"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Lee Crawford, the Pastor of the Cathedral of Praise Christian Center in Springfield. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones and pagers, and rise for the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation. Pastor Crawford."
"Let us pray. Gracious and sovereign God, in whom we humbly bless and trust, we find great faith and confidence in you because in you there is no failure. We ask your blessings upon this august Assembly, the Speaker of this House, its Leaders, Members, and all of its staff. We thank you for being before us, oh God, all that we need. Help us to remember in this sacred moment that what we need is you. For you, oh God, are our creator, our maker, our sustainer, and our keeper. For you, oh God, are our light, our guide, our fortress, and our protection. For you, oh God, are our wisdom, our strength, and our power. We ask for the steadiness of your guiding hand to lead us through the tedious and sometimes complicated deliberations. May they approach their task with wisdom and openness. May they approach each other with respect and understanding. May they create an environment of cooperation and kindness. May they embrace and usher in an atmosphere of progress and accomplishments. This we humbly pray and humbly ask these things in your precious son's name, Amen."
"We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Mah." 10200036.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021
"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 Manley is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Costa Howard is excused today."
"The record shall so reflect. Leader Batinick is recognized for any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle today."
"Thank… thank you, Mr. Speaker. On this May 18, National Dinosaur Day, I'm happy to report there are no Republicans absent. We're all ready for work."
"Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 117 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Harris, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on May 18, 2021: recommends be adopted, referred to the floor is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 340, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 2007, Floor Amendment(s) 3 Senate Bill 2290, and Floor Amendment(s) 1 Senate Bill 2265."
"Members, an announcement. This is a reminder of House Rule 51.5. Please remember to wear a face covering that covers the nose and mouth, except when necessary for eating or drinking. This includes when speaking on the microphone at your desk and prior to Session. Again, please remember to 10200036.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021 wear a face covering, including while speaking on the microphone, as pursuant to House Rule 51.5. Thank you. And, Representative Ramirez, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Speaker, point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"I ask that Representative Friess… and I saw someone else without a mask. Representative Wilhour, are you wearing a mask? I ask that all the Members comply with House Rule 51.5 and wear their mask while in the House chamber. Thank you."
"Thank you, Members. Representative Ford, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On a lighter note, I would ask for a order… point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"The guy on the other side, my friend, said today is National Dinosaur Day. I was hoping that he could give us the sound of a dinosaur since there's none here to tell us… you know, so let's celebrate dinosaurs with a sound. Please… we await your sound."
"And as luck has it, Representative Batinick, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"You guys plan out every little detail, don't you, Mr. Speaker? Point of personal privilege. I can't make a dinosaur sound through the mask. So, you're out of luck. I… point of personal privilege, please."
"Please state your point." 10200036.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021
"In all seriousness, I want to offer a couple of things to the Pritzker Administration. As many of you know, some of you might not have been here at the time, but we had some conversations early on in the pandemic about the use of masks. And I thought that it was important for us, as leaders in this state, to kind of follow the rules that we're putting in place. And it was a bad form when, throughout the country, you saw instances of politicians not following their own rules. And we followed the science, and I think we did a good job regarding the mask usage. And the CDC came out Thursday with some new relaxed guidelines, and the Pritzker administration came out with those guidelines, and I thank him for those. And I think it's important for us, in this Body, to actually, in the last couple of weeks, maybe set an example for the state. It's time to open. It's time for people to go to work. It's time for us to get out with our friends. It's time to help our mental health. The CDC guidelines are pretty clear. If you're vaccinated, you don't need a mask inside. And I would urge this Body to take up that thought. Thank you."
"Representative Miller, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"Thank you very much. In Zechariah 2:8, it says whoever touches Israel, touches the apple of God's eye. Today I rise in support of the Nation of Israel, America's greatest ally in the Middle East. Side by side, the American and Israeli people have stood for freedom and democracy in the face of 10200036.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021 authoritarian aggression. The people of Illinois, as well as my family, will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel against violent extremists. We send our support and our prayers to these innocent families that have suffered. I strongly condemn the attacks by Hamas, the terrorist, and urge our State and Federal Government to support our great ally Israel. Thank you very much."
"Representative Lewis, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Speaker."
"Please state your point."
"So, we'll go on the lighter note here, and I promised my son I would do this. Being a newly elected Rep, 20 years ago today, my wife and I celebrated the birth of our son, Seth Maxwell. So, if I may share a happy birthday, Max, from the House Floor. Greatly appreciate it. Thank you."
"And a happy birthday from the whole House. Representative Manley, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please state your point."
"So, I agree with Leader Batinick. And we should start easing our way back into the lives that we miss so much. But I think it's important to remember that, number one, we are closer than six feet apart in here, in most cases. When we talk to each other through the mask, we have to get closer and that puts us in jeopardy. And… COVID's not gone in my district. I don't know how many parents are in this Body or have grandchildren, but there is a 16-month-old toddler that 10200036.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021 has COVID. And now the day care is shut down. First responder, good friend of mine, fully vaccinated, has COVID. So, it's not gone. And nobody likes wearing these masks, least of all me, but it does coordinate with my outfit nicely, you would agree? Thank you. But… and it is problematic. I wear glasses. I walk around with… you know, barely able to see most of the time 'cause of the fog. But the truth is, our lives depend on these small little sacrifices. We're almost there. We're in the homestretch. You know, I'm not a scientist, but I believe in science. And we've adapted as the data's been collected and new things are presented to us. Things are proven or disproven. I'd like to go back to my district, if you don't mind, without COVID. I'm doing everything I can. We have people in my family that have pretty serious health conditions. And I have a 23-month-old grandson that I love more than life. So, I would like to go home and have everybody around me be healthy. And I would appreciate your compliance with the House Rule. You know, I'm a say I'm sorry instead of asking for permission kind of person. But when it's life and death, I think we need to follow the rules. I thank the Speaker for keeping the mask compliance rule here in the House. And I hope everybody will follow the rules. Thank you."
"Representative McLaughlin, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise as a point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"And I hope you can all join me. And I'm asking the Members to join me in addressing a current crisis facing 10200036.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021 Illinois businesses. We're talking about masks, but as we emerge from COVID-19 ordered shutdowns and face a new unexpected challenge of finding a workforce to fill the jobs necessary to assist our local businesses in reopening. I have, like most of you, a lot of main street communities in my district with small business owners who are trying to reopen fully. They've struggled and saved. And, unfortunately, many will not open again. But for those that have, we need to support them now. My district has manufacturing companies, restaurants, retailers that are all having a similar problem. What's that problem? They've got great jobs available at living wages and limited to no applicants. Why? Could it be that we've created a disincentive to work for many in Illinois? We need to address the continuing benefit payments that are keeping our Illinois workforce away from these great jobs and that are also making businesses and, more importantly, investors in those businesses wary of committing capital in Illinois. Representative Lewis and I had a great conversation last week regarding a retail food company in our area. Four hundred jobs available, paying well above the current enhanced unemployment benefit, estimated to be around $19 an hour. They can't find enough workers for those openings. Representative Lewis is going to be holding a job fair this summer, and it's a great opportunity for those that want to work to get a phenomenal living wage at a growing business. I, myself, like many of you, have worked in Illinois since I was 12 years old as a laborer for Fultus Construction. And then I was a concrete worker. Not for the Ozinga Company, I'd probably be retired by now if I did. But worked as a 10200036.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021 roofer in construction jobs, and I learned the benefit of work. Self-confidence, dignity, pride of taking home a paycheck, providing for yourself, your family. Bought my first 10-speed. I bought my first Gremlin, a phenomenal 1972 vehicle. And paid for college. I also learned that, as an employer who's had to make payroll in the state, there's no greater satisfaction, and I can stand here and say this, that when you build a business with skilled, competent workers, they become family and you grow a business and you succeed together. And that is the American Dream and that's what needs to be occurring today in Illinois. A benefit check can never replace the life lessons gained from working with others. Bosses, business owners, skilled coworkers, mentors. Being brought into the trades, my friends on the other side of the aisle, and businesses as apprentices, is how we grow the middle class today in Illinois. I know this personally because it's my story, and I'm certain many of yours. We all know that many business owners, farmers, are fiercely independent. They take risks to earn for their family. And they're only asking one thing, for the government to stay out of their way and stop competing with them for their workers. In Illinois, we need to help these job creators. The Governor and this Body needs to emphasize that prioritizing work over supplements or subsidies needs to occur now. We need to demand that the recipients of continuing benefits must seek employment. There are over 120 thousand jobs available, currently, in Illinois. Many with living wages, benefits, and great opportunities. Enhancing the continued benefit payments are incentivizing those individuals to stay home. So, I ask 10200036.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021 you to join me to end the Illinois participation in the federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit program in June rather than waiting 'til September. Many business owners will not wait that long and many will move businesses out of Illinois. We need to resend the Executive Order that waives the requirement that a person must be able and available and actively seeking employment to qualify for these benefits. Please join me. We can be the part of the solution to this problem. We're here to work together to solve this building crisis. Let's start competing regionally, nationally. This is where our once great state needs to be again, and we can do this together. And I thank you."
"Representative Davidsmeyer, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"I bring some very positive news. My secretary over in the Stratton Building, Jennifer Anderson, just… her daughter just had a little baby girl, 9 pounds, 5 ounces, Stella Jean. I hope that everyone can give a great round of applause for this healthy… healthy new Illinoisan."
"Representative Meyers-Martin, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I… a matter of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"Thank you. Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting a constituent in my town that I'm happy to say this Body 10200036.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021 recognized in our Resolution 288, to honor his 105th birthday. So, I was very happy to meet him yesterday. Mr. Edward L. Wilson. He was born in Hammond, Louisiana on January 13… I mean, January 30, 1916. He moved to Chicago at the age of five. He graduated from Tilden High School in 1934. And he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 1941, making him the oldest living Alpha Phi Alpha member in this country. He earned a degree in Industrial Arts from Western Virginia State University in 1943. He married Odessa Polk. And he relocated to San Bernardino, California, where he worked for the U.S. Army Corps. It was at that time that he worked and had operations with NASA. And he was speeding… this is his favorite story. He was speeding to bring supplies to astronauts, who were waiting to get that supply before they could… before they could launch. He was stopped by the police who said, why are you speeding so fast? And he was saying, the astronauts are waiting for me so that they can take off. That's his favorite story. He is the father of Robert, Bruce, and Paula, the grandfather of 9, the great-grandfather of 13, and the great-great-grandfather of 4. So, I'm happy to say that this Body did recognize him. But I also want to say that, in meeting him, you realize this is why we work here in this chamber, for our constituents who count on us to speak for them, to represent them. And I am just so proud and happy to have Mr. Wilson, who lives in my district, Country Club Hills. So, thank you, Mr. Chair."
"Representative Bennett, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10200036.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please state your points."
"Thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, we've had a lot of important discussion around law enforcement the last several months, really. But I really need to do a special shout out to Illinois State Police Trooper Joe Dattoli. You may not know him, but I met him last night, on 72, on the way here about 7:30 last night. The State Trooper… hold on, it's not what you're thinking. You may recall, it was about 7:30, 8:00 at night. It was dark. It was raining cats and dogs. As I'm driving down the road, my right front tire hit something. I still don't know what it is, but I got a gash in the right front tire, and I had to go off the side of the road. So, there I am, somewhere around Decatur on 72, dark, pouring down rain, wondering what is going on. And then, the State Trooper in his car, with the lights flashing, pulls up behind me. It felt very comforting to know that he was there. And now, I've got Trooper… State Trooper Joe Dattoli… he looked at my car. We got out, talked for a minute. He saw the tire, and he goes, you got… you got troubles here. I said, yes, sir, I do. So, he got the equipment out to change my tire from his car. He had the equipment in his car to fix my tire. He goes, we do this quite a bit. We do this quite a bit. He goes, one of the best things I love about my job, he says, is that we help people. We help people. That's pretty impressive. At 7:30, 8:30 at night, rain coming down, I held the umbrella, and he did a lot of the hard work. I used to be able to do that, but I couldn't. But I just want to do a shout out to 10200036.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021 him. He did turn the lights off once we got going. Just saying. But I really do need to take a moment and thank him for his efforts. He didn't have to do what he did. He could've drove on by, but he stopped, and he made sure that we got the tire fixed, and we got going again. So, if I may, if we could do a round of applause for State Trooper Joe Dattoli, please. Thank you."
"Representative Croke, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please, state your point."
"Thank you, Speaker. I just wanted to do a quick shout out for a small business in my community that opened during COVID called Empanada Mama & The Pie Man. They're located at 2933 North Broadway, and their empanadas are in the annex. So, I know a lot of people already grabbed some, but there should be a few left, and I hope that you enjoy them."
"Leader Ammons for an announcement."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The House Democratic Caucus will meet immediately at adjournment."
"Leader Batinick for the Republicans."
"Yeah, I'm guessing we're doing the same thing here. Thank you."
"Thank you. Mr. Clerk, committee announcements."
"The following committee is meeting at 2:00. Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges is meeting in Virtual Room 3 at 2:00. Meeting at 3:00 is Consumer Protection in Virtual Room 3 and Judiciary - Criminal in Virtual Room 2." 10200036.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 5/18/2021
"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 297, offered by Representative Davis. House Resolution 300, offered by Representative LaPointe. House Resolution 301, offered by Representative LaPointe. And House Resolution 302, offered by Representative Hoffman."
"Leader Manley 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 Resolutions… the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. And now, leaving perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Manley moves the House stand adjourned until Wednesday, May 19, 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 of Resolutions. House Resolution 296, offered by Representative Ford; House Resolution 298, offered by Representative Meier; and House Resolution 299, offered by Representative LaPointe, are referred to the Rules Committee. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10200036.docx 13