…(microphone disengaged)…and Gentlemen, the regular Session of the 98th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Jeremy Wood, First Congregational Church, Bunker Hill, Illinois.
(Prayer by Pastor Jeremy Wood)
Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Jacobs.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
James Carder seeks leave to videotape the proceedings. Are there any objections? Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of May 31st, June 18th and 19th, July 8th and 9th, October 9, 16, 22, 23 and 30, November 5th, 6th and 7th, and December 3rd, 2013.
Senator Haine. Senator Haine. We had just -- the -- the Secretary just read and approved -- has just read the -- for the approval of the Journal.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journals just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014
Senator Haine, I think that's the wrong motion. Senator Haine.
So move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless a Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
Senator Haine moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objections, so ordered. Senator Haine. Oh! I'm sorry. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of Friday, May 31st, November 7th and 13th, 2014.
Senator Haine.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journals just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
Senator Haine moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Human Services Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 803; refer to Judiciary Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 House Bill 4204; refer to Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 4530; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - House Bills 3827, 3832, 3834, 4576, 4733 and 5522; Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bills 68, 172, 2557, and House Bills 1022, 3784, and a Motion to Recede from Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 5333. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman. Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Re-refer from State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee to Assignments Committee - House Bills 3827, 3832, 3834, 4576, 4733 and 5522. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman. Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - House Bills 3827, 3832, 3834, 4576, 4733 and 5522. Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 5 to Senate Bill 68; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3827, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3832, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3834, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 4576, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 4733, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 5522; and refer to Transportation Committee - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 1022. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014
Senate Resolution 1607, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 1608, offered by Senator Connelly and all Members. Senate Resolutions 1609 and 1610, offered by Senator Radogno and all Members. Senate Resolutions 1611 through 1620, offered by Senator Harmon and all Members. Senate Resolutions 1621 through 1623, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolutions 1624 through 1628, offered by Senator Althoff and all Members. Senate Resolution 1629, offered by Senator Syverson and all Members. Senate Resolutions 1632 through 1634, offered by Senator Frerichs and all Members. Senate Resolutions 1635 and 1636, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. They're all death resolutions, Mr. President.
Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 1630, offered by Senator Link. Senate Resolution 1631, offered by Senator Barickman. And Senate Joint Resolution 81, offered by Senators Bush and Collins. They are substantive.
4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 3672, offered by Senator McCann. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bills {sic} 3673, offered by Senator Kotowski. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 3674, offered by Senator Koehler. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege. Mr. President and all Members of the Senate, welcome back, first of all. Great to have everybody back. I have some guests here today that I'd like to introduce. Up on the -- up in the gallery on our side is the Western Illinois University Political Science class. There's approximately fifteen students. They are under the leadership of Keith Boeckelman. Keith, stand up, if you would, please. And the students are from all over the State of Illinois, many of your -- some of your -- some are your constituents. I know Senator Cunningham has a constituent up there. Some from all over the City, up in the Chicago area. But I'd like everybody -- first of all, stand up, if you would. And I'd like everybody to welcome the WIU Political Science class here to the Illinois State Senate.
Welcome to Springfield. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise? 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
State your point.
Thank you very much. From the Republican side of the aisle, we, too, welcome everybody back. Congratulation to all of us who were successful with our elections. I'd like to remind the Body that, tonight, the Joint Legislative Task Force on Turkish- Illinois Relations, the Niagara Foundation and the Turkish American Federation of the Midwest invite you to attend an intercultural reception celebrating the bonds of friendship, business and culture between Turkey and the State of Illinois. We do this every year. It will be in Secretary of State White's Office, Room 213, from 5 to 7. Easy walk downstairs. We really would encourage everyone to attend. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Senator Althoff, you -- you look very good on the -- the scoreboard. Thank you for your announcement. Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been distributed. It's the Chair's intention to go to House Bills 2nd Reading. Senator Harmon. On the Supplemental Calendar is the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. Senator Harmon, you ready to proceed? Yes? All right. Senate {sic} Bill 3827. Senator Harmon. Madam -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3827. (Secretary reads title of bill) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
Yes. That was House bill. 3rd Reading. House Bill 3832. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3832. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
3rd Reading. House Bill 3834. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3834. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
3rd Reading. House Bill 4576. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4576. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
3rd Reading. House Bill 4733. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014
House Bill 4733. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? No. 3rd Reading. House Bill 5522. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5522. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Intention of the Chair to go to 3rd Reading. We'd ask all Members within the sound of my voice to please come to the Floor. On the Senate Calendar, Supplemental Calendar No. 1, on 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 172. Senator Harmon, do you wish to proceed? The Senator indicates he does. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 172. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Harmon. Can we have your attention, please, Ladies and Gentlemen? This is 3rd Reading. Senator Harmon.
8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 172 is a shell bill. It is a Senate bill that needs to go to the House. It is an election law title. We are negotiating, in the preliminary phases, an election law bill to deal with some of the required cleanup following our -- our last election law bill in the spring. Again, this is a shell bill. It would be amended in the House and come back to us for concurrence if and when the appropriate provisions are negotiated.
Is there any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
He indicates he will.
Senator Harmon, in your conversations with the Leaders in the House, has there been any conversation about negotiating the bill here, where it already is? And we can put it together and then the Members know what they're voting on, and then the House can take what -- what we have negotiated with them in a cooperative fashion.
Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, I appreciate your question, and that would clearly be my preference. We are dealing with a procedural reality with 6-day posting and this being a Senate bill. If we don't pass it out of the Senate this week, the House would be in a more difficult position to take it up in the 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 second week of the Veto Session to send it back to us. We will be fully engaged in those negotiations.
Senator Righter.
I guess, then, let's rewind the tape a little bit. I take from your answer that you feel it is necessary that this bill be passed before Veto Session or what is oftentimes termed the "lame- duck" Session ends, before a new Governor takes office or a new General Assembly takes office. Why is it necessary to do it so quickly?
Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I don't know whether there will be a lame-duck Session. I don't know if this General Assembly will return in January. I don’t know what our schedule will be in January. We do have municipal elections in February. And so, if we want to take up anything that would be effective in that election, we need to act now in the regularly scheduled Veto Session.
Senator Righter.
To the bill, if I might, Mr. President.
To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 Our first act back is to move a bill - on elections, no less - that has no content and put it on a timeline so that it can clear the General Assembly and be signed into law before the new General Assembly is seated, before the new Governor takes office. The voters spoke in November. I don't think the first act of this Senate coming back should be to tell them, okay, now that you've spoken, we want to get some things done in a hurry before what you decided comes to fruition. I would urge, with all due respect to the sponsor, a No or Present vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Harmon, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to thank the prior speaker for living up to his promise during the Assignments Committee. And I would just remind all of my colleagues that this, in fact, if it is negotiated and amended in the House, will come back to us. We'll be able to take a careful look at the contents. I'd ask for your Aye votes to move this as a procedural matter. Thank you, Mr. President.
The question is, shall Senate Bill 172 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, vote Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 35 voting Aye, 14 voting No, none voting Present. The bill, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, Travis Collins from WSEC has asked for leave to take still photographs. All in favor, if there's no objection, say Aye. All opposed, No. The Ayes have it. Senator -- Senator 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 Manar, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of personal privilege.
State your -- state your point.
Ladies and Gentlemen and my colleagues in the Senate, I'd like to introduce Joey Lipe, who is a twelve-year-old young man from Hillsboro. Stand up, Joey. Attends Hillsboro Junior High School. His hobbies include playing football. He runs track. I met him along the way a few summers ago and I invited him to come to the Senate today to meet my colleagues. Please join me in welcoming Joey to Springfield.
Welcome to Springfield. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have some special guests that I'd like to introduce. Ask them to come to the podium. Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm pleased to recognize, with Senator Radogno, some outstanding student athletes from our alma mater, the Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team. The Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team finished the 2014 season with a record of 29 wins, 1 loss, and at one point, won 27 consecutive matches. This spring, in front of a capacity crowd in the Gentile Arena, the men's team defeated Stanford University in a four-set win in the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship game, earning the school its first-ever volleyball championship title. The -- the men's volleyball championship title is the second NCAA championship title in the history of Loyola Chicago and the first since the men's basketball program captured the men's basketball championship in 1963. 2014 Loyola University men's volleyball 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 team featured four All-Americans, including the NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player Cody Caldwell and the 2014 Midwest {sic} (Midwestern) Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Player of the Year Thomas Jaeschke. They are joined by Coach Shane Davis and Father Patrick Dorsey. Would you please welcome them to Springfield? Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have some announcements to make about committees. If I can have your attention. Can I have your attention, please? The Executive Committee will meet in Room 212 at 2 p.m. today. State Government and Veterans Affairs will meet in Room 409 at 2 p.m. today. Judiciary will meet in Room 212. I'm sorry. That was an error. Human Services will meet in Room 409 at 4 p.m. today. Transportation will meet in Room 212 at 5 p.m. today. And Insurance -- I'm sorry. Revenue will meet in Room 212 at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1637, offered by Senator Silverstein. It is substantive, Mr. President.
Ladies and Gentlemen, if I can have your attention. We're going to Supplemental Calendar No. 1, 3rd Reading. We're going to Senate Bill 2557. The sponsorship has been changed to Senator Kotowski. Senator Kotowski, you wish to proceed? Indicates he does. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2557. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 Senator Kotowski.
Thank you, Mr. President. And good afternoon to everyone here. Senate Bill 2557 is a shell bill in order that we have an appropriations bill in place in the event that a supplemental is needed prior to January. Should an amendment contain a supplemental appropriations be filed to the bill, we'll have a committee hearing to discuss the proposed funding.
Any discussion? Senator Righter.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
Sure -- indicates he will yield.
I -- Senator Kotowski, quite honestly, I did not have the opportunity to fully grasp what you said the plan is - thank you, Mr. President - the plan is for Senate Bill 2557 beyond passing out of the Senate on 3rd Reading with no content. What -- what - - where are we going with this?
Senator Kotowski.
Thank you, Senator Righter, and it's a pleasure to see you. It's been some time. And thank you for your question. So we're passing this shell bill in order to have an appropriations bill in place in the event that is a -- that a supplemental is needed prior to January. If an amendment contains any supplemental 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 appropriations be filed to the bill, we'll have a committee hearing to discuss the proposed funding.
Senator Righter.
What would be the need for an appropriations bill to become law before January 1, Senator Kotowski?
…Kotowski.
Thank you, Senator Righter. Just if there's any funding issues that need to be addressed, we want to have a bill in place to address that, give us an opportunity. We pass supplementals in this Chamber all the time and this is just to give us an opportunity to do that.
Senator Righter.
I absolutely agree with you, Senator Kotowski; passage of supplemental appropriation bills is a regular practice. Some would say it's a little bit too regular of a practice. But my question really wasn't aimed at the fact that we might need a supplemental appropriation. It's aimed at the timing. Supplemental appropriations bills oftentimes pass later into the calendar year. What's a little different about this year is, is that we'll have a new General Assembly seated in January and we'll have a new Governor seated in January as well. So what is the urgency, other than trying to get this in front of the current Governor before he leaves office, that -- that -- that's pressing this timeline? 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014
Senator Kotowski.
You know, I -- I can't speak to that. All I can speak to, it's the -- the same financial challenges that we've had that -- when we dealt with the budget in May. They -- they -- they happen throughout the year. Whether we have a supplemental now or a supplemental in the future, it just gives us an opportunity to address these financial challenges that - as you're well aware of - that we currently face.
Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, Senator Kotowski, you've got me worried now, because you can't -- you're the sponsor of the bill, but you can't speak to the timing of moving the bill - even though you're in control of the timing of the moving of the bill. So what I'm trying to figure out is why are you moving the bill, a supplemental appropriation, which could contain very important issues, why are we in a hurry to do that before the Veto Session ends and before the new Governor can take his seat.
Senator Kotowski.
Yes. Senator Righter, there's -- there's -- there's no -- this is very straightforward here. It's a supplemental bill and it's a shell bill. It gives us an opportunity to address some of the challenges that we have here on a spending standpoint. And so -- I mean, this is -- it is what it is. If there -- when the 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 content is put on the bill, if at all, if there's any, we'll have a hearing on it, we'll discuss it, and we'll have a, you know, a full-throated debate on the merits of that legislation. This allows us just to have this in place in order to make sure we can do that.
Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Very briefly to the bill, if I might.
To the bill.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, not unlike the elections shell bill that passed out of this Chamber shortly ago, this is something that can wait. The voters have spoken. A new Governor is going to take office in January. Let's have the balanced government and new Governor that the voters asked for in place before we decide to start spending even more of the taxpayers' money. I would urge a No vote.
Any further discussion? Senator Kotowski, to close.
Appreciate the -- the colloquy. I would simply ask for an Aye vote.
The question is, shall Senate Bill 2557 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. All those opposed, vote Nay. The voting's open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 to {sic} wish? Mr. Secretary, please take the record. On that question, there are 36 voting Aye, 13 voting No, none voting Present. This bill, having received the required constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Senator Silverstein, for what purpose do you rise? Senator Silverstein, please.
For purpose of an announcement.
State your announcement.
That there'll be a Democratic Caucus for sixty minutes after -- upon recess.
Senator Althoff? Senator Althoff. Senator Silverstein has asked for a -- a Democratic Caucus. Do you have a request?
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. Yes, the Republicans would also like to caucus.
Senators Silverstein and Althoff move that the Senate recess for purposes of a Senate Democratic and Republican Caucus, lasting one hour. Seeing no objection, the motion is granted. And the Senate now stands in recess to the call of the Chair. After the Senate Democratic and Republican Caucuses, the Senate will reconvene after the committee meetings for the purpose of Floor action. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES) 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 …(microphone disengaged)…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 3675, offered by Senator Noland. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Messages from the House, Mr. Secretary.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 726. We received like Messages on Senate Bill 1680, with House Amendments 1 and 3; Senate Bill 2809, with House Amendments 2 and 3; Senate Bill 2933, with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, November 19th, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. Message from the Clerk by Mr. Mapes -- Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed a bill of the following title, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 3817. We have received a like Message on House Bill 4899. Passed the House, November 19, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 3817, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Supplemental Calendar No. 2, House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bill 4204. Senator Steans. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4204. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary adopted Amendment No. 1 {sic} (2).
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5485. Senator Mulroe. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5485. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 136th Legislative Day 11/19/2014 3rd Reading. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10 a.m. on the 20th day of November, 2014. The Senate stands adjourned. 21