"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We will be led in… excuse me. We shall be led in prayer today by Lee Crawford, the Pastor of Cathedral of Praise Christian Center in Springfield. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, and rise for the invocation and for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Crawford."
"Let us pray. Gracious and sovereign God, the giver and sustainer of life, we come humbly before you this day asking for your blessings and for your guidance upon this august Assembly, upon the Speaker of this illustrious House, upon its esteemed Leaders, upon its honored Members, upon all of its staff. As we come before you today, oh God, we humbly open our hearts, our minds, our souls to not only honor you but to hear you. We pray as they assemble together today that they would do it in a bond of peace. As they do their work today, that it will be done with the sweet sound of harmony, that they may embrace a spirit of unity, that they may work as a united and not a divided Body. For a House that has been divided simply cannot stand. So, today I ask, oh God, that you would come amongst us, come amongst us to help us, come amongst us to lift us, come amongst us to inspire us, come amongst us to empower us, and come amongst us to graciously lead us in all that we do. In this we pray, Amen."
"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Yednock."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, 10200081.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 81st Legislative Day 3/7/2022 one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Greenwood is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representatives Kelly Cassidy, Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Barbara Hernandez, Camille Lilly, and Curtis Tarver are excused today."
"Leader Welter is recognized to report any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle."
"Madam Speaker, let the record reflect that Representative Elik, Batinick, Spain, Halbrook, Meier, Morrison, Marron, Caulkins, Miller, Wilhour, Ozinga, Sosnowski, Niemerg, Grant, and David Friess are excused for the day."
"Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk please take the record. There being 92 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
Clerk Hollman: "Committee Reports. Representative Harris, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on March 7, 2022: approved for consideration, referred to Second Reading is House Bill 1587."
"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. Face coverings should remain on while speaking on the microphone at your desk. To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, we ask that Members refrain as much as possible from eating and drinking on the House Floor and 10200081.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 81st Legislative Day 3/7/2022 refrain from congregating in groups. We ask that all Members take these directives seriously to keep fellow Members and staff safe. Again, please remember to wear a face covering, including while speaking on the microphone, as pursuant to House Rule 51.5. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Representative Keicher. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Madam Speaker."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. Fellow Members, on your desk today, hopefully when each of you got here you had a gift from me, which is a lapel pin reflecting both the United States and the Ukrainian flag. The flags are meant to be hung side by side as you wear them on your lapel. I know that's been asked quite a bit. I'm hopeful that we can wear these as a sign of unity with the men, women, and children that we see on our headlines every day now that are being bombarded by these barbaric acts that we see perpetrated on a peaceful civilization that wants nothing more than democracy and freedom. The same freedoms that we pursue in a civil way in this chamber. It's my utmost hope that the United States, at some point here in the near future, finds the bravery to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine, a sovereign nation who's requested our assistance to prevent their women, children, and civilization from being wiped off the face of this planet. I would ask for a moment of silence in the memory of those souls that have been lost thus far. Thank you, Madam Speaker." 10200081.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 81st Legislative Day 3/7/2022
"The Members will take a moment of silence. Thank you, Representative Keicher. Chair recognizes Representative Scherer. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"A point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Two big basketball events in Central Illinois that I had to just make a quick mention of. One is that our Fighting Illini flagship University of Illinois became the Big Ten champions last night. That was pretty big. First time since 2005. And secondly, I wanted to mention the Meridian Hawks, which is a team just south of Decatur in my district. I have a little part of that. And one of their players, he's a twin on the team, and he made a shot in double overtime at the buzzer for them to win, and it made the number two spot in the ESPN Top Ten Plays of the Week. So, his… it was like almost to the free throw line of the other side, and it's amazing. So, if you haven't checked that out, check the ESPN Top Ten Plays of the Week and the Meridian Hawks, second… was the second spot. So, an exciting basketball week in Central Illinois. Thank you."
"Representative Walsh, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Purpose of an announcement."
"Please proceed."
"I just… Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I just want to remind everyone, tomorrow at 5:30 we'll be holding… or bringing back the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus reception at the Wyndham Hotel. All are invited. So, hope to 10200081.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 81st Legislative Day 3/7/2022 see everyone out, but that is at 5:30 tomorrow evening. Thank you."
"Representative Crespo, what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Speaker and Members of the House, as a Loyola University alumni, as someone who is married to an alumni, and the dad of an alumni, I want to take a moment to congratulate the Loyola University Ramblers for winning the Missouri Valley Championship and making it to the NCAA Championship. I should also mention that Loyola University is the only team in the State of Illinois that has ever won the NCAA Division I Championship back in 1963. Congratulations to the team, congratulations to Coach Valentine, and congratulations to the person who has a straight line of communication with the man above us, Sister Jean. So, congratulations. Go Ramblers."
"Chair recognizes Representative Mussman."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"For today's Women's History Month celebration, we honor the work and legacy of Myra Bradwell. Myra Colby Bradwell was a lawyer, editor, and publisher who championed women's legal rights in the mid to late 1800s. Bradwell fought against societal structure of separate spheres where women were forced to remain in the private sphere at home and could not engage in politics, paid work, commerce, or law that were reinforced by coverture laws. Besides a few exceptions, under coverture laws, married women could not own property, sign 10200081.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 81st Legislative Day 3/7/2022 legal documents, or enter into a contract, obtain an education against her husband's wishes, or keep a salary for herself. Bradwell challenged this when she founded the Chicago Legal News, a prominent legal publication that often focused on women's rights in 1868. In order to operate as the paper's editor in chief and publisher of the paper, Bradwell and her husband had to persuade the Illinois Legislature to pass a law that would allow her to circumvent the typical restrictions for married women under coverture laws. Bradwell then became the first woman to edit a nationally circulated legal publication. Through her paper and other legal efforts, Bradwell worked to advance the legal rights of women. She helped organize Chicago's first Woman Suffrage Convention in 1869 and the American Women's Suffrage Association in Cleveland. That same year, she passed the Illinois bar exam, but the Illinois Supreme Court denied her a license to practice law because she was a woman. Bradwell brought her case, Bradwell v. the State of Illinois, before the U.S. Supreme Court and argued the denial was a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. But in 1873, they upheld the denial and referred to the coverture laws. While the Supreme Court was deciding her case back home in 1872, the Illinois Legislature opened all professions to women because of her influence. A few years before her death in the 1890s, she was admitted to the bar by the Illinois Supreme Court. And the U.S. Supreme Court, with her admission, backdated her to 1869 application to honor her efforts and thus became the first woman admitted to the Illinois State Bar. Bradwell never practiced law but 10200081.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 81st Legislative Day 3/7/2022 her sacrifices paved the way for women in the legal profession. Thank you, everyone."
Speaker Manley: "Leader Greenwood for purposes of an announcement."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Democrats will request a caucus meeting in Room 114 upon adjournment."
"Leader Welter for an announcement."
"Madam Speaker, the House Republicans will be caucusing in Room 118 following adjournment."
"Democrats will caucus in Room 114, Republicans in Room 118. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agree Resolution. House Resolution 713, offered by Leader Durkin."
"Leader Greenwood moves for the adoption of 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. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Greenwood moves that the House stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 8, 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 5719, offered by Representative Hammond, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 5720, offered by Representative Buckner, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. First Reading of these House Bills. Introduction of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 3954, offered by 10200081.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 81st Legislative Day 3/7/2022 Representative Keicher, a Bill for an Act concerning public employee benefits. First Reading of this Senate Bill. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10200081.docx 8