PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Good morning. 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 Dr. Maryam Moustoufi, Islamic Society of Greater Springfield, Springfield, Illinois.
(Prayer by Dr. Maryam Moustoufi)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Dr. Moustoufi. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs, to lead us in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, May 7th, 2014.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hutchinson.
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 Hutchinson moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There bring no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary -- James R. Carder with Blueroomstream.com requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Committee -- 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Committee Reports.
Senator Landek, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2674 Recommend Do Adopt; Senate Resolution 1049 Be Adopted; Senate Bill -- Senate -- House Bills 1322, 4769, 5433, 5585, 5697 and 5793 Do Pass; and House Bills 3092, 4264 and 5853 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Martinez, Chairperson of the Committee on Licensed Activities and Pensions, reports House Bills 5464, 5592 and 5696 Do Pass; and House Bill 4381 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Haine, Chairperson of the Committee on Insurance, reports House Bills 4677, 4725, 5575 and 5692 Do Pass. Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 16, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 712, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 727 Recommend Do Adopt; and House Bills 8, 4205, 5491, 5623, 5684, 5755, 5824 and 5926 Do Pass; and House Bill 4223 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Hutchinson, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 3382 Recommend Do Adopt; and House Bills 5564 and 5893 Do Pass. Senator Kotowski, Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations II, reports Senate -- Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 277 and Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 277 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Jacobs, for what purpose do you rise?
Inquiry of the Chair. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your inquiry.
Mr. President, if I would introduce the budget bill and tax increase bill, would you give it to me on a voice vote right now? We could be done.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) We'll take that under advisement. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your announcement, Senator Althoff.
The Senate Republicans would like to caucus immediately for about forty-five minutes to an hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Senator Althoff moves that the Senate recess for the purpose of a forty-five-minute Republican Caucus. Seeing no objection, the motion is granted. Ladies and Gentlemen, just to be clear, we will be coming back for Floor action in forty-five minutes, after the Republican Caucus. Promptly. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The Senate will come to order. Ed Cross with WAND-TV requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1186, offered by Senator Van Pelt and all Members. It is a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Will all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We're ready to take -- go to final action. All Members within the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor. Once again, we're going to be going to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, Ladies and Gentlemen. All Members within the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor immediately. Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, we're about to go to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. All Members within the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor. We're going to start here momentarily. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to -- while we're waiting for some Members to come to the Floor here, we're going to go to the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. So if you'll turn to page 11 of the printed Calendar, we're going to start at the top of the Order. Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your point, Senator Rezin.
I have a very special person here today. Her name is Carson Goffinet. She is a seventh grader -- eighth grader from Minooka Junior High. I actually had the privilege of meeting Carson at 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 the chemistry challenge, the regional chemistry competition in Seneca several months ago. And I'm proud to say that Carson finished fourth, which is a huge accomplishment. As you can imagine, her favorite subject is science. She's been involved in cheerleading for seven years. She speaks German and some Spanish. And she likes to write and travel. She dreams of traveling to Italy one day and to see the art and experience the culture. And I'd like a warm Springfield welcome. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Carson, you have an impressive résumé. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thanks for joining us today. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to go to the top of the Order with regard to House Bills 2nd Reading, on page 11 of your printed Calendar. First up, we have House Bill 2378. Senator Hunter. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2378. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2544. Senator Althoff. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2544. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 3rd Reading. Again, Ladies and Gentlemen, we're on page 11, House Bills 2nd Reading. We have House Bill 3659. Senator Sandoval. House Bill 3681. Senator Raoul. House Bill 3724. Senator Mulroe. House Bill 3744. Senator Althoff. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3744. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3765. Senator Mulroe. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3765. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Next up, we have House Bill 3819. Senator Hunter. Leader Hunter. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3819. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3829. Senator Bush. Senator Bush. Next up, we have House Bill 3830. Senator Hunter, on 3830. Mr. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3830. (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, we are on the bottom of page 11 of your printed Calendar on the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading. We have House Bill 3831. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson, on House Bill 3831? Let's turn to the top of page 12. Next up is House Bill 3833. Senator Hastings. Senator Hastings. House Bill 3885. Senator Bertino-Tarrant. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3885. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3912. Senator Biss. Senator Biss, House Bill 3912. House Bill 3924. Senator Rezin. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3924. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 3rd Reading. Next up, we have House Bill 3939. Senator Bush, on House Bill 3939. Do you wish to move that to 3rd Reading? Mr. Secretary, indicates she does. Please read the bill.
House Bill 3939. (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) 3rd Reading. We're on page 12, Ladies and Gentlemen, House Bills 2nd Reading. We have House Bill 4033. Senator Hunter. 4033. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4033. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Next up, we have House Bill 4082. Senator Mulroe. Senator Mulroe, on 4082. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
House Bill 4082. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Next up, we have House Bill 4113. Senator Cunningham. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4113. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Next up - we're in the middle of the page 12, Ladies and Gentlemen - we have House Bill 4185. Senator Murphy. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
House Bill 4185. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4207. Senator Silverstein. Senator Silverstein. We'll move on to House Bill 4208. Senator Biss. Senator Biss. House Bill 4216. Senator Haine. Senator Bill Haine, on 4216. Do you wish to move that to 3rd? Indicates aggressively that, yes, he'd like to. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4216. (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 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For purposes of an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your -- your introduction, Leader Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. The gang is all here from Oak Park today and with a delegation from Rockford. My wife Teri is here with us; our oldest son, Don, who is competing in the State History Fair over at the convention center; our daughter, Frances, in the blue; Maggie, in the pink; and my father-in-law, Jack Wilton, from Rockford. And everyone is down here to enjoy a lovely day in Springfield. So thank you for letting us share the Chamber.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Teri, Don, Frances, Maggie, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Great to have you hear to visit us today. Thanks for joining us. Good to see you. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're on page 12 of the printed Calendar, on the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. Next up, we have House Bill 4236. Senator McGuire. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4236. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4244. Senator Connelly. Mr. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4244. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4262. Senator Delgado. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4262. (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, we're at the bottom of page 12. We have Senate -- or, excuse me, House Bill 4269. Senator Haine. Mr. Secretary, he indicates he'd like to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 4269. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Top of page 13 now, Ladies and Gentlemen. House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bill 4284. Senator Frerichs. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 House Bill 4284. (Secretary reads title of bill) 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. House Bill 4286. Senator Stadelman. 4286. Indicates he'd like to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4286. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4290. Senator Connelly. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4290. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4304. Senator Emil Jones. Senator Jones. House Bill 4395. Senator Sandoval. Senator Sandoval. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Out of the record. House Bill 4410. Senator Althoff. Indicates she'd like to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4410. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4417. Senator Mulroe. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4417. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary -- Mr. Secretary, excuse me. Take that out of the record, would you please? Take 4417 out of the record. House Bill 4422. Senator Stadelman. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4422. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Next up, we have House Bill 4440. Senator Lightford. Leader Lightford. Let's move on to the next bill. House Bill 4442. Senator Raoul. Out of the record. House Bill 4462. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. House Bill 4495. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Senator Delgado. Indicates he does not wish to proceed. House Bill 4501. Senator Steans. On House Bill 4501, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4501. (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, we are at the bottom of page 13. We have House Bill 4530. Senator Althoff. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 4530. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your point, Senator Hutchinson.
I have elected myself by myself chair of the "May Babies Caucus", so those who have birthdays in May. And the one thing that I wanted to do right now is have everyone in our Senate Chamber give a warm, happy, happy birthday to a Miss Heather 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Steans. Happy birthday, Senator Steans.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Happy birthday, Senator Steans. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are at the top of page 14 of your printed Calendars, on the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. We have House Bill 4535. Senator Biss. Let's go to House Bill 4579. Leader Harmon. Out -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4579. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4591. Senator Collins. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
House Bill 4591. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4606. Senator Manar. Let's go to House Bill 4612. Senator Raoul. Please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 4612. (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 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4636. Senator Raoul. Indicates he'd like to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 4636. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary 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. House Bill 4649. Leader Harmon. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4649. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4652. Leader Hunter. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
House Bill 4652. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 3rd Reading. House Bill 4653. Senator Stadelman. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4653. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4867. Senator McConnaughay. Excuse me, Mr. Secretary. 4687. 4687. Senator McConnaughay. Let's go to 4713. House Bill 4713. Senator Barickman. Indicates he'd like to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4713. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4773. Senator Hunter. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4773. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4781. Leader Hunter. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 House Bill 4781. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4782. Senator Steans. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
House Bill 4782. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4811. Senator Syverson. 4811. Indicates he'd like to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4811. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Bottom of page 14, Ladies and Gentlemen. We have House Bill 4910. Senator Connelly. Mr. 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4910. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Higher Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) There any Floor amendments approved for consideration, Mr. Secretary?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Turning to the top of page 15, House Bills 2nd Reading. We have House Bill 4916. Senator Luechtefeld. Let's go to House Bill 4983. Senator Rose. Next up, we have House Bill 5085. Senator LaHood. Next up, we have House Bill 5286. Senator Bertino-Tarrant. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
House Bill 5286. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5307. Senator Steans. On 5307, do you wish to proceed? Indicates she does. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5307. (Secretary reads title of bill) 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. 3rd Reading. House Bill 5326. Senator Cunningham. Indicates he does not wish to proceed. Let's go to House Bill 5330. Leader Lightford. Let's go to House Bill 5331. Senator Collins. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5331. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5342. Senator Koehler. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
House Bill 5342. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5393. Senator Bush. On 5393, please read the bill, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 5393. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 3rd Reading. Next up, we have House Bill 5415. Senator Martinez. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
House Bill 5415. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5431. Senator Kotowski. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5431. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5468. Senator McCarter. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5468. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. 3rd Reading. House Bill 5475. Senator Syverson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5475. (Secretary reads title of bill) 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5488. Leader Radogno. Mr. Secretary, please read the Leader's bill.
House Bill 5488. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. And at the bottom of page 15, we have House Bill 5503. Senator Connelly. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5503. (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, we're going to turn to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. This will be final action. With leave of the Body, if you will turn to page 5 of the printed Calendar, we have Senate Bill 712. Page 5 of the printed Calendar, we have Senate Bill 712. Leader Muñoz. Mr. Secretary, Leader Muñoz seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 712 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 712. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Muñoz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz, on Floor Amendment 1. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Deletes all and becomes the bill, which I will explain 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. 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 712. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 712. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Leader Muñoz, on Senate Bill 712. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The bill just gives the Gaming Board discretion in how it investigates the background of certain institutional investors who hold an indirect interest in a person seeking a video gaming license. I know of no opposition to the bill. 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is final action. The question is, shall Senate Bill 712 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, 4 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 712, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, still on page 5, we'll go to Senate Bill 727. Leader Martinez, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, Leader Martinez seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 727 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 727. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Martinez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Martinez, on Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Floor Amendment No. 1 just makes some Liquor Code exemptions for a couple of restaurants in our districts, and I'll be happy to discuss it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Martinez, you seek to move to -- to the order of adopting this amendment? Is that correct? Seeing no discussion, all those in 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 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 727. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 727. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 727, as amended, contains two Liquor Code exemptions, one for the restaurant that is expanding in Senator Steans' district and one for the new brew pub/cider house which plans to open in my district. Both are in the City of Chicago. It also corrects square footage figures contained in a liquor exemption enacted last year in Senator Raoul's district. And I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Indicates she will yield for a question. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Martinez, I recall, from our discussion yesterday in the Senate Executive Committee, there is an issue with regards to one of the churches in your district from whom you do not have a letter signing off on this particular exemption because they're in the midst of changing pastors. Can you roll that out in a little more detail on the record here for me, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Martinez.
Thank you. Senator Righter, you are correct, and in committee yesterday, I did commit that if we don't receive this letter from the church where -- in my district that is expanding -- the restaurant is expanding -- I mean, opening up, what we're going to do is -- they're meeting -- they're meeting at the end of this week or beginning of next. The pastor -- the previous pastor did leave. There's a new pastor coming in. They're going to bring it up to the board. If, by chance, they do not approve this, then what we're going to do is, when the bill gets over to the House, we will pull that restaurant out of this legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.
So, as you're giving me that eye contact there, Senator Martinez, you're telling me for sure that you've got control of this bill over in the House to make sure the -- the House sponsor will amend it, take that particular restaurant out, in case that 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 letter is not forthcoming, right?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Martinez.
Senator Righter, we have made eye contact and that is my commitment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Seeing no further discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 727 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 727, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, if you turn to page 7 of your printed Calendar - again, we're still on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading - we have Senate Bill 2674. Leader Harmon. Leader Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2674 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have Senate Bill 2674. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Harmon, to present Floor Amendment 2.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment becomes the bill. I move for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 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 2674. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2674. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Leader Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2674 started out as a relatively simple effort to secure funding for the Illinois Poison Center, the operation that provides immediate telephone assistance in cases of poisoning all across the State. It collided with several other bills related to 9-1-1 surcharge issues, and the amendment I have presented today is an attempt to reconcile all of those competing interests. So the backdrop of this is -- is important. Every cell phone bill outside of the City of Chicago includes a seventy-three-cent surcharge to fund 9-1-1 operations. Of that seventy-three cents - and I have had distributed to all the Members a -- a color bar graph that helps you understand this - of that seventy-three cents, a little over fifty-seven cents goes directly to the 9-1-1 centers. 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Just under fourteen cents is held in a fund to reimburse wireless carriers' costs related to integrating with the 9-1-1 centers. And there's some administrative fees. Over the last many years, the wireless carriers have not used that fund to its entirety. It has built up significant balances. It has been transferred to other purposes on a fairly regular basis. Not only did the Poison Center identify that as a source of potential funding, so did the 9-1-1 centers, which are struggling to make sure that they are adequately funded. We have, in this amendment, proposed a reallocation of that dollar amount, phasing in amounts for both the Poison Center, the 9-1-1 centers, and a gradual orderly withdrawal from the -- from the 9-1-1 -- or, the wireless reimbursement funds. So if you see the graph I've distributed, next year we would see an immediate increase of about four and a half cents to the 9-1-1 centers and a penny and a half going to the Poison Center. Over the course of four years, we would continue that progression until the -- the 9-1-1 centers get an additional eleven and a quarter penny out of the surcharge, and poison tops out at two cents. The ICC gets a penny and a half. This is my best effort at a compromise among all the stakeholders. I believe we have the support of the wireless carriers, who have by and large acquiesced to an orderly withdrawal, understanding that their back bills are going to be paid. The ICC is supportive of this. The 9-1-1 centers, however, still are not supportive of this, even though they receive a significant additional amount of money. If you turn to the second page of the chart I have described, I've compared for you what actually happens in practice with the fund transfers. And you will see even then that more money is going to the 9-1-1 centers. I think the 9-1-1 centers 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 would agree that in the last year of this and in perpetuity, they are, in fact, better off. The question is, whether, in the four years of transition, they are better off. It is my argument that they are. I think we acknowledge that both -- we are swapping one bucket of uncertainty for another. But this delivers more money sooner to the 9-1-1 centers. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you might have, and I look forward to a robust discussion of this proposal.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Senator Link in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Bivins, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. It needs to be pointed out, and was by the sponsor, that the 9-1-1, your -- your ETSB, your emergency telephone system boards, are opposed to this bill. And there is a advisory board, the ICC, that came out with a report that does recommend a prohibition on diversion of funds, and this is one of their main concerns, diverting funds from 9-1-1. As you know, a lot of the funding for 9-1-1 comes from the surcharge on telephone hardlines, landlines, and mobile phones. And as you know, there's fewer and fewer landlines, and so the revenue for them is going down continually. You also have competing interests on a local level many times, of -- of counties wanting to also divert funds from the ETSB, from the 9-1-1 systems. So there's a 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 constant drain on them and this is their concern. You should be aware of this; that this is a major concern to -- to any of your 9-1-1 services who get thousands upon thousands of calls every day. It's an emergency service and we should not be diverting funds. So I'd encourage a No vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I appreciate the comments. I -- you -- you raised a couple of issues that I did not fully explain and I appreciate that. I do want to emphasize that the association representing 9-1-1 carriers is opposed to this, but all of the counties are not. We're working with DuPage County. They've offered constructive supporting materials. Others are not. There are 9-1-1 centers that recognize the importance of this. I -- I also want to clarify, this is not a diversion of 9- 1-1 funds; this is a fund set up to reimburse wireless carriers for their costs related to 9-1-1 interaction. If the wireless carriers do not draw off the funds, if the General Assembly and the Governor do not transfer those surplus funds to other purposes, if those things do not happen, then two years later money is transferred to the 9-1-1 centers. There is no certainty whatsoever that that money goes. Under my proposal, there is certainty and there is acceleration. Those monies move immediately with certainty, predictability, and the ability to budget.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
I rise in reluctant opposition to the bill. Like to speak to 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 it, if I may, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill.
I am in opposition, though reluctantly, and not because of the worthiness of the cause. But as Senator Bivins pointed out, the ICC report has said that we cannot sustain more diversions from the 9-1-1 fund. Particularly those of us who have college towns in our areas should pay particular attention, because what has happened, over the years, as no one has landlines anymore, all the college kids, say at -- at Carbondale or Charleston or Western or wherever they may be, from the suburbs, that tax, that fee that's collected, goes back to that home county where the phone is registered, where -- the 847s, the 703s, the 773s, the 312s, yet they live nine months or more out of the year in those college towns. What that really then does is create a complete -- well, what it does is, it ends up bankrupting the local 9-1-1 system. And there is a huge problem. And while I agree that this is also a huge problem, we need a comprehensive solution that deals with all of it. So, unfortunately, I must rise in opposition. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I -- I hope not to respond to each statement to the bill, but Senator Rose raised a -- a good point. And I want to, again, emphasize, Champaign County has been especially vocal in this. And this is a -- a case where numbers really do matter. The surplus that is built up and that would be 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 transferred to the 9-1-1 centers at the end of this fiscal year, Champaign County would get just over eight thousand dollars. That's lower than they've gotten in some years, but that's the -- that's the speculative nature of these transfers. If this bill passes, next year Champaign County will get over sixty-one thousand additional dollars in their upfront allocation. That's why I -- I'm having a hard time negotiating with folks. It's just different views of math. And I'll ask Senator Biss at some point to explain to me different views of math. But they're going to get a lot more next year than they would get under the transfer. They'll still get that transfer, mind you, but they'll get an additional sixty-one thousand in their initial allocation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Kotowski, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, just a point of clarification, please. I see that the bill allows costs to be covered that are attributable to 9-1-1 dispatch. I'm assuming this means that the language in the bill still allows costs to be covered for things such as radio communication equipment that an officer needs to be able to respond to the dispatched call from the 9-1-1 center. Am I correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) He indicates he will yield. Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for the question, Senator. It -- the bill clearly permits expenditures for 9-1-1 dispatch. I don't personally understand how you could say the police officer on the receiving end of that call utilizing a radio 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 or a CAD system in the vehicle to respond to the 9-1-1 call is not considered a part of the 9-1-1 dispatch program. So, in my view, yes, that would be a -- a permitted expenditure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to speak to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, first of all, I want to thank Senator Harmon for his hard work. He's brought all the stakeholders together on -- on this difficult issue. I rise in opposition to the bill and -- and I'd like to make a couple of points. First of all, there was a task force that was created, I believe last year, and that task force made some recommendations recently with regard to the 9-1-1 centers. They put -- there was a lot of effort put into that task force, a lot of meetings. All the stakeholders were there. They came out with a list, an agreed- to list of recommendations that they felt needed to be made with regard to the 9-1-1 centers. Some of those recommendations, most of 'em, are not in this legislation and I believe very strongly that we should wait until we have time to implement those task force recommendations, number one. Number two, I think it's important to keep in mind that there is a pool of money and that pool of money is not changing. It is still the same money going into that pool. And Senator Harmon has worked very hard to try to do a redistribution of that money, but the bottom line is, in the end result, whether it's next year or three or four years down the 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 road, there will be less money available for the 9-1-1 Senators - - centers, call centers, because two cents would then be going to the Poison Control Center; another additional one cent will be going to the Commerce Commission. Thirdly, the Poison Control Center, I think we all realize, is important. I think that there is, without a doubt in my mind, enough support out there to put the money in the budget for this upcoming fiscal year to fund the Poison Control Center. Yes, they'd like to have a long-term funding source, but we need a little time, with regard to the task force recommendations, to do that. In the interim, we could fund them in the current '14 fiscal year. With regard to DuPage County being in support of the legislation, I think it's important to remember that the more populated counties that have a -- obviously more residents, more cell phones, and because there is a line fee on the cell phone, obviously they have more revenue. I don't know how many call centers DuPage County has, but I understand there's multiple call centers, whereas there are other counties obviously that do not even have one call center. I know that Senator Harmon has worked to address that in this proposal, that there is some money in the -- in there for the less populated counties, but, again, the pool of money has not changed. And then, finally, I'd just like to say that this is -- in my opinion, we need to work towards a long-term fix and I do not believe that it -- this is it. And for that reason, I reluctantly with -- my good friend, Senator Harmon, I -- I rise to say that I ask for your No vote on this legislation. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Leader Harmon, to close.
35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Thank you, Mr. President. I must say that Senator Sullivan's opposition is about the only thing that pains me about this bill. And I've enjoyed working with you on this. We've tried to accommodate those concerns. I appreciate you mentioning the -- the additional set-aside for the small counties and also for mentioning the task force. The task force's work is important. The short-term recommendations of the task force really were to say we have a lot of problems, we don't have a lot of solutions, let's just lock in where we are. I understand that. I want to work with you to continue to refine and develop those recommendations, because 9-1-1 centers are important and we need to make sure we keep them reasonably funded and in order, and I pledge to you to -- to continue to do that. I don't think that this effort undermines this. This was a good faith effort to bring in the concerns you raised. Senator Barickman raised concerns about fund transfers. That language is in here to prevent future fund transfers. Senator Cullerton, Tom Cullerton, had brought forward a bill on the sunset dates. That's addressed in this bill. But I think I may have gotten lost in the forest talking about the trees early on. The one thing I really have to emphasize is this, the Poison Control Center has filed the papers to close its doors in July, if it does not secure a recurring revenue source. It's a not-for-profit that comes down here every year to ask us for money from the General Revenue Fund. We -- we peaked at funding them at about two million dollars a year. We are down, as of last year, to 1.3 million dollars. They have managed to plug that gap year after year after year. And I applaud their efforts. But their board finally made a smart business decision that said, we raise money from the other -- from other stakeholders, but if the 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 State continues to reduce our funding, we can't continue to operate at a loss; we need a dedicated revenue stream. This is my best effort at offering them that revenue stream. I will continue to work with folks in the House if there are refinements, but this is a Senate bill that needs to get to the House today so that we can continue to move forward with our work. I ask for your Aye votes and the Poison Center, which will close its doors in July, asks for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2674 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 43 Ayes, 13 Nays, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 2674, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Purpose of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
In the gallery on the Republican side - please stand up - I have the Roseland Greater {sic} (Greater Roseland) Community down here - Youth -- Youth -- Youth Voices Against Violence down here. They're down here under the leadership of their Executive Director, Gwen Baxter. It is a wonderful group of young people down here advocating for more dollars in our community - human service dollars and public safety dollars. So please give 'em a warm Senate welcome. 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I have one more announcement to make on this beautiful day. There's another woman in the Senate Chamber that has a birthday and normally always gets a Mother's Day celebration for this, but -- on the tenth is Senator Kimberly Lightford's birthday. And we won't be here for it, so be sure to say happy birthday to her before we leave for our weekend break. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Happy 29th birthday, Senator Lightford. Senator Collins, for what purpose do you rise?
For -- thank you, Mr. President. For personal -- point of personal -- privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I'm sorry. I would like the record to reflect that my intention was to vote No on Senate Bill 712.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Your intentions will be recorded. Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you rise?
38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 For the point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Today in Springfield, we have the honor of a school that's in my district and an organization that's been around for almost fifty years. I want to welcome ASPIRA high school young men and women. We have an alternative high school - we have Antonia Pantoja - that we have under the great leadership of Dr. Wanda Figueroa, who is the Executive Director and CEO. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senate Bill 3382. Senator Muñoz. Senator Muñoz seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3382 to the Order of 2nd Reading for the purposes of an amendment. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3382. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Read the amendment. Senator Muñoz, to explain your amendment.
Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Muñoz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. Amendment 4 becomes the bill, which I'll explain on 3rd Reading. I ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration? 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 3382. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3382. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz, on your bill. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The bill clarifies which properties can qualify for open space valuation. There's been a handful of appeals dealing with whether certain improvements on a golf course should be valued as open space or as regular property. It also provides that only those improvements that are used primarily for the operation of golf course would qualify. The banquet facilities, tennis court, swimming pools, and lodging facilities would not qualify for open space.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
First, if I could, Mr. President - I -- I could barely hear anything that Senator Muñoz was talking about in his opening - I would ask if -- respectfully, Senator Muñoz, would you -- could you repeat what you just said about what the bill does? I mean, 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 it was just loud enough that I couldn't hear it. And then I would like to go to some questions, Mr. President, to the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) I will ask that -- if all -- both sides of the aisle will keep their conversations down to a minimum, we can hear. Senator Muñoz, if you would please repeat. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. The bill clarifies which properties can qualify for open space valuation. There's been a handful of appeals dealing with whether certain improvements on a golf course should be valued as open space or as regular property. It also provides that those improvements that are used primarily for the operation of a golf course would qualify. Banquet facilities, tennis, swimming pools, or lodging facilities would not qualify for open space.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Indicates he will.
Thank you, Mr. President. And, Senator Muñoz, thank you for the courtesy in repeating the opening. I am somewhat familiar, but not very familiar, with the court case that you are seeking to clarify in Senate Bill 3382 with regards to property tax treatment of golf course or golf course facilities as open space. Can you elaborate on that a little bit for me, Senator?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: I'll give you an example, Senator. One -- one in particular golf course here, they're saying one is Medinah. Their -- their country club property tax bill was three hundred and ninety-one thousand dollars, according to the assessment records from the town -- Bloomington -- Bloomingdale Township. If the appeal is successful, the tax could shrink by eighty-four -- down to eighty- four thousand dollars as opposed to over three hundred thousand. Basically, they're just saying the properties that are on the golf course has to relate to golf itself. What we're trying to do with the bill is eliminating the ambiguity.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Righter.
Okay. Thank you, Senator Muñoz. So this is an effort to codify a trial court decision that provides for preferential property tax treatment for golf courses.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: What I'm told, there is a -- a court case, Lake County versus the Illinois Property Tax Appeal, and the only thing we're trying to do is go off of that and make it law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, if I might.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I -- I hope that everyone has a good feel for what this bill would do. And I appreciate that Senator Muñoz is trying to codify a court ruling, but let's be clear on what the court ruling says. The court ruling says that we should provide preferential tax treatment in terms of property taxes for golf courses, for the Medinahs of Illinois. Now, we all field calls from our constituents about rising property taxes. We also know that system well enough to know that if you reduce the burden for one select type of properties, such as, under this bill, the Medinahs of golf courses in Illinois, someone else is going to pay that tab. Homeowners are going to pay more so that we can reduce property taxes for the Medinahs of golf courses in Illinois and those who are wealthy enough to own them. We are debating in this Chamber and in this General Assembly and in this capital city whether or not we are going to ask the taxpayers of this State to continue to pay ridiculously high income tax rates. And if that happens, we're not only taking that money out of their pocket, but we will tell them in the very next breath that while we appreciate that maybe that's difficult for them and it makes it hard for them to get by, we are going to provide a tax break for the people who are wealthy enough to own the Medinahs of golf courses in Illinois. Now that is going to be difficult for any taxpayer to swallow and is not something that we should be making a statement about in this building at this time. Surely, surely the people who are affluent enough to be able to purchase and operate these pristine courses can manage to get by without the preferential property tax 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 treatment offered to open space. I would urge a No vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Any further discussion? Senator Muñoz, to close. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. With all due respect to the sponsor {sic}, you know, that's his opinion. But I can tell you this right now, this is the court ruling. What we're trying to do is just codify this and make it to where it's even and it's not being preferential treatment for -- we're not -- that was a simple example that I stated. But there's courses throughout the State that are affected, public courses that we're only trying to do and make it right. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, shall Senate Bill 3382 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 36 Ayes, 19 Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 3382, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Will the Committee on Assignments please come to the President's Anteroom immediately? Committee on Assignments, please come to the President's Anteroom immediately. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1187, offered by Senator Kotowski and all Members. It is a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Resolution Consent Calendar. Will the members on the 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014 Committee of {sic} (on) Assignments please come to the President's Anteroom immediately? Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege, again.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
This will be the last time I stand up and do this. But I did want to not forget that Senator Jason Barickman's birthday was May 1st and Senator Bill Brady's birthday is tomorrow. So if I'm going to be chair of the May birthdays, we have to talk about all of our colleagues. So, happy birthday, Jason Barickman. Happy birthday, Bill Brady.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I want to welcome students from Rich East High School that are here today on TECH 2014 Day. They're filing in. From the gallery, we have the honorable Wendell Mosby. He's a trustee from Prairie State College, who's leading the charge up there. I was just hoping we can give 'em a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. By the way, Senator Hastings, who's the other guests you have with you? 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014
Fortunately, I have my favorite lobbyist in Springfield - I mean, the Mayor of Orland Hills is here, my father, Kyle - and his friend, Kenny. He's up from Will County. They're up just enjoying Springfield and all the great things that happen here on the Floor. Just want to welcome them to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports that the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Insurance Committee - House Bill 3784; Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bill 651 and House Bill 2898. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Will all the Members please listen carefully? First of all, from President Cullerton and all of us, we want to wish every mother in the State of Illinois a Happy Mother's Day on May 10th. And in lieu of that, we will be coming back on Monday, May 12th, at 3 p.m. So all the mothers can enjoy their Mother's Day completely. All of yous can -- who still are with your mother, have a happy Mother's Day. But remember, Monday, May 12th, we will convene at 3 p.m. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolution Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all resolutions read today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolutions on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President. 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 118th Legislative Day 5/8/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there -- is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned till the hour of 3 p.m. on the 12th day of May, 2014. The Senate stands adjourned. 47