PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The regular Session of the 98th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Chaplain Greg Stafford, Director of Pastoral Care at Memorial Medical Center here in Springfield. Pastor Stafford.
(Prayer by Chaplain Greg Stafford)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs, to lead us in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, February 25th, 2014.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 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 SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Zachary White, with the Daily Herald requests permission to photograph, and Ashley Michels, WCIA, requests permission to shot video and audio. Seeing no 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 955, offered by Senator Harris and all Members. And Senate Resolution 956, offered by President Cullerton and all Members. They are both death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 957, offered by Senator Morrison. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Koehler, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, reports Senate Bill 2903 Do Pass. Senator Delgado, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Bills 2647 and 3113 Do Pass. Senator Mulroe, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Senate Bills 2928, 3028, 3035 and 3048 Do Pass; and Senate Bill 2968 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Hunter, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports Senate Bill 2773 Do Pass. Senator Raoul, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Bills 2952, 2985, 3022 and 3040 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 2656, 2939 and 3057 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Sandoval, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Bills 2717 and 2978 Do Pass; and 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 Senate Bill 2932 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Jones, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Bills 2975, 2980, 2991, 3036, 3071, 3135 Do Pass; Senate Bill 3056 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 1681 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Collins, Chairperson of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports Senate Bill 3029 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Noland, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Bills 2941, 2992 and 3074 Do Pass; Senate Bills 2609 and 2771 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2694 and Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2695 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 80. Offered by President Cullerton. Adopted by the House, February 25th, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 Please state your point.
Thank you. I stand, with my colleagues behind me, in recognition -- in recognition of former President of the Farm Bureau, Philip Nelson. After ten years of serving as the fourteenth President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Philip Nelson, of Seneca, has retired as of December. Today we honor him for his service to that organization and to the industry that's at the core of the Illinois economy. He's a lifelong farmer and his dedication to the industry throughout the years merit great recognition. His involvement began as a member of the Seneca FFA, so he's proud to wear his national blue and corn gold jacket. And since then, Mr. Nelson has been involved in several committee {sic} and agricultural organizations throughout his career. Prior to serving as the President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, he was President of the Illinois Soybean Association from 1989 to 1991; President of the LaSalle County Farm Bureau from 1993 to 1999; Vice President of the American Soybean Association from 1993 to '94; also Chairman at the AFBF, American Farm Bureau, Swine Advisory Committee from '97 to 2000. And he's recognized as the State FFA Star Farmer of Illinois in -- 1977; the American Farm Bureau's {sic} (Bureau) Federation’s National Outstanding Young Farmer in 1984 and Prairie Farmer’s Master Farmer in 2001. Mr. Nelson has also represented the interests of farmers on the first USDA Biotechnology Advisory Committee and the Federal Grain Inspection Service Advisory Committee. He currently serves on the USDA Agriculture {sic} (Agricultural) Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Protections {sic} (Products). One top -- on top of those responsibilities over the last three 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 decades, he and his wife, Carmen, operate a fourth-generation grain and livestock farm near Seneca that grows corn, soybeans, and alfalfa, and runs a cow and calf operation. I am proud to say that Phil is my neighbor. Mr. Nelson has a clear passion for farming and the farming industry. His involvement shows his desire to represent, defend, improve, and grow the industry and, for that, we thank him and recognize him today. He may be retiring from the Illinois Farm Bureau, but I am sure that his involvement will not cease. Phil is a very sought after speaker. You can tell, when he speaks before any group, he's very passionate and very knowledgeable and knows what he's talking about. After many years -- or, many years ago, you took the FFA motto, which is to -- "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve", and Phil, my friend, you certainly have lived that your entire life. I would like to congratulate you on your accomplishment and best wishes to you in the future. Thank you, Phil.
Mr. President, if I might just add my words of congratulations. As Chairman of Senate Committee on Agriculture, I just want to say to Mr. Nelson, you've had a stellar career. Thank you for all you've done to the Farm Bureau and thank you for the Farm Bureau of what you've done to make Illinois the greatest agricultural State in the union. So best wishes in all your future endeavors and thank you for a job well done.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCann, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCANN: For a point of personal privilege, Mr. President. Thank you. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: I just want to join in the congratulatory remarks to President Phil Nelson, the fourteenth President of the Illinois Farm Bureau. There has been no better spokesperson for agriculture and for the Farm Bureau members than you, sir. You have genuinely impressed me as -- with -- in my three years as Minority Spokesperson on the Senate Agriculture Committee. And I have a distinct feeling that the accomplishments in your life thus far will pale by comparison for all that you will do in the future for agriculture. So thank you for your service. Thank you for leadership through service. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Philip Nelson, on behalf of the Illinois State Senate, we appreciate you being here. Thank you for your service. From my own perspective, it's been a pleasure working with you over the last several years, and certainly when I was the Chairman of the Ag Committee, I enjoyed it as well. I see your predecessor {sic} up in the gallery there. Rich is up there. Welcome to the Senate as well, Rich Guebert, the -- the current President of the Illinois Farm Bureau. Great to have both of you here today. And thank you very much, Philip. Good to see you. Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Purpose of introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your introduction, Senator Jones.
6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 To my right here, I would like to introduce to you a very good friend, actually a lifelong friend, Tiffany Hightower. She used to run around this Senate Floor with me when my dad was Senator. So now she's down here advocating for money -- more moneys for our community. So please join me in giving a warm round of applause to Tiffany Hightower.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Tiffany, welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Great to have your here. Thanks for joining us. Senator LaHood, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR LaHOOD: Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator LaHood. SENATOR LaHOOD: Thank you, Mr. President. Today I'd like to introduce my Page for the Day, who's shadowing me, and that's Miss Elizabeth Mattern. Miss Mattern lives in Brimfield. She's in the ninth grade at St. Andrew Homeschool and is fourteen years of age. Her hobbies include violin, viola, clarinet, horseback riding, reading, and raising chickens. Elizabeth has an interest in journalism and enjoys writing articles for the local paper, Elmwood's Weekly Post. She plans to attend college and looks towards a possible career in the medical profession. I'd like everyone to give her a warm Springfield welcome. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) You're welcome. Thank you. And welcome to the Illinois Senate, Melissa {sic}. Good to have you here today. Thanks for 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 joining us. Senator Barickman, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to the resolution. Mr. President and my fellow colleagues…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Barickman. Okay. We'll come back to Senator in just a minute. Senator McCann, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Mr. President, for recognizing me a second time. For the purpose of an introduction, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCann, please make your introduction. SENATOR McCANN: I am honored to introduce Daisy Girl Scout Troop #6046. There are -- five members are here with us in the President's Gallery on the Republican side: Mia Volpert, Conte Wilham, Celia Potts, Emily Doran and Meredith Bauer, and their leaders. And if you will join me in welcoming them to the State Capitol. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Will our guests in the gallery please rise? Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Nice to have you here today. Thanks for joining us. Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Koehler.
I have a very, very special Page with me today. This is my 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 oldest granddaughter, Georgia Koehler Pastucha. And to tell you the story, she is a Girl Scout, Troop 4746, and I helped her to sell some cookies here. So I said, "If I'm going to do that, you have to come down to deliver them." And so she is here today to make some deliveries, and she brought her dad, Jay Pastucha. And I'd like to have the Senate give them a big welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Will our guests rise? Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Great to have you here and you're with a great Senator today. Thank you. Senator Terry Link, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal interest, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Link.
Well, today I'm privileged to introduce my Page for a Day. We have Ben Peterson from Wauconda, Illinois, and actually it's in Senator Bush's district. And he's a senior at Wauconda Community High School and he's planning on attending Illinois State University this fall to study to become a CPA, and I told him he could help me in the future. So I'd like the Senate to give him a big welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Great to have you here today. You're also with a great Senator. Ed Cross with WAND requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen, if I can have your attention, please. If I can have your attention, Ladies and Gentlemen, please. We're going to go to the Order of 3rd Reading. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 If you'll turn to page -- to the top of page 4 of your printed Calendar, on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 2694. Understand the sponsorship -- there's been paperwork filed to put the sponsorship over to Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson, do you wish to proceed? She -- indicates that she does. Senator Hutchinson seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2694 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2694. Mr. Secretary, are there any committee or Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Hastings.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) As I indicated, there's been paperwork filed that allows Senator Hutchinson to present the amendment. Senator Hutchinson, on your amendment.
Floor Amendment No. -- Senate Amendment No. 2 actually becomes the bill and Senator -- the sponsor will explain that when it goes to 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates she will yield. Senator Righter.
Thank you. Senator Hutchinson, I just -- I'm the… 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter, excuse me just one second. Ladies and Gentlemen, if we could hold the visiting down. It's a little bit hard to hear. Ladies and Gentlemen, please hold the visiting down. Shh. Senator Righter, please proceed.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Hutchinson, I'm the spokesperson on our -- the Senate Criminal Law Committee and I think that this is the amendment that just moved through our committee, but, at the time, you weren't the sponsor of it. Can you describe the amendment and that'll help me put the two together, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hutchinson.
Of course. I'm the chief cosponsor of the bill, which is why, since the original sponsor is not here, I'm able to move the bill on the Floor now. And we filed paperwork to do that. But this amendment restates the underlying bill with the following changes: Adds the requirement that the offender posted the images or videos with intent to cause emotional distress, provides an exemption for the news media publishing images and videos of substantial public interest, and exempts computer services and telecommunications providers from liability for content provided by another person using their services. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any further 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 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments filed.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now, on the Order of 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill -- out of the record. On Senate Bill 2694, out of the record. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Althoff.
I -- I'd like to ask Senator McConnaughay and Senator Cullerton to meander over in this direction. We have an extraordinarily important announcement. Behind us in the gallery, scattered from one side to the other, we have children and parents of a very wonderful organization started in northern McHenry County, reaches now into Kane down to Bartlett and Dundee. And we have individuals who started a special needs baseball team, where we have children of special needs who are partnered with buddies who help them learn how to hit the ball, catch the ball, run the bases. And a group from this organization was selected last year to play in an exhibition game in the Little League World Series in Pennsylvania. So they are here. They received a House resolution. And I would like the Senate to recognize all of these incredible young men and women and their parents.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Will our baseball players and their family please rise and be recognized by the Illinois State Senate? Well, great to have you 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 here today. Thank you for joining us. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will now turn to the top of page 6 of your printed Calendars, the Order -- on the Order of Secretary's Desk, Resolutions. We're on the top of page 6 of the printed Calendar. First up, we have Senate Joint Resolution 46. Senator Barickman. Do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 46, offered by Senator Barickman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Barickman.
Thank you, Mr. President. Rise in support of the resolution. And would ask that my -- that my colleagues join me for a moment. It is with…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Excuse me just a second. Ladies and Gentlemen, Senator Barickman has some -- an announcement, a resolution he's working on. Has some special guests here. If everybody would please give your full attention to Senator Barickman here. Keep the visiting down, please. Senator Barickman, please proceed.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. My fellow colleagues, it is today with extreme humility that I rise. And I ask you to rise with me to honor one of our public servants today. Last fall, Pontiac Police Office Casey Kohlmeier's life was tragically taken by a senseless, reckless act of another. With Casey's passing, our community mourned. And in their mourning, the people of Pontiac and throughout Livingston County and, really, around our State began to learn so much more about this fine upstanding young 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 man and his beloved sidekick, his K-9 patrol partner, a dog named Draco. I am joined today, and would ask to rise, members of Casey's family. We have Jeff Kohlmeier, his father; Keri Schmidt, his mother; and his girlfriend, Leslie Alappattu. We're also joined by numerous family, friends, and coworkers who appear in the gallery -- in the President's Gallery above. Thank you for being with us today. Casey was a -- was a great guy. Born in 1984. He's a graduate of Pontiac Township High School. Had a Bachelor's Degree from DeVry -- DeVry University. And he was a medaled and distinguished veteran with the U.S. Air Force. Casey worked for the Pontiac Police Department since 2007 and was a detective on Livingston County's Proactive Unit. Casey was young, and certainly he was much too young for the plan that -- that God had for him. I remember vividly the thousands of people who lined the streets of Pontiac to come and pay respect for this fallen officer last year, the outpouring of community support for the family, for the friends, and for the Department, who clearly lost a brother, all who mourned the loss of this great young man. Blue lights lit up in remembrance of Casey throughout Pontiac and around central Illinois following his passing. And people would stop you on the street to talk to you about him and to recall fond memories. Casey was a special friend to so many. He made an enormous and positive impact on the community that he loved and served. And so it is my honor, my privilege to stand before you today with Casey's family and his friends and to ask you in joining me in this celebration of the life of this fine young man, Officer Casey J. Kohlmeier. We're here today to pay him honor and respect and to say thank you for his service to our State. SJR 46, the resolution for which we're here upon, also asks us to designate a section of 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 I-55 from Exit 197 near Pontiac to Exit 202 as the Officer Casey J. Kohlmeier Memorial Highway. And we further instruct IDOT to erect signs, placards that are appropriate for the situation. I'd ask for you to join me in support of this resolution. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's all rise for a moment of silence in honor of Mr. Kohlmeier and in respect to his family. Moment of silence. (Moment of silence observed) Thank you. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The -- the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 46 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Joint -- House -- excuse me, Senate Joint Resolution 46, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Thank you, Senator Barickman. Senate Joint Resolution 50. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate -- House Joint Resolution 52. Senator McCarter. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 52, offered by Senator McCarter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter, on your resolution. SENATOR McCARTER: Ladies and Gentlemen, House Joint Resolution 52 recognizes one of our servicemembers from my district who gave everything to protect our freedom. This resolution marks the passing of twenty- 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 six-year-old Corporal Aaron Ripperda. But I'd like to take -- take some time to honor his life. He gave his life in defense of his hometown of Highland, his family, and his friends. Aaron was a 2005 graduate of Highland High School, a respected and loved son and brother, classmate and friend. Corporal Ripperda and six other Marines lost their lives during a training exercise on March 18th. This was Aaron's last assignment before he was scheduled to -- to leave active service. He was just months away from heading home. To his parents and his sister and the rest of his family and friends, our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Aaron Ripperda was indeed a true hero.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator McCarter. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 52 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 52, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Joint -- House Joint Resolution 53. Senator McCarter. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 53, offered by Senator McCarter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Ladies and Gentlemen, again, I present to you the -- the 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 tragic news of another hero within my district. House Joint Resolution 53, with the adoption of this resolution, we're acknowledging the passing of Staff Sergeant Jordan Emrick, an American hero. Jordan lost his life defending us and the United States of America, our freedom, our liberty, and the way we live. Staff Sergeant Emrick leaves behind a large family who loved him dearly. We share their pain and we extend our heartfelt appreciation for this outstanding young man who paid the ultimate sacrifice for family, friends and nation. I'm reminded of John Chapter 15:13 -- Verse 13 that says, "Greater love has {sic} (hath) no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jordan's life and service to our nation stands as a testimony -- testament to that love. As the resolution states, Staff Sergeant Jordan Emrick is from Hoyleton, Illinois. It -- it may be a small town in population and size in Washington County, but it -- but it gave us a brave and fearless Marine, who we honor today as a hero.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator McCarter. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 53 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 53, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. Will all members of the Committee on Assignments please come to the President's Anteroom? Committee on 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 Assignments, immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) Senate will come to order. 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 passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 4208. We have received a like Message on House Bill 5017. Passed the House, February 26th, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Harmon, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Energy Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3090; refer to Environment Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2671; refer to Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 343, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2977 and House Joint Resolution 80; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2641; Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bill 451 {sic} and 640. Signed, Senator Don Harmon, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 89th Legislative Day 2/26/2014 12 p.m. on the 27th day of February, 2014. The Senate stands adjourned. 19