PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The regular Session of the 98th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Reverend Samuel W. Hale, Jr., Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Springfield, Illinois. Reverend Hale. THE REVEREND SAMUEL W. HALE, JR.: (Prayer by the Reverend Samuel W. Hale, Jr.)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Jacobs.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Jacobs)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) James R. Carder, Blueroomstream.com, requests permission to videotape. Leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of January 21st, 28th, 29th and 30th, February 4th, 5th, 7th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th and 27th, and March 4th, 5th, 6th, 13th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th, 2014.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of November 19th, 2014.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I, once again, move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journals just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. 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 1642, offered by Senators Bush and Collins. It is substantive, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Sandoval, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 1022 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Jones, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports House Bill 3707 Do Pass. Senator Hutchinson, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 4530 Recommend Do Adopt. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 4899, offered by Senator McCann. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, will you please come to the Senate Floor for Floor action? Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please come to the Senate Floor for Floor action. Mr. Secretary, are there any motions on veto {sic} for filing?
Motions -- motions have been filed with respect to the Governor's action on the following Senate bills: Senate Bill 930, filed -- filed by Senator Sandoval; Senate Bill 1630, filed by Senator Haine; Senate Bill 2015, filed by Senator Oberweis; and Senate Bill 2664, filed by Senator Hastings.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, please print them on Calendar. Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam Chair {sic}. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Very good, sir. Thanks for asking.
Madam President, on behalf of Senator Manar and I, we're very happy today to have the Decatur Chamber folks with us in the gallery. And Senator Manar -- and I represent Macon County collectively and we're very pleased they're here today. And if we 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 could just have a kind Springfield welcome. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois General Assembly. Senator Sullivan in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, will all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor immediately? We're ready to take up final action. Please come to the Senate Floor immediately. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will turn to page 4 of your printed Calendar, on the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. Page 4 of the printed Calendar, on the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. And it's up on the board. Senator Steans, do you wish to move this bill? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5537. (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 still on page 4 of the printed Calendar, on the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. We have House Bill 5878. Senator Link. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5878. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, if you'll turn to page 2 of the printed Calendar, now on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We have Senate Bill 803. Senator Hunter, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, Senator Hunter seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 803 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House -- or, excuse me, Senate Bill 803. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor or committee amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Hunter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter, to explain Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President. Basically what Senate Bill 803 is -- is -- is -- the amendment is to delay the differential response pilot program from beginning a -- from becoming a permanent program until July of 2016. We just extended the deadline.
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 is Senate Bill 803. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Senate Bill 803. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President. I've explained the -- the bill in the -- during the amendment process and I will ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Ladies and Gentlemen, as this bill has an immediate effective date, it requires a three-fifths vote for passage. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 803 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 43 voting Aye, 3 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 803, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been passed out. Should be on your desks. On Supplemental Calendar No. 1, on the Order of Total Vetoes, Senate Bills, we have Senate Bill 930. Senator Sandoval. Senator Sandoval. Ladies and Gentlemen, let's go to Senate Bill 2015. Senator Oberweis. You wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move that Senate Bill 2015 do pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Signed by Senator Oberweis. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Oberweis, to present your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. For those of you who might remember, this is a bill that would allow Tollway Authority to increase the speed limit on tollways to seventy miles per hour. It passed the Senate 48 to 6 last year {sic}, and it passed the House 111 to 4. I do have a copy of a new study that was done that shows that, actually, that can save lives. Reducing the differential in speed is the key element, and as long as traffic is moving at a closer level, it saves lives. Furthermore, if the Tollway disagreed on this at any point, they could, in fact, do a study that indicates that that's not fast -- that that's too fast and have a lower speed limit. So the opportunity is there. I hope you will help to follow up and override the -- the Governor's veto. As I said, it passed the Senate 48 to 6 last time. I think almost everybody voted in favor of it. And it passed the House 111 to 4. So I ask for your approval to override the veto.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2015 pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. All those in favor will vote Aye. Those 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, 5 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 2015, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're still on Supplemental Calendar No. 1, now on the Order of 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Specific Recommend {sic} for Change, Senate Bills. So, again, Ladies and Gentlemen, we're on Supplemental Calendar No. 1, on the Order of Motions in Writing to Override the Specific Recommendations of the Governor. This is final action. We have Senate Bill 1630. Senator Haine. Do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move that Senate Bill 1630 do pass, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. Signed by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, on Senate Bill 1630.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. As you recall, this bill passed the General Assembly in the -- in a form which prohibited markups by physicians who are not doing the work that they're billing for. And they -- the Governor added two parts to the bill that we passed and they are not in compliance with the Illinois Constitution. They're broadly substantive and they create problems for the insurance industry in one case and for the doctors themselves in -- in the other case. I would like to overrule those and go back to the bill which -- which we had, which was a good bill. It is simply a bill to prohibit an ordering physician from increasing the actual cost of their services to a pathologist's bill. That's all it does. This provision is consistent with provisions passed in twenty-five other states. Twenty-five other states. It is consistent with the rules of Medicare and Medicaid, which are currently used in Illinois. It is also consistent with the AMA ethical guidelines, 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 which prohibits markups. "A physician should not charge a markup, commission, or profit on the services rendered by others." And the AMA also states "A markup is an excessive charge that exploits patients if it is nothing more than a tacked on amount for a service already provided and accounted for by the lab {sic} (laboratory)." So that's the essence of the bill. And it was a good bill. There -- there were some groups that opposed it based upon the -- the bill that we first filed, but we negotiated it, literally, over three years and we came down to an amendment which provided simply disclosure to the patient or the carrier, whoever's going to pay the bill. And that is consistent with the AMA ethical guidelines. Again, it's consistent with Medicaid, Medicare. It's the rule in twenty-five other states. It's being debated in even more states. It's simple. It's equitable. And it's just to the patient and to the doctors themselves. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Haine. Is there any discussion? Senator Duffy, for what purpose do you rise?
Question for the sponsor, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield for a question. Senator Duffy.
Senator, thank you very much for rising and proposing this bill. Now, the way I understand it, there still are many physicians and physician groups and the Dermatology Society that oppose this bill. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Senator Haine.
Some dermatologists are opposed to the bill. Yes, sir. I have received no calls in my district from any of them opposed to the bill. But you are correct that some are opposed.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Duffy.
Okay. Some of those groups came down and met with me yesterday and I -- and I believe they -- they thought they were reaching out to you, but I guess that didn't happen. But one of the questions that concerns me, or one of the points, and maybe you can clarify for me, is that I'm told that this happens if you pass this, that three hundred and fifty million dollars of taxable revenue are going to be removed from the State of Illinois. Do you know anything about that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
No, Senator Duffy. I -- I -- I'm stunned at the figure. I received yesterday a copy of an email from the legislative liaison to the Department of Revenue in which he was asked a very speculative question about the -- a possible loss of taxable income, I presume from -- paid by doctors that are billing for services they did not do - which is an odd question to DOR. And DOR hasn't weighed in on this. His answer was somewhat vague. And that's the first time I've heard of three hundred and fifty million dollars, and I think it's obviously false. It's so wild a speculation that I don't believe I could even attempt to answer 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 it, other than to say I think it's false. I think there's no grounds for anyone to tell you that. I really don't. There's no evidence for that. This bill's been out here for three years, and I get this yesterday. And same -- same for you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Duffy.
Thank -- thank you, Senator. I'm also trying to figure this out. But I -- if you don't think it's three hundred and fifty million dollars, I guess what figure do you think it is, or do you agree that - and I'll read right from the -- the estimate - that if this bill is enacted, three hundred and fifty million dollars - or -- or a sum that you can tell me - in annual taxable activity will be transferred from taxpaying Illinois physicians to tax- exempt entities such as universities and hospitals, as well as out-of-state pathology labs"? Do you -- do you believe that if this bill passes that that will happen? Will there be a transfer of any revenue?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Thank you, Senator Duffy, for those -- those questions. The answer is no. There is no evidence for that. In fact, my staffer here, Andrew, talked to Jim Nichelson of DOR, who said the same thing to him. Those allegations and speculations are absolutely false. The idea that a bill to a pathologist in a not-for-profit -- the pathologist is going to be paid, whether by the hospital or himself or herself, and they're going to be taxed. It's -- the whole thing is pure speculation. So, to answer your question, 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 it's absolutely not the case. It is just an utter speculative effort to derail what is essentially a disclosure bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Duffy.
To -- to the bill, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator. I really appreciate that. I appreciate you taking the time to go through this with me. But based on what I've been reading over the past twenty-four hours, there does seem to be some confusion with this bill, and I think that you'd possibly agree with that. And it does look like that this law would force physicians to choose pathology services based on network restrictions and there is going to be some revenue that's going to be diverted from the State of Illinois at a time when we have very -- you know, financial problems. I -- I am going to oppose the bill and I, you know, ask others to -- to oppose this until we can really clarify what's happening or at least sit down and try to rewrite this bill with the physician groups and -- and dermatologists so that they can get on board and we can clear up the confusion. But, thank you, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Seeing no further lights on, Senator Haine, to close.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the -- of -- of the Senate - and I appreciate the -- the colloquy on that - this latest thing was introduced, again, as a purely speculative effort to derail what is in essence a disclosure bill. This bill is -- it's been out here for three years. We have worked with all the groups. And it's come down to complying with the AMA ethical guidelines. It 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 complies with Medicare and Medicaid. It just simply says that a physician can bill for what they actually do. That's consistent with all costs to patients and insurance carriers. The reason why Medicaid and Medicare have it in there is to control costs. And I -- I must say, it's a simple disclosure bill. It's the right thing to do and it levels the playing field for those physicians who are actually doing the service. If they -- if they can code and justify their service, which they can do - they've all verified that to me - they can bill for it. Doesn't prevent any billing. It -- the -- it keeps the physician level with the insurance carrier and the patient. It's a disclosure bill and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1630 pass, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. 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 39 voting Aye, 13 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1630, having received the required three-fifths constitutional majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. Next up on the Calendar -- Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?
Good morning, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Rezin.
13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Thank you, Members of the Senate and Mr. President. I -- if you look up in the Chamber here, I have some very special guests. Several months ago, I had the opportunity to tour a charter school in Chicago on Pershing and Western. And I can tell you, it was an incredible experience to meet all of the leaders in this charter school - Horizon Science Academy. The charter school's part of the Concept Schools. It's a STEM program - go ahead and stand up - STEM program. And today we have several people. We have the Principal, Mr. Cengiz, and the Coordinator, Ms. Richardson. We have many students, some that are up here and many that are down on the first floor in the Rotunda at their booth showing their science projects. The students that we have up here are Allyssa, Maria -- Mariah, and Deliliah as well. And, you know, their -- one important fact about this school - and I was incredibly impressed - their first year Robotics team won the Midwest Regional Championship and was invited to the world's FIRST Robotics Championship. They were the first rookie team to ever receive that -- that honor. It's a big deal. And we appreciate you visiting us today. And thank you for opening your doors to allowing me to tour. It was a really incredible day to see what you do there, and you do great things. I'd like to ask for a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome our guests to the Illinois Senate. Great to have you here today. Thanks for joining us. Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?
Personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Please state your point, Senator Hastings.
I'd like to welcome Miss Josie Chaidez to Springfield. She's a fifth grader. She's very interested in government. But more importantly, I asked her what she wanted to do for a living and she said she wanted to be a teacher. And I can tell you, we -- we look forward to Miss Josie becoming a teacher and we're really excited that you and your other buddy in the back there are here. So thanks for coming. If we wouldn't mind giving her a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome Josie to the Illinois Senate. Thanks for being here today. You're with a great -- you're with a great Senator as well. Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President. For a point of -- one more point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Rezin.
We have a very special birthday here today. My colleague, my seatmate, Senator Althoff's birthday is November 22nd. I believe she's right behind us and she's ignoring us. So I'd like to wish her happy birthday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff, happy birthday. Happy birthday. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are still on Supplemental Calendar No. 1. We are on the Order of Specific Recommendations for Change, Senate Bills. 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 We have Senate Bill 2664. Senator Hastings. Continuing on the Calendar, we have Motions in Writing, Override Total Vetoes, Senate Bills. We have Senate Bill 930. There it is. Senator Sandoval. On Senate Bill 930, Senator Sandoval. Mr. Secretary, let's go to Senate Bill… Ladies and Gentlemen, on the regular Calendar, if you'll turn to page 2, towards the bottom, we have House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bills 3rd Reading on page 2 of the regular Calendar, we have House Bill 1022. Senator Sandoval. Mr. Secretary, let's go to House Bill 3784. Senator Harmon. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3784. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, take House Bill 3784 out of the record. Mr. Secretary, House Bill 3827. Senator Harmon. Indicates he wishes to proceed. Senator Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3827 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have House Bill 3827. Mr. Secretary, are there any committee or Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Harmon, to explain Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Floor Amendment No. 1 shells the bill. This is the first in a series of several bills we are going to -- to adopt shell amendments and leave on the Order of 3rd Reading in case we need them later in the Veto Session. So I move for the adoption of the amendment.
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?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Next up on the Calendar, we have House Bill… Mr. Secretary, you have it up on the board - House Bill 3832. Senator Harmon, do you -- indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, Senator Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3832 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3832. Mr. Secretary, are there any committee or Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Harmon, to explain Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment deletes all and becomes the bill. I move for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 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. Next up on the Calendar, we have House Bill 3834, which is on the top of page 3 of the regular Calendar. Indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, Senator Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3834 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have House Bill 3834. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Harmon, on Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment deletes all and becomes the bill. I move for its adoption.
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. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 3rd Reading. Next up on the Calendar, we have House Bill 4204. Senator Steans. Mr. Secretary, let's go to House Bill 4530. Senator Althoff. Senator Althoff seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 4530 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 4530. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor or committee amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Althoff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff, to explain Floor Amendment 3.
Thank -- thank you very much, Mr. -- Mr. President. Floor Amendment 3 actually provides TIF extensions for the Village of Fox Lake, the Village {sic} (City) of Mount Sterling, and the City of Fairfield. It's a twelve-year extension for all of these TIFs. And I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? On the amendment? Senator Barickman, on the amendment? Seeing no -- seeing no discussion, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 4530. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration on House Bill 4530?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, we 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 have House Bill 45 -- we have House Bill 4530. Mr. -- do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4530. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff.
I had explained the third amendment. It -- it is the bill. It is an extension for three communities for -- of their TIF: Village of Fox Lake, Village {sic} of Mount Sterling and the City of Fairfield. These are areas in Senator Sullivan's, Senator Righter's, and my district, and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Ladies and Gentlemen, as this has an immediate effective date, this legislation will require a three-fifths vote. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 4530 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 49 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4530, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed. Next up on the -- Senator Barickman, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Please state your point, Senator Barickman.
Mr. President and Members of the Illinois Senate, I'd like to introduce a few guests of mine to you. In the gallery to my left, we have a few individuals, Ted and Valerie Conkling, Howard Conkling, and Danielle Donley. And I'd ask that they would stand. You may recall, earlier this year, we passed a resolution in honor of Les Conkling. Les Conkling passed away in September of -- of this year and -- and we're joined today by his family…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Barickman, excuse me just one second. Ladies and Gentlemen, can we have your attention, please? Senator Barickman has some special guests here. Senator Barickman, please continue.
So the -- the Conkling family is with us today. They were here and had a resolution passed by the Senate previously. They heard a resolution in the Illinois House today for their -- for their father and, for Danielle, for her grandfather, in the name of Les Conkling. Les, very briefly, was a teacher, a coach, and a principal in Kempton-Cabery and Tri-Point School District, which is in my legislative district. And some of you who've been here may remember Les Conkling as a Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1991 through 1993. He served in the old 87th District. And I just ask that you might join me in welcoming the Conkling family to the Illinois Senate today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome our special guests. Great to have you here today. Thank you so much for joining us. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're still on page 3 of the regular Calendar, on 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading. We have House Bill 4556. Senator Morrison, do you wish to proceed? Indicates that she does not. Let's go to House Bill 4576. Leader Harmon. Leader Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 4576 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have House Bill 4576. Mr. Secretary, are there any committee or Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Harmon, on Floor Amendment 1.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The amendment deletes all and becomes the bill. I move for its adoption.
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. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, I see we have a special guest on the Senate Floor. Please welcome Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Thank you so much for joining us, Attorney General. Great to have you joining us. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, let's return to House Bill 4204. Top of 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 page 3. Senator Steans. Indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4204. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans.
Yes, thank -- thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill establishes the offices {sic} (office) of -- of a condominium ombudsman person within the Department of Financial Regulation -- you know, Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR. The effective date is not until July 1st, 2016. So there's a period of time to be able to ramp this up. There -- it establishes the office basically to help provide information around condo law, provide training information, and also provide the ability for unit owners and condo management associations to resolve disputes and not have to go through a legal route, have an alternative dispute resolution process. I would urge your Aye vote. This is something that Representative Elaine Nekritz has been working on for, gosh, five or six years. I think we've finally gotten to a place that it's ready to go in all of our negotiations. And a number of states have been trying this approach and having a good experience in these alternative ways of resolving disputes and providing better information to condo owners and management companies alike. Urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall House Bill 4204 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, 9 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. House Bill 4204, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator McCann, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Mr. President. I would like everyone here in the Senate Chamber -- I'd like your attention, please. I'd like to honor some very special folks who are in the center of the gallery today. These folks are from Liberty Village. They represent a nursing home setting, assistive and supportive living. And when -- I had a few folks on staff ask me this morning, when -- when they heard I had a group coming, they said, "You have a group coming. Did they win a baseball championship or a basketball championship?" And I said, "Oh, no. I'm sorry that that's not the case", because these folks -- these folks - and our -- our oldest -- our oldest visitor today is ninety-seven years old - these folks did little things like conquered the Depression, won World War II, defeated Communism, went to the moon and back. They are the greatest generation. And I hope you'll all stand and join me in welcoming the residents of Liberty Village from Pittsfield, 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Illinois, here to the Senate today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome our guests from Libertyville {sic}. So great to have you here today, and thank you so much for joining us. Senator Morrison, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Morrison.
Delighted to have two Pages with me today, both from the Chicago Math and Science Academy: Sana Slote, who is a senior and hopes to attend MIT in mechanical engineering, and Joseph Patterson, who's here also from Chicago Math and Science, who hopes to attend IIT and major in information technology. Thank you for welcoming them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Will our guests please rise? Welcome to the Illinois Senate. So pleased to have you joining us today. Senator LaHood, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR LaHOOD: Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator LaHood. SENATOR LaHOOD: Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I also want to recognize a group in the gallery today. Monmouth College is here, 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 their Political Science Department, and Professor Robin Johnson, who, Mr. President, I know is a good friend of yours and a friend of mine. And we represent a district that is -- my district in Knox County adjoins Warren County. And so I want to recognize the Monmouth College students and Professor Robin Johnson. We want to give 'em a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Will our guests please rise? Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Great to have you here today. Robin, thanks for bringing another group down. We really appreciate it. Thanks for joining us. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are still on page 3, printed Calendar, House Bills 3rd Reading. We have House Bill 4733. Leader Harmon. Mr. Secretary, Leader Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 4733 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, we have House Bill 4733. Mr. Secretary, are there any committee or Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Leader Harmon, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. You'll be shocked to learn that the amendment deletes all and becomes the bill. I move for its adoption.
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 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Let's go to House Bill 5485. Senator Mulroe. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5485. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 5485, there's been a lot of confusion over the bill, but what I'm -- I'm here to say is that what this bill does is going to preserve the right of the firefighters to discuss safe manning levels during collective bargaining. Just so -- for -- in case you don't know, manning is the amount of firefighters that are necessary to fight fires safely when there's -- when there is a fire. And I really -- it doesn't matter where they come from, whether it's from their own house district or a neighboring district; the important thing is that they have safe levels of manning. This is -- this actually -- the bill we're modifying or clarifying to make sure everyone knows that manning is a mandatory subject of bargaining. Back in 1985, this -- this was an issue that was discussed and it was a result of the Labor Relations Act. In that debate, Representative Matijevich, on the Floor, stated that manning ought to be resolved in arbitration. Arbitrators can only, in interest arbitration, 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 only have jurisdiction over matters that are mandatory subjects of bargaining. Let me just backtrack a little bit. In 1985, the police - they're in the Labor Relations Act too - they are specifically excluded for purposes of arguing in collective bargaining regarding manning. So they -- it's a permissive issue. They don't have a right to discuss it in bargaining or to resolve differences at the arbitration level. That's not the case for firefighters. Firefighters, back in 1985, stated that they wanted to have mandatory subject -- subjects of bargaining with respect to wages, hours, and conditions of employment. Based on the debate and the intent, and for the last twenty-five years, manning was considered a mandatory subject of bargaining. This is probably the most important issue for firefighters - more important than wages and hours. Manning determines whether they go home at night after they fight a fire. Without the proper levels of manning, they put themselves at risk and the citizens within our districts at risk of properly fighting -- fighting fires. And just so -- I just want to repeat: Since 1985 through about 2011, manning has been discussed at the collective bargaining table. If there have been disagreements, it has gone up to arbitration and any disputes have been resolved there. There was a case in 2011 called the Oak Lawn case. It relied -- or applied a Central City case and -- to this firefighter case. The problem was, the Central City case was an Appellate Court case in Illinois dealing with teachers. Teachers have a right to strike. Firefighters do not. They applied a teacher case to a firefighter case. It was inappropriately applied, and as a result of that decision, it's caused a flurry of litigation at all levels - at the Labor Board, at the Appellate Court. It's costing taxpayers. It's costing 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 unions a lot of money in terms of litigation costs, time, effort and money. This is going to settle that issue. It's going to make sure everybody realizes that manning is a mandatory subject of bargaining. We settle the issue. People, as a result of that case, have talked, hey, maybe it's permissive, maybe it's mandatory. It was always intended to be manning {sic}. That's what it -- that's what we're going to clarify today; remove that issue and save the cities and the unions a lot of money in resolving that issue. And I -- I'm sure some of you have heard from your - - your mayors that this bill may result in the firefighters gaining in their manning levels, or allowing or inserting minimum manning provisions into their -- their contract. That is anything {sic} close to the truth. So just so -- I -- I want to give you an idea. There was a Homewood case that an arbitrator decided, where a firefighter of Homewood died in a fire. After that fire and after that death, the Homewood Fire Department -- or, the firefighters negotiated during collective bargaining that they wanted to increase their manning from five to six. They -- they came at an impasse - so the firefighters union said "We want to raise the manning level"; the City said "No, we want to stay at status quo." The decision went to the arbitrator. Generally speaking, arbitrators stay with status quo. They're not willing to change status quo. Like ninety-five percent of the cases in the last three years, they've ruled in favor of status quo. There is not one decision that I've been given, and I've been asking for six months, and I've met with the cities, I met with the -- their attorneys, and I've met with their representatives, to show me one decision from an arbitrator that they have changed status quo in favor of the unions. I have never received that case. That's 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 because, to my knowledge, none exists. So what this is going to do is maintain the -- the manning to be a mandatory subject of bargaining. They're going to talk about manning during collective bargaining. And who better to talk about it at that table as the firemen? But any fear that this might result in a change of manning is not true, because the arbitrators, if -- just in a case just like Homewood, if they went and said, hey, we want to change in manning or we wanted to insert a manning provision in the contract that didn't already exist or increase the level, they will lose. So that's actually going to -- the unions would be foolish to actually bring it to an arbitrator, because they'd lose. There is no case that supports them in changing status quo at this time. Furthermore, I just want to read from the -- the Homewood decision. The arbitrators use a standard when it comes to status quo; they -- they -- they require a really high burden to change status quo. So, like I said before, in -- in other cases, you know, they -- they have not changed status quo in probably ninety- five percent of the cases. So it doesn't mean they -- they can't, but the burden is so high. And this is the rationale used by arbitrators that they -- they state it's a fundamentally conservative process and parties should not be able to obtain in interest arbitration that that they could not get at the bargaining table. So the arbitrators are going to rule for status quo. And for purposes of legislative intent - I want to make clear for any arbitrators that may be listening or anybody that's listening to this debate to -- to interpret our intent - this in no way is intended to give unions an advantage in arbitration. We want to keep it at status quo, have the arbitrators apply their strict standard and -- and require the party requesting a change to meet 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 this higher burden. And as I said before, ninety-five percent of the cases, they don't change status quo. In terms of manning, where someone has tried to change manning status quo, there has not been one decision where the -- the union has prevailed. So I'd be happy to answer questions and I would ask everyone for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield for questions. Senator Althoff.
Senator Mulroe, obviously everybody in this Chamber recognizes the fact that I was a mayor; I come from a real strong background in local government. I typically speak on behalf of local governments. But I'm going to tell you, in general, I don't have too significant an issue with your proposal. However, my understanding is that there is still room in many regards that we can come to an agreement with our municipalities with regard to this bill. It's Veto Session. This is a substantive matter that we're discussing. My concern would be, is that we still provide both of the stakeholders an opportunity to continue to work on this issue. They needed to do that. We had an entire summer - wasn't addressed. It's being addressed now. There are significant misunderstandings, concerns, call it what you will, that I believe if you have both of the parties sit down and talk, we can resolve this and we could bring this bill forward and have a comfort level by both parties. They're bothly {sic} extremely important to this 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Body. Our firefighters are our guys; our municipalities are our partners. I really don't understand, at this particular point in time, why it is we need to drive this issue forward during Veto Session. So, can you perhaps, you know, shed some light on -- on the need to do it today, as opposed to waiting until January or even lame-duck Session?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe.
Absolutely. Thank you very much for the question, Senator Althoff. I've been working on this since we left in May. I've met with the cities, the mayors, chiefs, their lawyers, for -- at least three times. I've visited every fire department in my district, and they span the range from unions to non-unions, to part-time to fire districts. I've been asking for language. I want to make sure that everyone understands, just by the mere fact of letting them talk and discuss manning levels at collective bargaining doesn't lead to anything else. And so I've been asking for language to protect or alleviate that fear. It hasn't been given to me until we sent it to Executive. Like a lot of things that happen around here, people don't move until they have to. So -- and the language that I was given -- and -- and I -- I want to just address your fear -- or -- or your concerns. We -- I am committed to actually putting language in a trailer bill to address the very issue you're bringing up, to alleviate fears, to make sure that the arbitrators maintain this high standard of -- of what burden to change anything in status quo. And I want to make it clear - and I'm not sure where the confusion comes from - there is no case, Senator Althoff, where an arbitrator has ruled in favor 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 of a union when they're requesting a change in status quo. So I don't know where the confusion comes from. It's settled. And we are just going to take the issue of whether manning should be a mandatory subject of arbitration off the table. It's going to save the cities money. It's going to save the unions money. We are not going to litigate this anymore, because we want 'em to talk about what's the proper level of manning that is necessary when there's a fire to make sure of the safety of the -- the firemen, but also to search and rescue for people that are inside the home.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff.
Thank you. I don't dispute a single word that you've just stated - not -- not one. What I am asking for, and you just indicated it yourself by your last comment -- admittedly, timing isn't everything. I, too, will look at my counterparts and say they should have been in front of you with solutions earlier, but they now have provided a solution that needs to be considered. We are -- we are under no specific time crunch. So now that there is language that they have presented both to the firefighters as well as to yourself, I really believe it's in the best interest. That's how we work here. We try and come to consensus. We don't need a trailer bill. We can delay this bill. We can put everything in one bill. It's clean. Everyone trusts each other and we can move forward. And we have ample opportunity to do just that. And I will stand here - remember, I'm the girl from the municipal side - I will stand here and commit to you that I will work with you to get that done, 'cause I do believe in the concept of what you're 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 trying to do. I agree with it. I just think that we need to get our municipalities - who we've beaten up, by the way, for the last year with all kinds of issues - I believe we need to give them that courtesy to sit down and come to terms with this issue. Our firefighters are partners with our municipalities. We serve the same constituency. Again, I am asking for consideration to continue to work on this, because I do not see the absolute immediate need to vote on this issue today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe.
Senator Althoff, the only language that we have received to date - and I understand there might be some other language floating around that addresses this issue - is that "Oh, yeah, let the firefighters talk about it, but make it a permissive subject of bargaining." What that means is those discussions are meaningless. It's going to result in unilateral changes that the mayors can make and -- not have the -- the firefighters have any ability to resolve a disagreement at arbitration. That's the difference between mandatory and permissive. Permissive means that you can tell me whatever you want; we may or may not consider it. You don't have any recourse if there's a disagreement. And keep in mind, the reason that they have these issues as a mandatory subject of bargaining, since 1985, was that they are not allowed to strike. They don't have that as a -- an -- a method to resolve differences. So that's -- and I'm -- it just gets back to -- it's so important. And I'm -- we're not trying to hurt the cities. I'm trying to save the cities money. Save the taxpayers. Those citizens in the cities that everyone's -- they're my people, too. They're your 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 people. They're my -- my constituents as well. I don't want to be paying extra tax dollars to dispute an issue that we should settle today. It's been ongoing since 2011. It needs to be settled today. We're going to save the taxpayers money and we're going to save the unions money, and we're going to do the right thing today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff.
Thank -- thank you. All right, now I -- now I have a significant question. I -- you've been stating, Senator Mulroe, that any issue that went to arbitration with regard to the manning has stayed with the status quo. Correct? Do I -- do I understand that correctly?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe.
With regarding to manning? Yes. They've -- the unions have never prevailed when they've tried to insert a minimum manning provision in their contract or tried to increase the level. Actually, there is one case, Rockford, where the arbitrator ruled to decrease manning.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff.
So, again, what makes you absolutely confident that now, after we pass something of this nature, that arbitrators won't look at this piece of legislation and rule differently?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Senator Mulroe.
I'm going to say it on the Floor that that is not the intent of this bill. It's not to give any advantage to the unions. We want to maintain the standard that exists today. But we will address it in the trailer bill. And I'm happy to work on the language that will alleviate any fears that the cities might have that this is somehow giving an advantage to the unions that they don't have right now. And that's the purpose of the trailer bill. We need to resolve this issue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff.
We still have time to resolve the issue, deal with it in lame- duck and it's done. And we don't need to go through a trailer bill, which, by the way, will take us several months to go through the process. So, we have a vehicle; we have the time. You and I are -- are on the same wavelength. I understand what it is you're trying to do. I still feel strongly that we need to give the municipalities the -- the comfort level. And -- and our fire chiefs - our fire chiefs are saying the same thing. Those men and women that we hire to be in that position of authority over the men that they are responsible for are indicating that public safety is extraordinarily important to them and manning is absolutely always considered and discussed. So I -- I -- again, I don't see the apparent urgency to deal with this today, now, Veto. You and I can work together. We can -- we can add to it. We can have an amendment and bring it back during lame-duck, and at least tell this Body that we have done everything that we possibly can to 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 address the concerns of the municipalities as well as the fire chiefs. Again, I'll -- I'll be done, but I'll -- I'll ask for the consideration. We always, in this Chamber, try and come up with the stakeholders so that they are comfortable with the positions of each other. We don't always get that opportunity, but I think we do really have that chance here and I would just ask for that consideration. And I would ask the Body to support me in that and give us the opportunity to continue to work on this extraordinarily important issue and get it done in lame-duck before the Session dies. Thank you very much for your courtesy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator Holmes, for what purpose do you rise?
Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield. Senator Holmes.
I just want to ask you a couple questions, Senator - just once and for all make this very clear for the record. How many times in the past has this, what we're doing, this minimum manning, resulted in an increase in manning levels?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe.
Zero.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Holmes.
37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Has it ever resulted in a decrease?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Mulroe.
There was a case in Rockford - there was a decrease in manning - that went to arbitration. Not all fours -- they weren't -- they -- the arbitrator ruled that it was a little different than status quo, but did decrease manning levels.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Holmes.
…bill. And -- and I heard the discussion between Senator Mulroe and the lovely Senator whose birthday it is today, and I have to admit I -- I understand the point. But the major issue when we talk about this is, quite frankly, when you look at the literature that we, as legislators, have received from the municipalities, we have been betrayed. I have received literature that told me that my town, my City of Aurora, that if this bill passed, it result -- would result in a four-million-dollar increase - four million dollars if we pass this piece of legislation. We know that that is blatantly not true. We also know that, in Aurora, they already have this. In other words, nothing changes in Aurora if this bill passes. So where they get this ridiculous number of what the increase would be, is just a way of putting all of us into a panic, alarming citizens that we're out to do something that's going to raise their taxes. When, in fact, if we keep things as they are right this minute, it would raise taxes if the two parties, the city and the firefighters, had a disagreement at that bargaining table on manning and it ended up going to 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 litigation rather than arbitration. That could cost the taxpayers. It could cost the city millions of dollars, ultimately cost the taxpayers, versus if it went to arbitration, where the main goal is to get those parties to sit down, hash it out and work out till they come to an agreement. So I find it a little disingenuous that as long as this bill has been out there for review that all of a sudden, right now, the municipal side is looking at it, saying "Maybe there is something else that we need to do here." I say we pass this; we pass it now. I say, quite frankly, it's long overdue. And, yes, they do have the assurance from the sponsor that a trailer bill addressing some of those specific concerns, which are now real concerns, not these manufactured fear tactics, will be addressed. So I want to thank you and I will vote Aye, and I hope that everybody else does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Before we go to further discussion, Ed Cross with WAND-TV requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Leader Clayborne, for what purpose do you rise?
For a statement, personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your statement, Senator Clayborne.
Pursuant to Section 3-202 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, I hereby disclose in the abundance {sic} of a -- of a caution of a potential conflict with respect to HB3485 {sic}, and I will -- intend to vote in the public's interest. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Senator Delgado, for what purpose do you rise? 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Delgado.
We've been around here quite a long time, and I've been in both Chambers now some seventeen years. I've worked in State government for a number of years. We are partners. And firefighters -- we're partners -- and firefighters -- and we wouldn't be here, but when we're partners -- they're also professionally trained employees with specifically trained skills. Government, when administrations -- haven't we learned yet? When economies fall apart, governments become very parasitic. They make fiscal decisions, compromising our safety at times. These are professionally trained men and women, specifically trained to save lives, be first responders. These are the ones who advise these administrators, these mayors, to help them understand what is the best program to implement. So we know that government's going to make fiscal decisions and sometimes they're going to jeopardize the public safety of our communities. And fear of city administrators, fear of State government, federal government, our agencies at the top level, we try to put 'em in a community base. These firefighters know, the communities know, we can't have it. They're -- they're the balancing side of that partnership. They are the conscience of that city that sleeps at night, to know that we have enough firefighters on board. Is there a paramedic? Is that paramedic trained? Is that paramedic a firefighter? - that was an issue. But at the end of the day, we've seen how governments, even our constitutions, must protect benefits, must 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 protect. In all cities across this nation, it is an act of -- of a collective bargaining to have a discussion, to give your professional opinion as to what is best, and to serve the interests of a minor, of an offender, of a home. And a firefighter is trained to do that. I think this is a wonderful partnership and that's why they're trying to be heard, so they can best lead with their partner, that mayor, that administrator. And that's why I stand in strong support as a chief hyphenated sponsor and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Ladies and Gentlemen, I -- if -- if you go to my district and you ask people what's really important to them, property taxes is very important to them. You can have a home paid off, but you've still got that burden every year, and for that reason, a lot of people consider leaving this State, among others, but that's one that is a huge burden. Now, if the proponents are wrong and this does put pressure on the municipalities in my district to raise taxes, I'm the one that has to deal with that, not you. So I understand some of the, you know, the -- these -- the three/four million dollars that was talked about, I don't know that situation. That -- that -- that could've been incorrect, could've been just, you know, just talk. But I've heard from my district and their 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 concern that this pressure will force them to increase property taxes. And at the same time, I've not heard outcries of communities not being safe - which says to me that we've chosen talented people to protect us and it's working. I'm not going to do something that's going to take that control and those wise decisions from the people that I represent. I'm not going to take that away from them and their ability to do what's -- what they think is best for the people. I can't list the fire. I can't list the city that has not manned up. Typically, we bring legislation forth that corrects an area where someone didn't do the job; they didn't provide enough security, enough, you know -- whatever it is. But no one can really name that incident, especially in my district. So, for that reason, I will -- I will be opposing the bill. And if it's in your -- if your district doesn't have those problems as well, I encourage you to vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Before we continue on, Kelsey Gibbs with WCIA requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Senator Kotowski, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Kotowski.
First of all, I'd like to commend the sponsor, Senator Mulroe, for all his excellent work on this legislation. He's received a lot of pressure and a lot of information that's been put -- put forth about this legislation that, in some cases, was -- was wildly inaccurate. And he's met with municipal leaders across the State 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 of Illinois and he's heard their concerns and, I feel, quite competently and thoroughly addressed those concerns. And I commend him for his work on this. See, you know, some of the discussion that's been raised today is about, you know, raising property taxes and -- and the impact that that has on community. Well, keeping our communities safe and secure and protected is a core function of government. Making sure that our families are safe and secure and protected is a core function of what we do here and why we're here. Let's not forget what happens if we don't -- when we don't, in our country, honor and serve those who've honored and served our country. We've seen what happens when our men and women return from fighting in conflicts and they're not able to get the support that they need when they honor and serve our country so admirably, so willingly, and so willing to sacrifice their lives and their family, time away from their family. These men and women, it seems like we have very short memories, very short memories in terms of what they've been able to do here. I think that all these images of what happened on 9/11 are embedded in our consciousness, of them walking up stairs while -- and helping everybody leave, helping everybody to be safe, while they walked up the stairs to their deaths. And so I find it -- I find it rather disturbing that this has become so political, when, quite simply, we're trying to make sure that our first responders, our emergency personnel, our firefighters, have the staff in place so they can do their job and keep us safe and have it as a condition of negotiating their contracts. I mean, it's up to people to figure that out and determine whether or not that's going to happen. You know, I live near O'Hare Airport. Hundreds of thousands of flights take off from O'Hare Airport, and God forbid something bad were to happen, 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 and if we don't have the personnel necessary to address an emergency like that, were it to happen, then everybody's going to say, "Well, why didn't you do that in government?" "Why didn't you keep us safe?" "Why didn't you protect us?" "Why didn't you make sure we were secure?" See, this is what this does and this is one of these things that we have in government that we need to make sure is in place, because in the event something bad and tragic happens, we want our firefighters to be there. We want our policemen to be there. We want to make sure that they're taken care of, 'cause they're willing to sacrifice their lives. They're willing to put themselves in jeopardy, in harm's way, so they can keep us safe and secure and protected. So this bill, quite frankly, clarifies what was stated in 1985. It makes sure that we do what's necessary; that we have the proper personnel in place to keep us safe. And it honors that commitment that, in many ways, we haven't honored that commitment for those who've honored and served our country. Well, we have the opportunity to take responsibility right here, right now, to honor and serve these folks and not to get involved in this political discussion. And last point that's raised, we're talking about that we've put this excess burden on municipalities; we've done a great job here on this side of the aisle of making sure we provide support for local municipalities. About 1.3 billion every year goes out to local municipalities from State government. We've done an excellent job of protecting those dollars and making sure that we have the funds necessary so they can do their work. And I think we've taken a lot of pride over there in working in partnership with local government in making sure that happens. So, again, I come back to the Senate sponsor. I applaud you for your work on this. I 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 appreciate it. You've done an excellent job here of engaging people. And I take you at your word, you're going to commit to improve this bill in any way you can in the future. And I'm going to vote for this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Senator Clayborne, I understand that you rise for the purpose of a clarification. Senator Clayborne.
Thank you. Yes, to clarify. I think I said 3 -- 3485. I meant 5485. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Senator Mulroe, to close.
Okay, couple things. Senator Althoff - where'd she go? There you are - okay, there's no guarantee that the amendment gets called in the House. So I'm -- I'm not comfortable with doing that. So that's the purpose of the trailer bill. So we're going to do exactly what you want us to do, just in a different form. It's going to get done in the trailer bill. So I can't do it in the amendment. All right? And we're not ready to do that, 'cause I can't guarantee it's going to get called there. So we will do a trailer bill to address your concerns and the cities' concerns. Those are my concerns too. We don't want to beat up the cities. We don't want to raise property taxes. I'm committed to do that and I hope you join me in doing that. You got to remember, this Oak Lawn case has thrown things into a tizzy and now every single issue on manning, whether they're arguing permissive or mandatory, causes litigation. That causes cities to pay for that litigation. So if we don't pass this, this -- and you vote No, it will result 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 in property taxes - if this bill does not pass. Because the litigation will continue. We are settling this case. It will eliminate litigation and eliminate the costs. Senator McCarter, my -- oh, sorry. I -- so I -- I have a -- a city in -- in my district as well that -- that argued that if this bill passed, it's going to require the minimum manning provision to be put into their contract and will lead to higher levels of manning, and -- and as a result, real estate and taxes -- real estate taxes will go up. So we studied that -- that city, and it turned out, in 2011, that city put the minimum manning provision into the contract. So I asked the mayor, 'cause that was the fear, you've had ten firefighters this year and you've had the same amount of firefighters to protect the safety of the firefighters and the citizens for the last ten years. But I said, "Hey, what -- can you tell me how much the real estate taxes went up from 2011 to 2012? 'Cause that's what you said was going to happen if we put those minimum manning provisions in the contract." You know what his answer was? None. "Well, how about '12 to '13? Tell me what the real estate taxes went up as a result of putting that provision in the contract." "How much did the real estate taxes go up?" None. If we don't pass this - I can't -- can't say it more clearly - this is going to increase litigation over this very issue and cause property taxes to go up. By passing the bill today, you're going to go home and tell your -- the -- your constituents that I put a cap on litigation costs. There's going to be no more litigation regarding mandatory subject of bargaining. And -- and -- and it will lead to lower costs; that they can use that money for more important priorities that we all rely on. And this'll - - just to make it clear, this will supersede the Central City 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 balancing test and eliminate anymore discussions or any litigation on the issue. I ask for your Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Althoff, I realize your light is on, but the last speaker had already spoken. We've already closed the statements and so we're not going to recognize you, even though your name was used in the closing. Ladies and Gentlemen, as this has an immediate effective date, it requires a three-fifths vote to -- for passage. The question is, shall House Bill 5485 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 42 voting Aye, 11 voting Nay, 4 voting Present. House Bill 5485, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) House Bill 5522. Senator Harmon. Senator Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 5522 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 5522. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Harmon, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment deletes all and becomes the bill. I move for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. On page 5 of your Calendar, Concurrences, Senate Bill 3530. Senator Stadelman. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 3530. Signed by Senator Stadelman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Stadelman, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 3530 is an agreed bill among several stakeholders. It includes several provisions including workshare. Now, workshare basically gives businesses an alternative - it's voluntary on their part - in an economic downturn. Instead of laying off employees, they would be able to simply have the option of reducing hours. For example, instead of a business laying off five employees, they would be able to reduce hours among twenty-five employees by about twenty percent. This is a win-win. This is a win for employers because they're able to keep trained staff on hand instead of laying them off. Employees will also be able to keep their jobs and collect unemployment insurance, obviously at a reduced rate. 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 So, again, this is a win for employers, for employees, and the community as well. It's also important that we pass this legislation this year. The federal government is making millions of dollars - in Illinois' case, more than four million dollars - to implement this program and promote it. So it's urgent that we do it this Veto Session. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator Biss, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill.
I simply wanted to thank the sponsor and commend the sponsor for his work on this issue, particularly the workshare component. It's an innovative, smart way to keep people at work in a manner that will also be beneficial to businesses. And, fortunately, the issue itself is not so urgent today, because it's most important in time of economic downturn, not when unemployment is falling. On the other hand, passing this bill is crucial today because it allows us to pull down literally millions of dollars of federal money to implement this innovative, smart program. I'm thrilled we're doing this and I appreciate Senator Stadelman's work on it. I urge Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question… Seeing that this bill has a effective date before June -- July 1, it -- it needs a three-fifths vote. The question is, shall the 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Senate concur on House Amendments 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 3530. 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 56 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 3530, having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does occur {sic} with the House Amendments 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 3530, and the bill is declared passed. Rodney Cornell {sic} (Correll), WLS-TV Chicago, seeks permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, permission is granted. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. On that previous bill, on that unanimous roll call, my intention was to vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The record will reflect your intention. House Bill 1022. Senator Sandoval. Senator Sandoval seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1022 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1022. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Hutchinson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hutchinson, on the amendment.
Mr. President, I'd like to withdraw Floor Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hutchinson seeks leave of the Body to withdraw House 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 {sic} Amendment No. 2. Leave is granted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sandoval, on your Amendment 3.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to speak to the amendment that -- adopt the amendment and speak to the amendment on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? All… Is there any discussion on the amendment? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill -- House Bill 1022. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1022. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sandoval, on House Bill 1022.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1022 creates the Task Force on Sustainable Transportation Funding. The Task Force will 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 be responsible for reviewing the current trends between the infrastructure needs of Illinois and the revenue received from federal and State gas tax; research and recommend responsible -- possible alternations {sic} (alterations) and alternatives for how to modernize the State of Illinois' system of financing maintenance, improvements, and expansion of public infrastructure system. This is similar to SJR77 that broadens the scope to consider all possible methods of transportation funding. This is a -- a Task Force designed in a bipartisan fashion to look at alternative ways of investing in our transportation infrastructure for the future. I'd ask a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House -- because of an effective immediate -- immediate effective date, we will need a three-fifths vote on this bill. All those in favor on House Bill 1022 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 56 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. House Bill 1022, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We will now go back to Supplemental Calendar No. 1 on Motions -- Total Veto. On Senate Bill 930, Senator Sandoval. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
I move that the Senate -- I move that Senate Bill 930 do pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Signed by Senator Sandoval.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sandoval, on your bill. 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 930 passed out of the Senate Floor some time ago 58-zip. It sets the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for a second division vehicle, a truck, in the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will on an interstate highway at sixty miles per hour and fifty-five miles per hour on all other highways, roads, and streets. Let's make the will of the people the law of the land. I'd ask an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 930 pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. 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 54 Ayes, no Nays, 3 voting Present. Senate Bill 930, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Now on page 4 of the printed Calendar, Senate Joint Resolutions A-79 {sic}. Senator Raoul, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Joint Resolution 79 requests that the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission analyze current…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Excuse me, Senator Raoul. A mistake by the President.
That's all right.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 Senate Joint Resolution 79, offered by Senator Raoul.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Now, Senator Raoul, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr.…(microphone cutoff)… Senate Joint Resolution 79 requests that the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission analyze current law and summarize available information/research on the best practices within the State and across the nation with respect to juvenile record confidentiality, law enforcement recordkeeping, and expungement, and make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly regarding the -- effective policy and practice concerning juvenile record confidentiality and expungement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) As this resolution requires expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The -- 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 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Resolution -- Joint -- Senate Joint Resolution 79, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. House Joint Resolution 91. Senator Tom Cullerton. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 91, offered by Senator Tom Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Cullerton, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. House Joint Resolution 91 creates the Task Force on Veterans' Suicide. Right now, veterans are committing suicide at a rate of twenty- 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 two per day. This Task Force will -- I will be working on with Representative Kifowit, who, you all know, is a veteran of the United States Marines. I, myself, am a veteran of the U.S. Army, and part of my goal and part of my mission being in Springfield is to find ways for veterans to transition better. Having twenty- two a day commit suicide is not a good way to go - and that is a national figure, not an Illinois figure. So I'd ask for a Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) As this results into requirement -- requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? On that question, there are 58 Ayes, no -- take the record. On that question, there are 58 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. House Joint Resolution 91, receiving the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 1740. Together with the following amendments which are attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1740 and House Amendment 4 to Senate -- Senate Bill 1740. We have received like Messages on Senate Bills {sic} 1842, 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 with House Amendments 1 and 3; Senate Bills {sic} 2711, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 2915, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 2979, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 3171, with House Amendments 1 and 3 {sic} (2); Senate Bill 3265, with House Amendment 5; Senate Bill 3397, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 3509, with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, November 20th, 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 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 3975. We have received a like Message on House Bill 6303. Passed the House, November 20th, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) House Bills 1st Reading, Mr. Secretary.
House Bill 3975, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 6303, offered by Senator McConnaughay. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of these bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Will the Committee on Assignments please meet in the President's Anteroom immediately? The Committee on Assignments please meet in the President's Anteroom immediately. (at ease) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House. 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014
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 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 6291. Passed the House, November 20th, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 6291.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - House Bills 3817 and 3975; refer to Revenue Committee - House Bill 6303; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - House Bill 4899; Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Resolutions 1630 and 1637. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Harmon in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senate Supplemental Calendar No. 2 has been distributed to the Members' desks. On the Calendar is the Order of Secretary's Desk, Resolutions. First on 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 the list is Senate Resolution 1630. Senator Link, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1630, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Link, on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 1630 designates November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 1630 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next on the Supplemental Calendar is Senate Resolution 1637. Senator Silverstein. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1637, offered by Senator Silverstein.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Silverstein.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a different type of -- kind of resolution than we normally put forth here in the Illinois Senate. Briefly what it does is, last Tuesday, about six thousand miles away, in Israel, four individuals were killed in their synagogue. Unfortunately, someone broke in, killed them. Another -- another police officer was killed. It's kind of scary, because we go to our synagogues, our churches, and our mosques and we hope that we go there to pray in safety and peace. But when something 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 like this happens, it disrupts the whole continuity. One of the individuals, Mosheh Twersky, is a cousin of a constituent of mine. The resolution just condemns the attack and wishes the families well. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 1637 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? If not, the question -- the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 116. Offered by Senator Link. 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 137th Legislative Day 11/20/2014 (Secretary reads HJR No. 116) Adopted by the House, November 19th, 2014. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution 116. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 116, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Link moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 116. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Link moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 116. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on the 2nd day of December, 2014. The Senate stands adjourned pursuant to the adjournment resolution. 60