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 Reverend Christine Erdmann, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gillespie, Illinois. Reverend.
(Prayer by the Reverend Christine Erdmann)
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, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Thursday, April 30th, 2015.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Good afternoon, Senator Hunter.
Good afternoon, 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 Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, after this. Lisa Chess-Gustafson with Blueroomstream.com requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave granted. Mr. Secretary, 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 Reading and -- Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 448, offered by Senator Forby and all Members. Senate Resolutions 449 through 460, offered by Senator Althoff and all Members. Senate Resolutions 461 through 473, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 474, offered by Senator McGuire and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 475 and 476, offered by Senator Collins and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 477, offered by Senator Lightford. And Senate Joint Resolution 26, offered by Senator Holmes. They are substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 2130, offered by Senator Morrison. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 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 58. Offered by Senator Bush, and adopted by the House, April 28th, 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 247, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 264, offered by Senator McCarter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2811, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3240, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3670, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3683, offered by Senator Lightford. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3704, offered by Senator Connelly. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3841, offered by Senator Sullivan. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3967, offered by Senator Martinez. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 House Bill 3988, offered by Senator Connelly. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4038, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4137, offered by Senator Haine. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your point, Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, today we have some special guests. Some are from my district. I'm honored to have 'em here with me today. They're in the President's Gallery. We have some veterans: one from the Korean War, Hank, who served his country proudly; we have Abundio, fought in Vietnam; Christopher, who's also a veteran. And if I've missed anyone up there, please forgive me. If we can welcome 'em to the Senate, I'd greatly appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome Senator Muñoz's guests. Please rise and be recognized. Welcome to the Illinois Senate and, certainly, thank you for your service. Senator Bennett, for what purpose do you rise?
For the purpose of some introductions, Mr. President. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your introductions, Senator Bennett.
Thank you. On the Republican side, the rear gallery, I'd like to welcome some special guests. We have Necia Munro, Hallie Munro, and Tucker Munro. If they'll wave to us here, please. And then also on the far end, my wife, Stacy Bennett, and her father, Dr. Bill Meredith, and my twins, Emma and Sam Bennett, are joining us. So if you'll please welcome them to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome the Bennetts to the Illinois Senate. Great to have you here today. Good to see you. Thanks for joining us. Ladies and Gentlemen, 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? All members of the Committee on Assignments to the President’s -- Anteroom. We'll stand at ease. Senator Connelly, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For purposes of an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your introduction, Senator Connelly.
I'd -- I'd like to introduce to the Members of the Senate one of my neighbors, Don Cronauer. Don's been bugging me for the better part of three years to page for the day. So today he's my Page. Dr. Cronauer's a Ph.D in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon. He has been working for over twenty years at -- as a research consultant at Argonne National Laboratory. He works in 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 the area of catalysis and synthetic fuels, areas that I didn't study in college. Serves as a newsletter editor of the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois and he's a Eucharistic Minister at my parish, Saint Margaret Mary, in Naperville. So please join me in giving Don Cronauer a warm welcome to the State Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Dr. Cronauer, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thanks for joining us today. Great to have you here. Senator Tom Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Cullerton.
Well, as -- as many of you know, there are two Cullertons in the Illinois State Senate. And today there is a third. So we are joined today by my father, Jeff Cullerton, who is -- whereas I am John Cullerton's - the Senate President - third cousin once removed, Jeff would be his actual third cousin. So if you could all say hi to my dad and stop by if you get a chance. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Welcome to the Senate, Mr. Cullerton. Great to have you here today. Thanks for joining us. Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?
For purpose of an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your introduction, Senator Koehler.
6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 Well, once again -- a couple weeks ago I had some students and an instructor from Pekin High School, and today I do as well. So let me introduce to you Ashley Antonini. She's a senior at Pekin Community High School. She participated in show choir, various musicals, student council, National Honor Society, and soccer. She's attending Illinois State University to study mass media, with a minor in journalism. And she hopes to one day be a new correspondent for CNN or HLN. So… Also with us is Madeline Bricka. She is a senior at Pekin High School. And throughout high school, she's involved in dance team, student council, National Honor Society, and choir. Next year, Madeline is attending the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana to major in biology with a pre-medicine concentration and a minor in Spanish. And she plans on taking her knowledge to medical school and to become a doctor. Next, we have Natasha Erxleben, who is a senior at Pekin High School. She's up in the gallery. She has been part of many different extracurricular activities, such as Speech Team, theatre, choir, and wresting auxiliary. She is planning on attending Western Illinois University and plans on majoring in economics or political science. And then, finally, I want to introduce their instructor, Grace Ortega. And Grace is a Marine veteran, first of all. She teaches American Government. She and her fellow teachers have a wonderful program called the Legislative Seminar Curriculum, where they have these students actually divide into Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature and they pass bills and they send 'em to the Governor and they sign 'em. And - - and so we've been having a good discussion today about how the legislative process works. But will the Senate please give them a big warm welcome? 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thanks for joining us. Great to see you. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your point, Senator Hutchinson.
Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I have a very special person visiting with me today. She's our Page for the Day. Her name is Kiley Kennedy. She's an eighth grader at Deer Path Middle School in Lake Forest. She's a straight-A student, member of student council. And be careful, guys, she has a black belt in Taekwondo, and enjoys basketball and participating as a long jumper on her school track team. Please join me in welcoming Kiley to the State Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Kiley, please stand up. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. You're with a great sponsor. Senator Hutchinson.
And I also want to acknowledge that her mom is waving up -- proudly in the -- in the President's Gallery, too. So she can wave.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Welcome, mom. (at ease) Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?
To present a resolution. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
I wish to make a point of personal privilege and then move to the Calendar, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) For your point of personal privilege, Senator Haine.
I'd like to have the Senate take a moment to welcome to the Senate a group of steelworkers from the Metro East, the men and women who work for -- for U. S. Steel and other steel manufacturers in Granite City, which was a city literally founded on the industry of steelmaking, which has supplied America with steel for all purposes. In fact, the Alton -- old Laclede Steel in Alton supplied and forged the steel which constructed the World Trade Center that was destroyed in 2001 pursuant to a murderous terrorist attack upon our people. But these steelworkers represent the heart and soul of the citizens of Illinois and we -- I'd like to take a moment to welcome them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome the steelworkers that are joining us in the gallery today. Thank you so much. Good to see you. Great to have you here. Thank you for your work. (at ease) The 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 Commerce and Economic Development Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 3194; refer to Criminal Law Committee - 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 356, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 1336, and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3718; refer to Education Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 226, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3197, and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3527; refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 565; refer to Higher Education Committee - Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 221, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 223, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Joint Resolution 20; refer to Human Services Committee - Senate Bill 1370 and Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1566; refer to Insurance Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1235; refer to Judiciary Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 488, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2640, Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 2640, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3079; refer to Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 1424; refer to Public Health Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2790; re-refer from Education Committee to Executive Committee - House Bill 494; and re-refer from Labor Subcommittee on Special Issues to Executive Subcommittee on Governmental Operations - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 981. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to turn to the regular Calendar, to the Order of Secretary's Desk, Resolutions. If you'll turn towards the bottom of page 24 of the regular Calendar, today's printed Calendar. Mr. Secretary, let's go to Senate Resolution 2- 5-4, 254. Senator Haine, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's resolution.
10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 Senate Resolution 254, offered by Senator Haine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, to your resolution.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. To preface my remarks, I wish to…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine, excuse me just one second. Ladies and Gentlemen, shh. Please let's hold the visiting down. Senator Haine, please continue.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. To -- to preface the presentation of this with a few remarks: Since the foundation of the United States, the manufacture of steel has been an integral part of the prosperity and the strength of the United States of America. Steel was produced to build our railroads, to construct our towers, our offices, our structures. Steel was used to manufacture the implements of war to defend the United States against tyranny, particularly in World War II. In fact, Adolph Hitler, the Chancellor of Germany, once dismissed the ability of America to be an arsenal of democracy, to use FDR's words, by saying all the Americans can make is chewing gum and razor blades. Contrary to his belief, we funded not only our armies, but the armies of the Soviet Union and Great Britain, and we won that war and every war since - every war since. We've won wars with the manufacture of steel. And also, I might add, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the sons and daughters of steelworkers have been in the front lines of all the armed services in all of these wars. So this industry's 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 at stake. In late March of 2015, U. S. Steel temporarily closed its Granite City Works, an historic enterprise going back to 1908. They are laying off two thousand eighty employees. The primary blame here rests upon unfair trade policies which allow the Republic of China to dump steel on the world market, especially the United States, driving out our manufacturing base. This resolution, Senate Resolution 2-5-4, urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to review the national tariff policy on steel goods and take action similar to what was taken by President George W. Bush in 2002. In addition, the resolution urges the President and the Congress to consider all possible trade and economic policies to protect our industry, our steel industry, and to minimize financial distress to that industry. There isn't anything more important, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, than to make this industry once again a buttress of our economy and the foundation of our industrial strength. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Haine. Is there any discussion? Senator Manar, for what purpose do you rise?
To the resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the resolution, Senator Manar.
Thank you. And let me first thank Senator Haine for bringing the resolution forward. I am a grandson of a steelworker from Laclede Steel in Alton, which is pretty close to Senator Haine's home. And this resolution is very simple and straightforward. It 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 says that we as a Body stand with this industry and we stand with those that have been affected, not just in Granite City, but elsewhere. And I just simply rise to urge an Aye vote on this important matter. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Manar. Is there any other discussion? Senator Oberweis, for what purpose do you rise?
A question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield for a question. Senator Oberweis.
Senator, do you believe in free trade?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
Senator Oberweis, I believe in free trade that's fair trade. I don't believe in the trade that we've engaged in in the last twenty years, which has hollowed out our industrial base, sent the jobs of our people over to China, Korea, and all -- Indonesia, India, around the world. Let's keep 'em here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, please. Please, Ladies and Gentlemen, please. Please, no more outbursts. Senator Oberweis.
Senator, can you explain how the trade that we have had has not been free?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015
Senator Oberweis, I am not a trained economist, but I can tell you that when I graduated from high school and worked summers at -- at the Owens-Illinois Glass Works to attend St. Louis University, I observed glass, steel, paperboard, three refineries, several small foundries, all in my hometown of -- an area of Alton, Wood River, Roxana, and Hartford. You went down to Granite City, you had American Steel, General Steel; you had A.O. Smith; you had U. S. Steel - prior to that, it was called the Granite City Steel Works. All of those jobs went overseas in an effort to compete with our well-paid workers with low-wage workers working in areas with no environmental protection. People tell me - they've been to China - you choke to death in the capital city of China. There are no environmental laws, no labor laws. To compete with that kind of a system, run by the Communist Party, as opposed to a free market system, is absolutely not fair trade, and it should be ended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Oberweis.
Senator, I have been to China a half a dozen times or more in the last few years and have been there over the last twenty-five years on numerous occasions. I understand a little bit about how their system runs. Are there failings? Absolutely. But I will tell you that, in many ways, they have a much more free economy and a much more free enterprise system than we do today in the United States. I think -- are you familiar with what is generally referred to -- or sometimes referred to as "the law of comparative advantage"? Under that idea, Senator, different companies have 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 different natural advantages. We may have advantages in agriculture. They may have an advantage, perhaps, in lower wages or in some other areas. They have problems. They do some things that are not right, not best for the world. I fully admit that. But to try to go back to an era of protectionism, I believe is a very serious mistake for our country. Free trade allows us to get more goods for our consumers at a lower price, while at the same time allowing our most efficient producers to produce those goods and sell them worldwide at a lower price, helping the economies of both countries.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.
I could not disagree more. I could not disagree more. The trade policies that have been implemented in the past thirty years have rewarded worldwide financial houses, large banks. They have not helped the working people of America. Our middle class is being hollowed out so people who own stocks in multinational corporations can make money, because they're selling cheap steel, and this is low grade steel, all around the world. The -- it's not only the United States, but it's also Europe. I -- I can cite to you -- I won't mention his name - there's a prominent lobbyist who works these halls. He told me that some of his clients who went overseas, or who buy overseas, tool and die and other implements, have found that the Chinese products are deficient. They're not as good as the United States. They found that -- the Wall Street Journal had an article a month ago saying that Chinese steel is a low grade compared to the American steel. But if you're running a bank or a stock house in Zurich or in London or in New 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 York City and you don't care about those issues, you just care about the bottom-line profit, you would support the hollowing out of our industries. From McKinley, President McKinley, all the way through World War II, the Korean War, all the way up to thirty years ago, we've had an industrial and a foreign trade policy that was fair. Now we've shipped all our jobs overseas. Why is it that our middle class is stagnating? Why is it? Because people can't come out and work for a union wage with benefits. Senator Oberweis, if you've been to China, I assume you've had a great time choking on the smog and the pollution in Peking and Chongqing and everything else. We don't have that in Granite City. Support 2-5-4 and let's keep America strong. Let's keep America to its historic manufacturing base of steel, not only to provide good union jobs, but also to provide the strength if we face a foreign enemy like we're facing today with fanaticism emanating from the Middle East and around the world. We need steel and we need steelworkers. We need steel managers. We need to make steel in the United States and keep it here. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Oberweis. Ladies and Gentlemen, please. Senator Oberweis.
Senator, you're a wonderful speaker and you've got some good talking points. The problem is, it's just not based in fact. Think about this for a moment. American businessmen are not stupid. If the steel produced in China is of poorer quality - guess what? - those who need good quality steel are going to buy American-made steel or European-made steel or wherever they're going to get the quality they need. This -- if we go back a 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 hundred years, more than fifty percent of Americans were employed on the farm. We have moved way beyond that. To return to fifty percent of Americans working on the farm would be a great step back in our economy. It would be a great step back in the goods that are available to our -- our consumers today. We must focus on the areas that we are leaders. And by the way, yes, I've been to Beijing. Yes, I've seen smog there. Have you been to Los Angeles? I've been to Los Angeles too and we've got similar smog problems in Los Angeles, for heaven sakes {sic}. Those are problems. We need to fix those problems. Certainly, labor wage rates in China are a problem and need to be fixed, but when you try to stop trade and you try to hold people down in other countries, instead of allowing people in other countries to also have access to good jobs and also to grow the world economy, where we can all benefit, we don't do any good for ourselves and we don't do any good for the rest of the world. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you rise?
To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the resolution, Senator Anderson.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senator Haine, I just want to thank you for bringing this resolution. While I am a conservative Republican and I do believe in fair trade, I also believe in the idea that American workers and American steel do create the best product. As a union member 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 myself, as a union fireman, there's no better firemen on the face of this planet than American firemen. There's no better steelworkers and grades of steel than American steel. And I find it frustrating for myself when I go to the store; I struggle to find things that I want that are made in America. I recently was in the market to buy a ladder, just for general housework. And I went to countless stores and could not find a ladder made in America. And by doing a little research, we find that the reason for that is because of overregulation in our own country. And I think a -- a -- a lot of these things could be taken care of if we lighten up our -- our regulatory environment. But not to get too far in the weeds, Senator Haine, I thank you for your resolution. I would also urge an Aye vote and would urge everybody here to think about when you -- when you buy a product, to buy American. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Forby, for what purpose do you rise?
To the resolutions {sic}.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the resolution, Senator Forby.
Senator Haine, I thank you for bringing this resolution today. And I think people who listen to this and hear what's said on this Floor is a lot the State of Illinois is standing for. You know, if you want to go overseas and some other place and pay eighty/ninety cents an hour in a sweatshop, work fifteen to twenty hours a day, that's what you're getting. Do we want to compete 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 with that? I think not. And that's another reason the State of Illinois does not agree with right-to-work state. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Link, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, I want to also thank you, Senator Haine. As a young man, I grew up in the City of North Chicago, where we had the steel mills and the smokestacks, and they're all gone now. We have a few retired steelworkers still left with us. But it was, when the town was prospering, when we had the steel mills there. But on this, I would ask for one other thing, Mr. President; I would ask for a roll call on this resolution to be proud to vote Yes. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator McCann, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Mr. President. To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCann, to the resolution. SENATOR McCANN: I would just like to commend the sponsor for bringing this resolution today. When I graduated high school in 1988, we were told that we were part of a new frontier, that we were -- we were going to have several jobs throughout our lives, several careers; we weren't going to be like our fathers and grandfathers and go to work in a factory or a coal mine or a steel mill and retire after twenty or thirty or forty years of hard work and have a good 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 pension and good benefits; that we were going to have to go out into the world and we were all going to have to be entrepreneurs and we were all going to have to compete against one another - and that's, of course, what we have done. And then came NAFTA, in which both parties conspired against the working people of this country. Both parties are guilty of NAFTA and the other regressive trade agreements that allow totalitarian nations, such as China and others, to manipulate currency, as one of the speakers spoke earlier about it making it fair, about China maybe being more fair than -- than America. I would ask that speaker, is China more fair when it manipulates world currency to allow itself a specific disadvantage? So we have to look back at where we've been to get a true sense of where we're going. And what we need to do is implement more policies that allow for good-paying jobs so that the middle class, who have evaporated over the last generation or two, can be restored. As I had a constituent say to me in Jacksonville last week, he said, "We have the rich, we have the poor, and we have the rich-poor". We need the middle class to be returned to its rightful place. The American dream that people around the world dream about or what we think about as being middle class, hardworking Americans with good-paying jobs and good benefits to raise our families. So God bless you, Senator. I look forward to supporting your resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator McCann. Senator Haine, to close.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I thank you all for your -- this riveting discussion. I would ask for a Aye vote for the resolution and an Aye vote for America. Thank 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 2-5-4 pass. There has been a roll call requested. Ladies and Gentlemen, the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Resolution 254, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're -- turn to page 25 of the regular Calendar, still on the Order of Secretary's Desk, Resolutions. We're going to go to Senate Joint Resolution 436. Excuse me, Mr. Secretary. Correction: Senate Resolution 436. Senator Bennett, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 436, offered by Senator Bennett.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Bennett, your hands seem to be full. Senate -- Senator Bennett.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is Emma. This is my daughter. She's eighteen months. My wife and I -- she was -- she's a twin and…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Bennett, excuse me one minute. Ladies and Gentlemen, shh. Shh, please. Senator Bennett, please continue.
Thank you. Emma's a twin and was the first child -- or the 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 only children that we have. And I remember when we first got an ultrasound, when my wife and I were still expecting, and the doctor informed us that there was some irregularities with Emma's internal organs. Specifically, some of the organs where -- are not, I guess, in the -- the regular spot they would be. And the doctor informed us that this is a condition called heterotaxy, that it can be serious, but that the doctor did not really know much about it. You see, it's very rare. And we found out later, it occurs in about four out of every one million children. At this point, you can see Emma is very healthy and active, and she has not required any additional surgeries. But I brought a friend, Hallie, who's standing with me. She's nine, and she has had about eleven surgeries to address some of the -- the conditions that she has, and is also very active and a very happy little girl. I'm very happy to have her here. But what we've done is, we've been part of a group, our family, to raise awareness for heterotaxy so that other families won't be told by doctors, "I don't much about it. You might have to go out and look it up on the Internet and find out more about it." That's not a good place for new parents to be, obviously. So we're just trying to raise awareness and that's what Senate Resolution 436 does. It names yesterday, actually, Heterotaxy Awareness Day. And I would just ask for your Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you, Senator Bennett, and your help presenting the resolution. Ladies and -- is there any discussion on the resolution? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 436 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Thank you, Senator Bennett. Senator Rezin, for what 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator -- Senator Rezin.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Chamber. I am honored to have two guests today. My first, Jennifer Price, who is here visiting. We had a Special Needs Caucus today and Jennifer was one of the speakers. Jennifer has a thirteen-year-old son, named Jett, who is special needs. He is twelve years old. As a result of her son, Jennifer started an incredible organization locally called the Special Connection {sic} (Connections) to help people with special needs children in our community, to provide services for them, and also to educate the community as well. So Jennifer was here today to testify before Senator Morrison's and my Special Needs Caucus in the morning. So I'd like a warm Springfield welcome for Jennifer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Jennifer, welcome to the Springfield. Thank you so much for joining us and for your great job, great work. Appreciate it. Senate -- Senator Rezin.
Thank you, Mr. President. I also have a -- my Page for the Day. I'm honored to say that I have Bradley Schumacher here visiting for the day. His mom is the new mayor of Channahon, Mayor Schumacher. I'm not sure if she's up in the -- up in the balcony yet. But Bradley's a fifteen-year-old freshman at Minooka Community High School. His future plans are to pursue aerospace 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 36th Legislative Day 5/5/2015 engineering. Again, we're proud to have Bradley here for the day, and I'd like a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Bradley, welcome to the Senate. Thanks for joining us today. Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you rise?
For purpose of an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your announcement, Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Mr. President. And, once again, I just want to remind everyone that today is Cinco de Mayo. And we wanted -- the Latino Caucus wants to invite everyone over to the Old State Capitol from 6 to 8:30 so you can enjoy some music, some mariachis, and some great food, and really join in our culture, celebrating Cinco de Mayo. We wish everyone there. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 11 a.m. on the 6th day of May 2015. The Senate stands adjourned. 24