PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) The regular Session of the 97th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? And will the guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Reverend Dr. David MacDonna, Jr., Southeastern Illinois Presbyterian Church {sic} (Presbytery) in Springfield. THE REVEREND DR. DAVID MacDONNA, JR.: (Prayer by the Reverend Dr. David MacDonna, Jr.)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, December 4th, 2012.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and the 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 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012
Senate Resolution 1030, offered by Senator Righter and all Members. Senate Resolution 1031, offered by Senator Lauzen and all Members. They're both death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Resolutions Consent Calendar, Mr. Secretary.
Senate Resolution 1032, offered by President Cullerton and Leader Radogno. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Motion to Concur with House Amendments 5, 6, 7 and 8 to Senate Bill 16 recommended Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 5019. (Secretary reads title of bill) Offered by Senator Haine. 1st Reading of this House bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) On page 3 of the Calendar is the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bill 1041. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 1041. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. Committee on Labor adopted Amendment No. 3.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Mulroe.
Thank you, Madam Chair {sic}, Members of the Senate. I believe this is on…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Excuse me. Are there any amendments to be -- approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 3rd Reading. Now on House Bill 2607, Senator Mulroe, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2607. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Labor adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 3rd Reading. Senator Mulroe, for what purpose do you rise?
3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point.
I actually have two, if you'd bear with me. The first is, I'd like to welcome representatives from the Northwest Side Housing Center, Vanessa, and I can't remember all your names. But they are sitting in the President's Gallery and I -- I wish that everyone would give 'em a nice warm welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Will our guests in the galleries please rise? And welcome to the House -- to the Senate. Thanks. Senator Mulroe - this is the "Senator Mulroe Show" - for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Sure. State your point.
Madam President, I'd like to welcome some -- another visitor from the crowd. On behalf of Senator Kotowski and myself, we'd like to welcome Mike Tierney, a good friend of mine. He's up in the gallery behind me.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Welcome, Mike Tierney, to the Senate Floor. Senator Kotowski, for what reason do you rise?
Thank you very much, Madam President. You're looking 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 terrific today. It's great to see you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) …must have poor vision and need glasses, but thank you.
No, I'm just very honest. So, it gives me great pleasure today, I have Shannon McGreevy -- has joined us here in Springfield. She's my Page for the Day. Shannon is a sixth grader. Goes to Willows Academy in Des Plaines. Shannon wants to be a -- a vet when she grows up. She's a swimmer. She swims for the Sharks at the Leaning Tower Y and she does the butterfly, the fifty-meter butterfly. And she shares a -- a passion for music, like Senator Frerichs. She loves the band, One Direction, just like Senator Frerichs, which is terrific. And she is -- is -- is -- is -- is a terrific drawer. And we are just real honored to have her here today, and her father, Steve. Are you up in the gallery, Steve? Please stand up. Steve McGreevy. They're residents of Park Ridge. They're wonderful people. Can you give -- please give them a wonderful Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Welcome to the Senate Floor, Shannon. Senator Johnson, for what purpose do you rise?
I rise on a point of personal privilege, Madam Chairman {sic}.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point.
Today I'd like -- I have some very special guests with me. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 It's really my pleasure to introduce them. These are three of the people that help me in my offices. They're the people who give me the support and the encouragement I need to do what we do every day. And they're dedicated, they're hardworking, and they go above and beyond to help our constituents, and -- and I'm very appreciative of everything they've done for me. And these ladies are Phyllis Sandine, from my Rockford office, the first one; Julie Hall, from my Sycamore office; and Sheila Sims, of course, from my Springfield office. And I call them my dream team. So please join me and give them a warm welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Thank you very much for all the work that you've done and every single one of us welcome you to the Floor. Will all Members please come to the Senate Floor? We will be doing Floor action, so, please, everyone come to the Senate Floor. Okay, we're going to page 2, House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bill 3804. Senator Dillard seeks to leave -- seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3804 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3804. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Dillard.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Madam President and -- and Members. This amendment was suggested by the Legislative Reference Bureau. This is another bill, sponsored by myself and the Senate 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 President, from the CLEAR Commission, which is a Commission that, over many years, met to rewrite our Criminal Code. I'd appreciate its adoption and I'll explain the bill on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? There being none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the Ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading is House Bill 3804. Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Madam President and Members. Down, as you can see…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) I'm -- I'm sorry, Senator. Mr. Secretary needs to read the bill.
House Bill 3804. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Now, Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Madam President and Members. I -- I lost my prop. I was going to point out that the Page -- or, Assistant 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 to the Secretary of the Senate was carrying out a one-thousand- eight-hundred-page bill out the back door. But that is how large this bill is in terms of its -- its physical size. Again, this is perhaps the last piece of the Criminal Law Edit and Rewrite Commission {sic} (Criminal Law Edit, Alignment and Reform Commission), the CLEAR Commission. And this one here makes a number of codifying changes. It -- lot of cross- references. And it generally gets our new Criminal Code of -- of -- of -- of 2012 into a -- into a form the Legislative Reference Bureau can use to draft future bills. So, a lot of indexing, a lot of cross-referencing. But the bottom line is, our Criminal Code, which was written in 1961, is now going to be known as the Criminal Code of 2012 so practitioners and the public can better understand, along with our judges, Illinois' Criminal Code. And I'd be happy to answer any questions. Many years of hard work by our staffs, Mr. Baroni, Mr. Warnsing. And this was really led by the Senate President. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall House Bill 3804 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 46 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the bill is declared passed. Okay, now we're on page 4, on Senate Bill 678. Senator Cullerton, do you wish to proceed? Senator wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 678. Signed by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) President Cullerton.
Yes, thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Amendment No. 3 became the bill and it simply extends a regulatory sunset contained within the Illinois Plumbing License Law from January 1st, 2013, to January 1st, 2014, for the regulation of irrigation contractors by the Illinois Department of Public Health. I want to ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 675 -- 678 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed will vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 48 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 678, having received the required constitutional majority - - required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur with House Amendments -- no, House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 678, and the bill is declared passed. Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point. SENATOR McCARTER: 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 I'd like to introduce a young man who has come to see how government works this morning. His name is Kyle Santen. He's from Mascoutah. He's a sophomore at Southwestern Illinois Community College, majoring in business management and communications. Kyle is the -- you know when we always say we can't work our phones, well, let your kids fix it or ask your kids how to work it. Well, this is the young man that I -- when I don’t know how to work my phone, I -- I give it to him and say, "Kyle, fix it" or "make it work". And, you know, we -- so he's -- he's a good friend and he's got some real gifts and skills, and wishing him the best in his education and just welcome him here today. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Welcome, Kyle, to the Senate Floor. Now we're still on page 4, on Senate Bill 2915. Senator Martinez wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2915. Signed by Senator Martinez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 2915 extends the Medical Practice (Act) sunset from January of 2013 to December 31st of 2013. And I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? Senator Sandack. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012
Will the sponsor yield for a couple questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Says she will. Senator Sandack.
I'm back. Thank you. Senator, just for clarification. We talked about this in committee. Obviously, there are some folks that got layoff notices. Have you heard what the plan is or what's expected with respect to those folks who have been given layoff notices with the dissolution or the, I guess, the lessening of the fund?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Senator, for that question. The issue on the -- on the notices is something that I know you brought up, but, right now, what we're trying to make sure happens here is, as these things move forward and negotiations continue to go on, this bill, all it does is just extends the sunset for this year to make sure that there is -- the Act does not sunset. So it's important that we make sure that we do the protection of people by this -- by this Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Sandack.
Thank you. And I -- and I stand in strong support of it. I just want to make sure the folks in this Body know that there are some concerns about sweeps. And, in fact, I think the proposal was from the -- the Real Estate Fund. So, obviously, 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 with your good leadership, we're concerned that we continue to make sure both funds stay stable and that there's a long-term plan. And I -- I expect you agree with that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Martinez.
Sure, I agree wholeheartedly, a hundred percent. I just want to make sure that with this sunset that we protect, you know, our citizens out there. And I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any other discussion? Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill: Couple things, one's been mentioned, the sweeps, already. I just want to be very clear about this. Since -- since 2003, 9.6 million dollars has been swept from this fund. That's fees collected, based on promises we made to people to provide stability to their industry, to keep bad players out, to keep people accountable - 9.6 million dollars since 2003. Now, they need money in that account now and the plan apparently is to take ten million from the Realtors - and we made the same promise to the Realtors, that we're going to regulate you and we're going to hold people accountable. We're going to get the bad -- keep the bad players out so that we can support those who are being ethical and doing their job. This has got to stop, folks. This is -- this is bad policy. I -- I support the bill and what it's doing. I will say that a one- year bill is not good policy as well. This needs to be a ten- year bill. We should do this ahead of time to where we don’t have to, at the last minute, put a sunset. If -- if -- you 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 know, if -- if the issues that the Medical Society and our doctors have are that great, we'll listen to them within that ten-year period of time. So I think we need to be really -- on all these licensure Acts, we need to be a lot more careful. We can always come back. But these one-year sunsets are just opportunities for deals being made that we really don't need to be made. So I encourage an Aye vote, but these -- these fund sweeps have got to stop, folks. We're -- we're betraying -- we're going back on our word, not just to the medical community, but now to the Realtors.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any other discussion? There being none, Senator Martinez, to close.
Thank -- thank you, Madam President. And I agree to some degree with Senator McCarter. The problem is this: First of all, the Department was there. We never -- you never asked questions to the Department. Second of all, you voted because this is the right thing to do when it comes to the Medical Practice Act sunsetting in a few -- in a few weeks. So, we're going to be dealing with many issues. The Med Society is on board with this measure for one year, as they continue to work. So I do ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) As the bill has an immediate effective date, it's the ruling of the Chair that pursuant to Section 10 of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution, the passage of this measure will require a three-fifths majority. The question is, shall the Senate concur in Senate Bill 2915 with House Amendment No. 1. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 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 51 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments {sic} 1 to Senate Bill 2915, and the bill is declared passed. Still on page 4. Senate Bill 3237. Senator Koehler. Senator Koehler wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 3237. Signed by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This is a -- a different bill than when it left this Chamber. So, House Amendment No. 2, the concurrence is that this would amend the Illinois Plumbing License Law by requiring that licensed plumbers, no matter where in the State of Illinois or the population size of the community, to be issued a solid plastic photo card with the photo of the plumber printed directly on the card. And the reason this is necessary is that, in some cases, people have passed themselves off as licensed plumbers and -- when -- when they're not and it's been a detriment to the -- the homeowners or whoever is using a plumber. And so this would help to eliminate that. I'd ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall the Senate concur in Senate Bill 3237 with House Amendment No. 2. All those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 48 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur with House Amendments {sic} No. 2 to Senate Bill 3237, and the bill is declared passed. Okay, still on page 4. We have Senate Bill 3237. Senator -- oh, I'm sorry. 3245. Senator Holmes. Senator Holmes wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 3245. Signed by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Holmes.
Thank you, Madam President. This is really cleanup legislation from the Office of the Comptroller and the bill was their initiative. There was a correction in there because there was a numerical error in the bill that would have a significant impact on the expenditure of State funds unless it's corrected. In addition, the language makes uniform new local government reporting provisions enacted in the spring Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 2 and 3 on 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 Senate Bill 3245. 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 the question, there are 51 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 3245, and the bill is declared passed. Now on Senate Bill 3430, Senator Jacobs. Do you wish to proceed? He does. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 3430. Signed by Senator Jacobs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Jacobs.
Thank you, Madam Chairman {sic}. This bill will just delay the implementation of the workers' comp legislation that we passed recently until six months later, because the people who are -- who are bidding on the -- on the program were not able to meet the requirements. I know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? There being none, as this bill has an immediate effective date, it is the ruling of the Chair, pursuant to Section 10 of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution, the passage of this measure will require a three- fifths majority. Now the question is, shall Senate concur in House Amendments 1 and 2 of Senate Bill 3430. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 3430, and the bill is declared passed. Now on page 4, on the very top of the page, is Senate Bill 551. Senator Luechtefeld. Senator Luechtefeld wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 551. Signed by Senator Luechtefeld.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Luechtefeld.
Thank you, Madam President. This is a technical change. House Bill -- Amendment 1 simply is {sic} a drafting error that incorrectly identifies the new National Guard Readiness Center as being in Salem. It is not in Salem; it's in Mt. Vernon. So we're just changing the word "Salem" to the -- to the city, Mt. Vernon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 551. 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 51 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. I'm sorry if I said 51; it is 50 voting Aye, none 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 551, having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in the House Amendments {sic} 1 to Senate Bill 551. The bill is declared passed. Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?
Purpose of an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your announcement.
Senators Althoff, Righter and Pankau are in their -- not here today, on other legislative business. Just ask that their absence be noted and excused.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Thank you and the record will reflect. Now we're going to go to Supplemental Calendar No. 1, with Senate Bill 16. Senator Collins. Senator Collins wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 5, 6, 7 and 8 to Senate Bill 16. Signed by Senator Jacqueline Collins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Collins.
Thank you, Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 16, as amended by the House, establishes a procedure for expediting the foreclosure process on abandoned residential property. You might not be aware, but, on Monday, 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 the Tribune editorial was entitled, "Illinois pays for its mortgage mess". This legislation would remedy that, because we know that foreclosures and vacant and abandoned properties are huge problems all around the State. This bill will help to address both problems. After months of work, this is an agreed- upon bill. Everybody compromised and now the bill is supported by all the financial institution trade groups, all the advocates, and local governments all over the State. The bill does primarily three things: It will speed up the foreclosure process for abandoned properties. Right now, it takes close to six hundred days to bring property to -- in court for foreclosure. This would shorten that period by eighteen months. So with ninety -- between ninety and hundred days, we can ensure that abandoned properties have been adjudicated and go back on the tax rolls. It also has fee increases in the legislation that would allow us to raise funds to help municipalities and local governments in securing and maintaining and servicing vacant and abandoned property. It also has a fee for the Foreclosure Prevention Program, which moneys would go for house counseling, and we know from statistics that people that receive counseling on housing usually can retain -- they're two times more likely to retain their housing. By that, home values will not go down in the neighborhoods and it benefits all and it helps build up the housing market stock. So, with that, I'm open for any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill: I just want everybody to know that Senator 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 Collins did a lot of work on this bill. I think there was a lot of compromise in -- in it. I think people -- there's -- there's some that think the fee -- some of the fees may even be a little unfair, but they -- they agreed to this. And I -- I -- I think the shortening of this time period, I'm -- I'm hoping, will enable our banks to -- to -- to make up that fee. I mean, this is -- I mean, people that want to -- to get out of these houses can't even get out of these houses because the process is so slow and so long. And so I appreciate her hard work on this. I -- there are fees involved, but I think these fees were agreed to by the -- by the banks, by the -- the mortgage companies. And I would encourage an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Mulroe.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) To the bill.
All right, I -- I just want to echo the comments that have been previously made. You know, we -- we're talking about a federal fiscal cliff. We're talking about a financial crisis in Illinois. And we -- we all know that there's also a foreclosure crisis in Illinois right now, affecting every community that we live in. This is a bill that -- I just want to give credit to everybody that's -- has been involved in the bill. Senator Collins, you did a great job. We -- we stayed in there. We had our differences. We worked together with all the banking 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 institutions, the -- the housing advocates. And everyone else on the bill was tremendous, from the Governor's Office to the City of Chicago to everywhere. I -- I really want to point out particular thanks to Steve Olson, who helped draft it, along with Bruce Baker, and those were in the early stages. Steve finished it off with -- with Adam Gross. I also want to give great thanks to Representative Joe Lyons, who picked the ball up late in the game because Representative Yarbrough went off to be the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. So without all their help, we would've never had this thing come together the way it did and it was a lot of work, but very satisfying in the end, because we're getting something done with regard to the foreclosure crisis. Thanks, again.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any other discussion? There being none, Senator Collins, to close.
Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Senator McCarter. Let me just address your concern for just a moment. Even though there is a fee involved, most bank experts have estimated that being able to shorten the foreclosure time period, they can save close to forty-three thousand per property, because with that six hundred days, or whatever, to foreclose, they're paying for servicing, they're paying property taxes, they're paying for insurance. So I'm sure the benefit is a win-win for the lenders. So, in closing, I would like for you to please indulge me, because I will -- like to make a lot of thank yous as well. And I think Senator Mulroe probably mentioned the people as well, but because they're in my closing 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 statement, you will hear their names again. So, with that, let me just say, for the past eight years, my focus has been on this singular issue – how do we resolve the dilemma of home foreclosures, hold bad actors accountable and create a viable path to restoring certainty to the housing market? The passage of Senate Bill 16 will be a giant step toward that goal. And I want to thank President Cullerton and Speaker Madigan for allowing this process to play out. I would also like to recognize the House sponsors and champions, Karen Yarbrough and Joe Lyons. In addition, I want to thank Senator Mulroe for recognizing the magnitude of the problem and agreeing to work with the housing advocates on fast-track language to address many of their concerns. I am extremely glad to have had the endorsement and manpower hours of the credit unions, Steve Olson and Keith Sias, and the Community Bankers, David Manning and Kraig Lounsberry. And I am especially pleased to have the support of our Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, who has been a champion on the front lines of foreclosure prevention. I also want to thank Bruce Baker and Joyce Nardulli of the Illinois Bankers Association for coming to the negotiating table in good faith and ultimately supporting this bill, which will benefit all parties - including large banks - interested in a strong housing market. Historically, we know that the stability of the housing market has been crucial in leading the broader economy out of recession. And I would be remiss if I did not express my gratitude to housing advocates Samantha Tuttle, Adam Gross, and the Governor's Office through John Kamis. As stated earlier, this legislation generates revenue to fund foreclosure counseling and local governments’ efforts to maintain, demolish 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 or rehabilitate abandoned property. Abandoned properties, left unsecured and unmaintained, riddle our neighborhoods as physical symbols of the ravages of the housing crash. They bring down property values in the area, function as safe houses for criminals, and discourage the economic growth of our communities that need to recover. Let us finally break the foreclosure logjam and empower communities to act. As legislators serving in these challenging times, we have an obligation to enact policies that revitalize neighborhoods while helping struggling homeowners retain their piece of the American Dream. And with this carefully negotiated legislation, we now have the opportunity -- that opportunity. I urge an Aye vote on Senate Bill 16 and thank everyone for their support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 5, 6, 7 and 8 to Senate Bill 16. 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 47 voting Aye, none voting Nay, 3 voting Present. Having required -- having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur with House Amendments 5, 6, 7 and 8 to Senate Bill 16, and the bill is declared passed. Senator Mulroe, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam President, if you would indulge me one more time today for a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Absolutely, Senator Mulroe. 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012
Thank you, Madam President. I have in the -- the President's Gallery a few people from Illinois State University. They're student teachers. One is a good friend of the family, Molly Warner; another one, Tim Gavin; and their teacher of the students - I think there's about ten student teachers - and the -- the teacher. It's part of Illinois State. It's called, I think, PDS program - Professional Development School. The students are actually teach -- student teaching in Springfield or around abouts here in the last semester and going through the end of the year. Other teacher is - I hope I pronounce it right - Rena Schifflet. I wish that everyone could give them a -- a real warm welcome to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Will our guests in the gallery please rise? And we welcome our future teachers to the Senate Floor. Will everyone please take their seats? Senator Lauzen has an announcement.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, if I could have your attention for just one more moment. I know that we're at the -- toward the end of the day's business. But there is a legendary cross country team, cross country coach in the State of Illinois, a team that just won its twenty-eighth State cross country title - it's the York High School Cross Country Team - and they're with us today, along with their legendary coach, Joe Newton. I -- it's -- it's my privilege today to introduce Joe. Just two of Joe's coaching expressions are, "Talk is cheap, dirt's free. Don't tell me, show me." A little bit on the gentler side is, "Your mind can make you train, your body can 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 create power, but only your heart can make you a champion." I'm especially grateful to Joe Newton because of what he did for one of our sons. Our third son had the privilege of running for Joe back when he was a freshman, sophomore, junior in high school. Ended up becoming the cross country captain at University of Southern California. He -- I think he was the slowest guy on the team, but he had a lot of heart, and the guy who helped put that there is Joe Newton. This guy is a phenomenon and what he can do with young people in building 'em into strong adults is just legendary. So, Joe, we love you. Thank you very much. YORK HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY COACH JOE NEWTON: (Remarks and Introductions by Coach Joe Newton)
Thank you, York High School, Joe Newton. Now two things that -- first of all, I'd also like to thank Senator Kirk Dillard, because in the remap, a portion -- I think that Elmhurst is in his -- all of it -- all of Elmhurst is in Kirk Dillard's -- Senator Dillard's. Now, Coach Dave Luechtefeld, one of the winningest basketball coaches in the history of the State of Illinois, would like to say something about this recognition. So I don’t know how to work this equipment. Okay, Senator -- Senator Luechtefeld.
Hello. All right. You know, I -- as -- as some of you might know, I've been involved in high school sports most of my adult life. And I've been involved enough to know that what they have done is unprecedented and -- and, as Joe said, will probably never be done again in any one sport. Now there's been one common factor through it all and that's the guy sitting 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 right up front by the name of Joe. That is -- he's a legend - there is no doubt about it. And very likely, it will never happen again, so what a program. It is special and you've been -- you've been the leader of that through it all. So, congratulations. YORK HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY COACH JOE NEWTON: (Remark by Coach Joe Newton)
Congratulations to this team. Enormous amount of work. In the morning, they run twelve to fifteen miles. In the afternoon, they go to the track, which Joe won't allow them to spit on, by the way. They cannot even spit on the track in respect for the tradition there. But then they do something like twenty to twenty-four four-hundred-meter runs, usually between, what, sixty-eight and seventy-two pace? Unbelievable. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) State your point.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have a guest here with me today, this young man standing behind me. His name is Kevin Hahn. He's actually from the Peoria area. I don't know if he's Senator Koehler's constituent or Senator LaHood's constituent, but he's -- for the last four years, he's been my constituent 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 because he just graduated recently from Quincy University, which is the same college where I graduated from. He has a degree in political science. He has some interest in pursuing some government work and he came to Springfield today to -- to see how things operate here. So I'd like everybody in Springfield to give Kevin Hahn a warm welcome to the Illinois State Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Welcome, Kevin, to the Senate Floor. Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 281. (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 the Senate, to wit: House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 281. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 1543, with House Amendment 2; Senate Bill 3212, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 3233, with House Amendments 1, 2 and 3; Senate Bill 3297, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 3498, with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, December 5th, 2012. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 6193. We have received a like Message on House Bill 6231. Passed the House, December 5th, 2012. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 6193, offered by Senator Jacqueline Collins. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of this House bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Jared Roberts from WSIL-TV requests permission to take videos in the Senate Chambers. There being no objection, permission is granted. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The members on the Committee of {sic} Assignments will come to the President's Anteroom immediately - immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) The 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 Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Senate Resolution 1029; refer to Education Committee - House Bill 4278; refer to Executive Committee - House Bill 4963, 5019 and 5485; refer to Judiciary Committee - House Bill 4670; refer to Revenue Committee - House Bill 5761; refer to Transportation 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 Committee - Senate Joint Resolution 78 and House Joint Resolution 101; Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Resolution 991, Senate Resolution 1008, Senate Resolution 1023 and Senate Resolution 1032, and Motion to Concur on House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3498. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Now we're going to go to the Senate Calendar, Supplemental Calendar No. 2, Senate Resolution 1032. Senator Cullerton, do you wish to proceed? He says he does. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1032, offered by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) President Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This resolution recognizes the 125th anniversary of the United Way and declares December 2012 as United Way Month in Illinois. And I move for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 1032 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Now on the top of the Calendar, Senate Resolution 991. Senator Silverstein. Senator Silverstein wishes to proceed. Madam -- Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 991, offered by Senator Silverstein. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Silverstein.
Thank you, Madam President. This is a resolution - we're going to go six thousand miles away to the Middle East - to support the State of Israel in their quest for peace, to condemn Hamas for where -- the rocket attacks that -- it was going on last month. The resolution states that on November -- November 14th, 2012, President Barack Obama condemned the rocket -- fire on Gaza into Israel and reiterated Israel's right to self- defense. I ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 991 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 1008. Senator Link. Senator Link wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1008, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Link.
Thank you, Madam President. This resolution is to recognize the 5th anniversary of Smoke Free Illinois (Act) on January 1st, 2013, and to proclaim the month of January as Smoke Free Illinois (Month).
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 1008 pass. All those in favor will 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Now on Senate Resolution 1023, Senator Radogno. The Senator wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1023, offered by Leader Radogno.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Leader Radogno.
Thank you, Madam President. This resolution is at the request of Sangamon County and designates the days of April 28th, 2013 to May 4th, 2013 as Abraham Lincoln Memorial Week to acknowledge the efforts of the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Coalition, a group that is working hard to provide a reenactment of Lincoln's final journey to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 1023 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Now on Senate Bill 3498, Senator Schoenberg. Senator Schoenberg wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3498. Signed by Senator Schoenberg.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Schoenberg.
31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I move this -- that the Senate concur with House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 3498. The amendment becomes the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) There any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments {sic} 1 to Senate Bill 3498. 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 42 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments {sic} No. 1 to Senate Bill 3498, and Senate Bill 3498 is declared passed. Will all Members please be at their desks? And would the staff please retire to the back of the Chambers? Leader Radogno, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I move to suspend the rules so that we can consider immediately Senate Resolutions 1033 and 1034.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Leader Radogno moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution 1033 and 1034. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Now on Senate Resolution 1033, Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1033. 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 (Secretary reads SR No. 1033)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Leader Radogno.
Thank you, Madam President. Honestly, Ron, I wasn't sure whether I should even get up and talk about you, because, as we all know, due to the very creative cartography of the Senate President, you and I are not really separating. So Ron is going to be my State Rep going forward, so we'll be working together. But I do want to comment on his service while he was in our caucus. Ron was truly a breath of fresh air. Because he is so articulate, he was truly a leader in expressing policy points of view. But he's also really innovative and practical, which means he was never somebody that you could completely predict where he was going to be coming from, but he was always one that wanted to move the -- process forward in a practical way. And I think that's why you've received so many accolades locally as well. But I think that the thing that most impresses me about Senator Sandack and that I hope, as we continue to work together, you can help me with, is you are the most extraordinary user of social media and you have got it dead on right, perfect mix between personal and legislative. So, hopefully, we'll all continue to learn from you. So, thank you for your service.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Martinez.
To the resolution: I just want to say that we're going to miss you. I -- I'm going to miss you because, you know, you 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 were my Minority Spokesperson in the Licensing Activity {sic} (Licensed Activities) Committee. I like the way you never argue with me. The fact that you always -- in seriousness, I -- I -- I really like your demeanor. You always had a way of asking the -- the right questions, trying to find the right solutions, working with me on -- on assuring that the best came out of that committee, and I don’t know if this is the right decision of you leaving us and going over to that Chamber on that other side. So -- but we will miss you, you know, but I know we're going to be close by. I wish you all the best. I don’t think you're going to find a better place than the Senate Chamber, but, you know, I wish you all the best.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Dillard.
…you, Madam President and Members. Senator Cullerton always has his list of good ways and bad ways to leave this Chamber, and every ten years, we have a remap, as Senator Radogno just pointed out. But going over to the Illinois House is not a bad way also to -- to leave this Chamber. Ron came down here to replace Senator Cronin, and back in DuPage County, those are big shoes to fill. One thing that -- and I knew when Ron got here, he would be an incredibly fast learner, and he was. He was an incredibly quick -- quick study. But I think Ron, in his first few days down here, was faced with an income tax increase, civil unions, as well as the abolishment of the death penalty. So Ron -- Ron learned real, real fast that things move quickly around here when it's all teed up. On the Judiciary Committee and for those of us who -- who serve in -- 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 in that realm, Ron is a tremendous lawyer in his personal life, and to have someone of Ron's ability, who has worked on dealings in -- in -- in really pretty complex banking and financial law, was a real help to many of us as we worked with Senator Collins and others on mortgage foreclosure things. I will tell you Ron Sandack was a great mayor. Back in -- in our area, Downers Grove is a quintessential, important, old-line Chicago suburb, and a -- and a pretty large suburb, and Ron was a -- a tremendous mayor for -- for that village. So, you know, I wish him well. He's not going away. He'll be over here. And -- and, Senator Sandack, I wish you well. You'll always be referred to as Senator Sandack by me. I will never stoop to call you Representative Sandack. Senator Sandack, you carry that title forever. But, you know, take what you learned over here, the class and the dignity and the wisdom of the State Senate, and try to impart it across the Rotunda. But it's been an honor to have you here, Ron, and I'm glad you're not going away. You'll -- you'll be over here, and once a Senator, always a Senator, and it'll still be great to have you as a Member of the General Assembly. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Raoul.
Well, Kirk stole a lot of my thunder there, 'cause I was going to talk about how Ron can impart some wisdom on the "House of the Commoners" over there. So you will always be called a -- a Senator, you know, and I think we're going to have to make our follicly challenged caucus, a bicameral caucus now. In -- in all seriousness, when we were working on the abolition of the 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 death penalty Act, I -- I first started engaging Ron and -- and I learned, not only because of his position on that bill, but because of our conversation during that and thereafter, that he is uncommon down here, and he's uncommon because he's willing to set politics aside and -- and -- and is one of principle. Now that could be 'cause you were new and you hadn't been tainted yet, but I -- I -- I believe -- I truly believe it's a -- it's a lasting quality in Ron. We're part of the back row boys here and so I often -- being so close here to the aisle, I often go and we chat and we -- we really -- we talk about all of you-all in our privacy, but we were able to -- to -- to -- to find a lot of common ground. And I hope that you get a back row seating assignment in the other Chamber so it's easy for me to go over and to continue all the great conversations that we've been able to have over the last couple of years. I won't say I'll miss you, 'cause I will make sure that I'll be going over across -- across the Rotunda.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Kotowski.
Thank you very much, Madam President. To the resolution: I just wanted to say to my good friend, Senator Sandack, that it's been a pleasure working with you. To all the comments that have been brought up here today, you are a very decent person, very thoughtful, very smart. There's certain people, when you walk into this Chamber and you see them, you look for them and you want to see them, 'cause you always know that they are going to have a kind word for you. They're going to have a smile on your face. They're going to let you know that -- well, there's 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 a lot of possibilities that can happen when you work together, and that's truly been, you know, a treasure and it's been definitely a blessing. I have to tell you, I'm kind of -- I have mixed emotions with the fact that you're leaving, because, you know, we do have a -- a -- well, a follicly challenged caucus, a bald caucus, and, you know, let's face it, a lot of us aren't the most handsome bald people - Senator Koehler and Senator Raoul - but the -- when you came into the -- the bald caucus, you actually pulled off bald and handsome, which is very threatening to a lot of us. And so I -- I want you to know, you know, our -- our loss -- our loss here is the House's gain, you know. I know you're going to do great things over there. We are going to miss you, but we look forward to working together with you. And, again, you know, God bless you and take good care, and thanks, again, for your service.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Garrett.
Yes, thank you. To the resolution: Every once in a while, I -- I like to wander over and talk to my friends on the other side of the aisle, and I always found myself talking to Dan Cronin. And over the years, we got to be very close, and he is somebody that I still consider a friend, even though we don’t see each other. And I was wondering, how could anybody really replace Dan Cronin? Well, I think we got a great replacement. And just like Dan, Senator Sandack has always been somebody who has welcomed me when I came over to talk him, but always keeps us on our toes. He tells it like it is and he stands up for what he believes in. Even though you are sitting in the back of 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 the Senate, you have never been a backbencher. And I know that you will not have as much fun in the House, but we -- even though I won't be here, you will be missed. And good luck to you in the future.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Steans.
Well, you know, I really had thought Senator Kotowski might miss Senator Sandack most, not just because of losing him in the follicly challenged caucus, but also because now we won't have him playing with us on our softball team, but having to play against him - big loss for us, big gain for them, might end up, you know, changing the odds, I think, in these games. So we're very sorry for that loss. Really have enjoyed having the chance to talk and work with you - always straightforward and always working on your conscience and where you're coming from. I'm just thrilled that I'm going to be able to work with you and consider to have a friend over in the other side of the -- on the other Chamber. And I'm glad you're the first resolution, 'cause we're really not losing you. So, I'm -- I'm glad we'll still be able to work. Look forward to working with you on the other side. Thanks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Madam President. To the resolution: It's an honor to send you to the House and hopefully you'll take the traditions of the Senate with you to enhance a democratic atmosphere over there - small "d" democratic. In all 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 seriousness, your -- your commitment to the common good on Licensed Activities and the Jud Committee were a joy to watch. You are a highly skilled lawyer and you bring those skills here in the pursuit of the common good. And that's why we're saying these things. That's why you built up a bipartisan following here and we're certain that you'll do the same in the House, a distinguished Chamber with its own customs. But you will be a leader there, no doubt, over the next decade. I do want to add to this follicly challenged business that I looked at you and your facial hair and I'm thinking he reminds me of someone. Who is it? Well, it -- it clicked in this morning, there's a famous painting of Lenin at the Petrograd Station. And if you put a cloth cap on, you just -- you'd look just like Vladimir Lenin. Bon voyage. …(microphone cutoff)…see you next month. Thank you, Representative-Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Murphy.
To the resolution, Madam President. The -- you know, I've known Ron since before either of us were in this Chamber. And I think I can pretty well speak for the rest of us who knew him before then that the resolution itself was pretty nausea inducing. And I thought I was going to make it through without actually needing the bag, until Senator Kotowski threw his full man crush right out here on the Senate Floor, which had me reaching for my -- for my -- for my drawer here. We know why you're going to miss him. Whenever you didn't want to talk to a lobbyist, you'd just say that he was you. But he's still in the building, so you still have that dodge. You know, I did 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 mention, Ron and I were friends before he got down here and I was really excited when I heard that we were going to have him in the Senate. He is a really thoughtful guy. He is a talented guy. His heart's in the right place. He is, I think, what we all want this place to be on our best day, and that's really genuine and sincere about this. I'm glad that it worked out that he is able to stay in this process. It is disappointing he can’t stay in the Senate. But there will be opportunities for him to continue to make fun of me for at least two more years, and I relish that. I -- if you could keep it off Twitter, that'd be great. But, Ron, congratulations on your time here in the Senate. You're going to be missed and I look forward to working with you in the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) President Cullerton.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. We have a number of these resolutions that we're going to be doing in the next few weeks, because of -- as was stated, that at redistricting time, there's a lot of folks that move on. And there are different ways that we leave, as Senator Dillard referred to - the worst, of course, is to die. Thank God, we're all alive and we're -- life goes on. Another bad way, but not the end of the world, is when you lose. You run, you lose. I've -- I've run for office before and lost. It was a learning experience. I ran for Congress and lost. Another way is to retire, just simply say it's time to go and I'm going to retire. But this is a good way to go on to higher office. Like the President of the United States used to be here, he left and went 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 on. So, it's a little bit of a stretch to call the House a higher office, but it's -- it's my -- personally, I was in the House. It's my second-favorite Chamber in here, in the -- Illinois. It's -- if we're a nursing home, it's a fraternity house. So it's arguably more -- more fun. I do know, though - the good news is, Senator - that, as been stated many times, once a Senator, always a Senator. So I personally think that would apply to the Senate-House softball game. I think what we have is a plant. We have a plant over there when that game's being played. There are -- another way of looking at it is that we all had a lottery and we drew our terms. Some had a 2-4-4, a 4-2-4, or a 4-4-2. You had a 2-2-2-2-2, and I say that because I know - I know - you have a really safe district over there because we helped draw it. We all, over on this side of the aisle, voted for your district so that you would be safely ensconced over there as long as you want, representing DuPage County, the county that I grew up in and the county that has become a -- a strong bipartisan coalition to be here in Springfield representing their interests. So I know you're going to do a great job over there. What the House needs is more Senators to come over to join. I think former Representative {sic} Leitch is over there. Former -- Bobby Molaro was -- was over there. So there is life after the Senate. Once a Senator, always a Senator. Good luck. It's been great serving with you. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Leader Radogno, to close. Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 1033 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 adopted. Senator Sandack.
Thank you, Madam President. Wow! I, too, share Senator Murphy's a little bit of nausea listening to that resolution, though I am very appreciative. It's a little daunting and a little humbling to hear stuff like that read, particularly because this isn't the usual retirement - and, thankfully, President Cullerton, I'm not going by way of disease or -- or passing away. That would be a bad way to leave this august Chamber. I'm glad that's not occurring. I'm, too, glad that I didn’t lose an election, although I think anyone who runs for office understands that that's a possibility and anyone that has failed in that endeavor still is okay with me for being involved - so that's okay. This is an unusual way of moving -- or, leaving this Body, I know. And I was thankful for my Leader. She and I get along great. We're going to continue to get along great. We're going to continue to work together for the folks we represent, so I look forward to that. I do want to clarify a couple things for the record, since we're making a record here. It is not the "follicly challenged caucus". It's the "follicly liberated caucus". And that was my shout-out to Senator Dave Koehler, who's correctly nominated and now you're the president and the best-looking guy of it. Okay? Sorry, Senator Kotowski, you're runner-up. I truly appreciate all the kind words, the nice sentiments. I've appreciated my time. As Senator Garrett said, stepping up for Dan Cronin was big shoes to fill. I knew what -- sort of what I was getting into, kind of, sort of. But you really don’t know. It was a little bit of baptism by fire. I didn't have a training course. I didn't get oriented. I 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 didn’t have a whole heck of a lot of stuff. It was, go find your parking space, find your office, your first -- you know, your committee hearing's in fifteen minutes. So it was fun, it really was, to learn that, and I think you learn a lot more on the run in real time. And so I'm appreciative of that. And, most importantly, I'm appreciative of the goodwill of everyone that serves here. Every one to a person has treated me kindly, professionally, and I have tried to do the very same thing to each and every one of you. I have the highest regard for the folks that spend their time and do their jobs here, with their hearts all in the right place. We may not always agree, but we agree in the endgame, which is to do the best thing we can for the folks that live and work and desire to play and stay in Illinois. So God bless you for those kind words. Thank you for your kind sentiments. I'm not going away; I'll be down the hall. If you got a good bill, just come see me, I'll be happy to carry it over there. Send the bad bills somewhere else, if you don't mind. But thank you very much for your kind words. They're deeply appreciated. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Thank you, Senator Sandack. Now we have Senate Resolution 1034. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1034. (Secretary reads SR No. 1034)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Leader Radogno.
Thank you, Madam President. Well, that resolution kind of 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 says it all about Tom. And having a guy like that in the caucus has been interesting, because he truly has that "what the heck" attitude, which, actually, we see from time to time with newer Members and we don’t know where they're coming from and they say things and you go, "Really?" But it's because they don’t know what they're doing. It's really interesting when you have someone who has experience, not just legislative, but worldly experience and relevant experience, that can really take that attitude and say, "I don’t care; this is what I think", and it actually helps the process, because it either jolts you back to reality or it gives you perspective like, "yeah, I guess this really isn't that big of a deal". So we've really appreciated having that attitude in our caucus from time to time. It sort of, you know, brings things back to -- to normalcy and we will certainly miss that from you. I have no doubt, though, wherever you go, you will bring that attitude. To say that you're a plain-spoken person would be an understatement. But we do appreciate that about you and we'll certainly miss you, and feel free to give us your insights even once you're gone. And we'll see you back in DuPage County. So, thank you, Tom.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Martinez.
Thank you -- thank you, Madam President. To the resolution: I just want to say, the first day that you came to this Chamber, you actually got up and opposed my bill. I remember you for that. And we get into this discussion and the first thing I said, "Who is this man?" You know, how dare he come and argue for something. He doesn't even know me. But I 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 got to know this man and I got to say, we -- I will truly, truly, honestly, miss you. You have been a good friend to the Latino community. You have -- you know, yesterday, you -- you know, you -- you voted for the driver's license. In the past, we have had many discussions about the Latino community, and I can see and -- that you are a true friend to us and that you understand that, you know, this community also loves to work hard and just wants, you know, to be part of the American dream. So we're going to miss you. I'm going to miss you. I think you learned a lesson; you never argued with me from that point on, every again. You never opposed another one of my bills and I thank you for that. But, more importantly, you're a great human being, a great friend to the Latino community. We thank you for -- you know, for being such a great man and we truly are going to miss you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Some of us have very good memories. Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Madam President and Members. Losing all my friends here. Senator Johnson is a remarkable person. I first knew him when he served in the Illinois House and he went on to a very distinguished career, which he continues to use to our benefit here, as a member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. I've worked with a lot of Members of both Chambers throughout my career, but, intellectually, Tom Johnson is one of the absolute smartest people and deepest thinkers that I've ever worked for {sic}. Maybe that's why he smokes a pipe. It gives him that -- that sort of flair. But Tom is -- is -- is a solid conservative, but he is a progressive thinker, I think, as 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 Senator Martinez just pointed out. And for those of us who are conservatives, Tom keeps our -- our thought process, and where we go as conservatives, intellectually honest. And sometimes Tom raises eyebrows among his fellow conservative Members, but it certainly is not without thought and without logic. And Tom will -- will certainly, certainly be missed. I've gotten to know the Johnson family and I think you kind of determine a lot about a man by his family. His son, Derek, is an incredibly brilliant lawyer - once worked at my firm, couldn’t keep him. But his son is one of the best patent lawyers in the United States of America. His wife, Ginny, is an absolute stellar, stellar person. Out in the northwest part of DuPage County, she is, and I think Tom will tell you, the most respected member of the Johnson family. When it's important to have the Senator's - - when you're running for office out in -- in his area, while you want Tom Johnson's support, believe me, you want Ginny Johnson's support more than you want Tom's. And then last, but not least, Tom and his wife are very active in their church. And I've always thought, as a -- as a strong Christian family, the best way to -- to show your - and Reverend Koehler will tell you this - the best way to show your love of -- of God is through actions. And the Johnson family, through their church, when you look at that family and the way Tom raised his children, the way he treats his wife, Tom Johnson is somebody who, as a family man, you want to emulate. So, seen a lot of people come and go through this place. Never saw one as thoughtful as Tom Johnson, or as academically brilliant, and he will be sorely missed. Although, if you know Tom, believe me, when you run into him, he'll grab you by the arm and say, "Got 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 an idea for you." "You know, Kirk, you ought to say this or you ought to do that. But losing Tom, for all of us, is -- is a big loss and I wish him well. But he has served in a distinguished capacity in multiple ways in -- in the State of Illinois or for the people of the State of Illinois. And I will greatly miss his intellect, but I'll be calling him for advice all the time. So, way to go, Tom, miss you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Raoul.
To the resolution: So I -- I met Tom a -- a few years ago when I was actually testifying before the Prisoner Review Board on behalf of a -- of a friend, a friend who I've referenced his circumstance in Criminal Law Committee a -- a couple of times. And -- and I was informed that he was a former legislator and a -- a Republican, and so I thought I had no chance before him with the case we were bringing before his attention. And his questioning during that hearing introduced me to the quality of the type of guy and the -- the -- the -- the mindset. I -- I spoke earlier about Ron and how he's able to push politics aside - a quality that I think we all can use a little bit of in this building. And certainly Tom has got it. I'm really, really going to miss Tom in that Criminal Law Committee. We've -- we've got our challenges generally in Criminal Law Committee. I won't go into detail about those, but in terms of being able to approach things where we're -- we're -- we're smart on criminal justice policy, I really believe we began to pick up momentum over the course of the last couple of years. And, of course, Senator Millner and -- and Tom play a huge role in that. And -- 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 and I -- I -- I hope that you can somehow find a way of visiting -- us enough to -- that we can continue some of -- some of that momentum, because I think we really -- we really started to get something going. If you get to spend as much time as I do by walking over to talk to Ron and Tom, you get to know Tom as a proud father, and he's always talking about his kids and what they're involved in, and I -- I just hope that I -- I'm -- I'm able to continue to parent and -- and be able to tell stories as Tom has been able to share with me about his kid. He's a -- he's a very proud family man and he's a very responsible public servant and he has done it the right way, the way that we all can learn from. And I -- I really -- I'm really going to miss you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Delgado.
Thank you, Madam President. To the resolution: I, too, stand - to a dear friend. Tom Johnson and I, as many of you who’ve been in the House with us -- I'll be starting my fifteenth year in January and fifteen years I've known Tom Johnson, as we were appointed to the Special Committee on Prison (Management) Reform when the Speck tapes broke and was -- Speaker and the Leaders had Tom Johnson, Senator Johnson, at that time Representative, together with Representative Tom Dart, who is now Sheriff of Cook County, co-chair us. And I was honored to serve on that prison reform committee and be part of an overhaul of what we did in prison reform in this -- in this State. I, too, have grown fondly -- we have such radical different views on some matters and yet so many -- so much in 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 common when it comes to the human being, when it comes to process and the importance of a -- a seamless process - the seriousness and the urgent need to get things done correctly and with credibility and with moral turpitude. And so Tom -- ironically we introduced our wives and they both work at the same office, and so I get to meet Ginger and he meets Iris, my wife - not Iris Martinez, and yet she's a dear, dear friend - and -- and they both work over at the Attorney General's Office over -- well, now Ginger's retired and -- and Iris is still there twenty-two years later. And we brought our forces together where we could find commonality between aisles, because we understood it was about families. And I got to know about his sons and others who traveled abroad to -- to Russia and other places, while even meeting them. So I feel I've walked that path somewhat and I've found a dear friend in Westchester and the St. Charles area, and we -- I call them TJ ties. You know, from down south in Sarasota, we shorten every name. And so Tom Johnson is a tribute and a credit to the political apparatus of any given state, but more so, his verticality as a human being and his ability to teach if we just listen. So, Tom, you know I'm going to miss you, but I know we'll be having dinner and we'll be seeing you out by your place soon. But -- wow! Catches me by -- I guess I'm aging. So -- if you're leaving. Oh, boy. But I'll see you out there on the road, my good friend, and Godspeed to you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Millner.
Thank you, Madam Chairman and -- President. And to the 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 resolution, if I may. We truly are going to lose someone so special to this Chamber and actually to the General Assembly. I've known Tom Johnson for many, many years and I've known his family. And this guy truly is -- and I'll just -- not echo, but I want to add to the many comments that were made so far. The first being, he's a very humble guy - as attested to that resolution that was about one sentence long - a very thoughtful man, a very creative man, someone who is here for the people, to truly make a difference. That's his goal. I know this. I know this man. I know his mission. I'm in the General Assembly, in no small part to Tom Johnson. Tom Johnson decided he wasn’t going to run again and he spoke with me and asked me if I'd consider running for the General Assembly. And I didn't really know much about it other than coming down here to lobby on law enforcement bills. But I had a long, deep discussion with Tom and Tom truly believed at that time that if I'd come down here, I, too, could make a difference. Wasn't about being a politician or an elected official; it was about doing the people's work. Tom taught me that. Tom was someone who every day he was down here - we all know that, everybody who worked with Tom - I mean, Tom would have the greatest ideas. He could be so creative. He'd come up with things that I'd never think about. You know, sometimes you'll see me stand up and say something. It's -- usually Tom's whispering in my ear, "Hey, John, why don't you blah, blah, blah", you know. I mean, he could do it, but I go, "Yeah, good idea", and here I am -- but, Tom Johnson. Tom Johnson's family is a wonderful family, as Kirk -- Senator Dillard mentioned. The one son that he has actually dated my daughter years ago. But he's somebody who's 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 been on 60 Minutes. He's somebody who's written a book. He's on many television shows. And this kid is making a difference as well, Tom Johnson's son. He was in Iraq and he worked in Iraq there, and there were a number of people interpreting for us, the United States government, and these people who did all this work, put their lives at risk interpreting for us, we left them behind. His son said, "No, no, no, we can't do that." He started a program to rescue these people, to bring 'em back into our country, and because Tom Johnson, the father of this young man, Kirk, said, "I'm going to help you out." He actually took some people from Iraq into his home, for I can’t tell you how long, to help 'em get jobs, to help them settle. He walks the walk, this guy. This guy does it. It's a loss for us. This guy, I can't -- I could talk all day about Tom Johnson. I -- I -- I appreciate him. I appreciate his family. I thank him for everything he's done. I thank him for his service. And we hope to continue to see you and you -- really looking for your thoughts and may God bless your retirement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Collins.
To the resolution: I probably will articulate a lot of the other things that have been -- have been encapsulated in the other statements, but I just had to go on record for Tom Johnson, in saying goodbye. I'm a great admirer of yours because of your intellectual fortitude and of your integrity. You have many of the characteristics that I think many public servants have and we stand -- or, I stand now to salute you. I admire your honesty, humility - we see -- hear these same things 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 - and your commitment to public service that I think have been exemplified through the careers of your sons. And I would like to say that I'm going to miss your friendship. We've had many discussions on foreclosure issues. I always had an open ear to listen from someone with your knowledge and your wisdom. And I just, again, just wanted to stand to salute you for your -- statesmanship and your scholarship. God bless you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Garrett.
To the resolution: I was lucky enough to serve with Senator Johnson in the House, and it was when Senator Dillard said that Senator Johnson was a solid conservative and a progressive thinker that really made me think what I've always thought about him, is that he's really a maverick. He's able to be very bipartisan, very nonpartisan. He's always been open- minded. He has a great sense of humor, but he wants to get the job done. And he will do whatever it takes to do that. Not -- you know, in my lifetime, I haven't met many people like Senator Johnson, because they don't exist. He puts his heart and soul into everything he does. Everything he does is who he is. He doesn’t have pretenses. He doesn't expect anything from what he does. He just comes here as a true public servant, as a maverick, as somebody who believes that public service is probably the highest calling. And I salute you too and thank you for your service.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Hunter.
52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 To the bill {sic}: Tom, I'd just like to say thank you so very much for all of the -- the comments and the recommendations that you've always given me to help make my bill better. You seem to be a very down-to-earth, commonsense guy. You know, you think out of the box. I've never seen you get all riled up like everyone else around here does and you just sit back in your chair and you're always so cool, calm and collective. And I -- I really appreciate you. I really do. You -- you've brought a -- a different type of flavor over on that side. And I really, really appreciate you and I'm going to greatly miss you and I'd like to stay in touch with you. So, thank you. In your next endeavors -- I don’t know what your plans are. I don’t know if you're going to kick back and -- and -- and take care of your grandchildren, but that's not -- you're not that kind of person. I know you're going to have your hands in something else in terms of actually out there making a difference in people lives. So I'd like to commend you and thank you very much for all of your efforts, and -- and for being you. Thanks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Madam President. To the resolution: I want to reveal a little bit of a mystery here, because a lot of people have noticed, Tom, that you and I think alike, we act alike, we vote alike, and I want to tell people why. It was back in 1956, my family -- my dad was a minister of a small church in Beresford, South Dakota, and -- the First Congregational Church. It was 1956 that Tom Johnson's family lived in Beresford, South Dakota, where his dad was the minister of a small church. 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 People don't know that, that we have that connection. Now, I don't -- I can't say that I remember you. But my wife and I, before we got into the heat of the campaign, went to South Dakota this summer, just to see my brother and to visit parts of the state, and you remember this picture I sent to you. I was standing out in front of the Beresford City Hall and I thought I've got to text this to Tom because I know he'd appreciate it. But it's been a special connection with us and I've -- I've enjoyed that friendship and I'll continue to enjoy that friendship. You're a special guy and we're going to miss you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Well, Senator Johnson, everyone had such great things to say, but the -- sometimes the scariest thing is to call upon your seatmate for his comments. So, Senator Sandack.
This won't be scary. What a pleasure, an unexpected one, it was for me to sit next to Tom Johnson. When you're not trained and you come to an august Chamber like this and you do the people's work without any kind of headwind or playbook or instruction, it's really fortuitous to sit next to someone as thoughtful, as naturally mentoring, and as wise and helpful as Tom Johnson. Now, I will tell you all, you all said some very nice things about Tom. I can tell you, 'cause he murmurs under his breath a lot, that not all the good stuff about Tom -- yeah, you -- has been revealed here, because occasionally Tom will say, "Aw, what kind of bill is this?" And I'll read it and I'll be inclined to vote for it. I go, "Is there a problem with it?" He'll go, "Aw, Sandack, what's wrong with you?" Heard it a hundred times. And most of the time, he was right. I thought 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 Senator Dillard hit the nail on the head when he said, yeah, you know, he's a -- he's a compassionate, progressive conservative. When you think about it, those seem to be things that don't necessarily mesh. The fact of the matter is, he is the conscience of the conservative movement. He thinks for himself. He thinks with his heart and his head, and he has demonstrated to me a way of thinking that has been imparted upon me and could not have been expected of me in being two short years here. So I am especially thankful for my short term. I've still got another month of him, next -- in -- the rest of this Veto Session in January, so that should be fun. But the fact of the matter is, he will be missed by all of us, but particularly me. Thank you for all you do.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) President Cullerton.
Yes, thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Senator Johnson, the only thing keeping these people from going home would be the length of my speech here, so we will make it very short. I remember when you first came here. I found it so liberating -- liberating when you told me, "I'm not running for reelection and I'm not having any fundraisers." I was thinking, what a way to go through life in the Illinois Senate. Wouldn’t that be -- wouldn't that be fun? And you've had that benefit and you obviously have had a lot of friends - a lot of friends in the Illinois Senate. And I -- I think that you also know that I appreciate the fact that you represent a lot of my family, 'cause I grew up in the town next door to -- to yours, and you do a great job. And I just want to say that we hope 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 that you will continue to come back here, to testify, to be on a board. I think we can get you confirmed, if it requires Senate confirmation. It might be close, but we'll get you -- that'll be your -- your last bill, that we'll get you confirmed. And so I really do hope that you do come back and I do hope that you can continue to enjoy contributing to the Illinois Senate and the State of Illinois. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Radogno. Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 1034 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is passed. Senator Johnson.
Let's go home. When they asked my about a resolution, I said, "This is the craziest tradition I have heard of." You know when we left the House, they do it right over there - goodbye. It's great. The phones stop ringing and you can get on with your life. Then I come to this august Chamber and I hear things about all these resolutions. Don’t blame me. When they asked me what to put on the resolution, I said, "Put on there that he came and he left." And they almost got it right. But seriously, you don’t know how honored I feel to have had the opportunity to serve in both the Chambers here in -- at this State Capitol - the friendships, the bonds that we all develop - and for me to be able to come in here and spend these two years in the Senate and expand what I call my family, because, you know, we're all here in Illinois together. We all share the same dreams, the hopes, the aspirations. And we in these Chambers, Democrats, Republicans, whoever we are, we're the ones 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 who are blessed with the opportunity to help those dreams happen for everybody in Illinois. And I hope that you understand how touched I am to have made the friendships and the relationships and how encouraged I am that as we face these serious problems in Illinois going forward that I have no doubt you guys are going be able to handle this and I'm thrilled for it. I like to tell my sons - I have three of the most wonderful sons in the world - but I told them, I said, "You know what, I have tried to solve some problems, along with my colleagues, but I just want you guys to know we left a few for you to solve." And isn't that the story of our life? And isn't that the legacy we need to leave, that may our children see us involved, trying to solve serious issues, problems, make life better for other people, so that they can move on and then do likewise. And we have seen that in Illinois from generation to generation. I am so thankful for my background. David mentioned it. Our parents are both pastors -- or, our fathers were, little town in South Dakota, nice Rockwellian values that we were raised with out there on those farms. And -- but if there's one thing that I learned is that faith plays such an important role in my life, as I know it does in many of yours. And it's something that I believe becomes a part of us. We don't check it at the door. And I have always had a life verse that motivates me and I just want to leave it with you, because this is who I hope I strive to be, and that is the verse in Micah 6:8. What does the Lord require of us? And I like to say, what do the citizens of Illinois require us? And it's pretty simple; it's called do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your Lord. And I think if we think about those -- those values, a lot of the 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 donkey/elephant things and a lot of other things that we think are so important, they all mesh - if we were focused on doing that, which we ought to do. So thank you for letting me be part of this. And good luck, God bless, and solve all the problems, will you? But just don't touch my pension, please. And as I tell Randy Hultgren, whose seat I'm taking here, told Randy, I said, "Go to Washington, do anything you want, but don't mess with my Medicare or Social Security." So thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Thank you, Senator. 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 107. Offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads HJR No. 107) Adopted by the House, December 4th, 2012. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Mr. Secretary, Consent Calendar. We will now proceed to the Order of the Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 No objections filed, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will vote Aye. Those opposed, vote Nay. The Ayes have it and the motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. Mr. Secretary, any other 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 57. Offered by Senator LaHood and adopted by the House, December 5th, 2012. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) On the Order of the Resolutions is House Joint Resolution 107. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 107, offered by Senator Sullivan.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CROTTY) Senator Sullivan moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 107. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Sullivan moves for the adoption of the House Joint Resolution 107. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. There being no further business 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 134th Legislative Day 12/5/2012 to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 3 p.m. on the 2nd day of January, 2013. The Senate stands -- or, to the call of the President. The Senate stands adjourned. 60