"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, please refrain from starting laptops, turn off your cell phones, and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Padget."
"Let us pray. Dear heavenly Father, we ask today that you give those in authority wisdom in every decision and help them… help them to think clearly. Grant them discernment and common sense so they'll be strong and effective leaders. Help them to lead and govern with integrity and may their integrity guide them and keep them on track. Finally, Lord, we pray for your protection over our leaders. Protect their hearts and minds as well as their bodies so that no evil may befall them as they do their work. And bless them as well, for they carry a heavy burden on behalf of this great state. Heal our state, oh Lord, of hatred and evil that has been allowed to permeate our society and make whole so that we may truthfully say that we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. These things we ask in your son's name, Amen."
"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Meier."
"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 Ammons is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle." 10200031.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 5/7/2021
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. You look well. Please record excused absences as Representative Zalewski, Representative Mason, Representative Jones, Representative Ramirez, Representative Harris, Representative Guerrero-Cuellar, Representative Collins, Representative Walsh, and Representative Costa Howard."
"Leader Wheeler, would you like to report any excused absences on the Republican side?"
"Yes. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representatives Friess, Ozinga, Stephens, Morrison, Sosnowski, Brady, and Welter are excused today."
"Have all Members who recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 99 answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
Clerk Hollman: "Committee Reports. Representative Walker, Chairperson from the Committee on Financial Institutions reports the following committee action taken on May 6, 2021: do pass Consent Calendar is Senate Bill 1779. Representative Mah, Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Licenses reports the following committee action taken on May 6, 2021: do pass Consent Calendar is Senate Bill 1771, Senate Bill 1790; do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 109, Senate Bill 1730; recommends be adopted is House Resolution 175."
"Members, an announcement. Please remember House Rule 51.5. Please remember to wear a face mask when you're in the chamber at all times, not just when we we're gaveled in and doing business, except when necessary for eating or drinking. This includes speaking on the microphone. Again, 10200031.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 5/7/2021 remember, wear your face covering, including while speaking on the microphone, as pursuant to House Rule 51.5. Thanks. The Chair recognizes Representative Weber. What reason do you seek recognition?"
"A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"I'd like to bring to the Body's attention that it is May 2021. And Illinois Department of Employment Services offices remain closed. Unanswered calls, unanswered questions, and an unresponsive agency, it's unacceptable. We have a lot of confusion, appeals, and important questions that our residents… and better be handled in person. Some people just don't have Internet connections or the means to do services online. They've called in vain for months to get someone on the phone for help and have come up empty. Private businesses and other agencies offices, like the Secretary of State's Office, have been open for months. Throughout the pandemic, these offices have done their best to stay open, only closing during the worst of the pandemic and opening as soon as possible. Why haven't we seen that same effort from IDES? IDES offices have been closed for over a year. I don't understand why the agency isn't doing everything in their power to get back to serving the people of Illinois to its full capacity. This isn't a Republican or Democrat issue. It is an issue that has impacted thousands of Illinoisans. Ask for this Body and for IDES and the Governor to do more. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Keicher. For what reason do you seek recognition?" 10200031.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 5/7/2021
"Point of personal privilege, Madam Speaker."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. I rise today to give a hearty thank you to all the women in our lives that'll be celebrating Mother's Day this coming weekend. I know there are so many mothers over there, throughout this state, that aren't able to celebrate with their kids due to the circumstances that we're currently involved in. I know there are many mothers out there who are proud of each of the Members standing here in this chamber today for the work that they're doing on behalf of the people. And I know if any of you are like me, raised by a single mother who strove through her life to make sure her children did better, that we wouldn't be the people we are today if it weren't for these amazing women in our life. So, God bless you. And thank you to all the mothers in the State of Illinois. You have my undying love, compassion, and appreciation. Thank you."
Speaker Manley: "Thank you, Representative Keicher. Chair recognizes Leader Ammons for an announcement."
"Actually, not an announcement, Madam Speaker. If I could have a point."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I do follow Representative Keicher in his acknowledgement admiration for the women of our state, the mothers and the mothers-to-be. I thank my colleagues on the other side, all of the sisters who are going to celebrate with their families this weekend and wish them a very happy Mother's Day. And all of those in the State of Illinois to celebrate mothers and to honor anyone who played 10200031.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 5/7/2021 that role in your life as mother. Thank you so much to the Speaker. Thank you very much to the Members of this Body."
Speaker Manley: "Thank you, Leader. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 276, offered by Representative Mayfield. House Resolution 277, offered by Representative Buckner. House Resolution 278, offered by Representative Brady. And House Resolution 279, offered by Speaker Welch."
"Leader Ammons moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Clerk… I scared you, didn't I? Sorry about that. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Ammons moves that the House stand adjourned until Tuesday, May 11, at the hour of noon. All those in favor say 'aye'; 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. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 4076, offered by Representative Grant, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. First Reading of this House Bill. Introduction and First Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 680, offered by Representative Walsh, a Bill for an Act concerning business. First Reading of this Senate Bill. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10200031.docx 5