PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The regular Session of the 99th General Assembly will please come to order. Will Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor John Standard, Sr., Springfield Bible Church, Springfield, Illinois.
(Prayer by Pastor John Standard)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Please remain standing for Pledge Allegiance. Senator Tom Cullerton.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator T. Cullerton)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, May 5th, 2015.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 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 LINK) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending the arrival of the printed transcript. There being no objection, so ordered. Lisa Chess-Gustafson of Blueroomstream.com seeks permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, permission granted. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015
Senate Resolutions 478 through 503, offered by Senator Althoff and all Members. Senate Resolution 504, offered by Senator Collins and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Resolution Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Senate Bills 1st Reading.
Senate Bill 2131, offered by Senator Kotowski. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Mulroe, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Senate Resolution 318 Be Adopted; Senate Resolution 237 Be Adopted, as Amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 22 Be Adopted; and House Bills 1004, 1660, 2486, 2706, 3133, 3158, 3375, 3398, 3457, 3510, 3616, 3848, and 4120 Do Pass. Senator Lightford, (Vice) Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 224, Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 226, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1076 Recommend Do Adopt; Senate Resolution 339 Be Adopted; House Bills 1360, 1790, 2657, 2807, and 3123 Do Pass; and House Bill 3527 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Biss, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports House Bills 2482, 2543, 2791, 3172, 3324, 3503, 4049, and 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 4112 Do Pass; and Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1566 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator McGuire, Chairperson of the Committee on Higher Education, reports Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 221 and Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 223 Recommend Do Adopt; Senate Resolution 319 Be Adopted; Senate Joint Resolution 20 Be Adopted, as Amended; House Bills 3102, 3692 and 3897 Do Pass. Senator Raoul, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports House Bills 341, 573, 745, 1744, 2505, 2642, 2643, 2644, 2705, 2745, 2823, 3161, 3268, 3512, 3932, 4090, 4097, and 4130 Do Pass; and House Bills 488, 2640, and -- 3079 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Sandoval, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Bill 1891 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Joint Resolution 1 -- Senate Joint Resolutions 1, 8, and 17 Be Adopted; House Bills 182, 1666, 2580, 3126, 3136, 3269, 3384, 3746, 3788, 3797, and 4074 Do Pass; and House Joint Resolutions 1, 2, 5, 6, and 17 Be Adopted. Senator Jones, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports House Bills 233, 372, 1665, 2474, 2547, 3104, 3273, 3334, 3434, 3664, and 3882 Do Pass; and House Bill 404 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Noland, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports House Bills 169, 218, 330, 1119, 2569, 2822, 3141, 3149, 3475, 3587, 3884, 3896, 3930, and 4089 Do Pass; and House Bills 1336 and 3718 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 356 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Will the Committee on Assignments meet -- please meet in the President’s Anteroom immediately? The Committee on Assignments, 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 please meet in the President’s Anteroom immediately. Senator Connelly, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an introduction, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your introduction.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. I'd like to introduce my Page for today, Claire Flannery. Claire is fifteen years old. She's from the great City of Naperville. She's a freshman at St. Francis High School in Wheaton, the alma mater of Senate President Cullerton. She's a member of the girls' golf team at St. Francis. They're very good in athletics at St. Francis - at least on the girls' side. I don't know about the boys. Claire loves art. Hopes to pursue a career in -- in a creative field. She's also interested in her community and plans to be involved by donating her time and talents to help children, adults and animals. How about a big warm applause and welcome for Claire Flannery?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Thank you, Mr. President. I too have a very special guest today here with me. I have Jessica Vermillion, who's thirteen 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 years old. She's an eighth grader. She is from Morris, an eighth grader at Shabbona Middle School. Jessica has her blue belt in karate, so that -- don't mess with her. And she's also a cheerleader for the Shabbona -- for -- for Shabbona. She'll be attending Morris High School next year. She has a fifteen-year- old brother currently attending high school, Alex. And I asked Jessica for one interesting fact about her that no one else knows, and she likes carrots. So, with that, I'd like a warm Springfield welcome for Jessica Vermillion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Connelly, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I'd be remiss to not point out in the - although she has since left in the last minute - Claire's mother, Colleen Flannery, from Naperville is also here. And if she can hear me, welcome, Colleen.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you. I can't let my colleague -- point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I can't let my colleague upstage me. So, I too have Jessica's 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 father here, in the gallery right above us, Dr. Vermillion, who's visiting for the day as well. We'd like a warm Springfield welcome. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, please, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I too, Ladies and Gentlemen, have extraordinarily important guests with me today. Thank you. I have Craig Hesch, who is the owner and operator of A & H {sic} (A.H.) Vending, and his daughter, who is the fourth generation of this company, Linda Furlano. Would love to have you give them a nice warm welcome to Springfield. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture Committee - House Bill 352; refer to Commerce and Economic Development Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3556 and House Joint Resolution 35; refer to Criminal Law Committee - House Bill -- House Bills 821, 1446, 1453, 3152, 3231, 3529, 3670, 3988, and House Joint Resolution 53; refer to Education Committee - House Bill 3159, Senate Joint Resolution 21, and House Joint Resolution 36; refer to Energy and Public Utilities Committee 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 - Floor Amendment 5 to Senate Bill 1726; refer to Environment and -- and Conservation Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1672, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2495, House Bill 3240, and House Bill 3622; refer to Executive Committee - House Bill 173, 229, 248, 1121, 3538, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Resolution 233, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Resolution 317; refer to Higher Education Committee - House Bill 3577; refer to Human Services Committee - House Bills 2755, 3304, and Senate Resolution 342; refer to Insurance Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 235 and House Bill 3673; refer to Judiciary Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 3332, House Bill 3464, 3620, 3683, 3704, and 3967; refer to Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee - House Bill -- House Bills 2925, 3484, and 3592; refer to Local Government Committee - House Bill 264, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1498, House Bill 3193, House Bill 3444, and House Bill 3672; refer to Public Health Committee - House Bill 3462 {sic} (2462), 3841, and Senate Resolution 415; refer to Revenue Committee - House Bill 2554, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3121, and House Bill 3680; refer to State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee - House Bill 3374, House Bill 4137, and Senate Joint Resolution 25; refer to Transportation Committee - House Bills 2503, 2811, Senate Resolution 412, Senate Joint Resolution 24, House Joint Resolution 13, House Joint Resolution 21, House Joint Resolution 42, and House Joint Resolution 51; re- refer from Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee to Judiciary Committee - House Bill 3332. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8(b-1), the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments: Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 227, Floor Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 1726, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3241, 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3332. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator LaHood, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR LaHOOD: Thank you, Mr. President. For purposes of two introductions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your introductions. SENATOR LaHOOD: My first introduction I'd like to introduce to the Senate is my Page for the Day, who is Robby Rashid. Robby is a sixth grader at St. Vincent de Paul in Peoria. He's twelve years old and he loves playing sports and video games. Sports that he particularly likes playing are football, basketball, lacrosse, and he enjoys being in the school plays. His future plans include being an orthodontist or a doctor. His parents and his younger sister are here today, Tom and Desi Rashid. They're up in the gallery here today. And like everyone to give the Rashids a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
I rise on a point of personal privilege, if I might, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Thank you, Mr. President. In the gallery behind the Democrat side, there are some very special people here. And we all hope in 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 the work that we do here in the Senate and the General Assembly that we are able to positively affect children's lives. I would love to introduce a group of people who are on the front lines doing just that. Every year the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children designates a group of people called Children's Champions, and they reward them by bringing them here to Springfield to see the process on the front end. And I would like to introduce to -- introduce the Senate to Andrea Bierman from Charleston, Lee Eklund from Carbondale, Lou Anne Burton from Urbana, Leigh Egger from East Moline, Jacqueline Miller from Chicago Ridge, Kathie Raiborn from Peoria, and Laurie Rhodes from Elkhart. I would love for the Senate to give them a warm welcome. Thank 'em -- welcome them to the Senate and thank them for the work they do on behalf of the education of young children in the State. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator LaHood. SENATOR LaHOOD: Thanks, Mr. President. My second introduction is from Washington, Illinois, today. And I'm proud to represent Washington Community High School Wrestling Team. And they are up here in the gallery. They finished second in State this year. They got a great wrestling program at Washington. I'm proud to be here with Representative Keith Sommer to recognize them here today. Their coach at Washington High School is Bryan Medlin, with assistant coaches including Nick Miller, Jason Medlin, Randy Meneweather, Derek McIntosh, Mike Carr, and Colton Gladwell. I also want to make a special note that Elijah Oliver, who is a senior at Washington, won his fourth State title in wrestling, at a hundred 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 and twenty pounds. I'd like to recognize them here today, Mr. President, and have everybody give 'em a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Biss, for what purpose do you rise?
For the purposes of three introductions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your introductions.
Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I am thrilled to be joined today by two Pages. I have here, sitting on the left-hand side, Rachel Forman, and on the right-hand side, Kayla Forman, her sister. Rachel and Kayla live in Glendale Heights. Rachel's a eighth grader at Glenside Middle School. Loves basketball, softball, volleyball. She's in the band and the color guard -- guard, and a great reader. Her future goals include - listen up, guys - not only college, but also criminal justice - something that we talk about a lot around here. And Kayla's a seventh grader at Jay Stream. She's -- she plays softball and volleyball and basketball. She's also in the band. She's an ice skater. She's on the honor roll, and plans to one day be a chef or event planner. They're joined today by their mother, Kim Forman, who's up in the gallery, here on the Democrat side. And I hope you'll all join me in wishing the Forman family the -- regards of the day and a very warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Kotowski, for what purpose do you rise? 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015
Thank you very much, Mr. President. It's great to see you today. As a lot of you know in this Chamber, I am passionate about many issues - gun violence prevention, autism protection, services for people with epilepsy, good government. There's something else that I'm very passionate about that I talk about once a year - it's the House-Senate softball game. And I think about this game and I think about what it means for the people in this Chamber. It's one of these opportunities where all of us come together and we work together for the greater good. It's, really, a beautiful moment. And it's a great reflection of what is positive inside of all of us. And it makes me think about my son. I have a son named Nate. In his first meet that he ran this year - it's a two-mile run - he ran -- he was second to last. Right? Second to last. Did it in about twenty-two minutes. And he ran a mile last night in six minutes and thirty seconds. Five minutes off his time. Five minutes off - what does that tell you? That tells you, when you believe, great things can happen. So I grow up feeling -- I -- I woke up feeling really good today. Then, I understand, Senator Murphy is retiring from the softball game. Senator Matt Murphy is retiring from the softball game. The sultan of sweat - hammerin' Hank - the man from Palatine - Mr. Moon Shot himself is retiring. And I don't mean Moon Shot because of something else, I mean because of how far he hits it. I don't want Senator Matt Murphy to retire. Do you? Do we need Senator Matt Murphy to play tonight? Senator Murphy, I've listened to you give testimony for hours on end - time I'm not going to get back. You are a very eloquent person, very smart person. You have a lot of challenges as well, but I still love you as a brother, as a friend, as a 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 colleague. I need you tonight to play. We have good players, but you're one of our better players. And this is a team effort, Senator Murphy. And this is an opportunity for those of you who've ever had a bill go to die in the House, and someone say "I just can't do it." Any of you had an unreturned phone call from anybody in the House? Any of you had a positive idea and have it go to the House and just watch it die a slow, unceremonious death? Have you ever had that happen? Have you ever been resentful and bothered, and said, well, when can I get my vengeance, my retribution? Tonight is the night. Tonight is your chance. Senator Matt Murphy, get out of retirement. Come back. We need you. Listen, Senator Murphy, no sacrifice, no victory. No sacrifice, no victory. Listen, I have four rules as the coach of this team. And we can all appreciate this. The four rules are this: Have fun. Right? We all have fun. Play your best. Be a good sport. But no quitting. Don't ever give up. Good things happen on this field, as good things happen in this Chamber. This is our opportunity tonight to do something special, to bring Bat Murphy back from the dead of his retirement to win this game, together - Republicans and Democrats - upstate, downstate - bald, with hair - heavy, not so heavy - muscular, not so muscular - tall, not so tall. Win? We will win because - you know what? - nothing takes the place of persistence. Talent will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. We are persistence. We are the Upper Chamber. We will win tonight. Go Senate!
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) We were going to put the timer on any moment. I just want to know, Senator Kotowski, did the real Coach K give you -- write that speech for you? Senator Van Pelt, for what purpose do you 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 rise?
Yes, Mr. President, I would like to move -- I move to waive all notice and posting requirements for -- so that House Bill 494 can be heard today in the Exec -- Senate Executive Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Van Pelt moves to waive all notice and the posting requirements so that House Bill 494 can be heard today in the Senate Executive Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. And we have -- have all notices and posting requirements been waived. Senator Mulroe, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I have today -- here with me today three residents from Norwood Park, lifelong residents: Erin Hallinan, Colin Hallinan, and Jack Tierney. If you can bear with me for a minute, I want to tell you a few things about them. First, for Erin: Erin's going to graduate from Onahan Elementary School this year. She's been a perfect straight-A student during all of grammar school. She scored a perfect score on the Chicago Public School Selective Enrollment Test. She was accepted into Northside College Prep School and Loyola Academy. She participates in numerous extracurricular activities, including piano, voice, softball and hockey with the Loyola Academy Hockey Club. And she plans to 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 attend Loyola Academy in the fall with invitations to join the Dumbach or Clavius Scholarship {sic} (Scholar) programs. With respect to Colin, Colin is a fifth grader at St. Paul of the Cross School in Senator -- actually, I think that's Senator Kotowski's district, in Park Ridge. He's been -- has -- also has exceptional grades. He participates in basketball, football, and Science Club at school. And he plans to attend numerous sports camps and a computer camp this summer. And lastly, Jack Tierney, he's -- will graduate from Onahan Elementary School this year as well. He's an -- also has outstanding grades. He's a trumpet player in the school band. Additionally, Jack plays soccer, football, and participates in cross country. And this fall, Jack will be attending Notre Dame High School in Niles as a Hesburgh Scholar. At Notre Dame High School, Jack will be participating in the marching band, orchestra, and jazz band. And he'll also participate in soccer and cross country. One day, Jack hopes to be back in the legislator -- Legislature and take my seat as the State Senator representing the great City of Chicago, surrounding suburbs, and the State of Illinois. Also today with us are -- in the President’s Gallery, are their fathers, John Tierney and Shawn Hallinan. I'd ask that all Members of the Senate give 'em a warm welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Will all Members turn to Supplemental Calendar No. 1? On Senate Resolution 339, Senator Harmon, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 339, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 Senator Harmon, on your resolution.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Resolution 339 is an initiative of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and recognizes that school districts across our State are not taking full advantage of the school breakfast program, and consequently we're leaving millions of federal dollars unspent. But, more importantly, we're leaving thousands of children across this State unfed in the morning when they go to school. This resolution urges all school districts to -- to take use of new alternative methods of delivering school breakfasts. And I urge your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 339 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an introduction, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your introduction.
I mentioned with the last resolution, it was an initiative of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The folks from the Food Depository are down here today, along with folks from food pantries across the State -- or the area, including my hometown of Oak Park and River Forest. Some of our guests are in the galleries or around the Capitol today in the blue shirts. I'd ask if we can - - oop! Some of them left. But if there are any of 'em still here, 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 37th Legislative Day 5/6/2015 if they could please rise. And look for them along on the Floor and in the building today and give 'em a warm Senate welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have here, as my guest on the Floor, Ms. Kimberly -- Kim Foxx, who's Chief of Staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and also President of Planned -- of the Board of -- Planned Parenthood of Illinois. I'd ask that we give her a warm Senate welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. To all Members, I have an announcement: The deadline for filing committee amendments to House bills is Friday, May 8th, at 12 noon. I'm going to repeat that again: The deadline for filing committee amendments to House bills is Friday, May 8th, at 12 noon. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned till the hour of 11 a.m. on the 7th day of May 2015. The Senate stands adjourned. 16