"The House will be in order. 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."
"Let us pray. Lord, we arise on this St. Patrick's Day through the strength of heaven, light of sun, splendor of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of wind, depth of the sea, stability of the earth, and the firmness of the rock. We rise today through God's strength to pilot us, God's might to uphold us, God's wisdom to guide us, God's eye to look before us, God's ear to hear us, God's word to speak for us, God's hand to guard us, God's way to lie before us, God's shield to protect us, God's host to save us afar and anear, alone or in a multitude. Christ shield us today against wounding. Christ with us, Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ in us, Christ beneath us, Christ above us, Christ on our right, Christ on our left, Christ when we lie down, Christ when we sit down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of us, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of us, Christ on the eye that sees us, and Christ in the ear that hears us. We arise today through the mighty strength of the Lord of creation. This we pray, Amen."
"We'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Hurley."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, 10200087.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 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, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representatives Barbara Hernandez, Representative Delgado, Representative Meyers-Martin, and Representative Ann Williams are excused today."
"Leader Welter is recognized to report any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle."
"Mr. Speaker, let the record reflect that Representatives Grant, Brady, Luft, Spain, Stephens, and David Friess are excused for the day."
"Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 101 Members answering the roll, a quorum is present. Speaker Welch in the Chair."
"Leader Evans, good to see everyone again. Members of the General Assembly, it is, again, my distinct pleasure to introduce a distinguished guest. I'm delighted to welcome, on this St. Patrick's Day, the Consul General of Ireland to the Midwestern United States, Kevin Byrne. Consul General Byrne was appointed to his post in September of 2020. He came to see us last year, and I had promised to invite him back when we opened our chamber and he would be one of the first guests to speak to us. And today we get to keep that promise to this distinguished Consul General. He joined the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs in 2010 and had served in EU Division and in Ireland's Consulate in San Francisco. From 10200087.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 his base in Chicago, a city with strong Irish heritage, Mr. Byrne works to promote Ireland and Irish interests in the region while also strengthening the relationship between Ireland and the Midwest. Once again, Members, let's put our hands together and give a warm Illinois House welcome to Consul General Byrne."
"Dia daoibh a chairde go leir. Is mor an honor dom a bheith anseo libh inniu chun la feile Padraig a ceillruidh le cheile. That's Irish for thank you all so much for the warmth of your welcome. It's a real honor for me to be here to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with you all. Speaker Welch, I want to thank you for the invite to speak and for the warmth of your welcome. I also want to thank and recognize the cochairs of the Illinois Irish Caucus who have been such good friends and supports to me and to my office over the past number of years. Representatives Fran Hurley and Norine Hammond in this chamber, and State Senators Bill Cunningham and John Curran. I'm conscious that I'm speaking to you here as a member of the Consular Corps after a hiatus of some two years. Two years that were so difficult for so many. We would not have made it through without the leadership and the dedication of those in public service and elected officials, so I want to share a mile buiochas, a warm heartfelt thanks for all that you have done to keep people safe. Your support of the undocumented in particular really spoke to the humanity of the people of Illinois and to the leadership of this chamber shows right throughout the U.S. It has been said that Ireland, the country that I represent, is not an island defined by geographic boundaries but by journeys made to it 10200087.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 and from it, from flows of people out and people in. For the Irish are an emigrant people. So many Irish stories end with a departure, but every Irish American story starts with an arrival. This flow of people has shaped and forged Ireland as it has America. But it's not just flows of people that bind Ireland with the U.S. and Illinois, it's flows of ideas and values that have forged a deep and strong kinship between Ireland and the U.S., what we in Ireland call anamcara, a soul friendship. I want to speak to day briefly about the flows of people and also the flows of ideas that have forged this bond between our two homelands. As we mark St. Patrick's Day, we should reflect on one of the foundational aspects of St. Patrick story, that he was a migrant. In that, St. Patrick is so representative of much of the Irish experience. Emigration is the reason why Ireland, a country of just over 5 million people, is proud to have over 32 million Americans claiming Irish heritage. And of those, about a million and half here in the State of Illinois. Emigration is the reason why the Chicago River flows a proud and extremely vibrant green. It's the reason there are Hurleys and Welchs, Durkins and Burkes, Cassidys and McLaughlins in this august chamber, and in statehouses right throughout the U.S. It's the reason why there are two vibrant community centers for Irish culture is showcased in Chicago. The Irish American Heritage Center in the north of the city and Gaelic Park in the south. And this is something in which Ireland takes great pride, to see the achievements of the Irish in America makes every Irish man and Irish woman walk that little bit taller. To see the contribution of our own to this great nation, to the building 10200087.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 of the shining city on the hill is something which we at home in Ireland cherish and hold dear. Last year proclaiming March as Irish American Heritage Month, President Biden wrote that 'The fabric of modern America is woven through with the green of the Emerald Isle.' And in my time, I can see that that is as true here today as it was when the Irish built railroads, or when Cork woman Mother Jones fought for greater workers' rights and protections at the turn of the 20th century. Indeed, only last night I met with members of the uniformed services, and so many of them had Irish parents, or grandparents, or stories from back home. And while it is undoubtedly true that the thread of Irishness adds to the strength and vibrancy of the great multicultural tapestry that is the United States of America; the red, white, and blue of America are also as present in our Irish story. Ireland's foundational document, the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic, has seven signatories. Four of whom spent significant periods of time in the United States, nourished by ideals of equality and justice, independence and democracy. In its words you can see the impact of that time in America, and a deed of your own Bill of Rights. It reads, 'The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation, cherishing all children of the nation equally.' This year, 2022, Ireland celebrates the centenary of the founding of the Irish state, and over those first hundred years of our statehood, the flow of people and ideas back and forth between Ireland and the U.S. has been such a 10200087.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 core part of who we are as a nation. And as we look over the span of a hundred years, Ireland has changed and indeed has changed greatly. The first century of Irish statehood was one which saw and embrace of the transformational power of education. With primary, secondary, and third level education free to all residents, our people are now the most highly educated in the European Union. This commitment to education has made a land once marked my terrible famine into a country that produces food for over 65 million people. The U.S. and Irish America have a strong role in Ireland's turnaround. Investment by U.S. companies in Ireland, recognizing our place as a well-educated, English-speaking country with the European Union, has meant that there are 180 thousand jobs in Ireland supported by the U.S. and U.S. companies. A less well- known fact is that Irish companies support over 110 thousand jobs here in the U.S., with almost 12 thousand of those in the State of Illinois. And this number is growing daily. Just this week we had a visit of Irish Government Minister Patrick O'Donovan. And he met with an Irish company here opening up in Illinois, bringing the number of Irish companies employing Illinoisans to 81, many of them indeed probably in your districts. And despite our small size, with just 5 million people, Ireland is in the top 10 sources of foreign direct investment into the U.S. And this could not have been achieved without the commitment of U.S. and Irish businesses to building our shared prosperity and opportunity for all of our citizens. Indeed, the Irish government is committed to further growing Irish company's investment in Illinois, and right at this moment, we're recruiting new staff to support 10200087.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 Irish companies as they expand into the Midwest and Illinois. Ireland's economic transformation has been surpassed only by the opening up of Irish society, by a greater acceptance of the differences and of the diversity of our people. In this the flow of ideas from the U.S. over successive generations has been key. The struggle for civil rights and equality in the U.S. inspired advances in civil rights in Northern Ireland in the late 1960s, really transforming that region, for advances in women's rights over the past 30 years and the transformation in the lives of members of the LGBTQ community in recent years. Indeed in 2015 Ireland became the first country in the world to legalize same sex marriage by popular vote. And Ireland has a story to tell, these changes have only made our society stronger, more compassionate, and more cohesive. This was borne out over the past two years with a perseverance and commitment of the Irish people resulted in one of the lowest excess death rates in the world. And indeed now, with 95 percent of our adult population fully vaccinated, we have been in a position to roll back all COVID restrictions at home and indeed for those visiting. And yet, it is not the country's economic vitality or the societal blossoming which mark the greatest transformation that has come about on the island of Ireland over the past hundred years. That transformation is the achievement of a long elusive and hard- won peace in Northern Ireland. In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement, a peace agreement brokered by U.S. Senator George Mitchell, transformed Ireland more than any other act in the first hundred years of our statehood. In the words of Irish Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, it was a moment 'when hope and 10200087.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 history rhymed'. In my view, the Good Friday Agreement is without argument one of America's great foreign policy successes, bringing peace to a society long fractured by division. It could not have been achieved without the vision, the determination, and the compassion of Irish America and politician's right across the U.S. And for that, as an Irish man, I thank you all. For much of the past 20 years, Northern Ireland fell off the pages of U.S. newspapers and news programs. This was positive, it was the anonymity that comes from the quiet determined work to maintain and to build on a peace. However, over the past number of years, Northern Ireland is again a topic for discussion in the media and halls of power, this time in the context of Brexit, which saw Great Britain and Northern Ireland vote to leave the European Union in 2015. I must be honest, we are now entering into a challenging time in terms of political stability in Northern Ireland. The outworking of Brexit has both challenges and there's further negotiation necessary on the implementation of post-Brexit agreements. Calm, measured leadership remains vital, and it is important that we continue to work to support the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and the peace that it brought about. Ireland, as part of the European Union, will continue to work for solutions and hopes to see the UK Government meaningfully demonstrate its willingness to come to a deal on key issues. I'm heartened to say that throughout these past years, the United States has been steadfast in their Good Friday Agreement and for peace in Northern Ireland. As I close, I want to speak about Ukraine. With memories of conflict so close for people in Ireland, the situation in 10200087.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 Ukraine has had a profound and galvanizing impact on the Irish people, as it has throughout the West. Ireland stands with the U.S. in condemning Russia's unjustified, unprovoked, and immoral war. It is a gross violation of international law, of the values of the UN Charter, and of our shared common humanity. The Irish people stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We support the widest possible sanctions as a demonstration of that solidarity. Ireland's support for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to choose its own path remains unwavering. As a country transformed by our own membership of the European Union, Ireland fully supports Ukraine's application for EU membership. The response of the U.S., the support seen in Chicago and by politicians and people right throughout Illinois has been so powerful and has been witnessed back at home in Ireland as well. The people of Ireland too have been seized of the urgency of the situation in Ukraine. In Ireland we have never forgotten the succor and the opportunities we were given by the U.S., when we were those tired, those hungry, those poor, those huddled masses who came through Ellis Island for so many generations. And now we find ourselves in the situation where people are fleeing war on the European continent once again, desperately seeking refuge and safety. And now Ireland is in a position to help. To date we have welcomed 5,500 Ukrainians, and we stand ready to accept 100 thousand Ukrainians to our shores in the coming weeks. They will not need visas. They will be given immediate access to schooling, to health care, to welfare payments, to housing and to the labor market. One hundred thousand people 10200087.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 is fully two percent of the Irish population, and we know to support and integrate so many so quickly will be a challenge, but we do it because it is who we are, and it is the right thing to do. Ireland shares a national memory of exile, but we also share a national memory of the welcome and the home we were given overseas, and no more so than here in Illinois, and the City of Chicago in particular. Our hope is that those Ukrainians who come to Ireland will be able to return home, to live in an independent sovereign Ukraine as is their right and is their fervent desire. But if they are unable to return, our home will become their home. Their stories will become part of our story, their culture and traditions will become part of the fabric of our society, and we will be richer for it. In closing, I want to thank you all today for the welcome you have given me, but more so to the great State of Illinois for the welcome and the opportunities that you have given to generations of Irish women and Irish men. As we mark St. Patrick's Day, let us do so not just with a fierce pride in our shared heritage but by rededicating ourselves to the democratic and humanitarian values that have united us and that continue to inspire the bravery of the people of Ukraine. La Fheile Padraig Shona Daoibh, Happy St. Patrick's Day. Thank you all so much."
"I think those words deserve another round of applause, please. The Consul General has graciously agreed to stand in the well and is willing to take photos with any Members who desire. Leader Evans is back in the Chair." 10200087.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022
"The House shall be in order. The House shall be in order. Representative Stuart is recognized for a point of personal privilege."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, we all know how much we rely on our staff and how important they are for all the work that they do and all the work that we do. And I was lucky enough to have Bridget Cory as my LA early on. And she is now… she's moved up, literally up. And she works up in our research department, and we wouldn’t be anywhere without her and all the work that they do there. But I have her on the floor today for two reasons. First, I'll just mention, she's got some other visitors up there, her mom, Mary Kathleen, and her son, Wes, who wanted to spend his 21st birthday celebrating by watching us do the work that we do here. So, if we could wish him a happy birthday and say hello. But I have Bridget here with me today because it's a little bit… a little serious, but I wanted to talk about multiple sclerosis or MS. MS can impact individuals of all ages, races, and ethnicities. But it's at least two to three times more common in women than in men. Leading experts estimate that nearly 1 million people are living with MS in the United States alone. The Greater Illinois Chapter of the National MS Society shows that there's over 18 thousand persons living with MS but not all register. So, we know that the true number is actually much higher, and that’s in this area alone. In Illinois, the Department of Public Health collaborates with community partners to improve the health of people at risk for or affected by MS. MS is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within 10200087.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 the brain and between the brain and the body. Symptoms of MS range from numbness and tingling to vision problems and paralysis. The exact cause of MS is still unknown, and there is, as of yet, no cure for MS, although work is constantly being done. It is… this week is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, which is why I am speaking to you about this today. The goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day are to invite people to join the movement to end MS, to encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate a commitment to moving toward a world free of MS, and to acknowledge those who have dedicated time and talent to help promote MS research and programs. So, the week of March 13 through March 19 is… is Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and May 30 of 2022… so put that on your calendar… is Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Day. And we encourage residents to help ensure that more people understand that life… what life with MS can be like by sharing their stories of those living with MS on social media and by using the hashtags 'thisisms' and 'msconnections'. So, I wanted recognize Bridget because Bridget is living with MS. And despite the struggles, she's here for us working every day. She's lucky enough that there's some pretty incredible medications that help with symptoms. But it's still a daily struggle and you don’t know day to day what MS is going to bring. So, I wanted to celebrate Bridget. And I want us all to please celebrate MS Awareness Week and Day. I know that we have other Members in the chamber with family members and close friends that are also affected by MS, so this is also in honor of them. Thank you for your attention." 10200087.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022
"Thank you. And thank you, Bridget. Representative Ammons is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"Thank you. I rise in support of the Resolution that Representative Stuart just presented. Unfortunately, my daughter was diagnosed with MS just two years ago. She lost her vision. She lost mobility in the right side of her body. We had absolutely no idea how or why it was happening. And as Representative Stuart just mentioned and certainly for our staff here that suffers in the same way, each day is quite difficult for people living with MS because you can't look at them and tell that they have this debilitating disease. And unfortunately, MS… study and research is still a struggling new area so that we can find ways to help people who are living with MS. My daughter's receiving twice a year treatment of a very strong medication called Ocrevus. And this… this disease is so difficult that she can't get out of the bed on some days, especially after treatment. And she has two small children that I help care for. And so, I hope that new medications can come out and research… through our research universities and hospitals, can help people like my daughter, my best friend Sally Carter, and many of those who are suffering right now with MS. And so, when we see people who talk about disabilities, we should be careful not to judge because we don’t know by looking at someone what their life is like and how difficult it is for them. She lost her job and could not work for almost two years. And it's been very hard for my family and husband and I to support her, but we 10200087.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 have done everything that we can to support her and her family with this disease. And I'll say lastly that, unfortunately, young people, when they're married young, they don’t know how to support each other when life changing events like this happen. And so, for all of those who are living with MS, we see you, we hear you. And just for the month of March, if you can join your community walk for MS awareness, please do. Join a team and help raise awareness and resources for MS, MS research, and to help people who are really struggling with this disease. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative Stuart."
"Thank you, all. Representative Welter, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Mr. Speaker, let the record reflect that Representative Seth Lewis is excused for the rest of the day."
"Thank you. Committee Reports, Mr. Clerk."
Clerk Hollman: "Committee Reports. Representative Harris, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on March 17, 2022: approved for consideration, referred to Second Reading is House Bill 1066, House Bill 1175, House Bill 1292, House Bill 1293, House Bill 1358, and House Bill 1449. Representative Yingling, Chairperson from the Committee on Counties & Townships reports the following committee action taken on March 16, 2022: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 3187, Senate Bill 3789. Representative Kifowit, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration reports the following committee action taken on March 16, 2022: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 1915, Senate Bill 2984, Senate Bill 3050, 10200087.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 Senate Bill 3108, Senate Bill 3777, Senate Bill 3786, Senate Bill 3908, Senate Bill 3938, Senate Bill 3991. Representative Gong-Gershowitz, Chairperson from the Committee on Immigration & Human Rights reports the following committee action taken on March 16, 2022: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 3144; do pass as amended Short Debate is Senate Bill 3865. Representative Evans, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor & Commerce reports the following committee action taken on March 16, 2022: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 3146, Senate Bill 3161, Senate Bill 3416, Senate Bill 4017; do pass Standard Debate is Senate Bill 3120; do pass as amended Short Debate is Senate Bill 645; recommends be adopted is House Resolutions 639, 652, and 654. Representative Scherer, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools reports the following committee action taken on March 16, 2022: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 3867, Senate Bill 3893, Senate Bill 3907, Senate Bill 3915, Senate Bill 3986, and Senate Bill 3988. Representative Guzzardi, Chairperson from the Committee on Prescription Drug Affordability & Accessibility reports the following committee action taken on March 16, 2022: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 3024, Senate Bill 4014. Representative Stuart, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education reports the following committee action taken on March 16, 2022: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 3017, Senate Bill 3032, Senate Bill 3149, Senate Bill 3179, Senate Bill 3762, and Senate Bill 3792. Representative Lilly, Chairperson from the Committee on Appropriations-Human Services reports the following committee action taken on 10200087.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 March 17, 2022: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 205, House Bill 4423, Senate Bill 3617; do pass as amended Short Debate is Senate Bill 3853; recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 1587. Representative Ammons, Chairperson from the Committee on Small Business, Tech Innovation, and Entrepreneurship reports the following committee action taken on March 17, 2022: recommends be adopted is House Resolution 630. Representative Zalewski, Chairperson from the Committee on Revenue & Finance reports the following committee action taken on March 17, 2022: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 62, Senate Bill 3174, Senate Bill 3215, Senate Bill 3685, Senate Bill 3895. Representative Halpin, Chairperson from the Committee on Personnel & Pensions reports the following committee action taken on March 17, 2022: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 2952, Senate Bill 2958, Senate Bill 2989, Senate Bill 2991, Senate Bill 3177, Senate Bill 3465, Senate Bill 3651, Senate Bill 3652, Senate Bill 3778, Senate Bill 3785, Senate Bill 3954, Senate Bill 3957, Senate Bill 4000, Senate Bill 4053; do pass as amended Short Debate is Senate Bill 3197. Representative Robinson, Chairperson from the Committee on Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, & IT reports the following committee action taken on March 17, 2022: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 3939. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 6… correction, House Resolution 733, offered by Representative Stuart; House Joint Resolution 79, offered by Representative Kifowit; and House Joint Resolution 80, offered by Representative Yang Rohr, are referred to the Rules Committee." 10200087.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022
"Chair recognizes Representative Severin."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please speak your point."
"So, this is national be a Page for Representative Severin week. We had a Page yesterday, and today I have three Pages. And I'd like to introduce the twins to you, Kallie and Makena Carollo, and Katie Norvell. And so, they're seventh graders from Ewing Grade School. They've come up with a… the twins have come up with their grandpa, who's actually my dentist. So, I have awesome teeth because of Dr. LaBuwi up in the gallery. But we appreciate them being with us today. And this is there first time to be in Springfield, first time to be in Capitol. So, they've had a great time meeting many of you and visiting on this special day being St. Patrick's Day. And also, I just want to give shout out. Up in the gallery from Waltonville High School youth and government class, they're here participating and they're going to be competing. And Bethany Andersen, she also is the instructor there. So… so we got Pages on the floor, we got people in the gallery. So, it's Severin week. If you want to get on board, the trains rolling. Thank you very much."
"Thank you, Representative. The Chair recognizes Leader Manley for announcement."
"Speaker, I move that Representatives Kelly Cassidy, Lisa Hernandez, Charlie Meier, Tom Morrison, Adam Niemerg, and Terra Costa Howard be allowed to participate and cast their vote remotely." 10200087.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022
"Representative… Leader Manley has made a Motion to Representatives… the following, Representatives Kelly Cassidy, Lisa Hernandez, Charlie Meier, Tom Morrison, Adam Niemerg, Terra Costa Howard, be allowed to participate and cast their vote remotely. This is a roll call vote. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all the 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 Motion, there are 66 voting 'yes', 21 voting 'no', and 6 voting 'present'. The Motion is adopted. Mr. Clerk."
"Is Representative Cassidy present?"
"Cassidy is present."
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Cassidy is present. Is Representative Costa Howard present?"
"Present."
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Costa Howard is present. Is Representative Lisa Hernandez present?" Hernandez, L.: "Hernandez is present."
"Representative Lisa Hernandez is present. Is Representative Meier present?"
"Present."
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Meier is present. Is Representative Morrison present?"
"Yes, present."
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Morrison is present. Is Representative Niemerg present?"
"Present."
"Representative Niemerg is present." 10200087.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022
"Representative Wheeler, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"Thank you. Here in Illinois, we make a lot of very cool things, cars, food, sports equipment, cutting edge gadgets, life-saving medicines, even spaceship parts. And for the last several years our friends at the Illinois Manufactures' Association have conducted a pretty fun NCAA tournament style bracket type of contest called Makers Madness to let voters decide what is the coolest thing made in Illinois. Anyone can nominate products made in Illinois and nominations close this Sunday night, March 20, at midnight. So, nominations can be made at www.makersmadnessil.com and remind you the deadline for those nominations is Sunday night. Now all of us have cool things made in our districts. (unintelligible) in your district may not be as cool as the things made in my district because you have to beat Skittles, which is very, very hard to do. But if you don’t nominate your products, we'll never know for sure. So, get your nominations in by Sunday and let the voters decide. Thank you."
"Representative Swanson, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today we had the opportunity to welcome members from the Lincoln's ChalleNGe in Rantoul, and I just wanted to give you an update of how that went. Today they talk to us about Lincoln's ChalleNGe and they were also 10200087.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 three young people with them from Lincoln's ChalleNGe that came and talk to us. One was Cadet Field. He's from Greenville, Illinois. The second was Cadet Sanchez. She's from the South Side Chicago. And Cadet Field will be joining the Air Force. Cadet Sanchez is also going to join the Air Force to be admin… a finance officer. And then Cadet Hunt is from Country Club Hills near Chicago. All three of them spoke very highly of what they've been able to continue their education. One student, Cadet Hunt… or Cadet Field, had been to five different high schools and now is going through Lincoln's ChalleNGe and will someday receive his GD… GED. Cadet Hunt plans on going into a field of construction equipment operators and working in construction operations. And Cadet Field, from Greenville, someday hopes to run for state office. But all three of them have benefited from Lincoln's ChalleNGe and are becoming great young people through Lincoln's ChalleNGe. Lincoln's ChalleNGe did put an offer out, if anyone would ever want to mentor, there are opportunities to mentor these young cadets as they leave Lincoln's ChalleNGe. To mentor them as they get back into their home environment if they're not going off to school somewhere. But a… it was a great discussion with Lincoln's ChalleNGe. We're going to try and work up some other opportunities for us to be a part of Lincoln's ChalleNGe to experience that. The General Assembly here provided $34 million, and they built a new facility, and they've got a lot more going on there. Right now, their class size is 79, the total enrollment space of bed space is over 300. So, they're looking for more cadets. And it's just a great opportunity to 10200087.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 help the young people who are struggling in school, help our schools to prevent their dropout rates by enrolling in Lincoln's ChalleNGe and we can count those numbers towards enrollment and continuing their education. So, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker."
"Thank you, Representative. Representative Halpin is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"You know, I'm so glad that we… we do have the gallery open now because I'm just pleased to welcome some students from United Township High School, which are constituents a mix of my district in the 72nd and Representative McCombie's district in the 71st. They're here for Model Illinois Government, and I just… they're here with their teacher Ms. Julie Eisenband. And I would just ask that everyone give them a warm Illinois welcome back to the chamber."
"Leader Greenwood, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative LaShawn Ford is excused for the day."
"On page 10 of the Calendar, under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 615, Representative Ammons. Out of the record. Continuing on page 11, under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 623, Representative Butler."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 623 recognizes the end of January of 2022 as a National Passenger Safety Week. And I would urge its adoption." 10200087.docx 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022
"Representative Butler moves for the adoption of House Resolution 623. All those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Continuing on the Calendar. On page 11, under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 670, Leader Greenwood."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 670 urges all public and private colleges and universities in Illinois to freeze tuition costs during the entire length of the COVID- 19 pandemic. I ask for your support."
"Leader Greenwood moves for the adoption of House Resolution 670. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Continuing on page 11 of the Calendar, under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 681, Representative Ness. Representative Ness."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 681 is a Resolution that recognizes and honors the good work of districts across the state that have implemented post- secondary career pathway opportunities for their students and encourages state agencies to not only report that on their Web sites but to encourage districts throughout our state to help prepare our young people for vocational training and career options as they move into the work force."
"Thank you. Seeing no discussion, Representative Ness moves for the adoption of House Resolution 681. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution 10200087.docx 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022 is adopted. The Chair recognizes Representative Harper for a point of personal privilege."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to celebrate Women's History Month and celebrate the groundbreaking life and legacy of Ida B. Wells. Ida B. Wells was freed from slavery at just 6 months old and was orphaned at 16. She became a teacher to support her siblings, which reaffirmed her commitment to education as a driving force toward progress for black Americans. Words were Wells' weapons of choice in her fight against injustice. After three of her friends were lynched by a mob in 1892, Wells wrote a multitude of pamphlets detailing her investigations into lynchings in the United States. This prolific editorial campaign led to an attack on her office, prompting Wells to move to Chicago. Even as Ida B. Wells became a well-known investigative journalist and civil rights activist, she still did not have the right to vote. A vocal proponent of women's suffrage, she founded the Alpha Suffrage Club, the first black women suffrage organization in Chicago. In 1913, Wells integrated a national women's suffrage parade despite being asked to march in the back. Though the fight for racial justice and women suffrage were sometimes competing, Wells fought for both with tremendous courage and conviction. In 2020, Wells was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize for her influential reporting on the horrifically violent lynchings of the Jim Crow era. Her bravery, passion, and activism are an inspiration to all. Today we honor Ida B. Wells. Thank you."
"The Chair recognizes Representative Ammons." 10200087.docx 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022
"Mr. Speaker, I was hoping for the Resolution that I just missed from going to the Speaker's Office."
"All right. We'll return to page 10 of the Calendar. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 615, offered by Representative Ammons."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Resolution is asking Congress to look at the nutrition programs for WIC, Women and Infant Children, and summer meal programs in order to expand them and make them available for people to apply either electronically and make appointments by Zoom and to modernize the supplemental nutrition program to fill in gaps over the summer while children are out of school. And I ask for its adoption."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Ammons moves for the adoption of House Resolution 615. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolution. House Resolution 735, offered by Representative Moeller."
"Leader Greenwood moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolution. All those in favor say 'aye'; all the 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 22, at the hour of noon. All those in favor say 'aye'; all the opposed 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned." 10200087.docx 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day 3/17/2022
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Second Reading of House Bills. House Bill 205, a Bill for an Act concerning health. House Bill 1358, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. House Bill 3263, a Bill for an Act concerning agriculture. House Bill 4423, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. House Bill 5098, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. House Bill 5100, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of these House Bills. They'll be held on the Order of Second Reading. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10200087.docx 25