"The House shall be in order. The House shall be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Reverend Mary Arnold, the Reverend at the Dwight United Methodist Church in Dwight, Illinois. Reverend Arnold is the guest of Representative Bennett. 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."
"Thank you, everyone. Please pray with me. Praise be to you, Adonai, our Lord and our God, King of the universe. Truly there is none that compares to you. Yours is the majesty and the glory now and forever. You give us the law and the good news of salvation through faith in your son, Jesus. You pour out your holy spirit upon all people, giving us ears to hear and hearts to receive the gift and power of your great love for us and all of creation. We ask that you, in your gracious mercy, that you show your blessing on each one gathered here today. Please bless their families and all who support them in their good work for our state and our nation. Clear their minds, that they may focus on their work and complete the task before them with due diligence. Anoint each one with the spirit of wisdom, a hunger for righteousness, and hearts full of mercy to work in collaboration for the good of all, especially for the poor and the marginalized, the oppressed and the outcasts. Remind us, again, that the least of these are very dear to you. You take notice of how those in positions of power and influence treat those who do not share that privilege. We pray for peace in our great land and for peace around our world. We especially pray that you 10200098.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 grant peace right now to Ukraine. And we ask that you burden the leaders of Russia with a hunger for justice and righteousness, that they may be without conflict with their neighbors and be in peace with other nations around the world. We pray that you sustain those who have had to leave their homes and country and provide a safe way for them to return. Remind us that your peace is a life-giving force that transforms all for good. Please bring your peace to us, this day, at this time, oh Lord. Help each of us to be mindful and conscience of our land and water, establish policies and laws that assure the use of our resources for the good of all. And please help us to be wise stewards in our use of all the gifts you give us that benefit not only us present but are mindful for the future. Give each lawmaker here a sense of purpose, a strong sense of accountability, and a desire to lead in ways that foster justice and give hope. Remind us above all else that when we labor for you, through our relationships, through Jesus, our labor is never in vain. Help this Body to bear good fruit this day. In the precious name of Jesus we come, Amen."
"We'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Stephens." Stephens – et al: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Greenwood is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle." 10200098.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representatives Buckner, Burke, Conroy, and Barbara Hernandez 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 there are no excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle today."
"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 109 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Committee Reports."
Clerk Bolin: "Committee Reports. Representative Harris, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on April 4, 2022: approved for consideration, referred to Second Reading is House Bill 1462. Representative Smith, Chairperson from the Committee on Economic Opportunity & Equity reports the following committee action taken on April 4, 2022: recommends be adopted, House Resolution 759. Representative Rita, Chairperson from the Committee on Executive reports the following committee action taken on April 4, 2022: do pass Short Debate for Senate Bill 302; do pass as amended Short Debate for Senate Bill 1734; and recommends be adopted, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 1534, Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 1534, and Floor Amendment(s) 3 to Senate Bill 1534. Representative Kifowit, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration reports the following committee action taken on April 4, 2022: recommends be adopted, Floor Amendment(s) 10200098.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 1 to House Bill 1463. Representative Mussman, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies reports the following committee action taken on April 4, 2022: recommends be adopted, Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 4028. Representative Slaughter, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary - Criminal reports the following committee action taken on April 4, 2022: recommends be adopted, Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 3180. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 796, offered by Representative Ford. And House Joint Resolution 90, offered by Representative Ammons."
Speaker Evans: "Representative Severin, do you seek to be recognized?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please speak your point."
"Last week was national be a Page for Representative Severin, and it went so well that we're going to continue it this week. And I have with me today a young man named Gentry Heiple. And he reached out to my office several months ago, and he noticed that there's not a state snake. So, he wants to be a herpetologist someday. Is that correct? And so, he had reached out to me, and he's done his homework. He actually participated in the House Zoom committee, and we put a Bill together. It passed the House. It passed the Senate. And it's now gone to the Governor's desk to designate the Eastern Milksnake as the state snake. And so, he loves snakes and animals. And so, he's quite the young man. He's a seventh grader at Carterville Junior High. His parents are up in the 10200098.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 gallery, Tim and Lindsay Stockhecke, and also his grandparents. He's got a brother and sister with him today. And so, he's excited about being here. So, again, he's our state snake guy, Mr. Gentry Heiple. So, how about a welcome to Gentry?"
Speaker Evans: "Welcome to the Capitol. Leader Gabel is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Representatives Guerrero-Cuellar, Gong-Gershowitz, Cassidy, Meier, and Sosnowski be allowed to participate and cast their vote remotely."
"Leader Gabel's made a Motion that Representative Guerrero-Cuellar, Gong-Gershowitz, Cassidy, Meier, Sosnowski be allowed to participate and cast their votes remotely. This is a roll call vote. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those 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 75 voting 'yes', 23 voting 'no', and 6 voting 'present'. And the Motion is adopted. Mr. Clerk."
"Is Representative Cassidy present?"
"Cassidy is present."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Cassidy is present. Is Representative Gong-Gershowitz present?"
"Mr. Clerk, she just texted me that she's in the waiting room."
"Is Representative Guerrero-Cuellar present? Is Representative Meier present?"
"Present." 10200098.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Representative Meier is present. Is Representative Sosnowski present?"
"Present."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Sosnowski is present. Is Representative Gong-Gershowitz present?"
"Gong-Gershowitz is present."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Gong-Gershowitz is present. Is Representative Guerrero-Cuellar present?"
"On page 13 of the Calendar, under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Joint Resolution 72, offered by Representative Ramirez. Out of the record. Continuing down page 13 of the Calendar. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Joint Resolution 73, Representative Zalewski. Mr. Clerk, please read the Resolution. Zalewski on the Resolution."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is an aspirational Resolution dealing with a clean tech competition that Illinois wishes to participate in. We just encourage the State of Illinois to participate in the ability to take advantage of federal infrastructure funds. I ask for its adoption."
"Representative Zalewski moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 73. All those in favor say 'aye'; all the opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Continuing down page 13 of the Calendar. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 636, Representative Ortiz. Out of the record. At the bottom of page 13, under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 639, Representative Guzzardi. Representative Guzzardi. Out of the record. Moving 10200098.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 on to page 14 in the Calendar. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 640, Representative Ammons. Representative Ammons on the Resolution."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 640 simply asks policy makers, state and federal, to invest additional resources in the study of sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia is one of those diseases that, in many cases, people go without necessary supports and therapies. And this Resolution calls on the Federal Government and our state policy makers to prioritize resources for those who are suffering with sickle cell anemia. And I ask for its adoption."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Ammons moves for the adoption of House Resolution 640. 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. Moving on to page 15 of the Calendar. Under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 677, Representative Scherer. Representative Scherer is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I'm presenting House Resolution 677. This Resolution directs the officer… the Office of the Auditor General to conduct a management audit of all the state's boards and commissions. Many of them have never even met. And I'd be happy to answer any questions and appreciate an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Scherer moves for the adoption of House Resolution 677. This is a roll call vote. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who 10200098.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
"Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Gong-Gershowitz."
"Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'. Representative Meier."
"Yes."
"Representative Meier votes 'yes'. Representative Sosnowski."
"Yes."
"Representative Sosnowski votes 'yes'."
"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 110 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 797, offered by Leader Durkin. Leader Durkin is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like the attention of the House of Representatives for a few moments. It's my honor today to present House Resolution 797. It is on behalf of a very dear, great friend of ours who had served in this House for decades. And she is seated to my right, Elizabeth Laird. And she'll be retiring within a few weeks, but her dedication to this Body and to the State of Illinois needs to be recognized. So, I'm going to read a few snippets out of this 10200098.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 Resolution. Whereas, in 1988, Illinois' Bonnie Blair won a gold medal in the 500-meter speed skating event held at the Winter Olympics, a great concrete wall snaked through the heart of Berlin, The Cosby Show and Rosanne were the highest- rated TV shows in U.S. television, and Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States, and of course the first computer virus, or internet worm, was invented. And last but not least, that's when Al Gore indicated that he invented the World Wide Web, or the Internet. Things that we will never forget. But at that same time, Elizabeth Laird started her career in the Illinois General Assembly as a legislative page, 1988. So, Elizabeth has been asked by House Republican Chief of Staff Mike Stokke to becoming his secretary and executive assistant. And since that time, for over two decades, she's been the operational manager for nine House Republican Chiefs of Staff, and lastly for our esteemed Chief of Staff Andrew Freiheit. She has also been through six Governors. She's seen them come and seen them go. Whether they had handcuffs or not, I think at the end, she's seen that few times, and while continuing to operate the guard in the southeast corner of the third floor of the State Capitol. She's been here through times of tumult, during times which the state has endured impeachments of Governors, budget crisis, and elevation of one of its lawmakers to the Office of President of the United States. Elizabeth's calm determination and unfailing courtesy has helped keep things going, not just for us, but for everyone in this Body. She's going to leave her service and she's going to join… rejoin her family in a place far, far, far away in which Springfield will just be something that you 10200098.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 will look at in the rearview mirror. Is that accurate, Elizabeth? But you'll love it. And you loved Springfield 'cause you loved the people. So, we are grateful for her service that we think it's important that we adopt this Resolution. And I know that she's a little embarrassed about this because she's a very humble person, but the thing is, she's meant so much to us over the years that this is the proper way to say our goodbyes, but also give you tribute for what you've done for us and what you mean to us. Now, she is going to move to the Flathead Country in the northwest part of the Big Sky State of Montana, where the birds sing, the buffalo roam, and the mountains look down from above. And also, that part of the country was glamourized by Frank Zappa in a song called Moving to Montana. Remember that song? Okay. Where Frank Zappa moved to Montana to raise a crop of dental floss, and I'm not sure if that is your intention to do that, but I hope not. It's a great song. It's a tear-jerker for any of you who haven't heard it before. So, anyway, I just want to say, Elizabeth, thank you so much for being such a great friend to myself and everyone. I remember the day I started here in 1995, and I still have that bewildered look on my face, but you were so welcoming to me and also to everybody who starts in this chamber, whether Democrat or Republican. So, I want to thank you on behalf of myself and also all Members of the House of Representatives. And, Speaker, I would ask that all Members be added as cosponsors on this Resolution. So, thank you, Elizabeth, for everything that you've done. You've performed magnificently and we will miss you." 10200098.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"As requested, all Members will be added to this Resolution. Seeing no discussion, Leader Durkin moves for the adoption of House Resolution 797. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. 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. Returning to page 15 of the Calendar. Under House Resolutions 8… House Resolution 687, Representative Yingling. Representative Yingling. Out of the record. Continuing down page 15 in the Calendar. Under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 691, Representative Andrade. Representative Andrade. Out of the record. Continuing down the page 15 in the Calendar. Under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 695, Representative Mussman. Representative Mussman. Out of the record. Remain out of the record. Continuing down page 15 in the Calendar. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 699, Representative Halpin. Out of the record. Continuing down page 15 in the Calendar. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 700, Representative Stuart. Mr. Clerk. Oh, Representative Stuart to the Resolution."
"This is just a Resolution to recognize Physician Anesthesiologist Week here in Illinois, and I would appreciate an 'aye' vote."
"Representative Stuart moves for the adoption of House Resolution 700. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those… all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk."
"Is Representative Guerrero-Cuellar present?" 10200098.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar is present."
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar is present."
"Continuing down page 15 of the Calendar. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 701, Representative Stuart. Representative Stuart to the Resolution."
"Thank you. House Resolution 701 will declare May 28, 2022 as Menstrual Hygiene Day in Illinois to align up with World Menstrual Hygiene Day."
"Representative Stuart moves for the adoption of House Resolution 701. 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 at the bottom of page 15. Under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 709, Representative Williams. Representative Williams. Out of the record. Returning to the top of page 15. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 687, Representative Yingling. Representative Yingling is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is our annual House Resolution for Save Your Tooth Month. This is an initiative of the Endodontist Association to promote and encourage good dental hygiene. I'd appreciate all your support."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Yingling moves for the adoption of House Resolution 687. 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. Returning to page 13 in the Calendar. Under the Order 10200098.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 of Resolutions, we have House Joint Resolution 72, Representative Ramirez. Representative Ramirez is recognized"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Joint Resolution 72 is a Resolution affirming our support for the Ukrainian people and their ongoing fight against Russian invasion. This Resolution affirms our support for the Ukrainian people, supports the strong sanctions on Russia, and clearly states our commitment as the State of Illinois to help in the humanitarian and refugee crisis caused by this conflict. The 4th House District, my district, is home to Ukrainian Village, a historic neighborhood in Chicago's Northwest Side that has one of the largest Ukrainian descendant and Ukrainian immigration populations in the country. I stand in solidarity with them and their people in Ukraine fighting to defend their country. As we condemn this attack, we also hope for a peaceful resolution that restores and respects the sovereignty for the people of Ukraine. I understand that Representative LaPointe also has legislation pending on this matter, and I want to say on the record my firm support and gratitude for her work on this issue. I urge an 'aye' vote in support of this Resolution, and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Ramirez moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 72. 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 page 16. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 722, Representative Ammons. Representative Ammons is recognized." 10200098.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 722 just asks the PRP to continue to look at the conducted rigorous analysis and financial modeling for the EBF, part of their report that they already did. There's a function that they need to continue, and this Resolution calls for the continuation of that work."
"Thank you, Representative. Any discussion? We have Representative Bourne."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicated she will."
"Thank you. Representative, I know you said that this was sparked by a report from the Professional Review Panel. Could you give a little more context to the Body?"
"The Professional Review Panel released a report recently that did not include some of the study about reenrolling students who've dropped out of high school, for instance, and we're asking for them to continue that."
"Okay, thank you. I think this goes a little bit farther than that, but I'm looking up at the Any discussion? -Hoc Committee report, which I have a copy of, and I think there were five different charges. Can you let me know why some of them were not included in this Resolution?"
"I cannot."
"Okay. I know that just looking at the summary, the first charge was about foreign language for every student. And then we look at… E and G, were also not included, which I know is a little bit different, but is there any reason that those three charges were pulled out that are in the Resolution?" 10200098.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"I can't speak to those, and certainly happy to work with you to pass a separate Resolution asking them to put them back."
"Thank you. A separate question. This is tasking the State Board of Education to study the effect of adding new elements to the formula. Could you summarize… I know briefly… the impact of adding new elements to a form… the formula, what that will do to the cost that we face in the General Assembly?"
"This actual Resolution is asking them to study the potential value impact and modeling. Once they finish the studying portion of it, then we have to reengage around whether there is a need, if any, to add additional elements to the EBF. At this point, this Resolution does not ask for that."
"Okay, thank you. Do you know how much this will cost the agency? Because it's my understanding, if they are to study adding, like, trauma and these other things that they don't have the data, it could be a long and costly process. Have you talked to them about implementing this?"
"Well, they did testify that there was no additional cost in committee for this and they have not…"
"They… they did not testify in committee. That was a… an outside…"
"That was a separate organization who works with ISBE on this matter. ISBE is neutral on this matter and suggested that there was no additional cost and that it would not be overburdensome for them to do this work." 10200098.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I would request a roll call. And to the Resolution, please. This is… the Any discussion? -Hoc Committee report that was born out of the PRP, sorry for this being wonky, was sparked by the Black Caucus Education Pillar, which was not a bipartisan piece of legislation. It was not something that we worked through the Professional Review Panel on what we should best do for the formula. If you believe in fully funding the formula and getting dollars to where students need it most first, this kind of process of going through a different organization rather than through the Professional Review Panel and rather than through this Body to add more cost to the formula is not the way to do it. I would suggest that this is a roundabout way of sending money to specific school districts rather than looking at a wholistic approach. Please vote 'no'."
"This will be a roll call vote. Seeing no further discussion, Representative Ammons moves for the adoption of House Resolution 722. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
"Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Gong-Gershowitz."
"Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Yes."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'. Representative Meier." 10200098.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"No."
"Representative Meier votes 'no'. Representative Sosnowski."
"No."
Representative Sosnowski votes 'no'."
"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 68 voting 'yes', 45 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Moving along on page 16 in the Calendar. Under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 725, Representative Gabel. Representative Gabel is recognized."
"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Resolution declares May 25, 2022 as Trauma-Informed Awareness Day to highlight the impact of trauma and the importance of prevention. This was brought to me by Health Medicine Policy Research Group and it also resolves and encourages all agencies at the State of Illinois to become informed about ACEs, the Adverse Childhood Experiences and interventions that promotes positive experiences. I ask for it to be adopted."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Gabel moves for the adoption of House Resolution 725. 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 down page 16 in the Calendar. Under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 6… 730, Representative Costa Howard. Representative Costa Howard is recognized." 10200098.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 70… 730 designates May 21 through May 27 as Safe Boating Week. This is an initiative of the United States Coast Guard Division Commander, Reverend Craig Felde, from my district. I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Costa Howard moves for the adoption of House Resolution 730. 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. At the bottom of page 16 in the Calendar, under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 733, Representative Stuart. Representative Stuart is recognized."
"Thank you. I don't know if everyone is aware, but this year on June 23 will be the 50th anniversary of the package… passage of Title IX, which has made quite a big difference in the lives of women and folks all across the country and also right here in the State of Illinois. And so, this is to recognize the importance of that and the impact that it's had. And because of the importance that this has had on the lives of so many, I would like to ask that all Members of the Body be added to this Resolution."
Speaker Evans: "Any discussion? Representative Wilhour is recognized."
"Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicated she will."
"Representative Stuart, I got a couple of questions just on… a couple on definition and then some other stuff. In paragraph four, it refers to LGBTQI+, and I'm a little behind on the last part of that. Can you define what that is?" 10200098.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"It's the treatment of everyone. It's an umbrella term."
"No, specifically what it stands for."
"LGBQTI+?"
"Yes."
"So, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, I believe queer, intersex, and anything else."
"Okay. Thank you. And that's all I wanted on that part. In paragraph six, it talks about women had less access to scholarships and were excluded from male programs. Is this Resolution advocating for biological men or biological women participating in… into sports?"
"This is pointing out to the fact that when people like my own mother were going through school, they were not allowed to enter certain programs, and that she had to go against her college just in order to major in mathematics and statistics. That's what this points to…"
"Okay."
"…is disgusting history of our country holding women back and not allowing us opportunities."
"Okay. Also, in that same paragraph, it mentions woman. Could you give us a definition of a woman?"
"I… I really am just shocked that there's opposition to supporting something like Title IX, which has given opportunities to people who have been held back for generations."
"This isn't opposition to Title IX."
"And your line of questioning… your line of questioning is offensive. Offensive." 10200098.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Okay. Well, you still didn't answer the question. What's the definition of a woman? We can't have it both ways. If we're going to do specific legislation for women, I think we need to clearly define it."
"Title IX applies…"
"Nobody is in opposition of Title IX. Title IX is protecting… protecting girls' sports and we're all for that. This seems to… this seems to be going against Title IX."
"Title IX is protecting anyone who identifies as female."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Representative Batinick is recognized."
"Can we have a roll call vote on this and pause on the all Sponsors as well, please?"
"Your request is recognized. Seeing no further discussion… seeing no further discussion, Representative Stuart moves for the adoption of House Resolution 733. A roll call vote was requested. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
"Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Gong-Gershowitz."
"Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'. Representative Meier."
"No." 10200098.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Representative Meier votes 'no'. Representative Sosnowski."
"No."
"Representative Sosnowski votes 'no'."
"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 67 voting 'yes', 11 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Moving forward to page 17 in the Calendar. Under Order of Resolutions, we have Senate Joint Resolution 6, Leader Welter. Leader Welter is recognized."
"Mr. Speaker, Senate Joint Resolution 6 designates Route 113 from Carbon Hill Road to Virginia Street in Coal City as the 'Dennis M. Neary Memorial Highway'. Dennis Neary was born in my community of Morris in July 11 of 1950 and attended Morris High School and Joliet Junior College. He spent a large part of his career with the Grundy County Sheriff's Office and was hired as the Coal City police officer in 1972, where he served as chief of police for nearly 30 years. Also, a member of the Volunteer Fire Department in Coal City for many of those years. Dennis passed away on October 2 of 2016, leaving behind his wife, two sons, and three grandchildren. And the community has asked us to pass this and memorialize him through this Senate Joint Resolution."
"Representative Morrison is recognized. A moment of silence on the Resolution. Thank you. Seeing no discussion, Representative Welter moves for the adoption of House… Senate Joint Resolution #6. This is a roll call vote. All those in 10200098.docx 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
"Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Gong-Gershowitz."
"Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Yes."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'. Representative Meier."
"Yes."
"Representative Meier votes 'yes'. Representative Sosnowski."
"Yes."
"Representative Sosnowski votes 'yes'."
"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 112 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Representative Caulkins, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"Please speak your point."
"I wanted to let Representative Charlie Meier know that we much appreciate all the things that he's done for us, and 10200098.docx 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 this is the last strawberry that was in his refrigerator. And we hope he gets well and comes back soon. We miss him."
"Returning to page 13 of the Calendar. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 636, Representative Ortiz. Representative Ortiz is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the Body. House Resolution 636 seeks to express support for Out of School Time programs in the state in order to acknowledge their ability to prevent violence, reduce hunger, grow academic achievement, nurture social/emotional well-being, and contribute to a strong workforce. The Resolution seeks to honor the role of these programs in the continuum of care for youth from birth to adulthood. Out of School Time programs are recognized as having many benefits. One of the impacts is the role they play in violence prevention. The programs will actively engage youth with support as well as provide a safe space that discourages children from participating in negative behaviors. Out of School Time programs also provide, at minimum, a snack, but some provide lunch and dinner as well. This ensures kids are at least getting some form of food and drink, meaning the program helps alleviate food insecurity. In addition, parents often rely on Out of School Time programs to provide them relief and comfortability, knowing their child is being cared for in a safe space. By having this reliable form of child care, parents are better able to concentrate at work and miss less days, leading to a more productive workforce. The need for more Out of School Time programs in the state is recognized through this Resolution. Support is offered to these programs through this 10200098.docx 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 Resolution. I respectfully request an 'aye' vote. Thank you for your consideration."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Ortiz moves for the adoption of House Resolution 636. 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. Moving forward to page 17 in the Calendar. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have Senate Joint Resolution 15, Representative Bennett. Representative Bennett is recognized."
"Can you hear me? There we go. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Glad to be back. Thank you. Senate Joint Resolution 15 designates the section of Interstate 39 in Illinois from Exit 22 to Exit 27 as the 'Cpl. Robert D. Janssen Memorial Highway'. Robert Janssen graduated high school in 1966. He joined the Army July 10 of 1967. After training, he arrived in Vietnam in April of 1968. He was killed in action in Vietnam June 3, 1968, two months later. Barely two years out of high school. We are thankful for his sacrifice to our nation and deeply saddened for his loss. We extend our sympathies to the family and friends, and we pray and hope that this action today will help show support to Robert's family from a grateful state and a grateful country. Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence and for an 'aye' vote, please."
"Thank you, Representative. Please rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. A roll call vote is required. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk." 10200098.docx 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
"Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Gong-Gershowitz."
"Yes."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Yes."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'. Representative Meier."
"Yes."
"Representative Meier votes 'yes'. Representative Sosnowski."
"Yes."
"Representative Sosnowski votes 'yes'."
"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 111 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Returning to page 15 of the Calendar. Under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 695, Representative Mussman. Representative Mussman is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the chamber. House Resolution 695 would declare March 21, 2022 as Down Syndrome Day in our state. This date is chosen because with the most common form of Down syndrome, trisomy 21, there is an error in cell division with the 21st chromosome dividing in three instead of in two, so an individual is born with 47 instead 10200098.docx 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 of 46 chromosomes in each cell. We want to celebrate how individuals with Down syndrome and their families work to overcome obstacles and be fully participating members of our community and add richness and diversity to our world. Thank you."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Mussman moves for the adoption of House Resolution 695. 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. Attention, Members. We're going to be moving to House Bills on Second Reading. On page 3 of the Calendar, we have House Bill 1170, Representative Meyers-Martin. Out of the record. Continuing down page 3 of the Calendar, House Bills-Second Reading. We have House Bill 1172, Representative Stuart. Out of the record. Moving forward to page 7 of the Calendar, Senate Bills–Second Reading. We have Senate Bill 1405, Representative Bos. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1405, a Bill for an Act concerning health. The Bill was read for a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #2 is offered by Representative Bos."
"Representative Bos on the Amendment."
"The Amendment 2 brings AARP of Illinois into support and also adds language IDPH requested in codifying Federal Law in with this Bill as well."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Bos moves the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. All those in favor say 'aye'; the opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, 10200098.docx 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading."
"So, this Bill amends the medical…"
"One second. One second. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill on Third Reading."
"Senate Bill 1405, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Bos."
"All right, I'll wait now. All right. So, this Bill amends the Medical Patient Rights Act by… in the midst of a pandemic or others that are going on, we've all had similar issues within our districts, within our communities, where members of families were not able to visit their loved ones in the hospital or long-term care facilities. This is agreed upon language with long-term care and hospital associations to allow visitation and the clergy member… at least one person and a clergy member to visit them. They'll have to do all, of course, all of the PPEs, all of the requirements that go along with that, so that our family members, our community family members, don't have to suffer alone in the hospitals again."
"Any discussion? Representative Ammons."
"Thank you, Mr. Sponsor… I mean… I'm sorry. Mr. Speaker, would the Sponsor yield?"
"Yes."
"He indicates that he will."
"Thank you. Representative, I just want to clarify just a couple things on this Bill. Does this Bill constrain any 10200098.docx 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 Governor from issuing a proclamation in a disaster that would prevent people from visiting?"
"Say that… the Governor can declare it, but this allows the hospitals to allow the opportunity for family members to go in there. And it allows the hospitals and long-term care facilities to be able to put in protocols and procedures that also allows the hospitals local control and long-term care facilities local control to be able to admit or not individuals."
"Thank you, Mr.… Representative Bos. To the Bill. Certainly, to the Members of the Democratic Caucus on this side, I want you guys to hear what I'm about to say. This Bill actually usurps the Governor's authority when emergency declaration is in play. I understand why Representative Bos wants to move this Bill, but it's really a backdoor way to usurp the Governor's emergency powers and allow local control in the issue of emergency orders. And so, when you vote for this Bill, just know that some of the actions that were attempted early on around the lawsuits, the Governor's emergency declaration during COVID, and God forbid we would be in a similar situation. And I do understand the point that Representative is trying to do is to make sure family members are not alone in the case nursing homes have to be shut down. But the reality is, when you have a worldwide pandemic, the Governor has to have the ability and the authority to make the decision that is in the best interest of all the people of the state. And in this case, this will usurp that authority. And I just want to make sure everybody is clear on 10200098.docx 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 that before you automatically vote 'yes'. I urge, actually, a 'no' vote on this measure."
"Representative Ugaste is recognized."
"Thank you. To the Bill. I appreciate Rep. Ammons' statement that we have differences in this chamber over the Governor's authority and how long emergency declarations have gone on. I will be the first to admit it because I probably have the biggest differences with the most, or have at least have spoken the most about it. But the intentions of this Bill… the intentions of this Bill are completely different than that. Just so you're aware, there are those in this state who did not get to see their loved ones for months on end once this pandemic started, prior to that family member passing away. My wife was one of those people. She didn't get to see her mother for three and half months, prior to her mother passing away. She got to go in and see her when her mother was completely comatose and say a final goodbye. That was it. These are ladies who would speak three times a day only for the purpose of saying hello to each other. That's how close they were. And if you had any idea, any idea what that does to an individual, as I watched my wife go through this for the past two years since her mother passed away, you would vote for this Bill because that is inhumane in and of itself. It's not about Governor's powers. It's not about executive authority. I'm happy to have that discussion with anyone. This Bill's completely different. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Any further discussion? We have Representative Davis… is recognized." 10200098.docx 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates that he will."
"So, Representative, what you're trying to accomplish, you said, is for a personal visit, correct? Meaning, like, in the same room? I'm trying to make sure I understand. Because if we're talking about somebody seeing and visiting with someone, I have friends who traveled to Iowa to see his wife's mother and they visited with her, except it was… you know, there was a piece of glass between them. But they were allowed to visit. So, it sounds like your Bill is suggesting that there is absolutely no visit at all and you're trying to allow for some type of personal visit. Is that fair, correct?"
"No. So, this is allowing for a personal visit. This is allowing for those visitations to happen. This is allowing for hospital associations and individual hospitals and long- term care facilities to put policies, procedures into place that may be that, it may not be that. This is requiring a visit. We all know, as Rep. Ugaste said, many people who were denied visitation when a opportunity for visitation could have happened. The Bill itself says a health care facility may deny visitation under this Act if visitation would endanger the physical health or safety of a patient, the visitor, or the health care worker, or would otherwise create a public health or safety problem. This puts the power into the hospitals and the long-term care facilities."
"You said puts the power in their hands. So, is this encouraging the setup of guidelines? Or is this actually allowing the visit to take place?" 10200098.docx 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Allowing the visit to take place, pursuant to their guidelines. It also says in there that they… health care facility may establish guidelines, will have to follow health screenings and protocols, and that those visitors must follow those as well."
"So, they don't have to set up guidelines?"
"What's that?"
"Said they don't have to set up guidelines. If it's a 'may' and not a 'shall', they don't have to set up guidelines, correct?"
"Correct. But they… if they do set up guidelines, if the health care facilities or long-term care facilities do set up guidelines, then those visiting must follow those guidelines."
"So, if it's a 'may', they could do it now. So, you don't need this Bill in order to… if they want to set up guidelines to allow it to happen. I'm just trying to make sure I understand."
"That is not the case."
"Well, you just said it was 'may'."
"The health care facilities may set up their guidelines for visitation."
"Which means they don’t have to. And if they don't have to set up guidelines… so, are you trying to require it or not?"
"I'm not requiring that the health care facilities do anything. What we're saying is that people need to have the opportunity to visit their loved ones in the hospitals and long-term care facilities and let the hospitals and long-term 10200098.docx 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 care facilities determine what is best for their communities."
"Okay. And if they determine that it's better not for… to have that, you're okay with that?"
"That's… it gives them the ability to do that. In the case of the long-term care facilities, if there's a denial of visitation, per AARP, what they were looking for, the patient, the visitor would be notified in writing of why that denial happened."
"So, now they have to put something in writing? So, I'm listening to you and these are the same things that you have problems that your side has with us when we try to do these kinds of things. So, I'm just trying to be clear."
"Yeah."
"But if it's a 'may', they don’t have to set up guidelines if they don't want to?"
"That is not this Bill."
"Well, you just… you told me it was 'may'. They may…"
"Yes."
"…be able to… so, if that's not this Bill, then what is this Bill?"
"I… maybe I misunderstood your questioning. It's not that they have to set up guidelines, they may set up the guidelines. And it is local control with the hospitals and long-term care facilities to set those up. They may set up what parameters and procedures that visitors need to do."
"But if…"
"And they may deny people from visiting if they see fit." 10200098.docx 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Okay. They may deny. They may set up guidelines. But if they can already set up guidelines… or let me ask it that way. Can they already set up guidelines if they want to?"
"Not if it's mandated by the Governor."
"Not if it's mandated by the Governor. So, this is more about if the Governor says no, you want to allow them to have some ability to do so?"
"I want them to be able to have local control."
"To have local control. Okay. I'll stop there. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative DeLuca is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates that he will."
"Representative Bos, just to have a little more clarity on what the one visitor would be. Is that one visitor that the family would identify that would be the visitor for whatever the length of time would it… length of time would be or could one person go one day, another person go another day, another person… all different people on different days? How does it work?"
"Yeah. All… it is a visitor for that moment of that time, plus a clergy member. So, it is not a only one visitor for the extent of the pandemic, one visitor for… no, it's a visitor. So, that person could leave, and if the following person had met the guidelines of the ability per the hospital or long-term care facility to visit, they may go as well."
"Okay. Thank you for clarifying that. I'm going to support your Bill. Thank you."
"Thank you." 10200098.docx 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Representative Costa Howard is recognized."
"Will the Sponsor yield for some questions?"
"He indicates that he will."
"Representative Bos, I really appreciate what it is that you're trying to do. We all know that there were those families who missed some very important things in not having an opportunity to see their loved ones. But I have a couple of questions, 'cause I want to make sure that we're all clear exactly what the Bill does and doesn't do. Representative Davis asked a number of questions about 'may' versus 'shall'. And you mentioned a couple of times about that they have guidelines, that they may implement guidelines or some requirements, correct?"
"The hospitals and long-term care facilities may implement health screening guidelines."
"Okay. And so, what exactly, though, would be… what guidelines would they be able to use? Like what's the medical… what would they be following to make those determinations?"
"That would be up to whoever creates… I don’t know. This… this is… the hospitals and long-term care facilities, the medical experts in those would be making those guidelines. This isn't determining what guidelines are or aren't. This is simply stating that any visitor would have to follow the guidelines that the hospitals or long-term care facilities set up."
"Okay. No, I understand that, but, I mean, there have to be some structures in terms of what those guidelines would be, right? So, like, I would assume they can’t… you 10200098.docx 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 know, guidelines wouldn't be medical YouTube videos, correct?"
"I would assume that as well too, given professional hospital and long-term care facilities are not utilizing their YouTube degrees to be able to put these guidelines into place."
"So, in other words, when you mentioned local control, that could be your local help to following the rules and regulations and guidance from your local health department, correct?"
"If the hospitals and long-term care facilities follow underneath those guidelines then, yes, as majority of them do."
"Well, it's frightening to think of people who don’t follow their local health department. But I just want to point out, you made a point of saying local control and so our local health departments were… follow medicine, follow science, and have been advocating for things like vaccines. So, could a hospital association follow their local… their local health department guidelines and require vaccines in order to come in and visit?"
"There's nothing in this Bill that would prohibit that."
"Okay. So, we could have a vaccine mandate, as your side likes to call it, in order to come in and see and visit with someone?"
"I do not believe there is anything in this Bill that would prohibit that."
"Okay. How about testing? Testing could be something that is required by your local health department and that 10200098.docx 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 recommendation would be required to be followed as well, correct?"
"That is correct."
"Okay. And then in addition to that, let's say, as you well know, a lot of insurance carriers required health care facilities to follow the law, which whether that was the Governor's order or science that required vaccines or testing to be had. In fact, we saw people potentially lose their insurance coverage if they did not follow that information, correct?"
"Correct."
"Okay. So, I just want us to be clear, though, that we are talking about local control. So, if local control tells these facilities that they must follow the law and follow the Governor's order in order for these facilities to allow for visits, that that’s what your Bill does?"
"This Bill allows local control."
"It's a simple yes or no, Representative. If the local health department requires you to follow an Executive Order, these facilities must follow the law."
"This is in regard to the patient's Medical Bill of Rights. So, I… it would be up to the local entities whether they follow their local health care."
"Representative Bos, you and I get along very well. We have a very respectful relationship, and I really appreciate that. However, what this Bill does and does not do is very unclear to me. Because what we've seen in the past is that the local health department had rules in place and we know that there were people who didn’t follow those rules. 10200098.docx 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 Now, luckily, I would argue that our hospitals and congregate care facilities actually followed the law and the rules provided by the Governor and, more importantly, local controlled health departments. So, I'm trying to understand for everybody in this chamber…"
"And… and majority of those hospitals, the hospitals, the long-term care facilities, follow CDC guidance and in doing that, not a Governor's dictate. So…"
"Well, I… we argue our Governor actually did follow CDC guidelines, but that's another conversation. I just want to make sure that this Bill does not circumvent what your local health department, who will be required to follow the law for… that your… these agencies, these congregate care facilities, these hospitals, have to follow the law if that's what your local health department says."
"Correct."
"So, your… so for these congregate care facilities, they cannot circumvent what the local health department says?"
"Correct."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Representative Batinick is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates that he will."
"This is interesting going this way. A couple quick questions here. What was the vote for this in the Senate, Chris?"
"Passed unanimously."
"Representative. I'm sorry." 10200098.docx 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"That's all right. Passed unanimous."
"What was the vote in the… in committee?"
"Passed unanimous."
"And the idea is, is we're making this clear in law so that an… this would kind of… an Executive Order couldn't usurp this?"
"Correct."
"Thank you. No more questions."
"Mr. Clerk."
"Rules Report. Representative Harris, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on April 4, 2022: approved for consideration, referred to Second Reading is House Bill 1466. And Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 806, offered by Representative Collins; and House Resolution 807, offered by Representative Kelly, are referred to the Riles Committee."
"Any additional debate on this measure? We have Leader Flowers, if your light's still on? Leader Flowers is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?"
"Indicates that he will."
"Representative Bos, I really appreciate this conversation because I was in a… I was in a similar situation, and I really don’t recall… when I put my mother in the nursing home, I don’t recall acquiescing my authority to come and get my mother and take her out any time I felt like it. She wasn't there for free. She paid for it, and I was denied. So, I'm not trying to usurp anybody's authority, but I don’t want anybody to usurp mine either. So, when the nursing homes did 10200098.docx 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 not have the right equipment… did you know that? 'Cause I didn't. I wouldn't have put my mother there. Did you know that they was understaffed, did you know that? Because I didn't or I would not have put her there. And so, if somebody knew it and didn't tell me about it, they were wrong. And so, if I feel that my mother or anybody else is in danger, I am going to go and get them come hell or high water. So, again, I just want to say, with all due respect, and I make no apologies, the Governor is the Governor, he's supposed to do what he's supposed to do, but if I want to take a chance on my life and put my mother, my mother who gave birth to me, who was willing to give up her life to give birth to me, I don’t mind taking a chance on my mother or anybody else that I care about. And I don’t think anybody should ever stand in my way or your way or anyone else's if we want to get our loved ones out of a place that is unsafe. And so, I just want you to know, Sir, I respect you for carrying this legislation. I would like to be a part of it, and I support you 100 percent. Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Representative Collins is recognized."
"Thank you, Speaker. Representative, when you asked me to get on to Senate Bill 1405, as a former health care worker and someone who sits on Human Services, after listening to the many families who did not have access to their loved ones, who are not able to talk to them today, I strong-heartedly said, yes, put me on the Bill. And even listening to this debate now, I just want to be clear that no one should have say-so over someone else's life. I have an uncle right now 10200098.docx 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 who is in a hospital, all of his vital organs are being attacked. We have no idea if he's going to make it to the end of the week or not, right? Though it's not as similar to all of the stories that I heard all summer, all fall, I can only imagine how I would feel if I was in a place of the many families that I heard from throughout the pandemic. So, I still support this legislation, and I thank you for bringing this forth. And I know that sometimes we may agree, we may disagree, but this is a time where I will agree with you on this legislation. Thank you."
"Representative Meier is recognized virtually."
"Thank you. Will the Speaker yield?"
"He indicates that he will."
"Under the American Disabilities Act, which is Federal Law, this is discussed. This is a right. You have the right to have a visitor in there. We have compassionate care people that sign off so they can be the one that gets in to see their loved one. Nobody should have to die alone ever in a nursing home or a care facility. They should be able to have a family member with them, instead of being told, okay, you have to leave now, and 20 minutes later their loved one's dead. You should be able to hold their hand, talk to them, say that final goodbye. That's what this Bill is about. It's not about fighting the Governor's power. It's so that these families can have their loved ones die with dignity. It's a great Bill. I hope everybody takes a chance to vote 'yes' on this Bill because that could be your family member next, and you're locked outside that facility, and they're dying alone with nobody there to hold their hand. Think about that. Thank you." 10200098.docx 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Representative Nichols is recognized."
"Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates that he will."
"And so, again, I just want to say, bro, like listen. We kind of complicate a lot of things for the outside world that might be watching this. But I spent the last 30 days in the hospital with my mother, right? And the hospital said that you got to wear a mask, got to put PPE on, all this stuff, right? So, I adhere to all the standards to what the hospital, the doctors wanted. And in fact, the doctor that was taking care of my mom actually was going through cancer treatments himself, right? So, again, we kind of, like, complicating everything. I could not imagine… as Leader Flowers said, I could not imagine not being able to be there with my mother, right? I couldn't even… I can't imagine nobody in this chamber not being with their mother for the last 30 days of their life. This is like… when we start talking about legislation, like, this is real stuff. This ain't… this ain't got nothing to do… for me, for me. This ain't got nothing to do with nobody else and usurping the law and all of that, right? Because I don’t know about y'all, but like… like my moms, it ain't happening, right? I'm going to be there for her one way or the other. I support this Bill, and I thank you for bringing it. So, you got my vote on it. And this ain't… again, if we come in here and we start talking about what we're supposed to do and then you start acting like you have a appetite to love the people in this great State of Illinois, we can get through some of all of this… you know, you guys can sometimes… it gets the legal thing, kind of like you want 10200098.docx 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 to complicate a lot of simplistic things. This is a great Bill. Thank you for bringing it, and I support it."
"Representative Bos to close."
"This Bill came out of those stories. This Bill came out of those stories and those families calling into my office and Senator McConchie's office saying we have to be able to do something. Our family members have died. We understood the beginning, but now where we're at now, it is different. This is an opportunity for us, as a Body, to take a look back. We all acted and reacted at the beginning of COVID-19 because we had to. And if we don’t take the steps now moving forward to look back and make adjustments where we need to make adjustments, like this Bill, so family members are not dying alone or cognitive decline and rapid decline in our long-term health care facilities is happening, if we don’t take a step to look back and make those changes, shame on us. This passed unanimous out of the Senate, passed unanimous out of the committee, and I hope it passes unanimous. I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"The question is 'Shall Senate Bill 1405 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Cassidy. Representative Gong- Gershowitz."
"Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Gong-Gershowitz votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'present'." 10200098.docx 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'present'. Representative Meier."
"Yes."
"Representative Meier votes 'yes'. Representative Sosnowski."
"Yes."
"Representative Sosnowski votes 'yes'."
"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 105 voting in 'favor', 3 voting 'against', 3 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."
Clerk Hollman: "Committee Report. Representative Harris, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on April 4, 2022: recommends be adopted, referred to the floor is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 1462, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 1465, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 1466; recommends be adopted, referred to the Order of Resolutions is House Resolution 806 and House Resolution 807."
"Leader Greenwood is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Democrats will request a caucus meeting immediately in Room 114."
"Leader Batinick is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the interest of efficiency, do you guys know if you filed all the Bills that you're going to talk about so that we could talk about them instead of going to caucus when you put them on the board?" 10200098.docx 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"I don't have the answer to that question at this time."
"Okay. It is my recommendation that you let us know what's in the Bills that we're going to have to caucus about after you go to caucus and talk about them and file them, and then we wait an hour and then we go to caucus and then… there's a lot of stuff going on tonight for people, some important dinners and stuff I know. So, that's my recommendation. Thank you."
"Your request is received. Thank you. The Democrats will caucus immediately in Room 114. House will stand in recess till the call of the Chair. Attention, Members. The House shall be in order. On Supplemental Calendar #1, we have House Resolution 807, Representative Mason. Representative Mason is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of House Resolution 807. Here in Illinois, we've been working for years to ensure our residents have affordable and accessible health care, regardless of their income, ethnicity, or zip code. Over the past few years, we've passed many measures to reaffirm our commitment to high-quality care for patients across this state. In 2021, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus presented and passed the Health Equity Pillar to dismantle implicit bias in the health care system and improve racial training, expansion of sick leave, and increased access to primary care doctors. Furthermore, this pillar expanded Medicaid funding to include home visits, community health workers, and behavioral health services. More recently, under the leadership of Majority Leader Greg 10200098.docx 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 Harris, we passed House Bill 1745 to ensure patients have the ability to plan and predict their prescription drug costs. Leader Mary Flowers sponsored and passed House Bill 1779 to make Illinois the first state in the country to pass biomarker testing coverage for both Medicaid and state-regulated insurance. This is something I've heard people talk about in meetings across the country. After years of slashed funding for lifesaving cancer screenings, senior care and services, and HIV-AIDS resources under former Governor Bruce Rauner, our state cannot afford any more setbacks. We must continue on the path to rebuilding our health care infrastructure, especially for our most vulnerable communities. The health care outcomes of Illinois residents matter. So, we must continually re-evaluate and reform our state's health and human services system to remain committed to serving our residents no matter what the situation. We oppose extreme efforts to strip away health care from people with pre- existing conditions. We oppose allowing big insurance companies to pad their profits at the expense of patients. We will continue to advocate for Illinoisans by supporting avenues to receive affordable and accessible health care services. We urge the Illinois Congressional Delegation to support federal legislation building on the Affordable Care Act to ensure all people have access to health care, no matter their location, background, race, or income. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Representative Welter is recognized." 10200098.docx 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Mr. Speaker, the House Republicans request that the following Members be excused for the day: Representative Wheeler, Meier, and Sosnowski."
"Thank you, Representative. On the Resolution, Representative Batinick is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm going to go straight to the Resolution. Obviously, you guys dropped this stuff on us real quick here. There's a bunch of partisan garbage in it. Calling out Republicans, unnecessary. Probably time to get serious about doing the people's work. Thank you."
"Representative Mason to close."
"I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"This is a roll call vote on the Resolution. Representative Mason moves for the adoption of House Resolution 807. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Gong-Gershowitz. Representative Guerrero- Cuellar."
"Yes."
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'. Representative Gong-Gershowitz."
"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', 0 voting 'no', 1 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having 10200098.docx 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Leader Greenwood is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Gong-Gershowitz is excused for the day."
"Going to the Calendar of House Bills-Second Reading. On page 3, we have House Bill 1465, Representative Morgan. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 1465, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. The Bill was read a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Morgan, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Morgan on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Amendment 1 is a gut and replace with a variety of health care provisions dealing with health insurance and the governance of that in the Department of Insurance in Illinois."
"Seeing no debate on the Amendment, Representative Morgan moves for the adoption of House… excuse me, Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Ant further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill on Third Reading."
"House Bill 1465, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of the House Bill."
"Representative Morgan is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm so glad that my colleague from the other side of the aisle talked about real change, 10200098.docx 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 the real Bills that are going to help people because this is a real Bill that will really help people. It will reduce the cost of health insurance in the State of Illinois. Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm pleased to introduce House Bill 1465, House Amendment 1, which would establish true health insurance rate review in Illinois. Some of you might recall this discussion in this state. In this General Assembly, in 2019, we talked about how we wanted to change the State of Illinois from a file-and-use insurance state to a rate-review state. That's a significant change. It would provide a robust mechanism for the State of Illinois and the Department of Insurance to step in, in the case of unreasonable health insurance rate increases. It's no secret to all of us here that health insurance costs have skyrocketed in the last decade. So many people throughout Illinois can't afford the premiums on their health insurance. At the same time, the health insurance companies are posting record profits. They literally are choosing between paying for health care or paying for their mortgage. They're choosing between getting lifesaving medicine or paying for their student loans. Up and down the State of Illinois, every day, our residents are making this choice. The origin of this idea dates back to early days of the Affordable Care Act, when insurance companies posted significant rate hikes and the State of Illinois was powerless to stop it. We saw 10, 20, even 40 percent increases on an annual basis on their insurance premiums that hurt families, hurt small businesses. And we were powerless to stop it because the Department of Insurance in the State of Illinois has no power to stand in the way of an unreasonable increase 10200098.docx 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 like this. So, we know if other states do something like this, they see a big change, they see a big difference. What would happen is the Illinois Department of Insurance would be able to review these rate increases and reject them. Right now, they can review them, they can have concerns, but they cannot do anything to stop it. We know, in a number of other states that have adopted a rate review, they've seen significant reductions in the cost of health insurance. Colorado saw a reduction of $125 million. New York, a reduction of $300 million in a single year in the cost of health insurance premiums for their residents. Imagine that. We could pass a Bill that would change and reduce the cost of health insurance in the State of Illinois for our residents. It's the right thing to do, and we’ve stood in the way of that, and it's time to make that change. So, Ladies and Gentlemen, as we embark on the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and we walk through that abyss, the impact on our insurance rates is going to be significant. It's obvious insurance companies are going to start providing reimbursement for the care and the services that people have pushed off for a number of years and we're going to see rates increase. We're going to see them increase a lot. And when our residents are starting to struggle with payments of the insurance premiums, we can give the Department of Insurance the power and the tools to do what needs to be done. I urge an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
Speaker Evans: "Is there any discussion? Representative Batinick."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm going to go directly to the Bill. I thank the Representative for bringing this Bill. 10200098.docx 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 A very complicated Bill. Something I know that’s… being on the Insurance Committee, I've talked about. Most of our Members aren't on Insurance Committee. I'm actually surprised this particular Amendment and Bill didn't go through committee, being as complicated as it is. And I've been trying to absorb four Bills and a couple of Resolutions here in the last little hour. So, curious about that. Really look forward to listening to the discussion so we can hear more about the technical points, and I'm sure there'll be some changes in the Senate. We'll probably have a better debate when it comes back on Concurrence. Thank you."
"Representative Morgan to close."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, for those of us who have talked to our constituents about the cost of health insurance, we have heard time and time again how this is keeping them from living their lives. We need to give them the tools that they need to reduce the cost of health insurance. I had a constituent who told me she was choosing, that week, between paying for her mortgage and paying for her husband's medication… health insurance coverage. She chose the mortgage. I visited that same constituent a year later and her husband had passed away. People are making these choices today. I urge an 'aye' vote. Let's help our constituents."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 1465 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'." 10200098.docx 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Yes."
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'."
"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 64 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Returning to the Supplemental Calendar #1. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 806, Representative Collins. Representative Collins is recognized."
"As we all know, prescription drugs are essential to maintain a person's health and a critical component of the health care system. For people with Type 1 diabetes, the prescription drug insulin is necessary to prevent a person's death from the many complications that develop when a person is unable to afford this lifesaving drug. To increase pharmaceutical companies profits from 2012 to 2016, the average price of insulin increased from 13 cents per unit to 25 cents per unit. In other words, the price almost doubled in that time. So, to address this crisis, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Affordable Insulin Now Act on March 31, 2022. Which for planned years beginning on or after January 1 of 2023, a group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage must provide coverage of selective insulin products, and with respect to such products, may not apply any deductible or impose any cost-sharing in excess of the lesser of the per 10200098.docx 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 30-day supply, $35, or the amount equal to 25 percent of the negotiated price of the selected insulin product net of all price concessions received by or on behalf of the plan or coverage, including price concessions with pharmacy benefit management services. So, to address this, House Resolution 806, because of the soaring cost of the lifesaving pharmaceuticals such as insulin, resolves to strongly declare that the 102nd Illinois General Assembly commitment to ensuring access to affordable lifesaving prescription drugs for all Illinois residents, regardless of income, race, or location. We also urge that the U.S. Senate to pass the bipartisan Bill that was passed by the House of Representatives, capping the cost of insulin at either $35 a month or 25 percent of their insurance plans negotiated price, whichever is lower. And lastly, direct the Department of Health Care and Family Services to study what steps can most effectively reduce the cost of prescription drugs in Illinois and report its findings to the General Assembly. And I urge an 'aye' vote."
"There any discussion? Leader Batinick."
"Thank… thank you, Mr. Speaker. If we could have a little bit of quiet in the chamber. Everybody, this is the second Bill and there's been a long litany of Bills just going out of the way to blast Republicans. I don’t think it's what the public wants. Frankly, I'd like to vote for this Resolution if it included the names Tom Cullerton, Marty Sandoval, Louie Arroyo, and Michael J. Madigan. But instead, you're going out of your way blasting Republicans."
"Representative Collins to close." 10200098.docx 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"I urge an 'aye' vote."
"For this Resolution, there's a roll call vote. Representative Collins moves the adoption of House Resolution 806. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Yes."
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'."
"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 65 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 1 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Staying on Supplemental Calendar #1, under House Bills-Second Reading, we have House Bill 1466, Representative Guzzardi. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 1466, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. The Bill was read a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Guzzardi, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Guzzardi on the Amendment."
"Just a moment, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to begin by telling the chamber the story of a young man named Alec Smith. Some of you may know this story. In his 20s, in his early 20s, like lots of people, Alec moved to the big 10200098.docx 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 city. In his case, he moved to New York City to start his young life. He found a place to live. He got a job as a restaurant manager. Alec had Type 1 diabetes. Thanks to Obama, he got to stay on his parents' insurance until the age of 26. But as his 26th birthday approached, he got nervous. How is he going to afford the thousands of dollars a year that he'd need to pay for insulin? His mom, Nicole, who's one of my personal heroes, she told me that she wished Alec had asked him for help after he turned 26 and lost access to his parents' health insurance. But instead, he decided to try to make it on his own, buy whatever insulin he could afford while he looked for a job with health insurance. Twenty-seven days, friends, after his 26th birthday, Alec Smith died alone in his apartment from diabetic ketoacidosis. Twenty-seven days after his twenty-sixth birthday. I would encourage those of you in this Body with children to imagine the horror that Nicole experienced as a mother that day. Insulin is too expensive and it's taking lives. It doesn't need to be this way, friends. Insulin used to cost $20 a vial not that long ago. In 1999, Humalog cost $21 a vial. Today, it costs $332. The same product. The same product costs $332 today. You want to talk about inflation, that's inflation, friends. Why is this happening? Because Eli Lilly, the maker of Humalog, and the other manufacturers of these drugs, they know that people with Type 1 diabetes need insulin to survive and they will do anything they can to pay for it no matter the cost or else they'll die trying. My colleague from the other side of the aisle said, let's do something that our constituents want. I'll tell you, we're about to, Ladies and Gentlemen. Our 10200098.docx 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 constituents want to live, and this Bill will help our constituents with diabetes survive. The Bill before you does two things. One, is that it lowers the cost of insulin for those who purchased their insurance through the state exchange from $100 a month to $35 a month. You all may remember that we passed a hundred dollar co-pay cap a few years ago. We're lowering that to $35 to make it more affordable. But two, and the piece I want to focus my remarks on here, the Bill creates an emergency insulin program for people like Alec, people in crisis, people who don’t have enough insulin to survive. They can walk into the pharmacy, they can make an attestation that they are in need, and once a year they can get a 30-day supply of insulin for a very low co-pay. This Bill will help people in crisis survive. It is far, far from everything that we need to do to make insulin more affordable in this state. But it is a last resort for people in crisis, people on the brink of diabetic ketoacidosis and death to get the insulin that they need to survive a little bit longer. Nicole Smith-Holt, the woman I mentioned, Alec's mom, she has become a champion of this issue. She helped pass the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act in Minnesota. That Act is currently law there. It helped over 400 people last year, who were facing this very same crisis, get the insulin that they needed. It is a vitally important measure to help our constituents, in your districts and mine, survive. And I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Any discussion on the Amendment? Leader Batinick is recognized." 10200098.docx 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"I'll wait till Third. I thought that was Third. That was so long, I thought it was Third. I'm sorry."
"Representative Guzzardi moves the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. This is a roll call vote. Members, please attention. This is a roll call vote. Representative Guzzardi moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. The question is, 'Shall Floor Amendment #1 be adopted?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Yes."
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'."
"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 98 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill on Third Reading."
"House Bill 1466, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Guzzardi is recognized."
"I believe I explained the provisions of the Bill on Second. I'm so glad that my colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle located their switches for this Bill. I appreciate it very much, and I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Leader Batinick is recognized."
"I move the previous question." 10200098.docx 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"Guzzardi to close."
"Thank you, and I'll be brief. I just brought a little… little show-and-tell for my close here. You may not be able to see this on the screen, but this is a gold insulin vial that was given to me by Nicole and the other leaders at Insulin for All. The reason that they give this out is because this 10-milliliter vial of insulin would cost as much as this amount of gold. Insulin and gold are the same cost. Our constituents need insulin to survive. We cannot force them to pay these exorbitant prices for this drug any longer. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 1466 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Yes."
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'."
"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 101 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Remaining on Supplemental Calendar #1, under House Bills- Second Reading, we have House Bill 1462, Representative Yang Rohr. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill." 10200098.docx 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"House Bill 1462, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. This Bill was read a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment 1, offered by Representative Yang Rohr, has been approved for consideration.
Speaker Evans: "Representative Yang Rohr to explain the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before we get started, I'd like to request a roll call vote on this Amendment."
"A roll call vote will be taken."
"House Amendment 1 is a gut and replace to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. And today, I present to you this House Bill 1462, which would implement commonsense protections for consumers here in Illinois by creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to review large cost increases for prescription products. Prescription drugs are a lifesaving thing for many Illinoisans, yet the price of medications continue to rise each year, leaving millions of families finding themselves unable to afford their medications. Individuals should not have to compromise buying the necessary prescription medications because they're struggling to meet… make ends meet. House Bill 1462 aims to protect residents from skyrocketing prescription drug prices by creating a review board tasked with stopping the ridiculous price gouging of lifesaving medications. The board will consist of five members appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate and is tasked with performing a cost review of prescription drug products that have large increases in price or high wholesale acquisition launch. Cost 10200098.docx 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 review can result in the board mandating a price cap on prescription products. For many families, prescription drugs are not an option and are often times the largest ongoing medical costs in the household, even for those who are insured. Their financial burden is made all the more difficult for people who have experienced financial hardships due to the pandemic. The Prescription Drug Affordability Board will be an instrumental step in our ongoing efforts to reduce skyrocketing prescription drug prices and increase access to affordable health care for all Illinoisans. And I ask for your support."
"Representative Flowers is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Lady yield?"
"Indicates she will."
"Representative, can you tell me what the makeup of the board would be?"
"The board will consist of five members, again, to be appointed by the Governor and one member will serve as the chair. All of the members must have expertise in health care economics and clinical medicine. And just to be clear, none of the board members will… excuse me… the board…"
"I'm sorry. You're saying that they all have to have a background in medicine?"
"They have to have an expertise in health care economics or clinical medicine. They, however… just a background in that, and they may not be an employee of, a board member of, or a consultant to a manufacturer or trade association for manufacturers."
"So, the makeup… what about the diversity of the board? 10200098.docx 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
"While it's not specified here, we do also have a council that consists of 25 members. So, five of each will be appointed by the Governor, by the Speaker of the House, by Minority Leader of the House, by Illinois Senate President, by Minority Leader of the Illinois Senate, and they do have a number of diversity requirements."
"And what is that, please?"
"So, two of the Representatives have to be part of a statewide health care advocacy coalition. For example, two representatives of labor union, representatives of doctors, nurses, hospitals, employers from…"
"Does it talk about the ethnicity? Is there anything about the ethnicity? Because that's very important."
"It is silent on the on the diversity aspect."
"I'm sorry. I didn't hear…"
"It is silent on that aspect."
"Oh, I think that's unfortunate because I think the ethnicity of a board, it needs to be diverse when you take into consideration of the different languages, the different qualities and the access, or the lack of access, in certain areas. So, who's going to be on the board to speak for me?"
"I very much agree with you on the need for that kind of diversity. And I think we, I, and all of us will work with the Governor, with the Speaker of House to make sure that those that are appointed meet those diversity requirements."
"I'll look forward to working with you on that. Okay? Thank you."
"Representative Yang Rohr moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. This is a roll call vote. Members, the 10200098.docx 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 question is, 'Shall Floor Amendment #1 be adopted?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
"Representative Cassidy, we did not hear you."
"Cassidy votes 'yes'."
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Yes."
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'."
"Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 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 56 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 1 voting 'present'. And the House does adopt Amendment #1. Representative McCombie, do you seek recognition?"
"Yes, Sir. Just a point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"Earlier, before you all went to caucus, there was a press conference downstairs, and I just have to mention these pro-law enforcement Bills. And actually, law enforcement sat there. The hypocrisy of this place is killing me. I have a few questions to ask when it comes time to actually draft these Bills. The numbers were all announced, but nothing was drafted. So, a couple questions. Does it eliminate cash bail? Does it remove the language stating that dangerous individuals with lengthy, violent criminal backgrounds cannot 10200098.docx 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 be held in custody while awaiting a trial? Does it consistently use the phrase, when a defendant poses a threat to any person or the community? Does it give judges the discretion to issue warrants for defendants with felonies or Class A misdemeanors who failed to comply or appear? Does it give judges the discretion to deny or revoke pre-trial release? Does it remove the definition of willful flight? Does it eliminate the four-month clemency mandate? Does it eliminate citing lenient conditions relating to home confinement and electronic monitoring? This is pretty important everybody. Does it adopt original definition of habitual criminal? Does it eliminate the section from the statute, failing to require a defendant to receive court permission prior to leaving the state? I can go on and on and on, and I can tell you, not one of those Bills that Representative Vella proposed today, not one, addresses any of these issues."
"The Clerk is in receipt of a Motion in Writing to waive the posting requirements for a Resolution… for a Bill, excuse me. Leader Manley on the Motion."
"Speaker, I move that the posting requirements be waived so that Senate Bill 829 can be heard in the Ethics & Elections Committee."
"Leader Manley has moved to waive the posting requirements. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Mr. Clerk."
"Representative Cassidy. Representative Cassidy."
"I'm not sure what's going on here that it's not coming through. Cassidy votes 'yes'." 10200098.docx 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Cassidy votes 'yes'. Representative Guerrero-Cuellar."
"Yes."
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar votes 'yes'."
"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 65 voting 'yes', 42 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Motion is passed. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolution. House Resolution 674, offered by Representative Lisa Hernandez."
"Leader Greenwood moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those 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, April 5, at the hour of noon. All those in favor say 'aye'; those 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 5740, offered by Representative Tarver, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 5741, offered by Representative Flowers, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. First Reading of these House Bills. Second Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 302, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 1734, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Second Reading of these Senate 10200098.docx 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 98th Legislative Day 4/4/2022 Bills. They'll be held on the Order on Second Reading. Committee Report. Representative Harris, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on April 4, 2022: approved for consideration, referred to Second Reading is House Bill 1320. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10200098.docx 64