. And he's accompanied today by his father, Tom Mollenhauer. So, Max and Tom Mollenhauer. If you would welcome them to the State Senate, I'd appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome Max and Tom to the State Senate. Great to have you here today. Thank you for joining us. Leader Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?
Mr. President, for the purposes of making two announcements.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please -- please state your announcement, Senator Trotter.
The first announcement will be that Senator Toi Hutchinson will not be here today nor tomorrow for legislative business. And the second is, immediately upon recess, we'll be caucusing in the President's Office. The Senate Democrat Majority will be caucusing in the President's Office for approximately two hours.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCann, for what purpose do you rise? 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 SENATOR McCANN: For the purpose of an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your announcement, Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Mr. President, the Senate Republicans request a caucus for approximately two hours after -- upon recess, in Room 409, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, Senators -- Senator Trotter and Senator McCann have moved that the Senate stand in recess for the purpose of a two-hour Democrat and Republican Caucus. Seeing no objection, the motion is granted. The Senate now stands in recess to the call of the Chair. After the caucus meetings, the Senate will reconvene for further Floor action. The Senate stands in recess to the call… (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senate will come to order. Will all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Floor immediately? We're ready to go to substantive action. We're going to be taking substantive action. Will all Members please come to the Floor immediately? Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 3921, offered by Senator Brady. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. 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 79. Offered by Senator Emil Jones, and adopted by the House, May 15th, 2012. Timothy D. -- D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 776, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 777, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 778, offered by Senator Link and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Messages.
Appointment Message 450 To the Honorable Members of the Senate, Ninety-Seventh General Assembly: 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 I, Pat Quinn, Governor, am nominating and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointing the following named individual to the office enumerated below. The advice and consent of this Honorable Body is respectfully requested. To be a Member of the Department of State Police Merit Board: James V. Riley Annual Compensation: $23,700
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, will all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor immediately? We are ready to take substantial action. Will all Members please come to the Floor? Ladies and Gentlemen, when we get ready to go here in just a minute or two, we'll be starting on page 24 of the printed Calendar on the Order of Secretary's Desk, Resolutions. On page 24. We're going to start here momentarily. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, if you'll turn to page 24 of the printed Calendar, on the Order of Secretary's Desk, Resolutions, we have Senate Resolution 404. Senator Millner. Senator Millner, on Resolution 404. Out of the record. Senate Resolution 544. Senator Millner. Out of the record. We have Senate Resolution 690. Senator Kotowski. Do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 690, offered by Senator Kotowski.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 690 urges the 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 FAA and O'Hare International Airport authorities to decrease jet noise over the collar communities by establishing - I should say surrounding communities - by establishing a full-time fly quiet program and urge the creation and passage of a federal homeowner's aviation fly quiet act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?
Question of the sponsor, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield. Senator Murphy.
Senator, is there any opposition to this bill {sic}?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
Not that I know of.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy.
When…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Excuse me, Senator Murphy. Senator Kotowski, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cut you off.
Yeah, just to clarify: It's not a bill; it's a -- a resolution. And to the resolution, I think there were a couple witness slips, initially, in opposition to it, a couple 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 airlines had filed witness slips. Think it was United and American.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy.
The City of Chicago slipped in, in opposition too, didn't they?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
Oh! I think they did originally, Senator. But I've since discussed it with them and I -- I think they're okay with it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy.
The -- how will this fly quiet program that we are urging the federal government to implement at O'Hare work? If they took -- if we pass this resolution and the FAA took our advice, what would the fly quiet program look like? How would it…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
Yeah, thank you for your question, Senator Murphy. Originally, there was an agreement with -- between the -- the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission and the City of Chicago, which, basically, it's a voluntary program which provides pilots with operating procedures that observe nighttime flight tracks. The program's voluntary guidelines were developed by the Chicago Department of Aviation, in cooperation with the O'Hare Noise 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Compatibility Commission, airlines, and air traffic controllers. There's a Fly Quiet Manual that they -- they follow voluntarily, to pilots and air traffic controllers, that lists preferred runways and flight tracks to route air traffic over least populated areas between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. This, quite frankly, urges a -- a review of that and to follow something quite similar, and essentially, I would imagine, you know, put something a little bit firmer in statute.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy.
But, presumably, if there were changes made in how flights are coordinated through -- in and out of O'Hare and it's done in a different way to put an emphasis on quiet, something is going to be lost, then, in terms of prioritization. I assume, right now, the idea is to have planes come in and out of O'Hare as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, including freight carriers. And if we're changing that to prioritize quieter flights, it would seem to me that we would have to necessarily be reducing efficiency and cost as -- as a -- as a -- as a priority. So, why would we be - especially after we just signed a deal that I read about in Crain's to have even more freight carriers come in, which means more jobs in the northwest suburbs, more revenue to the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago - why would we make it less efficient, more costly and harder for these job creators by taking away the efficiency in how they operate O'Hare International Airport?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
That's not the intent at all. This is just -- as I stated before, it looks at the procedures that they're currently using. They voluntarily do this right now to establish a program, look at ways in which they reduce the noise over certain areas at nighttime. They're currently engaged in this. This just encourages them to review the process and encourages the federal government to look at it. It's a nonbinding resolution. This isn't going to change any existing law. It just moves the conversation forward. It's a byproduct of conversations I've had with people within my community who are very concerned about this, who've filed a lot of complaints, and they're just very interested in keeping the conversation going and seeing some progress.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy.
To the resolution, Mr. President. I just think at a time when we are struggling to bring jobs to this State - Mayor Emanuel just had some success bringing some more freight cargo business here - this sends the exact wrong message that we are not focused on making it as easy as possible for job creators and those who put our constituents to work. We're actually putting another roadblock in their way. This sends the wrong message to job creators. It runs counter to the efforts of Mayor Emanuel in getting those additional -- additional jobs in freight cargo businesses here. That's why the City of Chicago opposed it. The big airlines oppose it because it's going to cost them more money. In the interests of job creation and 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 sending the right message to job creators, I have to urge a No vote. And I would request, Mr. President, a verification of the roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy, would you please -- do you want to restate your request?
I would ask -- well, I would first ask if there will be a determination that this requires the expenditure of money and if there will be a roll call vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) A roll call is not necessary. Senator Murphy.
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 690 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we will return to the top of the Order of Secretary's Desk, Resolutions, to Senate Resolution 404. Senator Millner, do you wish to proceed? Indicates he does. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 404, offered by Senator Millner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Millner.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thanks for going back. This resolution is that the State of Illinois, we -- that we, this 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Body, urge the United States Congress to fully fund Amtrak and the high speed rail program.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 404 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Resolution 544. Senator Millner, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 544, offered by Senator Millner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Millner.
Thank you, again, Mr. President. This resolves that the members of a task force to serve on regarding the suicides of police officers in the State of Illinois shall serve without compensation and be reimbursed for expenses. What we're trying to do is figure out the rate of suicide for police officers. In a 2009 study, it was like seventeen per hundred thousand people versus nine per hundred thousand. And we'd like to really look at it and see what some of the causes, reasons, and what the actual rate is. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Seeing none, all those -- the question is, shall Senate Resolution 544 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Now we'll take off from where we left off, and that is Senate 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Resolution 745. Senator Althoff. Senator Althoff. Out of the record. Senate Joint Resolution 65. Senator Hutchinson. Out of the record. Senate Joint Resolution 71. Senator Steans. Senator Steans. Out of the record. Senate Joint Resolution 72. Senator Sandoval. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. House Joint Resolution 51. Senator Raoul. Senator Raoul, on House Joint Resolution 51. Do -- would you like to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 51, offered by Senator Raoul.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Raoul.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Joint Resolution 51 urges Congress to pass the federal Talent Act to assist states and school districts in addressing the needs of all talented and gifted students. The resolution also notes that the challenge - - the challenges that talented and gifted students face in having their educational needs fulfilled in Illinois and notes the special challenges faced by students who are both gifted and disabled.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Joint Resolution 51 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next up, we have House Joint Resolution 67. Senator Delgado. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's resolution.
13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 House Joint Resolution 67, offered by Senator Delgado.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Delgado.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. House Joint Resolution 67 extends the reporting deadline of the success in school task force {sic} (School Success Task Force) to December 31st, 2012, and adds a representative from CPS District 299 to the Task Force. And I would ask for your indulgence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the resolution? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, as this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 67 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Joint -- House Joint Resolution 67, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Next up on the Calendar, we have House Joint Resolution 73. Senator Jacobs, on House Joint Resolution 73. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 73, offered by Senator Jacobs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Jacobs.
14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 This resolution is -- Mr. President, is designed to urge the federal government to be supportive of the Rock Island Arsenal when we cope with the BRAC closings.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Joint Resolution 73 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Last up on the Resolution Calendar is House Joint Resolution 84. President Cullerton. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 84, offered by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) President Cullerton.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Joint Resolution 84 reappoints William G. Holland for another term as the Auditor General for the State of Illinois. I would be -- ask…(microphone cutoff)…take up the…(microphone cutoff)…there's other folks that wish to speak, and I'll be happy to close.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you rise?
To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the resolution, Senator Martinez.
15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Holland has served as Auditor General since August of 1982 {sic}. He was appointed by the General Assembly to a ten-year term, commencing August 1st, 1992, and was unanimously reappointed to a second term in 2002. He began his government career as a legislative intern in the -- Illinois House. In 1978, he became Director of the House Majority Appropriations staff. In 1980, he was appointed the first Director of the General Assembly Washington Office. From '83 to '92, he served as Chief of Staff for the Illinois Senate President Phil Rock. He is appointed every -- for a ten-year term, which now expires in 2012. In August 2011, the Legislative Audit Commission, which I am a member of, began its Auditor General search. The Commission conducted a -- a nationwide search, including publishing the position. The Commission diligently reviewed applications for the position and chose to renominate Auditor General Holland. And to give a little bit more, my counterpart in the Audit Commission, Senator Lauzen, can further continue with the process that we -- we entailed ourselves on, and it was a great process.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Just to -- to the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the resolution, Senator Lauzen.
The purpose of my remarks today, briefly, is just to assure you that the process has been very thorough; that it's been 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 conscientious. This is a very important role in Illinois government, and your -- your vote today is important in -- in -- if you decide to adopt our recommendation. The process that we followed was that the Commission, the Audit Commission, formed a subcommittee on the Auditor General search in August of 2011. In November and December, the staff sent notices of the search to all Members of the General Assembly and all the Constitutional Officers, issued press releases to print media statewide. There was an announcement of the position to selected colleges and university educators and administrators. We purchased paid advertising in the Illinois CPA Society INSIGHT Magazine to advertise the role; ran a notice of the search and information on how to apply on the website of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers and the website of the Illinois CPA Society. Then the Audit Commission received twenty-four letters of application from interested and mostly high -- highly qualified persons from Illinois, New York, Iowa, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, South Dakota, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Utah, and then India and Saudi Arabia. Resumes were evaluated by the search subcommittee and five applicants were selected to continue to the background check and interview stage. Three candidates declined to interview and two candidates were interviewed on April 17th. The transcripts of both those interviews are -- were sent to the Commission members and they're available to each of you, if you'd be interested. And that was done on April 24th. The Commission voted unanimously to submit the name of the best qualified person, William G. Holland, to the General Assembly as our recommendation of the position of Auditor General. Bill 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Holland was selected based on his leadership skills and his nonpartisan attitude, working across Democrat and Republican lines, also Governors and legislators. On a personal note, I'd just like to say what a pleasure it's been to serve with Bill Holland - with the Auditor General. I just wanted to share two answers to questions during his interview that I found enjoyable, fascinating, entertaining. I asked him, "You know, Bill, how do you renew yourself? How do you stay fresh?" And without missing a beat, he goes, "I love this job and I love my staff. This is who I am." That is exactly what I want to hear from a person applying to continue a job that he's done so effectively for twenty years. Then I asked him, "How can a person who criticizes everyone for a living not have accumulated more enemies than you have?" And that's just going to have to remain one of the mysteries of the universe. So, I enthusiastically recommend to you Bill Holland for the position of Auditor General.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Lauzen. Further discussion? Senator Schoenberg, for what purpose do you rise?
I rise in support of the resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the resolution, Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I think it's not an understatement to say that this will be one of the most important votes that we cast over the course of our career. And the reason why is because we have a 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 unique opportunity to strengthen and preserve the integrity of one of the chief accountability officers for the State of Illinois. Over the past number of years, especially in the prior administration, we saw exactly the value of the Auditor General's Office. During some of the most troubling times of public institutions in Illinois, we knew that the Auditor General's Office would hold true in ensuring that we had an unbiased, unvarnished, accurate, fair but tough assessment of how government agencies, government programs, and some of the behavior that occurred in that administration, how that was all to be judged. I've had the pleasure and the privilege of knowing Auditor General Holland since before my service here in the Legislature. And I have to say that there are two -- if you want to know the real value of the Office of the Auditor General, there are two things which stand out in my mind. The first is that nearly twenty years ago, one of the first acts that Auditor General took -- took on was to create a blue-ribbon task force on procurement reform. That was, without a doubt, one of the most numbing experiences that I've ever had in my life, but one of the most valuable. If you look at all the sweeping contracting reforms that we've imposed in phases over the last several years, they are the direct product of the Auditor General's task force on procurement reform, which did a sweeping look at all the best practices that occur in the country and made recommendations, most of which we adopted into law. The second is the management audit that the Auditor General's Office did on the Toll Highway Authority. The Toll Highway Authority was the poster child for everything that could be wrong in a -- in a government agency in Illinois. The 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Auditor General conducted a very fair, thorough, comprehensive management audit, which really provided the blueprint for the sweeping reforms that we undertook and which have not only changed the culture of doing business there, but have proven that that agency works in a very cost-efficient and responsive manner. So, Auditor General's -- Auditor General Holland's contributions go far beyond his length of service, his integrity. He has strengthened the institutions of State government so that we can instill greater confidence in Illinois taxpayers. And I'm honored to be a cosponsor of this resolution and I urge you all to support it as well. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?
To the nomination, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the -- to the nominating resolution, Senator Haine.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I am gratified with the comments made thus far and for the work of the Commission in recommending Mr. Holland. I want to note my gratitude - and I speak, I believe, for the citizens of my district - my gratitude -- to echo Senator Schoenberg's comments, the gratitude to Mr. Holland for his competency and courage in dealing with the scandals of the Blagojevich administration. It is -- in my opinion, the most powerful testimony given in the well of the Senate during the -- that unfortunate trial was the testimony of Mr. Holland, who tied up 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 the loose ends, who pointed to millions of dollars in money expended without the authority of the General Assembly of this State. His testimony, in my opinion, was crucial. The tapes were certainly inflammatory. The tapes were -- were -- were the -- the focus in the media, but the meat of the evidence rested with Mr. Holland. And this vote today is -- on my part, and I know many here, confirms his role in bringing that administration to justice. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Haine. Seeing no further discussion, President Cullerton, to close.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President. As we heard in committee, Mr. Holland has bipartisan, strong support. This position of Auditor General has been a position that's been so trusted that we in the General Assembly, in trying to fashion solutions for some of our tough -- toughest issues, have said maybe we should look to the Auditor General to intervene, to provide the help and assistance that we need. I've known Bill for a long time. I have such great respect for the fact that he served as the Chief of Staff for the President of the Senate for ten years. I know, believe me, how difficult that is and how much, though, that he would learn about the legislative process and about our lives here as legislators. The fact that the Auditor General's Office themselves are subject to peer review, that they get audited, if you will, by their colleagues, and they come out so high, is really very impressive. But I think anybody that knows Bill Holland knows that he is a person who demonstrates fairness and integrity and, if you saw him in committee, he loves his job 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 and it shows. So I'm very, very happy to sponsor this resolution and urge all of you to vote for it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Joint Resolution 84 pass. As Section 3 of Article VIII of the Illinois Constitution requires a three-fifths vote for such appointments, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall House -- Joint Resolution 84 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 84, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Congratulations, Auditor General Holland. Senator Christine Johnson, for what purpose do you rise?
For a point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Johnson.
Today I have some special guests with me. I have my niece, Maggie, who is ten years old. She goes to St. Paul Lutheran School in Rochelle, Illinois. Her favorite subject is creative writing. She plays soccer, basketball, loves dogs, and she wants to be a future hair stylist and cosmetologist. My nephew is with me today. He is fourteen. He also goes to St. Paul Lutheran School. His favorite class is in literature. He plays soccer, basketball, and -- and runs track. He sings with 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Kantorei, which is The Singing Boys of Rockford, Illinois, and he wants to be a minister of music when he grows up. Today he's joined -- we are joined by their mom, my sister, Eileen.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Will our guests of Senator Johnson please rise and be recognized? Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Great to have you here today. To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of -- of Advise and Consent. Senator Muñoz. One second. Hold on just a second. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're waiting on a little paperwork. Be just a moment. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For purposes of an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your introduction, Senator Harmon.
I -- Mr. President, I -- and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I just noticed I've been joined in the gallery behind me by some students from my district from Rhodes School. I'd ask you to join me in welcoming them to the State Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Well, great to have you here today. Ladies and Gentlemen, to fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advise and Consent. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate resolve 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on appointments set forth in Appointment Messages 104, 110, 257, 282, 353, 360, 362, 386 through 395, 397 through 408, 412, 415, 419, 422, 423, 425, 426 through 438, and 440.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointment Messages just read. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. Mr. Secretary, Motions in Writing - Appointment Messages.
I have a motion in writing from Senator Muñoz, Chairman of the Committee on Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, print the motion on the Calendar. On page 26 of the printed Calendar is the Order of Executive Appointments - Appointment Messages. Mr. Secretary, Executive Appointments - Appointment Message 104.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Human Rights Commission: Munir -- Munir Muhammad.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Senator Bivins, for what purpose do you rise?
To the appointment, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the Appointment Message, Senator Bivins.
Mr. President and Members, this may be the most troubling appointment that I've seen yet come to the Executive Appointments Committee. Mr. Munir Muhammad is being recommended for appointment to the Human Rights Commission. He is also -- in his resume that he submitted, is cofounder of an organization called C.R.O.E. C.R.O.E. That's an acronym. It stands for the Coalition for the Remembrance of the (Honorable) Elijah Muhammad. What's so troubling is on the website is -- there is a section of what we believe. And you can go to that on your browsers and - just type in C.R.O.E. - and you can see some of the -- the things that I'm having a problem with and others are having a problem with. One of the things it talks about is that "We believe that intermarriage or race mixing should be prohibited." It goes on to talk about separate schools, a separate country within the United States. Now, granted, this was written by Elijah Muhammad a number of years ago. There was an attempt to say that this was merely history, but the website suggests otherwise. Mr. Muhammad also has a television show called "Muhammad & Friends" that airs in Chicago. On that show -- you can find a lot of the episodes on YouTube and view those 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 there, which I have done. Mr. Muhammad is a member, admittedly by his website, a member of the Nation of Islam, which today -- was started by Elijah Muhammad; today, is, of course, run by Louis Farrakhan. He has had pictures of Mr. Farrakhan -- had him on his show and taken pictures -- photographs with him. Equally as disturbing, and I have it on my -- my phone, captured on my phone, from the YouTube, from his show, Mr. Munir Muhammad with the President of Iran, Ahmadinejad. And it goes further. He complimented him on his show, saying he was a patient person and that he was remarkable, in that he sat down and talked with others. That was in a New York meeting, where many others attended, including a man by the name of Enver Masud, who is a author, a 9-1-1 conspiracy theorist, who wrote a book and presented that to the President of Iran. And that's how Mr. Muhammad met him and had him on his show. He also says on his show, in one of the episodes, that his greatest joy is - since he's been born - is following the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and that he is a follower of his and his truths and teachings, which is all through the -- the website. To appoint someone with these radical views to the Human Rights Commission, I think is a travesty. I would encourage a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you rise? Senator, excuse me. Senator Meeks, for what purpose do you rise?
…you -- thank you, Mr. President. To the appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the Appointment Message, Senator Meeks. 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
I've known Mr. Munir Muhammad now for a number of years. This is his third time coming before this Body. He first was appointed to the Commission in '03. And so, the second thing is that I talked to Mr. Muhammad today and the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad is basically what their group was founded upon. But he ensured me that the things that are on the website, that he's going to remove those things. As the founder of the group, the Minister Elijah Muhammad had some ideas that I don't agree with, but -- but to say that Munir Muhammad is a -- is a follower of Louis Farrakhan is unfair and it's not true, because that sect of the Muslims that Munir Muhammad is with was Wallace D. Muhammad. And so to confuse that with Minister Farrakhan is not true. That's like mixing apples and oranges. Let me say that this is the Human Rights Commission. And he's been on there since -- since 2003 with absolutely no problems. I don't agree -- as a Christian, I don't agree with all of the teachings of Muslims. But in a -- America and in a tolerant society, I don't think we can be biased just because somebody is of the Muslim faith. And so I stand in strong support of Mr. Muhammad. I've appeared on his television show a number of times, and he's highly respected in the community. And he's a good man. I mean, you guys know that I wouldn't stand up for a person unless I thought he was a good -- he's a decent guy. And just because he's a Muslim, let's not be entrapped by -- by saying that this guy that we don't even know - you guys don't know him - I know him, and he's a good guy. And he's not a hatemonger. And he's been there since 2003. And so I would urge all my colleagues for an affirmative vote on Mr. Muhammad. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 And as it relates to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad that was on his website, he has ensured me that they would remove those today. Thank you so much, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Raoul.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm going to echo some of the sentiments of Senator Meeks. I know Munir Muhammad. I know the man. I -- I -- I -- I know the man; I know the individual. And it's so easy for us to just throw darts that are just political, inflammatory darts, instead of -- in this case - we don't always have this opportunity with Executive appointments - in this case, we have a record, and that's what we should be evaluating. The man has been on the Human Rights Commission since '03. So I ask, what is it from his record of service on the Human Rights Commission that would drive one to want to vote No? And that's what we ought to be considering. We have a unique opportunity because he has a record of service. And there hasn't been an issue. I haven't heard one. There hasn't been one introduced in the debate. And that's -- ought to be the basis of how we make our decisions, not this inflammatory stuff, not a mischaracterization of who he follows religiously, because that was an inaccurate statement. It's an inaccurate statement. So I urge us to do the -- the right thing by our conscience and vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Thank you, Mr. President. To the motion, if I might.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the motion, Senator Righter.
Thank you. Thank you. You know, Ladies and Gentlemen, I agree with at least a couple of the previous speakers that this is an incredibly important moment here. We see a lot of appointments flow out of the Governor's Office and through this Chamber. And we have our agreements with some and disagreements with some. This is not about faith. This is not about throwing darts. This is not about inflammatory accusations. This gentleman, according to the website, which he claims himself that he manages on a day-to-day basis - that's on the website - he is unfit to serve on the Human Rights Commission. He ascribes to a belief, a moral belief, something that he refers to - he refers to - as the sacred truth, that the races should not mix, nor should they marry. That's what he says. This isn't some blog reporting something that someone said thirdhand. This comes from his own writings. Now, let me ask you this, if the situation were reversed and it were someone who was -- who has on a website themselves and they were talking about racial issues and maybe a reference to, let's say, the Ku Klux Klan, or something like that, would we be so tolerant? I think not. The Human Rights Commission. I mean, he's not being appointed to some transportation authority or some other benign -- committee. He is making decisions about human rights and he says himself that he ascribes to a belief that says race mixing and interracial marriage is wrong. Can there really be a debate here that this person has no business being on the Human Rights 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Commission? Mr. President, this is one that should be a slam dunk for this Chamber and for anyone who believes in the equality of the races. Please vote this appointee down. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Lightford, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the subject at hand, and I'm lost for words because I was actually the Member who spoke on Munir Muhammad's behalf in committee. And some of the things that I'm hearing my colleagues say are totally opposite of the discussion that day. I recall Munir Muhammad saying that he is so far behind on technology that he didn't put the website together and that he doesn't monitor it and, in fact, hadn't exactly seen everything on the website. And the previous speaker just said he said he monitors the website on a daily basis. So what I don't want us to do is get caught up in adding additional discussions where there was none. I mean, our -- our committees are taped now; so any and all of us can listen to the taping and the committee to find some of the truths out, opposed to the emotion that some of us are expressing here today and perhaps overlapping some of the discussion. You know, it's amazing that some Senators can stand up and speak of the Ku Klux Klan. And one of the things that I said during this debate in committee was that that's what makes us beautiful as a people, in that we're all very diverse and that we have our religious beliefs and, whatever those beliefs are, those are your beliefs. You know, I don't believe in everything that the Nation of Islam 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 believes in, or Muslims. I don't believe everything that Christians, Lutherans, Baptists believe in. It's your own personal belief system, whatever that is, but I'm not going to hold it against you. And I think that's what's happening here. If we have a gentleman that's served on the Human Rights Commission and coming up for reappointment after eight years of service, will be going into the ninth year, I think why would we now create such a huge issue of what the Muslims believe in. If you look on the website, it's not saying Munir Muhammad, these are my beliefs, and they're in quotes that he said them. It's the history of their beliefs. If you like 'em or not, the Ku Klux Klan had their beliefs, the Black Panther {sic} (Panthers) had their beliefs, the Nation of Islam had their beliefs. We all have belief systems, but I don't think that that should be a deterring factor here on the beliefs of him restoring the history of the organization. Now, I, too, asked him to remove any comments that were in quotations from him off of his web. I knew that Senator Crotty and Senator Martinez, Senator Righter and Bivins all had concerns, and we all spoke of them in committee. He's willing to make adjustments to the webpage to remove any comments or thoughts of his in quotations, but still wanted to restore the history of the reason why the organization was established. So I just want to be, you know, standing here reminding us that that's the beauty of Illinois. We're not one people. We're not one religion. We're all very different. And that's what the Human Rights Commission is about - the diversity. All people sitting on Human Rights, if they all looked alike, believed alike, served the same, you could never come up to any sound judgment decisions on issues that become 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 before the Human Rights Commission. That's why you need a mixture of people with different backgrounds and beliefs and come from different parts of the State. So I think that if we lose sight of really the issue of the reappointment and get too far into whether or not he's with Louis Farrakhan - and he did say in testimony that he was not, in committee - or whether or not he's with Jeremiah Wright, like certain people are, or whether or not he's with the Pope -- the point is, can he serve in the capacity as a Human Rights Commissioner, as he has for the past eight to nine years without any confrontations whatsoever from fellow commissioners. There has been zero complaints about Mr. Munir and his work ethic in serving at the Human Rights Commission. And I would encourage all of us to reappoint him on today. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Crotty, for what purpose do you rise?
To the appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the appointment resolution, Senator Crotty.
I, too, was in committee and I heard the comments that were again reiterated today. And first thing I did was to approach this gentleman and we had a long meeting in my office. I have to tell you that I think I can read people pretty well and he was extremely embarrassed. What Chris -- what Kimberly has just said is true; he is of a different generation that would be savvy in the technology that we have today and he left that up 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 to some young persons on his staff. He is -- I can't tell you how embarrassed he was. And I think -- and me remembering what he -- how he felt, and when I brought up about the interracial marriages or companionships that they -- that we have both in the black and white -- interracial marriages, he said he did not believe in that. And, matter of fact, he has family members that are in -- in interracial marriages. And, again, he was embarrassed. I think, not that long ago, we also had a sports manager that made comments, and he, too, was embarrassed. But I feel very strongly that I am going to cast my vote to give him a chance. I think he has served in the prior -- on that prior -- prior on that same Commission, never heard a thing. And after my long discussions with him about the things that I had heard and seen, he also told me that that is the first thing he's going to do, is make sure that that stuff is taken off of his website. So I'm going to be voting for this gentleman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. That was the last speaker seeking recognition; however, Senator Righter's name was used during debate, so I'll recognize Senator Righter for a second time. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'll be brief. Just to -- to comment on some of the comments that have been made since I first spoke. First of all, that committee hearing in which Mr. Muhammad made the commitments to take the information down from his website, his information, that was on April 19th. Okay? That was a month ago. It's still on the website now. Now I understand maybe Mr. Muhammad's not really tech savvy, but that's been a month and that information is still up there. I 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 appreciate that other people in other walks of life make offensive comments or put things up that are offensive, but this isn't about whether or not someone's going to be a manager of a major league baseball team. This is about -- whether or not someone sits on the Human Rights Commission that makes very important decisions, fundamental decisions, about human rights. The notion that this website is nothing other than some kind of documentary of someone's beliefs is simply not accurate. And the reason we know that is because - still on the website yet today, a month after he promised they would come down apparently - he refers to these statements, including a moral objection to race mixing and interracial marriage, as just the plain truth, supreme wisdom, sacred reference {sic} (reverence) to the truth of the teachings. Ladies and Gentlemen, that's a believer. That's not someone who's just saying, "Ah, this is what this guy said." That's a believer. And the question is, do you want to put someone on the Human Rights Commission who has stated that directly to you that that is what he believes in. I don't think we should do that. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Seeing no further discussion, Senator Muñoz, do you wish to close? Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 20 voting Aye, 30 voting Nay, 4 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected having refused to give their advice and consent by a 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 record vote, the Senate rejects the Appointment Message just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 110.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Human Rights Commission: Spencer Leak, Sr.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 50 voting Aye, 6 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Appointment Message 110, having received -- a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 257.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 To be a Member of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board: Michael H. Prueter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 52 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 282.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Prisoner Review -- Prisoner Review Board: Charles Edward Bowers.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read. 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 47 voting Aye, 6 voting Nay, 2 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message No. 360.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Arbitrator of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission: D. Douglas McCarthy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, take that motion out of… Mr. Secretary, we had the wrong message on the board. We have the right message on the board now. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 360.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be Arbitrator of the Workers' -- Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission: D. Douglas McCarthy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?
Just a correction. For point of personal privilege. On Message 282, it was my intention to vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Lauzen. The -- your -- your -- what you intended to do will -- the record will show -- so reflect. Ladies and Gentlemen -- Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 362.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be Arbitrator of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission: Brandon J. Zanotti.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will say -- vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 415.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be Commissioner of the Illinois Commerce Commission: L. Ann McCabe.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 3 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 422.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission: Donald G. O'Connell.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, 4 -- 4 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment -- Appointment Message 423. 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission: James Pandolfi.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 52 voting Aye, 3 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 425.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Human Rights Commission: David Chang.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you rise?
I rise in support of this appointment. Mr. Chang has been a member since 2003 and we know of no issue since 2003 from -- from his service on the Human Rights Commission.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, 3 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 438.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health: La Mar Hasbrouck.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the appointment from the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 2 voting Present. A majority of the Senators -- Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment -- excuse me. Mr. Secretary, Motions in Writing – Appointment Messages.
I have a motion in writing from Senator Muñoz, Chairman of the Committee on Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
Motion to Compile Appointment Messages. Pursuant to Rule 10 -- Senate Rule 10-1(c), as Chairman of the Executive Appointments Committee, I move to compile the following Appointment Messages to be acted on -- acted on together by a single vote of the Senate: Appointment Messages 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395 and 397 - Kaskaskia Regional Port District Board; Appointment Messages 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403 and 404 - the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission; Appointment Messages 405, 406, 407 and 408 - Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Board; Appointment Message 412 - Capital Development Board; Appointment Message 419 - Merit Commission, Office of the Comptroller; Appointment Message 426 and 427 - Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Board; Appointment Message 428 - Illinois State Board of Investment; Appointment Message 429 - Employment Security Advisory Board; Appointment Message 430 - Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Macon County; Appointment Message 431 - Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Kane County; Appointment Message 432 - State Soil and Water Conservation Districts Advisory Board; Appointment Message 433, 434, 435, 436, 437 and 440 - Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority. May 17th, 2012. Signed by Assistant Majority Leader Antonio Muñoz, Chair, Executive Appointments Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Senator Muñoz moves to compile the Appointment Messages -- Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. Mr. Secretary, read the compiled appointments.
To be Members of the Kaskaskia Regional Port District Board, for terms commencing February 14th, 2012, and ending June 30th, 2014: Nancy J. Schilling, Robert J. Myerscough, Charles R. Bauer and Michael G. Conrad; for terms commencing February 14th, 2012, and ending June 30th, 2013: Joseph Luechtefeld, 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Bernard A. Heck, Jr., Terry Liefer and Virgil J. Becker; for terms commencing February 14th, 2012, and ending June 30th, 2012: Rodney E. Linker, Brian O. Funk and George W. Obernagel. To be Members of the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission, for terms commencing February 16th, 2012, and ending October 1st, 2013: Juliana Gonzalez-Crussi and Brenda Coates; for terms commencing February 16th, 2012, and ending October 1st, 2014: Alfredo Melesio, Jr. and Gerald A. Townsend and Scott Berger; for terms commencing February 16th, 2012, and ending October 1st, 2012: Phyllis Mitzen and Sheila T. Romano. To be Members of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Board, for a term commencing March 5th, 2012, and ending June 1st, 2015: Ronald E. Powell; for a term commencing March 5th, 2012, and ending June 1st, 2016: Robert G. Reiter, Jr.; for a term commencing March 5th, 2012, and ending June 1st, 2013: Carmen H. Lonstein; for a term commencing March 5th, 2012, and ending June 1st, 2014: Becky Strzechowski. To be a Member of the Capital Development Board, for a term commencing March 12th, 2012, and ending January 20th, 2014: Anthony Garippo. To be a Member of the Merit Commission, Office of the Comptroller, for a term commencing January 16th, 2012, and ending January 15th, 2018: Clyde E. Bunch. To be Members of the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Board, for terms commencing April 12th, 2012, and ending July 1st, 2014: Howard J. Bolnick and Stephen Stabile. To be a Member of the Illinois State Board of Investment, for a term commencing April 12th, 2012, and ending June 2nd, 2013: Steven Powell. 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 To be a Member of the Employment Security Advisory Board, for a term commencing April 12th, 2012, and ending January 21st, 2013: Anthony Garcia. To be the Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Macon County, for a term commencing April 12th, 2012, and ending December 2nd, 2013: Susan K. O'Neal. To be the Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Kane County, for a term commencing April 12th, 2012, and ending December 1st, 2014: Diana M. Law. To be a Member of the State Soil and Water Conservation Districts Advisory Board, for a term commencing April 12th, 2012, and ending January 19th, 2015: Terry Davis. To be Members of the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority, for a term commencing April 16th, 2012, and ending January 21st, 2013: Larry R. Kramer, Nicole M. Weigand and Charles A. Crowder; for a term commencing April 16th, 2012, and ending January 20th, 2014: Heather D. Cooper, Gary Stuessel and Larry R. Flach.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate do advise and consent to the non-salaried appointments just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the complied Appointment Messages just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Messages just read. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate has arisen from Executive Session. Ladies and Gentlemen, if I can have your attention, we're going to go to the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading. If you will turn to page 11 of your printed Calendar - page 11 of the printed Calendar - on the -- on the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, as I mentioned earlier, we're going to be going to the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading. We're on page 11 of the Calendar, which is where we left off. Towards the top, we have House Bill 4674. President Cullerton. Out of the record. House Bill 4682. Leader Harmon. Out of the record. House Bill 4691. Senator Dillard. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4691. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Dillard.
47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Thank you, Mr. President. This bill stems from a EMS, or emergency systems, task force and it clarifies that ambulances who are in emergency mode on the tollways can pass for free. And it's a recommendation of a task force. I mean, to me, I was surprised that we didn't let ambulances, you know, go through tollbooths for free. But this is the recommendation of a study group that was put together and I know of no opposition and would appreciate a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 4691 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4691, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 4692. Senator Brady. Mr. Secretary, Senator Brady seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 4692 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 4692. Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Brady.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Brady, on Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment No. 1 creates a 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 -- adds to the bill and creates a license plate for nurses scholarships in Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will vote Aye -- say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Next up on the Calendar, we have House Bill 4697. Senator Forby. Senator Forby, on 4697. Out of the record. House Bill 4707. Senator Muñoz. Senator Muñoz. Out of the record. We have House Bill 4715. Senator Koehler. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4715. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Koehler.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This is a trailer bill. The bill changes the minimum scoring requirements for firefighter's physical and written examinations and requires that any physical examination not in statute be approved by the Joint Labor Management Committee of the State Fire Marshal. The bill also provides that the examiner who is a 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 member of a collective bargaining unit may receive compensation for his or her work. Appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?
Just a question for the sponsor, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield. Senator Lauzen.
Senator, can you tell me, is this raising the standards or lowering the standards of that testing?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Koehler.
What I understand, and I -- I did talk to the Fire Chief in Peoria about this, is that it -- instead of using the mean for all the applicants, they now use the median score, which just allows them a little bit larger pool of applicants to be able to choose from.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Any further discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 4715 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4715, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 we will return to 4697. House Bill 4697. Senator Forby. Indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4697. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Forby, on House Bill 4697. Senator Forby.
Thank you. House Bill 4697 makes a change in a process for coal mining. This bill will allow that -- hearing officers to approve modifications to the mining permits during a permit {sic}. This is -- provision is allowed by the federal -- federal law, which Illinois administrates. And it's current practice in other states. This just makes it a lot quicker for permitting for the coal mines.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: Question of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield. Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Senator Forby, the -- the actual change in the bill says "Once a hearing has started, the hearing officer may issue interim orders allowing the Department or the applicant to correct or alter the permit or application." What kind of -- 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 what kind of correction are we talking about? And in what way - - what would be an example of altering the permit?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Forby.
They -- they could be a misspelling. It could be a paragraph or a word or something they've caught in there. Instead of going back through the whole -- the whole process of the mining permit, they can make this correction right there, and it still has to go through IDNR. They have to okay it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: I -- I understand a misspelling or something, a -- a small issue like that. And I can't imagine any landowner who may have been concerned about the permit or may have brought up their objections to the permit, and having -- already having the ability to -- to express their opinion, I don't think they're going to be concerned about a misspelling of a word. But what if it's -- I mean, could this correction be the size of the permit, the scope of the permit in any way?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Forby.
This hearing -- you know, even with the landowner, this hearing could be appealed. It could go back. So if they're -- they agree to everything with this hearing officer, instead of going all the way back to the permitting thing, if the hearing officer says it and the landowner don't like it or whatever, it 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 still can be appealed and then it goes back.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill: I -- you know, I think this -- this could have been written to protect landowners in -- in a -- in a much better way. It says -- it says that it -- it can be corrected or altered and it doesn't say that this is about a misspelling of a word. This doesn't -- doesn't say that it's not a larger expansion in the scope of the -- of -- of the permit. And it -- Senator Forby, I mean, that's -- this is the way I understand this. So, I've got concerns about this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 4697 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 49 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4697, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, we'll go back to where we left off and that is House Bill 4748. Senator Sandack. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4748. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Senator Sandack.
Thank you, Mr. President. Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 4748 is an initiative of the Treasurer. It transfers all funds currently in the Matured Bond and Coupon Fund into the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund within sixty days of the effective date of this Act. Currently, there's about 6.6 million in deposits from paying agents in the Matured Bond and Coupon Fund. Approximately 3.8 million of which is comprised of college savings bonds. By making this switch, it will get -- it will allow the Treasurer to move money over to the proper recipients in a quick and efficient manner. I'm happy to answer any questions and I look for your affirmative vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Lauzen, for what purpose do you rise?
Question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield. Senator Lauzen.
Thank you, Senator, for that -- for the good description and summary. So, what you're saying is that the money is transferred to the Treasurer so that the Treasurer can get it back to owners, not so that the Treasurer can then put it back into a fund of the State of Illinois? Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator -- Senator Sandack. 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
It is exactly correct. It's a different fund, which is much easier for the Treasurer to get money to people who should have it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Lauzen.
Then, to the bill, Mr. President. Thank you very much for that explanation, Senator Sandack. I have received several constituent concerns, where assets that, you know, they hadn't claimed, family members, have been switched to -- you know, it's like in the -- some property, lost property, and they couldn't get it back. And so I'm glad that your bill doesn't like expand assets that are jeopardized like that. So, yours sounds like it's going in the right direction. I hope that the Treasurer and other folks who are concerned about those will get that process right.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Seeing no further discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 4748 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4748, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 4749. Senator Althoff. Out of the record. House Bill 4753. Senator Frerichs. Senator -- Mr. Secretary, Senator Frerichs seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 4753 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 4753. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Frerichs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Frerichs, on Amendment 4.
This amends the Renewable Energy Production District Act to clarify and expand the powers, scope and organization of renewable energy production special districts and their board of trustees, while placing districts on the same footing, in terms of local regulation, as privately held companies that do the same work.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, next up on the Calendar is House Bill 4757. Senator Maloney. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4757. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Maloney.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 4757 extends the date in which colleges and universities would have to submit plans for fire sprinkler systems in dormitories. The reason for this is that the -- it came to the attention of the State Fire Marshal that the -- the funding for this was late and this will provide -- give them the necessary time to satisfy the Fire Marshal's deadline, which it extends -- the plan must be filed by January 1, 2013, and the sprinklers must be installed by 2014. Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 4757 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4757, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 4761. Leader Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4761. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Harmon.
57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. As you likely know, there's been a real movement towards the municipal aggregation of electric services. This bill, House Bill 4761, would require disclosure by the consultants serving municipalities considering municipal aggregation to disclose the commissions they might get from the various providers. I'm not aware of any opposition and I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 4761 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4761, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have House Bill 4819. Senator Forby. Out of the record. House Bill 4862. Senator LaHood. Out of the record. With leave of the Body, we will skip over the next bill. Let's go to the top of page 12. Top of page 12, again on the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading, and we have House Bill 4901. Senator Haine. Senator Bill Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
House Bill 4901. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Senator Haine.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This amends the Criminal Code, providing an exemption to the unlawful use of weapons statute for a person possessing a rifle barrel of less than sixteen inches in length if the person has got a federal Curios and Relics license or the person is an active member of a bona fide, nationally recognized military re- enacting group.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 4901 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4901, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 4926. Senator Dillard. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4926. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Dillard.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President and Members. This is a bill to assist and help our veterans. It's an initiative of the Mental Health Association and the VFW supports it. And it 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 clarifies the law with respect to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act to allow mental health court professionals, Veterans and Servicemember {sic} (Servicemembers) Court professionals, juvenile detention facilities and others to disclose the patient's health records between one another, but only for the purposes of admission, treatment, planning and discharge, to help our veterans who have returned from combat and other places to get the services they need. Again, it's supported by the Mental Health Association of Illinois and the VFW, and it's just to make sure our court personnel are able to look and counsel with one another and recommend to the families and veterans the best course of treatment for these people who have served our nation. I know of no opposition and I would appreciate a favorable roll call, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 4926 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4926, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up, we have House Bill 4937. Senator Dillard. Out of the record. House Bill 4962. Senator Althoff. Out of the record. House Bill 4966. Senator Righter. Senator Righter. Out of -- out of the record. House Bill 4968. Senator Raoul. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill. 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
House Bill 4968. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Raoul.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 4968 creates the Hospital Infant Feeding Act. It requires each hospital that furnishes birthing services to adopt an infant feeding policy that encourages breast feeding. The hospital must communicate its policy to the staff of its obstetric and neonatal areas and make sure -- make sure the policy and infant nutrition sources are posted in conspicuous places in the hospital's obstetric and neonatal area or on the hospital's website.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 4968 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4968, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, Ladies and Gentlemen, is House Bill 4983. Senator Muñoz. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 House Bill 4983. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 4983 with Amendment 1 amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Administration {sic} (Civil Administrative) Code of Illinois. The bill states that a veteran that has either been honorably discharged and has been awarded Southwest Asia Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal by one of the United States Armed Forces; two, is an active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces who have been awarded -- been awarded one of these same awards as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty, are deemed to have met the collegiate educational requirement needed to become a conservation police officer. We did the same thing for the State Police. I know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 4983 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 voting Present. House Bill 4983, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Maloney, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to be reflected as a Yes vote on the previous bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The record will so indicate your intent. Ladies and Gentlemen, House Bill 4986. Senator Garrett. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4986. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Garrett.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. House Bill 4986 amends the Illinois Solid Waste Management Act to create a twenty-one- member Task Force on the advanced -- Advancement of Materials Recycling. The purpose of the Task Force is to examine and offer suggestions for increasing waste reduction, recycling, reuse, and composting in the State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 4986 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? Mr. Secretary - Senator Garrett, would you like to 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 vote on this bill? - take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4986, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. I thought you might. House Bill 4988. Senator Maloney. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4988. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Maloney.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 4988 is an initiative of City Clerk Susan Mendoza. And what this does, it closes a procedural loophole under current law so that multiple unpaid violations for failure to purchase a municipal sticker are subject to the same enforcement rules regardless of how the violation is served. Currently, if somebody receives a ticket for not having a vehicle sticker and -- three tickets will qualify the -- the vehicle for immobilization, but only if these violations are hand-delivered. The current loophole forces municipalities to employ unnecessary and impractical devices to serve these. So, in other words, they have to send a police officer to locate the car, because currently, if you receive the notice in the mail, the -- the -- the vehicle is not subject to immobilization. And this corrects that loophole. Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 4988 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 52 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4988, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 4993. Senator Holmes. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4993. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Holmes.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. House Bill 4993 amends the School Code to add an exception regarding the requirements necessary for administrative certificate candidates who enrolled and began coursework before August 1st of 2011. Basically, this is for those that were in the program before last year's major reform bill. They can actually complete under the old rules. I respectfully request an affirmative vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 4993 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4993, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 4996. Senator Steans. Out of the record. House Bill 5003. Senator Hunter. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 5003. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 5003 amends the State Commemorative Dates Act to -- to designate November 14th of each year as Diabetes Awareness Month {sic} (Day), and this is an initiative of the Illinois Diabetes Caucus. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5003 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 5003, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have House Bill 5006. Senator Jacobs. Senator Jacobs. Out of the record. At the bottom of page 12, we have House Bill 5007. Senator Raoul. Senator Raoul. Out of the 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 record. Let's turn to the top of page 13. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're still on the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading. We have House Bill 5009. Senator Jacobs. Senator Jacobs. Out of the record. House Bill 5013. Senator Steans. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5013. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 5013 is simply amending the School Code to have school districts make immunization data publicly available. They already publish -- they make this information available to the State. It's now just making it publicly available as well. I respectfully request an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Are there any questions? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5013 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 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 5013, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5016. Senator Dillard. Mr. Secretary, Senator Dillard seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 5016 to the Order of 2nd Reading. 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 5016. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Dillard.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Dillard, on Floor Amendment 2.
Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment is a clarifying amendment. It redefines the definition of "debt buyer". And I'd move its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of -- rather, next up on the Calendar is House Bill 5021. Senator Muñoz. Senator -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5021. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 5021 - there had been some -- some concerns raised on the use of these funds for salaries for police officers. The law is clear on this issue and the legislative intent is to use these funds for DUI enforcement only and not to supplant current budgets for police salaries in general.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 5021 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 5021, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5023. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5023. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill merely removes all references to the I-SEARCH program for the reason that it no longer exists. It's been merged by the State Police into another program. I would 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 respectfully request an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5023 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 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 5023, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5025. Senator Mulroe. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5025. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 5025 requires public utilities that report delinquent accounts to -- based on nonpayment to credit agencies to notify the credit reporting agency within five days -- business days of receiving full payment. I'd be happy to answer questions and I would respectfully request an affirmative vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5025 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 5025, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5033. Senator Schoenberg. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5033. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Schoenberg.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 5033 is an affirmative step forward towards ensuring that the time frames in which the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will either license or rule -- license -- issue new licenses, expand services, or permit an adjudicated process on appeal. Lays the time frames out in the statute. I know of no opposition and I ask for an affirmative vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5033 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? Senator Crotty, do you wish to vote? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 5033, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 passed. House Bill 5047. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5047. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This -- this amends the Portable Electronics Insurance Act. It mandates and changes some -- requires some things of the producers which sell this insurance on your cell phones. And that -- that has to do with providing -- mandating a -- a registry and also the return of money or credits within a certain time period, and one other item. I would, with the most profound respect and in supplication, ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Murphy, did you want -- no. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 5047 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 5047, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Emil Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to be recorded as a Yes vote on the previous bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The record will so indicate your intention. Ladies and Gentlemen, House Bill 5050. Senator LaHood. Out of the record. House Bill 5056. Senator Sandoval. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5056. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Illinois Senate. House Bill 5056 is an initiative of Secretary Jesse White. It's the result of the Advisory Committee on Traffic Safety and the - - and this new bill creates a new offense for individuals who use a deceased person's disabled license plate or placard. I'd ask a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 5056 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. House Bill 5056, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 5062. Senator LaHood. Out of 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 the record. House Bill 5071. Senator Steans, on 5071. Out of the record. House Bill 5078. Leader Harmon. Out of the record. We're at the bottom of page 13. House Bill 5098. Senator Forby, on 5098. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5098. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Forby.
House Bill 5890 {sic} requires probationary police officers take courses regarding the issues of elder abuse. Current law mandates law enforcement officers to report any case of elder abuse, but the officer is not required training on the issue. This bill is from the AARP. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 5098 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 5098, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill -- let's see, we're at the top of page 14. On the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading, we have House Bill 5099. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill. 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
House Bill 5099. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This prohibits an individual from using a wireless telephone - although doesn't prohibit a voice-operated mode - within five hundred feet of an emergency scene where there's an authorized vehicle or police vehicle present and it has activated its oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Haine, it's my recollection that this -- that this House bill is the same as an original Senate bill that you had filed and then amended before you sent over to the House that had to do with the ability to take a picture. Now, maybe I'm recollecting wrong, but in case that's not -- can you walk through that for us, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine. 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012
That is correct. This -- this bill is somewhat different. It's -- it restates what my original bill did.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
You changed your original bill before you decided to have it voted on here in the Senate. Have you changed your mind about the change that you made in your original Senate bill and would like this better, or has something else happened? I guess, that's -- that's my concern.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
I believe the House Member likes his bill better. I like them both. And they both face -- they both address the same problem in different ways. I -- the -- the issue at the time I presented the Senate bill was Senator Syverson's. We had a colloquy on the five hundred feet. I asked the State Police about it. They said it's pretty easy to determine. There's approximately five hundred feet between telephone poles and they can estimate that if the car is upon the scene. And they would not find it a problem to enforce.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, Senator Haine, I like your old version better than the House version. I trust you more than what the House sent over, so I think you should change it 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 to reflect the Senate bill rather than this House bill. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Haine, to close. Do you wish to close? Senator Haine.
Again, I like chocolate and vanilla and strawberry, and I like this bill too. And I think this bill addresses the problem and the other bill addresses the same problem in a different manner. I would, in -- again, with profound supplication, request an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 5099 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 38 voting Aye, 17 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 5099, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House -- Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 758. (Secretary reads title of bill) Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 758. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 770, with House Amendment 4, and Senate Bill 3170, with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, May 17th, 2012. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, the Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. Will all members of the Committee on Assignments please come to the President's Anteroom immediately? All members of the Committee on Assignments to the Anteroom immediately. The Senate stands at ease. (at ease) Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Criminal Law Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 196 and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3499; refer to Executive Committee - House Bill 3859 and 4940; refer to Higher Education Committee - House Joint Resolution 81; refer to Human Services Committee - a Motion to Concur on House Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 770; refer to Judiciary Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 5823; refer to Labor Committee - Senate Resolution 774; refer to Pensions and Investments Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4996; refer to Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3723; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Senate Resolutions 752 and 773; refer to 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Transportation Committee - Senate Resolutions 764 and 772. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention for an announcement. The following committee will be meeting to take up concurrence motions: Human Services will meet this evening at 5:06 p.m. in Room 212. Human Services will meet in Room 212 at 5:06 p.m. this evening to take up concurrence motions. Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, if I can have your attention for an announcement regarding Session cancellation. I'd like to inform everyone that -- that the Senate President has canceled Session for this upcoming Sunday, May the 20th. When we adjourn, the Senate will reconvene on Monday, May 21st, at 4 p.m. Again, the President has canceled Session scheduled for this Sunday and we will adjourn -- reconvene, rather, on Monday, May 21st, at 4 p.m. 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 other matters not requiring Floor action. There being no Floor -- there will be no Floor action until the Senate reconvenes at the hour of 10 a.m. on the 18th day of May, 2012. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 116th Legislative Day 5/17/2012 Senator Hunter, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports Motion to Concur with House Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 770 recommended Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10 a.m. on the 18th day of May, 2012. The Senate stands adjourned. 80