"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 514, offered by Leader Harris, is referred to the Rules Committee. Committee Reports. Representative Harris, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on October 20, 2021: recommends be adopted, referred to the Order of Resolutions is House Resolution 514."
"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Wayne Padget, the Assistant Doorkeeper. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, and rise for the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Padget."
"Let us pray. Dear heavenly Father, you are the pillar of strength and shield. You are our shepherd who eternally guides us. Father, as we start Session today, be with us and guide our thoughts and actions. With your help, good things and new beginnings will happen to this great state. Father, we have faced many challenges in our state, some with impossible odds and others that were simply unbelievable. But still, throughout both of them, you come through for us. Lord, finally, we stand before you today because we hope for a better future. We pray that our investments, plans, and relationships will come to fruition. Walking in your light has taught us, by your power, we will persevere and win. Thank you for this Session and you deserve nothing less than eternal glory. This we pray, Amen."
"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Leader Wheeler." 10200057.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021
"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. Chair recognizes Leader Greenwood to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Let the record show that there are no excused absences today on the Democratic side of the aisle. Thank you."
"And, Leader Welter, please report any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle."
"Madam Speaker, please let the record reflect that Representative Marron, Meier, Miller, and Keicher are excused for the day."
"The record shall so reflect that. Have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 113 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
"Committee Reports. Representative Rita, Chairperson from the Committee on Executive reports the following committee action taken on October 20, 2021: do pass as amended Short Debate is Senate Bill 251, Senate Bill 536, Senate Bill 928, Senate Bill 1040, Senate Bill 1139, and Senate Bill 1169."
"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 for when necessary for 10200057.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 eating or drinking. Members may remove their face covering when speaking on the microphone at their desk. Again, please remember to wear a face covering, as pursuant to House Rule 51.5. Thank you. Leader Greenwood is recognized for an announcement."
"Madam Speaker, the Democrats will request a brief virtual caucus meeting immediately. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Leader Batinick."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Is this going to be a McDonald's run caucus, a check out of your hotel on the south end of town caucus, or a sit down for turkey lunch caucus?"
"I think Leader Greenwood mentioned a brief caucus. That was the adjective she used."
"Okay. Thank you."
"The House will be in recess to the call of the chair. The House will be in order. The Chair recognizes Representative Vella. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"So, this has been a crazy year in the House. I really enjoyed it. I've learned a lot from a lot of people, especially you, Speaker. But I'd be remiss if I didn’t point out three people who have just, not only made my life a lot easier, but done a lot of great things. So, up in the gallery, Nathan Blevins, Brayden Atkisson, and Ricardo Montoya Picazo. Ricardo is my chief of staff, Nathan is district staff, and Brayden is an intern. They've been… we're open 9 to 5 every day. We're answering call after call. We got start… we got 10200057.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 tons of walk-ins now. And we just were told by the Treasurer's Office that we are leading the state. So, I'm going to throw down this… this gauntlet. We're leading the state in return of ICash money. We returned 200 thousand… over $200 thousand in the last 4 months. And we have identified $600 thousand of returns. So, we're shooting for a million by the end of the year. So, I just wanted to take the time to thank them and acknowledge their great work. So, thank you."
Speaker Manley: "Keep up the good work. Chair recognizes Representative Carroll. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you very much. Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Today I'm speaking about my cousin, the former Senator of Illinois, Senator Howard Carroll, who passed away on October 1, 2021. Senator Carroll is my cousin. Some people think he's my uncle. Some people think he's my father. Some people think he's my grandfather. He's my cousin. He's my first cousin once removed. He's also the godfather of my son Asher. And really just a tremendous person. And a lot of people have reached out to me over the last couple weeks to talk about the contributions of Senator Carroll and the things that he's done. Let me give you some background on him, just his service to our state and the things that he's done. He served in the real chamber, the Illinois House of Representatives, in 1971, and then moved on to the other chamber in 1973, serving in the Illinois Senate. He served for 26 years and authored numerous Bills focusing on a lot of 10200057.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 things like equal rights and human rights. He had the first hate crimes legislation that would… that would include… he also included sexuality in the Human Rights Act. And he also passed the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan, also known as CHIP. So, the Senator had many contributions in this building. Has done… did a number of tremendous things. Unfortunately, when I took office in 2017, Senator Carroll was stricken with Alzheimer's disease. And I remember we had a couple of conversations when I first took the job and you could tell it was starting to slip away from him. But really, he just missed out… one of my biggest regrets was that he couldn’t of been along with me for the ride here because I know how much he'd have loved to have another Carroll serving in Springfield. And I know that… the few times that he could remember and talk about it with his… with his family, he did. He leaves behind two wonderful daughters, Barbie and her husband Dan, and their two daughters Lillian and Alyssa; his other daughter Jacqueline and her… and Louis Bernstein; and his wife Eda. So, just again… just wanted to just say a few kind words about him. I'm going to do a prayer. That's one other thing that was very important to Senator Carroll was his Jewish roots and the Judaism and the State of Israel, and he did a tremendous amount of work in this state in that area. So, I'm going to recite, in Judaism, what we call the Mourner's Kaddish. I know Representative Guzzardi did it a few months ago, and I thought it was a nice touch, and I'm going to do the same for him. And at the end of this, I don’t want a moment of silence, but I would actually like a round of applause 'cause, knowing my cousin the way that I did and the 10200057.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 way that he was, he wouldn’t want us to sit here feeling sorry for ourselves. We should be celebrating the life that he led. So, let me go ahead and do the prayer and then I would ask for everyone for a round of applause. [Recited in Hebrew]. I will do the English version so everyone can understand. Exalted and hallowed be God's great name in the world which God created according to plan. May God's majesty be revealed in the days of our lifetime and life of all Israel, speedily, imminently. To which we say, Amen. Blessed be God's name to all eternity. Blessed, praised, honored, exalted, extolled, glorified, adored, and lauded be the name of the Holy Blessed One, beyond all earthly words and songs of blessing, praise, and comfort. To which we say, Amen. May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and all Israel. To which we say, Amen. May the one who creates harmony on high, bring peace us and to all Israel. To which we say, Amen. Thank you."
"Thank you, Representative. Under Supplemental Calendar #1, under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 514, offered by Leader Harris. Leader Harris."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker, Members of the House. I move for the adoption of House Resolution 514, which extends the expiration date of House Rule 49.5 regarding remote participation and voting until December 31 of 2021."
"Chair recognizes Leader Butler."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. A question of the Sponsor."
"Please proceed."
"Leader Harris, is there a reason why we're extending it to December 31 instead of not just through the end of Veto 10200057.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 Session or anything? Something we should anticipate going on the rest of the year?"
"I think we're being mindful of the fact that COVID is still among us, that there may be things we would need to address. And this also then would match up with the Senate Rules."
"Okay. Have we… since this has been instituted, have we had any issues in this chamber with… with Members having COVID or… I don’t know. I mean, I know when we had Session at the BOS Center we had a couple cases coming out of that a year or so ago. But as we've met here in Springfield, have we had any problems really with outbreaks of COVID?"
"I don’t know. It's a HIPAA thing. I don’t know whether Members have or have not had COVID, but I know we have had several Members where there were family members who were impacted. And also, we have had Members, I think, on both sides of the aisle where family emergencies and tragedies have also occurred."
"Okay. So… so, I get it, family emergencies and tragedies outside of COVID, which happened before COVID. To the Resolution. We have debated this idea before. I think you all know where I come from on this. We are elected to assemble here in the General Assembly. And while I certainly understand the world that we live in and the way that we've operated today since we all became familiar with Zoom a year and half ago, it does not create a better legislative product when we're able to not be here to legislate. It does not do the process well if we can make a decision not to be here and still participate. And we've seen it on both sides. Our 10200057.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 Members have used this as well your Members have. And I think that's wrong. I think… I think we get elected to show up here in this room and debate the issues of the day. And I… my fear is… my fear is, we instituted it for committees, now we've instituted it for the floor, now we're extending it through the end of the year. And I understand that COVID is still among us. But my fear is that we're going down a road where, eventually, this is going to be a common practice within the House Rules outside of COVID. And I hope that’s not the case moving forward because it just… it's not the way this process is meant to work. We're not supposed to sit in front of a computer screen and legislate, which does not have good access to the advocates that show up here at Capitol, it does not have good access to our constituents, and it doesn’t have good access to each of us. And I think all of you know how difficult it has been through the committee process. Especially the newer Members know how difficult it is to try to… to try to legislate in that environment. So, you get… like I said, you guys know where I come from on this. I think it's a bad precedent that we set. And I would urge a 'no' vote on the Resolution."
"Members, 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. Members may remove their face covering when speaking on the microphone at their desk. Again, please remember to wear a face covering, as pursuant to House Rule 51.5. Chair recognizes Leader Demmer."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?" 10200057.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021
"He indicates that he will."
"Thank you, Leader Harris, for the explanation of this rule change. I know this proposal is quite narrow in scope. But I do want to ask about the House Rules in general, or in more broader terms. We're amending the House Rules with this Amendment… or with this Resolution here today. We similarly amended the House Rules in June to put this remote participation rule into effect. But really, throughout this entire year, we've been asking about many of these suggestions for other changes to the House Rules. If you recall in January when we adopted these rules at the beginning of this Session, Members of both parties, Republicans and Democrats, had a huge number of suggestions for improvements, reforms, and positive changes to the House Rules to improve transparency, to improve accountability, to allow individual Members to exercise their full duties as… as elected officials. Have there been any Amendments or any changes to the rules to accomplish those important goals?"
"The Amendments to the rules have only been to address the public health emergency and being sure that our democracy can still function during a disaster. And making sure that we can, as best as we can, serve our people and also provide opportunities for people who cannot travel here to communicate with us and express their views."
"In January, I believe you indicated that a committee, a group would be meeting to consider further changes to the House Rules, again, drawing on the many, many suggestions from Members of both parties. Has that committee met?"
"We've not." 10200057.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021
"Okay. So, we're 10 months later. We had suggestions from Members of both parties for some really commonsense improvements to the House Rules. But we've amended the House Rules twice now, but we've not included any of those suggestions. Do you know when you plan to convene a committee to review the rules?"
"Right now, what we're focusing on is the public health emergency. What we're also focusing on is, when we began our Session, I think all of us thought that we'd be in a far different situation, both in Illinois and nationally, than we are given the COVID epidemic. But with the emergence of the Delta variant, I think it has pushed a lot of things in a different direction."
"Thank you. To the Resolution."
"To the Resolution."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, this is a… the House Rules are an incredibly important part of how this Body functions. You all know we deal with them every day, on every Bill, on every Resolution, on every Motion. On every legislative action you take, it's governed by the House Rules. When this Body convened this General Assembly, the… many, many Members of both parties had suggestions for what we could do to improve transparency, how we can ensure that Bills with bipartisan Sponsors got a vote in committee and couldn’t be held up by an individual chairman or held up by the Rules Committee. We had discussions about making sure there was adequate posting time so witnesses could show up to a committee meeting and know what they were testifying on. We had discussions about making sure that each day, when we walk 10200057.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 in to this chamber, we maybe would have an idea about what was going to be voted on and how we could plan to engage fully as Legislators. These weren’t just suggestions from one party. These suggestions came from both parties. And at the time we were told, 'Don’t worry. We're going to convene a committee to make… to really study these policies and to make some commonsense changes.' Ten months later, that committee hasn’t even met. Not even once. But we've amended the House Rules twice and not addressed any of those underlying issues. If we want the… our democracy to function during a pandemic, and if we want our democracy to function in times where public health is… is not an issue at all, we need to have commonsense changes to these rules to improve transparency, to empower the people of Illinois, to follow what's going on here, and to have confidence in the House of Representatives. We were told changes were coming. You were told changes were coming. Where are they? Vote 'no'."
"Seeing no further discussion, Leader Harris moves for the adoption of House Resolution 51… would you like to close on this, Leader, or go to the vote?"
"I'd like to say just…"
"Please proceed."
"…one or two things in response to an earlier speaker, and that is to remind people that this… this rule is very strict and limited in its construction. It requires a quorum of Members to be physically present before action can be taken by the General Assembly by remote voting. And that it's certainly expectation that all Members, regardless of party affiliation, if they are able, will be here on the day Session 10200057.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 is called to do the business of the people. But we also realize, in a national public health emergency, with a virus that has airborne transmission and that can mutate, that there are situations which can occur that could affect any Member in here or a member of their family. And we want to be sure that we've provided those folks every opportunity to have their voice be used to represent their constituents so that every person who lives in this State of Illinois has a chance to have their voice heard by the vote of their Representative during our deliberations. Therefore, I would ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Leader Harris moves for the adoption of House Resolution 514. 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 69 voting in 'favor', 41 voting 'opposed', 1 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby adopted. Chair recognizes Representative Buckner. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Madam Speaker, I rise today to shine light on a very dark situation that's playing out right in front of us here in the State of Illinois. Many of you may have heard of the story of Jelani Day, a young man whose disappearance and subsequent death has genned up a lot of international attention but not many answers. Authorities have said that 10200057.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 there were suspicious circumstances surrounding his disappearance and his death. And his family believes foul play was involved, which has not been ruled out by any of the authorities involved in the investigation. Day was reported missing from Bloomington, Illinois on August 25, and his vehicle was located a day later about an hour north in Peru, Illinois. Jelani was a native of Illinois. And after high school, he enrolled at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama, where he was a track and field athlete and graduated in 2018 at the top of his class with a bachelor's degree in speech pathology. In 2021, he started the first semester of graduate school in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at the Illinois State University, pursuing his master's degree in speech pathology. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, as am I and Representative Tarver. On September 4 remains were found on the south branch of the Illinois River. And on September 23 those remains were positively identified as those of Jelani Day. The current investigation has included some unsettling discrepancies and inconsistencies, including with the analysis or surveillance video and the securing of the crime scene and his vehicle, among other issues. There have been multiple autopsies and an independent pathology report done and the results have raised more questions about Jelani's death. Jelani was laid to rest yesterday in Danville, Illinois. But my conversations with his family indicated there have been no answers to their most pressing question. That question, what happened to Jelani? Since Jelani's appearance… disappearance, the investigation of what happened to him has been handled and coordinated 10200057.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 through agencies in both McLean and LaSalle Counties, making this a multi-county, multi-jurisdictional case. The search for his remains included six different law enforcement departments, including dive teams from other municipalities as well. I believe that this case rises to the level that specialized resources, skills, and attention are necessary to properly move forward. And on behalf of the family, I have requested that the Peru Police Department request that the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation head up any further investigation. The family has been through an amazing amount of pain, of hurt, of trauma, and has played out in a public arena. This family has been forced to relive the pain, the hurt, and the trauma as every day passes with no semblance of success on Jelani's case. He deserves better. This family deserves better, and I know that the better is attainable. It is important that we do whatever we can to provide answers, justice, and closures for the Day family and for his mourning community. It is important to this family that we not only say his name, but that we also be his voice. I ask that this Body take a moment of silence for Jelani and that this be the last time anyone is silent about this investigation and justice for Jelani."
"Members. Members. Thank you, Members. Chair recognizes Representative Severin. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Madam Speaker."
"Please proceed."
"So, 44 years ago this week, I married the sweetheart of my life. And I just wanted to give a little shout out to her 10200057.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 today. She's put up with me. I about got her straightened out but… we been married 44 years and ain't nothing better than being married to an Italian."
"Hear, hear. Congratulations. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 510, offered by Representative Gordon-Booth. House Resolution 511, offered by Representative Swanson. House Resolution 512, offered by Representative Meier. And House Resolution 513, offered by Representative Buckner."
"Leader Greenwood 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, please read the Adjournment Resolution."
Clerk Hollman: "Senate Joint Resolution 35, offered by Representative Harris. RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the Senate adjourns on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, October 26, 2021 or until the call of the President; and when the House of Representatives adjourns on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, October 26, 2021 or until the call of the Speaker."
"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 10200057.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 57th Legislative Day 10/20/2021 perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Greenwood moves for the House to stand adjourned until Tuesday, October 26. 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. Second Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 251, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. Senate Bill 536, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Senate Bill 928, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Senate Bill 1040, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. Senate Bill 1139, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 1169, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Second Reading of these Senate Bills. They'll be held on the Order of Second Reading. Introduction of Resolutions. Senate Joint Resolution 6, offered by Representative Welter, is referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 4186, offered by Representative Evans, a Bill for an Act concerning Kratom. House Bill 4187, offered by Representative Conroy, a Bill for an Act concerning mental health. House Bill 4188, offered by Representative Ford, a Bill for an Act concerning government. First Reading of these House Bills. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10200057.docx 16