Illinois House Floor Debate — March 3, 2020

"The House will come to order, Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Pastor Michael Fogerson who is with the First Baptist Church and Chaplin at Chester Mental Health Center in Chester, Illinois. He is the guest of Representative Reitz. 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. Pastor Fogerson."

Speaker Hoffman: "We shall be led in the Pledge today by Representative Deluca."

"Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Harris is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side. Leader Harris."

"Mr. Speaker, let the record reflect that Representative Turner is excused today."

"And Representative Spain, Leader Spain, is recognized to report and excused absences on the Republican side. Leader Spain."

"Thank you, Leader. Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. There being 107 being present, we have a quorum. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."

"Representative Gong-Gershowitz, for what reason do you rise? Representative Gong-Gershowitz."

"Point of personal privilege."

"State your point."

"I just wanted to take a moment to introduce two of my constituents who are here with us today. A long time Glenview resident, and also the parents of one of our favorite staffers, James Hartman, if I could please get a warm Springfield welcome for Mary Beth and Amanda Hartman?"

"Representative Swanson, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10100088.docx 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 88th Legislative Day 3/3/2020

"Please state your point."

"Welcome to Springfield. Representative Bailey."

"Please state your point."

Speaker Hoffman: "Welcome to Springfield. Congratulations. Representative Hammond, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point."

Speaker Hoffman: "Thank you. Mr. Clerk, please read House Resolution 709, offered by Representative Stuart."

"Representative Stuart is recognized on the Resolution."

"Thank you, Chairperson Hoffman. If you could direct your attention to the Speaker's gallery, I have some amazing athletes here from Lincoln Middle School in Edwardsville, Illinois. Which, I'm a little bit biased, I think is one of the two top middle schools in the entire state. They recently won, they ranked first out of 19 schools in the large team routine, and won first in the IESA State Championship. But I have to brag a little bit. We have a rival middle school across town, Liberty Middle School, who actually came in second place in this same competition. So, the Edwardsville cheerleaders just dominated. I look forward to seeing many more from these talented young women. If I could just take a minute and name them off? We have Annie Bozarth, Maggie Bowser, Lexi Brannen, Maddie Bull, Tess Deweese, Georgia Gaughan, Emeree Giles, Abbie Hendricks, Maddie Hubbard, Jaliegha Jackson, Charli Jones, Sophia Lynch, Ashlinn Maguire, Ava Mayes, Cami Reaka, Brenna Reuhl, Josie Rutledge, Bella Summers, Maren Wagenblast, Alyssa Wittkamp, and Maddy Ziobro. And, I’d also like to recognize the feat was accomplished with two first year coaches, Erin Meyer and Kylie Hendricks. So, I want to wish a congratulations, and their parents are also up in the gallery to enjoy this day with them. Thank you and good job."

"Congratulations. It is my understanding this Resolution was adopted on a previous day. Thank you, Members, and congratulations again. Members, we'll move to page 3 of 10100088.docx 5  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 88th Legislative Day 3/3/2020 the Calendar, on the Order of Second Readings. House Bill 3878, Representative Costa Howard. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On page 3 of the Calendar, House Bill 3892, Representative Ford. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 3836, Representative Ford. House Bill 3836. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On Second Reading, House Bill 3914, Representative Costa Howard. Out of the record. House Bill 3928, Representative Mason. Out of the record. On page 3 of the Calendar, House Bill 3935, Representative Kifowit. Out of the record. House Bill 3959, Representative Scherer. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading, Representative Kifowit on House Bill 3961. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Kifowit."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move to adopt House Floor Amendment #1. This Bill just pertains to the ailments task force that we passed last year. The appointments were not filed primarily from IDVA. IDVA is now ready to make appointments, and we had to adjust the effective date to meet before June 1, 2020, and have the report ready by the end of the year."

"Representative Kifowit moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 3961. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Any Further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. House Bill 3999, Representative McDermed. Representative Margo McDermed. Out of the record. Representative Halpin on House Bill 4056. Representative Halpin. Out of the record. House Bill 4103, please read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 4122, Representative Demmer. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 4246, please read the Bill."

"Third Reading. On page 4 of the Calendar, House Bill 4247, Representative Gabel. Representative Gabel. Out of the record. House Bill 4293, Representative Guzzardi. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 4306, Representative Sonya Harper. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On page 4 of the Calendar, House Bill 4309, Representative Evans. Please read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 4403, Representative Ford. Out of the record. To page 5 of the Calendar, House Bill 4508. Please read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 4510, Representative Scherer. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On page 5 of the Calendar, House Bill 4516, Representative Gong-Gershowitz. Please read the Bill."

"Please remain on Second Reading. House Bill 4611, Representative Morgan. Out of the record. House Bill 4625, Representative Stuart. Representative Stuart. Out of the record. Representative Ann Williams, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege please."

"Please state your point."

"Today begins the first in a series of vignettes about groundbreaking and inspiring women as part of Women’s History Month." 10100088.docx 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 88th Legislative Day 3/3/2020

"Please proceed."

"I begin with former Illinois Senator, Penny Lee Severns. Energetic. Charismatic. A person of great integrity. A rising star. These are a just a few words I’ve heard used to describe Penny Severns, who was an Illinois State Senator from Decatur, Illinois, from 1986 until her tragic death from breast cancer at the young age of 46. Even as a child, Penny exhibited leadership qualities. Her brother, Rod, told me the story, just this morning, of how as young girl, around 10 or 11 years old, she won a national competition for selling the magazine subscriptions. The prize was $100, a huge amount of money for a kid of 10 years old. But in typical Penny fashion, she shared it with her brother and sisters, dividing it equally among her siblings. Penny’s start in politics came at a young age, when at 20 years old, she was elected as an alternate delegate at the 1972 Democratic National Convention, at the time the youngest delegate ever elected. Her rise in the Illinois political arena was swift and decisive over the next several years until she won her Senate seat. After working at in DC for a while, she returned home to Decatur where she soon found her true calling, running and winning a seat… taking out… oh, I'm sorry… taking a seat on the Decatur City Council in 1983, receiving the most votes for a city council seat. A champion of working families. A natural. The real deal. Penny was a populist, and she was considered a progressive long before the term was really used, but she was beloved by the mostly blue collar, working class community of Decatur. A political force to be reckoned with, she ran for the Senate seat in 1984 and beat an incumbent 10100088.docx 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 88th Legislative Day 3/3/2020 handily. She had an uncanny ability to remember faces and names. People took note of that. She truly cared and put her constituents first, always. Penny met people where they were, she always had time to talk and moreover, to listen. Their problems were her problems, and regardless of whether she was at the bank, the grocery store, mowing her lawn, or even rushing to the airport to catch a flight, she took time stop, talk, and to listen. She was truly a woman of the people. When one of her political opponents hosted an ostentatious $50-a-plate fundraising dinner in Decatur, she responded by hosting a 50-cent chicken dinner with chip and sandwiches. But her supporters loved it, because they loved her. Tough. Driven. Outspoken. Sometimes controversial. While serving in the Senate, Penny continued to make history. She held the position of Minority Caucus Whip and was the first women to serve as a Chief Budget Negotiator in the Senate. She was incredibly well respected by colleagues, always sharing articles of interest and could be found working in her office in the early in the morning hours long before the Senate convened for Session. She sat in the row of seats in the Senate known as 'liberal row' with other Senators of similar political leanings, such as Barack Obama. He later referred to her as one of his mentors. Determined. A fighter. A fierce competitor. In 1994, Penny marked another first, she was the party’s nominee for Lt. Governor, which was the first and only time there were two women at the top of the ticket in Illinois, Penny Severns and Dawn Clark-Netsch. Her next move, to run for Secretary of State, was abruptly curtailed when her cancer returned with a vengeance. She passed away far too 10100088.docx 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 88th Legislative Day 3/3/2020 soon in 1998. Though I never knew Penny, this is not the first time I have mentioned her name on the House floor. The first was to tell a love story, during the marriage equality debate, about a great but hidden love between Penny and her then partner and my dear friend, Terry Mutchler. In fact, Terry wrote a book was written about their story, called Under This Beautiful Dome. It’s a story about love, and about politics, and about healing. A story that has become part of the rich tapestry of this amazing woman’s life. Penny’s legacy of service is memorialized in so many ways today. An award has been established in her name. The Breast, Cervical, and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund has been named after her. As many of you know, and have driven along it, a stretch of Highway 72 between Springfield and Decatur has been renamed the Penny Severns Memorial Highway. After Penny died, her brother, who is a firefighter in Decatur, was stopped in a grocery store wearing a jacket bearing their last name. A woman came up to him and said, are you related to Penny Severns? He said yes, and she told the story of how years prior, she was at the pharmacy to pick up a much needed prescription, and she didn’t enough money. Penny reached into her purse, and gave her the money she needed for the prescription. Penny never told this story, but that, my friends, is a legacy. Stories like this were not uncommon. One of a kind. A loyal friend. One of the loveliest people that ever walked in shoe leather. When I drive along the Penny Severns Memorial Highway, I can’t help but think of what Penny might have accomplished if she wasn’t taken from us so soon. Would she have been the first women to be Governor? Would she 10100088.docx 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 88th Legislative Day 3/3/2020 have taken a prominent spot in the national spotlight? What other great work would she have done? Her trajectory was steep, I can only imagine what other firsts, she would have achieved had she lived longer. Penny has been described as one of a kind. Her life was short, but packed with a commitment to service and a passion for life that we can only hope to achieve. She is an example for all of us as to what it means to truly serve. Thank you."

"Representative Scherer, for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to add on to what Representative Williams had just said. I'll keep my comments quick. I did know Penny Severns personally, as she was the former Senator from my district. And she is everything that Representative Williams said and more. I will never forget the times that my class, when I was teaching, came over to the Capitol and she would… I have so many pictures of my class with her. And there was just something that struck me about her. Because every time we would do the pictures, either by the grand stairwell, or sometimes she'd say, let's go outside, that's an even better picture, and we'd go out to the North stairs. Her staff person would always say, Senator, you've got to go, you've got to go, you've got Committee, you've got to go. And every year, it would be the same story, no, these kids are more important that any committee, and I'll stay with these kids however long until all their questions are answered. I had never even dreamt of doing this job at that point, but that stuck with me and I would never forget that, and I have always remembered that when I have visitors. I am 10100088.docx 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 88th Legislative Day 3/3/2020 always reminded of what she said to our class, no, I have time for you. I thought these are kids, they're not old enough to vote for her, but she had time for us. She was the first woman from my community to do anything of any significance really, and so it is a great honor to follow in her footsteps. And it's also a very high bar for me to try to reach up to even anywhere close to what she did. It is such an honor, and I never forget those days of pictures with her, and I will bring them and share with people as soon as I can dig them out of my tub at home. Thank you."

"Representative Pappas, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."

"Please state your point."

"Ladies and Gentleman, yesterday was the first Monday in March, which in Illinois is the day we celebrate and honor General Casimir Pulaski. Pulaski was born in Poland, and first distinguish himself there while battling against Russian invaders. The subsequently traveled to Paris, where he met Benjamin Franklin, and learned about the American colonies struggle for independence. From Paris, he traveled to Pennsylvania, and joined the Revolutionary War effort. At the battle of Brandywine, he led an attack against British forces that helped cover the American Army retreat. Subsequently, George Washington made him a General and first leader of the American Cavalry. Pulaski's leadership was instrumental in keeping Charleston out of British hands, and he died after being wounded as he led the cavalry charge during the siege of Savannah. Pulaski's most famous quote comes from a letter 10100088.docx 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 88th Legislative Day 3/3/2020 he wrote to George Washington, in which he said, 'I came here where freedom is being defended, to serve it and to live or die for it.' As we now know, he did die defending our freedom. But in celebrating Pulaski Day, we are not only celebrating his heroism in fighting for our values of freedom and independence. In addition to being a hero, Pulaski is also a symbol of the spirit of friendship and cooperation between the Polish and American people that dates back all the way to the birth of the United States and continues to this day. Polish American cooperation is great, even today, and Poland is one of our closest military allies in the European Union. Since the arrival of General Pulaski in American shores, the United States has welcomed immigrants from Poland. And we, in turn, contributed to the success of the United States. So, Pulaski Day is a celebration of all the Polish Americans, who live in Illinois and in the United States and the continuation of our friendship. By celebrating Pulaski Day, we're celebrating the many contributions of Polish Americans to Illinois. And, I hope that you will join me in the celebration not just on Pulaski Day, but also by joining our new Polish American Legislative Caucus, which is open to all Members who represent any constituent with Polish Ethnic background, and want to recognize the historical, cultural, and economic contributions of these constituents. Thanks."

"Representative Buckner, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please state your point." 10100088.docx 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 88th Legislative Day 3/3/2020

"Mr. Speaker, yesterday Charles Freeman, the former Chief Justice…"

"Members. Members. Members."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"Please proceed."

"Yesterday, Charles Freeman, the former Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, made his transition. Today, I would like to rise to honor his life, his legacy, and his career. He was the first African American to be elected Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. This was the pinnacle of his long and storied career here in Illinois. But throughout his career, Justice Freeman created a legacy that will live forever. He was committed to making sure that the state judicial system was accountable and accessible to all Illinoisans, but particularly those who needed it the most. Chief Justice Freeman believed in justice, absolute justice, which is why he showed particular interest in administrative reform and prosecutorial misconduct cases. Chief Justice Freeman was a trail blazer, a pillar, and a complete gentleman. His incredible understanding and application of the law, and his tedious preparation for oral arguments and judicial conferences were examples of his lifelong commitment to being the best jurist that he could and a lifelong student of the law. His integrity, his fidelity, his objective approach, and his ability to be impartial are all things that all of us who hold the honor and responsibilities of being Members of the Bar should strive to mirror. Chief Justice Freeman was a first-class intellect with a first-class temperament. Today, we mourn his death and honor his legacy 10100088.docx 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 88th Legislative Day 3/3/2020 as a champion and a trail blazer and a shining light. Mr. Speaker, I know there may be more folks who want to speak on this topic, but I ask that once everyone says something that is germane, that we have a moment of silence for Chief Justice Freeman. Thank you."

"The Body shall have a moment of silence. Thank you. Representative Flowers."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to ditto the remarks of the previous speakers in regards to Penny Severns, Senator Penny Severns, as well as Chief Justice Freeman. I had the pleasure of serving with Senator Severns and I had the pleasure of being a young volunteer worker for then Harold Washington and attorney Freeman, on 63rd and Halsted, is where the office was. So again, I just want to ditto the remarks and say that when I look back over my life, I could truly say that I've walked with some great people, and it's been my pleasure. Thank you."

"Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Committee announcements."

"Leader Spain, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"The House Democrats will not caucus, will not caucus. Mr. Clerk."

"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."

"Leader Harris moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. The Agreed Resolutions are adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Harris moves that the House stand adjourned until Wednesday, March 4, at the hour of noon. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned."