PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The regular Session of the Senate will come to order. Will our guests in the galleries please rise? Will our Members please be seated? Prayer this morning will be offered by Pastor Brewer, House of Faith International Church, Bloomington, Illinois. Pastor Brewer.
(Prayer by Pastor Tafforest Brewer)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of Tuesday, April 30th, 2013; Wednesday, May 1st, 2013; Thursday, May 2nd, 2013; Monday, May 6, 2013; Tuesday, May 7th, 2013; Wednesday, May 8th, 2013; Thursday, May 9th, 2013; Tuesday, May 14th, 2013; Wednesday, May 15th, 2013; Thursday, May 16th, 2013; Friday, May 17th 2013; Monday, May 20th, 2013; and Tuesday, May 21st, 2013.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 Thank you, Senator Hunter. Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013; Tuesday, January 21st, 2014; and Tuesday, January 28th, 2014.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move to postpone the readings and approvals of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator Hunter. Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection…(microphone cutoff)… Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture and Conservation Committee - Senate Bills 2633, 2645 and 2658; refer to Criminal Law Committee - Senate Bills 2583, 2609, 2650 and 2651; refer to Education Committee - Senate Bills 2617, 2647, 2661 and 2682; refer to Environment Committee - Senate Bills 2607, 2657 and 2671; refer to Executive Committee - Senate Bills 68, 2584, 2637, 2642, 2644, 2649 and 2747; refer to Human Services Committee - Senate Bills 2585, 2586, 2604, 2605 and 2611; refer to Insurance Committee - Senate Bills 2590, 2608, 2634, 2635 and 2662; refer to Judiciary Committee - Senate Bills 2594, 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 2597, 2616, 2630, 2631, 2646, 2652, 2653, 2654, 2655, 2656, 2664, 2669 and 2677; refer to Labor and Commerce Committee - Senate Bills 2622, 2623, 2624, 2625, 2626 and 2648; refer to Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee - Senate Bills {sic} 2663; refer to Local Government Committee - Senate Bill 2613 and 2643; refer to Public Health Committee - Senate Bills 2636, 2659 and 2670; refer to Revenue Committee - Senate Bills 2600, 2612, 2619, 2639, 2672 and 2673; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Senate Bill 2599, 2628, 2640, 2641, 2668 and 2674; refer to Transportation Committee - Senate Bills 2620, 2629, 2632, Senate Joint Resolution 46, House Joint Resolution 52 and House Joint Resolution 53; Be Approved for Consideration - House Bill 11, House Bill 2747 and Senate Joint Resolution 45. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman. Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 11. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 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 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 65. Offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads HJR No. 65) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 Adopted by the House, December 3rd, 2013. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege, if I may.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Absolutely. State your point.
Thank you. Welcome back everyone. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas season. I'm honored today to be joined by Decatur City Councilman, Pat McDaniel. He's joining us after three years on the city council, coming over to watch the Governor's speech in a little bit, and he just recently retired from the Macon County Museum, Director. And so, welcome to retirement. And if you don't mind, give us a big welcome to Springfield. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please welcome our guest to the Illinois General Assembly. Will all Members at the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We will be going to Floor action. Will all the Members at the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor for Floor action? Senator Collins, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator.
4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, you may have noticed more red than usual around the Capitol this morning. Once a year, we put on our red jackets or dresses or ties or label {sic} pins…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Excuse me. Excuse me, Senator Collins. Please lower your voices, please, for this announcement. Thank you. Senator Collins.
Thank you, Madam President. Once a year, we put on our red jackets or dresses or ties or lapel pins to draw attention to the fact that heart disease, a disease that is often preventable, is still the number one killer of women in this nation. Each year, cardiovascular disease kills more women than men, the equivalent of one woman every minute. But even though heart disease claims more women's lives than all cancers combined, women continue to be underrepresented in heart-related studies. Only twenty percent of women believe heart disease is the greatest threat to their health, even though ninety percent have one or more risk factors. This year, we mark the tenth anniversary of National Wear Red Day, a project of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement. The Illinois Conference of Women Legislators is proud to support Go Red for Women, encouraging women to take control of their health by being aware of their risk of developing heart disease and what they can do to prevent it. Thank you for being our allies in this fight for women's lives.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) House Bill 11. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we are going to the Senate Calendar, Supplemental Calendar No. 1. On the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 11. Senator Link leaves -- 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 Senator Link takes {sic} leave of the Body to return House Bill 11 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 11. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link.
Thank you, Madam President. The amendment becomes the bill. I'll discuss it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator Link. Is there any discussion? 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?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 11. Senator Link indicates he wish to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
House Bill 11. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link.
6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 11, as amended, extends the current sunset of advance deposit wagering law from January 31st, 2014, to February 1st, 2017. To alleviate a projected Racing Board deficit and a dramatic cut in racing dates, House Bill 11 imposes a mandatory .2 percent surcharge on winning wagers of all wagering locations and ADW platforms. I know of -- known opposition to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The sponsor indicates he'll yield. Senator Righter.
Thank you. Senator Link, I'll try to make this one of the easiest questions that will be asked all Session of you and that is - there's a lot noise in the Chamber - this is -- this sometimes is a -- a little bit of a divisive issue with some Members. I know we're all just giddy with excitement to get over to the House Chamber and listen to what the Governor has to say, but could you repeat what exactly the bill does, so maybe all the Members could hear? Thank you, Senator. I appreciate it, Madam Chair {sic}.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link.
Be more than happy. House Bill 11, as amended, extends the current sunset of the advance deposit wagering law from January 31st, 2014, to February 1st, 2017. To alleviate a projected Racing 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 Board deficit and dramatic cuts to racing dates, House Bill 11 imposes a mandatory .2 percent surcharge on all winning wagers at all wagering locations and -- locations and ADW platforms.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 11 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 47 voting Yea, 4 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 11, receiving the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Martinez, on SJR 45. The lady indicates she's ready to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 45, offered by Senator Martinez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. SJR 45 extends the reporting deadline for the Task Force on Charter School Funding from January 15 to February 15th, 2015 {sic} (2014). That is due to the fact that we've had to cancel several of the meetings due to the weather. We usually meet on Mondays and unfortunately we've had to cancel those meetings. But we've been doing some good work, coming together, and hopefully by February 15th, we will have a report to issue back to the General Assembly. And I will be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Althoff, what purpose do you rise?
8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 Thank you, Madam President. To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.
To all the Members of the Body, this is a decision that was made in a bipartisan fashion by the task force. I concur with Senator Martinez. We've made some great progress. We've done things in conjunction with some other school task forces. We just were buried by the weather and data gathering. So I would really urge everyone to support this resolution and allow us to continue our good work. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 45 pass. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. SJR 45, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Senator Silverstein, for what purpose do you rise?
Purpose of an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator.
There will be a Democratic Caucus after the Governor's State of the State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 Thank you, Senator. Senator Biss, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point.
I'd just like to ask all of our colleagues to wish a belated happy birthday to our dear colleague and friend, Senator Sandoval. He had a lovely fiftieth birthday party in his district and I was fortunate enough to attend along with Senators {sic} Collins and President Cullerton and Senator Frerichs and we had a wonderful evening. There was a moment at which I was ill-advisedly finding myself playing the violin in a mariachi band. I tried to forget that, but not to forget my good friend Senator Sandoval's remarkable hospitality and charm, and I hope we can all wish him a belated happy fiftieth birthday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Happy fiftieth birthday, Senator -- Senator Sandoval. In -- in an effort to celebrate our heart disease day, all of the beautiful women wearing red today, will you please come up to the well at the end of Session, before we go over to the House Chamber? If -- all the ladies in red, will you please come to the well for a photo? On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution No. 65. Madam {sic} Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 65, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link moves to suspend all rules for the immediate 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 consideration of House Joint Resolution 65. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Link moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 65. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The following Senators are appointed to the Committee of Escort to escort the Governor to the House of Representatives for the Joint Session: Senator Biss, Senator Martinez, Senator McGuire, Senator Baremack and Senator McConnelly -- Barimack -- Barickmackman -- Barickman -- Senator -- Barickman and Senator McConnaughay - Senator McConnaughay and Senator Barickman. I got it? Good enough. The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair until after the Joint Session. After the Joint Session, the Senate will reconvene for further Floor action and the Senate Democratic Caucus meeting -- after the Senate Democrat Caucus meeting. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The Senate will come back to order. Mr. Secretary, Consent Calendar. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolution Consent Calendar. With the 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 on any of the resolutions on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 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. 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 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 67. (Secretary reads HJR No. 67) Adopted by the House, January 29th, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution 67. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 67, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Lightford moves to suspend the rules for the purposes of immediate consideration and the adoption of House Joint Resolution 67. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Lightford moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 67. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. There being no further business to come 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 1/29/2014 before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 p.m. on the 4th day of February, 2014. The Senate stands adjourned. 13