PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The regular Session of the 98th General Assembly will come to order. Will all the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Robert Freeman, Kumler United Methodist Church, Springfield, Illinois. Pastor Freeman.
(Prayer by Pastor Robert Freeman)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Haine, to lead us in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Haine)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Thursday, April 3rd, 2014.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, 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. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1075, offered by Senator Dillard and all 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Members. It is a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senate Resolutions Calendar.
Senate Resolution 1074, offered by Senator Bivins. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) James R. Carder with Blueroomstream.com requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. 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 3707. We have received like Messages on House Bills 3748, 3827, 4035, 4380, 4482, 4483, 4486, 4491, 4516, 4535, 4593, 4745, 4782, 4783, 4784, 5143, 5307, 5311, 5397, 5514, 5546, 5610, 5662, 5689, 5856 and 5891. Passed the House, April 3rd, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of 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 3798. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 We have received like Messages on House Bills 3912, 3924, 4056, 4329, 4422, 4557, 4594, 4660, 4762, 4769, 4773, 4781, 4790, 5401, 5410, 5416, 5433, 5464, 5475, 5564, 5648, 5686, 5735, 5824, 5869, 5872, 5893, 5895 and 5922. Passed the House, April 4th, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of 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 21. Offered by Senator McCann, and adopted by the House, May 1st, 2013. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, if I can have your attention. Will all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor immediately? We're going to be going to the Order of 2nd Readings. There will only be one or maybe two opportunities to go through the Calendar on 2nd Readings between now and tomorrow. So, all Members in your offices, please come to the Senate Floor immediately. Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 5311, offered by Senator McConnaughay. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5393, offered by Senator Bush. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5410, offered by Senator Mulroe. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5416, offered by Senator Barickman. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5485, offered by Senator Raoul. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5514, offered by Senator Koehler. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5546, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5564, offered by Senator Luechtefeld. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5572, offered by Senator Radogno. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5610, offered by Senator Righter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5648, offered by Senator Bush. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5665, offered by Senator Mulroe. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5689, offered by Senator Mulroe. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5704, offered by Senator Tom {sic} Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5735, offered by Senator Koehler. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5853, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5856, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5922, offered by Senator Sandoval. (Secretary reads title of bill) 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 House Bill 5968, offered by… House Bill 5968, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) Correction on earlier bill: House Bill 5704, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3163, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3707, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3748, offered by Senator Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3827, offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3912, offered by Senator Biss. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3937, offered by Senator Collins. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4035, offered by Senator Mulroe. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4236, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4286, offered by Senator Stadelman. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4329, offered by Senator Forby. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4382, offered by Senator Kotowski. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4422, offered by Senator Stadelman. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4483, offered by Senator Tom Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4486, offered by Senator Kotowski. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4516, offered by Senator Cunningham. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4535, offered by Senator Biss. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4557, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4561, offered by Senator Bertino-Tarrant. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4579, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4597, offered by Senator Bertino-Tarrant. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4652, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4677, offered by Senator Mulroe. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4707, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4734, offered by Senator Manar. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4745, offered by Senator Morrison. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4773, offered by Senator Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 House Bill 4775, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4790, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5307, offered by Senator Steans. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Appointment Messages.
Appointment Message 615 Governor's salaried appointment John Spring Department of State Police Merit Board Appointment Message 616 Governor's non-salaried appointment Patrick Gibbs Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois Appointment Message 617 Governor's non-salaried appointment Mark Harris Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois Appointment Message 618 Governor's salaried appointment Sheila Henretta Director of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Banking 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Appointment Message 619 Governor's non-salaried appointment Patrick Gibbs Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, just for an announcement. Will all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? All Members to the Senate Floor. We're going to be going to the Order of 2nd Readings, and we only have today and tomorrow to actually move bills to 2nd {sic} Reading. So if you have a bill that you want to move to 2nd {sic}, please come to the Senate Floor immediately. We're going to start on 2nds momentarily. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1076, offered by Senators Radogno and Brady. It is a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Ladies and Gentlemen, like I announced a few minutes ago, we will go to the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading. So if you'll turn to your Calendar, at the top of page 2 of the printed Calendar, on the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 2583. Senator Noland. Senator Noland. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2590. Senator Haine. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2590. (Secretary reads title of bill) 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Insurance adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2620. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2651. Senator Silverstein. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2651. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2674. Leader Harmon. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2758. Senator Biss. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2760. Leader Lightford. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2760. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2764. Leader Haine. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2793. Senator Hutchinson. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2846. Leader Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2846. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. Committee on Higher Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2870. Senator Silverstein. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2870. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2889. Leader Althoff. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2889. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Revenue adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2922. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2922. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Insurance adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2929. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2995. Senator Raoul. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3004. Leader Lightford. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
Senate Bill 3004. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3007. Leader Harmon. Out of the record. At the bottom of page 2, we have Senate Bill 3014. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3014. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you'll turn to the top of page 3 of the printed Calendar, again on the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 3016. Senator Connelly. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3023. Senator Mulroe. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3038. Senator Raoul. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3052. Senator Biss. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3099. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3108. Senator Noland. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3109. Senator McGuire. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3112. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Senator Althoff. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3112. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3137. Senator Emil Jones. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3139. Senator McCann. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
Senate Bill 3139. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Transportation adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3144. Senator Syverson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3144. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3258. Senator Raoul. Out of the 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 record. Senate Bill 3264. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
Senate Bill 3264. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Insurance adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3270. Senator McConnaughay. Senator McConnaughay. Senator McConnaughay. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
Senate Bill 3270. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3287. Senator Raoul. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3304. Senator Rose. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3306. Senator Rose. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3306. (Secretary reads title of bill) 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Higher Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, please turn to the top of page 4 of your printed Calendar - again, still on the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading. We have Senate Bill 3313. Senator Bertino-Tarrant. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3316. Leader Muñoz. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3338. Senator Connelly. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3382. Senator Muñoz. Leader Muñoz. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3397. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson, on 3397. Out of the record. Mr. Secretary, we're on Senate Bill 3398. Senator Hutchinson. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3407. Senator Connelly. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3408. Senator Raoul. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3409. Senator Manar, on 3409. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3411. Senator Manar. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3419. Senator Cunningham. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3421. Senator Morrison. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
Senate Bill 3421. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported. 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we'll come back to 3422. Let's go to Senate Bill 3433. Senator Morrison. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3450. Leader Clayborne, on 3450. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3451. Senator Frerichs, on 3451. Out of the record. And, Ladies and Gentlemen, at the bottom of page 4, we have Senate Bill 3471. Senator LaHood. Out of the record. Let's go to the top of page 5. Senate Bill 3476. Leader Muñoz. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
Senate Bill… Senate Bill 3476. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3478. Leader Muñoz. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3486. Leader Martinez. Senator Martinez. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3497. Senator Cunningham. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3509. Senator Muñoz. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3509. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Insurance adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3512. Senator Manar, on 3512. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3512. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3514. Senator Holmes. Senator Holmes. Oh! There she is. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3522. Leader Hunter. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3522. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3530. Senator Stadelman. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3538. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3548. Leader Harmon. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3558. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3558. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 1. 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3566. Leader Harmon. Out of the record. And Senate Bill 3574. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senator Kotowski, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Kotowski.
It's a pleasure to see you today, Mr. President. I always enjoy it when you're in the Chair. The -- it gives me great pleasure to introduce my Page for the Day today. We have Joe McKenna from Park Ridge. He's a sixth grader. He goes to St. Paul of the Cross School. His favorite subject is math. He's a hockey player. He's a hockey player. He plays on Team Illinois on defense, and he's probably going to go to Fenwick High School. He's going to be a Friar. Favorite team: The Michigan Wolverines. You hear that, Senator Rose? Favorite team's the Michigan Wolverines. But there is a redemption - he wants to be a lawyer when he grows up. Yeah. He wants to be a lawyer. Ladies and Gentlemen -- and now he's here, he's joined by his mom, Megan McKenna. Meg, I don't know where -- there she is, right there. Raise your hand. It's great to see her today. And have 'em there. They're good friends of John Mulroe's. We won't hold that against 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 them. But it's great to have 'em here, down in Springfield. Could you please give my good friend, Joe McKenna, a great Springfield welcome? Joe McKenna.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Joe, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Great to have you joining us. Thanks for being here. Good to see you. Senator Morrison, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Morrison.
Delighted to introduce two students today from the Chicago Math and Science Academy. First, Damilola Oyedokun. She plays clarinet, piano, violin. She's a senior and she's the news editor of the Academic Leadership Club. She's the vice president of the National Honor Society. She's going to be studying engineering at either the Illinois Institute of Technology or University of Illinois at Chicago. She is joined by her friend and fellow student, Matilda Patterson. Matilda is seventeen, at the Chicago Math and Science Academy. She's the news editor of Academic Leadership Club. She's in the book club. She's the NHS secretary. And when she goes to college, she intends to work in the area of health science. Please help me in welcoming them to Springfield today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome the guests of Senator Morrison here to the Illinois Senate. Thanks for joining us today. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we're going to go 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 back to page 2 of the printed Calendar. Again, we're still on the Order of Senate Bills 2nd Reading. We have Senate Bill 2793. Senator Hutchinson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2793. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, let's go to page 4 of the printed Calendar. And Senate Bill 3409. Senator Manar, on 3409. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3409. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on -- Committee on Public Health adopted Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Next up on the Calendar is 3409. Senate Bill 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 -- excuse me, Senate Bill 3411, Mr. Secretary. Senate Bill 3411. Senator Manar. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill -- Senate Bill 3411. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Labor and Commerce adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. And now on the -- towards the bottom of page - - still on page 4, let's go to Senate Bill 3433. Senator Morrison. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3433. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Stephen Bourque with WICS-TV requests permission to record videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
Point -- point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Rose.
21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 To my colleague and friend, Senator Kotowski, I want to welcome your guest here today and wish him well at the University of Michigan and with his hockey career. We at the University of Illinois would love to have you, but we're only a club team. However, I will say this, it stunned me greatly earlier this year when my own son, my very own son, Jack Rose, has now declared himself also to be a University of Michigan fan. After walking out of an Illinois football game, he looks at me and says, "Dad, I'm sorry. I hate to tell you this, but they win." So, on that note, welcome to your intern and Page for the Day. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, we're -- we are going to go to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. This is final action. We're going to be jumping around just a little bit on the Calendar. We'll skip over most of the shell bills and we'll go -- we're going to start on page 6 of the printed Calendar, in the middle of the page, with Senate Bill 219. And I'll give the Secretary time to get the bills up on the board. Senator Hunter, on Senate Bill 219. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 219. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a -- this is the creation of an Illinois lottery ticket that's -- it creates a scratch -- a new scratch-off lottery ticket titled "Go For The Gold" and the 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 proceeds going -- will go to the Illinois Special Olympics. And the funds will go to support statewide training, the competition {sic} (competitions), and programs for Special Olympics. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Ladies and Gentlemen, this is 3rd Reading. The question is, shall Senate Bill 219 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 39 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 219, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you'll turn to page 7 of the printed Calendar, again on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 344. Senator Morrison. We'll get it -- let it get up on the board. Out of the record, Mr. Secretary. Let's go to Senate Bill 347. Senator Holmes. Senator Holmes. Senator Holmes. Out of the record. Senate Bill 348. Leader Harmon. Leader Harmon. Out of the record. Mr. Secretary, Ladies and Gentlemen, let's go down to Senate Bill 499. Leader Haine, on 499. Out of the record, Mr. Secretary. Senate Bill 500. Senator Hastings, on Senate Bill 500. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, let's turn to page 8 - actually, page 9 - to Senate Bill 854. Senator Link. Leader Link, on 854. Out of the record. Senate Bill 902. Leader Clayborne, on 902. Out of the record. Again, Ladies and Gentlemen, we're kind of skipping around on the Calendar, just going to the -- we're skipping over a lot of the shell bills. If we -- if we miss a bill, let us know. Ladies and Gentlemen, with 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 leave of the Body, if you go back to page 8 of the printed Calendar, on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 798. Senator Steans. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 798. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill makes some changes to the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. It's been an agreed-to bill. It's providing them with greater flexibility to make sure they get an access to residents and then more independence, as given to them by the federal government. I would urge an Aye vote. I don't know of any opponents.
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 798 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 43 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 798, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar - we're on the bottom of page 8 - we have Senate Bill 799. Senator Hunter. Out of the record. Let's turn over to page 9. Where we left off is Senate Bill 929. Senator Link, on 929. Senator Link requests permission to -- to return -- seeks leave of 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 the Body to return Senate Bill 929 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 929. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Link, to explain Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment becomes the bill. I'll be more than happy to talk to it 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 Floor amendments approved -- any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading -- now on the Order of 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 929. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 929. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Link. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
Thank you, Mr. President. As amended, requires the Department of Natural Resources to prepare an operational plan for the Stratton Lock and Dam and the Algonquin Dam. Know of no objection to the bill.
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 929 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 45 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 929, having received -- received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 930. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 977. Senator Martinez. Senator Martinez, on 977. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we're going to go down to Senate Bill 1047. Senator Steans. Senator Steans seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1047 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 1047. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Steans.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans, to explain Floor Amendment 1.
Yes, Floor Amendment 1 becomes the bill and I'll explain it on 3rd. 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
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, we have Senate Bill 1047. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1047. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans, on Senate Bill 1047.
Yes, thank you very much, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. So this bill is a little bit quirky in that we had to go back to the State statutes of 1863 for the last time we amended this statute. The Rosehill Cemetery reserve trust fund -- or, the Rosehill Cemetery is in my district. This trust fund is used -- dollars in it are used to help maintain the cemetery and we have not updated their statute and given them the proper fiduciary roles and new ways of being able to elect trustees since 1863. So we're really just updating the statute to -- to make it more in line with current practices. I would urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1047 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, please take the record. On that question, there are 43 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1047, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, if -- we'll turn to page 10 of your printed Calendar. We have Senate Bill 1626. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1681. Senator Link. Senator Link. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1724. Senator Mulroe. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1724. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 1724 amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code to clarify under current statute and to require mental health facility directors to provide a copy of a certificate stating that the respondent is subject to involuntary admission on an inpatient basis to that facility and that certificate has to be given to the respondent. I know of no opponents. I'd ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1724 pass. All those in 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 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 46 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1724, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up, we have Senate Bill 1740. Leader Trotter. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1996. Senator McConnaughay. Out of the record. With leave of the Body, we will go to Senate Bill 2014. Senator Bivins. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, again, we're skipping over many of the bills that aren't ready to go. We're going to the top of page 11 of the printed Calendar, and we'll actually go to the second bill, and that's Senate Bill 2363. Senator -- Leader Martinez. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2586. Senator Steans. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2609. Senator Noland. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2628. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2647. Senator Althoff. Senator Althoff. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2650. Senator Silverstein. Senator Silverstein. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2659. Senator Silverstein. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2664. Senator Hastings. Thank you. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2682. Senator Hastings. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 2696. Senator Link. Senator Link. Out of the record. Senate -- there -- Senator Link, on 2696? Would you like to proceed? Mr. Secretary, take it out of the record. Senate Bill 2698. Senator Bertino-Tarrant. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2698. (Secretary reads title of bill) 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Bertino-Tarrant.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 2698 creates a long-term unemployment tax credit for businesses hiring employees who are {sic} previously unemployed for a consecutive period of twenty-seven weeks or greater. The bill utilizes a twenty-five-hundred-dollar credit over three years for hiring an employee for a minimum of thirty-five hours a week at a minimum salary of ten dollars per hour. It passed out of committee unanimously.
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 2698 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 44 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2698, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 2717. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2727. Senator Steans. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 2731. Senator Morrison. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2731. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Morrison.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 2731 requires that the operator of a watercraft who's towing a person or persons will display a red or orange flag on their watercraft. I know of no opposition to the bill.
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 2731 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 45 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2731, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. At the bottom of page 11, we have Senate Bill 2763. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Let's turn to the top of page 12 of the printed Calendar, again, on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We have Senate Bill 2774. Senator Link. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2775. Leader Lightford. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2808. Senator Biss. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2829. Senator Link. Out of the record. Mr. Secretary, we're up to Senate Bill -- 2928. Senator Link. 2928. Out of the record. Leave of the Body, we'll come back to 2932. Let's go to Senate Bill 2952. Senator Jacobs. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2979. Leader Muñoz. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2984. Senator Dillard. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 2997. Senator Link. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3033. Senator Frerichs. Out of the record. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Senate Bill 3044. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3044. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is an initiative of the Illinois Association of Realtors. And it merely removes the words "presenting instruction and real time discussion" from the law, allowing more efficient online courses. The Department is on board. There's no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3044 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 47 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3044, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an introduction, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your introduction, Leader Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 I'm honored to be joined by two guests today, Pages for the Day from Oak Park. I've got with me Lucas Pagni. Lucas, stand up. Lucas is a sophomore at Oak Park-River Forest High School, where he plays soccer and is looking into becoming an engineer. Beside him is Owen Gomez. Owen, stand up. Owen's also a sophomore at Oak Park-River Forest High School. He's in the jazz band. And he's interested in -- he was here last year, which concerns me, only because he's interested in becoming a politician when he grows up and he does live in the district. So I want to give a warm welcome to my friends and encourage them to run for office many years in the future.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome our guests, Lucas and Owen. Thank you so much for joining us. Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I got so defensive of my seat here, I forgot to recognize our guests in the gallery. Owen's mother, Jennifer Bell, and his grandmother, Lynne Bell, are both here with us in the President's Gallery.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome our guests in the gallery. Please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois Senate. Thanks for joining us. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, we left off at Senate Bill 3049. Senator Holmes, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3049. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Holmes, on Senate Bill 3049.
Yes, 3049 is an initiative of DNR. It's amending the Wildlife Code by adding the American black bear, the mountain lion, and the gray wolf under the list of protected species under the Act. They virtually are the only North American mammals that are not listed under the Act in Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, if we can hold the visiting down, please. Ladies and Gentlemen. Indicates that she will yield for a question. Senator Righter.
Senator Holmes, there was reference in previous discussions to language about animals being in imminent danger on -- on public lands versus private lands. Can you clarify? I mean, is -- is that an issue in this bill? Because I've heard discussion of this issue before in this building, but I didn't hear you reference it in your opening.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Holmes.
The -- the bill specifically does talk about private land. So it is the landowner or the tenant, that if they are in imminent 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 danger, or their -- or their livestock, their domestic pets, or their property is in danger, they can take the animal. And that was…(microphone cutoff)…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Holmes, you wish to…
I -- I was going to just elaborate that that was language put in by the Farm Bureau, who wanted to make sure that that protection for their livestock was in there. There's also language that addresses danger that is not imminent danger, if -- that you can actually get a nuisance permit to have the animal removed if it is, again, feeding on your livestock or attacking your property.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter. Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?
Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates she will yield. Senator Haine.
Senator Holmes, can we be assured that the black bears and the cougars and the others will kill many deer, if we vote for this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Holmes.
We -- we know that, as large predators, obviously deer are something they would feed on. So that is a possibility. But we also do need to remember that at this point in Illinois, we have 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 confirmed sightings of only four mountain lions, two black bears, and I want to think, is it, four or six gray wolves. So there -- it's not a huge problem at this point.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
I'm going to vote for this bill under the assumption that these creatures will kill more deer. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Holmes, you wish to close? Senator Holmes.
Yes. I would appreciate an Aye vote. Uh. Um. I -- I'm not sure that the deer would, but I certainly would. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3049 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 47 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3049, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Biss, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an introduction, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your introduction, Senator Biss.
Thank you very much. I'd like to introduce the Chamber to my 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 two Pages for the Day. They are Erin and Maggie Riordan, who are here from -- from Glenview. Erin is an eighth grader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Maggie's a sixth grader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview. Their hobbies include singing, shopping, hanging out with friends, sports, music and, of course, lacrosse. And I also would like the Chamber to notice their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Burden, who are in the gallery, as well. Please join me in giving them all a welcome to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome Erin and Maggie and their grandparents here to Springfield. Thanks for joining us. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are on Senate Bill 3055. Senator Biss. Do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3055. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Biss, to explain Senate Bill 3055.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 3055 is an initiative of the Department of Public Health, and it simply ensures that the closed loop well modifications are in accordance with all applicable laws and protects public safety. I know of no opposition. It was carefully negotiated. I'd appreciate your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Bill 3055 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 47 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3055, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar - again, we're on the -- towards the bottom of page 12 of the printed Calendar - we have Senate Bill 3092. Senator Delgado. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. At the bottom of page 12, we have Senate Bill 3110. Senator Hastings, on Senate Bill 3110. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, let's turn to the top of page 13 of the printed Calendar. Again, we're on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We have Senate Bill 3171. Leader Trotter. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3176. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3225. Senator Morrison, on Senate Bill 3225. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3228. Leader Haine. Mr. Secretary, Mr. -- Senator Haine would like to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3228. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 3228.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This amends the Power of Attorney Act to replace the current statutory short form of a power of attorney for health care and notice to the individual signing the power of attorney for health 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 care. This is an initiative of the Illinois State Medical Society, who believes, after discussions with physicians throughout the State, that this is a clearer, more concise power of attorney for their patients. It met with initial opposition from the Bar, but an amendment, I believe, cured that, and that amendment simply says that this change does not in any way invalidate any health care agency executed or any act of any agent done prior to the effective date of this -- of this Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Haine. Is there any discussion? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
Question of the sponsor, if I may.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield for a question. Senator Rose.
Thank you. Thank you for doing this. These health care power of attorneys are very confusing, even if people have been to law school. So when -- when you say that your -- there's a clause in here that protects already valid forms, the new form, properly executed, will still revoke a previously executed one. You're just keeping the ones that have already been executed alive until someone chooses to sign the new form. Correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Yes, Senator Rose. Thank you for that question. Absolutely correct.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3228 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 47 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3228, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 3255. Senator Tom Cullerton. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3267. Senator Bill Haine. Mr. Secretary, indicates he'd like to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3267. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is an initiative of a group of citizens really, from the Chicago area, who actually have had experience with the -- the administration of justice as defendants, former defendants, and they have rehabilitated themselves and they have some proposals, one of which is in this bill, which allows a person placed on probation, felony probation, to earn time credit to be removed from probation if they obtain education, such as a ninety-day credit for obtaining a high school diploma or GED, hundred and twenty days for an associate's degree, hundred and eighty days for a bachelor's degree. And they've worked out all the agreements 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 with the probation officers. And this is an incentive - does not penalize anyone if they don't do it. It's an incentive, if they do do it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Haine. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3267 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 47 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3267, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 3275. Senator Dillard. Mr. Secretary, indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3275. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Dillard.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. This bill would add a new compound to the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. The bill is supported by the Illinois Pharmacists Association, and it adds a new drug that has especially been scourging college campuses, called 25I. It's a designer synthetic hallucination drug, very similar to LSD from -- those of you who are from a different era. But it's a new drug that's out there. 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 There has been deaths. There have been many seizures caused by this. It is a drug that is particularly targeted to young people the ages of fifteen to twenty-nine years of age. And this adds a new designer synthetic hallucinative drug to the list as it's known, 25I, on the streets. And I'd appreciate a favorable roll call.
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 3275 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 48 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3275, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 3276. Leader Althoff. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3283. Leader Trotter. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3312. Senator Forby. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3318. Leader Link. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3322. Leader Haine. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
Senate Bill 3322. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, to explain Senate Bill 3322.
Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate and Mr. 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 President. This is an initiative of the Department of Insurance. It makes technical corrections to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, which was sponsored so ably by Senator John Mulroe last Session and is now the law, which brings insurance pools under the -- the regulatory authority, more clearly, of the Department of Insurance. This bill requires that the actuarial standards of practice in a statement of an actuarial opinion by a pool shall be those of the Casualty Actuarial Society or the Society of Actuaries. And we all know that actuaries are a group of people that reside in Zurich, Switzerland, and control all insurance companies.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Haine, for that thorough explanation. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3322 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 48 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3322, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 3324. Senator Haine, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3324. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, to explain Senate Bill 3324. 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this is another initiative of Department of Insurance and it more clearly regulates surplus line insurance products, and these are products purchased by an insured to protect against difficult to define risk. For example, betting upon the Cubs winning the World Series. Some examples of surplus lines could be anything which would include my previous remark. There is no opposition to this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, are you sure all that language is in the bill? Ladies and Gentlemen, is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3324 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 48 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3324, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar - again, we're on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, towards the bottom of page 13 - we have 3341. Leader Althoff. Mr. Secretary, indicates she'd like to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3341. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff.
44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Thank you very much, Mr. President. In an effort to be transparent and responsible, Senate Bill 3341 amends the Conservation District Act. It actually corrects or clarifies a stacking issue between referendum and non-referendum bonds when calculating a debt limit. It does not increase the current debt limitation any higher than it is right now. It adds a refunded bond piece so that refunded bonds don't count toward the debt limit, and it also allows real property development using non- referendum bonds for limited purposes. Be happy to answer any questions.
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 3341 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 48 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3341, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 3342. Senator Althoff. Senator Althoff seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3342 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 3342. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Althoff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff, to explain Floor Amendment 2. 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
Floor Amendment 2 becomes part of the bill. Be happy to explain that on 3rd Read {sic}.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the Ayes have it. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for discussion?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 3342. Senator Althoff, do you wish to proceed? Indicates that she does. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3342. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff, on Senate Bill 3342.
Thank you very much, again, Mr. President. Senate Bill 3342 permits the McHenry County Conservation District to levy up to .15 percent - currently, it's at .1 percent - for general corporate rate. Amendment 2 made it very clear - we are in a PTELL county - but Amendment 2 makes it very clear this is by referendum.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the bill? Any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 shall Senate Bill 3342 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 46 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3342, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. At the bottom of page 13, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have Senate Bill 3364. Senator Brady. Senator Brady. Out of the record. Let's turn to the top of page 14 of your printed Calendar. Again, we're still on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We have Senate Bill 3369. Leader Harmon. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. With leave of the Body, we'll come back to Senate Bill 3374. And let's go to Senate Bill 3402. Leader Haine. Mr. Secretary, indicates he'd like to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3402. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Leader Haine, on Senate Bill 3402.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is an initiative of the Illinois Trucking Association. It merely allows a vehicle with a dealer plate from another state to be exempt from our registration requirements if the vehicle is commuting for repairs in Illinois. The require -- the driver would be required to provide a work order to so state.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3402 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 50 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3402, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, Mr. Secretary, we have Senate Bill 3405. Senator Biss. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3412. Senator Steans, on 3412. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3413. Senator Link. Leader Link, on 3413. Mr. Secretary, he indicates he'd like to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3413. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Leader Link, to explain Senate Bill 3413.
Thank you, Mr. President. As -- provides that a first conviction of driving under the influence shall not be considered a subsequent conviction for the persons applying for a license to operate video gaming establishments and -- if the -- if the conviction occurred ten years prior to the application. I know of no objection to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Will the sponsor yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates that he will yield, Senator Righter.
Senator Link, this bill looks like one of those bills, if you've been around for a little while, you see it's very narrowly tailored to the point that maybe, I don't know, one or two people could just slip themselves through this. Can you tell me who brought this to you?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Link.
It's not just for one person, but a constituent brought it to me.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Would this constituent's concerns be alleviated if this bill were to become law?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Link.
If the Gaming Board would then look at it in a favorable way, yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
You know, I think that we all get a -- just a -- just a tad bit uneasy, Senator, when -- when we run bills that look like 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 they're fashioned to -- to help one person. So I think that I would feel better, I know, and I maybe speak for, maybe, I don't know, two or three other people at least here, if -- can you tell us who is going to benefit from this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Link.
Well, you know, Senator, I -- I see where you're coming from, but this is a public policy issue. It -- I don't know how many people it'll affect, but I'm sure it's going to affect a number of people through the years. They still have to go through the Gaming Board. They still have to get the okay from the Gaming Board. It's just clarifying something that I think was an oversight in the Gaming Board's original decision.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
What's the -- I mean, since you -- you make a good point that this was not in the original statute. I mean, the people who spent a lot of time thinking through what the proper exclusions would be and wouldn't be, kind of walked through all of this and decided that this wouldn't be in it. So talk to me about the public policy virtue of this one narrow instance.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Link.
Yeah, it -- it just narrows it down to a person who has a DUI. The example of this thing, this person was given a -- a liquor license by the State, a liquor license by the locals, is - 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 - been, excuse me, well vetted and -- to have those licenses. I think that that same thing should be considered when they're trying to get these gaming machines.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Senator Link, did the Illinois Gaming Board sign -- or submit a slip in committee when this bill was being discussed?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Link.
I don't have it in front of me, but I -- best of my recollection, they were neutral on this because they felt it was clarifying what they needed to be clarified.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
The best of your recollection, the Gaming Board was neutral. Did anyone from the Gaming Board testify to your recollection, Senator?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Link.
Senator, with all due respect, I don't remember if there was someone that did participate in the hearing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Senator, has anyone else contacted you in favor of this bill 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 other than the constituent who brought this issue to you?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Link.
No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
To the bill, if I might, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Righter.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I -- Senator Link -- I take at absolute face value what he has said about the constituent who has brought this to him. My concern for everybody here is that sometimes, even when these bills are passed with the best of intentions, sometimes we find out later, maybe a year or maybe two, maybe five years later, that we created a special exemption in a bill like this and this person was able to slip through and now that person's name's in the headlines and in a totally unflattering manner. I'm not suggesting that the constituent that brought this to Senator Link would fall in that category whatsoever. I just think we need to be incredibly careful when we're carving out these narrowly tailored exemptions. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Link, do you wish to close? Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3413 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 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 36 voting Aye, 9 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 3413, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 3414. Senator Steans. Senator Steans, on 3414. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Mr. Secretary, with leave of the Body, we'll come back to Senate Bill 3423. Let's go to Senate Bill 3437. Leader Harmon. Out of the record, Mr. Secretary. Let's go to Senate Bill 3441. Senator McGuire. Senator McGuire. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3456. Senator Brady. Senator Brady. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3465. Senator Syverson. Mr. Secretary, he indicates he does not wish to proceed. Let's take it out of the record. Senate Bill 3468. Senator Dillard. Mr. Secretary, out of the record. Senate Bill 3469. Senator Dillard. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3503. Senator Althoff, on 3503. Mr. Secretary, indicates she does not wish to proceed. Let's take it out of the record. At the bottom of page 14, we have Senate Bill 3504. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, he indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3504. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, to explain Senate Bill 3504.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Senate. This amends the Insurance Code section on mine subsidence insurance by clarifying when an insured may be required to continue paying premiums. And it requires that if a mine subsidence insurance policy is in effect when damage results from mine subsidence events, it is -- that -- that at first reasonably observable, that an insurer must notify the policyholder that continuation of the policy may not be necessary and is optional. This is a stronger consumer protection than was in the previous bill that we passed. It was brought to our attention last fall by some people in my area that -- my area is heavily -- the problem of mine subsidence has shot through the Metro East. In any case, we suggested to the Governor that he veto the bill and we'd work on stronger notice requirements, and that's what this bill is. There is no opposition. The Insurance Department…(microphone cutoff)…involved in it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Haine, for that explanation. Is there any discussion on the bill? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3504 pass. All those -- 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 47 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3504, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we're going to return to the previous bill, which is Senate Bill 3503. Senator Althoff, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, indicates that she does. Please read the bill.
54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Senate Bill 3503. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Leader Althoff, to explain Senate Bill 3503.
…very much, Mr. President. Senate Bill 3503 is the taxpayer customer service bill. What it does -- and it makes the following major changes to the Property Tax Code. It requires township assessors to provide a statement of assessment process, which details how an assessment was reached, when requested by the taxpayer. It requires continuing education for the CCAO assessors and board of review members. It requires assessors to publish the type of software or method they use to determine assessments. It requires the CCAO and the board of review to publish a list of -- on the county website of all assessments reduced in the aggregate and organized by class of property. It also requires the board of review to publish rules on how members and alternates are assigned to hearings, as well as requiring the board of review to provide a township assessor with a written reason for a decision in an appeal, upon request. And lastly, it requires the board of review to create guidelines on appeals for residential property owners, including what types of evidence are appropriate, timelines, and other relevant information. I will be honest with the Body and let you know that the assessors are still somewhat opposed, but Representative Sam Yingling in the House has picked up this legislation. He's been part of the working group as we put this together and, I am certain, will address their concerns over in the House. Be happy to answer any questions. 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
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 3503 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 49 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3503, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, let's turn to the top of page 15 of the printed Calendar - again, on the -- still on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We have Senate Bill 3513. Senator Althoff. Mr. Secretary, indicates she does not want to proceed. Let's take that one out of the record. Let's go to Senate Bill 3521. Leader Hunter. Senator Hunter. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3557. Leader Trotter. Senator Trotter. Out of the record. Senate Bill 3563. Senator Kotowski. Senator Kotowski. Mr. Secretary, Senator Kotowski indicates he'd like to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3563. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski, to explain Senate Bill 3563.
Thank you very much. Senate Bill 3563, we put an amendment on it. It becomes the bill and clarifies that home rule municipalities that imposed a tax on cigarettes as of July 1st, 1993, can impose a tax on other tobacco products. This was 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 clarified in committee. This -- this only impacts four communities: Rosemont, Evanston, Chicago, and Cicero. There was a perception that this impacted communities across the State of Illinois. It doesn't. It only impacts the communities that had put forward on this tax -- or -- or -- or took advantage of this opportunity in 1993.
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 for a question. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Kotowski, there's been some discussion that rather than just a restatement of current law that this is, in fact, expanding taxing authority, which would result in a tax increase. Can you -- can you walk through with me what the current taxing authority is and how it would be expanded under this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
Thank you very much. This is clarifying, quite frankly, a tax based on the number of units of cigarette or tobacco products; provided, however, that a home rule municipality that has not imposed a tax based on the number of units of cigarettes or tobacco products before July 1st, 1993, shall not impose such a tax after that date. So it's just addressing other existing tobacco products 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 would be included in this. It's a -- a technical amendment. Makes sure there's clarification as to the way in which the law is -- been articulated to this point.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Well, Senator, are the municipalities that you named in your opening, are they currently taxing these products?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
They are currently taxing cigarettes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
What about snuff and chew and these other products? Are these municipalities currently taxing those?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
That -- I don't believe so, and that's the -- the purpose of moving forward with this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Well, and they're not doing so because they don't have the authority under law. But your language, were it to become law, clearly states that a municipality will be allowed to do that. So I guess I'm confused. Right now, the law says the municipalities 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 can't tax those other products. They're not taxing those other products because they don't have the authority to do that. The bill includes the municipalities' ability to do that. So how is this not an expansion of their current taxing authority to those other products?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
Thank you for your question. This quite simply clarifies the fact that they -- they don't have the authority to tax those other products right now. This gives them the authority to tax those other products.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
Thank you. I misspoke. They have the authority to tax these products. It just makes sure that no one can raise the argument that they don't have the authority to do that. So it provides clarification.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
I -- I think you had it right the first time, Senator. The reason they are not taxing these now is because they do not have the authority to do that. If they did, they would not come to the General Assembly and ask someone to give them the authority to do that. Now -- so explain to me again, if -- if they have the authority under current law, explain to me where that -- read that to me under the current law. 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
I'm -- I -- I believe I -- I addressed -- they clearly had the authority prior to 1993. There was a law that was passed that kind of muddied the issue. This just provides further clarification that they can do what they were able to do.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
I have the statute, the relevant statute in front of me, Senator Kotowski. I'm going to ask you respectfully, rather than asserting to me that it is clear, I want you to read where it says, to me, so that it's clear for everybody.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
Sure. It was "a tax based on the number of units of cigarettes or tobacco products", but then, in 1993, there was -- there was further clarification, which created this problem we face today, "provided, however, that a home rule municipality that has not imposed a tax based on the number of units of cigarettes or tobacco products before July 1st, 1993, shall not impose such a tax after that date".
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
The language authorizing the tax to be levied on these other products is in the Counties Code, but it is not in the code that 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 has to do with home rule municipalities. You are now inserting into the law, in that area, the authority to do that. How is that anything other than expanding the tax authority to the municipalities who are not now taxing those products?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.
We -- it just appears that we have a different interpretation of that, Senator. And so we're just, you know, providing clarification of this. And, you know, I believe I -- I answered your question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
To the bill, if I might, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Righter.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I agree with Senator Kotowski. We have a different interpretation here. Mine is driven by the words in the bill and in the Counties Code. And just saying in a bill that it's a restatement of current law doesn't make it a restatement of current law. Now, whether you believe that these other products should be taxed by home rule municipalities or you don't believe is really not the issue here. You are expanding the authority to those home rule municipalities to tax these other products. The counties have that authority. The cities don't now. If you are comfortable with voting for more taxes and expanding taxing authority in the -- these municipalities or elsewhere, you should 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 vote Yes. If you don't think this is a good time to be telling voters, "You know what, we'd just like a little more of your money, please", then I would suggest a No vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Kotowski, do you wish to close? Senator Kotowski.
Thank you. And thank you for the questions. I -- I do believe a point of clarification's important. This change in the language was passed and is -- pertinent to home rule municipalities. There was nothing that was passed that impacted home rule counties, but that's why we -- we need this clarification here in this law. It's quite simply a technical amendment. I would simply ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3563 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 33 voting Aye, 14 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3563, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, will all members of the Committee on Assignments please come to the President's Anteroom? All members of the Committee on Assignments to the President's Anteroom. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Criminal Law Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2650, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2808, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2995, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3007, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3522, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3538 and Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3558; refer to Education Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 587, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2793, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2870, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3004, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3412, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3540 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3541; refer to Energy Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3456; refer to Environment Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2727; refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 22 -- 229, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 726, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 728, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2014, Floor Amendment 9 to Senate Bill 2758, Floor Amendment 10 to Senate Bill 2758, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3144, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3144, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3144, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3312 and Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3318; refer to Higher Education Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 230, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2846, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2846, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3306, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3306; refer to Human Services Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 799, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1999, Floor Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 2586 and Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3421; refer to Insurance Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 644, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 645, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 646 and Floor Amendment 3 to Senate 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Bill 3014; refer to Judiciary Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 506, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 590, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 978, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1048, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1098, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1099, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2002, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2012, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2013, Floor Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 2829, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3023, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3023, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3110, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3112; refer to Labor and Commerce Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1103, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2003, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3038, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3411, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3514; refer to Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 122, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 642, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 642, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 643, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2774, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3109, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3513, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3513; refer to Local Government Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 505, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 507, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 585, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3313; refer to Public Health Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2928, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3409, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3465, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3512; refer to Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 218, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 218, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3108, Floor Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 3108, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3369, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3397 and Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3574; refer 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 121, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 121, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 217, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 223, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 224, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 226, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 226, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 231, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 276, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2628 and Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3276; refer to Transportation Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 927, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 927, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 928, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 930, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3139, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3270, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3338, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3548, and House Joint Resolution 86; refer to Executive Subcommittee on Special Issues - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 16; re-refer from Education Committee to Transportation Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 928; Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 227, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 499, Senate Bill 742, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2717, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2764, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3433. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, if -- if I could have your attention for some committee announcements. This afternoon, we have some committees, and then again in the morning. But this afternoon's committees: Education will meet in Room 400 at 3:15; Public Health will meet in Room 409 at 3:15; Judiciary will meet in Room 212 at 4 p.m.; Higher Education in Room 400 at 4 p.m.; Human Services in Room 409 at 4 p.m.; Transportation in Room 212 at 6 p.m. Those 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 are all this afternoon's committees. I'll run through 'em again: Education at 3:15, Public Health at 3:15, Judiciary at 4 o’clock, Higher Education at 4 o’clock, Human Services at 4 o’clock, and Transportation at 6 p.m. Then tomorrow morning: Local Government will meet in Room 212 at 9 a.m.; Criminal Law in Room 409 at 9 a.m.; Insurance in Room 400 at 10 a.m.; Revenue in Room 212 at 10 a.m.; and Environment in Room 212 at 11 a.m. So tomorrow morning - I'll run through those again - tomorrow morning: Local Government at 9 a.m., Criminal Law at 9 a.m., Insurance at 10, Revenue at 10 a.m., and Environment at 11 a.m. That's the committees for this afternoon and tomorrow. Leader Radogno, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. In one of those situations that you can't believe happens till it happens to you. I have to correct the record on Senate Bill 3563. I voted in the affirmative. I intended to vote in the negative. So I would appreciate if the record would reflect that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) And the record will so indicate what your intent was. Senator Oberweis, for what purpose do you rise?
Same purpose, Mr. President. I realized that my vote on 3504 was reported as a negative and it should have been a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) And, once again, your intent will be reflected in the record. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we're going to return to Senate Bills 3rd Reading in the regular Calendar on page 7, to Senate Bill 500. Senator Hastings, do you wish to proceed? 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Mr. Secretary, he indicates that he'd like to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 500. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hastings, to explain Senate Bill 500.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 500, as amended, extends the Village of Crestwood's TIF district from twenty-three years to thirty-five years. The projects must be complete thirty- five years after their ordinance was adopted. Based on this legislation, Crestwood's TIF district would set to expire in 2037 instead of 2025. I'll answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: Question of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield for question. Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Senator, we talked about this in the committee. You -- we had received letters of acknowledgement in support from the taxing bodies with the exception of one. Can you explain the one that - - that is not in favor of this, or did not respond?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hastings. 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
So, currently, there's three taxing bodies that are schools. Two out of the three had submitted a letter in favor of extending the TIF district. To my understanding, when I talked to the Mayor of Crestwood, he -- he seemed to say that it was a -- a political problem and he wasn't making a decision in the best interest of the community.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: So there -- there is a taxing body that is against this right now. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hastings.
That is -- that's correct. So -- before I answer any more questions, I sort of want to explain to you, Senator McCarter, that this TIF district has been a -- a financial generating entity for the town. The EAV's doubled. Fourteen million dollars in sales tax revenue. Six hundred and twenty-seven jobs created. But Crestwood -- the Village of Crestwood's fallen on tough times. They've had a -- a water scandal that was -- with water that's been contaminated. They've lost money on assessments because of the great recession. And if this TIF district doesn't get extended, it's going to cause the Village to -- to pay out about nine hundred thousand dollars on an annual basis out of their operating revenues. And I think that this one -- this one taxing body, who may have a political difference with the Mayor, is holding back progress in the region. 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Senator, isn't it possible on a TIFD to carve out certain taxing bodies to where some give up a portion or -- or all or nothing and those don't have to be equal across the board? Isn't it possible to kind of slice and dice that to -- to come to an agreement?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hastings.
I'm not aware of how to slice and dice on a TIF district, Senator, so…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Well, folks, this is -- this is probably a good example of if -- if it's not possible, it should be possible, because there are times that -- there are good TIFs and bad TIFs. The best TIF is when everyone's in agreement. Bad TIF is when you don't ask people about it, you just do it, or you -- or you're really not serving a blighted area. Now, you know, cities on tough times, I'm not sure you can just say, you know, because we had a recession, everyone's in a blighted area. I'm sure there's families that feel they live in a, you know, a blighted-type economy as well. 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 So this -- you know, if it's not possible to -- to allow people to give up the portion that they're willing to give up, perhaps that's something we should do. Because the taxing bodies aren't in complete agreement, for that reason, I can't support the bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Hastings, I -- and I -- and I want to apologize, first of all, because if I would have known that this bill was being called, I would have walked over and had this conversation with you personally, but we're kind of here now. I -- I don't recall in the recent history this Chamber moving a TIF extension without documentation from all of the affecting -- affected taxing bodies saying that they were okay with the extension. And the reason -- and if it's happened, I -- maybe it has, but I don't recall that, but it's been very rare. And the reason that that doesn't happen is because I think it's important for the Body to not kind of get involved in a taxing body dispute in another Member's district. Now the other side of that is to say, "You know what, it's my district and I want to move the bill", and I appreciate that. But I believe the House of Representatives also regards the documentation requirement as -- as very significant. Have you spoken with anyone in the House 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 about the prospects of this bill surviving if the documentation isn't provided?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hastings.
I've spoken with a few Representatives in the House and they'll deal with that when the bill gets over there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Have you spoken with anyone on the -- either the Speaker or anyone on the Speaker's staff specifically about the paperwork issue?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hastings.
No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter. Seeing no further discussion, Senator Hastings, do you wish to close? Senator Hastings.
I just urge an Aye vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 500 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 35 voting Aye, 17 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 500, having received the required 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we're going to go to Senate Bill 2609, which is on page 11 of the printed Calendar. Senate Bill 2609. Senator Noland, you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2609. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Noland, to explain your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, when we pass bills here in this Chamber, we never do so just for one individual, for one person. So, as I present this bill, I just want to bring to the Body's attention the fact that according to Human Rights Watch, it is estimated that four hundred thousand untested rape kits are backlogged in the United States. Illinois has roughly six to seven thousand of these kits here within our borders. They cost about twelve hundred dollars to process these kits. Less than twenty percent have been actually analyzed in the last thirty years. The oldest kit dates back to 1978. And it's one of these kits that I'd like to share with you a very brief story. This kit…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, if we could have your attention. Please hold the visiting down just a little bit. Excuse me, Senator Noland. Please continue.
Thank you, Mr. President. This kit belonged to a young lady 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 named Rosa Pickett. Rosa had been walking home one evening, on her way to a party - it was dark - when she was attacked. She was grabbed by the scruff of her neck and taken into a wooded area. Her glasses that she wore, she wore them because she was profoundly nearsighted, and she could not see her attacker. She was so profoundly beaten and attacked that when she returned home shortly after the attack, her mother could hardly recognize her. Not waiting for an ambulance to come by the -- the residence, her mother put her in the car and took her to the hospital, where, back then, a relatively new technology of gathering DNA evidence was employed by hospital personnel and then turned over to law enforcement. That was 1977. It was September 4th {sic} (3rd), 1977 - which she would -- she would very gladly share with you this -- this story. To add insult to injury, three years later, when she was visiting a next-door neighbor, her assailant, who just happened to be a mutual acquaintance of the person who lived at this residence, knocked on the door and was allowed in. This individual asked Rosa - this is her attacker - asked Rosa if she recognized him. Horrified, she said, "No, why? Should I?" - but began to recognize his voice and then left the house screaming and then reported the incident to law enforcement. When she -- went to law enforcement, she asked about the earlier rape kit and what had happened. They could not tell her what had happened with the rape kit because it no longer existed. Fast forward to January of 2013. The Village of Robbins, Harvey and Dixmoor are undergoing very difficult times within their law enforcement community and the police chiefs there needed to be replaced. So Sheriff Tom Dart comes down, takes over, and does -- does a full inventory of the evidence on site at each one of these facilities, these -- 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 these police headquarters. He finds outdated rape kits, kits going back to the early eighties. So he holds a town meeting and he says to the -- to the audience, he says, "please, come forward" and he says to the wider -- wider communities of Robbins, Harvey and Dixmoor to come forward and -- and identify these -- these kits, if you can. Rosa appears at the town hall. They go through all of the existing kits, but hers is not there. She says, what about hers? And it's not there. So Rosa would not settle for allowing that evidence to go unanalyzed or to be denied her date in court or to deny what she would also come to understand was a growing number of victims whose evidence was not being analyzed and whose perpetrators were going unpunished. So this bill, Senate Bill 2609, provides that the statute of limitations for sexual assault -- assault cases does not include the period in which the sexual assault evidence is collected and submitted to the Illinois State Police until the completion of that analysis, the analysis of that evidence. So we are lifting the statute of limitations for rape in these cases, and I believe that it is a worthy -- worthy cause given the sanction that we place on this as a society. So with that, I'm asking -- I'm willing to take -- I'm asking for any questions that you may have and asking for your Aye vote.
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 for questions. Senator Righter.
74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Senator Noland, I -- I remember this -- this Criminal Law hearing with a great deal of clarity, because I'm not sure in my time in Springfield, I've heard recited a story that demonstrated a greater lack of compassion by a set of public officials than those in the Village of Robbins on this particular case - and, Lord knows, how many other cases for all those untested kits. What -- are you aware -- and I -- Mr. President, I'm going to ask you to -- my -- indulgence to stray just a -- a centimeter or two outside the margin of the bill. But I think it's important for the Body to understand this. What, if anything, happened with regards to the public officials who were responsible for not submitting the sexual assault test kits in the first place?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Noland.
I wish I had an answer for you, Senator, but that is certainly -- and I -- I agree with the direction of your comment, and I think it speaks to official misconduct, and I -- I would urge that it be investigated. But I would also want to point out at the same time that while that is the Village of Robbins, we know that there are upwards of six to seven thousand untested rape kits here in the State of Illinois, in other villages and -- and communities, presumably cities, throughout the State. So it's not just the -- the Village of Robbins, but elsewhere.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Senator, one of the objections to the bill is that if you remove any -- if you -- if you say that the statute of limitations 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 period does not run during the time it takes to get the kit to the State Police, are you not inviting another Robbins, are -- because now we're just saying, "You know what, take your time. It really doesn't matter how long it takes you to get this to the State Police." I mean, if you -- if you place any credence in this -- in the statement that justice delayed is justice denied, then are we not inviting the denial of more justice by taking off any incentive they might have to actually submit the kits on a timely basis?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Noland.
Thank you, Senator, for that inquiry. And I would -- I would say that I actually agree with you. I think, to a certain extent, that might be the case, but not necessarily so. I would be interested in working with you to develop follow-up legislation that might address the more timely administration of -- of these -- of these kits, these cases, and the analysis of these kits. But I, you know, I -- I -- I submit also, at the same time, that the victims should not be denied justice because the law enforcement is dragging its feet.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
So, Senator, you agree to some extent that this could build in a kind of perverse incentive to create even more delays because now there's no clock running?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Noland. 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
Yes. I'm going to do something you probably don't expect. I'm going to agree with you, but the likelihood, I'm suggesting that the likelihood of that is relatively minimal and it is more likely that law enforcement will respond to this by submitting the cases -- or, excuse me, the kits for analysis rather than not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Thank you for your indulgence, Mr. President. Well, Senator Noland, let's talk about that. You believe that that's relatively unlikely, but if there are six or seven thousand untested or unsubmitted kits out there already, clearly we have an issue. Do the officials in those communities that are responsible for those six or seven thousand not having been submitted, once this bill becomes law, now say, "Whew, that one's off our back; we don't need to worry about getting that in in the next three weeks, or four weeks, or ten weeks, or whatever is left on the current statute of limitations." Doesn't this take the pressure off of those people to afford the victims timely justice?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Noland.
Senator, I believe I have responded to that line of inquiry already, but to repeat, I don't believe that that would be necessarily the case. And as a matter of fact, I believe that, you know, most of us would agree, there is a beginning and an end to everything, and if you inform law enforcement that we will be analyzing these cases and, in some follow-up legislation, there 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 will be a penalty if we do not analyze that -- them sooner as opposed to later, I believe that they will take appropriate action and submit the kits for -- for analysis. But I would say even further, if we were to do the right thing here and properly fund the State Police to more timely process these kits, you and I would not be having this discussion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
To the bill, if I might, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. You know, Senator Noland has taken up an extraordinarily difficult issue here. And I voted for this bill in committee and then I had deep reservations as it came out here on the Floor. But, when we talk about this, we understand that the best answer -- in the Village of Robbins that time has come and -- and gone now, that was eleven years ago, and the best answer would have been to make sure that those officials were responsible in their conduct at the time and made sure that the justice wasn't delayed so that it wound up being denied. This is the best way to provide assurance for those victims that the kits will not be ruled out of evidence because the statute of limitations has been blown. So I'm going to support the bill. But, Senator Noland, I am going to trust you and take you up on your offer that -- now, this isn't just about money. This is not just about money. I'll never believe that the only reason that the people in the Village of Robbins didn't submit 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 these kits is ‘cause they just didn't have enough money in the bank. This is something that's more fundamental about that, and I hope that whatever follow-up legislation or what comes next aims at the public officials who are supposed to get this done for these victims. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator Van Pelt, for what purpose do you rise?
…the -- to the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Van Pelt.
I rise in strong support of this bill. And I commend the sponsor for bringing the bill to the Floor. You know, and I really commend Rosa Pickett, who suffered a tremendous tragedy over thirty years ago and have {sic} never been silent, has continued to raise her voice for all those who have been silenced over time because of the tremendous suffering they have endured in having an experience as she had. And I really want to commend Rosa because she speaks for so many, and you are like a light up there to me, shining bright, because so many are hiding behind -- they're cloaking themselves and -- and want to be anonymous because of what they suffered. But you have never been quiet and you have never forgotten what happened to you over thirty years ago, and your commitment today is what's bringing us in the Senate of the -- of State of Illinois, bringing us to a vote to say never again will we say to another Rosa, to another John or another Jill that because we did not analyze your case in time, your time is up. 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 This bill allows us to be able to continue to prosecute people long after the -- the time, the normal time would have -- limitations would have passed. As long as they have not examined that rape kit, we have not started the process; we have not started our time clock. And I'm proud of you, Rosa. Keep up the good work. And I'm proud of Noland and Righter, who -- who stand strong on a lot of these issues, is standing with us on this bill. And I urge everyone in this Chamber to stand up and let's lift up a light today. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Hutchinson.
I, too, stand in strong support of this bill. A few years ago, Members of the Chamber will remember that I worked on a very important piece of legislation on the submittal of rape kits. It was landmark legislation then, saying that we -- you need to submit this -- the hospitals needed to turn over these rape kits within ten days of submission. We were really looking at the fact that at that time, we knew there were over four thousand untested rape kits across the State. The actual time that it takes to analyze these kits is something that we still struggle with. But when you are in a situation like that and those kits sometimes take up to three hours to complete, the fact that we need to close this loophole, we need to close -- the fact -- the ability for people 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 to seek justice when they have suffered something that is so incredibly unimaginable at the time. So I commend the sponsor. I commend all those of us in the Chamber that have worked on this issue, including Senator Collins, who had another bill about when you submitted evidence, when you can charge for a crime. These are things that we need to do to protect people that we care about the most - our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, and the various men that this -- this happens to across the country. It's a human rights violation and it's something that many people never, ever, ever recover from. So I thank the sponsor and I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To -- to the bill, Senator Haine.
I was one of the ones in committee that struggled with this bill. Of course, those that appeared before the Criminal Law Committee realize that our struggles frequently are a waste of your time when you're presenting a bill. But this bill does present some questions, as Senator Righter and Senator Hutchinson and the others, Senator Van Pelt, have so ably pointed out. And I'm looking at this bill now as not doing violence to the system we have constructed as to statutes of limitation. These -- a statute of limitation is very important. It's analogous to the Fifth Amendment. It -- it is a -- a way to avoid an accused of proving a negative. But this is not -- does not in any way endanger 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 that principle. The victim here did everything she was supposed to do. She made the allegation. The allegation was credible. A rape kit was obtained. And if the police would have followed the law as we have enacted it in the past few years, there would have been no statute of limitations at all. Because with DNA and an allegation within a certain number of years, a credible allegation, there is no statute of limitations now on aggravated criminal sexual assault in Illinois. So the Chairman of the Criminal Law Committee, Senator Noland, is correct that this was a failure of law enforcement and, therefore, it is not a breach of our principle. In fact, it enhances the rule -- the law that we passed some years ago. So I commend Senator Noland for bringing this in, for allowing those of us in the committee to arrive at this conclusion. Sometimes we lurch uncontrollably into the truth and this is one of them. I would strongly recommend an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Raoul.
And I wasn't going to speak to this bill until my learned colleague, Senator Haine, spoke to the bill. As Senator Righter pointed out, I mean, we -- this -- we -- we've struggled with this issue in -- in committee. And as Senator Haine pointed out that the statute of limitations in general, part of the philosophy behind it is to make sure we avoid, particularly for the falsely 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 accused, them having the burden some years and years later proving the -- proving the negative. What concerns me, and I -- and I commend the sponsor for bringing this forth, ‘cause you are going to have circumstances when you have a victim, to no fault of them, are in a circumstance where they -- they're beyond the statute because of failure of law enforcement. What I want to caution the -- the -- the Chamber about is if we begin to go down this line of when law enforcement fails, we extend or toll the statute, when we go back to that principle that Senator Haine mentioned of that falsely accused not having the burden to prove the negative, they're put in that position years and years and years later, not because of anything that they did, but because of law enforcement's failure to -- to -- to act, and that's, if we begin to do this on other crimes, you know, it's a very slippery slope to go -- go down. And for that reason, I -- I'm going to be voting Present on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Noland, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I want to thank all of the speakers. I want to thank particularly Senator Righter and Senator Haine for pointing out perhaps some unfinished business with respect to this issue. I've made note; we'll follow up - that I assure you. To Senator Raoul's point, you know, there is a reason why I -- I think we place both rape and murder in the collective consciousness as being amongst the most heinous of crimes committed against any individual, and that's why it merits lifting the statute of limitations in this instance. I will save any further comments that I have for a point of personal privilege afterwards. 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 I merely ask for an Aye vote from everyone here. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and -- Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2609 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2609, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Noland, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Just as Rosa Parks had stood up for justice with respect to civil rights, Rosa Pickett has risen to stand for justice with regard to justice and the proper analysis of evidence and making sure that victims, male and female, primarily women of course, have their day. Rosa, would you stand and please be recognized? Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Rosa Pickett.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome Rosa to the Illinois General Assembly. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we will return to page 7 of the printed Calendar, to Senate Bill 499. Still on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 499. Leader Haine. Wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, Leader Haine seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 499 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 499. Mr. Secretary, there -- have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, to explain Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I apologize, this is a rather mundane bill compared to the last one. But this affects only the Tri-City Regional Port District. It amends the Act governing that district. Changes the name of the port to America's Central Port and allows the port district to borrow money, pay it back in twenty years, rather than three years. It also increases the size of the port district by adding the townships of Chouteau, Wood River, Alton, Godfrey, Elsah, and Quarry, which are literally up the river, and adds them to their area, where they can aid in economic growth. This is a very conservative, business-run port. It's had a very prosperous history and it offers to bring their expertise northward. And all of the local governments have consented to it. It adds some language allowing it to build aquariums, museum, planetariums, et cetera. And these are primarily items which are taken from other port districts in Illinois, Kaskaskia and -- and others. There's nothing novel in the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 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?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Haine. 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, on Amendment 2, Floor Amendment 2.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. These -- merely adds -- replaces the words "following passage" with the words "after the effective date". It governs the appointment of new board members from the area that's annexed.
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 that 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 499. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 499. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Mr. President, it's -- essentially the bill was what I described a few moments ago. It allows the Governor to appoint two new members, I neglected to say it, following passage of the bill from the area that is annexed. This is a highly successful port. Has the strong bipartisan support of people in the area. 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 It ships coal, grain, all types of goods into a customs-free zone and receives them. It's a major player in the -- St. Louis metropolitan area. There's never been any hint of controversy about it. It is well run, again, with a -- a -- a business- oriented view.
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 499 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 499, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to waive all applicable Senate rules so that House Joint Resolution 86, regarding a fallen police officer, can be heard today in the Senate Transportation Committee, at 6 p.m.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Rose moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Joint Resolution 86 can be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. And all notice and posting requirements have been waived. To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advise and Consent. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on appointments set forth in Appointment Message 185.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointment Messages just read. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. Senator Bivins, for what purpose do you rise?
Inquiry of the Chair, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your inquiry, Senator Bivins.
Thank you, Mr. President. As most Members and everyone knows, about ten days ago, the Governor had a couple appointments, namely Julie Hamos and Manny Flores, that were withdrawn on a Thursday and then reinstated on a Friday. And my inquiry, Mr. President, is, when we will -- when will -- can we expect those to be posted, AM 611 and AM 612, for a hearing before the Executive Appointments Committee?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Bivins, I don't have a schedule in front of me, but we'll get back to you with that question. On page 18 of the regular Calendar is the Order -- is the Order Executive Appointments - Appointment Messages. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 185.
88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate do advise and consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Inspector General of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services: Bradley K. Hart.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield -- yeah, yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield for questions. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Muñoz, the Message that we have up on the Board with regards to Mr. Hart, can you tell me how long Mr. Hart has been with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: I know on the Calendar for his appointment, when they sent the Message to us, he is on day fifty-seven.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter. 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
Thank you. Senator Muñoz, how long has Mr. Hart worked for the Department. I mean, is that fifty-seven days, or does he have a previous history with the Department?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: He was a -- he was originally appointed in 2012. He is a reappointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Senator, have you received any commentary from Members of the Senate with regards to Mr. Hart specifically, objecting to any of the work that he has done as the Inspector General?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: We had him up in committee last week and no one from the committee asked any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
So, Senator, is it fair to say, I mean, one of the reasons that he was moved through the committee is because no one had an objection to him?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Well, I think anyone who comes before the committee, it's up -- it's up to the committee if they want to ask questions, or if they have an objection, they can ask the questions or either vote Yes or No on the -- in committee before we bring it to the Floor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Who makes the decision about whether or not an appointee makes an appearance before your committee?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Normally what we do for a new appointee, they come before committee and address the committee. If it's a re-appointee, what we've done in the past, any Senator on the committee, both sides of the aisle, if they request the individual to come before committee because they have questions, we will make that individual who's a re-appointee come before the committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
How much does Mr. Hart make, his salary, Senator Muñoz?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: The sheet that was handed out shows ninety-five thousand.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Do you have any information, Senator, on what that salary's done in the time that Mr. Hart has worked with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: I do not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Setting aside specific numbers, Senator, can you tell me whether the salary has increased during his time in office?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: I do not have that information, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, what did Mr. Hart do before assuming the position of Inspector General for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: They said he was at the AG's Office handling Medicaid fraud.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, you mentioned a little bit earlier that Mr. Hart is a re-appointment. Can you tell me, did the Governor file the message for confirmation for Mr. Hart before or after he originally filed the message of confirmation for Director Hamos?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Think it was after her appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Given that, Senator, do you -- do you find it unusual, maybe somewhat disconcerting, that here we are talking about Mr. Hart's confirmation when his message for confirmation was filed after the Director of the department for whom he works was?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: I can't say what they did with Director Hamos, but what we have before us is this Inspector General. He's on day fifty- seven. We need to -- we need to address this and vote him on the Floor as we did -- voted him in committee last week.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
Well, Senator, some would say that we need to do the same thing with the Director of the department for whom Mr. Hart is the Inspector General. Thank you for your patience. 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any further 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? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 37 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 16 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz moves that -- that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate has arisen from Executive Session. 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 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 671. We have received like Messages on House Bills 2513, 4266, 4576, 4598, 5326, 5696, 5845 and 5967. Passed the House, April 7th, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 4/7/2014 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 68. Offered by Senator Biss, and adopted by the House, April 7th, 2014. We have received a like Message on House Joint Resolution 72, offered by Senator LaHood, and adopted by the House, April 7th, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. They are substantive, Mr. President.
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 11:30 a.m. on the 8th day of April, 2014. The Senate stands adjourned. 95