Illinois Senate Floor Debate — August 4, 2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The regular Session of the 99th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Chaplain Greg Stafford, Director of Pastoral Care, Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, Illinois.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Cunningham.

(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)

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

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 the approval 3  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 of the Journal, pending the arrival of the printed transcript. There being no objection, so ordered. Paul Ellers {sic} (Elders) of WICS seeks permission to record and -- video and audio. James Carder of Blueroomstream.com seeks permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Resolution Consent Calendar.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Communication from the Secretary of State.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Appointment Messages.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Silverstein, for what purpose do you rise?

Purpose for an announcement, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your announcement.

That there will be a Democratic Caucus for one hour upon recess.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Connelly, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your announcement.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The -- there will be a Senate Democratic and Senate Republican Caucus lasting one hour upon recess of the Chair. Seeing no objection, so granted. Will the Committee on Assignments please 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 report to the President's Anteroom immediately? Will the Committee on Assignments please report to the President's Anteroom immediately? (at ease) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. After caucuses, we will be coming back to the Senate for Floor action. Coming back for Floor action. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Will the Senate please come to order? Will all Members at the sound of my voice please come to the Floor immediately for final action on legislation? All Members at the sound of my voice, please come to the Floor immediately for final action on votes. Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?

Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point, sir.

9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 I refer this distinguished Senate to our family's continuing efforts to bolster the solvency of Social Security and Medicare and our pension systems and the productivity of our industrial economy. I want to announce our further efforts have succeeded with the birth of two more grandchildren in the last week - Joseph A. Haine, the son of Eva and Captain Thomas Haine, United States Army, and Edward F. Burkett, the son of Mary Burkett and Peter Burkett of Pennsylvania. The Army Captain is in Fort Meade, Maryland. So I'd just like to call the attention of the Body to those great events in my life. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Are you up to sixty now? Senator Bush, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. Personal privilege. I would like…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State -- state your point.

Thank you so much. I would like to introduce the Senate to Joshua Wolff. Joshua is with me here today in Springfield. He'll be spending the night and is so excited to be back. He's an intern for us up in our legislative office. And I would like you to welcome him to the Senate.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Matt Porter of WCIA seeks permission to film. Seeing no objection, permission granted. Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege. 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.

Today I have with me Madilyn Dotson, who has been an intern for me in my Pekin office this summer. Madilyn is a recent graduate of Tremont High School. She is interested in politics and wants to become an attorney in the future. Madilyn will be attending Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in August, where she plans on majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Political Science. She hopes to get into law school after finishing her undergraduate and to serve people of Illinois in whatever future career she happens to go into. But Madilyn has just been a delight working in my Pekin office, and I'd like to have the Senate give her a big welcome.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. With leave of the Body, we will turn to page 12, 3rd Readings, Senate Bill 2042. President Cullerton has yield over to Senator Steans to present the bill. Senator Steans. Senator Steans seeks -- the leave of the Body to return House Bill -- Senate Bill -- 2042 to the Order of 2nd Reading -- the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2042. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Steans, on your amendment.

Yes, the Floor amendment becomes the bill and I will explain 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 it on 3rd. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Steans.

Okay, the -- this Floor amendment is gonna -- it becomes the bill. This is appropriating federal fund dollars totaling 4.8 billion dollars. It brings the total -- if this passes and gets enacted, it, along with the education budget bill that was signed by the Governor, it would have -- we'd have a total federal funds appropriation of about 7.65 billion dollars, which is about two hundred and twenty-eight million below the fiscal year '15 level. So the total 4.8 billion that's in this amendment will fund a lot of -- it's just all federal dollars that pass through State agencies. Right now, we've been hearing and reading a lot for -- about federal programs that aren't going to get funded because we don't have an appropriation for them so the Comptroller cannot issue any checks for them. This will take care of job training programs in DCEO, LIHEAP programs in DCEO, the -- we've been hearing some about the Community (and) Economic Development Agency {sic} (Association) can't fund the nutrition programs under the WIC program because there's not an appropriation for those federal dollars. This takes care of many of those issues that are challenging social service agencies and our residents throughout Illinois. I would urge an Aye vote on the bill and I'm very happy to answer any questions about the 4.8 billion dollars that are appropriated here.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion on the amendment? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 2042. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Steans.

Right. I just gave the overview of it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2042 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 2042, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we will turn to page 4, Senate Bill 318. President Cullerton. President Cullerton seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 318 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 318. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) President Cullerton, on your amendment.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Amendment No. 1 is identical to Senate Bill 316, which we had debated a couple weeks ago. I would move for its adoption and debate it on 3rd Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? 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 LINK) Senator Harris, on Amendment No. 2.

Yes, I wish to -- thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. I wish to adopt Senate Floor Amendment 2, which is a provision that dedicates a portion of the Chicago Public Schools' property tax levy to the pension fund. I want to commend my colleague, Senator Mattie Hunter, for work she's done on this bill, on House Bill -- a previous bill, House Bill 3695. And I wish to adopt this amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Harris, on Amendment No. 3.

Amendment No. 3 is a technical change and I wish to adopt the amendment.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will vote Aye -- or, 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 LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 318. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) President Cullerton, on Senate Bill 318.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. We did debate this bill with -- last week -- a few weeks ago. There's a -- one addition. This is a property tax freeze bill. It imposes a property tax freeze for levy years 2016 and '17 for all home rule and non-home rule taxing district. The freeze in Cook County would be for tax years '17 and '18. We have added a -- an exemption 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 from that freeze for levies for public safety purposes, including but not limited to -- limited to levies for police and fire protection, levies for special police and fire districts. Levies for police and fire pensions would also be exemption -- exempted from the two-year freeze. The bill contains a -- what I would call a CPS pension parity. The Chicago Teachers Pension Fund would have the normal cost as a continuing appropriation, just as we do for the rest of the State for the TRS system. In 20 -- fiscal year '16, that'd be a hundred and ninety-seven million; beyond, it would be based on an actuarial certification. There will also be a change to the CPS pension payment ramp. And there would not be a holiday in that the pension fund would be required to make fixed payments of two thousand and -- two million -- two hundred and seven million in '16, two hundred and eleven in '17, and it would be ninety percent funded by 2063. The bill also establishes a sunset date on the current school funding formula, including the Chicago block grant. And that would be repealed on June 1st, 2017, and there would be a general State aid committee to propose a new educational funding formula for consideration by the end of 2016. As indicated, the amendment that we just adopted, which was the subject of a -- a bill that Senator Hunter had sponsored and Senator Harris just passed the amendment, it dedicates a portion of the Chicago Schools' property tax levy; it would go directly to the pension fund. It also should be noted that in order to help some of the poorer school districts with the -- coping with this two-year freeze, we have another bill, which is an appropriation bill, which would add seventy-five million dollars in total money to be appropriated to the State Board of Education, which would bring that total to the exact number that the Governor proposed 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 spending level was on P-12 education. I'd be happy to answer any questions and I would ask everybody to please vote for this bill.

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

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, President Cullerton, to close.

I appreciate the difficulty in putting together a package like this. I wanted to try to respond to the Governor's concerns. I wanted to try to respond to the concerns of Chicago and respond to the concerns of folks who feel like we need to look at our school aid formula again. So for that reason, I know it's not a perfect bill, but it's a really important bill and I would urge 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 that we vote Aye right now.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, shall Senate Bill 318 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 37 Ayes, 1 Nay, 18 voting Present. Senate Bill 318, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Bush, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to reflect my vote as a Yes. I inadvertently didn't press the button.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Your intention will be recorded. Now please return to Senate -- page 11, Senate Bill 2039. President Cullerton. President Cullerton seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2039 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2039. President -- or, Mr. Secretary, please read the -- are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Steans, on your amendment.

Yes, this amendment is the companion to the bill we just passed, Senate Bill 318, that the Senate President mentioned. It provides the additional seventy-four million in funding for needy school districts and it brings up the total general State aid 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 funding level to what the Governor had proposed when he initiated his budget.

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

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 2039. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) President Cullerton has yield to Senator Steans to present the bill. Senator Steans, on Senate Bill 2039.

Yes, it appropriates seventy-four additional million dollars to bring it up level to what the Governor had proposed for his education budget when he submitted his budget in February. Would urge an Aye vote. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?

Question of the sponsor, Mr. President. It's good to see 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 you, as always.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Thank you. She indicates she will yield.

Senator, where is this seventy-four million dollars going to come from?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Steans.

Yes, it's -- it's going -- you know, as you know, the -- one budget that the Governor had passed when we had submitted a number of different budget bills was the general State aid budget. We had inadvertently -- or not at that time in the -- that original budget when the General Assembly passed it, had not made it exactly level to what the Governor had proposed in February. This raises it to make it exactly level to what the Governor had proposed. I know he had made the statement when he signed the budget that it was less than what he had proposed. This is now rectifying that problem.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Murphy.

To the bill. I'm -- I'm glad we had this talk. That was abundantly clear. You know, the issue -- the issue with this is the issue we have with a lot of things here right now. We have thirty-two billion dollars to spend and there are -- there's a desire to spend more than that. Your budget was thirty-six billion originally. This is seventy-four million on top of that. This - - this just screams out for why we need a comprehensive solution 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 that includes reforms that can bring the cost of doing business down so we can maybe meet somewhere at a balanced budget. All this is, is adding more on to your Christmas list when Santa's already said he's tapped out. This would be great to get to do, but we don't have the money. Until we do, I urge a No vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Steans, to close.

Yes, thank you very much. I certainly agree that we need an overall comprehensive budget agreement. Would certainly welcome any suggestions and bills to be filed from anyone in the Chamber. At this point in time, we wanted to at least acknowledge that the budget that we had passed for general State aid was not equivalent to the Governor's submission when he had done it and that he noted when he signed it. We are just bringing this up to the same level that he had suggested. I would urge an Aye vote. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2039 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 49 Ayes, 7 Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 2039, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We -- with leave of the Body, we will return to page 3, Senate Bill 162. Senator Raoul. Senator Raoul seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 162 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 162. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Raoul, on your amendment.

Floor Amendment No. 1 becomes the bill. I'll explain it on 3rd.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? 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 LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 162. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Raoul, on your bill.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 162, as amended, focuses on workers' compensation. It addresses -- it responds to some of the proposals from the Governor with -- with regards to workers' compensation. It also responds to suggestions from the Governor's Chairman's report with regards 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 to modifications at the Commission with regards to technology. And this is the same report that acknowledged the nineteen percent savings that had came about from the 2011 reforms and that indicated that there's a likelihood of further savings to come. With regards to the response to the Governor's proposal, this addresses the concern with regards to a traveling employee. It codifies the definition of a traveling employee, which was in the Supreme Court case of Venture-Newberg. As originally passed out by the House, this -- the definition of -- of traveling employee that we included this -- in this bill goes a little bit further than the House bill -- in response to some of the concerns that were raised when we had a hearing with regards to the House bill and it includes factors that can be considered in determining traveling status, including whether there is reimbursement, as well as other factors. The bill addresses the question raised with regards to AMA guidelines, where there -- there's been instances where no AMA report has been offered either by the employer or by the employee. This clarifies that a determination of PPD or PTD can be determined without such a AMA report if none is offered. It clarifies that evidence from an independent medical examination may be considered in determining permanent partial disability. This was another proposal that was included in the Governor's original proposal. It changed the date of proposed rulemaking for electronic claims from January 1, 2012, to May 31, 2016. It requires the Commission to procure a computer system by January 1, 2017, utilizing funds in the settlement fund. This is in response to the Governor's Chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission suggesting that we need to improve the computer system at the Commission. It -- it calls upon the Commission to have an 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 ombudsman, similar to what exists in states such as Kentucky, New Mexico and Texas, to assist employees, employers, and medical providers at the Industrial Commission. It establishes a Workers' Compensation Edit -- Edit, Alignment, and Reform Commission to realign the Workers' Compensation Act. And another proposal that the Governor had in his original proposals is to allow the Chairperson of the Commission to assign and reassign arbitrators to each hearing site as needed and remove the requirement that arbitrators move every two years. And finally, it moves the Fraud Unit from the Department of Insurance to the Workers' Comp Commission.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator Nybo, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Indicates he will.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Raoul.

Quite frankly, I haven't looked to see who supports or opposes 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 it. However, if you are correct, I think that that probably makes a good bill, that nobody's taken -- taken that position.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Nybo.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Raoul.

No. I would suggest that you support the bill because it's a good compromise. It includes a lot of the recommendations from your Governor. It -- it includes a lot of recommendations from your Governor's Workers' Compensation Chairman. I -- I -- I -- I suggest you support the bill based on the contents of the bill. And I -- I -- and I would add that I don't suggest that you support any bill based upon who signs on as a -- as a proponent or opponent. I suggest that you read the bill and support it based on the contents.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Nybo.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Raoul.

I haven't spoken to all those organization {sic} as to whether or not they support or oppose the bill. However, I did work with all of those organizations on the 2011 reforms, those reforms that the Governor's Workers' Compensation Chair says has reflected in the largest premium decrease in the United States of America, the same reforms that your -- that the Governor's Workers' Compensation Chair says that a lot of the legislative changes have yet to -- yet to register, indicating that our -- our rates will continue to decline based on the work that I did with all of those stakeholders that you just read, spending just about every day of -- of the 2011 Session negotiating for hours.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Nybo.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Raoul.

I have no idea what your analysis says. I haven't read your analysis. I'm not privy to your analysis. I think our staff prepares an analysis for us. If you'd like to start sending me your analysis, I'll -- I'll -- I'll start reading it. But I haven't read it, so I can't opine on it.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Nybo.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill. SENATOR McCARTER: Ladies and Gentlemen, we've -- we've talked about workers' comp before. The time I brought it up after statewide hearings 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 throughout -- from north to south, hearing from all the stakeholders, I put a bill on the Floor that was accused of not being soup yet, many years ago, that would have saved eight hundred to nine hundred million dollars projected - and that wasn't my number; that was people that actually analyzed the bill. We ended up passing a bill that was supposed to save three hundred/four hundred million. We think that was maybe around two hundred and forty million instead. The problem with this bill is you can't put a number on it. You can't say eight hundred. You can't say four hundred. You can't say two hundred and forty million. You can't say it, because not only is there zero savings, it appears, by those groups that were just listed that oppose this bill, that it's going to raise the cost. So this is not a compromise. This is not a compromise because it doesn't deal with the meat - which is causation. You -- you've not only -- you've gone back to the soup and taken everything out of it. Everything. This is not a compromise. You -- you've -- you've taken your time to list a long list of nothing that will significantly lower the cost of workers' comp, that will allow businesses to reinvest in workers and capital, a long list of nothing that will provide relief to non-profits or government entities that are struggling to make do, especially under this new budget crisis. People aren't fooled by this. It's not a compromise. It's not real. It's not going to help the people of Illinois. Please get serious. Vote No.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Raoul, to close.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'm glad the previous speaker said this would lower the cost of workers' comp, and I'll agree with 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 him. I'll disagree with him that this is a bill full of nothing, because it's -- a lot of these proposals, quite frankly, came from the Governor. So if you want to say the Governor's proposals are nothing, you're free to do it. Go tell him. He issued a letter today that supports a lot of the same provisions in this bill. So if you don't call that compromise, I don't know what you call compromise, 'cause this -- this agrees to a lot of the provisions that were proposed by the Governor's Office. It adds other provisions that were proposed by the Governor's Workers' Compensation Chairperson. So if that's not compromise. It was even indicated by one of the witnesses that was testifying on the -- on -- on behalf of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce today that this was a move in the right direction and -- and -- and -- and that's compromise. So that indication that it's not compromise, I'll disagree with. I -- I will -- I will agree with the statement that that previous speaker made about lowering the cost of workers' comp, and -- and that's what we're -- we're trying to do. I urge an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, shall Senate Bill 162 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 36 Ayes, 19 Nays, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 162, receiving the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?

…fat -- my fat finger hit the wrong button and I was hoping you can record me as a Yes vote. 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The record shall reflect your intention. Now, with leave of the Body, we'll go to page 4, Senate Bill 317. Senator Manar. Senator Manar seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 317 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 317. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Manar, on your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and debate the bill on 3rd Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? 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 LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 317. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 Senator Manar, on your Senate Bill 317.

Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This bill is fairly straightforward. It simply states that the State of Illinois shall operate a State Museum in Springfield and branch sites across the State that exist today, including Dickson Mounds, Lockport, Rend Lake, and then a small center at the Thompson Center in -- in Chicago. This bill is modeled after existing statute that it -- that exists today in State law that says the State shall operate a State Fair in both Springfield and DuQuoin. This is, in my opinion, as a result, a direct result, of Governor Rauner seeking to permanently close these facilities in the middle of a process that has been forthcoming through COGFA, which is a legislative body. But, again, the bill is fairly straightforward. It simply states that the State shall operate a State Museum and shall continue to preserve the history of the State of Illinois in the facilities that exist today. I'd be happy to take any questions, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator McGuire, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McGUIRE: To the bill, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill. SENATOR McGUIRE: Lockport, which is in my Senate district, the district I -- I represent, the 43rd District, is one of the five sites of -- branch sites of the Illinois State Museum. And I've been aware 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 for years of the aesthetic value of the Lockport Gallery branch of the Illinois State Museum, but it wasn't until Governor Rauner moved to close the Illinois State Museum and all of its branches that I became aware of the economic value of the Lockport Gallery branch of the Illinois State Museum. The Mayor of Lockport, Steve Streit, came down here a couple weeks ago and testified at the COGFA hearing, and he said that this Lockport Gallery - again, this branch of the Illinois State Museum - has become the hub of an arts district in Lockport, Illinois. Lockport's a very historic city. It was the headquarters of the I & M Canal, one of President Lincoln's favorite public works projects, of course. Lockport was once home to the Texaco refinery. It employed six hundred people, including my grandfather and great-grandfather. It closed twenty years ago. The city started to slide. Now it's on the rebound, and one reason the City of Lockport is on the rebound is because its downtown is being revitalized as an art -- arts and museums district. And when Mayor Streit was here, he noted that in a nearby hotel, a hotel literally just a limestone -- chunk of limestone's throw away from the Lockport Gallery, this burned out hotel has been revitalized in the last couple years to the tune of one and a half million dollars and become a very successful brew pub and restaurant in downtown Lockport. So, indeed, people come and visit the Lockport Gallery branch of the Illinois State Museum. They get the educational and aesthetic value of visiting the Museum and then they patronize Lockport's shops and restaurants. And, again, they're helping to revitalize downtown Lockport, increase the sales tax/property tax base in the community, and for that reason, as well as for the obvious educational benefits that our State Museum brings to our people, I would urge support of Senator 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 Manar's bill. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Trotter, for what purpose do you rise?

To the bill, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill.

Yes, as the Co-chairman of COGFA, it is our responsibility to hear from the various departments and agencies that decide that they need to close. We had that hearing a few weeks ago. We heard from fifty of Illinois' best. And I'm talking about from children who that -- the -- the library -- excuse me, the Museum is their library; the Museum is their school. We've heard from students from elementary school up through college. We've heard from paleontologists. We've from so many individuals across this State. Again, professors who said that this is something that needs to be in the State of Illinois. It is a learning institution. It is a living institution of which so many prosper and also enjoy. So we also heard that, again, of the impact that it has on our economy, as was articulated by the sponsor of this bill. Tomorrow morning, we're having another COGFA meeting. I am encouraged by talking to the members of the committee. I believe that we will have a determination that this is important to the State of Illinois. For those who do not know, it is a bipartisan committee and I have also spoken to the Members from the other side of the aisle that sit on the committee in the House, as well as here in the Senate. And, again, this is a -- a good second step to this process to keep this institution open. And I encourage an Aye vote. 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sullivan, for what purpose do you rise?

To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill.

Thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, I rise in strong support of the legislation. One of the museums in discussion with regard to this legislation is Dickson Mounds, and I'll -- I can tell you, as a young boy, I visited Dickson Mounds. I don't know, I was probably five or six years old. And it -- it has a tremendous heritage with regard to Native American Indians in the State of Illinois and their history and their traditions. And it's located on the bluffs of the Illinois River just north of and across the river from Havana, Illinois. I'll never forget the impression that it made and left on me as a young man. It's an important educational facility. I rise in strong support and ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Manar, to close.

Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate the remarks from the previous speaker. Just a couple of points to close. There was agreement -- I think there's an agreement that -- that the museum budget should be funded. If you rewind the clock to February, the Governor's budget that he introduced fully funded the museums so they could operate. The budget that was advanced by the 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 Legislature to the Governor that he ended up vetoing also did that. So I believe there's an agreement to fund the museum system in the State. The economic impact, as Senator Trotter mentioned, the museum system brings in an estimated thirty million dollars of economic activity into the State, which, of course, is much greater than the 4.8 to 5 million dollars annually that is costing us in the State budget. So that's an important note to this debate. Senator Sullivan mentioned the significance of the museum system to Native Americans in Illinois. The State is responsible for taking care of the remains of thousands of deceased individuals that were inhabitants of the State of Illinois. We are responsible for that as a state. That rises to the level of essential spending in my mind. That meets the criteria. It reaches the benchmark I think that we all want to meet on what is essential and what isn't to State government. That certainly is. There are 13.5 million items in possession of the State Museum, all of which are important to the significance of the State of Illinois. And as was mentioned in committee, this system that we have - it's not just one building here on the Capitol campus - it's a system throughout the State. It's an institution that has survived the ups and downs of State government for a hundred and thirty-eight years, since it was created more than a century ago. And it would be a great disservice, in my opinion, to the people of the State if the State Museum's doors under this environment, as challenging as it may be, would be shuttered for -- for good - permanently. That would be a great failure on the part of all of us - not just the Governor, not just Democrats, not just Republicans, but all of us. This bill is simply saying it's important to the Legislative Branch and we ought to keep these facilities open and operating until we can 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 get a permanent budget solution in place. I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, shall Senate Bill 317 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 40 Ayes, 9 Nays, 5 voting Present. Senate Bill 317, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we will turn to page 13, House Bill 745. President Cullerton. President Cullerton seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 745 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 745. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) President Cullerton, on your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment deals with the Metropolitan Pier and Exhibition {sic} (Exposition) Authority. I would move for its adoption and debate the bill on 3rd Reading, please.

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

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 745. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) President Cullerton, on your bill.

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. According to the Comptroller's Office and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, McPier cannot pay its bondholders for the expansion project bonds without an -- fiscal '16 appropriation. So this bill is narrowly drafted to only apply to this year, where we would have a continuing appropriation. The -- McPier has a local sales tax which they collect to pay the bonds off. They're sitting in a fund and they cannot be used to pay the debt service without appropriation authority. The Treasurer cannot make the required transfers and disrupts the flow of the monthly deposits, which actually triggers a draw on our State sales tax, which otherwise wouldn't happen. So the concern is that they -- they want to avoid a credit downgrade, they want to payoff these bonds, and a potential default. So with that -- we had testimony from officials from the Metropolitan Pier and Exhibition {sic} Authority in -- in the Executive Committee today. And I would ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 745 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 51 Ayes, 6 Nays, none voting Present. House Bill 745, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we'll go to Supplemental Calendar No. 1. House Bill 576. Senator -- or, President Cullerton, do you wish to proceed? President -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. I have an announcement for everybody's attention: Senate Human Services Committee will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m. in Room 409. Senate Human Services Committee will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m. in Room 409. Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?

Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.

I hesitated -- neglected to introduce Madilyn's parents. I didn't realize they were in the gallery. But if the Senate would please welcome Todd and Kristen Dotson, parents of Madilyn. Please stand up.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 38  STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 63rd Legislative Day 8/4/2015 Welcome to Springfield. The Senate will stand in recess, waiting for paperwork to come. There will be no further Floor action when we come back in. The Senate is in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10 a.m. on the 5th day of August, 2015. The Senate stands adjourned. 39