Clerk Hollman: "Committee Reports. Representative Harris, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on August 31, 2021: approved for consideration, referred to Second Reading is Senate Bill 2065; and also the Motions to recommend be adopted to accept Amendatory Vetoes for Senate Bills 539 and Senate Bill 967."
"Chair recognizes Leader Welter. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Madam Speaker, Representatives Sosnowski and Keicher are excused for the rest of the day."
"The record will reflect that. Mr. Clerk."
"A letter from Secretary of State Jesse White, dated August 31, 2021. To the Honorable Speaker of the House, in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, I am forwarding herewith, the enclosed House Bills from the 102nd General Assembly, as vetoed by the Governor together with his objections. House Bill 640… correction, 684, 1966, 3190. Respectfully signed, Jesse White, the Secretary of State."
"On Supplemental Calendar 2, under Total Veto Motions, is House Bill 684, offered by Representative Gabel. Representative Gabel is recognized."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to override the Governor's Veto on House Bill 684. On April 16, this Bill passed our chamber unanimously with 108 votes and 62 10200051.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 bipartisan cosponsors, including Speaker Welch and Leader Durkin. Thank you all for your support. I am asking you today to join me in overriding the veto of this Bill. I, as well as many of you, have personally worked to resolve the numerous issues facing our state's ambulance industry with respect to timely and proper payments by managed care organizations. On April 1 of this year, HFS moved 75 percent of ambulance transportation out of managed care, the emergency transportation, in order to maximize a federal match. With this change, ambulance providers are the only provider having to bill the state and managed care for the same patient, which is causing further confusion and more problems for ambulance providers getting proper payment from the MCOs. By carving out the remaining 25 percent of ambulance transportation, our men and women who are on the frontlines of the current COVID resurgence will have a pathway to get paid for the services they are providing. Please, I'm asking you. This was a good Bill in April. It's a good Bill now. So, please vote 'yes'."
"Chair recognizes Leader Batinick."
"Thank… thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"Representative, can I read the letter, the veto letter, from the Governor for you real quick?"
"Yes."
"I just want to get some responses and just… not the whole thing. Said he vetoed it. His administration, by the way, appreciates the hard work of the Sponsors of this legislation in the House and Senate. However, if enacted, 10200051.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 this legislation has a potential to disrupt care and reduce the quality of provided medical transportation services to some of the most vulnerable Illinoisans. Currently, when an enrollee in the medical assistance program needs nonemergency ambulance transportation, they can contact their MCO. And the MCO's transportation broker's contractually obligated to locate a ride in a timely fashion. If HB684 were enacted, a consumer will be forced to use the vendor contracted with… by the fee-for-services program. He goes on after that. I just… look, we all voted for it. I have a feeling it's going to get a whole bunch of green on the board. I would just like you to at least clarify and respond to the Governor's veto message."
"So, currently, 20 percent of the beneficiaries in… covered through Medicaid and HFS today call that fee-for-service broker, First Transit. And this will just… as they said, require the… the carved out groups to also call First Transit. They're a reputable broker, and I'm sure they'll do a fine job."
"Okay. I have no further questions. Just wanted to clarify that for my side. Thank you."
"Sure."
"Representative Gabel to close. Oh, pardon me. The Chair recognizes Leader Flowers."
"Representative Gabel, just as a point of clarity, because I really never did understand this legislation. For some reason, the MCOs are not able to pay or process these bills. And so, therefore, we're going to take that responsibility for… from a for-profit organization and pass that billing on to another for-profit organization." 10200051.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021
"Well, at this point, it… because of the MCOs, HFS has kind of raised their hands and said, there's nothing we can do. It's just between you and the MCOs. If it's a fee-for- service program, HFS has… can… has more control over First… that fee-for-service provider."
"Well, see that even makes it worse because if the MCOs can't do their jobs and HFS gave them the contract, they need to take away the contract and give it all to the fee-for- service. But with that being said…"
"Well, this will… this will take out all the ambulance providers."
"Well, but the ambulance providers that's providing for the MCOs… the MCOs, but the fee-for-service will be processing the paperwork. So, the MCOs is not paying their bills, number one. And the fee-for-service is processing the bills, and paying for the MCOs, while they collect the money."
"No, none of the money will go through the MCOs anymore. For ambulance services, the… no further funds will go through the MCOs. They will go directly from HFS to the ambulance providers. HFS has… has contracted with a… at First Transit who will be administering the program for them."
"Well…"
"Which they currently do. Which they currently do."
"Okay. And I understand what you're trying to do. I just have a problem with… because the MCOs want to just throw up their hands and say, we can't do this. And now, we just want to pass it on to someone else. But that's… I appreciate you, but, unfortunately, I will not be able to support helping the MCOs becoming more helpless. Thank you." 10200051.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021
"The MCOs just simply were not paying their bills."
"Well, that's a problem. The monies that we are giving them, that's a problem. That is the problem."
"That's why we want to take the money away from them."
"Let's take the contracts away. Thank you."
"Leader Gabel to close."
"Thank you all for your support in April, and I hope you can all support this Bill now. Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 684 pass the Veto of the Governor notwithstanding?' This Motion requires 71 votes. This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; opposed voting 'nay'. And the voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Lewis."
"Yes."
"Representative Lewis votes 'yes'. Representative McLaughlin."
"Representative McLaughlin votes 'yes'."
"Representative McLaughlin votes 'yes'."
"Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. This Motion, having received the required Three-fifths Majority, the Motion to Override prevails. And House Bill 684 is declared passed, notwithstanding the Governor's Veto. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Harris, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on August 31, 2021: recommends be adopted, referred to the floor is Floor Amendment(s) 3 for Senate Bill 2065." 10200051.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021
"Chair recognizes Representative Mah. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise with a point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to share with the Body that August is Free and Charitable Clinic Month. For the past 40 years, free and charitable clinics have been addressing health disparities and barriers to health care across the country. Today, there are over 1400 clinics in the United States, 50 in Illinois. When Illinois residents lose work or scale back hours, as many experienced during the pandemic, many lose their health insurance or become underinsured. As a result of COVID, the number of uninsured people in Illinois is increasing. The most recent estimate is that 700 thousand uninsured people live in Illinois. This is the population that free and charitable clinics seek to serve. Free and charitable clinics care for acute and chronic health conditions, utilizing both paid and volunteered providers, while serving patients in clinical settings on the streets, in mosques, and in churches. The clinics in Illinois do not currently receive state of federal funding. They rely on support from foundations, individuals, and donations. Today, I am wearing blue to recognize the free and charitable clinics and to commend them on the care they provide to our most vulnerable and resilient residents. Please join me in thanking our free and charitable clinics for the work that they do across the state. Thank you for celebrating August as Free and Charitable Clinics Month. Thank you." 10200051.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021
"Chair recognizes Representative Ugaste. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Excuse me. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. Make this as short as possible. We… we are now approaching our 18th month of living in a state of emergency in this state. And because I've had some disagreements over what I thought were fairly common terms, I looked this one up in advance. Emergency in the dictionary is an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action. It's also defined as an urgent need for assistance or relief. The Illinois Emergency Management Act provides for what powers various branches of government have during a state of emergency, provides for what to do. And while we have had Governors enact those powers over the years in various emergencies they say for risen. While we currently have an ongoing health care situation that needs to be dealt with, I'm not certain we can actually define it as an emergency that this Body cannot respond to since we are here deliberating today. That's our job. I know you all know that. You all do it. You do it very well, and you've shown me what our job is. It's our job, as Legislators, to determine when vaccines may be wanted to make… make them mandatory or nonmandatory, when… how to address various situations that arise when people need assistance of all different types. And that's what we do in a representative democracy. There have been Bills brought forward for other situations that aren't 10200051.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 emergencies but address these very issues. And as Representatives, we listen and hear from those because we are those closest to the people in the State of Illinois. And for the last 15 months, I've been hearing about how this situation has been dealt with. And I'm not talking about whether or not you agree or disagree with how the health emergency has been dealt with, or the health situation has been dealt with. I'm talking about whether the Legislature has had any input. I'm hearing from constituents constantly, day in and day out, asking why the Legislature isn't involved in the decision making process in dealing with the current health situation. The latest was from a doctor I heard from today within my community, saying that the latest mandates pose a medical ethics problem for her and her practice. We have a duty. We have a duty which we are not currently upholding. And this week, and… we've heard from speakers today. We have to remember those that… there are those who have fought to protect this system of government and the liberties we enjoy, and the right to have representation within our government. I have a House Bill 843, I've talked to you about it before. It has 36 Sponsors on it, but I need more Sponsors. I need as many Sponsors as possible because I still cannot get a hearing. And all this Bill would do is indicate that an emergency stops after 30 days. And after 30 days, a Governor has to get authority from the Legislature to continue working under such an emergency. I've talked to a number of people about it. I've talked to people on both sides of the aisle. I've taken their input. I've made an Amendment. I'll talk to others about it. I'm willing to continue to work on it. But 10200051.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 it's something we need to do. It's something that's our job to do. It's something that the people of the State of Illinois expect us to do, and we're not living up to their expectations as their Representatives because we hear from them constantly. They can get in touch with us. They can't always reach one person at the top who oversees the government for almost 13 million people. Now, before anyone thinks that they may want to get up and excoriate me because I'm doing nothing but talking about politics, I'm not a science denier. I'm not an anti-vaxxer. I don't deny science. I believe in science, and I want to see the science and data we're being told is being relied upon in order to make these decisions. I've been fully vaccinated for many things. I expect to get the flu vaccine, and I have had kids that have been vaccinated. And some have been vaccinated with the COVID vaccine. I don't take this lightly. I've had the disease. My wife's had the disease. And I've had a couple kids with it. I have kids with comorbidities that would be a problem if they got the disease. And worst of all… worst of all, in the last year, I've lost both of my in-laws. Both have had COVID-19 at one point. And while they didn't die directly as a result of that condition, it was a contributing factor. I've watched as my wife has gone through a terrible year, reaching depths of pain, sorrow, and anger that I didn't know a person could hit. But I stand before you today, asking you to join me to make certain that our system of government is protected and we go forward as was anticipated. Please join me in cosponsoring HB843 so that we can make certain representative democracy continues the way it's supposed to be and that the people of the State of 10200051.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 Illinois will be heard on all issues, including the current health situation. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Stuart. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Thanks. We all… we all recognize the importance of staff in the work that we do. And I just wanted to take a second to point out that yesterday was the 30th birthday of one of our best staffers of all time, Mr. Erik Lowder. So, let's wish him a happy birthday."
Speaker Manley: "Happy birthday, Erik. Chair recognizes Representative West. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"I want to thank this Body for adopting House Resolution 167, but I ask that you rise with me, if you don't mind. House Resolution 167 made August 26, 5 days ago, Montford Point Marines Day. And as it reads, WHEREAS, Over 20,000 black Americans trained at Montford Point, fought honorably and with distinction, and broke down barriers of discrimination to become the first black Americans to serve in the Marine Corps; and WHEREAS, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802 on June 25th, 1941, banning discrimination because of race, creed, color, or national origin in all government agencies; and 10200051.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 WHEREAS, The first recruits reported to the segregated Camp Montford Point, a small section of land on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on August 26th, 1942; and WHEREAS, The men of the 51st Composite Defense Battalion distinguished themselves as the finest artillery gunners in the Marine Corps, breaking almost every accuracy record in training; and WHEREAS, Private Kenneth Tibbs was the first black Marine to lose his life on June 15th, 1944; and WHEREAS, Black marines served valiantly in the Pacific Theatre of Operations during World War II and participated in battles on Saipan, Guam, and Peleliu; and WHEREAS, On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 establishing the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services, committing the government to integrating the segregated military; and WHEREAS, Camp Montford Point was decommissioned on September 9, 1949 because of improved inclusion brought forth by the courageous service of the Montford Point Marines; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the brave marines who trained at Montford Point and were trailblazers who broke down barriers within the Marine Corps; and be it further RESOLVED, That we acknowledge the Montford Point Marines for their heroic service and therefore declare August 26, 2021 Montford Point Marines Day. And, Madam Speaker, instead of a 10200051.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 moment of silence, I ask for a celebratory hand clap for the Montford Point Marines. Thank you so much."
"Chair recognizes Representative Niemerg."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. Point of…"
"For what reason do you rise?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, some of you probably remember back in May, I gave a pretty impassionate speech to the floor regarding masking and the issue in our schools. And I believe that the point is, it's very important now, going to the fall, than it ever has been. Even back in… even back in May. You know, I have a first grade son and a little girl who's starting preschool this fall, here really very soon. Now, I've inquired with the IDPH on multiple occasions and, essentially, have not received the information that I've asked for, as a Legislator. And this is really quite appalling to me. And if we actually look at what's going on around the world, we look at Britain, we look at the UK, we look at other countries and the way they're handling the mitigation standards and the way they're handling masking. They're not requiring universal masking. They're not requiring face covering for our kids to be stifled intellectually, not be able to see faces or smile. They're allowing children that opportunity to learn in an environment that's a conducive to preventing COVID-19. They're allowing children to do what's best and what's right. Folks, there's stories all throughout this country and, frankly, the world. You know, there's a story, and it's actually in the New York Times, by Dana 10200051.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 Goldstein. And I quote, 'The UK has always, from the beginning, emphasized they do not see a place for face coverings for children if it's avoidable, said Dr. Shamez Ladhani, a pediatric infectious-disease specialist at St. George Hospital in London.' This is very important. 'The potential harms exceed the potential benefits, he said, because seeing faces is important for the social development and interaction between people.' Now, my district, all throughout your districts… I get calls constantly from every one of your districts, asking, 'Adam, what's happening? What can we do? Our kids, we care about our kids.' And we have a universal mask mandate that's been pushed down by a totalitarian Governor, outside of his authority, with the bureaucratic arm strong arming our school districts through the Illinois State Board of Education who was outside of their purview, and we all know it, folks. We all know it. The information that I do have, shows a .004 hospitalization rate for children under the age of 18. Yet, these mitigation standards go far beyond what we should be doing. And lastly, I get calls constantly about the vaccination mandates. And there's something that's very important. That this is about choice, it's about freedom. It's about an individual making the decision with their doctor and doing what's right. Not government edict. That's very important. And there's one last Act that I'd like to read to you. It's the Health Care Right of Conscience Act. And it reads, 'Discrimination.', this is Section 5. 'It shall be unlawful for any person, public, private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner because of such person's 10200051.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 conscientious refusal to receive health care services contrary to his or her conscience.' Black and white, folks. Black and white. If we fail to take up action reining in the tyrannical Governor for the last 18 months, we're complicit in these actions. Folks, it's time we do what's right for our kids. Thank you."
"Thank you, Representative. It reminds me to remind everybody about House Rule 51.5. Please remember to wear your face covering that covers nose and mouth, except for when necessary for eating or drinking. Members may remove their face covering when speaking into the microphone at their desks. Thank you. Chair recognizes Representative Hurley. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"A point of personal privilege."
"Well, please proceed."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Since we're talking about birthdays passed, I do want to recognize my hallmate and my sea-behind-me-mate, Representative Angie Guerrero-Cuellar's birthday was a few days ago."
"Happy birthday, Representative."
"So, happy birthday, Rep Angie."
"Happy birthday. Chair recognizes Leader Welter. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Madam Speaker, please let the record reflect that Representatives Sommer and Lewis are excused for the rest of the day."
"We will reflect that in the record. Thank you. The House will be at ease. The House will be in order. Chair 10200051.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 recognizes Leader Batinick. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Madam Speaker."
"Please proceed."
"Well, I'd like to talk about something positive and exciting today. The Plainfield East baseball team… which Plainfield East, by the way, covers the 97th and the 98th, which you represent. They started their baseball season 5 and 12. Finished the regular season 12 and 15, and went on one of the most amazing runs. Out of 128 teams, I believe the tournament was, they're one of the lowest seeded teams, came back to win the State Championship. So, a big round of applause for the Plainfield East baseball team."
"Yay, Plainfield East. Chair recognizes Leader Welter. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Madam Speaker, please let the record reflect that Representative Ozinga, McLaughlin, and Halbrook are excused for the rest of the day."
"We will reflect that in the record. Thank you. On Supplemental Calendar #2, under Amendatory Veto Motions, appears Senate Bill 539, Representative Burke. Representative Burke is recognized."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to accept the Governor's recommendations in his Amendatory Veto on Senate Bill 539."
"Chair recognizes Leader Bourne."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Motion."
"To the Motion."
"I rise today to remind you of some words that we said on the floor when this Bill passed. I think some on the other 10200051.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 side of the aisle might have thought I was being hyperbolic when I said that the passage of this Bill would infringe upon the authority of the Legislative Inspector General. We saw, then, just a couple of weeks later, the Legislative Inspector General, who I think is doing a fabulous job, submit her letter of resignation, saying in the press, 'When I took this job as the Legislative Inspector General, I thought I might be able to make a difference working from the inside. I thought I could be useful in improving the public's view of the Legislature and help bring about true ethics reform. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do so. This last Legislative Session demonstrated true ethics reform is not the priority.' Following that, this side of the aisle sent a letter to Governor Pritzker, asking him to issue an Amendatory Veto to this Bill, striking the provisions that would disempower the Legislative Inspector General. Two days later, after we sent that letter and asked him to spark a debate on true anti-corruption ethics reforms, he said, I intend to sign it. Somewhere along the way, he changed his mind, decided to issue an Amendatory Veto that completely disregarded the very important requests that we made. Choosing to vote to uphold this weak Amendatory Veto is doubling down on the fact that the ethics reform that you passed takes away the ability to have a true and independent watchdog over this Body. Choosing to side with this weak Amendatory Veto is choosing to side to give cover to politicians rather than having an opportunity for the public to have faith in our government. Please vote 'no'."
"Chair recognizes Representative Murphy." 10200051.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I ask for a verification."
"Members, Representative Murphy has requested a verification. Chair recognizes Representative Wilhour."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"Leader Burke, does this… does this Bill do anything to substantively different than the watered-down Bill that we voted on in the spring?"
"So, this isn't a Bill. This is the Governor's Amendatory Veto of a Bill that passed this chamber 113 to 5."
"So, it does nothing substantively different? It's just a technical change?"
"It's just a technical change, correct."
"Okay. Thank you. To the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"You know, we talked about this a lot in the spring. This Bill does nothing to define or eliminate conflicts of interests. It does nothing to require recusals for conflict of interests. It does nothing to rebalance a power structure that is completely out of whack and marginalizing way too many citizens in this state. As Representative Bourne pointed out, it does nothing to give the LIG the powers that it needs to be a real watchdog over this Body, who has been… this General Assembly's been rife with corruption for quite… quite some time. It does nothing to start investigations without the approval of commission. It does nothing for subpoena power. Look, guys, we know what needs to be done. You know, we know that this Bill wasn't good enough in the spring. It certainly's not good enough now. The only reason the real 10200051.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 anti-corruption measures are not being put in place in this chamber is because too many people in this chamber, it's not in their personal best interest to do so. We can… we can compromise, and we do compromise on a lot of things in this Body, but there is no room for compromise when it comes to requiring ethical behavior for elected officials. That is completely unacceptable. And I would encourage a 'no' vote on this. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Leader Durkin."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. Parliamentary inquiry."
"Please proceed."
"I would ask how many votes will it take to sustain the Governor's Amendatory Veto, and could your counsel cite the Section within the House Rules that identifies the vote threshold?"
"To your first question, 71 votes. And, I'm sorry, the second question, Leader?"
"I would ask that the counsel advise you of what Section within the House Rules states that it requires 71 votes to accept the Amendatory Veto."
"I guess we'll learn together. It's in the Constitution, Article IV, Section 10."
"I'm not familiar with that Section of the Constitution because I… could you have someone explain and read that Section to myself and begin this little exercise of mental gymnastics between us?"
"Let me read the first bolded paragraph for you. 'The General Assembly shall provide by law for a uniform effective date for laws passed prior to June 1 of a calendar 10200051.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 year. The General Assembly may provide for a different effective date if any law passed prior to June 1. A Bill passed after May 31 shall not become effective prior to June 1 of the next calendar year…' I'm not sure this is answering your question."
"It isn't, but…"
"It's a really long, long…"
"…I'm all ear. Singular. All ear."
"Leader, it's a long Section. Would you like me to have somebody bring the book to you?"
"I've got time. I'm not going anywhere."
"I would prefer not to read the whole thing."
"No, you're doing a great job. Knock yourself out."
"I… yeah, I'm pretty good at this, but I'm not going to read the whole Section. Do you have any other questions?"
"No. No, but I would like somebody to identify the Section that states that… I was under the premise that this was a matter of the House Rules. But if it's in the Constitution, I would love to be educated on it. And I'll… I will turn off my speak light and have able counsel come over and just show me that Section in the Constitution. And then, we can call it a day. Okay?"
"Thank you, Leader."
"All right."
"Chair recognizes Representative Willis. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Will the Sponsor yield, please?"
"Representative Burke? She indicates she will." 10200051.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021
"Thank you very much. Representative, I guess it's partly to the Bill, too. But if we do not have the required 71 votes to accept the Amendatory Veto, is it then your understanding that we will have no ethics reform Bill that would've passed this Session?"
"Yes."
"Okay. So, at one… to the Bill. Thank you very much, Madam. To the Bill."
"To the Motion."
"To the Motion. Thank you for correction. We… in May, there were 113 Members of this General Assembly. So, that means it was bipartisanly decided that, while many people may have felt that this Bill did not go far enough or there were a few flaws in it, it was something that was worth moving forward. And with that in mind, I think we need to look at this again and say, this is something that is worth moving forward. The Governor felt that there were some small tweaks that needed to be put into there. That's where the Amendatory Veto comes through. The Bill's Sponsor feels that those are within his rights and still take care of the gist of the Bill. This is something that we are hearing constantly, that we are not doing anything on ethics reform. This is your chance to say, yes, we are. Please, I urge everybody, especially the 113 that previously voted for this Bill. And that includes the previous speaker, one of the previous speakers that was up there, and she did support this Bill. I urge you all to vote 'aye'. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Davidsmeyer." 10200051.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's nice to take this mask off for a minute. Question of the Speaker. When is Veto Session scheduled for this year?"
Speaker Manley: "Let me get a calendar. Representative Davidsmeyer, to your question, is October 19 through the 21. And then, the 26 through the 28."
"Okay. And how many votes would a new Bill take at that time?"
"That would depend on the effective date."
"If it had the same effective date as this current legislation? I'll just… I'll get past that really quick. How about this? Today, if we try to do this little Amendatory Veto to this Bill that really is a watered down ethics reform, it takes seventy-one. But there's a possibility, judging by your lack of immediate response, that this could take sixty if we pass a Bill that has real ethics reform in it. It could take place this year. So, I guess to the previous speaker, we have time to get it done this year. This isn't our only opportunity. We don't need to just vote for this Bill just because it's the only option because we've got a month and a half, almost two months, to come up with another Bill. We saw how quickly this last map was dropped, right? Two hours later, we voted on a thousand page map Bill. We can certainly work on something as important as ethics."
"Representative, I think you'll be pleased. Representative Burke, Chair recognizes you."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. As we discussed during the debate of this Bill, this isn't the be all and end all of any ethics legislation that we plan to do. This is the Bill that we had 10200051.docx 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 on the table back in May that 113 people voted for. But at this time, I'm going to pull the Bill from the record."
"Mr. Clerk, please pull the Bill from the record. Moving on to Senate Bill 967, on Supplemental Calendar 2, Amendatory Veto Motions. Representative Greenwood is recognized."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am asking this Body to accept the Governor's recommendation of amending language on Senate Bill 967. It changes the implementation date to ensure that the implementation is done correctly. This does not change any of the underlying Bill, just the date to one of the pieces in the legislation from July 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022. I ask for your support."
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall the House accept the Governor's specific recommendations for change with respect to Senate Bill 967?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all those opposed signify by voting 'nay'. And 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. This Motion, having received the required Constitutional Majority, the House accepts the Governor's specific recommendations for changing… for change regarding Senate Bill 967. On Supplemental Calendar 2, there appears Senate Bill 2065, Leader Hoffman. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2065, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. This Bill was read a second time on a previous day. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #3, 10200051.docx 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 offered by Representative Hoffman, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Hoffman on the Amendment."
"Thank… thank you, Madam Speaker. Amendment #3 becomes the Bill, and it makes technical changes to clarify what we want it to do in House Bill 2643. We did not provide statutory authority for IDS to not charge school districts for UI benefits that we allowed for noninstructional employees. I ask for its adoption."
"Leader Wheeler, can we debate this… can we accept the… okay, thank you. Representative Hoffman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #3 to Senate Bill 2065. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, any further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2065, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Hoffman."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. As I indicated in May, we allowed for UI benefits to go through September 4, 2021 for noninstructional school employees. And we were setting aside money from the American Rescue Plan Act to pay for that. Unfortunately, we left out statutory authority for IDS to not charge school districts for the UI benefits. That was not the intent. Therefore, school districts are currently on the hook for the money. And this is a technical change to make sure that they're not." 10200051.docx 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021
"Chair recognizes Leader Wheeler."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates that he will."
"Leader Hoffman, you and I have discussed this Bill a little bit. This is kind of an extension of the work we did back in May of, I think, 2020, when we were dealing with the issue with the noninstructional school employees and their inability to get UI at the time, and how we set it up so that the school district wouldn't be charged for that… those benefits paid out to those workers. Is it the right context for what we're dealing with today?"
"Yes. And we neglected to put that statutory language in the Bill on May 2021."
"Right. So, we're trying to extend that whole program now. We left out a small part of it that actually protects the employers. In this situation, the workers are still getting their benefits, but we want to protect the employers in this side of it as well. And that's what this Amendment really does, correct?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. To the Bill… or to the Amendment, really quickly."
"To the Amendment."
"Thank you. This is something that I think it's a smart thing for students or school districts, and I would urge an 'aye' vote."
"Leader Hoffman to close."
"I ask for a favorable roll call." 10200051.docx 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2065 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; 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 this question, there are 109 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'opposed', and 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Returning to Supplemental Calendar 2, to Amendatory Vetoes, appears Senate Bill 539, Representative Burke."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I… again, we had some debate on this. And I would ask the Body to vote to accept the Governor's Amendatory Veto."
"Chair recognizes Representative Davidsmeyer."
"Representative Burke, I… I was kind of surprised when you pulled it from the record. Thought you'd try to move forward. The reality is, we have a choice of passing this watered-down Bill so that we can say, oh look, we passed something, right? And I believe that's why it… that's why it went through, originally. But my… my concern here is that we're going to go through, you're going to pass this, you're going to tell everybody we passed ethics legislation, and we're still never going to get to the real heart of ethics reform. So, I… I think we have to go for it. We have to go for it. We have 'til October. We have two weeks in October to work on it. We can work on it for this month, between now and then. Would you consider removing this from the record?"
"No."
"Okay. We'll just continue to wait for more indictments and more things to slip by and let people keep 10200051.docx 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 abusing this position. We need to pass real ethics reform, not watered-down nonsense. We need to give more power to the Legislative Inspector General, not take it away. I… all right. I urge a 'no' vote. If you ever want real ethics reform, we have to do it. We can't just want for the next group to come along and do the right thing. We have to be those people to do the right thing, and now is the time."
"Chair recognizes Representative Murphy."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. Once again, I ask for a verification. Thank you."
"Members, Representative Murphy has asked for a verification. Chair recognizes Representative Wilhour."
"Madam Speaker, I'd move to the previous question."
"That worked out really good 'cause you were the last speaker. Representative Burke to close."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Again, this was a Bill that passed this Body 113 votes to 5 in May. It is a good start to our discussion about ethics legislation. And it was widely supported in May. The Amendatory Veto that the Governor has… has authored, deals only with a technical cleanup regarding the Office of the Executive Inspector General. And I see no reason why anyone would change their vote from May. And I urge an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall the House accept the Governor's specific recommendations for change with respect to Senate Bill 539?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all those opposed signify by voting 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please 10200051.docx 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 51st Legislative Day 8/31/2021 take the record. On this question, there are 59 voting in 'favor', 35 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having failed to receive a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared lost. Mr. Clerk, please read the Adjournment Resolution."
Clerk Hollman: "House Joint Resolution #52, offered by Representative Harris. RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, the House of Representatives stands adjourned until the call of the Speaker; and the Senate stands adjourned until the call of the President."
"Leader Greenwood moves for the adoption of the Adjournment Resolution. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Adjournment Resolution is adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Greenwood moves that the House stand adjourned until the call of the Speaker. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned." 10200051.docx 27