STATE OF ILLINOIS
HOUSE JOURNAL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
9TH LEGISLATIVE DAY
Perfunctory Session
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2001
12:00 O'CLOCK NOON
NO. 9
[February 13, 2001] 2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Daily Journal Index 9th Legislative Day Action Page(s) Adjournment........................................ 12 Fiscal Notes Supplied.............................. 3 Introduction and First Reading - HB0986-1017....... 3 Judicial Notes Supplied............................ 3 Pension Impact Notes Supplied...................... 3 State Debt Impact Notes Supplied................... 3 Bill Number Legislative Action Page(s) HJR 0007 Resolution......................................... 9 HJR 0008 Resolution......................................... 10 HJR 0009 Resolution......................................... 11 HJR 0011 Resolution......................................... 11 HR 0033 Agreed Resolution.................................. 4 HR 0034 Agreed Resolution.................................. 5 HR 0035 Resolution Agreed.................................. 6 HR 0037 Agreed Resolution.................................. 6 HR 0039 Agreed Resolution.................................. 7 HR 0040 Agreed Resolution.................................. 8 JSR 0002 Resolution......................................... 11
3 [February 13, 2001] The House met pursuant to adjournment. Representative Klingler in the Chair. Prayer by Anthony D. Rossi, Clerk of the House. Minutes Clerk Jennifer L. Timms led the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. PENSION IMPACT NOTES SUPPLIED Pension Impact Notes have been supplied for HOUSE BILLS 194, 199, 428, 429, 435, 477, 478, 493, 513, 514, 518, 519 and 569. FISCAL NOTES SUPPLIED Fiscal Notes have been supplied for HOUSE BILLS 1, 128, 129, 276, 330, 374, 394, 439, 500, 504, 570, 635, 638, 643, 683, 698, 761 and 762. JUDICIAL NOTES SUPPLIED Judicial Notes have been supplied for HOUSE BILLS 592, 593, 599, 633, 679, 698, 761 and 762. STATE DEBT IMPACT NOTES SUPPLIED State Debt Impact Notes have been supplied for HOUSE BILLS 628, 670 and 680. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF BILLS The following bills were introduced, read by title a first time, ordered printed and placed in the Committee on Rules: HOUSE BILL 0986. Introduced by Representatives Bost - John Jones , a bill for AN ACT to create the Electricity and Environmental Technology Act. HOUSE BILL 0987. Introduced by Representative Moore, a bill for AN ACT concerning zoning. HOUSE BILL 0988. Introduced by Representative Persico, a bill for AN ACT in relation to utilities. HOUSE BILL 0989. Introduced by Representative Persico, a bill for AN ACT concerning telecommunications. HOUSE BILL 0990. Introduced by Representative Persico, a bill for AN ACT in relation to utilities. HOUSE BILL 0991. Introduced by Representative Persico, a bill for AN ACT in relation to utilities. HOUSE BILL 0992. Introduced by Representative Persico, a bill for AN ACT concerning telecommunications. HOUSE BILL 0993. Introduced by Representative Persico, a bill for AN ACT concerning telecommunications. HOUSE BILL 0994. Introduced by Representative Parke, a bill for AN ACT concerning insurance. HOUSE BILL 0995. Introduced by Representative Erwin, a bill for AN ACT in relation to education. HOUSE BILL 0996. Introduced by Representative Erwin, a bill for AN ACT relating to higher education. HOUSE BILL 0997. Introduced by Representative Wait, a bill for AN ACT in relation to a school district income tax. HOUSE BILL 0998. Introduced by Representative Erwin, a bill for AN ACT in relation to education. HOUSE BILL 0999. Introduced by Representative Erwin, a bill for AN ACT in relation to education. HOUSE BILL 1000. Introduced by Representatives Saviano - Hoffman -
[February 13, 2001] 4 Hultgren - Reitz - Schmitz and Steve Davis, a bill for AN ACT in relation to alcoholic liquor. HOUSE BILL 1001. Introduced by Representatives Lang - Schmitz, a bill for AN ACT in relation to alcoholic liquor. HOUSE BILL 1002. Introduced by Representative Erwin, a bill for AN ACT in relation to education. HOUSE BILL 1003. Introduced by Representative Erwin, a bill for AN ACT concerning education. HOUSE BILL 1004. Introduced by Representative Flowers, a bill for AN ACT concerning schools. HOUSE BILL 1005. Introduced by Representative Flowers, a bill for AN ACT concerning telecommunications. HOUSE BILL 1006. Introduced by Representatives Righter - Black, a bill for AN ACT in relation to timber. HOUSE BILL 1007. Introduced by Representative Wait, a bill for AN ACT concerning taxes. HOUSE BILL 1008. Introduced by Representative Poe, a bill for AN ACT concerning county commissioners. HOUSE BILL 1009. Introduced by Representative Feigenholtz, a bill for AN ACT making appropriations. HOUSE BILL 1010. Introduced by Representative Smith, a bill for AN ACT relating to education. HOUSE BILL 1011. Introduced by Representative Smith, a bill for AN ACT concerning zoning. HOUSE BILL 1012. Introduced by Representative Smith, a bill for AN ACT in relation to public employee benefits. HOUSE BILL 1013. Introduced by Representative Smith, a bill for AN ACT in relation to public employee benefits. HOUSE BILL 1014. Introduced by Representative Scott, a bill for AN ACT in relation to criminal law. HOUSE BILL 1015. Introduced by Representative Scott, a bill for AN ACT in relation to criminal law. HOUSE BILL 1016. Introduced by Representative Franks, a bill for AN ACT in relation to criminal law. HOUSE BILL 1017. Introduced by Representative Wait, a bill for AN ACT concerning property taxes. AGREED RESOLUTIONS The following resolutions were offered and placed in on the Calendar on the order of Agreed Resolutions. HOUSE RESOLUTION 33 Offered by Representative Schoenberg: WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to express their sincere condolences to the family, friends, and congregation of Am Yisrael, on the death of Rabbi William Frankel, who recently passed away; and WHEREAS, William Frankel was born in Vienna, Austria; he was the son and grandson of rabbis; he grew up under the anti-Semitic throes of Adolph Hitler and the Nazis; in May of 1939 he and his immediate family left Europe and headed for New York City; Mr. Frankel's grandparents and other family members perished during the Holocaust; these early influences in his life led him to his lifelong fight against racism and discrimination; and WHEREAS, In 1963 Rabbi Frankel moved to Wilmette, Illinois; in 1968 he founded Am Yisrael in Northfield; during the 1960's he was a vital part of the Civil Rights Movement, traveling to Selma to march with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and bringing Dr. King in 1965 to Winnetka for a speech to achieve fair housing on the North Shore; and WHEREAS, In his struggle against discrimination, Rabbi Frankel worked with the village of Wilmette to adopt a fair housing ordinance; he also served on the Wilmette Housing Commission and was chair of the
5 [February 13, 2001] North Shore Interfaith Housing Council; in the 1990s he accepted an assignment from the village to help abate opposition to group homes for the mentally ill; and WHEREAS, Rabbi Frankel was named the 1995 Senior Citizen of the Year by the Wilmette Chamber of Commerce; he was also an active member of the Wilmette Rotary Club; and WHEREAS, Rabbi Frankel also had served as rabbi of Beth Hillel Congregation in Wilmette; in 1994 he retired as rabbi of Am Yisrael and received congratulations from President Clinton; and WHEREAS, Rabbi Frankel, who received an honorary doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, was active in inter-faith communication by inviting members of other religions to his temple and by joining in the Catholic-Jewish Scholar's Dialogue; and WHEREAS, The congregation of Am Yisrael honored Rabbi Frankel and his wife, Toby, by naming their new school the Rabbi William and Toby Frankel Education Center; and WHEREAS, The passing of Rabbi William Frankel will be deeply felt by all who loved and were touched by this man, especially his loving wife, Toby Dubin Frankel; his children, David (wife, Janice Gagerman) Frankel, Joshua Frankel, Daniel (wife, Maxine) Frankel, and Deborah (husband, Mitchell) Brigell; his grandchildren, Rafi, Ari, Elena, and Nathan Frankel, and Rachel and Naomi Brigell; and his sister, Ceile (husband, the late Irving) Dattelkramer; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family, friends, and the congregation of Am Yisrael, the passing of Rabbi William Frankel; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Rabbi William Frankel. HOUSE RESOLUTION 34 Offered by Representative Poe: WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor milestones in junior high school sports in the State of Illinois; and WHEREAS, The Williamsville Junior High School 7th grade girls basketball team recently finished third in the 2000 IESA Class 7AA State Tournament; and WHEREAS, Williamsville met the challenge by first defeating PORTA by the score of 45-15 to win the Regional Championship; then they went on to defeat Warrensburg-Latham by the score of 59-17 to win the Sectional Championship; at the State Tournament, the girls were victorious over undefeated Prairie Central winning 31-30 in a game that went down to the last second; then on to the quarterfinals where Normal Parkside was their next victim by the score 27-25, which advanced the girls to the trophy round in which Williamsville suffered a tough loss to Chatham Glenwood; but the girls held their head high going into the consolation game to beat Bourbonnais by the score of 35-25 for the third place finish; and WHEREAS, Williamsville Junior High School 7th grade girls basketball team consists of Brittney Pipkin, Brittany Casson, Brittany Moore, Denise Pachlhofer, Heidi Priester, Nicole Jennings, Cailan Seif, Jenna French, Paige Borjon, Amy Teubner, Jenny Killian, and Katie Fulginiti; their coach is Kristine Paulauskis; and assistant coach is Lisa Green; the team ended the season with 22 wins and 3 losses; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Williamsville Junior High 7th grade girls basketball team for taking third place in the 2000 IESA Class 7AA State Tournament; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Williamsville Junior High School Principal, Rodney McQuality, Coach, Kristine Paulauskis, Assistant Coach, Lisa Green and to the members of
[February 13, 2001] 6 the 7th grade girls basketball team as an expression of our esteem. HOUSE RESOLUTION 35 Offered by Representative Lang: WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize organizations in the State of Illinois that have made valuable contributions in ministry to their community; and WHEREAS, The Blaine Street Full Gospel Baptist Church began its ministry as the Blaine Street Christian Center in April 1979 under the pastorate of Reverend Herschel Hannah, who founded the ministry, and led the congregation until 1988; and WHEREAS, In 1988 Pastor Hannah left to pursue other opportunities and was replaced by Interim Pastor Lonnie Edwards; by June 1988, the Blaine Street Congregation named John Senter as their new Pastor, who served the congregation until 1994; and WHEREAS, In March 1995, Reverend Timothy E. Criss received the tremendous responsibility of accepting the pastorate; since becoming the pastor at Blaine Street Full Gospel Baptist Church, he has led a mission of illustrating the love and compassion of Christ for the community by providing distinctive human care services, which has resulted in the improvement, stabilization, family strengthening and self-empowerment of members of the Blaine Street congregation; WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Reverend Criss, the congregation has grown from fifty members to its current population of over seven hundred members; and WHEREAS, Due to this growth, the Blaine Street Full Gospel Baptist Church has purchased a larger location to accommodate the growth and provide additional room for expansion; and WHEREAS, The Blaine Street Full Gospel Baptist Church congregation has decided not only to change its location, but also to change its name from the Blaine Street Full Gospel Baptist Church to the "City of Refuge Worship Center" as the members stretch their ministry to be the "ministry in the heart of the city, with the city in its heart"; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of the City of Refuge Worship Center, formerly known as the Blaine Street Full Gospel Baptist Church, for their dedicated service to their community and wish them well at their new location; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Reverend Timothy E. Criss as an expression of our esteem. HOUSE RESOLUTION 37 Offered by Representative Lou Jones: WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize individuals whose lives have made valuable contributions to the cause of freedom; and WHEREAS, Winnie Mandela's courage and leadership abilities have triumphed over the years of political harrassment, severe personal pain and a wave of media controversy to enable her to become President of the African National Congress Women's League; and WHEREAS, Nomzamo Nobandla Winnifred Mandela was born on September 26, 1936; she was the first black in South Africa to earn a degree in social work; she married her husband, Nelson Mandela, in 1958; and she is the mother to two daughters: Zenani and Zindziwe; and WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 and remained in prison for 26 years; and WHEREAS, Winnie Mandela is a survivor known for her steadfast, lifelong devotion to one of the 20th century's most complex, violent and affecting political movements: the struggle to eliminate apartheid in South Africa; during her husband's imprisonment, she was the symbol of the damage wrought by her country's race-based policies and she continued the battle against these policies in ways that her husband
7 [February 13, 2001] could not; and WHEREAS, Despite being banned by the government, Winnie Mandela continued her involvement with the African National Congress on behalf of her husband; she faced a number of torments for her activities in support of the anti-apartheid ideology of the African National Congress including seventeen months in solitary confinement; the cost of her political beliefs led her South African supporters to refer to her as the "Mother of the Nation"; and WHEREAS, Winnie Mandela was elected president of the African National Congress Women's League in 1993; she is one of the most prominent members of the South African Parliament and still remains true to her ideals of equality and justice for all people of South Africa; and WHEREAS, Winnie Mandela has worked tirelessly to empower and develop the disadvantaged and displaced communities of South Africa; among her achievements include the establishment of the Coordinated and Anti-Poverty Program whose mission is to: alleviate abject poverty by providing educational facilities; set up satellite industries to facilitate access to funding resources; provide decent housing and water; provide health centers and post-traumatic counseling to counter the after effects of violence; and provide training programs in the fields of health, AIDS prevention, legal and business development; and WHEREAS, Winnie Mandela is committed to the eradication of poverty among women in rural areas of South Africa; she is seeking funds to establish shelter and care for orphans of AIDS victims in South Africa; and WHEREAS, Winnie Mandela still mourns the lives of the hundreds of school children lost in the fight against apartheid in Sowetto in 1976; she passionately feels that they should still be recognized and remembered; during her upcoming American tour she will use the funds that are raised to finance a monument to memorialize those who have died in the middle passage and apartheid struggle; and WHEREAS, Winnie Mandela's defense of all South African black men and women, regardless of social or economic status, reflects her continued commitment to the principles and policies she began to fight over nearly thirty years ago; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Winnie Mandela for her continuous and dedicated campaign for equality and justice for all people in South Africa; her contributions have been appreciated not only by the nation of South Africa, but also by the citizens of the world; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Winnie Mandela as an expression of our esteem. HOUSE RESOLUTION 39 Offered by Representative Cross: WHEREAS, The members of this Body wish to acknowledge the Junior League of Greater DuKane, Inc., and its work to improve the quality of life for children at risk; and WHEREAS, The Junior League of Greater DuKane, Inc., is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers; its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable; and WHEREAS, With an emphasis on prevention and rehabilitative services, the projects supported by the League touch on a wide range of needs within the community; the projects supported by the League's membership include: ChildServ; Glenwood School for Boys; DuPage Children's Museum; Kids on the Block; Parents Pantry; Opportunity Knocks; and the Story Wizards; and WHEREAS, Women from DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties of Illinois serve as volunteers; these women provide hours of valuable support and expertise in their local communities; membership is open to women of all races, religions, nationalities, sexual orientations, or
[February 13, 2001] 8 disabilities who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to volunteerism; and WHEREAS, A celebration will be held on February 24, 2001 at the annual Winterflight Gala, "LeCirque d'Hiver", where proclamations will be presented to the organization during an awards ceremony attended by over 400 patrons from the community; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Junior League of Greater DuKane, Inc., for the work it has performed, and we applaud the volunteerism provided by its members; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Junior League of Greater DuKane, Inc. HOUSE RESOLUTION 40 Offered by Representative Leitch: WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize milestone events in the history of businesses of the State of Illinois; and WHEREAS, Advanced Information Systems, Inc. of Peoria, Illinois was a recipient of the Governor's Small Business Award recently awarded by the Governor of Illinois, George H. Ryan; and WHEREAS, The Governor's Small Business Awards recognize the important contributions that small business owners make to the Illinois economy; and WHEREAS, Girish Seshagiri is the CEO and Patricia Ferguson is the president of Advanced Information Services, Inc.; in 1986, Mr. Seshagiri founded Advanced Information Systems, Inc. to create high wage, high technology jobs in information services in central Illinois; the fourteen year-old company started with one employee and has successfully grown to employ 140 people; and WHEREAS, Ms. Ferguson and Mr. Seshagiri have demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurship through their unique design and approach to create an innovative, fast-paced, intensive technical training program to re-train college-educated people with skills to become computer programmers and enter into high-wage technology jobs; Advanced Information Services, Inc. provides software application development services, technology training consulting/integration services and process consulting/training services; some of the customers that utilize Advanced Information Services, Inc. include Caterpillar, State Farm, Ford, Hewlett Packard, and IBM Global Services; and WHEREAS, Advanced Information Services, Inc. recognizes the importance of helping to employ both women and minorities; today, Advanced Information Services, Inc. is comprised of 42 percent minorities and 36 percent women; and WHEREAS, The list of other notable awards and recognitions that Advanced Information Systems, Inc. has received include a feature story in the December 1990 issue of Business Week recognizing Advanced Information Systems, Inc. for its quality process methods, receiving the 1999 Software Process Achievement Award sponsored by the IEEE/Software Engineering Institute, and being the recipient of the 1999 Power of Minority Business Excellence Award; therefore be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Advanced Information Systems, Inc. for earning the Governor's Small Business Award for the year 2001; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Girish Seshagiri, CEO of Advanced Information Systems, Inc., and Patricia Ferguson, the president of Advanced Informations, Systems, Inc. The following resolutions were offered and placed in the Committee on Rules.
9 [February 13, 2001] HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 6 Offered by Representative Poe: WHEREAS, For more than two centuries, the American flag has been a banner of hope for generation after generation of Americans; and WHEREAS, The flag is the symbol of a country that has grown from 13 colonies to a united nation of 50 sovereign states; and WHEREAS, The first flag of the United States was authorized by Congressional Resolution on June 14, 1877, and in 1949, the United States Congress officially designated June 14th of each year as National Flag Day, to be observed by the display of the flag and appropriate ceremonies; and WHEREAS, The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was first used in 1892, was made official by the United States Congress in 1945, and through the years has been recited to reaffirm our love and loyalty to our flag and country and to the ideals that have made America a great nation; and WHEREAS, The General Assembly of the State of Illinois recognizes and appreciates the symbolism represented when our flag is proudly displayed and celebrated; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we hereby declare that the 30 days from June 14 to July 14, inclusive, shall be observed annually as American Flag Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Governor of the State of Illinois. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 7 Offered by Representatives Novak - O'Brien: WHEREAS, The members of the House were saddened to learn of the death of Mayor Ken Hayes of Bradley; and WHEREAS, He was elected mayor in 1981 and was re-elected in 1985, 1989, 1993, and 1997; and WHEREAS, He was born in Limestone Township on August 30, 1924, the son of Patrick and Catherine Hayes; the family moved to Bradley when he was three months old, and until his death he lived in the house that his father bought; and WHEREAS, He attended St. Joseph's Grammar School and Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School; he served in the United States Army's 83rd Division, 331st Infantry, Company L during World War II; he won the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with clusters for meritorious service, a Good Conduct medal, the European Theatre of Operations medal for five campaigns, and the Croix de Guerre for service to France; and WHEREAS, When he returned from war, Ken Hayes became a precinct captain and then a committeeman; he was elected vice-chairman of the Democratic Central Committee in Kankakee County in 1966 and served in that role until 1972, when he was elected central committee chairman; and WHEREAS, When he arrived home from the Army, he worked in the pipefitter's union local until he had a heart attack in 1963, which led him to quit his trade; he went to work inspecting seed for the Illinois Department of Agriculture and later worked for then Secretary of State Alan Dixon; and WHEREAS, He went to work for the Illinois Secretary of State and retired with a disability pension after a heart bypass operation in 1978; and WHEREAS, He was the founder of the Area Jobs Development Association, active in scouting, golfing, the Bradley Lions, and a life member of the Bradley VFW; and WHEREAS, Under Mayor Hayes' strong leadership, the Village of Bradley experienced unprecedented commercial and retail growth amounting to large increases in sales tax revenue to Bradley; and WHEREAS, He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge of
[February 13, 2001] 10 Bradley, one of the vice presidents of the Illinois Municipal League, and a member of the Mayors Association; and WHEREAS, Much of the commercial growth and development that Kenneth P. Hayes worked for occurred along Illinois Route 50; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that Illinois Route 50 in Bradley, Illinois, from North Street to Larry Power Road, is designated as the Kenneth P. Hayes Memorial Highway; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is directed to erect, at suitable locations consistent with State regulations, appropriate plaques or signage giving notice of the renaming of Illinois Route 50 in Bradley, Illinois, from North Street to Larry Power Road, as the Kenneth P. Hayes Memorial Highway; and be it further RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Rose Hayes, to the Village of Bradley, and to the Illinois Department of Transportation. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 8 Offered by Representative Black: WHEREAS, The State of Illinois' Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a successful program and is nationally recognized for its success in meeting the needs of Illinois' needier citizens; and WHEREAS, The success of this program can be directly related to the partnership of equals that has existed from the beginning between the Illinois Department of Human Services and the food retailers of this State; and WHEREAS, In the late 1980's Illinois was included in a five state investigation of WIC fraud conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Agriculture; and WHEREAS, This investigation highlighted the existence of substantial fraud in the redemption of negotiable WIC food benefits and the need for aggressive measures to identify and eliminate this fraud; and WHEREAS, Much of the fraud was occurring in places not served or under-served by traditional food retailers; and WHEREAS, The Department decided that administrative and criminal sanctions were unlikely to effectively combat this fraud; and WHEREAS, The Department decided upon a course of establishing State-run WIC Food Centers to provide WIC items directly to clients in areas not served or under-served by traditional food retailers; and WHEREAS, The State continues to establish these State-run WIC stores despite the fact that WIC fraud in areas not served or under-served by traditional food retailers is well under control; and WHEREAS, These State-run stores are now being established in areas well-served by traditional food retailers; and WHEREAS, These traditional food retailers are being placed at an economic disadvantage by these unnecessary and noncompetitive State-run stores; and WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Human Services has failed to be responsive to repeated requests by representatives of the Illinois retail community to establish criteria to govern future openings of State-run stores; and WHEREAS, The effect is a substantial disincentive for food retailers to continue to invest in historically under-served areas; and WHEREAS, Illinois food retailers and their employees who participate in the WIC program are disadvantaged by State-run WIC stores; and WHEREAS, This results in fewer employment opportunities for residents of these areas and lost jobs for existing employees; and WHEREAS, The Department's continued unresponsiveness to the concerns of their food retailing partners threatens to undermine the continued success of the Illinois WIC program; therefore be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND
11 [February 13, 2001] GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Illinois Department of Human Services is required to immediately enact a moratorium on existing and future construction of State-run WIC stores until it has established criteria governing the conditions under which it will build new State-run stores and has submitted these criteria to the Illinois General Assembly for its consideration and approval; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this Resolution be delivered to the Secretary of Human Services. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 9 Offered by Representative Hoffman: WHEREAS, The Railroad Retirement and Survivors Improvement Act of 2000 was approved in a bipartisan effort by 391 members of the United States House of Representatives in the 106th Congress, including 19 of the 20 Illinois members of the United States House of Representatives; and WHEREAS, More than 80 United States Senators, including both Illinois Senator Richard Durbin and Illinois Senator Peter Fitzgerald, signed letters of support for this legislation in 2000; and WHEREAS, The bill, now before the 107th Congress, modernizes the railroad retirement system for its 748,000 beneficiaries nationwide, including nearly 50,000 in Illinois; and WHEREAS, Railroad management, labor, and retiree organizations have agreed to support this legislation; and WHEREAS, This legislation provides tax relief to freight railroads, Amtrak, and commuter lines; and WHEREAS, This legislation provides benefit improvements for surviving spouses of rail workers who currently suffer deep cuts in income when the rail retiree dies; and WHEREAS, No outside contributions from taxpayers are needed to implement the changes called for in this legislation; and WHEREAS, All changes will be paid for from within the railroad industry, including a full share by active employees; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the General Assembly urges the United States Congress to support the Railroad Retirement and Survivors Improvement Act in the 107th Congress; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be delivered to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and all members of the Illinois congressional delegation. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 11 Offered by Representative Currie: BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the two Houses shall convene in Joint Session on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 at the hour of 12:00 o'clock noon, for the purpose of hearing his Excellency Governor George H. Ryan present to the General Assembly his Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2002, as required by Chapter 127, Section 28, of the Constitution of the State of Illinois. JOINT SESSION RESOLUTION 2 Offered by Representative Currie: RESOLVED, That a committee of ten be appointed, five from the House, by the Speaker of the House, and five from the Senate, by the President of the Senate, to wait upon His Excellency Governor George H. Ryan and invite him to address the Joint Assembly.
[February 13, 2001] 12 At the hour of 4:35 o'clock p.m., Representative Klingler moved that the House do now adjourn. The motion prevailed. And in accordance therewith and pursuant to HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 5, the House stood adjourned until Wednesday, February 14, 2001, at 1:00 o'clock p.m.