"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and First Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 789, offered by Representative Fine, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. First Reading of this Senate Bill. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 422, offered by Representative Currie is referred to the Rules Committee. Committee Reports. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on May 22, 2017: recommends be adopted, referred to the floor is Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 764, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 768; approved for consideration, referred to Second Reading is House Bill 3376."
"Members are asked to be at their seats. We shall be led in prayer today by Father Steven Janoski who is the Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield, Illinois. Father Janoski is the res… the guest of Representative Butler. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones and rise for the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance."
"Let us bow our heads to pray. God of many names, who calls each of us by name, who blesses each of us with unique gifts to share, who invites us to work together for the good of all, who challenges us to never forget the poor and marginalized, who breathes life into all creation, who inspire words and deeds that lead to justice and peace, be with us today. Bless our Illinois State Representatives as they convene today. Guide them to deliberate with mutual respect. Open their ears to truly hear one another. Open their 10000051.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 minds to new and creative ways to make our great state even greater and to solve any stalemates they face. Guide them to the truth, to justice and peace that comes from You, Oh God, of many names, Amen."
"We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Hays."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Lang."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our excused absences are Representatives McAsey, Mussman, Sims, and Soto."
"Representative Demmer."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please let the record reflect that all Republicans are present today."
Speaker Turner: "With 114 Members present, a quorum is established. Representative Ammons, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed, Representative."
"Thank you. To the Members of the Illinois General Assembly, I wanted to ask you all to welcome, today, my mother-in-law, Mrs. Valerie Ammons, who will be with me all day today, shadowing me all the way into the evening. Welcome her to the Illinois General Assembly this afternoon." 10000051.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Thank you, Representative. And welcome to your Capitol. Representative Swanson, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Sir."
"Thank you, Sir. I have three Honorary Pages here with me today. I'd like to introduce each of them if I would… could, please. My first Honorary Page is DJ Cain. He's a freshman at ROWVA Schools, participates on the football team, FFA, swim team, and track and is active in his 4-H program. Also with me is Sean Welch. He, too, is a student at ROWVA High School in Onieda. He's a junior active on the football, track, band, FFA student, Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His community activities include 4-H and mission teams. And a special recognition is he will be serving this next year as the Illinois FFA Section 4 President. And last, I have with me is Hannah DeBlock. She'll be a senior at Mercer County High School. She's had three years in the Key Club, active on the Mercer County dance team, band, homecoming attendant, faculty honor roll, volunteers at the local senior living center, school wrestling tournament, fair, and lifeguard-swim instructor at the YMCA. She's a 2017-18 Key Club Vice- President and a member of the dance team. She's with us today, her parents up in the balcony, if they'd please rise. Her parents John and Angie and her grandparents Susan and Victor are with her also today. So, let's give a warm welcome to these youth and parents. Thank you." 10000051.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
Speaker Turner: "Thank you. Welcome to your Capitol. Representative Welch, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Sir."
"Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, I'd like to welcome two very excited guests of mine here today. They woke up very early, their dad told me, because they just couldn’t wait to get here and serve on the floor of the House of Representatives. Please welcome fourth grader, 10-year-old Yanni Gust and second grader, his sister, 7-year-old Natalie Gust. They're my Pages for the day."
"Thank you, Representative. And welcome to your Capitol. Representative Manley, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Today is take your favorite, one and only daughter to work day. I would like to introduce my one and only and I want to tell the Representatives here that have their young children here, in the blink of an eye, they'll be 26. Welcome her to Springfield. Thank you."
"Thank you, Representative. And welcome to your Capitol. Representative Batinick, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Representative."
"I have with me today two of the winners of an essay contest. They knew exactly what to say to earn their way on 10000051.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 to the floor. This is Sherdian Darnell and Ava Morris. Please give them… please give these future Representatives a big Springfield welcome. Thank you."
Speaker Turner: "Thank you. And welcome to your Capitol. Representative Wheeler, for what reason do you seek recognition?" Wheeler, K.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Sir." Wheeler, K.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to welcome my county… Kendall County Board member, Matthew Prochaska to the gallery today. He's up in my side of the aisle. Please stand up, I'll give you a big Springfield welcome for… Matt Prochaska."
Speaker Turner: "Thank you. And welcome to Springfield. Representative Stuart, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Representative."
"Bear with me. I have a lot of introductions to do. First, in the gallery, I have my assistant in my Collinsville office, Miranda Gillis, who has her son, Will, with her today. And then also, our intern Emily who works in the office as well. So, please give them a Springfield welcome."
"Thank you. And welcome to your Capitol. Continue, Representative."
"And then I also have with me two Pages. I have Evan. Evan just finished his freshman year at Edwardsville High School. He plans to join the ROTC program after graduation, 10000051.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 earn a degree in business and then he's interested in going into politics. So, he wanted to come see what we do here. And then I have Stephen. Stephen just finished his junior year at Edwardsville High School. He'd like to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder after high school graduation, study business and pre-law and then go on to law school. So, please put them to work today since they are done with school for the school year. Thank you."
"Congratulations and welcome to your Capitol. Representative Butler, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Sir."
"I'd like to add on to Father Steve. He did such a great job with his prayer, but he was straightforward. The guy's really got a sense of humor and he's been a wonderful priest leading St. Joseph Parish, my parish, on the northend of Springfield here. But we're going to miss him. He's leaving in a few weeks to head down to Madison County to Godfrey. He's going to be at St. Ambrose Parish in Representative Beiser's district. But he's a great representative for the Catholic Church and I'm going to miss him a lot. So, thank you for being here today, Father Steve."
"Thank you for being here, Father. And welcome to your Capitol. Leader Lang on a Motion."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the posting requirement on the following Bills. In Agriculture, House Resolution 376 and House Resolution 380. In Appropriation- Human Services, House Bill 3259. In Business Incentives, 10000051.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 House Resolution 367. In Consumer Protection, Senate Bill 312 and House Resolution 395. In Cyber Security, HJR59. In Economic Opportunity, HR401 and SJR10. In Elementary and Secondary Education: Licensing, Senate Bill 449. In House Exec, Senate Bill 1904 and Senate Bill 1975 and HR364. In House Fire and Emergency Services, HJR56. In Healthcare Licenses, Senate Bill 898. In Higher Ed, HR381. In Human Services, HR386, HR402, and SJR16. In Judiciary – Civil, Senate Bill 326. In Judiciary – Criminal, Senate Bill 639. In Labor, HR372. In Mental Health, HR378. In Museums, HR377 and HJR57. In Restorative Justice, HR361 and HR384. In Revenue, Senate Bill 1415 and Senate Bill 1700. In State Government, Senate Bill 1320. In Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges, Senate Bill 789 and SJR20. Additionally, in that committee, Senate Bill 1267, Senate Bill 1687, HJR58, SJR2. In Transportation: Vehicles & Safety, Senate Bill 1429. And finally, in Veterans' Affairs, HR389."
"You all heard the Gentleman's Motion. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Motion carries. And the posting requirements are suspended. Members, on page 5 of the Calendar, under Senate Bills on Second Reading, Senate Bill 67, Representative Williams. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 67, a Bill for an Act concerning alternative dispute resolution. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed." 10000051.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Third Reading. Senate Bill 71, Leader Lang. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 71, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Senate Bill 266, Representative McAuliffe. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 266, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Senate Bill 282, Representative Gordon-Booth. Representative Gordon-Booth. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 282, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Senate Bill 764, Representative Mayfield. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 764, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Mayfield, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Mayfield."
"I'm sorry. This Bill just basically mimics the House Bill that passed unanimously out of… out of this chamber. And it just basically requests that that child abuse hotline be 10000051.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 placed in a visible place within the school districts. That's it."
"Lady moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1 to Senate Bill 764. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk."
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Senate Bill 768, Representative Moeller. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 768, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Moeller, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Moeller."
"Floor Amendment 2 essentially specifies that any forms that are prescribed by the department will have… will be approved by JCAR."
"Lady moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 768. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk."
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Senate Bill 858, Representative Ervin. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 858, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. This Bill was… Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments have been approved for consideration. No Motions are filed." 10000051.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Third Reading. Senate Bill 860, Representative Kifowit. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 860, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Senate Bill 1254, Leader Bellock. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1254, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Senate Bill 1671, Representative Swanson. Representative Swanson. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1720, Representative Hernandez. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1720, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. Amendment 1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. A fiscal note has been requested and a state mandate note has been requested but not filed at this time."
"Mr. Clerk, please hold this Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Senate Bill 1739, Representative Ford. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1739, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Senate Bill 1807, Representative Kelly Burke. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1905, Representative Moylan. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill." 10000051.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Senate Bill 1905, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. A fiscal note, home rule note and state mandates note has been requested but not filed at this time."
"Mr. Clerk, please hold this Bill on the Order of Second Reading. On page 3 of the Calendar, under Senate Bills on Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 57, Representative Wallace. Out of the record. Senate Bill 69, Representative Kelly Burke. Out of the record. Senate Bill 298, Representative Cassidy. Out of the record. Senate Bill 666, Representative Barbara Wheeler. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 666, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Wheeler." Wheeler, B.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 666, to quote Senator Pam Althoff, what better than an angel to carry this number, right? It amends the Township Code to provide that township caucus participants are only entitled to one vote per office. It prohibits the practice of weighted voting for a caucus to vote for choosing township office candidates. I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"For further discussion, Representative Ford is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor indicates that she will yield."
"Representative, I just have one simple question for you. Does this Bill have any evil intent?" 10000051.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 Wheeler, B.: "On the contrary, Representative."
"Thank you very much."
"Representative Ammons is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor will yield."
"So Representative, can you explain first of all why this is needed to be done through the legislative process?" Wheeler, B.: "Absolutely, Representative. In some counties, apparently few… I only know of one and that would be my home county… the township uses a weighted vote instead of one per representative. And the interpretation in that particular county said that that's how they interpret the law to be. That it's by weighted and not one vote per representative. So, we're clarifying the language that it is indeed for one vote per representative."
"And if it's… are you meaning representatives of Town Board, Representative?" Wheeler, B.: "Township precincts?"
"Township precincts." Wheeler, B.: "Precincts."
"These are precict… township precinct committeemen?" Wheeler, B.: "Correct."
"And how long has the weighted vote process been in place?" Wheeler, B.: "I've been a precinct committeeman for the last 19 years and it's been that way for the last 19 years. Before that, I don’t know. I believe there was an interpretation asked… I don’t even want to guess, but it was longer than 20 years ago. So, for instance, my home township precinct is 98 10000051.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 votes because that's how many people showed up in the last gen… Primary Election. A precinct 127 would have… I think has about 218 votes. So, when we would go into a caucus, I would get 98 votes and the other precinct would get whatever number of people showed up for that particular Primary."
"So, is this legislation wit… written to affect just your township or all the townships?" Wheeler, B.: "I… well, it'd be for the county because it was the county chair who decided that that was the interpretation. To my best knowledge, after carrying this and Senator Althoff carrying it in the Senate, we don’t know of any other counties that use the weighted vote. A Lake County precinct committeeman just told me Lake County does as well."
"I believe other counties use weighted vote as well. Can you…" Wheeler, B.: "Milton County…"
"I don’t know if there's a staff member there?" Wheeler, B.: "Milton County does too."
"Yes. The reason why I'm raising it as the question of changing the procedure because something didn’t turn out right in one county as opposed to all the counties." Wheeler, B.: "I believe it was the interpretation wasn’t clear and that's how that county chair decided to interpret the law. So, we're clarifying that, indeed, it's for a single member, a single vote."
"And so, is there a reason why the… there wasn’t a challenge at the judicial level to challenge an interpretation by a county official as opposed to changing the legislation at the state level?" 10000051.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 Wheeler, B.: "I don’t know why the timing is now and not… and during the original interpretation. And I don’t know how long Milton Township or Lake County have used this process either."
"Okay. Thank you so much." Wheeler, B.: "Thank you."
"To the Bill. To the Members of the House… Mr. Speaker, if you could just kind of quiet the chamber for a second."
"Members, can we please bring the noise level down in the chamber? Thank you very much."
"Notwithstanding that the Bill is the Bill number, 'cause I'm not superstitious but apparently a few folks are, I am concerned however that if you change this procedure at the county level for all townships, this could have an adverse effect in communities where you have very few minorities that are represented at the township level. The weighted vote is extremely important where your numbers are different in those communities. And so, to change this process raises somewhat of a concern for me to change it to a one man, one vote where I have been the only minority on a board where the weighted vote process may help me get something done or a referendum on a ballot. At the township level is the level where the citizens get an opportunity through some of their elected process and some of the citizen process to change things at the local level. And this actually puts people in the minority, as I read the Bill right now, and the concern is the effect on all of the institutions as opposed to just McHenry County having this effect. So, I would raise this as a concern to those who are listening that this is a change throughout the state to remove the weighted voted process and 10000051.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 this may raise some questions down the road that we could stop and pay attention to right now. To the Bill. I ask those Members to consider it. I'll more than likely vote 'no' but consider the change in weighted vote as a serious change. Thank you."
"Representative Skillicorn is recognized."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor indicates that she will yield."
"Just a couple quick questions on this particular Bill. Is McHenry County the only county that does the weighted by turnout in the state?" Wheeler, B.: "Representative, Lake County does as well, a weighted vote."
"So, it would just be McHenry County, Lake County that currently do that. Is that correct?" Wheeler, B.: "I… I didn’t hear you. I think…"
"Just to clarify, it was just McHenry County and Lake County that currently use weighted vote for these caucuses?" Wheeler, B.: "To the best of my knowledge, Representative, yes."
"And is… I mean, the intent, the problem this is solving. What specific problem was this solving, not just your example of your precinct, but you know, is there… is this specific or is this just a good government reform?" Wheeler, B.: "This is good government. It was the individual interpretations of those particular county chair. I… I think… I don’t think there is a problem as much as there is a need for clarification. One person, one vote. You are… you are elected by a number of voters within your precinct; and so, 10000051.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 in a good government form, you are the representative. You have one person, one vote."
"And is there an opportunity for these township organizations to amend their own bylaws to implement this? Or is this something they're choosing to do; whereas, the precincts with higher turnout have more representation?" Wheeler, B.: "No, if we change this… if we clarify this… I don’t even want to say that it’s a change. I do not want to characterize this as a change as much as it is a clarification. It will be a one person, one vote for precinct… the township elections."
"Thank you."
"Shhh. Thank you, Members. It's kind of difficult to hear the debate. Can you please keep the noise level down? Representative Breen is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor will yield."
"Representative, help me out here. I'm reading Section 45- 50 of the Township Code. It says the rules of procedure for conducting the township or multi-township caucus must be approved and may be amended by a majority vote. So, currently the weighted vote procedure would be within those rules of procedure that are adopted by majority vote at the beginning of the evening, right?" Wheeler, B.: "Right. And you bring up the township. This… to be very clear, this is in regard to township elections with the precincts. So, it's not counties. So, if you're concerned about the larger county vote, this would not affect that. It is township." 10000051.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"But and… and also, so what we're talking about here very specifically is a political Party. This is the political Parties…" Wheeler, B.: "…Correct."
"…so which of your nominees will appear on the General Election ballot. You know, some places do an election, some do a caucus. And so I… but again, I… you know, I'll go to the Bill. Here's the problem, folks. A political Party is a private, expressive association. It has First Amendment rights to do as it sees fit. And at the end… and based on our current statute, at the beginning of the night there is a majority vote, one person, one vote to effect the rules of procedure. So, the body that has convened there that night has approved the weighted voting process. And once that political Party, as assembled under this Code, has approved a voting process, I don’t see that we, the General Assembly, should then get involved in the way that that private, expressive association decides to do its business. My township, we do one person, one vote. We don’t do weighted, but I have heard from several of the Representatives here that they do have a weighted vote. And again, it's their business. It's not really… it's not my business. They are a private, expressive association. So, again, I respect what's happening here. I understand the process. It's not how we do it in our township, but again, just respectfully, in order to protect the sanctity of that private association, I just urge a 'no' vote. Thank you."
"Members, with many people seeking recognition and a full Calendar, this Bill is on the Order of Short Debate 10000051.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 and we'll be moving to a two-minute timer going forward. Representative Fortner is recognized for two minutes."
"Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor will yield."
"As I understand the Section that's being amended by this Bill, this has to do with caucuses that are used in lieu of a Primary vote for the election of the township offices. Is that… is that correct?" Wheeler, B.: "That is correct."
"So, this is not the annual town meeting where questions like referenda would be put forward. Isn’t that correct?" Wheeler, B.: "That's correct. It's for township caucus elections. Correct."
"Which… which are instead of a Primary where the local political organization said we want to use a caucus as opposed to a Primary to select the township officers for our Party that will appear on the Consolidated Election ballot." Wheeler, B.: "Correct."
"So, I know one of the concerns that was raised earlier was whether or not this could affect the ability to put referendum questions on the ballot and whether or not groups that might have difficulty would be excluded that way. That's not the type of caucus this is. This is specifically when the local political organization for the township says what we want to do is use the caucus instead of a Primary. In that case, qualified electors from the township can show up… qualified electors of that Party can show up to the caucus meeting to cast a vote as to who shall be on the ballot. That's with the type of caucus this is. All this does is 10000051.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 clarify that for the offices, and only for the selection of officers… if you read the language, it's only for the selection of who shall be slated… then what it says is that if you said instead of a Primary, we want to use a caucus. We're going to open it up to qualified electors. Essentially, the qualified electors at that caucus…"
Speaker Turner: "Please… please make your final remark, Representative."
"I'll be happy to. That all this means is that those electors who show up at the caucus have the expectation of the same vote that they would have if they showed up at the Primary. That is to say, each person has one vote."
"Representative Halpin is recognized for two minutes."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor will yield."
"And this is more of a follow-up to the previous speaker. So, we're talking about a caucus election where any… any citizen can show up and cast their vote for their nominees for that particular Party." Wheeler, B.: "It is not for a citizen as Representative pointed out. It's for the committeemen during their caucus for elections during their township organization."
"So, you're saying the only people permitted in that meeting are precinct committeemen?" Wheeler, B.: "Permitted or vote?"
"Well…" Wheeler, B.: "They… it's a public meeting, but the committeemen are the ones who are allowed to vote." 10000051.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"So, this is not as Representative Fortner indicated where it is a meeting open to all electors to nominate officials for that Party?" Wheeler, B.: "I'm sorry? I missed your question, please."
"I guess… so, I'm just trying to clarify. Is this meeting open for…" Wheeler, B.: "Yes, it’s op…"
"…for primary voters to vote at the caucus or is it strictly precinct committeemen that do the voting?" Wheeler, B.: "Interestingly, we've always had the committeemen vote for the caucus, but someone… Representative Fortner just explained that that doesn’t always… is not always the case. Apparently, there's a lot of interpretation within our caucus that isn’t always… goes along with statute. So, the answer to your question is yes."
"Okay. And that… that really makes a difference for me. To the Bill. If this is a meeting that is open to all members of the community that consider themselves regard… depending on the Primary, a Republican let's say for a Republican Primary. If this meeting is open to all of them to come and vote, then it makes sense to have a one person, one vote. If we're talking about a committee meeting for internal committee matters, then there may be reasons why you would want to have a weighted vote. So, if you're talk…"
"Please make your final remark, Representative."
"So, if we are actually talking about the open… essentially, caucus in lieu of a Primary, then I would urge… urge an 'aye' vote because I think we need to have this one person, one vote." 10000051.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Leader Lang is recognized for two minutes."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor will yield."
"So Representative, I've talked to six or seven people over here. Nobody understands your Bill. So, I'd like you to tell me what it does in plain English and why you need this Bill." Wheeler, B.: "Thank you. So, in our home townships, we have what… and in a caucus, for us it's a private meeting where we get to vote for our township elections. Who's going to be the slate on the… on the ballot. Apparently, our chairman long ago interpreted the law that if all the precincts, all 29 from in the township show up, everybody gets a weighted vote. So, whoever, how many people showed up and voted in the Primary prior gets the weighted vote of their…"
"Can I stop you right there?" Wheeler, B.: "Yes."
"People at a township caucus just show up, regular, ordinary citizens. I don’t know what you mean about each precinct? I'm not understanding that." Wheeler, B.: "And we have a… we have a not… township caucus with just the precinct committeemen. And we are… what we have… just… we want just one vote per person. What we've done in the past is, when Precinct 29 shows up, we look at the vote tallies from the last Primary."
"So, this is different than Cook, right? So, in Cook, we have a township caucus and whoever shows up votes." Wheeler, B.: "That's exactly right."
"But at…" 10000051.docx 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 Wheeler, B.: "That's what we want except that we have a… we have a private meeting. I know there was questions as to whether it was a public meeting. But it's a private township meeting with the precinct committeemen who votes in that caucus."
"Oh, this is different than the public township caucus that a political Party can call. Is that correct?" Wheeler, B.: "That's correct."
"So, you're trying to, with this Bill, regulate interparty rules through a statute?" Wheeler, B.: "Apparently, that's…"
"Please make your final remarks, Representative."
"I'm sure someone will yield me some time. Someone raise a hand."
"Representative Wallace would like to yield her time to Leader Lang for two minutes."
"Kind of thought she would. So… so, Representative, I don’t get this at all. So…" Wheeler, B.: "You know what, I… I miss understood from the beginning and I'm getting 15 people talking to me at once. Can I pull the Bill so I have a better understanding of what this Bill does?"
"That's a good choice. Thank you." Wheeler, B.: "Thank you."
"Mr. Clerk, please take this Bill out of the record. Representative Hays, for what reason do you seek recognition? Senate Bill 931, Representative Drury. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 931, a Bill for an Act concerning courts. Third Reading of this Senate Bill." 10000051.docx 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Representative Drury."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 931 is an initiative of the Office of the Public Guardian. It seeks to address the issue of temporary placements in DCFS and make sure that children don’t remain in DCFS any longer than they need to. We've all heard the stories in recent weeks about how horrible that the conditions can be and the poor job DCFS is doing of protecting our children. Senate Bill 931 seeks to change that by redefining or expanding the definition of a shelter placement, making sure if a court believes that a report needs to be issued within 10 days that it can order that that report be issued; and also requiring DCFS to submit a report to the court regarding a placement within 15 days of a child being in a shelter placement, a psychiatric hospital, or a juvenile justice facility. This Bill passed out of committee unanimously. And I ask for your 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no debate, the question is 'Shall Senate Bill 931 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On a count of 112 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present', Senate Bill 931, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 1544, Representative Beiser. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1562, Leader Currie. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1562, a Bill for an Act concerning housing. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Leader Currie." 10000051.docx 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This is an initiative of the American Planning Association with support from the Illinois Municipal League, the City of Chicago and I'm sure other municipalities. The point is to make sure that when there are abandoned properties that not-for-profit groups are redeveloping, the redevelopment happens in the context of whatever city plan is already in place. I know of no opposition. I'd be grateful for your 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no debate, the question is 'Shall Senate Bill 1562 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On a count of 113 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present', Senate Bill 1562, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 1697, Representative Mah. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1697, a Bill for an Act concerning human rights. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Mah."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the General Assembly. Senate Bill 1697 amends the Illinois Human Rights Act concerning employment. The Bill would add a Section concerning religious discrimination that would make it a civil rights violation for an employer to impose upon a person as a condition of obtaining or continuing employment, any terms or conditions…"
"Excuse me, Representative. Excuse me, one second. Members, can we please take all conversations to the rear of 10000051.docx 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 the chamber. It is very difficult to hear the debate that is going on. Thank you very much. Representative Mah is recognized."
"Thank you. The Bill would make it a violation of the civil rights… make it a civil rights violation for an employer to impose upon a person as a condition of obtaining or continuing employment any terms or conditions that would require a person to violate or forgo a sincerely held practice of his or her religion, including the wearing of attire, clothing, or facial hair in accordance to the person's religion. This Bill received unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate. And its proponents include the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, SEIU Local 73, the Illinois Attorney General's Office, the Mosque Foundation, Pax Christie Illinois, Islamic Society of Greater Springfield. And there are no known opponents at this time. I ask for your 'aye' vote."
"Representative Andersson is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor indicates that she will yield."
"Thank you, Representative. So, my question for you is this. It appears to me under current law, this is largely already unlawful? It looks like its spread out throughout a variety of different Codes. Is your intent, your goal here, to consolidate it into… into one place?"
"Well, it would essentially add a clarification to our current Human Rights Act to specify the violations that were noted. So, I would say, yes, it does consolidate and clarify what's already in existence." 10000051.docx 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Okay. And give me an example of something that would be… what would violate this Act? Just an anecdotal example?"
"So, if someone is applying for employment and their religion requires the wearing of a head scarf or facial hair and the terms of employment would ask that that applicant violate their own… terms of their own religion, that would be a violation of Civil Rights Act… the Human Rights Act in the State of Illinois."
"Are there any exceptions to that? And I'm going to give you a specific one that I'm thinking about is in the realm of acting, right? In acting, you're required to take on a different persona, be a different person. Is there an exception because obviously, you know, someone hires an actor to be a character, that character may not reflect that religion? Is that a violation if they say you can't wear that head scarf in that circumstance?"
"I'm not aware of whether that's a violation or not."
"Well, it's your Bill, so… can you try to answer the question? It seems to me there are certain circumstances like that, I mean, if you disagree, you disagree. But there might be certain circumstances like that that would have an exception?"
"There is an exception if it provides an undue burden on the employer. So, there are provisions that would allow an employer to ask for an exception to… to the law."
"Great. And so, would you agree that that might be one of those that could be an exception?"
"It… it could… could be, yes." 10000051.docx 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Okay. Thank you very much for the answers to the questions."
"Thank you."
"Representative Breen is recognized."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor indicates that she will yield."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative, just to clarify. We talked about this in committee. Currently under the Civil Rights Act, we've got violations in relation to employment that are very broad. So, Section (A) of the Section that you're… subsection (a) of the Section that you're amending has a broad prohibition on any employer denying the privileges or conditions of employment on the basis of sincerely held religious belief, correct?"
"Yes, I believe so."
"Right. And so, your… your Section then allows employers the clarity to know that they should not impose a condition based on attire, facial hair, or clothing unless they're unable to reasonably accommodate the sincerely held religious belief, correct?"
"That is correct."
"Okay. And actually, your Section even has an explicit exemption that talks about the fact that if you need workplace safety or food sanitation, that you can do a dress code or a grooming policy that could restrict attire, clothing, or facial hair, right?"
"That is correct."
"And to the Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is actually… it's styled as a Human Rights Act Amendment and all of that. 10000051.docx 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 It's actually a pro-business Bill. That there's a reason it got out of the Senate unanimously and it's not just because the Senate was asleep. This one was an actual good Bill that they put forward to us. What this does is… sorry… Okay. But what… what this does is gives business owners and others clarification about how they have to protect folks with sincerely held religious beliefs in regards to their clothing, facial hair, and things like that which are requirements often held by those who are in minority religious groups. And so, this is a good Bill. It sets the standard to make sure that we're protecting those folks but also clarifies for business owners so that they don’t violate those folk's sincere religious beliefs. Please support the Bill. Thank you."
"Representative Ives is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. Just this did go through the Labor & Commerce Committee and we did have some discussion about this Bill. And from my perspective, we already have this type of workplace protections for workers in terms of religious freedom. And I don’t like the fact that we're putting this into the Human Rights statute at which point, if there's a potential violation or somebody feels like there's been a violation, then anybody can sue their employer over this and also collect attorneys' fees and potentially be subject to jail time for this type of offense. So, putting it in the Human Rights Act is not something that I favor. I think these protections are already there. And I am concerned actually about having frivolous lawsuits filed 10000051.docx 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 and since attorneys' fees are… can be collected. I urge a 'no' vote."
"Representative Morrison is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor will yield."
"Representative, I'm just trying to understand your Bill a little bit. There are some occupations or workplaces where an I.D. is required, a photo I.D. We wear them around here at the Capitol Building. Might there be a condition where someone is wearing attire that covers one's face and that that could be problematic in terms of proper identification?"
"This is a Bill that concerns employment discrimination. So, if someone has an I.D., you know, that's covered under other provisions. So, for example, the Secretary of State's Office, they have their parameters for how their I.D.s are to appear and… and who may wear their religious attire in what way in order to comply with the requirements for identification. You know, the creation of an I.D. So, this has to do with employers and what they require for the purpose of hiring or working or continuing employment at their… at their businesses."
"Okay. Thank you. I'll continue to listen to the debate. Thank you."
"Representative Skillicorn is recognized."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor indicates that she will yield."
"Very quick question. I was curious of how this law, or this Bill, will pertain to law enforcement. I believe there's some police departments around the state that have 10000051.docx 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 very specific grooming requirements. So, I want to see if that changes that or if law enforcement are exempt from this Bill."
"There are some exemptions to the Bill. An employer does not include any religious corporation, association, educational institution, society, or nonprofit nursing institution, conducted by and for those who rely upon treatment of prayer through spiritual means in accordance to… with the tenets of a recognized church or a religious denomination with respect to the employment of individuals or a particular religion to perform work that's connected to… with the carrying on by such corporation, association, educational institution, society or nonprofit nursing institution of its activities. I don’t think that law enforcement is exempt, but there may be policies that supersede the legislation."
"Okay. Thank you. So, it sounds like law enforcement is… may not be exempt from this. Thank you so much."
"Representative Mah to close."
"This is something that is simply a clarification of existing law. And I ask for your 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1697 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On a count of 93 voting 'yes', 18 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present', Senate Bill 1697, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Demmer, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10000051.docx 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representative Unes is excused for the remainder of the day."
"Thank you, Representative. Senate Bill 1790, Representative Wallace. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1790, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Wallace."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill arised from an incident in which a young man in my district was unable to receive his medication; he was diabetic. And this simply allows for pharmacists to be able to dispense an emergency dosage of prescribed medication not to exceed a dosage for 30 days."
"Seeing no debate, the question is 'Shall Senate Bill 1790 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On a count of 112 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present', Senate Bill 1790, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 1846, Representative Davis. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1846, a Bill for an Act concerning asthma. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Davis."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 1846 amends the School Code to include the collection of data about asthma. Currently, data is collected pertaining to obesity 10000051.docx 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017 and Senate Bill 1846 will require the Illinois Health Statistics Act to mandate the Department of Public Health to collect and maintain health data relative to asthma. Presently, again, under the same Act data is collected regarding obesity and disability but not asthma and we seek to add that."
"Chair recognizes Representative Andersson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor will yield."
"So, we're adding to the list of items that are part of the standard health exam that the kids have to go through at various stages, asthma as part of that. Is that correct?"
"Yes. The form already required… well, according to this… Let me just read a little further."
"Sure."
"It’s not making any additions to the Child… Certificate of Child Health Examination form. The form already requires physicians to report asthma. This Bill merely requires using the existing asthma information from the form. The Department of Public Health is given the ability to promulgate rules associated with collection of this information during the physical exams that are required by students. So, we're not adding it. It's already collected. And we're…"
"We're collecting it. We're just not processing it, if you will?"
"More or less not processing and this will ask the Department of Public Health to process that currently collected data."
"Thank you very much." 10000051.docx 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Thank you."
"Representative Ives is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor indicates that he will yield."
"I guess, I'm just a little bit more confused as well because our analysis says that you believe that testing for asthma in standard school health exams will aid in catching asthma. So, does… is this just a collection of information or is it… is there an additional test that now has to be done during the school physical for asthma, specifically?"
"Representative, as I just read for the previous questioner, the form already requires physicians to report asthma. So, the data is already being collected on the examination form. This just asks the Department of Public Health to start now processing that data relative to asthma in the same way that it process data currently collected for obesity."
"Okay. So, if a student actually has… has already been indicated for asthma and they check that off on the form and the doctors… the same doctor and they know it, then we're going to get that data and we're going to understand it about the child?"
"I think the idea is to now for the state to collect, use that data. At least, create maybe statistical analysis of the number of students that have asthma versus those that do not asthma… have asthma and maybe offer us an opportunity as a General Assembly to then do things relative to asthma in the same way in which we've done relative to other things particularly that involve children." 10000051.docx 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"Okay. So, I've been through a number of these school physicals. It's not like they're going to do a physical test on them for asthma. It's just if they'd otherwise been indicated, they check the form and we're collecting that data?"
"I believe so. Again, I think…"
"Okay. Thank you."
"Representative Davis to close."
"Thank you very, Mr. Speaker. Appreciate the questions. Ask for a 'yes' vote."
"The question is 'Shall Senate Bill 1846 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On a count of 111 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present', Senate Bill 1846, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 318, offered by Representative Butler. House Resolution 419, offered by Representative Swanson. House Resolution 420 and 421, offered by Representative Wallace."
"Leader Currie moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All in favor vote 'aye'… say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Clerk, committee announcements." 10000051.docx 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 5/22/2017
"One committee scheduled for tomorrow morning has been canceled. The Police & First Responders Committee scheduled for 11 a.m. tomorrow has been canceled."
"And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Currie moves that the House adjourn until Tuesday, May 23 at 1:30 p.m.; Tuesday, May 23, 1:30 p.m. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House is adjourned."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and First Reading of Resolutions. House Resolution 418, offered by Representative Ford, is referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 4051, offered by Representative Ford, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. First Reading of this House Bill. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10000051.docx 35