PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The regular Session, 98th General Assembly, will please come to order. Will the Members please be in their seats? Will our guests from the gallery please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Gary Crowder of Midwest Christian Church {sic} (Center), Springfield, Illinois. Pastor.
(Prayer by Pastor Gary Crowder)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Jacobs.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Tony Yuscius of Bluestream.com {sic} (Blueroomstream.com) requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, permission granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending the arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Senator Hastings, for what purpose 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Mr. President, I'd like to introduce the Legislative Drafting class from John Marshall Law School, who are sitting right there. We have Professor Kevin Hull and the class that made it down from Chicago this morning. They're excited to be here. I think they'll be great future lawyers for our State and, who knows, maybe one of 'em may be sitting here in the next few years. I just want to welcome them and give them a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune, requests permission to do still photos. Seeing no objection, permission granted. Senator Murphy, for what reason do you rise?
It's good -- good to be back here with you, Mr. President. For a point of personal privilege, if I might.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I'd -- I'd like to ask the Senate to welcome Brent and Margaret Stolzle, constituents of mine from Palatine, who came down and are spending the day with us here in Springfield. I've enjoyed their company thus far, and if we could give them a warm Senate welcome, I would certainly appreciate that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Welcome to Springfield. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 650, offered by Senators Barickman, Brady and all Members. Senate Resolution 651, offered by Senator Brady and all Members. Senate Resolution 652, offered by Senator Bush and all Members. Senate Resolution 653, offered by Senator Murphy and all Members. Senate Resolution 654, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. And Senate Resolution 655, offered by Senator Link and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Resolution Consent Calendar, Mr. Secretary. Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 2609, offered by Senator Noland. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2610, offered by Senator Tom Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Koehler, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 635 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 and Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 853 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Noland, Chairperson on the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1007 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Jones, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 496 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Collins, Chairperson of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1045 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Noland, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege, if I may.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Thank you. With me here today on the Senate Floor is William Potts IV. Those of you who are all familiar, perhaps, with Bill Potts from the SEIU, his grandson is here with me. He is a senior at Dundee-Crown in Carpentersville, Illinois. He's here as an intern. It's an extension of his studies in the American -- his American Government class. Intends to go into the tool and die industry and study computer numerical control, and we want to welcome him to the Senate. So, if you would, please, a warm Senate welcome for Harry Potts. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Will all the members of the Assignment Committee please meet in the President's Anteroom? All 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 members of the Assignment Committee please meet in the President’s Anteroom. Senator Bivins, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have with me today Mr. Jacob Scott. He's actually from Senator Jacobs' district. His grandfather and I are close friends. And he's with us here today. And he goes to Black Hawk College, studying political science and economics, and he wants to come down today to see how government works. So please welcome him.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator McCann, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCANN: For a point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point. SENATOR McCANN: I'd like to introduce my good friend, Jason Ratts. Jason is a longtime resident of Springfield, right here, the capital city. He's involved with the -- in the health care industry here in Springfield and he is also a distinguished member of the Sangamon County Board. So I hope you and everyone here will join me in welcoming him to the State Senate. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) I'd say welcome to Springfield, but you know it well. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Welcome. Senator Duffy, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I'd like to introduce Anni Kuningas, my Page for a Day. Anni is from Crystal Lake and the daughter of Hans and Kelly Kuningas. Her mother is with us here today in the gallery. Anni is in fourth grade and attends Prairie Grove Elementary School, where she plays in the trumpet band. She's a Girl Scout and she'll be performing with the Academy of Ballet in Wauconda's Nutcracker this year. Anni hopes one day to have a family, to be a marine biologist, as well as a future Senator to be down here in Springfield. Can you please all help me welcome Anni?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Very tall fourth grader, though. Rodney Cornell {sic} (Correll) of WLS-TV Chicago, requests permission to video Session. Seeing no objection, permission is granted. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 656, offered by Senator Frerichs and all Members. Senate Resolution 657, offered by Senator Frerichs and all Members. They are both death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Resolution Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 636, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 353, Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 1551, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2453, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2536 and Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 2898; Be Approved for Consideration - House Bill 2747, Senate Resolution 637, Senate Resolution 640, and Senate Joint Resolution 43. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Announcement: Executive Committee will meet in Room 212 today at 1:35. State Government and Veterans Affairs will meet in Room 409 today at 1:35. We will be going to Executive Appointments real soon. Will all Members at the sound of my voice please be at their desk? Executive Appointments, right away. All Members please be at their desk. Will all the Senators please come to the Floor immediately? Will all the LAs please let their Senator know, wherever they may be, to get to the Floor immediately? Thank you. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
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 1689. Together with the following amendments which are attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1689 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1 -- 1689. Passed the House, as amended, October 23rd, 2013. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To fulfill the -- our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advise and Consent. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on appointments set forth -- Appointment Messages 39, 62, 71, 75, 76, 78 through 84, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97, 98, 105 through 109, 111, 132, 145, 146, 153 to 161, 163, 167, 168, 170, 171, 174, 175, 180, 186, 193, 194, 197, 198, 200, 201, 202, 205 through 216, 223 to 231, 238 to 239, 250 through 255.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz moves the Senate do resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on Appointment Message {sic} just read. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. Mr. Secretary, Motions in Writing of Appointment Messages.
I have a motion in writing from Senator Muñoz, Chairman of the Committee on Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, print the motion on the Calendar. On the top 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 of page 3 of the printed Calendar in the Order of Executive Appointments - Appointment Message, Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 39.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Commerce Commission: Miguel del Valle.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any questions? The question is, shall the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. A majority of Senators having concurred on the record vote, the Senate does -- 48 to 5 -- 48 Ayes, 5 Nays. A majority of Senators elected concurring on a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent with the appointment just read. On the bottom of page 3, Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 95.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment. To be the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Human 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Services: Nelida Smyser-DeLeon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Majority of Senators elected concur -- concurring by the record vote, the Senate does advise and consent on the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 97.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Commerce Commission: Sherina Maye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 Ayes, 6 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. On the top of page 4, Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 132.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights: Rocco J. Claps.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, 3 Nays, 1 voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring on a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent of the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 145. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs: Erica J. Borggren.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. Excuse me. 53 Ayes, 4 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 146.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs: Rodrigo Garcia.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 50 Ayes, -- 5 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring on a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 153.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Human Rights Commission: David J. Walsh.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. …all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, 3 Nays, none 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 154.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Human Rights Commission: Lauren Beth Gash.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall -- is the -- does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 Ayes, 6 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 155.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Human Rights Commission: Diane M. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Viverito.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question -- is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 48 Ayes, 5 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment (Message) 156.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Human Rights Commission: Patricia Bakalis Yadgir.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 51 Ayes, 5 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 157.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Human Rights Commission: Terry Cosgrove.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator Duffy.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your motion {sic}.
You know, this is -- there's so much information here that I'll try to be as succinct as possible. I appreciate being back here today and I appreciate being on the Floor to be able to talk 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 about these appointments. Terry Cosgrove, the person that we're looking at here to be appointed to the -- the -- the Department of Human -- Human Rights {sic}, has a very storied past. And, you know, and so does the State of Illinois. And every Member in this room has vowed to help turn around the State of Illinois and change our ethics problem. As you know, Illinois is in a very big mess. Four out of our last nine Governors have gone to prison.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. -- Senator Duffy, stay to the issue, please.
This is the issue. Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate your patience. This is some background information. All the Members of the General Assembly have vowed, since Chicago is ranked the most corrupt city in America and Illinois the third…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Duffy, one more time, stick to the question of the appointment to the Human Rights Commission, please.
Thank you, Mr. President. And, once again, this is information that goes directly to the ethics of this appointment. So when I -- when I read and check the background of ethics - and I won't get into it; I can read you all the different code -- standard code of ethics policies that state governments across the United States and businesses in United States, Germany and throughout Europe follow - the first code of ethic is always tell the truth. Now, Terry Cosgrove came up for an appointment two years ago, and when Terry Cosgrove did that, knowing that we wanted to repair our reputation in the nation, we asked Terry Cosgrove if he knowingly told the truth when he did things like send out 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 mailers about political Republicans that were running for office, saying that we wanted to put women in prison; when he also created fake websites - and I know this for a fact, because he did it to me. He created a website with my picture on it, but had other kids that weren't mine and then posted positions that were all contrary to my positions that were complete false, erroneous and lies. And when we asked Terry Cosgrove, what do you think about this? This is a complete lie. He admitted that he lied. He said that he lied and his responses were that politics in Illinois is a rough game, and if you can't handle it, then you should get out of politics. Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, as you know, Illinois politics is a rough game. It's become a contact sport and that's one of the reasons why we are the worst-positioned state, as far as finances and ethics, in the United States of America. And if we want to turn this around and if you really want to help repair our reputation in the nation, then you should appoint and approve people that actually follow an ethics code, any ethics code. You pick it. But any ethics code that - I guarantee - that you look up, the first and primary code or principle or rule is tell the truth. Terry Cosgrove has admitted that he's lied. He said he'll continue to lie through mailers in the future, because besides being on the Human Rights Commission, he will not leave the Personal PAC, the -- the PAC that he's helped set up and where he's worked since 1989. So he's been conducting this unethical and immoral behavior, according to himself in his own testament, since 1989. Not only has he been doing that, but he's also been making a lot of money while he's doing that. It's estimated that Personal PAC raises, in contributions and salaries, hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions, every -- every year - but, 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 of course, those figures are very difficult to get ahold of because he won't help release all that information. So, another important fact to remember, and, again, if people are going to sincerely do what they say and practice what they preach on the campaign trail and if you really want to work on the ethics problem in the State of Illinois, then why are we appointing so many Democrats to this board, when the rules state that it has to have a balance? This Human Rights Commission has an unbalanced board. Terry Cosgrove, I admit, is unusual, because most of the other members on the board of the Human Right {sic} Commission are family members and he's not a family member, unless you consider him being in the family of trying to help get biased extremists elected to office, then I guess he is a member of the family. But he is also a highly paid lobbyist and he's worked as a lobbyist for decades with Personal PAC. As you all know, it's also against our ethics code in the State of Illinois to appoint anybody to a board that has been a paid lobbyist. Now, Terry Cosgrove would tell you, after he told you that he admitted that he lied, he then will tell you that, "Well, I'm actually not a paid lobbyist. I've worked with this group for many years, for decades, but I'm not technically a paid lobbyist." So, Mr. President, I appreciate your patience, and knowing this, knowing the history of the State of Illinois, knowing the unethical and immoral things that Terry Cosgrove has done and pledges to continue to do, and knowing the fact that he violates our own ethic rules for appointments to these boards, I strongly urge you to vote No to this appointment. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Stephen Bourque of WICS-TV requests permission to record video. Seeing no objection, permission granted. Senator Bivins, 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 for what purpose do you rise?
To the appointment, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the appointment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I also object to the appointment. We objected two years ago on -- on a -- a variety of reasons, but this -- this particular appointment does violate -- State statute in that you can only have seven members of the same political party. Mr. Cosgrove has been listed as an Independent when, in fact, he's -- he's voted Democratic, except for the year, I believe, 1998, when he voted for -- as a Republican. This is a problem that has been reoccurring on these boards and commissions, that we're basically, in essence, violating State law. This needs to be addressed and hope we can do that by statute in this next Session. And I would encourage a No vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Jacobs, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill -- to the appointment, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the appointment.
I just want to say that I really appreciate the prior speaker. He got up and made his point without getting nasty or calling anyone names or the hyperbole that has so documented this country's history and the Congress of being able to get anything done. And 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 I think we should really examine oneself for a very long time before we condemn others. And that was said by Moliere and I think that that's something that maybe this Body should try to live up to. And I -- I just think that -- I may disagree with Mr. -- what -- what -- with the appointment's views, I may disagree with his ideas, but I would -- I think it's over -- over the edge to call someone a liar on the Senate Floor, unless you have really, really significant proof.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Steans, for what purpose do you rise?
To the appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the appointment.
You know, I've known Mr. Cosgrove for years. He is a person of strong integrity. He -- and has spent his entire career in the pursuit of -- of social justice and against discrimination. He began as the Champaign-Urbana Tenant Union Executive Director, where he fought against discrimination in housing. And he chaired the Urbana Human Rights {sic} (Relations) Commission, where he helped to author and pass two of the most comprehensive human rights ordinances in the country, including protected classes of source of income and sexual orientation into the law. He is a -- been on the Human Rights Commission already, serving very ably. There's -- he's been doing a phenomenal job - it takes an enormous amount of work - for the last two years. This is a reappointment. I certainly encourage a -- an -- an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Senator Delgado, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the appointment.
I, too, rise in suggesting -- I do -- I know Terry Cosgrove, approximately twenty years. I'm also the Vice-Chairman of the Executive Appointments Committee and think the Chairman does a magnificent job of bringing us to order and getting the work done. Mr. Cosgrove has done more work in all of our communities against discrimination, for your democratic rights. I take offense with losing our cool out here on the Senate Floor and injecting politics into this. We don't have to always agree with each other. But as I analyze every committee member who comes in who has an appointee, I back issues and not individuals. If this gentleman had lied or had any moral turpitude problems, I would have been casting a No vote, and I've known Terry twenty years. I say congratulations to Governor Quinn. This is one of your most powerful appointments you have made in your stead and I would ask for green lights on our side of the aisle. Terry's a wonderful human being and many, many souls in my district are thankful for the work that he does, and I'm so happy to have him here on the State government level. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, does the Senate advise and consent with the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 On that question, there are 36 Ayes, 20 Noes. A majority of the Senators elected concurring on a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 158.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Labor Relations Board, State Panel: Albert Washington.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent with the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 Ayes, 5 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 159.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 To be a member of the Illinois Labor Relations Board, Local Panel: Robert M. Gierut.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, shall the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 51 Ayes, 4 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 160.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Prisoner Review -- Review Board: Salvador Z. Diaz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 Ayes, 3 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 161.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Prisoner Review Board: Tom Johnson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, no Nays, 1 voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 163.
25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Prisoner Review Board: Jesse D. Madison.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 51 Ayes, 4 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 166.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Commissioner of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission: Ruth White.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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, 50 Ayes, 5 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 167.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Commissioner of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission: Thomas J. Tyrrell.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 51 Ayes, 5 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 168.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Commissioner of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission: Mario Basurto.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will say {sic} 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 49 Ayes, 6 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. On the bottom of page 5, Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 230.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Executive Inspector General for the Office of the 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Executive Inspector General for the Governor: Ricardo Meza.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 51 Ayes, 4 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. On the top of page 6, Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 231.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member and Chair of the Secretary of State Merit Commission: Ferdinand P. Serpe.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 49 Ayes, 4 Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Supplemental Calendar 1 has been printed and distributed. On the Supplemental Calendar 1, Mr. Secretary, Motions in Writing – Appointment Message.
I have a motion in writing from Senator Muñoz, Chairman of the Committee on Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
Motion to Compile Appointment Messages. Pursuant to Senate Rule 10-1(c), as the Chairman of the Executive Appointments Committee, I move to compile the following Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate: Appointment Message 62 - Department of Labor Advisory Board; Appointment Message 71 - Board of Trustees of Governors State University; Appointment Message 75 - Illinois Finance Authority; Appointment Message 76 and 78 - Health Information Exchange Authority; Appointment Messages 79, 80 and 174 - Illinois Housing Development Authority; Appointment Message 81 - Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Adams County; Appointment Message 82 - Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Brown County; Appointment Message 83 - Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Jackson County; Appointment Message 84 - Public 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Guardian and Public Administrator for Stephenson County; Appointment Message 88, 89 and 90 - Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission; Appointment Message 98 - Joliet Regional Port District Board; Appointment Message 105, 106 and 107 - Financial Reporting Standards Board; Appointment Message 108 - Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Whiteside County; Appointment Message 109 - Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Kendall County; Appointment Message 111 - Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Franklin County; Appointment Message 170 - Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority Board; Appointment Message 171 - Central Midwest Interstate Low- Level Radioactive Waste Commission; Appointment Message 175 and 186 - Guardianship and Advocacy Commission; Appointment Message 180 - Board of Trustees for Eastern Illinois University; Appointment Message 193 - State Medical Disciplinary Board; Appointment Message 194 - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Advisory Board; Appointment Message 197 and 198 - Illinois Workforce Investment Board; Appointment Message 200 - Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Carroll County; Appointment Message 201 and 202 - Board of Trustees of Chicago State University; Appointment Messages 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214 and 215 - Employment Security Advisory Board; Appointment Message 216 - Advisory Council on Spinal Cord and Head Injuries; Appointment Message 223, 238 and 239 - Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Board; Appointment Messages 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254 and 255 - Children and Family Services Advisory Council. Dated, October 23rd, 2013. Signed, Assistant Majority Leader Antonio Muñoz, Chair -- Chairman, Executive Appointments 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator Muñoz moves to compile the Appointment Messages to be acted -- together by a single vote of the Senate. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries. Mr. Secretary, read the compiled appointments.
To be a member of the Department of Labor Advisory Board: Ralph Graham, Appointment Message 62. To be a member of the Board of Trustees of Governors State University: Bruce Friefeld, Appointment Message 71. To be a member of the Illinois Finance Authority: Roger Poole, Appointment Message 75. To be a -- members of the Health Information Exchange Authority: Bechara Choucair and Mark R. Neaman, Appointment Messages 76 and 78. To be members of the Illinois Housing Development Authority: Cristina Castro, Appointment Message 79; Salvatore Tornatore, Appointment Message 80; and Harlan Karp, Appointment Message 174. To be the Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Adams County: Christopher Scholz, Appointment Message 81. To be the Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Brown County: Janet Miley, Appointment Message 82. To be the Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Jackson County: Shannon Rieckenberg, Appointment Message 83. To be the Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Stephenson County: Charles Robinson, Appointment Message 84. To be members of the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Commission: Craig Futterman, Appointment Message 88; Neil Toppel, Appointment Message 89; and Leonard Cavise, Appointment Message 90. To be a member of the Joliet Regional Port District Board: Joseph Strong, Appointment Message 98. To be members of the Financial Reporting Standards Board: Daniel W. Cadigan, Appointment Message 105; Don William Templeman, Appointment Message 106; and Robert Grogan, Appointment Message 107. To be the Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Whiteside County: William Lee, Appointment Message 108. To be the Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Kendall County: Valarie Lee Burd, Appointment Message 109. To be the Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Franklin County: Allen Ward, Appointment Message 111. To be a member of the Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority Board: Gale Murphy, Appointment Message 170. To be a member of the Central Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission: Gary McCandless, Appointment Message 171. To be a member of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission: Brian Rubin, Appointment Message 175, and Lawrence Schlam, Appointment Message 186. To be a member of the Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University: William A. {sic} (E.) Dano III, Appointment Message 180. To be a member of the State Medical Disciplinary Board: Tariq Butt, Appointment Message 193. To be a member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Advisory Board: Richard Craig Sautter, Appointment Message 194. To be members of the Illinois Workforce Investment Board: Barbara Oilschlager, Appointment Message 197, and Lawrence M. Walsh, Appointment Message 198. To be the Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Carroll County: Carol Lois Gloor, Appointment Message 200. To be members of the Board of Trustees of Chicago State University: Spencer Leak, Appointment Message 201, and Horace Smith, Appointment Message 202. To be members of the Employment Security Advisory Board: James G. Argionis, Appointment Message 205; Gregory Baise, Appointment Message 206; John Bouman, Appointment Message 207; Timothy E. Drea, Appointment Message 208; Kathleen Dudley, Appointment Message 209; Anthony Garcia, Appointment Message 210; Hanah Jubeh, Appointment Message 211; Kim Clarke Maisch, Appointment Message 212; Diane M. Morgan, Appointment Message 213; William H. Potts, Jr., Appointment Message 214; and David Vite, Appointment Message 215. To be a member of the Advisory Council on Spinal Cord and Head Injuries: Amanda Kloepfer, Appointment Message 216. To be members of the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Board: David K. Hill, Appointment Message 223; Nasiruddin Rana, Appointment Message 238; and Carrie McAteer-Fournier, Appointment Message 239. To be members of the Children and Family Services Advisory Council: Julie A. Morrison, Appointment Message 224; Erin McNamee, Appointment Message 225; Naomi Jakobsson, Appointment Message 226; Mattie Hunter, Appointment Message 227; Timothy Egan, Appointment Message 228; Jay Paul Deratany, Appointment Message 229; Marina 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Ammendola, Appointment Message 250; Margaret Berglind, Appointment Message 251; Jill Glick, Appointment Message 252; Dana Weiner, Appointment Message 253; Billie M. Larkin, Appointment Message 254; and Andrea Durbin, Appointment Message 255.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointments just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall the Senate advise and consent to compiled Appointment Messages. 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 49 Ayes, no Nays, 6 voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the compiled Appointment Message {sic} (Messages). Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate arises from Executive Session. Senator Mulroe, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 State your point.
Okay. Today -- we all know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Today, we have the opportunity to learn of the newest technology in detecting breast cancer. The Hologic tomosynthesis 3D mammography traveling coach is outside the Capitol today, where the Firefighter Memorial is. Please go out there. This is a reminder from yesterday. It's really impressive technology. Rather than just 2D technology, the 3D technology will lead to earlier detection of breast cancer or reduce callbacks, anxiety of women, radiation, and other invasive procedures, but, most importantly, it's going to save more lives. So, please, if you get a chance, they're there till 3 p.m. You'll be -- I hope you're as -- as impressed as I was.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Thank you, Senator Mulroe. The Senate will stand at recess for committee action and we will come back for Floor action after the committee meetings. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) …(microphone disengaged)…if I can have your attention. Will all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor immediately? We will be taking final action. We'll be voting on final action here momentarily. All Members please come to the Floor. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Actually, Mr. President, thank you, and as usual you have 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 anticipated my comments. I was about ready to make an inquiry of the Chair whether or not we were actually going to engage in substantive activity or whether or not you and I and Senator Biss and Senator Bertino-Tarrant and Senator Hastings and a handful of others were the only ones who had not gotten a memo that, in fact, the Senate had adjourned and gone home. But you're assuring me that we will have some kind of substantive action a little bit later this afternoon?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter, that's my understanding. And I think, between you and I, we'll probably get 'em to the Floor here momentarily. 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 concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 1219. (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 1 to Senate Bill 1219. We have received like Messages on Senate Bills {sic} 1496, with House Amendments 2 and 3; Senate Bill 1595, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1600, with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, October 23rd, 2013. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 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 31. Offered by Senator Delgado. And adopted by the House, October 23rd, 2013. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, for announcement. Will all members of the Committee on Assignments -- all members of the Committee on Assignments please come to the President’s Anteroom immediately. All members of the Committee on Assignments to the President’s Anteroom immediately. Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Bills.
Senate Bill 2611, offered by Senator Hastings. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Motion to Concur on House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 1689 and House Joint Resolution 31. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, if I can have your attention, all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor. We're ready to go to final action. All Members within the sound of my voice to the Senate Floor. We're ready to go to final action. Ladies and Gentlemen, if I can have your attention. If you'll turn to page 2 of the printed Calendar, on the middle of the page, towards the bottom, we have House Bills 2nd Reading. We have House Bill 1584. It's up on the board. Leader Radogno, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1584. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Radogno.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Radogno. Leader Radogno, on Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1584.
Thank you. This -- Floor Amendment 1 becomes the bill and it amends the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act and the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act by changing references for the children's respite care center.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Any 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will vote Aye -- say Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, on page 2, at the top of page 2 of your printed Calendar, on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading - top of page 2, Senate Bills 3rd Reading - we have Senate Bill 116. Senator Mulroe, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Mr. Secretary, Senator Mulroe seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 116 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 116. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Mulroe.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe, on Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I'd be happy to -- I'd ask for its adoption and be happy to explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 116. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 116. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe, to explain your bill.
Thank you, again, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. In -- in 2000, the year 2000, the State deeded certain property to New Horizon. They -- it's a facility that takes care of developmentally disabled people. They also deeded property to the City of Chicago for the purposes of -- for public purposes. They're adjacent to each other. New Horizon is -- wants to actually expand a little bit and get about an acre of land that's currently deeded to the City of Chicago. What we're doing here is amending the statute back in 2000 to expand from -- the language to say public purposes but also educational or charitable purposes so the City of Chicago can deed that one acre of land to New Horizon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Ladies and Gentlemen, this is final action. The question is, shall Senate Bill 116 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 116, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 496. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, Senator Haine seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 496 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 496. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, on Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill affects my district and my district only. It's crafted because of the closure of a public hospital. The Wood River Township Hospital closed. It was opened with taxpayers' support in Wood River Township in 1946, I believe - I stand to be corrected. It issued bonds in the early nineties and it finally closed in the late nineties. And it had two property taxes, one of which was a -- the regular hospital tax, which was discontinued, I believe, in '99 or 2000, and then a bond tax, which went on till 2005. I -- I met -- in 2001, I was State's Attorney in Madison County, representing the public interests; Jim Ryan was Attorney General of Illinois, representing IMRF. We worked out an agreement that if there was an overage in the IMRF amount for actuarial purposes -- they were claiming if there was a -- there wasn't enough money to pay the exposure on the -- the pensions - where have we heard that? - they would have to tax. In the situation where there was 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 an overage, though, I insisted the money come back to the Township Hospital. It did come back, six months ago, 4.9, and they had 3 some on hand; they have 8.4. Now we are faced with the duty to dissolve the hospital and distribute the -- the money. There were various ideas proposed, but one idea was just to pay the property taxpayers on the assessed valuation of the property as of 2005. That was the last year it was taxed, and that's what this bill does. It gives the money to the county treasurer of Madison County to hold the money and then the county clerk, who has the assessment information and the pin numbers, issues the check to the taxpayer. The hospital board winds up its business, ceases to exist.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Haine. Is there any discussion? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: The -- the sponsor has stated everything correctly and I think it's -- it's obvious that the money needs to go back to the taxpayers. One small problem: the county clerk, traditionally, is not the one that sends out the checks. State statute says that -- the treasurer's responsibilities to "receive and safely keep the revenues and other public moneys of the county, and all money and funds authorized by law to be paid to him, and disburse the same pursuant to law." It goes on further to say that "if any property is twice assessed for the same year, or assessed before it becomes taxable, (and) the erroneously assessed taxes have been 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 paid either at sale or otherwise, or have been overpaid by the same claimant or by different claimants, the County Collector," - the treasurer - "upon being satisfied of the facts (in the case), shall refund the taxes". Then you go to the statute for the county clerk. What's their job? Their job is to -- "shall have the care and custody of all the records, books and papers appertaining to and filed or deposited in their respective offices, and the same, except as otherwise provided in (the) Vital Records Act, shall be open to the inspection". There's two different duties here. We're -- we're flipping the job that is traditionally done by the clerk and the treasurer. Now, I'm not going to -- there is politics in this. Okay? The one that delivers the check is the hero, let's face it. And when you've got contested races, it's better to be the guy that issues the check, right? Okay. I understand that. If this was reversed, I would argue the same thing. If the parties were -- were flipped and the treasurer was a Democrat and the clerk was a Republican, I'd offer the same thing. This is not the way we traditionally do it. This is not the way the statute says that we do it. We're making an exception for the way we disburse money in county government - that's where I come from, in county government - and that's my only objection to this bill. I would rather it be the way that it's supposed to be according to the statute, and -- and if that was the case, I could be supportive of the bill. That's -- that's simply my objection. So, for that reason, I'll be voting No. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
We are not doing anything unorthodox. This -- the moneys 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 referred to that are issued by the treasurer were sale in error moneys, which were ordered by a judge as a result of a proceeding of a sale in error. The county had no right to the money. This is an unprecedented act. And to say that it's not traditional, admits the fact that it -- taxpayers do not receive money back from governments. We are doing this to get the money into the hands of the taxpayer. The county clerk issues checks every day. She has the assessment information and the staff and she has the pin numbers. I -- this is my district, frankly, and I would like to do it a clean way with a check and balance. If the treasurer writes -- holds the money and writes the check, isn't that the situation we had when Orville Hodge was up here stealing all the money and we created the Office of Comptroller and Treasurer? We want a check and balance, a clean system. The County Clerk, Debbie Ming, is perfectly capable of sending out checks. She does every day. So I would like to get this thing done and give this money back to the taxpayer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Senator -- on the amendment, Senator Righter.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. If -- will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield. Senator Righter.
Senator Haine, first of all, I want to approach this with respect that this is your district and -- and -- and you need to deal with this as best as you see fit. I -- I'm assuming by the 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 reference to a earlier illegal act that happened sometime in the past, you weren't implying that the treasurer in that county, if you were to do it the way Senator McCarter laid out, that somehow -- you weren't -- you weren't tying those two together, I hope.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Absolutely not. I'm pointing out that we all in government prefer a system of checks and balances. One person holds the money, one person writes the checks, and then you have -- you have multiple eyes on the process. No, I don't think anything untoward about this treasurer at all.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Good. I'm -- I'm glad to hear that. And -- I mean, I don't know the treasurer, but -- and I didn't think that's what you meant. Did the court -- there was a court order involved here, is -- is what I took from your earlier comments, and if there was… Okay, there's not. Okay, then I'll move on to the next issue then. Then how was the decision made to see that the money went back to the county clerk as opposed to the treasurer? How was that decision made? What -- what -- what parameters or guidelines or precedents did you follow?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Well, I -- we -- we started this process in the middle of summer and took public comments as to where the money should go. 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 The township supervisor had an idea the money might go to the township, as surplus property. Some of the mayors wanted the money to be held and transferred to them for public projects: streets, roads, long-term use, public use. And then the Township Hospital chairman, the new one, indicated that -- with the support of that new board, that they wanted the money to go directly to the taxpayers by check, and the supervisor signed on to that option. We thought about it and that seemed like a pretty popular option. The people seemed to be in favor of that. And, we thought the best way to do it was to be -- to give the money to the county treasurer, who doesn't have to hire any more staff. He's set up to watch the county money. And then the county clerk would -- who has the, as I say, the pin numbers, all the assessment information, and she writes the checks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, all those in favor will say Aye. Those opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 496. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 496. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 496. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
I would ask for an Aye vote. It's been fully explained.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is final action. The question is, shall Senate Bill 496 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, 5 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 496, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 8 -- excuse me, 633. Senator Kotowski. Do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, Senator Kotowski seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 633 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 633. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Kotowski.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski, to explain Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. This is an agreed-upon amendment. We worked out an issue that, unfortunately, had not been addressed with the bill that had been passed last year, which became law. But it makes a change to Section 3.5 {sic} (3.15) of the Animal Welfare Act by lessening the buyer's reimbursement for 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 veterinary fees from two times the purchase price for the deceased animal to only one times the purchase price of the deceased animal. It makes it consistent with the -- rest of the language in the Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 633. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 633. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
I've already explained the -- the content of the amendment and simply ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 633 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 633, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Murphy.
Earlier today I had voted on some of the confirmations. On Messages 166, 167 and 168, I had voted Yes on those, and due to a conflict, it had been my intent to vote Present on those. And I would just ask the record to reflect that intent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy, the record will so reflect your intentions. Ladies and Gentlemen, next up on the Calendar is Senate Bill 635. Senator Koehler, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, Senator Koehler seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 635 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 635. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Koehler, to explain Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. What this amendment does is it corrects the language in a bill that we passed last year which relates to the exemption of natural gas customers 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 for the tax. This will ensure that it will be properly implemented. As amended, DCEO approvals of self-directing or exempt natural gas customers will be effective for the current three-year energy efficiency planning period on December 1st of 2013. This involves Illinois -- Corn Processing, a company that's in my district.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 635. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 635. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Koehler.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President. I just explained the bill and I'd appreciate an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank -- thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 635 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 635, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 636. Senator Muñoz. Mr. Secretary, Senator Muñoz seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 636 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 636. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Muñoz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz, on Floor Amendment 1. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 1 deletes everything and becomes the bill, which I will explain on 3rd Reading. I ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 636. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013
Senate Bill 636. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The bill amends the Public Aid Code to make changes to the protocol for ambulance providers to receive Medicaid reimbursement on non- emergency transport. It also changes the qualifications for consideration of an appeal from being contingent on the fact that a transport was prior-approved to verifying that the circumstances surrounding the event of the transport falling within the criteria for the medical transport as defined in the rule. In committee, the Department, HFS, didn't weigh in on it. They're going to have some additional language, possibly, that will go to the House. I know of no opposition other than that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield. Senator Righter.
You know, first, Senator Muñoz, I -- I think that I misunderstood in Executive Committee. It was my understanding that the amendment was going to be placed on Senate Bill 636 and 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 we were just going to pause for a moment to see if some progress was made by the Department on putting in place a policy or adopting a rule, at least initiating the process to adopt a rule, that would conform with what the amendment says. Did I -- did I misunderstand you in committee?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: I think you possibly did. If -- if the Department decides that they want to do it through JCAR, you know, that -- that's fine. I don't have a problem doing that. I just think we have the language here; if they want to add something, they can do it in the House. I mean, we -- we only have a few more days of Veto Session, so if we're going to do anything, this is just helping out. And we're giving the Department to put in any type of language they want, or if they call tomorrow and say, you know what, why don't we do it through JCAR, we'll do that. I don't have a problem with that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Do you -- do you have a sense -- and I'm sure that I did misunderstand, Senator Muñoz. In all the time I've served with you, I've never known you to go back on anything you represented in a committee or out here or on the House Floor. So I -- that's my -- that's my fault. Do you have a sense for what it is the Department wants to add to the language?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 SENATOR MUÑOZ: Possibly a time limit on the appeals process. I'm not for certain, Senator. I haven't had a chance to talk to the counsel -- their general counsel or their attorneys. We didn't have anyone in committee, so I'm assuming they're going to be working on that with the sponsor in the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. As I read the amendment as it's before the Senate now, Senator Muñoz, it sets a ninety-day deadline for appeal for a failure to reimburse by the Department, but it doesn't -- it doesn't change the underlying requirement that in order to get a reimbursement, what's called a CMA {sic} (MCA), or the -- the discharge order, has to be provided to the Department. So while you've got ninety days to appeal it, the underlying criteria to get the money in the first place has to be changed. And while I've not talked to anyone about the Department -- to anyone at the Department about that, I suspect that's the change they want to make. I just -- I'm going to support the bill, Senator, in part because of the Department's Ferris Bueller-like act in committee - not showing up, but I -- I would ask you to stay plugged in on this, please. I get the sense, just in the time I've been talking about this, there have been a number of different conversations go on with a lot of different parties, as opposed to someone, like the sponsor of this bill, pulling everyone together in a room and saying, "Okay, what's the policy going to be? And let's get an agreement on it." I just -- maybe that's happened, but I don't get the sense in talking to some people at 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 the Department or involved in the process here that -- at least that's not been lately, and I -- and I hope that you'll do that and I'm sure there'd be Members on this side that'd be happy to help with that. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, Senator Muñoz, do you wish to close? Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Just to Senator Righter, more than happy -- I know Senator Althoff and a couple other Members had - Senator Steans - willing to help out. So, I'd be more than happy to do that and I will work with the sponsor in the House to see if that bill is going to even move forward. Thank you. And I ask for…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 636 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 636, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar is Senate Bill 725. President Cullerton. Out of the record. Senate Bill 853. Senator Manar. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1007. Senator Mulroe. Mr. Secretary, Senator Mulroe seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1007 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1007. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Mulroe.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe, on Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I'd ask that it be -- the amendment be adopted and I'd be happy to explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 1007. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1007. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 1007 is a -- a technical trailer bill to Senate Bill 1872 that we passed last Session. It was signed into law. 1872 eliminated felony prostitution. This bill doesn't make any 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 substantive changes, but clears up a sentence structure to clarify that defendants charged with prostitution may be admitted to mental health courts to receive specialized programs designed to address the trauma associated with prostitution and human trafficking.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Ladies and Gentlemen, seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1007 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1007, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Bill 853. We're on page 2, in the middle, of the printed Calendar. Senator Manar, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, Senator Manar seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 853 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 853. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Manar.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Manar, on Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment, which becomes the bill, and debate the bill on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 853. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 853. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Manar.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 853, as amended, is an initiative of the Department of Natural Resources and it establishes the Illinois Youth Hunting License that will extend hunting privileges to youth, age sixteen and under, who will be hunting under the direct supervision of a parent, grandparent, or guardian who is twenty-one years of age or older and has a valid Illinois hunting license. I'd be happy to take any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator McCann, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCANN: A question of the sponsor, Mr. President. 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield for a question. Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Senator Manar, I commend you. I think it's a great piece of legislation, but I do, for legislative intent, want to be clear. Will -- will holders of these youth licenses be able to draw in duck blind drawings?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Manar.
As was discussed in committee, Senator McCann, no.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 853 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 853, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing where we left off on the Calendar - again, we're in the middle of page 2 - on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 1045. Senator Collins. Mr. Secretary, Senator Collins seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1045 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 1045. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Collins. 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Collins, on Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Amendment No. 1 is a gut- and-replace amendment that extends foreclosure protections available to a homeowner who has applied for assistance under the federal Making Home Affordable Program for two years. I move for the adoption and I can delineate further on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1045. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1045. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Collins.
Thank you. The reason or the need for the extension of two years, the program was due to expire December 2013; however, on - - the federal legislation extended the program, HAMP program, to December 31st, 2015. We're asking also that we do likewise for 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 the protection of homeowners in this State, to extend their -- our deadline to December 31st, 2015. This is just an enactment that allows them to have recourse in the State courts to set aside a judicial sale.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1045 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 1045, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
Okay, I have a witness. I pushed Yes on this button. He was standing -- he was sitting right here. We were talking about the bill. I hit the Yes button. So, could you please let the record reflect I voted Yes?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The record will so indicate your intent to vote Aye on the previous bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, Supplemental Calendar No. 2 has been distributed. It's on your desks. On Supplemental Calendar No. 2 is Secretary's Desk, Resolutions. Senate Resolution 637. Senator Althoff, on Senate Resolution 637. You wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 637, offered by Senator Althoff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Senator Althoff, on your resolution.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. The resolution recognizes McHenry County Conservation District, who was awarded the 2013 Barbara {sic} (Barb) King Environmental Stewardship Award by the National Park and Recreation Association, which recognizes parks and recreation agencies that have achieved excellence in environmental stewardship on a national level. We have five conservation districts in the State of Illinois. The largest conservation district is located solely within my district. They actually manage more than twenty-five thousand acres of open space, thirty-three sites, a hundred and fifteen miles of hiking trails, forty-one miles of biking trails, nineteen fishing sites, twenty- three picnic shelters, and six campgrounds. And we are extraordinarily proud that they won this very prestigious award.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 637 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Resolution 640. Senator Frerichs. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 640, offered by Senator Frerichs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Frerichs.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 640 calls on the United States Congress to reform student lending 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 practices and restore consumer protections to student borrowers. Student loans are presently not protected under the standard bankruptcy and consumer law. Then it states, this resolution be received by the Speaker of the House, United States Majority Leader, urging federal government to reform these standard consumer protections. This is result of a series of college affordability hearings we've been having around the State of Illinois. This was one of the suggestions coming out. I think there'll be more legislation coming out next Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion. Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. The -- I want to thank my colleague, Senator Frerichs, for inviting me to the Champaign hearing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the resolution, Senator Rose.
To the resolution. Yeah. Thank you. I'm sorry.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Rose.
…to the Champaign hearing that he held on this issue. It was quite disturbing to learn at that hearing that the federal government actually makes billions of dollars a year off of student loan payers in the United States of America. They actually make money on the backs of people who -- going to spend twenty, twenty- five, thirty years of their life - they're going to be indentured 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 servants - to paying back these loans. And the resolution itself speaks to the Bankruptcy Protection Act. It's very interesting, we have a Constitution that requires equal protection of the law, that somehow the federal government, that's making billions of dollars a year on the backs of student tuition papers in this State, has exempted this entity, and this entity alone, from bankruptcy protection, yet they're raking in billions of dollars. It's wrong. The Congress ought to be ashamed of itself, and it needs to be reformed. And I appreciate you bringing this forward, Senator Frerichs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Frerichs, do you wish to close? Senator Frerichs.
I just want to thank all my colleagues who participated in these college affordability hearings. I encourage -- and will be having other ones around the State, encourage people to come out, because we did hear great stories out there. I want to thank Representative {sic} Rose for his comments and request a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 640 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next up, we have Senate Joint Resolution 43. Senator Bush. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 43, offered by Senator Bush.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Senator Bush.
…you, Mr. President. Senate Joint Resolution 43 designates the last week of October as Dyslexia Awareness Week in the State of Illinois. This is to signify the importance of improving awareness and to encourage the early diagnosis of dyslexia. Dyslexia is one of the most common language-based learning disabilities. It's the most common cause of reading, writing, and spelling difficulties. Dyslexia affects seventy to eighty percent of people with reading disabilities. It's estimated that between five to ten percent of the population has dyslexia, but this number could also be as high as seventeen percent. It's because the symptoms of dyslexia range from mild to severe, and so dyslexia may not be recognized or diagnosed in all individuals. Children who are dyslexic receive effective training in kindergarten and first grade. If they do this, they'll significantly have improvements in their reading at grade level. So dyslexia affects males and females equally. Senate -- Joint Resolution 43 says -- designates, again, the last week of October 2013 as Dyslexia Awareness Week in the State of Illinois. This is to -- apparently, I'm one of those students - this is to signify the importance of improving awareness and to encourage the early diagnosis of dyslexia. And I would ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 To the resolution, Senator Rose.
Wish to thank my colleague, Senator Bush. This is a topic that hits home personally to me and my family and it is extremely important and it's often -- it goes unnoticed. It goes undealt with in our school systems. And there are millions of Americans who have some form of dyslexia. It is very hard, it's very frustrating to try to read to a child that has a hard time reading. And -- but with treatment and with outreach, you can make it better. And there -- there's plenty of positive stories of people who have gone on to achieve greatness who started with adversity trying to read a book. So, thank you very much, from my heart, bottom of my heart, Senator Bush, for doing this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 43 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next up on the Calendar, we have House Joint Resolution 31. Senator Delgado. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 31, offered by Senator Delgado.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Delgado.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Joint Resolution 31 disapproves the mandate waiver request made by O'Fallon School District 90 with respect to a physical education and retroactively approves the request made by Abingdon-Avon 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 School District 276 with respect to a nonresident tuition. So we're actually talking about two separate school districts. All remaining requests of ISBE waiver report are deemed approved. And we just wanted to inform all the Members that this was done yesterday in the Education Committee and I would ask for the Body's approval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, as this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 31, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on Supplemental Calendar No. 2, Secretary's Desk, Concurrence, Senate Bills, we have Senate Bill 1689. Senator Haine, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 1689. Signed by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, on your motion.
…you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is a trailer bill from our Regional Office of Education bill which passed last -- last year, which was a result of a commission study, and it -- it provided a number of things, one of which was 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 to reduce -- have the counties in the State come together in their various regions and areas, reduce the number of ROEs to thirty- five and have a minimum population no later -- no lower than sixty- one thousand. That could not be accomplished by June 30. There were, frankly, some unhappy campers and they could only come to thirty-eight. That -- so, therefore, according to that -- to the law, the duty devolved upon the State Board to draw the map; however, the -- the -- the -- the election time and the -- has to be moved up so that the State Board can get this thing done by the 23rd of November, so people can file in a district that -- where they know the -- the boundaries. That's what the bill does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 1689. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 1689, and the bill is declared passed. 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 61. 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads HJR No. 61) Adopted by the House, October 23rd, 2013. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) We will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No, sir, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. And the resolutions are adopted. On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution 61. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 61, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Link moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 61. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Link moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 61. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 70th Legislative Day 10/23/2013 before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 p.m. on the 5th day of November, 2013. The Senate stands adjourned. 71