Illinois Senate Floor Debate — May 7, 2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Good morning. The regular Session of the 99th General Assembly will come to order. Will all the Members be at their desks? Would our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Bill Kerns, Davis Memorial Christian Church, Taylorville, Illinois. Pastor Kerns.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge. Senator Cullerton, to lead us in the Pledge.

(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator T. Cullerton)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Good morning, Senator Hunter.

Good morning, 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, Resolutions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Resolutions Consent Calendar.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) James R. Carder with Blueroomstream.com requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House. 3  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Senator Van Pelt, for what purpose… Ladies and Gentlemen, if I can have your -- attention for an announcement. All Members of the Senate, can I have your attention for an announcement? The deadline for filing committee amendments to House bills is this Friday, May 8th, at 12 noon. The deadline for filing committee amendments to House bills is this Friday, May 8th, at 12 noon. Thank you. Paul Elders with WICS requests permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Ladies and Gentlemen, if I can have your attention, will all Members within the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor immediately? We are going to be taking up final action momentarily. All Members, please, within the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor. Ladies and Gentlemen, 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 again, if I can have your attention, all Members come to the Floor. We're going to be going to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading momentarily. All Members within the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor. We'll be going to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, could I have your attention? I'd like all staff to retire to the back of the Chamber, please, and all Members be in {sic} their desks. Ladies and Gentlemen, all Members please be at their desks. All staff retire to the back of the Chamber, please. Senator Muñoz has a special introduction. Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your point, Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, today we have with us the Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society from the Chicago Patrolmen's Association, Chicago Police. If we can welcome them, they're going to play a song for us. Appreciate it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's all rise and welcome our guests that are going to be coming in the front door of the Chamber. Please come on in. (Performance by the Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's show our appreciation, once again, to the men and women of the Chicago Police Department Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald City. Thank you so much. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to go to the Order of 3rd Reading here 5  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 just momentarily, but I'd like a point of personal privilege myself. I understand I have some students from the -- from the Astoria School that are in the gallery, along with Representative Hammond and Representative C. -- C.D. Davidsmeyer, and I'd like everybody to welcome them here to the Illinois Senate today. Great to have you. Thanks for joining us. Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?

Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your point, Senator Haine.

Just want to call the attention of the Chamber to a noteworthy event. We have today in our midst Senator Mike Hastings, who today, before the Supreme Court of Illinois, was sworn into the Bar of Illinois, a distinguished Bar going back two hundred years, which includes President Abraham Lincoln, President Barack Obama, and numerous other great advocates of -- of justice and right under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Illinois. We should say welcome and congratulations to attorney and counselor-at-law Senator Mike Hastings.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Hastings, congratulations. Great job. Senator Hastings, now -- Senator Hastings, now I know why the Bagpipes and Drums were here, in your honor. Is that correct? Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?

A point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Please state your point, Senator Hastings.

I have the great opportunity -- it's been a wild year for the Hastings family. In February, three months ago today, I got married to my beautiful wife, Kate, and I wanted to introduce her to the Chamber. I was hoping we can give her a warm Springfield welcome.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Kate, welcome to the Capitol. So great to have you here today. Congratulations. Senator Hastings.

So in addition to getting married, I decided to take the Illinois Bar exam and, luckily enough, the grace of God, and a lot of patience from my family and my friends, we passed. But I want to briefly introduce my family who sits in the gallery today. My mom and my dad. My dad's been here before. I know everyone's met him, but we have the -- the three sisters, Kate, Kim and Molly, and my mom, Mary. I just want to ask you guys please rise and we'll give you a warm Springfield welcome.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome the Hastings family to Springfield. Welcome to the Capitol. Thanks for coming today and congratulations. Senator Hastings.

The last announcement is, is in addition to getting married, taking the Bar, we were engaged in a lot of community activities and I'm proud to announce that my sister, Kim, is the newest- elected member to the Moraine Valley Community College Board. We just want to say congratulations to you, Kim. 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Congratulations, Mike. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to go to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We're going to be jumping around on the Calendar a little bit. Before we do, Senator Collins, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of personal privilege.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Collins.

I don’t know if I can compete with the Hastings family and their -- all their announcements, but I am proud today to -- to introduce to the General Assembly guests from my district. Kendra and Michael Byrd are in the gallery, as well as Kiera and Kelly O'Connor. Kendra and Kiera are in Springfield for the State History Fair. They are from the Keller Regional Gifted Center. Kendra is a twelve-year-old, who also is a member of my church, St. Sabina, along with her dad. And now I would like to throw it over to my colleague, Senator Cunningham, to introduce the other two members from the Keller Regional Gifted Center.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Cunningham.

Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, I, too, have a couple constituents here from Keller School. Keller School is one of the finest schools in the State of Illinois. I'm proud to say it's in my district. It's almost every year ranked as one of the top five schools in the State. And two students that are here today participating in the statewide History Fair are Katie Croker and 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Quinn Eaheart. They're over on the Republican side of the gallery. If I can ask all the Keller students to please stand, and give them a warm Springfield welcome.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome Senator Collins' and Senator Cunningham's guests. Please rise. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thank you for joining us today. Thank you so much. Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. For the purpose of an introduction.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your introduction, Senator Koehler.

I have with me two guests today. Amber Eash is a sophomore at Limestone High School. She enjoys reading, hiking, boating, and spending time with her family. She volunteers at OSF Healthcare in Peoria. She is a member of the Limestone speech team and currently a member of the dance team, and she hopes to pursue a career in the medical field. As well, let me introduce the other person that's with her. You might think this is her sister - it's not, it's her mom. Heather Eash comes from a union family. She's a licensed union plumber and she owns her own plumbing business. Her husband is a union carpenter. She enjoys camping, walking and baking. And I want to have the Senate give me a good welcome to these folks joining us today.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thank you so much for joining us today. Senator Holmes, for what purpose do you rise? 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015

Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Holmes.

I just wanted to say a big welcome to the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Wendt, District 308. He is down in Springfield, along with a new group that they've created, a legislative body, so that I can get all of my information from a group of dedicated people all in one spot when I'm dealing with issues that have to do with District 308. I want to just give them a nice warm welcome to Springfield.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Will our guests rise? Welcome to the Senate, Dr. Wendt and your guests. Great to have you here today. Thanks for joining us. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, as I announced earlier, we're -- we are going to go to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We're going to be jumping around a little bit. We're going to start on page 3 of the printed Calendar, Senate Bill 32. It's up on the board. Senate Bill 32. Senator Morrison, do you wish to proceed? She indicates she does. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Morrison.

Mr. President, I move to table Committee Amendment 1 to Senate 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Bill 32.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Morrison moves that Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 32 be tabled. Is there any discussion? Seeing none… Senator Morrison, we're going to have to do a little investigating on your bill for just a minute, so we're going to -- Mr. Secretary, pull Senate Bill 32 out of the record momentarily. Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I have a guest with me, Alex Tordai. He's from Romania. Another good friend of mine who's here with me. Alex, please come up. If we can welcome 'em to Senate, I'd appreciate it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thank you so much for joining us today. Great to have you here. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, Senate Bill 32. Senator Morrison. Senator Morrison seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 32 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 32. Senator Morrison, what was your -- what was your motion? Senator Morrison.

Mr. President, I move to table Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 32.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Thank you. Senator Morrison moves that Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 32 be tabled. Is there any discussion? Seeing none… Seeing no discussion, the amendment is tabled. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Okay. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 32. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Morrison. Thanks for your patience.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill simply closes a loophole. Senate Bill 32 prohibits a minor from possessing e-cigarettes and other alternative nicotine products. This bill has been discussed extensively with many stakeholders. Definition may be changed, but I would like to move it to the House for that further negotiation. And I would ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Indicates she will yield for a question. Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, this is final action. Please hold the visiting down, please. Shh. Senator Morrison.

Certainly, Senator Righter. Thank you for the question. It will mirror that -- the same penalties as for a cigarette. A first violation is a petty offense wherein a court may impose a sentence of twenty-five hours of community service and a fifty-dollar fine. A second violation within twelve months is punishable by fifty hours of community service and a seventy-five-dollar fine. A third violation within twelve months of the first is punishable by fifty hours of community service and a two-hundred-dollar fine. With the recommendation of the State's Attorney, a court may order the minor and his or her legal guardian to attend a youth diversion program and -- if that program is available in the jurisdiction where the minor resides. This order may be in addition to, or in lieu of, any other penalty imposed, but attendance at the program should be credited against any community service imposed.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen -- would you -- do you wish to close, Senator Morrison? Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 32 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 50 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 32, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Next up on the Calendar -- actually, Ladies and Gentlemen, please turn to page 5 of the printed Calendar. We have Senate Bill 224. Page 5 of the regular Calendar, Senate Bill 224. Senator Bush. You wish to proceed? Indicates that she does. Mr. Secretary, please read -- Senator Bush seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 224 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 224. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments -- committee or Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Bush, on your amendment.

Floor Amendment 2 is now part of the bill. I'll explain it on 3rd.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 224. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Morrison, on Senate Bill 224.

I -- I’m going to let Senator Bush do it. Is that all right with you, Senator Morrison?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Excuse me. Excuse me, Senator Bush.

That's okay.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Bush, on Senate Bill 224.

That's okay. We're both incredibly good-looking and confused all the time. So, anyway, 224, as amended, clarifies that when the boundaries of any school district are changed by the attachment or detachment of a territory, the territory that is detached remains liable for its proration -- prorate share of the bonded 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 indebtedness and financial obligations of the school district from which the territory is detached. It also -- current law doesn't specify the factors that may be considered by the regional board, so this just clarifies the factors. I would urge an Aye vote and I'm happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Luechtefeld, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Luechtefeld.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Bush, do you wish to close? Senator Bush.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President. I -- I thank you for your comments, Senator, although I would like to clarify you were the one vote against the bill in committee. But -- but anyway, so this isn’t something that might happen. It's something that has happened, and this really isn’t making any huge changes. It's just listing some -- basically some factors that should be considered, three, that -- when you are detaching from a district. It's happened in my district and this is something we should all be concerned about and -- and, certainly, it's not really a major change. But thank you and I'd urge an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 224 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 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 35 voting Aye, 16 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 224, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Point of personal privilege.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator Muñoz. Ladies and Gentlemen, if we could have your attention, Senator -- Ladies and Gentlemen, shh. Senator Muñoz has a very important introduction and announcement here. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I have here with me some guests. First of all, we have the Oak Forest Police Department. They're up in the President's Gallery on the right-hand side there. If they can stand to be recognized, I'd love to have 'em there.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome our guests from the police department. Great to have you here today. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for your service. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: With me here - it's unfortunate - I have Mrs. Morrissy, Jan Morrissy. Her husband was killed in the line of duty last year, and her sons and the rest of the family are here. I wanted to bring 'em on the Senate Floor so we can honor them and give our condolences to her and her family. Also, Bobby Frias, Oak Forest Police Department, my childhood friend. We were in grammar school 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 together. Bobby, Violet, who's here, and they live in Senator Hastings' district. So if we can welcome them, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Folks, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you so much. Ladies and Gentlemen -- Senator McConnaughay, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: Point of personal privilege, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please state your point, Senator McConnaughay. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Chamber. Joining me today is my Page for the Day, Marley -- er, Marley -- Karly - Karly Melendy from Marlowe Middle School in Huntley. Please join me in welcoming Karly.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Karly, welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thanks for joining us today. You're with a great sponsor. Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, back to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. If you'll turn to page 6 of your Calendar, the regular Calendar, is Senate Bill 277. Senator Steans. You wish to proceed? Indicates that she does. Senator Steans seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 277 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 277. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans, to present Floor Amendment 2.

Great. Floor Amendment -- Amendment No. 2 becomes the bill, so I can talk about it on 3rd.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say -- will say Aye. Opposed Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 277. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. And Representative Sandack's been working on this bill. He's carrying it with me on {sic} the House. This bill, as amendment -- as amended, creates a transit facility improvement area to fund the Union Station master plan, as well as CTA's Red and Purple modernization and the Blue Line modernization extension and the 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Red Line south extension. This creates a tool to be used by the City, if they decide to do it. Timing is required now. We’re dealing with this now because federal and State resources, as we all know, are -- for capital construction are limited. The feds now have -- instead of just a fresh start, they have a program that can enable us -- older cities to also use dollars for infrastructure development. So we need to provide matching dollars for that. This is a potential tool for them to do it. This would be for use in currently defined projects. Union Station, as we all know, has -- in great need of renovation. The Red and Purple modernization is like a 1.4 billion-dollar renovation needed. We also want to extend the Red Line down south and the Blue Line modernization enhancement program going towards the west side of the City. I'm happy to provide any more details you want. We've excluded the Chicago teachers from -- from this. CPS, Chicago Public Schools, are excluded from the TIF districts. That's defined as well. So they would not lose any money going forward on this. Happy to answer any questions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Leader Radogno, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates she will yield for questions, Senator -- Leader Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans.

Right. So it's the City of Chicago, the CTA, the Park District, and -- which one am I forgetting? Those and -- and I think I said the Park Districts.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Leader Radogno.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?

Question of the sponsor, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates she will yield. Senator Murphy.

Senator, in -- in committee, I think we had talked a little bit about the impact on local available funds analysis under the general State aid formula. One of the concerns that -- that we have is that this TIF, which is a little bit of a unique product, it's a little different, the idea is to give money to CPS -- the idea is to give money to CPS to make them whole, but is the vehicle through which it's being given going to result in it appearing that Chicago has less available local funds, meaning they will get more money under the general State aid formula if this passes, as opposed to not?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans.

This excludes CPS, so it should have no implications on that.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy.

And I appreciate that that's the intent, but how is this money getting to CPS? 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans.

As it currently does. It just, you know, the -- whatever the current processes are in place. It just makes no change to them. There's just no impact there. So, all current mechanisms are in place to still do the valuations, EAV and all -- all of those things. It just doesn’t change anything for them.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy.

Well, so it won't be -- so -- I -- I just want to make sure I understand. Because we're going to -- we're going to collect this money and then we're going to keep -- the Park District and the other entities, we're going to keep their increment, but we're going to give the increment to CPS. I -- I guess I don’t know how they're going to collect only those other entities' part and not collect CPS's. My fear here, Senator, is that they're going to take it all and the money is going to go to CPS through the TIF. That's going to make it look to the formula down here as if that is unavailable local funds and the City is going to get more in general State aid because of that and it -- with all due respect, I appreciate what your intention is, but I don't have a lot of confidence that it's crystal clear as -- that that is going to be the way this goes, that -- that -- that it's not going to affect general State aid and -- and Chicago's local share available funds. And for that reason, I -- I -- I concur. I -- I can’t support this bill without that level of clarity in how it's going to impact general State aid. 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Last speaker seeking recognition, Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?

To the bill, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Leader Harmon.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in strong support of the bill. I want to compliment the Senate sponsor for her Senate amendments, both to ensure that funding for Chicago Public Schools is not diminished, but also to recognize that public transportation to the west side of the City and to the western suburbs is as important as to the north side and to the south side. And I urge all of our colleagues to vote Aye.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Steans, you wish to close? Senator Steans.

Sure, just to say, you know, I will follow-up, too, with previous speaker in terms of making sure we get him the clarity. I had intended to do that and I'm sorry I have not done it already. I'll make sure he gets that before it goes to the Floor. The intent is that this will not impact the funding formula for anyone because of the CPS schools here being excluded. Appreciate an Aye vote. As I say, we all do understand the City's current situation. The City, as well as CTA, Park District, every single entity - Cook County - that's implicated here is supporting the bill. This is just an enabling tool. Would urge an Aye vote and thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 277 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 35 voting Aye, 19 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 277, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Secretary, let's move to -- on page 15 of the regular Calendar, we have Senate Bill 1076. Senator Murphy, you wish to proceed? Senator Murphy seeks leave of the Body to recall Senate Bill 1076 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1076. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy, on Floor Amendment 1.

Floor Amendment 1 becomes the bill. I'd be happy to explain it on 3rd.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1076. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1076 allows Township High School District 211, shared by myself and Senators Kotowski and Morrison, to construct a building on Palatine High School school grounds for special ed adult transition programs without referendum. The cost has to be under eight hundred thousand dollars and paid out of existing funds. Basically what the district -- has two different programs. One is for training for people who want to go into the trades, students who want to go into the trades, and they build homes for people in the community. They want those students to build a structure onsite for the developmentally disabled students who are there getting their training -- skills training and so we can get them out of temporary trailers. I'm aware of no opposition to the bill and appreciate an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen -- Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?

Will the sponsor yield? 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield for questions. Senator Haine.

So, Senator -- Senator Murphy, what is the rationale for not presenting this to the voters? This is a -- looks like a very appealing project.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Murphy.

I asked that question of the -- of the superintendent, Senator, and -- and the thought process was they'd like to get this up and running right away. They've got the money right away. They've got the students right away, who want to do the work. They have the -- obviously, the students who want to avail themselves of the building. And the next election where they would have the opportunity to do this is sufficiently far away that they wanted to get started right away.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Haine.

To -- to the bill. This appears to be a bill that's important to Senator Murphy and his district and that's a reasonable request. I recommend an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Seeing no further discussion, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1076 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 49 voting 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Aye, 2 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 1076, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator McCann, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of personal privilege.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your point, Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, again, Mr. President. I would like to introduce some guests that I have from the district representing Farmingdale Elementary School from the Pleasant Plains School District in the Tech 2015 program that I think is taking place down in the rotunda. Many of us have -- have students from around the State down there. I would like to introduce, over here on the Republican side of the gallery, Patrick Fields and Hugh Beeler. They're joined by grandmother, Christine McGraw -- or excuse me, teacher, Christine McGraw; grandma, Deanna Wise; mom, Mary Fields; and then Sandy and Jason Beeler and Carolyn Beeler, parents and grandparents; and Jamie Yates, the Principal at Farmingdale Elementary School. I hope you'll join me in welcoming them to the -- to the Senate.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome our guests here to the Illinois Senate. Thanks so much for joining us today. Ladies and Gentlemen, continuing on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 1726. Senator Rose, you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, Senator Rose seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1726 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1726. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Rose, to present Floor Amendment 5.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 1726. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Rose.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1726 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1726, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. 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. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) Senator Mulroe, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Please make your point, Senator Mulroe.

Thank you. Members of the Senate, I'd like to -- I'm joined today with my State Representative Rob Martwick and we have in the south gallery above the Republican side - if they can stand up - Mairi Glynn. She's a resident of Jefferson Park, of both Representative Martwick's district and mine. She's an eighth 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 grader from Skinner West. She's here today for the History Fair with two of her friends, Christie Moy and Amanda Wand of Bridgeport. So if you can join us in giving them a warm Senate welcome, I'd appreciate it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome our guests here today. Thank you so much for joining us. Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: Purpose of announcement.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Shh. We may have to have the House Members leave the Floor. Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I -- every year now, I have had guests here -- these same group of guests here. The -- the group I'm going to introduce is from Mercy Ministries and they're here with my wife, Victoria, in the -- in the President's Gallery to my right. And let me just tell you a little bit about Mercy Ministries and why it's important to me. This group -- this organization, free of charge, provides voluntary faith-based residential programs serving women from all socioeconomic backgrounds, ages thirteen to twenty-eight, who are challenged with life-controlling issues, such as eating disorders, self-harm, drug addictions, depression, unplanned pregnancies. Many have been physically and sexually abused and including victims of sex trafficking. The reason this group is important to me is, one, they have a ninety-three percent success rate, and nine years ago, my -- many of you know, I lost my daughter. She was on the waiting 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 list to get into Mercy Ministries and -- and -- and we knew that there would have been hope if she could have been at this place. They have four facilities in the United States. My wife and I serve on their community board. We promote them any time we can. My -- I tell people, my wife is like the pied piper of women. Women all over the country are contacting her constantly to see how she can help them. And what we do is introduce them to this wonderful organization, and I'd like you to welcome the -- these wonderful, gorgeous ladies from Mercy Ministries today.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Will our guests please rise? Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Thank you so much for joining us. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to return to page 5 of the printed Calendar, still on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We have Senate Bill 223. Senator Kotowski, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, Senator Kotowski seeks leave of the Body to return bill -- Senate Bill 223 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Reading, we have Senate Bill 223. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski, on Floor Amendment 2.

Going to move to adopt this and then adopt 3 as well.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski, on Floor Amendment 3.

Thank you. I -- I'd love to -- move to make its adoption. I'll speak to it upon its approval.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on Amendment 3? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 223. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This piece of legislation is something I've worked on with Life After Innocence project through Loyola University Law School. There's a group of students who've worked on this project and their director Laura Caldwell. And this particular initiative would create a grant program for people who've been -- received a certificate of innocence or have been pardoned by the Governor on grounds of innocence to be able to get a GED and, potentially, a college degree. These are people who've been wrongfully imprisoned and received a certificate of innocence. It is subject to appropriation. We could determine how much money we're going to allocate. We could determine to spend ten thousand dollars for what the -- GED program costs or to spend the total amount, which would be -- which would be close to four million dollars if we were going to be paying for all the tuition for -- 'cause there's about approximately -- this is not good news - there's about a hundred and eighteen people who've been wrongfully accused and received a certificate of innocence and spent a great deal of time in the prison system and they shouldn't have been. And so their lives are gone. They've lost their families. They've lost the opportunity to live the kind of life they were supposed to lead 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 and this is an opportunity to atone for that mistake. But, again, subject to appropriation, it's not specific as to the amount of money we're going to spend. We would have to make that determination as to how much funds would be available.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Senator, I -- I think you explained it fairly well, probably a little more detail than we -- we discussed in -- in -- in the committee. I -- I think there's none of us that don’t want to help those who have been exonerated, yet I just need to remind everyone this is subject to appropriation. You've heard it once. You've heard it twice now. And it does not just include a GED. It does include a full -- full paid tuition, if it is approved, for higher education. This could be one of those things that we have to decide if it's a priority. It's not that it's not a good thing, but I think in the challenging times that we have today, this is one of those decisions where we have to decide what we can do and what we should do. And so I don’t think anyone here disagrees that this wouldn't be a great opportunity to help someone, but I question whether this is the right time and this is a priority. So I -- I ask that -- I'd ask that you vote No.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Indicates he will yield for a question. Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.

I -- I'm not sure. We’ve been sitting down having some discussions about that other piece of legislation, trying to figure out what -- what would be fair. I don't have a resolution yet on that other bill. This is something that I've been working on separately as well.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Kotowski.

You know, that's an interesting question, Senator Righter, because if you look at participation rates for people who are adults who attend college over the age of thirty-five, which most of these people are, the participation rate is very low. It's about six percent. So if you look at the total number of people who would fall under the definition of people who have received a certificate of innocence or pardon on the grounds of innocence, you know, there's -- there's a hundred and eighteen people, but the number of people who would be able to take advantage of this program, you know, it would probably be relatively small, and that's sad given the state of affairs that they've spent -- you know, we had a gentleman here - and you saw him testify in committee - he spent twenty-five years in jail for being wrongfully imprisoned. So I don’t know how many people are going to take advantage. There's some estimates that, you know, it could be, you know, twenty-five percent. It could be six percent. I -- I think the bottom line is we're going to make this program available and we would determine how much we would want to allocate - as the previous Senator spoke about, you know, whether or not we would determine this is a priority. I would say that I think it's important to note that we invest an incredible amount of money in -- in putting people in jail and paying for Corrections and public safety. And, you know, and I -- and we -- it's -- it's a huge component of our budget. It's multi-billion dollars and this is an area that we need to look at to be able to, as I said, to -- to 38  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 atone and -- and -- and address mistakes that may have been made. So, I can’t tell you the specific number, but I think that's why it's subject to appropriation. I can tell you the total eligible universe, which is a hundred and eighteen people, which is a sad number who've received a certificate of innocence.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Righter.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Further discussion? Senator Bivins, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Senator Bivins.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Senator Lightford, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) To the bill, Leader Lightford.

40  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I rise in support of this legislation, because I know when individuals are children - let's start with them - when we discipline them at home for something they did or maybe they did not do, there's repercussions. As adults, when we're accused of doing things in our profession or even with our family members that perhaps we didn’t do, there's repercussions. But when you accuse someone who did not commit a crime and they spend their lives in a prison system, I think we owe them. We owe them a lifetime of opportunity of what they have left. I know that they offer GEDs in prison, but if I was wrongly accused and I was in prison, maybe I'm too depressed, maybe I'm too -- I'm filled with too much anxiety and stress to even think that there is hope for me to go beyond where I am because I'm wrongfully there. I'm wrongfully convicted. I think the least we can do is allow these individuals an opportunity for when they are able to work and they're back in the communities, maybe they find a profession that they're interested in, and help them to be able to achieve the goal of attaining a degree. We're not giving out honorary degrees by the way. We're offering them an opportunity to put themselves back within our society, giving them just a little bit of hope for the years that we've taken away from them. I commend the sponsor, because I think this is a great step in the direction to, one, say I apologize for ruining your life for all those years, but I'm going to give you a little bit of assistance, just a little bit, to help you start a new life. And we all know that education is the key to attaining that goal. So I rise in -- in support of this legislation, because it doesn't matter if it's subject to appropriation; it doesn’t matter if we raise the expectation. What we have to do is give people hope and 41  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 especially those that have been wrongfully convicted. I hope we do make this a priority of this General Assembly. I, again, commend the sponsor and I -- I encourage an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Senator Kotowski, to close.

Thank you. I -- I appreciate your -- your comments, Leader. I'm -- I'm grateful for that and I'm grateful for all the questions that were asked today, and I would like to respectfully ask that a previous statement that was made that the Senator reconsider his thoughts on this bill, reconsider his position, because some of these people who've been wrongfully incarcerated for twenty- five/thirty years are at the -- way back of the line in terms of their eligibility for these programs to -- for them to order -- to get more of an education. So it's another injustice that actually has been committed against them. So not only have they been wrongfully imprisoned for twenty-five/thirty years, they're not able to be as eligible for the programs as other people are for some of these crimes that were considered to be committed. And so I think that's something to consider and I hope the previous speaker will reconsider his position. So the goal of this bill is not just to -- we heard some words about raising expectations, but to raise consciousness and raise awareness and to make people realize that when people are wrongfully imprisoned and they receive the certificate of innocence, that we're actually not doing anything for them. And the vast majority of people as it stands who -- who leave the Department of Corrections do not have a GED, do not have any kind of advanced degree. So we're actually sentencing them to not only the fact that they're no longer a part 42  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 of society, no longer a part of their family, their community, we're sentencing them to their future of -- a very bleak future without an opportunity for success. And so this is an opportunity to be able to address the fact that a mistake has been made. And I just want to be clear about something, because I think this is very important, and we're talking about just for a GED, 'cause most of these people who have been wrongfully imprisoned and received a certificate of innocence, for a GED, it costs a hundred and twenty dollars to get a GED. And to not make a hundred-and- twenty-dollar commitment for someone who's been in jail for twenty- five years, I think is criminal. So, quite frankly, I would -- I would ask for your Aye vote on this and I appreciate your consideration and your questions. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, shall Senate Bill 223 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 35 voting Aye, 18 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 223, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you'll turn to page 30 of the regular Calendar, on the Order of Resolutions, we have Senate Joint Resolution 2. Senator McCann, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator McCann, on your resolution. SENATOR McCANN: 43  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber. Senate Joint Resolution 2, what it does is renames U.S. 67 as it travels through Greene County as the "Powell Brothers Memorial Highway". The reason we're doing that is, is the Powell brothers are -- are a family from Greene County, the Powell family, and seven brothers went to World War II and all seven brothers returned home, that -- which is an amazing accomplishment and an amazing story in and of itself. There is one brother surviving. George Powell, who is ninety-nine years old, is still around to tell the tales and he tells them very well. And the seven brothers' names are Adrian, Arthur, Earl, Everett, Fred, George, and Max Powell. Again, this resolution would rename Corridor 67 as it travels through Greene County, the "Powell Brothers Memorial Highway". And I would ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Thank you. Is there any discussion on the resolution? Seeing none, Ladies and Gentlemen, as this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Secretary, take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Joint Resolution 2, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared 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? 44  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the -- the Ayes have it, and the motion carries. And the resolutions are adopted. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution 73. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR SULLIVAN) Senator Clayborne moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 73. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Clayborne moves 45  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 38th Legislative Day 5/7/2015 for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 73. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate… Pursuant to the House Joint Resolution 73, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on the 12th day of May 2015. The Senate stands adjourned. 46