PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The regular Session of the 99th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by the Reverend Shaun Lewis from Civil Servant Ministries, here in Springfield, Illinois.
(Prayer by the Reverend Shaun Lewis)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Pastor. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Cunningham, would you please lead us?
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, April 29th, 2015.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Hunter.
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 HARMON) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcript. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 446, offered by Senator Haine and all 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Members. Senate Resolution 447, offered by Senator McGuire and all Members. They are both death resolutions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate -- Senate Joint Resolution 25, offered by Senator Manar. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Hutchinson, Chairperson of the Committee on Revenue, reports House Bill 3448 Do Pass. Senator Muñoz, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive Appointments, reports Appointment Messages 990013, 990052, 990073, 990074, 990075, 990076, 990086, 990088, 990092, 990094, 990122, 990123, 990126, 990127, 990154, 990167, 990168, 990177, 990178, 990179, 990180, 990181, and 990182 Do Recommend Advise and Consent. Senator Koehler, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Conservation, reports House Bills 227, 1362, and 3540 Do Pass.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 2554, offered by Senator Landek. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3577, offered by Senator Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Blueroomstream.com and WICS-TV, both request permission to take video- and audiotape of the proceedings. Is there any objection? Seeing none, leave is granted. Senator Radogno, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please make your introduction.
Yes, I have with me today Abby Cox, who is eleven years old and in the fifth grade at Rochester Intermediate School. She loves acting, so she might be a -- a good fit for this place someday. But, importantly, many of us know her father, and that's Greg Cox, who was formerly on the Senate staff and now lobbies on health care issues. So Abby is going to be visiting with us today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Abby, welcome to the State Senate. Please rise. And give our guest a warm Senate welcome. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please make your announcement, Senator.
The Senate Republicans would like to caucus for approximately thirty minutes immediately.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Thank you, Senator. We'll recess in a moment. There are a few other Members seeking to make introductions. Do you have an objection to us finishing that round? Thank you. Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to make an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please make your introduction, Senator.
Thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have a real special guest with me here today - Kaitlin Karr is Miss Macomb. She recently competed in that pageant and was successful. She is a -- a graduate student at Western Illinois University, and she did her undergrad -- she's actually from Indiana and did her undergrad work in -- at Indiana University, but we -- we were successful in drawing her over to Illinois. And she's a grad student, as I said, studying speech-language pathology. Her platform is Relay for Life. She's been working with the American Cancer Society with regard to that program. She's -- one of her many talents is she's a tap dancer. And her -- I want to introduce a couple folks up in the gallery as well. Bob and Nancy Foote have been putting on, sponsoring, and doing all the work with the Miss Macomb Pageant for fifty-six years, which is just remarkable. Bob and Nancy, thank you so much for all your hard work. And Kaitlin is -- her next step is she's going to compete for Miss Illinois in June, and then, when she wins that, she's going to go on to compete in Miss America. So, I'd like everybody to -- to - - to welcome Kaitlin here to the Illinois Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Kaitlin, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator -- Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, if I may.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm honored today - in the President's Gallery, if they would rise - to be -- to have the 2015 Illinois Drill Team Association State Champions. They won the Poms/Dance Junior High Division on February 14th of this year, and they are from Clinton, Illinois, in DeWitt County. And they're led by Coach Kelsey Duncan-Savage, Assistant Coach Scout Duncan-Savage, Assistant Zoé Duncan-Savage, and also they're joined today with their Athletic Director, Barry Gurvey. Let's give the girls from the Clinton Junior High a big round of applause on being number one in poms and dance this year.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Now that our intervening introductions are done, Senator Righter renews Senator Althoff's motion that the Senate recess for the purposes of a Senate Republican Caucus, lasting thirty minutes. Seeing no objection, the motion is granted. The Senate will reconvene after the Republican Caucus to take up Executive Appointments and Senate Bills on 3rd Reading. It will be final action. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The Senate will come to order. Will all Members within the sound of my voice please be at your desks? We are turning to Senate final action. We will turn shortly to final action. Will all Members please be at their desks? Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're turning momentarily to final action, returning to Executive Appointments, if all Members would be at their desks. To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advise and Consent. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on appointments set forth in Appointment Messages 99013 {sic} (990013), 17, 52, 73, 74, 75, 76, 86, 88, 92, 94, 122, 123, 126, 127, 154, 167, 168, and 177, and 178.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointment Messages just read. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. On Supplemental Calendar No. 1, which has been distributed to the Members' desks, is the Order Executive Appointments - Appointment Messages. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 99-13.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be Director of the Illinois Department 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 of Central Management Services, Tom Tyrrell.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 45 voting Aye, 1 voting No, and none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990052.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following non-salaried appointment: To be Public Guardian and Public Administrator for Boone County, Sharon R. Rudy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 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 48 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990073.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following appointment: To be a member and the Chair of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Joann Frattiani-Atsaves.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 49 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990074.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, David Gore.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 49 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990075.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Kevin Lamborn.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 49 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990076.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Joshua Luskin.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) There any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 48 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990086. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following non-salaried appointment: To be a Trustee of the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, John Phil Gilbert.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 51 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Senator Biss, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of a clarification, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) State your point, Senator.
Mr. President, on Appointment Message 990013, the appointment of Tom Tyrrell to be the Director of Central Management Services, because of a malfunction over here, I was recorded as voting No. I would like the record to reflect my intention to have voted Yes. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Record -- the record will so reflect your intention. Thank you, Senator. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990088.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following non-salaried appointment: To be a Trustee of the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, Amy Sholar.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you… Seeing no discussion, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 52 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990092.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Chicago Transit Authority Board, Arabel Alva Rosales. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 51 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990094.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member and Chair of the Civil Service Commission, Fredrick Bates.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990122.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following non-salaried appointment: To be a member and Chair of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Elizabeth Robb.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 53 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990123.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 non-salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Paula Wolff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 51 voting Aye, 1 voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Senator Van Pelt, for what purpose do you rise?
Mr. -- Mr. President, I meant to vote Yes on that bill {sic} and made a mistake and voted No. So please let the record reflect my intention.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Record will reflect your intention to have voted Aye on Appointment Message 990123. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990126.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Charles DeVriendt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. I'm sorry, Senator Oberweis. I did not see your light. For what purpose do you rise?
Just a question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) …Muñoz, would you yield for a question from Senator Oberweis? He indicates he'll yield. Senator Oberweis, your question.
My question is - this is an appointment at a salary of a hundred and nineteen thousand eight hundred and forty dollars - is this Chairman of the Workman's {sic} (Workers') Compensation Committee? Just a member of the committee? And is this a full- time job?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Senator, he is just a regular member. About six appointments ago, we did appoint the Chair -- we voted on the Chairperson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Senator Oberweis.
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990127.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following non-salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Community College Board, Terry Bruce.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 52 voting 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 154.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following non-salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Jennifer Vollen-Katz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor, 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 52 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990167.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member and Chair of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, Andrea Waintroob. 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990168.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, Judy Biggert.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990177.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, Lynne Sered.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 48 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990178.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, Michael Prueter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Ladies and Gentlemen, with leave of the Body, we're going to turn to page 26 of the regular Calendar and pick up there on the Order of Executive Appointments - Appointment Messages. Mr. Secretary, Appointment Message 990017.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following non-salaried appointment: To be a member and Chair of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Board, Manuel Sanchez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 the appointment just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate has arisen from Executive Session. President Cullerton, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the Senate, I'd like to make an announcement. On May 6th in Lincoln Park at 5:30, there will be the first pitch of the Illinois House versus Senate softball game. I assume that we will turn out to have the same outcome that we had for the basketball game that was had between the House and the Senate, where, even though, we have half as many people and even though we tend to be -- our average age a little bit higher, we still prevail. So I want to make sure that we get as many Senators out there on May 6 at 5:30 for our softball game. 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Holmes, Chairperson of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, reports Senate Resolution 254 Be Adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point, Senator.
Thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, like we always do, like to point out that we have a colleague who is celebrating his birthday today. I believe that would be newly in the Chambers, as he keeps saying, Senator Chris Nybo, is celebrating his birthday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) …birthday, Senator Nybo. Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you rise?
For purpose of an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point.
Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the Senate, as you know, Cinco de Mayo is next week. We are going to be celebrating over at the Old State Capitol. We're going to have lots of good food, 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 music, and just an opportunity to just interact with each other and look at the beautiful Mexican culture. So I hope that everybody can join us next week on Tuesday from 6 to 8:30 over in the Old State Capitol to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. President Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?
I have an inquiry of the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your inquiry.
Did someone say it's Senator Nybo's birthday today?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Yes, Mr. President, someone did say it was Senator Nybo's birthday today.
Well, I wanted to congratulate Senator Nybo on your birthday and let you know that you share the same birthday as our Chief of Staff, Dave Gross.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Happy birthday, Mr. Gross. Senator Mulroe, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point, Senator.
24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Thank you. I -- I would like to welcome a -- some friends and some constituents, Andrew Lawson and Cherie Lawson. They're in the south gallery above the Republican side. If they could please stand. Andrew has mitochondrial disease. He testified in front of the Insurance Committee yesterday to make us more aware and educate us on that disease and what it takes to help out and the different medicines, but also the supplemental vitamins that are -- that are essential to take the place of the -- defective mitochondria. So I'd ask that you all stand and please give them a warm welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Welcome to the Lawsons to the Illinois State Senate. Ladies and Gentlemen, there are several Members seeking recognition, I presume for personal privilege points. I would note that the Committee on Assignments is going to meet shortly. If the members of the Committee on Assignments could report to the President's Anteroom, we'll recess in a moment for that meeting. Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your point.
We are joined today by the seventh grade class from St. Theresa School in Palatine, with teachers, Lynn Salvetti and Darlene Strysik. And I'd like to have you give the St. Theresa - - St. Theresa seventh graders a warm Senate welcome, a welcome to the Illinois Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Will our guests from St. Theresa's please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois Senate? Senator Trotter in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The members of the Committee on Assignments will come to the President's Anteroom immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) Senator Rose, you seeking recognition?
Point of personal privilege. I had to make sure he was still in the Chamber, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) What's your point, Senator?
Ladies and Gentlemen, tomorrow will be a very sad day for the State of Illinois. Tomorrow will be a very dark day for the State of Illinois. Tomorrow, Jason Barickman, our own, is turning forty. Happy birthday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Happy birthday, Senator. I remember forty, barely. Thank you. Senator Nybo, seeking recognition? Thank you, sir. Senator Nybo.
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) What's your point, Senator?
Well, I -- I know Senator Althoff is not here, but I think it was very kind of her to extend me birthday wishes and then on top 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 of that to have birthday wishes extended by President Cullerton. You know, it's not every day that someone gets to turn twenty-one, and to hit that milestone with my friends here in the General Assembly, I'm just thrilled. So, I'm very happy to celebrate this and be here in company with you guys today, but I'd love to get home and celebrate my birthday with my family as well. So I'd encourage everybody to be as efficient and as effective as possible today. I'm sure Senator Barickman wants to get home as well and I'm sure Chief of Staff Gross wants to get home as well, too. And to be in company with those two individuals, yeah, I know they want to get home. So thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator, until we pass the budget, we are your family. But we'll try to get you home. (at ease) Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Harmon, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Local Government Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 404; and Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 5 to Senate Bill 7, Senate Bill 928, Senate Resolution 436, and House Joint Resolution 34. Signed, Senator Don Harmon, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senate -- I just wanted the Members to know that we will be going to the Order of 3rd Reading. We're going to the Order of 3rd Reading. Leader Harmon back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we are turning to the 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. This is final action. With leave of the Body, we're going to move around the Calendar nimbly to get to the bills that need to be called today. On page 3 of your printed Calendar is Senate Bill 7. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Raoul seeks leave of the Body to recall Senate Bill 7 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 7. Mr. Secretary, have there been any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 5, offered by Senator Raoul.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul, on Amendment 5.
Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 5 deletes the -- replaces the responsibility to have rehearsed emergency access plans to just review the plans. This addresses a concern raised by Senator Rose and the School Management Alliance and removes the opposition of the School Management Alliance.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 5 to Senate Bill 7. Is there any discussion? All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 7. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 7. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 7 is a combination of an initiative brought to me by Lurie Children's Hospital and -- and work done by Senator Kotowski to amend our youth concussion law. What this does is makes sure that we expand the previously existing requirement that we follow IHSA protocol in high school athletics with regards to return-to-play for youth athletes and expands our concussion policy to all grades in school. It also requires each school to appoint a concussion oversight team that is responsible for developing a return-to-play for students returning to athletics. And very importantly, this -- this bill also addresses something that we've historically missed and that is return-to-learn protocol. And it requires schools to establish a return-to-learn protocol. Mr. President, on the day that I was approached about this bill by Lurie Children's Hospital, my son suffered a concussion. On the day that they did a follow-up with me about this bill, my daughter suffered a concussion, and that was in January. My son returned after his concussion after several weeks. My daughter is still in post-concussion status, and as a result of her lingering condition, her performance in school has dropped. And we often focus on return-to-play without realizing that 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 reading, exposure to computers, overly exercising your brain exacerbates concussion symptoms. And -- and so it's really important for us to focus more on -- more than just whether or not we get a kid back on the field or in the court, but also on accommodations for when our children study. I urge an Aye vote on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Sponsor indicates that he will yield, Senator Righter.
Thank you. Senator Raoul, oftentimes in this building, we have instances where it's fair to say that everyone, regardless of where they come from, regardless of their party affiliation or the ideology, agree that there's a certain place we want to be, and I think this is one of those moments. And that is, we -- we want our kids to -- or those who suffer from concussions to recover fully, period. What we sometimes disagree with, though, is the avenue by which we get there. And -- and I have concerns about the avenue that are laid -- that's laid out in Senate Bill 7. Now I represent a fourteen-county very rural school district that many of the -- the -- the school districts are, I mean, laying -- they're laying off people. Down in Mount Carmel, we just laid off, I think, I want to say, thirty-eight employees in the last couple weeks. Now we are going to task them with -- with setting up this -- this -- this isn't what the word is in the bill, but an 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 advisory group that's going to come together and going to make recommendations. And I just -- I'm concerned about the mandate that is involved in here. Describe for me why you think this the most efficient way for us to get where we need to be.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul.
Well -- well, this policy comes as a result of conversations between the Illinois High School Association and medical professionals that have spent a lot of their time focusing on concussion treatment and the best way to -- to make sure that the -- at the venue level that we're -- we're responding to it. What this bill provides is a great flexibility for -- for the teams to come up with their own policy at the school. We're not mandating what that specific policy is as -- with regards to return-to-play or return-to-learn. And so I -- I think as a result -- and -- and -- and part of the reason, Senator Righter, that I am bringing a Senate bill to the -- to the full Body's attention at this late date is because we've worked along with the School Management Alliance, along with various stakeholders, who had problems with the bill in its original form, to create flexibility, recognizing that there are schools of different sizes and school districts of different sizes who have different personnel available to them. And so we've tried hard to -- to -- to adjust to that and to remove the concerns, and I believe that we did -- did, in fact, do that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, Senator, I was thinking 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 through your answer and about the fact that we're going to -- we're going to require every single school district to create one of these groups. But the -- the protocols for steps that you need to go through in order to make sure that someone can return-to-learn or -play safely, I mean, those steps are the same, regardless of where the child comes from. Right? I mean, we know from what we've read and learned that there are certain things that you need to do in order to make sure the -- it's safe for the child to return-to-learn or return-to-play, and those steps are the same whether the kid comes from Chicago or Mount Carmel. Is that a fair statement?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul.
Not necessarily. I mean, generally what -- what you're -- you're saying could be true. Right? But how you respond to a specific situation could -- could -- could vary from venue to venue based on the -- the -- based on what you -- what you mentioned in your initial question, based on the personnel that's available, based on where the nearest medical facility is, based -- based on when and how you get to -- you're able to get that student before a medical professional or an athletic trainer under the supervision -- supervision of -- of a doctor to make sure appropriate diagnosis is -- is made. And so it is important to make sure that we recognize that all schools and all school districts are different, and that's why we create the flexibility such that each school can come up with their own plan. Yes, the -- the -- the -- the science on this is somewhat consistent, although there is still some debate with regards to the medical science. And so we're not mandating 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 a -- a very specific protocol, but we're -- we are mandating that it be an informed protocol and -- and that appropriate people be around the table to determine what that is.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, I guess, that's almost my point, Senator, is that I think if -- if we're going to -- if we got to have a mandate, you're almost better off with having a specific one and saying, this is it - one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, rather than saying I want you to find the five or ten people in your community to meet on a regular basis and do all of these things, because you're going to be -- that means you're going to be replicating basically the same process over eight hundred and some districts. I mean, this, I'm sure -- and I'm not a doctor, but surely the science can tell you the steps that you have to take and they might be different depending on whether or not the student was able to go to -- to see -- you know, the hospital in the first couple hours as opposed to happening the next day. I mean, if you know those things, then why require every single district to study these things and then, to at least some extent, they're all going to come to the same conclusion, because the science is what the science is? I -- and I notice - I'm coming to it quickly - the school -- the school groups are, as far as I can tell - and you maybe -- if I'm wrong, correct me - are uniformly lined up against this, and I'm talking about the -- I'm talking about the School Management Alliance and -- the large unit school districts, and it's strictly an issue of the scope of the mandate. So, what's your response to those groups? 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul.
You may have missed my opening remarks. We filed a Floor amendment that removed the opposition of the School Management Alliance. They are not against this bill. Senator Rose and I had extensive conversations as to how to amend this bill to remove the opposition of the School Management Alliance and to give the flexibility, recognizing the -- the differences in the schools that you -- that you indicated in your first question to me. But the School Management Alliance is not opposed to this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter, do you have any other questions?
Well, I can't respond to that, Mr. President. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any further discussion? Senator Raoul, do you wish to close? Senator Raoul.
I just urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 7 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 41 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 7, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 438. President Cullerton. Senate Bill 691. Senator Sandoval. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015
Senate Bill 691. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Illinois Senate. I first want to take a moment out - may I indulge, Mr. President? - I want to personally thank everyone for their well-wishes while I was away on my hiatus recuperating from my broken foot. You know, the first fifty years of my life, I -- I never really visited the room of a hospital or broken a bone, and then all of a sudden when I reached fifty, I started being thrown off horses and, you know, trying to think that I was fifteen and jumping over piles of snow, and I should know better. But I want to take a moment to really thank all of you who sent cards and well-wishes and who visited on -- while I was at home for the last two months. This is kind of novel for me because I haven't done a bill this year, so I'll be short and sweet. It is my first bill this year. Some folks would like to keep it that way, minimum. Thank you. Senate Bill 691 requires non-government-owned or -operated Cook County health care facilities with more than one hundred beds to develop a policy within six months of the effective date to encourage participation of minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises in capital projects. This is a bill that we passed almost unanimously last year out of the Illinois Senate. I'd ask a favorable vote. There are no opponents.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 691 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 691, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 763. Senator Sandoval. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 763. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 763 would allow municipalities with at least fifty full-time firefighters to grant sheriff's law enforcement employee status, better known as SLEP, to full-time employees that perform firefighting and EMS duties. This is a narrow amendment for the fire -- the Bedford Park Fire District in my district. It would only apply to them. And -- and the SLEP status would be revocable if the municipality establishes a downstate firefighters' Article 4 fund. I'd ask a favorable vote. The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association is a proponent and I have no -- no opponents.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 763 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 43 voting Aye, 4 voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 763, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to turn to page 18 on your printed Calendar. Senate Bill 1470. Senator Syverson, are you ready to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1470. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Syverson.
Thank you, Mr. President. This legislation -- really just basically clears up some ambiguity in the law regarding whether a -- a mayor in a small community could be -- also be the budget director. And this corrects this -- that language, and I know of no opposition. This is limited to communities of less than ten thousand in population.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1470 pass. All those in favor, 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 50 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1470, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Still on page 18 of the printed Calendar, Senate Bill 1529. Senator Link. 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1529. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill changes the time frame in which election authorities must take certain action in order to hold a special election for the office -- office of Representative in Congress. It provides more time for election authorities to take action prior to the election in order to ensure members of the Armed Forces are able to cast their vote. It also removes an election authority option of mailing servicemembers a special write-in ballot forty-six days prior to the election. I know of no opposition to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1529 pass. All those in favor, 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 40 voting Aye, 5 voting No, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 1529, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On page 19 of your printed Calendar, Senate Bill 1679. Senator Lightford, are you ready to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1679. 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1679 establishes the State Course Access Act. The bill will allow students in Illinois schools, including charter schools, to enroll in courses offered by providers authorized by the State Board of Education if the student demonstrates that he or she cannot enroll in the course because it would interfere with his or her ability to take another course or participate in another action. Basically, we're sponsoring this bill in an effort to ensure that all kids have access to a quality education. If that course is not being offered at their school, that they do have the ability to take that course elsewhere. There was a third amendment and then there was discussion following that to say perhaps the House will have another amendment that will gut this bill and it will become a task force, so you may see this coming back. But I would entertain Aye votes for today, Mr. President. Thank you. And be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1679 pass. All those in favor, 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 42 voting Aye, 1 voting No, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 1679, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Still on 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 page 19 of your printed Calendar, Senate Bill 1818. Senator McGuire. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1818. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1818 amends the University of Illinois Act in a Section concerning scholarships for the children of veterans. As written, the Act makes the children of veterans of the Civil War and World War I eligible for scholarships at the University of Illinois. Obviously, there are few children of veterans of those two conflicts still with us, so the bill removes the Civil War and World War I as periods of hostilities for which a child of a veteran is eligible and replaces those two conflicts with the Siege of Beirut and the Grenada Conflict. And I must say that it was an -- this is an initiative of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County. There was initial opposition from the University of Illinois. That opposition is nearly completely effaced. But the Veterans Assistance Commission and the U of I asked me to ask you to report this bill -- pass this bill out of our Chamber, and there will be a -- a small amendment made in the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1818 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 49 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1818, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. On the previous bill, Senator Lightford's Senate Bill 1679, might the record reflect an Aye vote for Senator Althoff?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Record will reflect you intended to vote Aye. Thank you, Senator. With leave of the Body, we're going to remain on page 19 of the printed Calendar. Senate Bill 1846. Senator Biss. Senator Biss requests leave of the Body to recall Senate Bill 1846 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1846. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Biss.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Biss, on the amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. Floor Amendment 1 becomes the bill. I would ask that we adopt it and then debate it on the Order of 3rd Reading, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Biss moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1846. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Have there been any 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 1846. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1846. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Biss.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 1846 creates the Silver Search Task Force. This is to deal with a really serious and, unfortunately, growing problem in our society. We have an aging population, as we know, and as a result, the incidents of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are very prevalent and growing rapidly. And -- and individuals who are suffering from these conditions sometimes, because of their mental condition, will wander off, lose understanding of where they are, not be able to find their way back, and find themselves in very significant danger. The purpose of this bill is to create a mechanism to help loved ones and family members find and bring back to safety individuals who are undergoing this kind of situation. And it was arrived at after a long and -- and -- and -- and difficult negotiation between the Alzheimer's Association and Illinois State Police. This agreement creates the Silver Search Task Force under the Endangered Missing Persons {sic} 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 (Person) Advisory Section of the State Department -- State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code. And I would appreciate your support of this measure. I think it would be an important step to help the many, many aging and suffering from Alzheimer's citizens in Illinois escape harm.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, Mr. President. I just want to…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the bill, Senator.
…commend the sponsor for his commitment to this very important demographic and for his work on this fine piece of legislation and encourage an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1846 pass. All those in favor, 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 52 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1846, having received the required constitutional amendment {sic}, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to turn to page 8 on your printed Calendar. Senate Bill 438. President Cullerton. President Cullerton requests leave of the Body to recall Senate Bill 438 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Is there any objection? Seeing none, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading, 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Senate Bill 438. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) President Cullerton, on the amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment becomes the bill, so I'd like to adopt it and debate the bill on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) …Cullerton moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 438. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 438. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 438. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) President Cullerton.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill deals with the Chicago Teachers' Pension Code and it is intended to address a problem with driver's ed - a shortage of driver's ed 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 teachers. So, currently, if a retired teacher wants to return to work, they can only work for up to a hundred days in a school year or earn more than thirty thousand -- or earn up to thirty thousand dollars, otherwise their -- their pension is canceled. So that poses a problem because we're trying to get some retired teachers to come back and be driver's ed teachers and they need to work more than the hundred hours. So this simply makes an exemption - - exception for that hundred -- hundred-day -- I'm sorry, the hundred-day limitation to allow them to teach up to nine hundred hours in a school year. I think that the retirement fund has said that they're opposed to the bill, but the fact is that COGFA says it'll have just a minimal effect on the pension system. So I'd be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, President. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 438 pass. All those in favor, 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 46 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 438, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. President Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I have an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Please state your announcement.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, if I could have your 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 attention, I'd like to take a moment to recognize someone whose work has gone unrecognized, someone who we usually only turn to when there are problems that we have no idea how to solve and expect her to fix it on the spot. So after thirty-seven years in the Illinois Senate, today is Beth Esela's last day on staff as our IT Director. She's actually been here longer than we've had IT, when you think about it. She has been the person that's kept the Senate running. She's the one that tells us to -- "Have you tried restarting it?" when our laptops crash. So she has really presided over monumental changes in her time with the Senate. The -- technology systems have changed dramatically over the years. We're not in Session tomorrow in large part because we'd like a few days to make sure everything isn't going to fall apart because Beth's not here. So on behalf of the Senate, I'd like to thank Beth for her years of outstanding service and wish her the best in retirement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) President Cullerton.
I'd like to take a moment to recognize another standout staff member who's leaving us today. Bryan Marcy has been a member of our Communications Department for five years, a very diligent worker. He's the jack of all trades and he's made -- made himself an asset to our team, in spite of the fact that, for some reason, he happens to be a Minnesota Vikings fan. He's going -- going to leave us to work for the city airport, but, for him, it'll be better because he's got a five-month-old daughter at home and it'll be a much better schedule. So thank you very much for your contribution to the Senate, Bryan. We wish you good luck. 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, with leave of the Body, we're going to turn to page 4 of your printed Calendar, Senate Bill 209. Senator Raoul seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 209 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 209. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Raoul.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul.
Mr. President, Floor Amendment 1 becomes the bill. I'll explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 209. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 209. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 209. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 209 allows a judge to consider a defendant's history as a victim of domestic violence as a factor in mitigation during sentencing. It also creates a process for courts to review petitions for re-sentencings for certain offenses committed by a victim of domestic violence who is unable to present evidence of domestic violence at -- at -- at trial. I urge your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Sponsor indicates that he will yield, Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, Senator, thank you for the conversation right before the bill was called so I could get a -- a better understanding of this. Now when I first heard about this bill, the impression I was given is that someone who had committed a crime, maybe a crime of violence, was now going to be allowed to introduce into evidence issues from their past, from maybe years ago, to mitigate what they had done, and -- and -- and the worst-case scenario I had in my mind was -- and the abuser who uses as an excuse in court that, "Well, I was abused, judge, so don't sentence me nearly as harshly." My impression now is that this bill is restricted to events that are, for lack of a better 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 term, concurrent with the crime that was committed. Can -- is that accurate and can you elaborate on that a little bit, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul.
Yes, that is accurate. The events would -- the events would have to be concurrent and -- and the event that led to the defendant becoming a domestic violence victim would have to be somehow connected to the crime.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter.
So, by way of example, I think we just heard one out in the hallway, where an individual is a passenger in a car, the driver of which goes to the liquor store and there is an armed robbery; the passenger is -- is married to the driver and gets caught up in a charge of some kind of accomplice theory or conspiracy theory. In that instance, she could raise as -- as a factor in mitigation the fact that -- that her husband had abused her for a period of time and she was under the threat of serious physical harm were she not to ride in the car and be part of this. Is that -- is that what this bill envisions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul.
That's exactly right, Senator Righter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Righter. Is there any further discussion? Senator Raoul, do you wish to close? Senator Raoul. No. The question 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 is, shall Senate Bill 209 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 209, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senate Supplemental Calendar No. 2 has been printed and distributed to the Members' desks. On that Supplemental Calendar is the Order of Secretary's Desk, Resolutions and on that Order is House Joint Resolution 34. Senator LaHood, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 34, offered by Senator LaHood.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator LaHood, on your resolution. SENATOR LaHOOD: Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I have the honor today to present House (Joint) Resolution 34, which designates May 2nd, 2015 through May 4th of 2015 as days of remembrance in honor of the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln's funeral procession. And as we all know, a hundred and fifty years ago, I guess it was on April 14th, was the day that President Lincoln was shot in Washington, D.C. He died the next day, on the 15th, and soon after that, at the end of April, the funeral procession proceeded from Washington, D.C., back to the eventual place of his resting spot in -- in Oak Ridge Cemetery here in Springfield. And so this resolution - that was sponsored by Senator Dan Brady in the House - passed unanimously. And as a part of this resolution, Mr. President, it also requests the 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Governor to order the flag and the flag of the State of Illinois to be flown at half-staff for those days, both the American flag and the State flag. And I'm very happy and honored to present this resolution here today, Mr. President. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator McCann, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Mr. President. To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the resolution, Senator. SENATOR McCANN: I just wanted to call to the -- the Members' attention that you should have on your desk -- you should find a photograph, a postcard. And I want to thank Senator LaHood for sponsoring this resolution and allowing me to be a cosponsor. I want to thank Tony Leone, who used to be the Secretary {sic} (Clerk) of the House and now is the proprietor of the Pasfield House, for providing us with this photograph - this postcard. This photograph that you have on - each -- each of you should have a copy - is the first time that this photograph has ever been reproduced. And on behalf of Senator Manar and Senator Brady and myself, who all have the pleasure and honor of representing the City of Springfield, we would like to present that to you as a token of remembrance for this historic time - the 150th anniversary of the President's assassination and funeral. So, May 3rd, this Sunday, we will be -- we will be marking that occasion here in Springfield. And, again, we want to thank the sponsor for bringing the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 Thank you, Senator. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall joint -- House Joint Resolution 34 pass. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is -- 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 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 70. (Secretary reads HJR No. 70) Adopted by the House, April 28th, 2015. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Now on the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution No. 20. Mr. Secretary -- I'm sorry, Resolution 70. Mr. Secretary, 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 35th Legislative Day 4/30/2015 please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 70, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Link moves to suspend the rules for the immediate consideration of House Joint Resolution 70. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. Let me repeat that. Senator Link has moved to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 70. All 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 70. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. There being no further business to come before the Senate, pursuant to House Joint Resolution 70, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of noon on the 5th day of April, 2015. The Senate stands adjourned. 53