PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) The regular Session of the 99th General Assembly will come to order. Will all the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Chance Newingham, Lifegate International Ministries, Athens, Illinois. Mr. Newingham.
(Prayer by Mr. Chance Newingham)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Cunningham, to lead us in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary… Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, March 10th, 2015.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hastings.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hastings 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.
1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 Senate Resolution 214, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolution 215, offered by Senator Bertino-Tarrant and all Members. Senate Resolution 216, offered by Senator McConnaughay and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 217, offered by Senator Koehler. And it is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 2028, offered by Senator Duffy. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Mulroe, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Senate Bill 73 Do Pass. Senator Delgado, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Bills 1340 and 1561 Do Pass. Senator McGuire, Chairperson of the Committee on Higher Education, reports Senate Bill 1457 Do Pass. Senator Biss, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports Senate Bill 653 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Resolution 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 90 Be Adopted. Senator Raoul, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Bills 804, 1304 and 1308 Do Pass; and Senate Bill 751 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Noland, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Bill 1588 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Cullerton, Chairperson of the Committee -- Senator Tom Cullerton, (Vice) Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Bills 86, 650, 781, 791, 807, 1252, 1360 and 1612 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 663 and 740 Do Pass, as Amended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 6. Offered by Senator Rezin, and adopted by the House, March 5th, 2015. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 220, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, all Members within the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor. All Members within the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are going to go to the Order of Senate Resolutions - Secretary's Desk, Resolutions. It's on page 5 of your printed Calendar, towards the top of the page. With leave of the Body, we're going to go to Senate Resolution 146. Senator Raoul, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 146, offered by Senator Raoul and all Members.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Raoul.
Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, if we could have your attention. Excuse me, Senator Raoul, for just a moment. Shh! Ladies and Gentlemen, please, if we could have your attention. We're about to do a death resolution. Senator Raoul would like your attention, please. Keep the visiting down. Thank you. Senator Raoul, please continue.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senate Resolution 146 is a resolution to honor Dean Sweitzer, who made his transition on February 4th, 2015. Dean was an advocate for the long-term care industry and, more specifically, Lexington Homes, but really the -- the many people in their tender years that we try to support and struggle with as we struggle with our 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 budgetary challenges right now. Dean was an advocate for those people, but he was an advocate that you'd not -- you didn't necessarily see in this building, 'cause his office was at the Globe Tavern and he had a special chair there. But the great, unique thing about Dean Sweitzer is that he touched individuals on both sides of the aisle and he brought us together, as recent as a few weeks ago during the Inauguration week, where he sponsored individually the bipartisan caucus event at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. And that was an event where he said his goodbye to many of us. Many of us he touched in his special way. His terms of endearment for us were "idiot", "stupido", and he referred to himself as the "King of the Idiots". You know, Representative Lou Lang is presenting a resolution that -- in the House Chamber today, and one experience that Representative Lang and I had together that speaks to the character of Dean Sweitzer and his integrity and his word and how he cared about being in your presence and being supportive: We were in Minneapolis this past summer at the National Conference of State Legislators {sic} (Legislatures) annual meeting and we broke bread together, and on a particular day, he said, "Oh, no, I forgot. I need to -- I need to attend Representative Mautino's event tomorrow. I've got to hand him a contribution." And Representative Lang and I said, "Oh, you just send it in the mail." He says, "No, I told him I would be there." And we were like, "But you said you were going to watch the game with us, the Jackie Robinson West Little League game with us tomorrow evening. How are you going to be in downstate Illinois and be in Minneapolis at the same time?" He says, "Well, I'll catch an airplane tomorrow morning. I'll have Boom Boom meet me at the airport, drive me downstate. I'll -- I'll hand him the 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 check, I'll come back to the airport, I'll fly back to Minneapolis, and I'll be back here in time to watch the game with you." And Representative Lang and I are like, "You're crazy. There's no way you're going to do that." Sure enough, the next day, he flew to Chicago, made it down, presented to Mautino in person, had a sandwich, came back up to -- to Chicago, flew back, and was in time for about the second inning of the baseball game, just to fly back to Chicago the next morning. That spoke to the character of Dean Sweitzer and how he touched many of us. And it -- it's an unusual thing for us to be -- for both Chambers to be doing such a resolution and -- and to have an opportunity to orally present it, but it speaks to the uniqueness of the individual and how he touched many of us in and around this Chamber and the Chamber across and how he cared about people, in particular the people who rely on the long-term care industry. And -- and -- and I -- I ask all of you-all to -- to honor Dean Sweitzer, the "King of the Idiots".
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Raoul. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution -- oh, excuse me, couple late lights there. Senator Delgado, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Chamber. I rise in strong support and commend Senator Raoul in the memorial to a great man, Dean Sweitzer. Dean is a personal friend. I think I've been here about sixteen years, an elected official, both House and Senate, and he's -- was there as my role in Human Services and the former Chair of Public Health in dealing with the long-term care. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 When we first convened the Latino Caucus and as we were -- we have two nationalities, one unique, one in the country, and we had a - - we convened our caucuses, Dean was always concerned about all nationalities, all people in Illinois. I got to enjoy a trip to my mother's homeland of Puerto Rico, where Dean Sweitzer actually joined us at a conference, way in Puerto Rico, 'cause he knew it was important and wanted to see and learn about that, on his way on another business trip. And my wife and myself and Dean -- and my wife and Dean were -- became very good friends over the years. And at the end of the day, when I find out about this -- this -- this -- this tremendous tragedy when I lost my good friend, I was blown away, because I used to stay at the hotel down -- downtown. And I remember he had his own telephone. I used to think it was for staff, but it was for Dean Sweitzer. The gentleman had a heart - what Illinoisans should be all sharing. Dean had no boundaries and he had a -- and you could never tell, he was just a down-to- earth guy. He wore his shirts and jeans and -- and you'd never know what was really -- who this gentleman really -- what he had, what he represented. He represented every sofa-sitting, backpacking, Jewel-shopping mom and dad, and yet he cared about his agencies and his nursing homes, what was going on in there. And he knew my commitment to social justice, to public health and human services, Mr. President. And -- and he was always there and I was able to help broker, but it was really his spirit that drove mine. So with that said and done, I commend Senator Raoul and I join, if we haven't already all joined, on this resolution. The words come out of my heart, but I'll probably say it better later on in my own thoughts. But, Dean, I know you're here and I know the universe is powerful. Keep on keeping on and -- and we're 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 going to be there, but you've left a legacy which many of us can learn from. So thank you, Dean. And to Dean's family, if you find yourself in the Chambers, my name is Willie Delgado, and Dean called me Willie, and I learned a lot from him. And I thank you for that, 'cause my background really wasn't public health, let alone long-term care. Someday when I open myself up, as all of - - I regurgitate the learnings, it will be -- one will be definitely Dean Sweitzer. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Forby, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you. What do you say about Dean Sweitzer? Probably the first thing I'd say, "Wow! Wow! What a guy." You know he's a big guy, but, you know what, how do you get a heart like he had in this big guy? Because his heart had to be bigger than him. Unbelievable guy. Me and Dean went on a couple trips. We had Boom Boom with us, of course. You know, we got to know each other really well. We went to Sicily a couple years ago. Dean and I, we had a couple of issues that we both agreed on and we both done. It was something that made us talk and loosen up and everything. It came in a glass, looked like water, but I don't think it was water. It was a little vodka, and Dean says, "I'm not supposed to" -- the first time I met him, he said, "I'm not supposed to be drinking, Gary. I'm an alcoholic. I've quit." I said, "What are you doing here, Dean, and what are you doing now?" He said, "I just like you." Said, "I know what you drink. It's the same thing I do." He said, "I'm going to have a drink," and he said, "I'll quit again, but, today, we're going to celebrate." And we've been 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 there. We went to Alaska together. And then one time this summer, when I heard about his illness, I went by his house in Chicago. I met his wife and I -- you know, the name was really -- really funny. He said, "I want you to meet Warden." Warden? You know, I was thinking -- when you think of warden, it's something else. But, you know what, she was a great lady. She was fantastic. She was there. It was really nice talking to her. But, Dean, you know we all want to cry, we all want tears, and we'll do that, but we're going to be happy, because I know you're upstairs looking down on us, and we will never forget you. Thank you. We appreciate everything you've done.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, Senator Raoul, do you wish to close? Senator Raoul.
I would just request that the Members of the Senate rise and -- in a moment of silence to our dear friend, Dean Sweitzer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 146 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Please, all Members please rise and we'll have a moment of silence for Mr. Sweitzer. (moment of silence observed) Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you, Senator Raoul. Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Raoul. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, in the gallery today, we -- we have "The Warden", Dean's wife Pat. Please stand and if you could give her and…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mrs. Sweitzer, welcome to the Illinois Senate.
All of Dean's family and extended family, and including Kathleen, our good friend from the Globe. If we could -- if we could honor them all. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the Sweitzer family, welcome to the Senate. We're certainly honored to have you here today. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. Will all members of the Committee on Assignments please come to the President's Anteroom immediately? The Senate will stand at ease. Lisa Chess-Gustafson with Blueroomstream.com requests permission to videotape. And Eric Feldman with WICS also requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Hutchinson.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have a dear friend here with me on the Senate Floor. Her name is Laretta Perez. She's from Chicago Heights. She serves on the Bloom Township Trustee Board. And I'm happy to have her here and show her what it's like for us to be on 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 the Senate Floor, because we've been friends since before either one of us was elected to anything. So welcome Ms. Perez to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Laretta, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Great to have you joining us here today. Thank you so much. Senator Steans, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Steans.
Thank you. Yes, I want to introduce the Chamber to my -- I have somebody here who is shadowing me, Sydney Snow {sic} (Snower). She is a sophomore at Loyola College in my district. She is majoring in political science and economics. Is a basketball player, though she only played college basketball last year. She's not playing for the Ramblers this year. But please give her a warm Springfield welcome. She's delightful and I hope she runs for office someday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Sydney, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thanks for joining us today. Senator Cunningham, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Cunningham.
Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, am -- am being shadowed 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 today by some students, actually four students - they're in the gallery behind me - from the Chicago High School on {sic} (for) Agricultural Sciences, one of the real jewels in education in Illinois, where kids from the City learn about agricultural science. It's on the south side of Chicago. They are Brittaney Mixon, Chelsea Robinson, Kendall Cavers and Marissa Johnson. They're led by their teacher, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Mike Doyle. I'd like to ask the Chamber to welcome 'em to Springfield with a round of applause.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Really pleased to have you here and thank you, Senator Cunningham, for introducing 'em. Senator Bivins, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege and also an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point of personal privilege and your announcement, Senator Bivins.
I would like the Senate to join me in wishing two of our colleagues on this side a happy birthday. Senator Matt Murphy and Senator Dan Duffy's birthday today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's give Senator Murphy and Senator Duffy a round of applause. Happy birthday to both of you. Senator Bivins.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Republicans would 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 request a thirty-minute caucus upon adjournment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Bivins. The Senate Republicans have requested a caucus for thirty minutes upon adjournment. Ladies and Gentlemen, again, the Committee on Assignments has been called. Will all members of the Committee on Assignments please come to the President's Anteroom immediately? All members of the Committee on Assignments to the Anteroom, please. (at ease) Ladies and Gentlemen, if I can have your attention just a minute, I'd like to make an introduction. Behind me in the gallery up above me is the -- some folks from my district, the Western Illinois Leadership Academy through the University of Illinois Extension. They're under the leadership of Shelby Crow. I'd like for them to stand up and, Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome them to the Illinois State Senate. We're sure pleased to have you here today. Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture Committee - Senate Bills 1668, 1669, 1735, and 1799; refer to Appropriations I Committee - Senate Bills 1797 and 1822; refer to Commerce and Economic Development Committee - Senate Bills 1626, 1674, 1682, 1702, 1741, 1791, 1803, 1921, and Senate Resolution 151; refer to Criminal Law Committee - Senate Bills 1632, 1634, 1635, 1638, 1639, 1657, 1687, 1688, 1725, 1744, 1747, 1788, 1798, 1855, 1867, 1889, 1904, 1938, 1940, and Senate Resolution 175; refer to Education Committee - Senate Bills 1665, 1628, 1679, 1793, 1905, and Senate Resolution 89 -- correction, the first number under Education is 665, not 1665; refer to Energy 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 and Public Utilities Committee - Senate Bill 1480, 1645, 1726, 1727, 1743, 1878, 1881, and 1908; refer to Environment and Conservation Committee - Senate Bills 178, 1672, 1673, 1707, 1739, 1840, 1858, and Senate Resolution 120; refer to Executive Committee - Senate Bills 249, 1213, 1226, 1631, 1633, 1665, 1666, 1715, 1723, 1724, 1733, 1776, 1784, 1794, 1813, 1831, 1900, 1919, and 1951; refer to Financial Institutions Committee - Senate Bills 1697, 1861, 1882, 1942, and Senate Resolution 142; refer to Higher Education Committee - Senate Bills 760, 1655, 1656, 1709, 1710, 1711, 1712, 1818, and Senate Resolution 138; refer to Human Services Committee - Senate Bills 721, 1708, 1728, 1729, 1750, 1751, 1752, 1754, 1762, 1775, 1777, 1778, 1792, 1847, 1893, 1894, 1947, 1950, and Senate Resolutions 140 and 148; refer to Insurance Committee - Senate Bills 1680, 1719, 1764, 1781, 1802, and 1902; refer to Judiciary Committee - Senate Bills 1258, 1630, 1636, 1637, 1640, 1670, 1678, 1700, 1713, 1716, 1717, 1734, 1748, 1761, 1763, 1787, 1790, 1810, 1824, 1833, 1834, 1857, 1864, 1866, 1868, 1877, 1883, 1901, 1920, 1933, and 1943; refer to Labor Committee - Senate Bills 1681, 1683, 1755, 1812, 1859, and Senate Resolution 114; refer to Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee - Senate Bills 1685, 1820, 1826, 1827 and 1932; refer to Local Government Committee - Senate Bills 1745, 1746, 1815, 1853, and 1854; refer to Public Health Committee - Senate Bills 679, 1684, 1800, 1811, 1821, 1862, Senate Resolutions 141, 147, and 149; refer to Revenue Committee - Senate Bills 1625, 1627, 1642, 1660, 1675, 1691, 1714, 1732, 1737, 1786, 1801, 1804, 1832, 1903, 1906, 1907, and 1948; refer to Special Committee on Restorative Justice - Senate Bills 1617, 1785, 1829, and 1830; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Senate Bills 563, 1694, 1808, 1846, 1898, 1941, 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 and Senate Resolutions 161 and 176; refer to Transportation Committee - Senate Bills 1641, 1667, 1704, 1706, 1753, 1759, 1780, 1819, 1835, 1885, 1891, 1899, 1944, 1949, and Senate Resolution 139; re-refer from Executive Committee to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - Senate Bills 1606 and 1607; re-refer from Human Services Committee to Executive Committee - Senate Bills 1254 and 1273. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman. Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Energy and Public Utilities Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 41; refer -- refer to Environment and Conservation Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1377; refer to Executive Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1334, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1339, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1369, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1444, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1605; refer to Insurance Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1359; refer to Judiciary Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1298 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1447; refer to Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 749 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1440; refer to Revenue Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1549; Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 23. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, as was announced earlier, the Senate Republicans will go to caucus for thirty minutes after adjournment. 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 17th Legislative Day 3/11/2015 Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on the 12th day of March, 2015. The Senate stands adjourned. 16