"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Wayne Padget, the Assistant Doorkeeper. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance."
"Let us pray. God of power and might, wisdom and justice, through you authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgement is decreed. Assist with your spirit of council and fortitude, the Speaker of this House and all its elected officials. May they always seek the ways of righteousness, justice, and mercy. Grant that they may be enabled by your powerful protection to lead our state with honesty and integrity. This we ask in your son's name, Amen."
"We will be led in the pledge of allegiance today by Representative Halpin."
"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. Representative Harris is recognized for any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representatives Ammons, Gabel, and D'Amico are excused today."
"Thank you. Representative Butler is recognized for any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle." 10100021.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please let the Journal reflect that Representatives Grant, Skillicorn, and Unes are excused today."
"Thank you. Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 110 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
Clerk Hollman: "Committee Reports. Representative Jones, Chairperson from the Committee on Insurance reports the following action taken on February 26, 2019: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill… correction, House Bill 1639, House Bill 2173. Representative Moylan, Chairperson from the Committee on Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges reports the following actions taken February 26, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 2182. Representative DeLuca, Chairperson from the Committee on Cities and Villages reports the following action taken on February 26, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 2073, House Bill 2081, House Bill 2103, House Bill 2129, House Bill 2141. Representative Slaughter, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary – Criminal reports the following action taken on February 26, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 1583, House Bill 1613, House Bill 1656. Representative Kifowit, Chairperson from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs reports the following action taken on February 26, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 2293; recommends to be adopted is House Joint Resolution 15, House Resolution 60. Representative Hurley, Chairperson from the Committee on Human Services reports the following action on February 27, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House 10100021.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019 Bill 178, House Bill 2222. Representative Thapedi, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary – Civil reports the following action taken February 27, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 1471. Representative Welch, Chairperson from the Committee on the Executive reports the following action taken on February 27, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 2189… correction, House Bill 2089. Representative Mussman, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary Secondary Education: School Curriculums & Policies reports the following action taken on February 27, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 1559, House Bill 2177. Representative Scherer, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools reports the following action taken on February 27, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 190, House Bill 2100. Representative Evans, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor & Commerce reports the following action taken on February 27, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 253. Representative Kifowit, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration reports the following action taken on February 27, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 837, House Bill 2074, House Bill 2086, House Bill 2124, House Bill 2238, House Bill 2252, House Bill 2266; recommends be adopted is House Joint Resolution 16. Representative Harper, Chairperson from the Committee on Economic Opportunity & Equity reports the following action on February 27, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 1554; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 905; recommends be adopted is House Resolution 56. Representative Cassidy, Chairperson from the Committee on 10100021.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019 Appropriations – Public Safety reports the following action taken February 27, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 2028. Representative Andrade, Chairperson from the Committee on Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, & IT reports the following action taken on February 28, 2019: recommends be adopted is House Joint Resolution 1. Representative Martwick, Chairperson from the Committee on Personnel & Pensions reports the following action taken on February 28, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 303, House Bill 2029, House Bill 2071. Representative Conroy, Chairperson from the Committee on Mental Health reports the following committee action taken February 28, 2019: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 2152. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 153, offered by Representative Durkin, House Resolution 154, offered by Representative Ford, and House Joint Resolution 43, offered by Representative Scherer, are referred to the Rules Committee."
"Representative Smith, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on this last day of February, also known as payday. I thought that might get your attention. But also the final day of Black History Month. So today I'd like to honor someone who not only was a historical figure in black history, but someone who lived in my community and lives in my district. And that would be poet Gwendolyn Brooks. She was born in Topeka, Kansas on June 7, 1917. She moved to Chicago at a young age. She began writing and publishing as a teenager, eventually achieving national fame for her 1945 collection, A Street in Bronzeville. In 1950, 10100021.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019 Brooks became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for her book, Annie Allen. She began writing at an early age, she published her first poem in children's magazines at age thirteen. By 16 she had published approximately 75 poems. She began submitting her work to The Chicago Defender. Her work included ballets, sonnets, and free verse, drawing on the musical rhythms and the content of inner city Chicago. She would later say of this time in her life, 'I felt I had to write. Even if I had never been published, I knew that I would go on writing, enjoying it and experiencing the challenge.' In the early 60s she embarked on a teaching career as an instructor of creative writing. She taught at Columbia College in Chicago, Chicago State University, my alma mater, Northeastern Illinois University, another one of our great public institutions, Columbia University, and the University of Wisconsin. In 1968, she was named Poet Laureate for the State of Illinois. In '85 she became the first black woman appointed as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. She married Henry Blakely in 1939, the couple had two children, Henry and Nova… I'm sorry, Nora. And she died of cancer December 3, 2000 at the age of 83 at her home on the south side of Chicago, where she was a resident until her death. She is now buried in Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Illinois. Blue is your District, Representative Rita. I'd like to, since we are closing this month out, I'd like to… read a short poem by Gwendolyn Brooks. It's called Truth. And if sun comes How shall we greet him? Shall we not dread him, 10100021.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019 Shall we not fear him After so lengthy a Session with shade? Though we have wept for him, Though we have prayed All through the night-years- What if we wake one shimmering morning to Hear the fierce hammering Of his firm knuckles Hard on the door? Shall we not shudder?- Shall we not flee Into the shelter, the dear thick shelter Of the familiar Propitious haze? Sweet is it, sweet is it To sleep in the coolness Of snug unawareness. The dark hangs heavily Over the eyes. Thank you for your time."
"Representative Wheeler, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"State your point." 10100021.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019
"Thank you. I'd like to let my fellow Members of the House know that we have guests up in the gallery on the Republican side. We have the seventh grade class from Holy Cross School in Batavia, students who live in North Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, and all over Kane County. And I'd like to also welcome my good friend, Fire Chief Lambert, who is with the class today. Let's give a big Springfield welcome. Thank you."
"Representative Bristow, for what reason do you rise?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"I'd like to introduce my very first Page. However, she has been paging for the last five years. Miley Mabe is 15 years-old and a freshman at Lanphier High School. She enjoys roller skating, shopping, and hanging out with her friends. Miley was one of four chosen to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C. this past May while there on her eighth grade trip after winning for an essay she had written about veterans. Miley's mom is my LA, Patty Mabe, and you might notice the resemblance. Welcome back, Miley."
"Representative Swanson, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"Thank you. With me today I'd like to introduce Lauren Russel. Lauryn Russell goes to Mercer County Junior High School. You might have recognized her around the halls here already today. She's in seventh grade and her activities in 10100021.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019 school include the choir. Lauryn plays the guitar in two bands at her local churches. She also helps teach young people how to play the guitar. She's a very talented young girl. Lauryn is an advocate for Lyme disease sufferers. You might recall last year, we passed legislation called the Lauryn Russell Lyme Disease Prevention and Protection Law. Well she's back again today. Lauren is involved with a stem program in her school through Loyola University. She's also involved in her community fundraising and awareness for Lyme disease which she has suffered for over five years. Lauryn has traveled throughout the State of Illinois speaking to many different groups about Lyme disease. She has a wonderful story to tell. She's here today as we are advocating to pass legislation to get insurance for Lyme people. Her parents are Jennifer and Adam Russell and Jennifer is with her here today up in the gallery. So let's give a warm welcome to Lauryn as she's here with us today."
"On page 6 of the Calendar, under Motions in Writing, appears Motions to Table House Bill 2067, House Bill 2183, House Bill 2201, House Bill 2326, House Bill 2742, House Bill 3023. With leave from the Body, we will consider those Motions in a single Motion. Is there leave? Leave is granted. The Sponsors have moved to table the House Bills. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Bills are tabled. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 152, offered by Representative Brady." 10100021.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019
"Leader Harris moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Harris moves that the House stand adjourned until Thursday, March 5… excuse me, Tuesday, March 5, at the hour of noon. Tuesday, March 5, at the hour of noon. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. A Member Statement by Representative McDermed on the bridge over I-80 over the Des Plains River."
"Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Illinois House, the 218… Ladies and Gentlemen of the Illinois House, the 2018 report card for Illinois infrastructure by the Illinois Society of Engineers gave Illinois over a C minus. The recent incident on Lake Shore Drive and the recent attention given to the I-80 bridge over the Des Plains River are just a few highlights of the many critical needs projects across the state. We must address these. Last year IDOT found the I-80 Bridge over the Des Plains River, the bridge that everyone in my district drives when they travel west, to be structurally intolerable and in critical condition. Since then nothing has been done. Nearly 42 thousand drivers use this bridge every day, compounding what was already significant deterioration. As our district grows and the freight that passes through it increases every day, the situation is only going to escalate and become more dangerous. 10100021.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019 IDOT says the bridge is safe to use, but a single bridge failure would be disastrous and would result in innocent people being hurt. IDOT knows what to do, but they can't act until we do, until the Illinois General Assembly acts. We need to act quickly before something unthinkable occurs just because the state can't handle one of its basic functions, the maintenance of roads and bridges. This is my number one priority for 2019. I will take my local concerns and complaints to IDOT directly, but here in Springfield we must work together to shore up our state's crumbling infrastructure. I urge this assembly to not only pass a capital Bill, but to prioritize districts and projects by need and not by politics. No one should be driving on roads and bridges that can be deemed structurally intolerable. Thank you."
"Introduction and First Reading of House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment #30, offered by Representative Skillicorn. Be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the State for adoption or rejection at the general election next occurring at least 6 months after the adoption of this resolution a proposition to amend Article IX of the Illinois Constitution by changing Section 4 as follows: ARTICLE IX REVENUE SECTION 4. REAL PROPERTY TAXATION 10100021.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019 (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, taxes upon real property shall be levied uniformly by valuation ascertained as the General Assembly shall provide by law. (b) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) and such limitations as the General Assembly may hereafter prescribe by law, counties with a population of more than 200,000 may classify or continue to classify real property for purposes of taxation. Any such classification shall be reasonable and assessments shall be uniform within each class. The level of assessment or rate of tax of the highest class in a county shall not exceed two and one-half times the level of assessment or rate of tax of the lowest class in that county. Real property used in farming in a county shall not be assessed at a higher level of assessment than single family residential real property in that county. (c) Any depreciation in the value of real estate occasioned by a public easement may be deducted in assessing such property. (d) The aggregate real property tax rate imposed on a particular property by a county or other taxing district shall not exceed one percent of the fair market value of that property, unless the voters of the taxing district approve an increase above the one percent rate by three-fifths of the registered voters in the taxing district. SCHEDULE This Constitutional Amendment takes effect upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act. This was the First Reading in Full of House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment #30. 10100021.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 2/28/2019 There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10100021.docx 12