"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Dr. Brazier. Dr. Brazier is the Pastor at The Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Brazier is the guest of Reps. Buckner and Nichols. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance."
"Good afternoon, everyone. It's a pleasure to be here with each and every one of you. Let us pray. Dear heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we do come giving you honor, glory, and thanks for life on today for health and strength, for an understanding of the work that is necessary to be done. There is a time of prayer, and there's a time for reflection. There's a time for strategic thinking, and there is a time for action. There's a time for being steadfast, and there's a time for negotiation. But there is always a time for us to be clear-hearted and clear-minded. Our prayer today is for the Holy Spirit to have free course and to bring us to a conclusion, the conclusion that meets the will of God for the citizens of Illinois. That those that represent the people of Illinois will be given sight to see, insight to understand, and foresight to define the future. In our prayer, we are not naive about the truth, so we ask that all Members be vigilant, diligent, patient, and have a respectful heart. We ask now in your name that you will bless this Body. Bless them, O Lord, as they move forward, as they deal with the things of this world, as they deal with the… the things that cause conflict. We ask, O Lord, that you will touch their hearts and their 10300043.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 minds and be with them in every way. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen."
"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative West."
"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."
Speaker Ortiz: "Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Gabel is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."
"Speaker, let the record show that Representatives Will Davis and Jones are excused today."
"Leader Keicher is recognized to report any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representative Stephens is excused for today."
"Have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 115 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
Clerk Bolin: "Committee Reports. Representative Gabel, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on May 10, 2023: recommends be adopted, referred to the floor is Floor Amendment(s) 2 for House Bill 676, Floor Amendment(s) 2 for Senate Bill 2014; and approved for consideration, referred to Second Reading is House Bill 610. Representative Walsh, Chairperson from the Committee on Public Utilities reports the following committee action taken 10300043.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 on May 9, 2023: do pass Short Debate for Senate Bill 1879; and recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 76. Representative Harper, Chairperson from the Committee on Agriculture & Conservation reports the following committee action taken on May 9, 2023: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 1701 and Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 1803. Representative Moylan, Chairperson from the Committee on Transportation: Regulations, Roads & Bridges reports the following committee action taken on May 9, 2023: do pass Short Debate for Senate Bill 849; and recommends be adopted is House Joint Resolution 31 and Floor Amendment(s) 3 to Senate Bill 1710. Representative Costa Howard, Chairperson from the Committee on Adoption & Child Welfare reports the following committee action taken on May 9, 2023: recommends be adopted is House Resolution 196, Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 188, and Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 1999. Representative Ann Williams, Chairperson from the Committee on Energy & Environment reports the following committee action taken on May 9, 2023: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 2520 and House Joint Resolution 26. Representative Slaughter, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary – Criminal reports the following committee action taken on May 9, 2023: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 676, House Resolution 214, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 1499, and Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 1886. Representative Gong-Gershowitz, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary - Civil reports the following committee action taken on May 10, 2023: recommends be adopted 10300043.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 218. Representative Rita, Chairperson from the Committee on Executive reports the following committee action taken on May 10, 2023: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Resolution 1670. Representative Andrade, Chairperson from the Committee on Transportation: Vehicles & Safety reports the following committee action taken on May 10, 2023: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 4 to House Bill 3326. Representative Morgan, Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Licenses reports the following committee action taken on May 10, 2023: do pass as amended Short Debate for Senate Bill 761. Representative Jones, Chairperson from the Committee on Insurance reports the following committee action taken on May 10, 2023: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 4 to House Bill 579 and Floor Amendment(s) 2 to House Bill 592. Representative Stuart, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education reports the following committee action taken on May 10, 2023: recommends be adopted is House Resolution 219. Representative Walker, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration reports the following committee action taken on May 10, 2023: recommends be adopted is House Resolution 194, House Resolution 198, House Resolution 226, House Resolution 223, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 58, Floor Amendment(s) 2 Senate Bill 1875, and Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 2192. Representative Evans, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor & Commerce reports the following committee action taken on May 10, 2023: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 3 to Senate Bill 1782 and Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 2017. 10300043.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 275, offered by Representative Meier. House Joint Resolution 36, offered by Representative Severin. House Joint Resolution 37, offered by Representative Wilhour."
"Speaker Welch in the Chair."
"Members of the General Assembly, good afternoon. I am delighted to welcome once again the Honorable Consul General of Ireland to the Midwestern United States, the Honorable Kevin Byrne. Consul General Byrne was appointed to his post in September 2020. He joined the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs in 2010 and has served in EU Division and in Ireland's Consulate in San Francisco. From his base in Chicago, a city with strong Irish heritage, Mr. Byrne works to promote Ireland and Irish interest in the region, while also strengthening the relationship between Ireland and the Midwest. Please join me and let's give a warm House welcome to Consul General Kevin Byrne. Consul."
"Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir as ucht bhur bhfáilte. Is mór an onóir é labhairt libh anseo inniu. Speaker Welch, thank you for the warmth of your welcome and for the honor of addressing this chamber again. Representatives, Members of the Irish Caucus, friends, it really is a true privilege to stand before you today to share the best wishes of the people of Ireland and to thank you for your embrace and support for the Irish community and for the close relationship that Illinois shares with Ireland. I want to start by thanking you for your work and for your leadership. As the father of a now one-year-old Illinoisan, I'm particularly grateful for the hard and quiet work of 10300043.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 government, for all that you do for the rich tapestry of communities that make up Illinois, the Irish community one proud component. For Ireland, the country that I'm privileged to represent, it has been an important year of anniversaries, looking back to events that shaped my country and the relationship between our two countries. This year, we mark 90 years since the opening of our Irish Consulate in Chicago. We commemorate 50 years since Ireland joined the European Union. And we celebrate 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement, the U.S.-brokered peace agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland and ended a generation of bloodshed. But this is not just a year for looking back, but also looking forward. Just last month, we welcomed President Biden to Ireland, both North and South, for a historic visit. I will speak briefly today about each of these to illustrate the value that we in Ireland place on the relationship we share with the U.S. and with the State of Illinois. Since its foundation, Ireland has seen itself as a global island, a country that recognizes the value of coming together, of working towards a common goal. Indeed, one of the first remarkable founding acts of our First Dáil, or parliament, in Ireland just over 100 years ago was a message to the nations of the free world. It spoke of Ireland as 'The gateway to the Atlantic… the last outpost of Europe towards the West.' From those first days of our First Dáil, Ireland recognized the importance of connection, of working together across borders. Our fledgling diplomatic network was established. And it will come as no surprise in the most Irish American of states that one of our first diplomatic missions was right here in the great State of Illinois. Such was the 10300043.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 importance of this place, and with the relationship with your forebears, that 90 years ago this year we opened the doors to the Irish Consulate in Chicago, and our doors have been open every day since. Over those 90 years, Ireland's relationship with Illinois and with the U.S. has been hugely consequential to Ireland's development. It is no surprise that since 2020, and despite the pandemic, we have had over a dozen high-level government visits to Illinois, with many more planned for this year. Though an island surrounded by the… and shaped by the wild Atlantic and the tides of the Irish Sea, we in Ireland know the value and the importance of connection and international partnership. In Ireland this year, we celebrate 50 years of membership of the European Union, an experiment in government no less courageous and ambitious than that of your founding fathers here in the U.S. There were some in Ireland back then who feared that pooling our sovereignty with our European neighbors would somehow diminish our hard- won independence and curtail our sovereignty. But today, it is clear that joining the European project was without question one of the most consequential events in the history of the Irish State. For the first half century of our independence, Ireland was a poor country. Many of our brightest and best emigrated to build their careers and lives overseas, most to the United States, and no doubt some of your parents or grandparents. Yet with our membership of the European Communities, now the European Union, our fortunes began to change. Close cooperation with our European partners has become a defining feature of Ireland's emergence as a modern, progressive, open society and economy. The 10300043.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 generations since 1973 have enjoyed opportunity on a scale perhaps unimagined when we first joined. Today, as the only English-speaking country in the European Union with a close… close ties of history, family, and heritage with the U.S., we see ourselves as a transatlantic bridge between the United States and with Europe. And that finds resonance in the significance of the Ireland-U.S. economic relationship. Last year, it accounted for an immense quarter of a trillion euro, or $265 billion. We work hard to ensure that we in Ireland support U.S. companies as they seek success and grow into the European market of over 440 million people. We provide a business-friendly environment, a highly-educated workforce, and a great place to live. U.S. investment has created over 180 thousand jobs in Ireland, all of which speaks to that bridge that Ireland is between America and Europe. A less well-known fact, and one which I never miss an opportunity to share, is that this economic relationship is very much a two- way street. Despite our small size, a country half the size of Illinois, Irish companies support over 110 thousand jobs in the U.S., across all 50 states, with almost 12 thousand of them here in the State of Illinois. That number is growing daily. I'm proud of the fact that Ireland is now the ninth largest source of foreign direct investment into the United States. It's a number I like to repeat at every opportunity because, in scale terms, it's pretty impressive for a small island out there in the Atlantic, with a population less than that of Cook County. Our international relationships have benefited Ireland economically, but they've also played a vital role in the journey towards peace and reconciliation on 10300043.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 the island of Ireland. We should never forget that in 1972, when the European Communities opened the door to Ireland, it was the very worst year of violence during the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland, with nearly 500 men, women, and children killed in a single year. Those 'Troubles' lasted some 30 years, claimed over 3500 lives, and left 50 thousand wounded. All this in a region less than one-tenth the size of the State of Illinois. The bloody duration of the conflict marks… that makes the celebration of its ending all the more filled with gratitude and grace. Last month, 25 years ago, the Good Friday Agreement was signed, ending a conflict that seemed, for so long, without end. The peace was possible only through groundbreaking leadership all insisting on a peaceful, democratic future. It was a long pass… path to peace, but as Irish poet Eavan Boland wrote, 'We started walking. When we began to talk. I saw our words had the power to change history.' The Good Friday Peace Agreement transformed what we thought was possible and what we could hope for in the future. In the words of another great Irish poet, Seamus Heaney, it was a moment 'when hope and history rhymed.' And while that Good Friday Peace Agreement belongs first and foremost to the people of Northern Ireland, it was in many ways made right here in America. It would never have been possible, it would never have been possible without the support of our friends here in the United States, and Illinois lead among them. Success of U.S. leaders provided impetus to the process at important moments, staying the course when it mattered. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter drew international attention to the 'Troubles' on our island. President Reagan and Speaker 10300043.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Tip O'Neill exemplified the strong bipartisan support that has become a hallmark of U.S. engagement in Ireland. The work of President Bill Clinton and the lead negotiator for the Peace Agreement, Senator George Mitchell, was, of course, pivotal to the conclusion of the agreement itself, earning the United States a reputation as a trusted peace builder. The last several years have seen significant tests of the political settlement of that peace agreement, not least as a result of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union. The support of our U.S. and EU partners has helped to ensure that Northern Ireland and the peace of Northern Ireland was at the center of discussions throughout the Brexit process and that maintaining the gains of the peace process remained a key priority. I want to acknowledge the continued support of the U.S. administration and President Biden in particular. It cannot be understated that American support for peace continues to make a real and concrete difference in the lives of people in Northern Ireland. It's difficult to understate the progress that has been made over the last 25 years. That Northern Ireland is a place at peace, with a growing economy and a thriving society, where young adults today have no memory of the conflict that tarnished their parents' lives, is really remarkable. In Irish, we have a saying, 'An rud is annamh is iontach.' What's rare is wonderful. And it should be cherished. And we cherish the peace all the more as Russia's illegal war in Ukraine shows just how fragile peace can be. Today, alongside the Biden administration and the American people, Ireland is resolute in our solidarity and support for Ukraine and we are honoring our commitment to 10300043.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 help people who have been displaced by this horrendous war. Throughout history, Ireland has had a long tradition of supporting other nations in times of trouble. Many of this comes from our deep soul memory of emigration, of seeking shelter and opportunity abroad, the harrowing and courageous story of many of your forebears, no doubt. We know that welcoming those in need is the right thing to do. Ireland has never seen so many people arrive in such a short time frame. Over 75 thousand Ukrainian refugees now find shelter in Ireland. Since the beginning of this immoral and unjustified war, Ireland has been at the forefront of international efforts to combat Russia's illegal aggression and we will continue to do so. We in Ireland know and value the leadership of President Biden and the U.S. working with leaders in Europe and internationally. We in Ireland know the transformative power of American leadership, and peace in Northern Ireland and on my island is proof of its efficacy. Irish leaders had the opportunity to share this message of solidarity in person with President Biden during his historic visit to Ireland last month. It was a time to reaffirm the strength of our partnership and the depth of our friendship between our two nations. For the people of Ireland, it is always exciting to have any U.S. President visit. To have this U.S. President, a man who is animated by his Irish heritage, driven by the Irish values passed down by his parents and grandparents, and passionate about Irish poetry and literature, it was a truly joyful moment. Anyone following the visit could see the enthusiasm, the genuine warmth of connection, and the depth of engagement of the people of Ireland. In return, the 10300043.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 President was embraced by the people of Ireland, in Belfast, in my own native Louth, in Dublin, and in Mayo. He was welcomed back as one of our own. It was clear that the visit was immensely personally important for the President. Retracing the steps of his forebears, those people who brought with them the values and hopes that formed him. In Carlingford, he looked at the Carlingford Lough, taking the last view of Ireland that his relatives would have seen. In Mayo, he received the last remaining stone of his family homestead. And while this was an intensely personal visit, it also spoke of a much broader American experience. This most Irish American of Presidents represented the more than 30 million Americans who proudly hold Irish heritage. His grandparents or great-grandparents left Ireland's shores to build a better life for their children in America and, in doing so, built a better America for all. In Ireland, we hold a genuine pride at the achievements of the Irish in America and of Irish America. We are humbled that so many of America's great cities were built in part by Irish and Irish American laborers, that America's youth were educated by Irish priests and nuns, and that America's sick were tended by Irish nurses, and that America's communities were served with honor by so many Irish in the police and fire services. Late last month, Ireland's Ambassador to the U.S. visited Chicago. She was welcomed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. She met with a number of the Members of this august House, and she also visited the Irish American Heritage Center on the North Side of Chicago. If you haven't been, it's a wonderful place and I'd love to welcome you there at some stage in the future. 10300043.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 It is a home to so many community organizations, with state- funded social outreach services, groups for seniors, for youth, for those learning Irish dance, Irish music, and the Irish language. The Ambassador was struck by how important a place it is as a home to those with Irish heritage or just Ireland in their hearts. In many ways, the place is emblematic of Illinois itself, a state that has welcomed so many Irish over the generations and given them a place where they can build careers, grow their family, and give back to their community. A state that became home to so many Irish. We in Ireland are forever grateful and thankful for that welcome. So, in closing, let me thank you. Let me thank you for the support that you show to Ireland and the Irish community, let me thank you for your leadership, and let me thank you for your friendship. Go raibh mile maith agaibh. Thank you very much."
"Thank you, Consul. The Consul General has agreed to be in the well and take photos with any Members who desire a photo. Also joining him is former Representative Frances Ann Hurley, and they have the flag of Ireland, if you'd like to take photos with them. Leader Ortiz is back in the Chair."
"Representative Fritts, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I'd like to welcome some very special guests. We have Vito DeFrisco from… the superintendent for the Diocese of Rockford here with us today. We have Mr. Lemay and Mrs. Passini, faculty 10300043.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 from my alma mater, Newman Central Catholic High School in Sterling. We have Mrs. Selmi, the principal at St. Mary's in Sterling. We have students from Newman here, parents and community members as well. They're all here today to lobby on behalf of the Empower Illinois scholarships. The… they are student recipients. They're parents of recipients and donors to the scholarship. If you see them in passing today, please ask them to tell their story and the importance of this fund. The current waiting list at my alma mater at Newman is 20 students who need this scholarship, and they need it because they and their parents see it as a better educational opportunity, with a graduation rate of a hundred percent. Thank you so much for coming to lobby your Representatives today. And if we could give them a warm Springfield welcome, I'd appreciate it. Thank you for coming."
"Welcome to Springfield. Representative West, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"I'd like to direct the Body's attention to the Lincoln side of the aisle, where I have my new friend, Judge Rana Akoum. If she would stand. If the judge… there she is. She is from Lebanon, and she's in Springfield completing part of the President Hubert Humphrey Distinguished Fellowship, hosted by the United States Department of State and Duke University. In addition to serving 20 years on the judicial bench, at the age of 23, she was elected a judge in Lebanon. Judge Akoum serves as a government expert on anti-corruption for the 10300043.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. She also leads the Office of International Cooperation and Mutual Legal Assistance at the Lebanese Ministry of Justice. After becoming a judge, she earned her MPA and a PhD and published articles on the issues in her fields of expertise, including human rights and undocumented people. Judge Akoum is passionate about raising awareness regarding the impact that corruption and ethical violations have on the lives of everyday people. I ask the Body to please help me to give her a warm Springfield, Illinois and American welcome to Judge Akoum."
"Welcome to Springfield. Representative Grant, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you. A point of personal… thank you, Mr. Chair. A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Today, I have a Page here. His name is Dolan Bair. Dolan Bair is a student at Wheaton College, originally from Michigan. He is now a junior that is majoring in political science with a minor in communications. Dolan is a decathlete on the Wheaton Track and Field team. He is currently in my office, in my district office, works… two days a week? Three days. He's a good writer too. Dolan has been involved in grassroots politics since high school. While serving in student government in high school, Dolan was able to lead a team with the goal of fundraising to bring back the town carnival. He was able to speak at fairs on the news and on the radio towards this end. Due to COVID, the funds ultimately went to hosting prom after the school had canceled it. At 10300043.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Wheaton College, Dolan has been involved in the student government. He was elected to the position of Executive Vice President of Sustainability for his junior year. There he had been able to work on projects relating to composting, recycling, food security, and facilities. He had the opportunity to run for student body president. Dolan has experienced working for local, state, and federal politicians. This past summer, he worked for Luke Meerman of the Michigan State House, both in the Capitol and on the campaign trail. He was able to work as a general campaign staffer for Congressman John Molnar. Since coming back to college, Dolan was able to work on the campaigns for Evelyn Sanguinetti, former Lieutenant Governor; Deanne Mazzochi, former Statehouse; Keith Pekau, Orland Park mayor. Dolan now works in the office, my office, and he recently won the Wheaton College election unopposed for Wheaton College Republicans. Okay, it was unopposed, but I think he had to work at it. Anyhow, give Dolan a nice Springfield round of applause."
"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Chair. A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"I would like to take this moment to just let some of our Members know that in the Mexican culture, May 10 is a very important day for us. Today, we celebrate Mother's Day, regardless what day it lands in the week. And so, I want to take this time to wish my colleagues, Representative 10300043.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Delgado, Representative Lilian Jiménez, Representative… I'm sorry, Leader Lisa Hernandez, a happy Mother's Day. Feliz día de la madre. Thank you."
"Happy Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day, mom, if you're watching. Representative West, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Leader Collins and I have the privilege of having Pages Ose and Angel Ativie. Ose is from… goes to St. Ben in Chicago, and Angel goes to Lane Tech in Chicago. I ask… these are impressionable kids who are thinking about government. So, I ask that all be on our best behavior and maybe one day they'll be down here too. But if you could give them a warm Springfield welcome, that would be greatly appreciated."
"Representative Walker, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. I am pleased to present my Page of the day, John Ciok, 14 years old, an eighth grader from Lincoln Middle School in Mount Prospect. He plays piano, is an active volunteer in many organizations helping others, including teaching soccer, Feed My Starving Children, Bernie's Book Bank, A Better Life for Kids, and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. This year, he served as the first-ever student representative on the Citizens Finance Action Committee of the Mount Prospect School District 57, where he learned about school finance and helped give recommendations on how to present material to the entire community. John will be working 10300043.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 this summer and taking summer school classes, continuing to work on his Congressional medal. He's interested in government, and we'd be happy to have him. So, please give him a good welcome."
"Representative Meyers-Martin, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my honor and privilege to introduce Ms. Val Densmore, President, and the Democratic Women of the South Suburbs, who are up in the gallery. They are very excited to be returning to Springfield with students from the South Suburbs for their annual Youth Democracy Lobby Day. Youth Democracy Lobby Day is a one-day event for outstanding high school students, both girls and boys, where Springfield will serve as their living classroom. The Democratic Women have… have with them students from Bloom Trail High School, Cornerstone Christian School, Crete-Monee High School, Rich Township, and the Southland College Prep High School. It was found… the Democratic Women was founded in 2010 and has helped many candidates get elected. They have assisted in many campaigns from school boards all the way to President of the United States. Their mission is to unite, promote, encourage, and recruit Illinois women and men of the Democratic Party, specifically in the South Suburbs of Cook and Will, of which I'm proud to be a member. Welcome, Democratic Women of the South Suburbs and students."
"Welcome to Springfield. Representative Slaughter, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed." 10300043.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"I'm trying to give her some time to be here. We do have a Resolution, Mr. Speaker, that we'll adopt later but wanted to take an opportunity just to shed some light on the Resolution. May 10 is today, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Day in the State of Illinois. The dynamic, exceptional, magnificent women of AKA Sorority, Inc. are here with us today. They are easy to recognize. They are wearing their vibrant pink and green colors today. Just a couple weeks ago, I rose to talk about my great fraternity, which is the first black Greek fraternity. Well, the AKAs are the first black Greek sorority. They were founded on January 15, 1908, with the mission to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of service to all mankind. These dynamic women have always and will continue to be at the forefront of change. Their efforts and commitment to improve the social economic, racial, political, and environmental conditions in our state, in our nation is second to none. Their leadership to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion is unparalleled. The AKAs are here with us today conducting workshops and advocating for critical issues that impact the black community. They're particularly focusing on black maternal health, education, and suicide prevention. Illinois is home to 43 empowered and engaged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated chapters. AKAs have always had a strong presence and influence here at the Capitol and in State Government. Many of us probably know them. State Senator Mattie Hunter is an AKA. Our former 10300043.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 colleague State Representative LaToya Greenwood, who's here today, is in this great sorority. The first black Lieutenant Governor in our over-200-year history, Lieutenant Governor Stratton, is in this illustrious sorority. I also have a special personal connection in that my mother, my shero, is in this great sorority. With this Resolution, we honor their leadership, we honor the efforts that they have put forth to uplift underserved communities. As I close, I did want to recognize that we have Kiahna Davis with us. She serves as the 31st general regional director to more than 8,200 dynamic graduate, undergraduate, and general members. The central region is home to 95 graduate and undergraduate chapters across the States of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. We also have with us Natissa Woodard, retired judge; Drew LeSavage; Peggy Lewis LeCompte, who is the 19th and 21st… 24th central region director; Loann Honesty King… hey, Loann. She's was the 21st central region director… Megan Clark; Angela Mahome; and yes, our former State Rep., our dear colleague, Representative LaToya Greenwood. Many youth from our Youth Leadership Initiative are also here. Please let's give a warm House chamber welcome to the magnificent, dynamic, exceptional women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated."
"Welcome to Springfield. Representative Morgan, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"Please proceed." 10300043.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Ladies and Gentlemen, while it's always bittersweet, mostly sad, for us to say goodbye to one of our amazing colleagues, I wanted to stand and honor the work for my original seatmate, State Representative and soon-to-be Alderman Lamont Robinson. For those of you who have worked with Representative Robinson, you know he was a tireless advocate not just for his community, but people without a voice throughout the state, leading the state on things like cyber security, IT, tourism. And to me, the most important thing was the ways he moved forward on lead replacement that is impacting communities up and down the state, and he fought tooth and nail to make sure we got that done. It has been an honor and a privilege to have him sit next to me. It's even more of an honor and privilege to have him as a friend. And I just want to say thank you to Lamont Robinson. I want to pass it to him for some comments, but let's give him a round of applause, please."
"Representative Cassidy is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to join the chorus of folks praising our soon-to-be former colleague, Lamont Robinson. Fundamentally, representation matters. And having Lamont as part of our LGBTQ Caucus these years has been so important and so critical to, frankly, the young people around the state. You got to see it to be it. And I am so proud to have served with you, and I am so excited for what's ahead of you. And I may eventually forgive you for leaving me as the only Member of the queer caucus in the chamber. Thank you so much, and I wish you all the best." 10300043.docx 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Representative… Representative Collins, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to add on to my colleagues'… the Black Caucus… on behalf of the Black Caucus, we are going to miss you, Lamont… Representative Lamont Robinson, who is now going to City Council to continue the great work that you have done for the 4th District in the State of Illinois. You are very special and important to me as a colleague, a friend. I talk to you outside of here. So, this is… this like tears, real tears, that I'm going to cry. But thank you for your service. Thank you for your friendship. And thank you for always being true to yourself. So, congratulations, and I know you're going to do a wonderful job in City Council, and shake some things up for us. Thank you."
"Representative Evans, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"I want to tell you the truth about Lamont Robinson. Lamont… no. Again, I just rise with my colleagues just to stand and show support to Lamont Robinson, who… who took his time here in the General Assembly and made it of substance. You know, if you saw that they were going to close a hospital… that's terrible, who would close a hospital… in his community, he stood strong. You know, real issues. Lamont attacked issues. You know, he has a Bill that hasn't come to fruition, but you're talking about lead pipe replacement. That Bill is a very expensive Bill, very meaningful Bill. He said, 'Marcus, 10300043.docx 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 I'm going to try to get this done.' So, we're going to keep pushing for that for you in your honor. And a business man… just everything we expect from the South Side community. He's made his family proud. And now, Lamont is going to go on to City Council to tackle the real issues that we talk about and partner up with our new Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson to solve problems in Chicago, real problems that we need addressed. So, Lamont, I'm praying for you. I don't hope for Lamont Robinson because he is capable. He's shown that already. He's accomplished so many things. And I want you to go to City Council and make Chicago the place that nobody can stand up and criticize. The future of Chicago is going to be better 'cause you're going to go down there and you're going to do what you're supposed to do. We're going to give them less things to talk about, about Chicago. We're going to make Chicago better. We're going to make it the place that it should be. And I'm just so excited. I just ask one thing is that when you go to City Council that you take the same vigor and strength, that you push the leadership there. And again, let's make Chicago what we want it to be. So, I love you, I appreciate you. You're still on the South Side, so I know where to find you. And I hope that you can go there and be a leader and be a strong voice as you were here. So, thank you, Lamont Robinson."
"Representative Avelar, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Speaker."
"Please proceed." 10300043.docx 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Thank you. I join as well in the… the farewell speeches, but I don't say farewell because I think, for many of us, we'll definitely be in contact with you, Representative Lamont Robinson. I want to say, from the moment that I got here, I've had nothing but great things to say about you. Thank you for being welcoming. Thank you for being unapologetic in fighting for our communities. So, I really want to say that you will be missed. On behalf of the Latino Caucus, we are going to miss you so much and we wish you the best. Thank you."
"Representative Nichols, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"I, too, would like to just say thank you. On day one you were the first person that actually supported me, and I didn't even know what support was. Your… your words of wisdom, man, and the confidence that… that you've shown throughout the time that I've been down here is amazing. You know, it ain't many people that walked his walk and talked his talk, man. Like, you're going to… you're going to be such an asset to the City Council. And the fact that you know this system, you're going to really be able to bring knowledge to that system that is… we need it so bad. And I'd just like to say again, thank you for everything that not only have you done for me, but just everybody in our caucus, everybody in this General Assembly. You know… and again, as a mentor, I… I'm at a loss for words, man. Thank you. I really believe… 'cause, again, I didn't know a lot of stuff. And you were the first 10300043.docx 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 one to say, hey, here's some support and this is what you need to do. And anything you need, let me know. So, I'm never… I'm never going to forget that. And I always say people like you, I would never forget people that actually help other people. So, Chicago, man, is… is blessed to have you. You know, keep up that work 'cause, you know, we're going… we're going to be calling you too, like, hey. You know, but, man, you… you deserve it. You really do. Congratulations, brother. Thank you."
"Representative Mayfield, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Lamont, you know, we… from day one you have hit the ground running. You are probably one of the hardest working Representatives that I know. When they tried to close down that hospital, the number of conversations that you had with Members on this floor, the advocacy that you put in for your constituents… when you announced that you were going to run for Alderman, all I could say was no because I knew you were going to win. I had no doubt whatsoever because I saw the person that you are. I see the hard work that you have put in. Your constituents are so lucky to have you. They really are. And I know that you're going to do just as great a job there as you've done here. I'm not going to say goodbye because we'll be still working together, just in a different capacity. And I know you're still going to continue to fight. You're going to come back here. You're going to demand those things that your community needs. And we're going to do our 10300043.docx 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 best to help you to get them done because I… I just appreciate you so much and all that you've done. Just keep up the great work. I'm so proud of you."
"Representative Meyers-Martin, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, just want to congratulate Representative Lamont Robinson and wish him all the best as my fellow classmate from 2019. We came in together, and you have done amazing work. And I just want to wish you every success in your new journey."
"Representative Flowers, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I, too, would like to take the opportunity to say so long to my friend, alderman-to-be, Lamont Robinson. And I just want to say that it was joy to meet you and your mother when you first came here. And your mother, Mary, was… is very proud of you, and I'm sure she's even more proud of you today because you're moving on. I could say to a bigger city, but not necessarily bigger and better things. But… but I just want to say to you, thank you very much for sharing your pictures with me. And while you were out working hard, you ran into quite a few people that I knew. So, I would like to think that I had a little something to do with where you're going to. And I'm glad you're going to be there, and I know that the City Council will be a better place because of your presence, your hard work. And I look forward to hearing and reading good things about you. Good luck, my friend." 10300043.docx 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Representative Ford, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"Please proceed."
"I would like to rise for a point for the Representative, alderman, I don't know what he is. But I need to find out, do you think that it's better in the City Council than the House of Representatives? Yeah, I say that because I'm going to miss you here. You're one person that I could work with that actually look you straight in the eye when you're talking to people to make sure that people understand where you're coming from. And you're looking people straight in their eyes to see where they're coming from. And I got to tell you that's something that I learned from you, from your presence down here. My mother has always told me to look people in the eyes when you talk to them. And so, I want to thank you for your leadership as a State Representative. And as the Leader Flowers said, the City Council will be better because of you and the State of Illinois is better because you served here. And I still think the House is better than the City Council. Good luck."
"Representative Robinson is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know I'm supposed to be addressing the Chair, but these remarks are intended for every person in this room, all my staff, and everyone who helps the Illinois House of Representatives function in the service of the people of the State of Illinois. To all, I say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will be soon resigning my seat in this House in order to assume a new role 10300043.docx 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 as alderman in the City of Chicago. Before I leave, I want to share how much I deeply appreciate your guidance, your help and support. Together, we accomplished so much on the behalf of the people of this great state. Over the last five years, we've strengthened the availability of health care, provided economic opportunity for good paying jobs, build stronger communities, and aided our youth. For this, I must say thank you, the men and women of good will here in this chamber, and on both sides of the aisle, from whom I've learned and gained so much. I learned how interdependent we are in our state, from the powerful economic engine of Chicago, to the sprawling agricultural heartland on which we all depend, to the robust university system in each corner of Illinois. I learned we have to support each other. And I've learned we cannot put down or turn our back on any part of our great state. In my role as alderman of Chicago's 4th Ward, I will be representing a sloth of Chicago most of you know very well. It starts in the heart of the city's Loop and travels south along the lakefront, with many beautiful parks and beaches. It includes Museum Campus, Soldier Field, McCormick Place, and vital neighborhoods, such as the growing South Loop, Prairie Shores, Kenwood, and Hyde Park. It includes the Chicago home of Barack and Michelle Obama and sections of the historic reviving Bronzville and entertainment district. I invite you all to visit me in the 4th Ward and see the best Chicago has to offer, if I may proudly say so. In my new role, friends, I pledge to continue to work with you here in Springfield. I will fight to strengthen Chicago, and I know I'll send for you to be my quarterbacks and cheerleaders in this Body. I 10300043.docx 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 will also encourage all Chicagoans to fight for a stronger Illinois because it benefits all of us. So, this is not goodbye, but it is thank you and so long until we see each other again. May God bless each of you, and may God bless this Body. Thank you."
"You will be missed, Representative Robinson. Representative Halbrook, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. This past Monday, during the floor debate on SB685, information presented by the Sponsor did not tell the whole story. In the description of the Bill, the Bill Sponsor made the change in accounting methods seem like the primary reason the Bill was needed. However, when questioned on the change, it became apparent that the intent was to deem equipment as capital. The entire reason for this Bill is that Monee Township and other townships want to deem equipment as capital so they continue to overtax residents. Why is this? It is because there's no statutory caps on capital funds. So, a change in the definition of equipment is so that you can continue to tax as much as you want. Is this what you all intended to vote for? Unlimited property taxes on the townships? Well, that's what happened. Several taxing bodies in Will County, in fact, got sued by taxpayers for holding three to nine times the amount of taxes they could by law in their General Assistance and many other funds. Our law only allows for townships to accumulate two and a half times our 10300043.docx 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 annual expenditures, except for capital. Monee Township, which the Bill Sponsor mentioned, has been sued for at least the last four years, in 2018, '19, '20, and '21, for significantly overtaxing the owners against our laws. The law actually does the opposite of what we should be doing. We should be reigning in the township's ability to tax. We should penalize them when discovered that they tax beyond the statutory limit of two and a half times instead of forcing taxpayers to file suit against the government that knowingly violates this law. We should have a law that automatically refunds the excess taxes collected. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a problem here. The Bill got passed with very little… very little scrutiny. The committee hearing on this Bill was a sham. I'm the Minority Spokesperson in the committee of Counties & Townships and was the lead opposition on the Bill. My discussion on the Bill was cut off by the Chairman. He and others were completely uninterested in hearing about the nuances of this Bill. To make things worse, after the Bill was passed, the Sponsor came to me and asked to work out our differences. However, we should've done this, this Bill should've been pulled, and we should've worked on those differences before this Bill came to the floor to be voted on. The corruption through law breaking and the corruption through bad policy, is it any wonder that several elected and current former Members throughout the State of Illinois are either indicted or under investigation in this state? Like we've seen before, this is a perfect example that when someone gets caught doing something illegal, they run to the 10300043.docx 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Statehouse to make their action legal. In short, break the law, change the law. Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen."
"Leader Gabel is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Democrats request an immediate caucus in Room 114."
"Leader Keicher is recognized."
"Republicans would request an immediate caucus in Room 114, please… 118, please."
"Members, both Democrats and Republicans will be caucusing immediately. We will be returning to the floor for business. The House stands and calls… calls to a recess of the Chair."
"Manley in the Chair. On page 6 of the Calendar, Senate Bills-Third Reading, Senate Bill 1987, Representative Vella. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1987, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Vella."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. Senate Bill 1987 fixes a mistake in the law related to scheduling of drugs. It takes benzodiazepine and moves it from a class… Schedule IV to a Schedule I. I believe it came out of the Senate unanimous and came out of committee unanimous. I know of no opposition. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1987 pass?' Those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 109 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 10300043.docx 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 'opposed', and 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Leader Mah, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"For the record, Representative Bob Rita is excused for the rest of the day."
"Thank you. Senate Bill 1988, Leader Burke. Out of the record. Senate Bill 1993, Representative Canty. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill. Mr. Clerk, can you roll the Bill back to Second Reading?"
"Senate Bill 1993, a Bill for an Act concerning education. This Bill was read a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Canty, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Canty on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Upon… upon adoption, Amendment 1 becomes the Bill. It streamlines the notice section and adds definition of district administered assessment. And I urge an 'aye' vote."
"You mean Amendment 2?"
"Yes. Thank you. Sorry."
"Representative Canty moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 1993. All in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, any further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1993, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this Senate Bill." 10300043.docx 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Representative Canty."
"Thank you, again, Madam Speaker. Senate Bill 1993 requires school boards to hold a public vote before adopting a district-administered assessment. The terms of the assessment must be thoroughly presented at the meeting and public comment must be allowed. District-administered assessments provide school districts with the knowledge and insight they need to address student needs. And this Bill increases the transparency surrounding the adoption of district- administered assessment so that families and community members can make their voice heard as the district comes to a decision. This Bill is supported by the Illinois Federation of Teachers. I know of no opposition. I'm happy to answer any questions, and I ask for an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1993 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting in 'favor', 0 'opposed', 0 voting 'present'. In the opinion of the Chair… the Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 1994, Representative Yednock. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1994, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Yednock."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Senate Bill 1994 says that… requires school boards to calculate and report their combined 10300043.docx 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 annual average expenditure of its operational funds for the previous three fiscal years. Happy to take any questions."
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1994 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting in 'favor', 0 'opposed', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 1997, Representative Faver Dias. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1997, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Faver Dias."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Senate Bill 1997 proposes to allow counties under 1 million in population to establish minimum requirements for new building design and construction to lessen the risks caused by new building design and construction to wildlife in sensitive habitats. This would allow the counties to incorporate bird-friendly design into their building regulations. This legislation applies to all non-Home Rule counties in the State of Illinois. It has the support of major county associations in the state, environmental organizations. I'm unaware of any opposition, and it passed the Senate unanimously. I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1997 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 10300043.docx 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 103 voting in 'favor', 0 voting… excuse me, 9 voting 'opposed', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 2005, Representative Benton. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2005, a Bill for an Act concerning housing. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Benton."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Senate Bill 2005 is a veteran housing preference Bill. It is the initiative of Senator Craig Wilcox, who spent 24 years in the Air Force as a colonel. He's also the Veterans Minority Spokesperson. It's a good Bill to create housing preferences for homeless veterans. There was… passed unanimous out of the Senate. No opposition in committee here in the House. Lot of support from the committee from Veterans' Affairs, and I urge an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2005 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting in 'favor', 0 'opposed', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving on to page 11. Under Senate Bills on Second Reading, we have Senate Bill 1344. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1344, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. This Bill was read a second time previously. No 10300043.docx 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. But note requests have been requested and not filed at this time."
"Chair recognizes Representative Cassidy."
"I would like to move that the notes I filed be withdrawn. Just withdraw the notes that I filed and then move that the other notes be ruled inapplicable."
"Mr. Clerk."
"A state mandates note has been requested by Representative Elik."
"Representative Cassidy."
"I move that the note be ruled inapplicable."
"Chair recognizes Leader Windhorst."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. We request a record vote on the Motion."
"Representative Cassidy has moved to render the notes inapplicable. This is a recorded vote. Those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this… on the Motion to remove the notes… or render them inapplicable, 73 have voted in 'favor', 39 have voted 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And the notes are deemed inapplicable. Mr. Clerk."
"No further Motions."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1344, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker and Members of the House. Senate Bill 1344 represents the ongoing work of the Dobbs 10300043.docx 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Working Group. It is a trailer Bill to the Patient and Provider Protection Act that we passed in January. This Bill does a few very simple things. It addresses concerns about identifying information being available via FOIA. It ensures access to the full range of reproductive medications without copay. And it allows the Illinois Department of Public Health to issue statewide standing orders for HIV prophylaxis treatment, such as PEP and PrEP, and I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Chair recognizes Leader Windhorst."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"Thank you. Representative, this is a follow up to legislation from the last General Assembly. Is that correct?"
"That is correct."
"That was House Bill 4664, or Public Act 102-1117?"
"Definitely clear on the Bill number, but don't have the Public Act number memorized. So, I'll take your word for that one."
"Fair enough. What does this Bill do to change that prior legislation?"
"So, there is an exemption on reports from the Abortion Care Clinical Training Program Act to exempt them from FOIA because of the potential for identifying information to be revealed. It corrects a drafting error to clarify that the no-cost coverage mandate for all abortifacients, hormone therapy, and PEP and PrEP applies to all health insurance plans amended, delivered, issued, renewed in Illinois on or after January 1, 2024. We didn't do the 'on or after', which is the standard language for those. We left out the 'on', so 10300043.docx 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 this adds that back in. Clarifies that drugs approved for off-label use as abortifacients are subject to the existing coverage mandate, and clarifies the rules around IDFPR and DPH around the temporary medical licensee component that we put into PAPPA. And then grants DPH to issue the standing order for HIV prophylaxis that was also left out of PAPPA."
"So, the things that you've mentioned were intended to be in that prior Bill…"
"Yes."
"…from the last General Assembly and were not included?"
"Exactly."
"Are you familiar with the Health Care Right of Conscience Act?"
"I am."
"What applicability does that have to employers providing health insurance as it relates to this legislation?"
"Nothing in this legislation impacts the Health Care Right of Conscience Act."
"That's good to hear. But I'm speaking generally as to the law, those religious organizations that provide health insurance."
"Whatever the existing law around that is unchanged by this."
"You did not change it?"
"Right." 10300043.docx 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"The prior legislation that we referenced, House Bill 4664, the vote on that was 70 to 39. Does that sound accurate to you?"
"I think so."
"All right. So, I just… to the Bill. To Members on our side of the aisle, that was from the 102nd General Assembly, House Bill 4664. I would encourage a 'no' vote."
"Chair recognizes Leader Spain."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"Representative Cassidy, I see that last week you requested a series of notes: balanced budget, correctional, Home Rule, housing affordability, judicial, land conveyance, pension, racial impact, state debt impact. What changed from your interest in requesting those notes last week from then to now?"
"Just being thorough."
"So, in your thoroughness, did you receive information that led you to a position of more thorough review where you're able to withdraw those notes moments before the debate today?"
"Yes. Yes."
"Madam Speaker, to the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this… this is why we have to make changes here in this chamber. You know, we have a series of tools that are given to Legislators so that we can more thoroughly investigate the impacts of legislation. They're… they're serious tools. They're used to inform all of us so 10300043.docx 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 that we can make better decisions so that months or years down the road we don't regret and wished that we would've asked different questions or had a different understanding or additional input or discussion on legislation that was important. And, you know, the more I look at the rules of this House, the more I believe they need an entire overhaul. These are… are tools that are being manipulated in a way that I don't think is appropriate or becoming of this Body. We can have sincere discussion about this Bill, the Sponsor and I may disagree on the merits of it, but any Member should be able to request more information through these tools, through these mechanisms on any piece of legislation. And to allow a Sponsor to initiate note requests to block others from doing so really is inappropriate, and I think it's something that needs to be addressed in a major ethics overhaul that examines the rules of the House of Representatives that are not appropriate and not working. I urge a 'no' vote."
"Chair recognizes Representative Hauter."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"So, I… just a question. I want to confirm again. The FOIA request… FOIA does not allow for any identifying information or so-called doxing as it stands now. Why is there an… is there an enhancement of FOIA or…"
"No. As we discussed in committee, what this… what this addresses is, because we collect aggregated data, if there are counties that have only one or two cases, it might be very easy to determine who it is. And so, this… this just 10300043.docx 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 takes that added step of making sure that all patient data is protected. It's kind of like belt and suspenders."
"Okay. So, patient data or provider data? Because patient…"
"Identifying data."
"Identifying data for the training program…"
"Yeah."
"…and that's… that's residents and faculty involved in the training program?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. Thank you."
"The… Representative Cassidy to close."
"I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1344 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 73 voting in 'favor', 39 voting 'opposed', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is considered passed. House Bill 3326, Representative Ann Williams. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 3326, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. This Bill was read a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #4, offered by Representative Ann Williams, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Williams on Amendment 4." 10300043.docx 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Williams, A.: "Amendment #4 simply streamlines the Bill, eliminates the opposition, and I'd ask to debate the Bill on Third."
"Rep. Ann Williams moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment 4 to House Bill 3326. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, any further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments, but notes have been requested by the Sponsor and have not been filed at this time."
"Representative Williams on the notes." Williams, A.: "I would like to move to withdraw all the notes that I filed."
"Mr. Clerk."
"No further notes."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 3326, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Williams." Williams, A.: "Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last year, the world changed. For many of us, the day the Dobbs decision came down was a difficult and devastating day, even though we saw it coming, even though we knew it was inevitable. In one moment, we realized that after years of moving forward, realizing more rights, gaining power, gaining relevance, we knew in no uncertain terms that we were facing an unprecedented backslide. A world in which people's bodies and health care were controlled by government and their destinies decided by 10300043.docx 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 someone other than themselves. But not in Illinois. In Illinois, we have the foresight to arm ourselves against this coming attack. Through the passage of House Bill 40 and the Reproductive Health Act, we created an island on which every human being in Illinois is recognized and given the dignity of controlling their own body and their own destiny. And that includes people who are coming into Illinois to seek health care services. This Bill, which is an initiative of Secretary of State Giannoulias, will prohibit out-of-state law enforcement from utilizing automatic license plate reader data gathered in Illinois to prosecute people seeking legal reproductive health care or to detain people based on their immigration status. Although I believe we have much more work to do to ensure that personal private data collected by ALPRs or otherwise is not used to punish people seeking reproductive health care, this Bill is limited to the sharing of ALPR data with law enforcement from other states. I want to thank Secretary Giannoulias and his stellar staff for their commitment to reproductive health care and for their years… hours of work on this item. I know of no organizational opposition and request an 'aye' vote."
"Chair recognizes Leader Windhorst."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"Thank you. Representative, what is the process for an out-of-state law enforcement entity to obtain the ALPR data?" Williams, A.: "Well, right now, the ALPR data is secured on the cloud through a network of systems. And many times, law enforcement interagency will agree to utilize and share each 10300043.docx 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 other's data. It's much more efficient that way. And sometimes, we go into agreements with other states. For example, in the Metro East area, we work with St. Louis… or Missouri police in the St. Louis area, and then up north, of course, southern Wisconsin."
"So, a Wisconsin or a Missouri law enforcement officer who is going to request that data from Illinois, what is the process they go through to obtain that data?" Williams, A.: "Well, there's no actual request. What happens is that, any given time, law enforcement can capture data from the cameras, add it to the system, and it can be accessed at any given time by law enforcement. There's also a hit list of people with warrants, AMBER Alerts, Silver Alerts, things like that so that law enforcement knows if their camera catches or makes a hit, they know where to find it. In fact, that is often used in very serious crimes and cases that we've all read about in the news."
"And how would your Bill change that process?" Williams, A.: "My Bill doesn't change the process or eliminate the opportunity for law enforcement to utilize the data, change the agreements. All it does is say that before entering into an agreement in Illinois with Illinois law enforcement, to utilize this ALPR data you simply have to attest, the out- of-state agency that is, that they will not use the data for the purposes outlined in the Act."
"So, would this be an agreement between the states? So, Illinois would sign an agreement with Wisconsin, say?" Williams, A.: "Those agreements already exist. And so, this would be an additional attestation." 10300043.docx 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Added to the agreement?" Williams, A.: "Yes."
"And what are the… the two… or more than two, what are the items that are going to be included in that attestation?" Williams, A.: "Sure. There are two areas that we are precluding out-of-state law enforcement from accessing our data for. One is to deny or interfere with a person's right to choose or obtain reproductive health care services or lawful health care services as defined in the Lawful Health Care Activity Act. You may recall that. And second, we do not allow them to use that data to permit the detention or investigation of a person based on their immigration status."
"Has any other state that we have an agreement with made similar exceptions or other types of exceptions to the data they share?" Williams, A.: "I'm not aware of any."
"So, are we potentially setting a precedent by doing this where other states are going to exempt our law… law enforcement from detaining information in those states which may be beneficial to our law enforcement's investigation of… of crimes?" Williams, A.: "Well, I have a hard time believing that sworn law enforcement officers would do anything to hamper the ability to catch criminals and stop crime. And I'm assuming that that would not be the case."
"Well, we've had a… not only this Bill, but other Bills, where we've modified our relationship with other states and how we share data or, in one instance, extradition, how we handle extradition. And the concern I have is we're 10300043.docx 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 pitting potentially state against state, and that sets a dangerous precedent. You know, I… we have separate laws, different laws in each state, and we have to respect that, of course, because that's the way our federal system works. By going down this road, we're creating a precedent where other states may not like something about Illinois' law that's favorable in their state and use those techniques that we're using against us. So, to the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"For those reasons, where we're creating exceptions and, you know, pitting ourselves potentially against our neighbors, I would encourage a 'no' vote."
"Representative Williams to close." Williams, A.: "Thank you. To the last speaker, you know, I hear what you're saying, but unfortunately, in the world that we live in now, where basic health care and the right to control one's own body is being criminalized from state to state, state after state is banning or restricting access to very basic health care services, unfortunately, we're going to have to make life a little bit harder, a little bit more difficult. And unfortunately, that is kind of the result of what we're seeing. And we are the United States of America and it's really a shame to see us going down that road, but that's… it is what it is. We are faced with the Dobbs decision, and we are committed in Illinois to doing what we can to make sure that Illinois remains a safe haven for people wishing to exercise their own health care decisions. And on that note, I just ask for an 'aye' vote." 10300043.docx 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 3326 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 72 voting in 'favor', 39 voting 'opposed', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving on to Senate Bill 1907, on page 13, Mr. Clerk… Leader Hernandez. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1907, a Bill for an Act concerning education. This Bill was read a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. But notes have been requested by the Sponsor and not filed at this time."
"Leader Hernandez on the notes." Hernandez, B.: "Speaker, I move to withdraw the notes that I filed."
"Mr. Clerk."
"No further Motions."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1907, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Leader Hernandez." Hernandez, B.: "Thank you, Madam Speaker. SB1907 is a Bill that I worked on a year ago, and the House voted on it, at least most of the House Members voted on it. This will allow for emergency contraception to be included in public universities and colleges at least in one vending machine per campus at a reduced cost. So, this is something, like I said, it will increase access for Plan B. I do have one right here that 10300043.docx 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 people can see. It's not as scary as many people think it is, and it is available to anyone at all ages currently through the Federal Government. It is FDA approved, and it is over the counter as well."
"Chair recognizes Representative Swanson."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"Thank you. Leader, we had discussion on the… on this particular Bill in committee. And would you say this is an unfunded mandate to our universities?" Hernandez, B.: "No. I believe a Member of your caucus filed a few budget… fiscal notes, and it had said that none of them are a requirement for this university. This will be a purchase of the university. However, the students will pay it back. This is not for free for students."
"But isn't the requirement within your legislation that the student pays below cost of the product?" Hernandez, B.: "Yes. And if… the university can determine if they want to do a $5 discount, a $20 discount, or whatever they might be. They can decide on that."
"So, this truly, then, is an unfunded mandate because the school's going to be required to rent the equipment from a distributor of some sort. And I've talked with some of the universities, and they're finding it difficult to find any distributor that has this equipment. And as we look at the difficult times the schools are having now, to add another unfunded mandate, where many of these products, I believe, are available elsewhere, to put this burden on the schools is another mandate that they're going to have to try to pay for. 10300043.docx 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 What are the locations… I believe I read in the legislation that it has to be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Is that correct?" Hernandez, B.: "It has to be accessible after hours. Yes. So… but it… it's not supposed to be 24/7. It's not listed as 24/7."
"Okay, but it's supposed to be available all hours of the day." Hernandez, B.: "It can be placed in the dorms. At least the vending machine can be placed in the dorm where the students can have access to it."
"So, on the weekends, is it required, then, to be accessible on the weekends then too, I understand?" Hernandez, B.: "It has to be accessible after hours and during school hours."
"Only school hours, not weekends?" Hernandez, B.: "For community colleges, only school hours. For universities, it's after hours and during school hours."
"Just for example, let's use University of Illinois campus. Big place. How many of these machines will be required on the University of Illinois campus of Champaign?" Hernandez, B.: "Only one. At least one. The universities, if they choose to get more, they can. But required, one."
"And what type of security is going to be required for these machines?" Hernandez, B.: "It is the same security that the university currently has."
"Has for other devices, or has for their campus? What do you mean?" 10300043.docx 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Hernandez, B.: "Whatever the university has, if it's for devices, then it's for devices. If it's for public, then that's what they have."
"So, what was that you held up as you started your discussion, Leader?" Hernandez, B.: "Plan B. That is a Plan B."
"That's a Plan… what's the cost of that?" Hernandez, B.: "It can range anything from $8 to $60. This is the brand name, so it is $60."
"So, $60, and what'd you say the cost… that the school, as I understand, will sell it at below cost." Hernandez, B.: "A reduced price, yes."
"What would be a suggested reduced price?" Hernandez, B.: "That will be depending on the university."
"Twenty percent? Would that be a pretty decent reduced price?" Hernandez, B.: "That depends on the university. I do not want to put a number to it. It depends on them."
"That… just for purposes of discussion, if they went 20 percent, that'd be $10. So, the university would pay $60 and sell it at $50. And… or let's even say 10 percent. The university pays $60, and the student pays $55. My point is… and that's just on that one item. There's so many items that are going to be in this machine that this truly is a losing proposition for the schools, that they cannot… they can't even cover the cost of the machine, let alone the products. And what… is there an expiration time period on that Plan B?" Hernandez, B.: "Let me check."
"Is it expired. Does the one you have there expired?" 10300043.docx 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Hernandez, B.: "It says April 2026."
"Okay. So, it does have an expiration date then?" Hernandez, B.: "It does, and it will be labeled. And students will be recommended and schools will be recommended to check on the expiration date."
"Are there other products that have expiration dates?" Hernandez, B.: "Yes, but we're mainly talking about the Plan B currently."
"Okay. But other products would have an expiration date. Are you familiar? Would those be a longer expiration date or a shorter expiration time period?" Hernandez, B.: "I think it depends on the product. I think it's the same as the current vending machines with snacks and food as well. It depends on the product."
"So, some of these products could be three-day expiration, five-day?" Hernandez, B.: "I don't think it can be a three- or a four-day type of expiration."
"Okay. Once again, it's going to require the labor of someone who's monitoring the expiration dates, the labor of someone monitoring the supplies, and the upkeep of these machines. So, now, we've got additional expenses for the universities on manpower to man them, on the electricity to run them, the security to maintain them. And I just see it's going to be a major burden on our schools. So, with that, I will request a 'no' vote. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Leader Windhorst."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will." 10300043.docx 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Thank you. Leader, just a couple of follow-up questions on the prior speaker. The wellness kiosks which are created by this Bill, they're similar to vending machines. Is that…" Hernandez, B.: "It's the same definition, yeah."
"Same definition. Thank you. So, I've had some people reach out to me with concerns who provide vending for colleges and universities. This is an… this Bill would create the obligation with the institution to provide. Is that accurate? The institution of higher education." Hernandez, B.: "That is correct. And many universities already have a wellness kiosk in their location."
"So, it's not the intention that anyone currently providing private vending that doesn't want to engage in this be mandated to engage in it?" Hernandez, B.: "No."
"Is that correct?" Hernandez, B.: "That is correct."
"And, of course, then… I guess the opposite is true. If a company wanted to engage in it, there's nothing that prohibits them if they're currently providing vending from contracting with the institution to provide it?" Hernandez, B.: "That is correct. The vending machine company itself, it will not be responsible to put the items in the vending machine. It will be the universities."
"Thank you."
"Leader Hernandez to close." Hernandez, B.: "It's been a while. I, unfortunately, didn't have the opportunity to debate this Bill last year. Representative 10300043.docx 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Gonzalez took that initiative on my behalf while I was in the hospital. So, I'm glad that I'm able to debate. Thank you for the debate, and I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1907 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, 73 are voting in 'favor', 40 voting 'opposed', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 1909, Representative Costa Howard. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1909, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. This Bill was read a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. But notes have been requested by the Sponsor and not filed at this time."
"Representative Costa Howard."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. First, I would like to remove the notes that I had previously filed."
"Mr. Clerk."
"No further Motions."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1909, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
Speaker Manley: "Representative Costa Howard. You're very anxious."
"It's go time."
"The floor is yours." 10300043.docx 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, at this time, I would make a Motion for all remaining notes to be ruled inapplicable."
"Those notes have been removed."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker."
"You're on Third Reading. Present your Bill."
"Absolutely. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Senate Bill 1909 is an initiative of the Illinois Attorney General's Office. The Bill's intent is to prevent limited services pregnancy centers from using deceptive practices to intentionally interfere with access to an individual's health care. Senate Bill 1909 amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act to prohibit limited services pregnancy centers from using deceptive practices to interfere with or prevent an individual seeking to gain entry or access to the provider of an abortion or emergency contraceptive. It also prevents these centers from inducing an individual to enter one of these limited services centers. It also prevents them from using deceptive practices in advertising, soliciting, or otherwise offering pregnancy-related services or in providing pregnancy-related services. Madam Speaker, for the purposes of the legislative intent, the intent here is not to disrupt the authority, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, to discipline or regulate the conduct of licensed medical professionals. In addition, this Bill is not intended to punish medical providers such as licensed providers who provide obstetrical or gynecological care simply because they do not perform abortion. Health care providers will not be subject to enforcement under this Bill 10300043.docx 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 so long as they do not employ fraud, deception, and misleading practices to interfere with or prevent another from accessing comprehensive reproductive health. Simply put, this Bill does not compel speech. This is about consumer protection from bad actors. This Bill does not shut down limited services pregnancy centers. It is not a per se prohibition to these centers as long as they are not engaging in fraud and deception. I'd ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Chair recognizes Leader Haas."
"Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"Thank you. So, this Bill is specifically an initiative of the Attorney General, correct?"
"Correct."
"And can you tell me, is this in response to an abundance of complaints received by the Attorney General's Office?"
"This Bill is in response to complaints that they have received and also to things that have been happening in today's society. The Attorney General's Office actually… the Attorney General's Office receives information and they obtain information from many sources."
"So, can you tell me specifically what the nature of these complaints are? How many have they received, and when were they received?"
"Leader Haas, as you know from committee, those questions were asked and the Attorney General's Office has stated that they will investigate each case on a case-by-case basis." 10300043.docx 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Correct. But with this initiative being brought, and if complaints have been received, out of an abundance of complaints being received, I would like to know how many those are, the nature of those, and when they were received."
"I don't have that information before me. And as I said, the Attorney General's Office will investigate each claim on a case-by-case basis."
"Okay. So, the deceptive practice focus of this Bill is specifically focused on only pregnancy care centers, correct?"
"Correct."
"It's not reciprocal to the behaviors or actions, including what's quoted in this Bill as misrepresentations or material… material facts utilized or expressed by any other type of reproductive health clinics, correct?"
"Leader Haas, I really don't understand… could you repeat your question? I'm not understanding your question."
"So, this… the deceptive practice focus of this Bill is specifically focused on just pregnancy care centers, correct?"
"Yes."
"So, it's not reciprocal to any other women's health type of reproductive health clinics?"
"Well, as you know, Representative Haas, other clinics, health care clinics, are licensed through… with licensed care providers, are licensed by IDFPR. So, they… and they are also covered under malpractice as well."
"So, they will be held to these deceptive practice… this Deceptive Practice Act as well?" 10300043.docx 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"They already are."
"Okay. So, in committee, I asked a series of questions seeking clarification and examples of what would be considered misrepresentations and material facts. And there was absolutely no clarity that could be given. The only response that was repeatedly given was that each situation would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Can some clarification now be finally given?"
"Representative Haas, the Attorney General's Office will review each instance on a case-by-case basis and make its determination."
"Okay. I'm sorry, can you repeat that?"
Costa Howard: "Again, the Attorney General's Office will investigate each claim on a case-by-case basis."
"So, there is no clarification for an organization to know what really is a claim that's untrue or what is the material fact and what they're going to be bound by?"
Costa Howard: "Again, the Attorney General's Office will investigate each claim on a case-by-case basis."
"And back to my prior question that other clinics will truly not be held by these deceptive practice acts that are included in this. Because the malpractice that you're speaking of is something entirely different, correct?"
"I… I’m not sure what… as I said, health care centers that are licensed under IDFPR are subject to IDFPR. They are also subject to medical malpractice claims. They're already covered by deception. Yes."
"But that's something completely different than the deceptive practices that are in this Act, correct?" 10300043.docx 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"They're covered under the Deceptive Practices Act."
"Specific to what's covered in this Act?"
"Deceptive… this Act can apply to any of the specific pieces of the statute."
"So, this provision applies to everyone is what I'm hearing you say. And if it does, then why do we need this?"
"Depending on the facts, the Act does."
"Then why do we need this?"
"Well, as we've said repeatedly, the… the point of this Bill is that it is… it is specific. As I stated in committee, we have over 68 Sections protecting very specific areas, including cars, I believe energy was one that we talked about, veterans, mental health. So, women are consumers of health care. So, I'm disappointed that you would suggest that we don't deserve specific protections. But you could go to buy a car and you'd be protected."
"And I don't think I'm suggesting that. To the Bill. And I'm not suggesting that. And I'm wondering that if we're having to make deceptive practices for this specifically if we will have to now make deceptive practice regulation for all of those others that the Sponsor has… has now listed as well. The language in this Bill is extremely vague and unclear and it seems purposely open to interpretation for these case- by-case determinations on these deceptive practice that specifically seemed to be focused on one industry here. Organizations are left to question their methods of operation, and it's very ambiguous and seemingly open to interpretation by only the Attorney General in these 10300043.docx 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 situations that are… are very disagreeable to only them. I very strongly urge a 'no' vote."
"Chair recognizes Representative Niemerg."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"I just have a few questions about this particular Bill and to further elaborate on the why of the Bill. Are the advertising, soliciting, or otherwise offering pregnancy- related services, in section… on page 5, line 22, (i), 'to interfere with or prevent an individual from seeking to gain entry or access to a provider of abortion or emergency contraception.' Can you give me an example of what a violation of this Act may be?"
"The Attorney General's Office will examine each case on a case-by-case basis."
"So, if I'm in front of an abortion clinic and it is my faith that I am against abortion and I am offering ultrasounds to expecting mothers that are going in to an abortion clinic, and an expecting mother comes in, has the ultrasound, and ultimately does not have an abortion. Does that violate this Act?"
"Well, Representative, as I've mentioned, each case will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Attorney General's Office."
"So… is the Attorney General sitting next to you?"
"I have the good fortune to say yes to that question." 10300043.docx 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Perhaps the Attorney General can elaborate on some of these questions that we're asking here today because I think that…"
Speaker Manley: "Representative, your questions need to be addressed to the Legislator."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think that getting answers, legislative intent, on a Bill that is as drastic as this… it… a limited service pregnancy center that offers health counseling service, ultrasounds, pregnancy option counseling may not advertise or offer pregnancy-related services that… cannot conduct or perform pregnancy-related services. This is a very broad brush that you're painting with, Representative. And I think the people of Illinois deserve to know, through examples, on what will be applicable and what won't be applicable under this Act. Don't you agree?"
"Actually, Representative, I think it's a very simple thing. The determination will be made by the Attorney General on a case-by-case basis. And at the end of the day, don't lie and you don't have to worry about it."
"So, you know when folks throughout the country say things along the lines of a heartbeat detectable at six weeks is a manufactured sound, and we would say that it is not, that it is an actual heartbeat. Yet, under this Bill, the way it's drafted, you're going to have the Attorney General's Office get a complaint, could be an anonymous complaint, that that was a violation. That somebody that disagreed with that statement could be violating this law and then shut down. So, the last question I'll ask is, why do we need this Bill?" 10300043.docx 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Let me make sure that the record is clear by that last statement. A judge would make the ultimate decision. There is nothing in this Bill that shuts down a limited service pregnancy center."
"I disagree. I think that it's very clear what's actually in this piece of legislation. But… but to go back, again, why do we need this Bill? You had said there… there are complaints that have been issued?"
"Representative, let's go over this again. Women are consumers of health care. We deserve to be protected. We believe women, at least on this side of the aisle. And guess what? We will continue to do so. That's why we need this Bill."
"So, you don't have any examples of any complaints? Because I think that my free speech…"
"Oh, Representative, we can do this back and forth all day."
"…my free speech and my religious freedom are very important as well. But to the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"A FOIA request was put to the Attorney General over a month ago for the last 10 years of these supposed reports and complaints against pregnancy health centers. The results of that FOIA request showed that there were actually zero complaints filed with the Attorney General's Office in the last 10 years for violations of the Deceptive Business Practices Act by Illinois pregnancy centers. Vote 'no'."
"Chair recognizes Representative Grant."
"Thank you, Madame Chair. To the Bill." 10300043.docx 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"To the Bill."
"Pregnancy… okay. Pregnancy centers play a vital role in navigating mothers through the emotional roller coaster that can come with the news of a baby on the way. Any of our loving mothers in this chamber know that feelings of excitement, anxiety, fear, and happiness all seem to coexist at the same time while pregnant. Many mothers, especially those who lack stable support systems, need somewhere to go for answers, guidance, and hope, which is one reason why pregnancy centers are so vital. They can provide a valid alternative for women. You say you're for choice, well, this is just one of the choices. Pregnancy centers also explain the medical risk associated with early termination of pregnancy. For example, surgical abortion can cause Asherman syndrome. Though rare, Asherman's syndrome is when scar tissue develops in the uterus or cervix as the result of surgical procedures. While the syndrome has a variety of severities that impact different women in different ways, pregnancy for a woman with severe Asherman's syndrome can come with a less than 30 percent chance of successfully conceiving and delivering a child in the future. Expectant mothers deserve to know about these risks associated with abortion. Again, expectant mothers deserve to know about these risks associated with abortions. Pregnancy centers shouldn't be afraid to share these truths so that women can be fully informed and empowered to make the appropriate decision for themselves and, hopefully, for their future healthy children. Thank you."
"The Chair recognizes Representative Hauter."
"Will the Sponsor yield?" 10300043.docx 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"She indicates that she will."
"Okay. So, just… just to clear something up. Medical providers are licensed at pregnancy care centers as well, and they are subject… subject to medical malpractice laws just as they would be an abortion clinic. They are licensed nurses…"
"Is there a question in there?"
"No, I just… I'm disputing what you said. Do you… do you dispute that they are not licensed and they are not subject to medical malpractice laws?"
"If we… if they're operating… if they're working in a clinic as you… and they are not licensed and they are not providing care… I mean, I believe if I recall from testimony in committee, there was testimony that there are volunteers who are there as well."
"All medical professionals in both abortion and pregnancy centers are licensed and subject to medical malpractice laws. That's just the… that's just the truth. And… and pregnancy centers are not licensed and neither are abortion clinics. Abortion clinics are not licensed, but they are subject to… the providers are subject to both medical malpractice laws and actions on their license."
"Actually, clinics are… the providers within the… the health care clinics are licensed."
"I agree with you. I agree with you. Abortion clinics are not licensed, and if there were any licensing involved, they were wiped away in the January reforms that you did to abortion clinic. Any kind of regulations were wiped away. So, both abortion clinics and pregnancy centers are not per se licensed. They don't have inspectors examining them, but the 10300043.docx 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 providers do. So, just to clear that up. And we would be happy… pregnancy centers would be happy to be licensed. If they would have health inspectors, they would be happy to go through all the vigorous ethical and medical standards just like an abortion clinic. But I just have another question. You know, when you have an… a Planned Parenthood center that does not provide abortions in the same town as a pregnancy center and they both provide about the same services, are you saying in this Bill that only the pregnancy center could be prosecuted under this law just because of their viewpoint on abortion?"
"No."
"Okay. So, the pregnancy center would not be under the subject of prosecution under this law?"
"As it… I'll repeat it."
"Okay."
"There's… this is not a First Amendment issue. There is not requirement of speech in your limited services pregnancy center, so… and I believe they're already covered by this Act. Health centers are already covered."
"So… so, under this law… well, let's just say this. Currently, both abortion clinics and pregnancy centers can be prosecuted under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, right?"
"Let's… let's be… let's make sure we're using the same vernacular."
"Okay."
"You're referring to limited services. They do not provide a full gambit and access to full reproductive health 10300043.docx 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 care in the places that you're referring to. That's what's covered in Senate Bill 1909, yes."
"Okay. If the Planned Parenthood in the same town… and there's many Planned Parenthoods that don't provide for abortions. And in that same town is a pregnancy center. They both offer about the same services: ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, STI testing. They both do not provide for abortion. That Planned Parenthood in that town does not provide for abortions. There's many Planned Parenthoods who don't. Under this law, only the pregnancy center could be prosecuted because of their viewpoint on abortion."
"No."
"Okay. I don't think you're… I just don't think I'm conveying it. It may be my fault. So…"
"And just so we make sure we're clear, every Planned Parenthood in Illinois does provide full access to all reproductive choices, including abortion. I just want to make sure you had your facts right. You wanted to make sure… I just wanted to make sure you had your facts straight. Go ahead."
"Okay. But they don't perform abortions at every Planned Parenthood."
"Yes, they do."
"They do not. They do not. We'll just have to disagree, but not every Planned Parenthood… and that's fine. They all refer…"
"Yes, they do."
"…but they don't all provide."
"Yes, they do. Facts are facts. Yes, they do." 10300043.docx 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"So, we went over that… that there's no FOIA request. There's no… been no complaints. So, there's this new law, and I had just wondered if this would apply to religious speech as how churches and religious organizations are related with pregnancy centers and their speech in relation to the promotion or the referral to pregnancy centers."
"No, it does not."
"So, there's no religious speech that would be limited in this Bill?"
"No. As long as it's not deceptive, lying, as long… and fraudulent."
"So, if… if they would say abortion is sin?"
"That… that would be the Attorney General's Office to make that determination on a case-by-case basis."
"Okay. So, if… so, if they would say contraception is wrong?"
"The Attorney General's Office would make that determination on a case-by-case basis."
"So, are we allowed to have, from the Attorney General, a document or some guidance of approved speech so that we can have some idea what would be considered wrong or lying?"
"The Attorney General's Office will be making their determination on a case-by-case basis."
"But after the investigation, this impounding of documents, the investigation that requires summons and subpoenas, the whole process and the whole effect of the state coming down on pregnancy centers, and then they'll know what they did wrong?" 10300043.docx 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"The Attorney General's Office will be making the determination on a case-by-case basis."
"So, do you understand how this gives us no due process and it doesn't give us any guidance on what we're saying, if it would be considered wrong or not, before we're punished for it?"
"Well, I noticed you said us. I find that to be quite interesting. But again, the Attorney General's Office will be making a determination on a case-by-case basis."
"To the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"Honestly, this Bill… it's hard for me to understand why we need it, how it would be considered Constitutional in any way, and her description… the Sponsor's description of pregnancy care centers is nothing that I recognize. As I said, my wife and I have been heavily involved in pregnancy care centers and we know them to be licensed providing… providers providing medical control, ethical standards, caring, highly- trained staff, helping pregnant ladies and their babies with support, compassion, options. They even provide things that are not provided by abortion clinics, like post-abortion care, post-abortion trauma care, maternal housing. My… my wife is involved in… in helping counsel when a… when a woman gets a life-limiting diagnosis for her child or… or a miscarriage. So, there's services offered. There's so many options and services offered. What I see from this is animus without evidence. I see… I hear things like fake clinics and they blatantly lie and hand out blatantly false material. We didn't see anything. We were never given any blatantly 10300043.docx 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 fraudulent material, but we were told that it's being passed out blatantly. And they only exist, I heard, to coerce patients and constantly lie, misinform, and deceive women. This is just not true. And I don't think anyone on our side or your side wants that to happen. We want to help pregnant ladies. Some of them are struggling, and they need help. They need the support of a pregnancy center. And I could work with you. If you want to license pregnancy centers, if you want to look at the medical care they're getting, if you want to use the laws that are currently on the book, let's stamp out those deceptive, those blatantly false materials. But we're not seeing that. This is an unnecessary Bill. I mean, look… I mean, in medicine… and we were on the committee. We heard stories on both sides. We heard stories of ladies who also were… they felt like they were deceived by abortion clinics. And we heard stories about people who thought they were misinformed by pregnancy centers. And stories are important, but what we do in medicine… and all three of us on the committee were health care providers. And, you know, I'm the chairman of the Department of Anesthesia. I have half a dozen complaints right now from patients who… who were… they felt like they had bad medical care. They felt like they misinformed. They felt like they were deceived in some way, or they weren't given enough information. And what I do with those… those are very important, but I have to have something in evidence in writing, and then I can give due process to the provider and to the patient. And sometimes we find out it was just because they were so scared, they were under so much stress. And in medicine we have a new language, in jargon, 10300043.docx 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 that they don't, you know, exactly get. And they were just… it was just a misunderstanding. But we have the evidence so that we can give due process, and there's none of that here. And then we look at… it's unfair. It's targeting just one viewpoint in this discussion, and it's viewpoint discrimination. And then you refuse to give any clarity or guidance to us and… on what… what are we doing wrong? What's the misinformation? What's this material and this deception that's happening? I also have a problem with the wording of any aggrieved party can bring a complaint. So, any party can… not a patient, not a client, not a former patient, can bring a complaint. So, Planned Parenthood of Chicago can rain down complaints as an aggrieved party on a pregnancy center in Peoria, Illinois. And that's allowed under this. And then we wait. We wait for the full effect and the full weight of the state, summons, subpoenas, impounding records…"
"Representative."
"…documents."
"Can you bring your remarks to a close?"
"Okay."
"We've got 10 other speakers."
"All right. I know you have probably equal distain for all pro-life people, but we deserve and need equal protection under this law. We deserve equal free speech, and we deserve due process. Some of the best ways to protect our rights under the Constitution is to fight for those rights for people you don't… you don't agree with. And I ask that you vote 'no' on this Bill, and I ask that you protect our constitutional rights. Thank you." 10300043.docx 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Chair recognizes Representative Cassidy."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"I hear a lot of defense of folks getting to say whatever they want to folks in vulnerable positions and that it's okay to lie. The… the processes that some folks have described at certain facilities, as long as you're not lying, there's nothing to be afraid of, but bad actors abound. We have heard stories of unsanitary practices. A whistleblower nurse in Kansas at one of these facilities blew the whistle on an outbreak of genital warts because untrained volunteers were operating an internal vaginal ultrasound probe and not cleaning in between. We have heard of people getting that same invasive exam by an untrained volunteer, wondering if they could charge rape because they weren't told what was going to happen. As we were doing research on this Bill and working on the data privacy Bill with… with Representative Williams, we were looking at the ads being placed by these… these facilities. And we found several that said in very big letters on their website, because there's no coverage for Medicaid for abortion services, you have no option but to come to us. We'll help you 'cause you can't get Medicaid coverage. That is a blatant falsehood in the State of Illinois. The examples go on from there. If they're not doing these things, these facilities can operate and provide the services to the people who are going there because they know what services are available at these facilities and have chosen these facilities to get their care. But to hear my colleagues from the party of government small enough to fit 10300043.docx 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 in my uterus defend lies and deception is ridiculous. There is no compelled speech in this Bill. This protects everyone's rights. Please vote 'yes'."
"Chair recognizes Representative Delgado."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"Crisis pregnancy centers are known to target low-income women and women of color, and they do this often through advertisements. I can speak about those that I see in my neighborhood on the North West side of the City of Chicago on bus shelters. And when CPCs like this deny people care or mislead them or purposely deceive them, they need to be held accountable. And Senate Bill 1909 will do this. So, while not all CPCs engage in these practices, it's crucial that we protect individuals who are seeking reproductive health care to be protected from the bad actors that take advantage of people who are seeking help. And these are people who are often in so of the most vulnerable situations of their entire lives. So, because of that, I urge an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Croke."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"So, Representative Costa Howard, Representative Hauter made reference to testimony in committee about deceptive practices. But I remember one of the opponents to this Bill, an executive director of a crisis pregnancy center, confirming the issue that I believe that this Bill is meant to address. Could you please elaborate on that for the Body?" 10300043.docx 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
Costa Howard: "Correct. During testimony during committee hearing, the individual almost died from a limited crisis… a limited pregnancy center testified that at her clinic does not engage in those… let me back up. What she testified to was an example of, would it be deceptive to hold up a sign that said 'sign in here'? And she actually acknowledged that, yes, that would be somewhat deceiving. That was deceiving because they were moving people away from their accurate location. She then proceeded to acknowledge that there are advocates who will stop at nothing… in fact, her words were, 'They'll do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.' In other words, lie."
"To the Bill. So, as…"
"To the Bill."
"…I'm assuming I may be the only pregnant person in this Body right now, but I think that everyone would agree that I deserve to know how many weeks I am pregnant to be able to make decisions about my health care. To… I deserve to know if I'm going to have an ectopic pregnancy and potentially could die and, yes, may need to get an abortion in order to save my life. 'Cause guess what? I have two other kids at home that I have to take care of. As a pregnant woman, I think that it is vital that I receive the health care that I deserve, that I receive information that I deserve to make these decisions because I am a consumer of health care. And the fact that we have laws in place that could protect me from like buying a bad car but not receiving information that could potentially threaten my life is completely ridiculous. If the medical 10300043.docx 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 provider does not lie, as we have been saying, they have nothing to worry about. I urge a 'yes' vote."
"Chair recognizes Representative Ugaste."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"Thank you. I just want to make certain I'm clear as to who… to whom this applies. Would this apply to a physician's practice of… that provides OBGYN services normally who follows a religious belief that they should not provide abortions or refer people for abortions?"
"I'm sorry. Right. Limited services pregnancy centers do not include health care professional license by the IDFPR, a hospital licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act and its affiliates, or a hospital licensed under the University of Illinois Hospital Act and its affiliates."
"Okay. So, it doesn't pertain to the… the professional, the health care professional that's licensed, but to the practice itself. Because the definition of a limited service pregnancy center also includes an organization or facility that has employees, volunteers, or other agents, or professionals licensed by the department who do not perform those services, correct?"
"Representative Ugaste, this is not… the Conscience Act does not apply. If that… is that what you're asking? I guess maybe…"
"No, I… I'm just trying to…"
"…I'm not understanding what you're asking."
"…I'm just trying to find out if someone has a… if a medical professional who provides services to deliver babies 10300043.docx 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 and the like decides they do not want to perform abortions or refer people based on their religious beliefs… so, that's what happens in their whole center. Now, I see they're provided protection. I just want to know, is everyone else at the facility and the facility itself provided protection, or can they… are they subject to this Act? I'm just trying to make sure I understand who's included. That's all."
"They're subject to the Act. I answered your question."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't hear it. I apologize."
"The definition in the statute defines limited service pregnancy centers."
"Correct. And it says that the health care professionals excluded. What I'm trying to find out is, is the facility that that health care professional owns and their employees or other people that work or volunteer there, are they covered as well? Or are they subject to the Act? That's all I'm wondering."
"Representative, it says in the statute, limited service pregnancy center does not include a health care professional licensed by the IDFPR, a hospital licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act and its affiliates, or a hospital licensed under the University of Illinois Hospital Act and its affiliates. It's in the statute."
"Okay. So… so, the professional then… to the Bill. So, by its definition…"
"To the Bill." 10300043.docx 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"…the professional in that situation would be exempt. Everyone else at the facility is going to be subject to the Act. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Avelar."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"I think it's been said time and time again that health care is a right, that reproductive health care needs to be done in a way for all options are being discussed. Back in 2010, I walked into one of these fake clinics. And I want to call them fake because of one reason, because when I was talking to the person in this clinic and I asked for my options, abortion was out of the question. So, if we think about lying, if we think about deception, when I think and when I'm demanding for my options to be laid out in a way where I know that I can make an educated decision, that clinic failed. So, I am here, 13 years later, saying that this is the right thing to do. As a Latina, as somebody who has seen these fake clinics also prey in our community, preying also on people who lack the understanding of how the health care system works here in this state, in the U.S., people who lack… who are limited English proficient, I've seen it happen. Representative, I'm so grateful that you're bringing this forward to our Body because it is about time that we are having clinics providing the right accurate information, which includes also information about abortion. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Chair recognizes Representative Blair-Sherlock."
"Thank you. Does the Sponsor yield?" 10300043.docx 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"She indicates she will."
"Thank you. To the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"I want to… I want to be really clear here about a couple of things on this. The law's been clear for centuries what is a misrepresentation, and it has to be false. There's no two truths, two… you know. There are things that are true, and there are things that are false. So, if somebody does not tell a lie and does not deceive then they're not going to have a problem. And due process is in this Bill. Because first stage, the Attorney General has to decide whether or not he thinks that it's worth pursuing an action. Then he has to file it with the court and the person gets representation and can come in and fight it. That's what due process is. Due process is a process for you to be heard and you to defend yourself. Not all speech is protected. You can't yell fire in a theater. So, no, it's not a First Amendment issue when people are lying. They lose that protection. It's got nothing to do with religion. It has to do with women's health. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Ford."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"Representative, I want to go down the lane differently. And I want to ask you if you ever heard of the origin of the phrase 'nothing about us without us'? It was first invoked by the South African disability rights movement in 1990 and it spoke about 'nothing about us without us' and it became the clarion call of the activist organizations to overcome 10300043.docx 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 systematic oppression and empowerment and empower persons with disabilities to take control over their decisions and affecting their lives. So, when we look at this Bill, this is a woman's decision to make. And you think women should make the decisions about their life and their body, right?"
"I do."
"So, you said you do. I've never been married, and you just said you do. So, when you think about reentry and ex- offenders, do you believe that people with felonies should have a say in what they do and policies that dictate their lives? Should they have a say in policymaking, and should we listen to them?"
"Representative, I believe everybody should be… have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their lives."
"And should we listen to them when we make our policy decisions?"
"We should. We should take that information into account, absolutely."
"People with substance use disorders, should we listen to them when they tell us that there are policies that we should be making to impact their lives and to save their lives? Should this Body be listening to them when we make policy decisions?"
"Representative Ford, you know how I feel about behavioral health issues and addictions, so, yes."
"Yes. And so, when parents talk about policies that's important to them so that we can have two fit parents that's involved in the lives of their children, should we be 10300043.docx 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 listening to parents when they speak of policies that this Body should be implementing for the improvement of Illinois?"
"We listen to what they have to say, sure."
"Thank you. And to the Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, I just want to make…"
"To the Bill."
"…the note that we have just witnessed that the Sponsor of the Bill has answered the question that when we have Members of this General Assembly propose legislation that's important to certain segments of Illinois that we should listen to the proposals. And we should not be closed-minded when people with backgrounds speak about the needs to reenter society. People with substance use disorders, we should not be closed- minded when they tell us that there are policies that we should be implementing that can actually save their lives. As a man, I listen to women because they know what's best for their bodies. As a Catholic, I still listen to women because they know what's best. And so, Representative and Representatives, I ask that you listen to the advocates that speak about issues and don't be closed-minded. Don't be closed-minded when the clarion call comes for things that can actually make Illinois better and save lives. And so, I urge an 'aye' vote because the women of Illinois on this side say vote 'yes'. And I'm a Democrat, and Democrats actually listen to the call of people, even people in prison that say that they want to vote. Please vote 'yes'."
"Chair recognizes Representative Halbrook."
"Thank you, Madam… thank you, Madam Chair. To the Bill."
"To the Bill." 10300043.docx 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"We hear a lot today about protecting women. We keep using the word women in this debate. The question I have is, how far are we willing to go to protect women? Should we protect young women in high school restrooms from intact males in that same space? Should we protect women in collegiate athletics from having intact males in their dressing room? We all agree women need to be protected, and we acknowledge that a woman that is born female and only have a biological female can give birth. So, if we're going to talk a lot about protecting the health and safety of women in one space, we need to stop ignoring that there is deception in other spaces that is a danger to women as well. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Hauter. Your name was used in debate. Would you wish to make a statement?"
"I have a question for the Sponsor."
"She will yield."
"So, in light of the fact that the current law has never been used both on a pregnancy care center or on an abortion clinic, why cannot the current law be enforced on both viewpoints equally?"
"We believe… thank you, sorry. We believe that this provision will continue to protect women."
"In light of the fact that the current law you believe is inadequate, can you give us an example of what this new law will then do that will stop disinformation? Can you give us an example of what this new law will now stop? Like a real example that we can have some guidance going forward." 10300043.docx 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Representative Hauter, the Attorney General's Office is going to make that determination on a case-by-case basis."
"Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Reick."
"Thank you, Madam Chairman. To the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"I want to talk about the law. Not this law, but the law. Those of us in this room who are lawyers learned several things when we went to law school. In the movie the Man for All Seasons, Sir Thomas More says, 'Our country is painted with laws, man's laws. And I would give the devil his due for the benefit of law for my own sake.' But the law only serves a purpose if the law provides guidelines within which we as a society must act. We've heard today, I don't know how many times, that this law will be in… this Bill, if passed into law, will be enforced as the Attorney General sees fit on a case-by-case basis. That is not the law. The law is what must be in place, what must be given to us in specific form in order for us to understand what our responsibilities and our rights are without having to go to adjudication or a hearing by somebody who has the ability to decide on a case-by-case basis what is and is not proper speech, proper activity. That is not the law. What we have here is not a law. The law is meant to bind all of us, regardless of what the law is about. It provides the guardrails through which we as a society act within the society in order to make our lives better. This is not a law. And I'll tell you what, if this law was to come in front of JCAR as an administrative rule, JCAR would have 10300043.docx 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 absolutely no option but to reject… but to reject this administrative rule, which we're going to call a law, because this gives us absolutely… this Bill gives us absolutely no… how did I put it? Doesn't provide guidance as to how to comply. That's administrative law. Part of what we do in JCAR is to say you must give us guidance as to how to comply by a statute, by a law, by a rule. This Bill does not do that. This Bill puts authority in the hands of one elected official to determine on a case-by-case basis what is and is not the law. That is not the law. I urge a 'no' vote. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Collins."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"So, I have my son with me today, and I'm very open with my children. But I do have a story that I want to tell because it's personal, and though the merit of this Bill has not really been discussed from the right side of the aisle, 'cause I think we need to stick to the merits of this Bill, I think it's important that people who seek any type of service when it comes to health care are given options and that they're honest. And I am so lucky, but I'm also still grieving about a decision I had to make a little over 10 years ago because of what happened to me, that I will not get into details about. But it was a decision that I made the choice for myself. And with that choice, if I'd known or heard what I'm hearing today from my colleagues on this side of the aisle, I would be outraged. I'm still outraged right now to hear some of the insults that I heard on this floor. Because this Bill is about deceptive practices, and it is women who are 10300043.docx 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 consumers of health care and we have a right to make decisions for our bodies. And when I'm in that doctor's office, it's me and my doctor discussing my health, what I want to do, and the best options for me. And when I'm not satisfied, I go and find someone else. But we have women today who are going to seek health care, and in cases, they are being lied to. And they're not given an option. They're not told the full-out plan, and that's not fair to them. So, this is not a broad brush. This is not an unnecessary Bill. This is about women who are consumers of health care. And I don't know how many times we can say that, but that's what this is about. And so, to Representative Costa Howard, thank you. Thank you for taking all these unnecessary punches on this floor because what you are doing is you are being the voice for many women like myself who may have to make these hard decisions and want the truth and deserve the truth. So, thank you for that, and I urge an 'aye' vote on this Bill because we are doing the right thing. We are listen to… listening to the masses. We are protecting women, all women, and we know what that means as Democrats. So, thank you."
Speaker Manley: "And our last speaker on this Bill is Representative Johnson."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Back in September of 2021, shortly after I announced my candidacy for the seat, I was approached by a local activist who asked if I'd be willing to tell the story at an upcoming women's rights event of a 33- year-old mother from Rock Island that died 6 months prior to the Roe v. Wade decision due to preeclampsia. I agreed, under the condition that all three of her kids would meet and allow 10300043.docx 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 me to give an accurate picture of the story. The oldest daughter was 11 at the time of her mother's death and was the only one of the kids with any memory of their mother's story. The son, who was 8, he had no memory of his mother, and the youngest daughter was only 15 months old at the time of the mother's passing. The mother's name was Shirley Hunter. And with each pregnancy, she suffered through life-threatening preeclampsia. When she gave birth to her third child, a baby girl, in April of 1971, she was told that she would not survive another pregnancy. In January of 1972, she found out that she was pregnant and began to contemplate just what would become of her kids were she to die. The world was much, much different then and earning mother… earning money for a single mother was incredibly difficult. But she scrimped and she saved, and she refused to take her medication to save on costs, but she was finally able to save enough money to go to New York. New York, at that time, was the only place where you could get a legal and safe abortion in our country. But by the time she got there, she was told she was too far along and nothing could be done. She returned home to Rock Island with essentially a death sentence. The older sister talked about how her mother had spent her last 4th of July, with the kids watching the fireworks and eating ice cream, knowing that it would be her last. She died nine days later. Kathy, the sister, talked about how she only found out a few days later, at the funeral home, that the man that she had called dad for as early as she can remember, and the father of the other two, was actually not her biological father. And she was taken away from the funeral home kicking and screaming as 10300043.docx 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 she was torn away from her siblings and went to live with her father and a new family. She never lived with her siblings again. The younger sister, Tracy, she talked about how she went through life always feeling like everyone viewed her as the little girl that lost her mom and never be at peace without knowing her past. The son had spent 49 years running from the past and was unwilling to confront it. He had absolutely no memory of his mother, and it bothers him to this day that he cannot remember the sound of her voice in times of crisis or even what she looks like. The first eight years of his life are wiped clean. But this story is about Shirley and the moments that she missed in her children's lives. The fact that she was never given the opportunity to pick them up when they fell down or to give them praise when they succeeded. She wasn't there when her oldest daughter graduated from nursing school and started a 40-year career in taking care of others or when she, herself, became a mother and grandmother. She wasn't there when her youngest daughter became the best community organizer that I have ever seen, nor to see her become a parent. She also wasn't there to help her when the daughter herself became pregnant at an early age and attended one of these clinics and was surrounded by employees of the clinic that offered her nothing but group… group prayer and disturbing pictures. Nor was she there to see her little boy win his first race or make his first basket, nor was she able to guide him along a nearly 40-year journey for him to find purpose in his life. Finally, she was not there in January of this year when her son was sworn into the 103rd General Assembly of this chamber. Shirley Hunter 10300043.docx 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 was my mother, and these girls are my sisters. And our lives were thrown into chaos because our mother had no other option but to die and leave us. An increasingly activist Supreme Court has created a situation in which countless more families just like ours will be thrown into chaos and women and families all over the world will experience the same grief and trauma that ours did. I am honored to serve, along with 117 other Members of this House, and I absolutely believe I would not be here had not the experience of my life formed my social core. All that being said, I would trade everyone every day here and every day the last 50 years if I had had my mother to walk along me on my path through life. I want to thank the Sponsor for this Bill. Prior to last June, I was at least cognizant of the fact that this was never going to happen to any other little girls, any other eight-year-old boy, any other women. I can't say that anymore. I now worry about our future going forward. And I will also tell you that it has been painful the last year and a half. Every single time I tell this story, it takes a chunk out of me. It does. But this is important. It's important work we do here. For just the rest of the day, I'll probably still feel like that eight-year-old lonely boy, but tomorrow we go back to work, tonight we go back to work, and that work includes protecting women and their ability to make their own health care decisions. Thank you."
"One last speaker. Leader McCombie."
"Sorry, Speaker. Couple of questions for clarification, please."
"She will yield." 10300043.docx 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Is the Attorney General going to be making determinations by a case-by-case basis?"
"Yes."
"You stated that Planned Parenthood in Illinois provides full reproductive health care, correct?"
"Yes. Yes."
"Does that health care include fertility care, like IVF or insemination?"
"I… I apologize. I can't answer that question in this moment."
"Okay. So, then, to say that they provide full productive health care, you're unsure."
"I will get back to you on that."
"So, you're unsure if they actually do provide full reproductive…"
"The question previously by another Member was regarding abortion care, and I answered that question as to they provide abortion care. Yes."
"You said reproductive health care."
"Providing options for those, yes."
"Okay. Well, they don't. They don't provide full reproductive health care in Illinois anyways, just so you know. Do you think pregnant… pregnancy centers or, as defined in the Bill, limited services pregnancy centers have a place or should be a choice for women to utilize in making her reproductive health decisions?"
"As long as they're not lying." 10300043.docx 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Do you believe they have a place or should be a choice for women to utilize in making her reproductive health decisions?"
"I… there is nothing in this Bill that prohibits that."
"Do you believe, do you believe?"
"My personal belief on that is irrelevant to the Bill."
"Really? Do you believe the intent going forward will be to close limited service pregnancy centers?"
"I don't believe that's the intent of the Bill."
"Is that your intent?"
"That is not my intent, and my… my personal belief is not at issue."
"Okay. We keep hearing that this Bill is about deceptive practices, correct?"
"Correct."
"So, why not through Consumer Protection Committee?"
"I’m sorry. I didn't hear the question."
"Why… why did it… why did it not go through Consumer Protection?"
"I'm not on the Rules Committee. I don't make those determinations."
"Okay. You on the other side of the aisle are always saying that you protect women, that you protect all people. We're all colleagues here. We all take the oath. I would like to think, even though we are a smaller side of the aisle, that you believe our intent is to protect and serve all people. We represent parts of all 102 counties, and I can 10300043.docx 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 promise you every one of us over here… and I hope that your intent is truthful and not deceptive and the next steps aren't going to be to close these down, aren't going to be to sue people, aren't going to be to ultimately hurt people under the guise of protecting women. I'm a… I'm a woman. I have a choice. So, I ask that you try not to take away our choices as women. Protect women like you say you do. You're always very careful of how you do things on the other side of the aisle, and you're very patient. When I say this, you do incremental change until, one day, the initial intent is complete destruction. I don’t know how much farther we can go with this topic, but I just ask to please join us in protecting women as well. Vote 'no'."
"Representative Costa Howard to close."
"Thank you. I'd like to address a few things that have come to this debate. First and foremost, I would add that the reason there is a choice is because the people on this side of the aisle vote to protect it. The Consumer Fraud Act has been in effect since 1974. That's the law of the land since 1974. So, women are consumers of health care. I keep saying it over and over again, and we deserve the right to receive information, not to be lied to and deceived, and most importantly, it should not be interfered with. We know that these centers have many advocates from many different places. But we also has… has been referred to as stories. I find offense to that. I really do. These are real life experiences. You've heard of two of them today. They're not stories. They are lived experiences by people in this chamber. So, the fact that my colleagues, our colleagues, are brave enough to share 10300043.docx 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 their lived experiences with us are what propel us forward each and every day when we review policy and we make law. We have heard from women who have shared about the misleading pamphlets that they get giving inaccurate, debunked science, that they like to say, 'cause it's not real. We know they misdiagnose. People had come and shared their lived experience of a misdiagnosis. And I hope to God we don't have another Representative come before us and talk about what happened to him and his family. Not on our watch. You heard me say it, and those of you who were watching or actually were in committee had the powerful moments of the advocate for these centers openly acknowledge these people will stop at nothing, right? These… these advocates will do whatever it takes. Lies. Deception. We've heard from women who were held behind closed doors and not let out. Yes, I believe that that happened 'cause I believe women. There is nothing in this Bill that limits speech. Nothing at all. 'Cause if you're not lying, what do you have to worry about? There is nothing in this Bill that prohibits these centers from continuing to serve people that they feel they need to serve. They're not shutting down. There's nothing in this Bill that does this. So, today, again, I am asking the Members of this Body to continue to stand with women when they share their lived experiences. These women who are consumers of health care, who deserve our protection every day. Because I never want to hear another story about someone who's lost a member of their family because somebody lied about what options they have for health care. I urge an 'aye' vote." 10300043.docx 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1909 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 72 voting in 'favor', 40 voting 'no', 1 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 579, Representative Gabel. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 579, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. This Bill was read a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendments #3 and 4 have been approved for consideration. Floor Amendment #3 is offered by Representative Gabel."
"Representative Gabel on Amendment 3."
"Amendment 3 is just some technical changes to the Bill. We also need to do Floor Amendment 4."
"Yep, we're going to do them one at a time. Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #3 to House Bill 579. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, any further Amendments?"
"Floor Amendment #4 is offered by Representative Gabel and has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Gabel on Amendment 4."
"Floor Amendment 4 was an Amendment for the chief procurement officer, and it brings everyone to neutral on the Bill." 10300043.docx 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Representative Gabel moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #4 to House Bill 579. Those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, any further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 579, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Gabel."
"Thank you. Thank you, Madam Speaker. This Bill will establish a state-based exchange or marketplace in Illinois, which will allow Illinois to create a one-stop shop for health care insurance. Currently, Illinois has… is on the federal exchange and the state pays a fee to use their platform. By moving that function to the state, as 18 other states have done before us, the state will have control over our own health care insurance market. We can identify target populations who are traditionally underinsured or uninsured on a localized level in a way that the Federal Government cannot. Our marketplace will also be insulated from changes in federal policy by those who seek to undermine access to affordable health care. The bottom line is that it allows all Illinoisans to connect with a health insurance plan that's right for them and for their families. I urge an 'aye' vote and am available for questions."
"Chair recognizes Representative Keicher."
"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will." 10300043.docx 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Leader, thank you for bringing this and thank you for having a little bit of dialogue with me about this before we got to this point. So, I have… I have a few clarifications I just want to put and then some legislative intent language. But first, let me share with you and the Body some of my concerns. So, what we're doing with this Bill, and please interrupt me and correct me if I'm wrong, is we are creating a health marketplace in the State of Illinois to replace the Affordable Care Marketplace that we currently participate in at the federal level, correct?"
"Correct."
"Okay. And we had an opportunity to do that after the Affordable Care Act, or commonly known as Obamacare, was originally rolled in and we had a financial incentive to do so, correct?"
"That's correct."
"And we for… forwent, forgone, for… we left that behind and are doing that without the operation. I believe the current appropriation for this is about $10 million?"
"It is."
"Can you tell me how that number was derived and with Milliman services or company involved in that?"
"Sure. That is a number that we felt was needed to be able to ramp up in both Department of Insurance and HFS to be able to develop the plan."
"Okay. And are… are you currently aware, Leader, the extent of understaffing that the Department of Insurance is currently experiencing?"
"I am." 10300043.docx 92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Okay. Right now, it's somewhere between 60 and 70 folks that the department is short by. And now we're going to face them with another burden of administration of something that gets very technically complex. Do we have any projections on the number of additional staffing that this will require to implement?"
"I'm not quite sure, but… but I am… but the 10 million should cover the number that we need to hire."
"And… and when you say 10 million to hire, does that also include any software acquisitions and framework that needs to be established in order to support this?"
"I believe that will come next year."
"Okay. So, we're looking at additional appropriations beyond the 10 million?"
"Eventually, within two years, the marketplace will be completely funded by fees to the insurance companies that are on the marketplace."
"Okay. So, we have an assessment… and that brings me to next point, thank you. We have an assessment that will be assessed on the participants in the exchange program, correct?"
"On the companies that are on the exchange."
"And is that fee capped in any way, shape, or form? And if so, what is it assessed upon?"
"It is very… it's similar to what the federal exchange assesses them now, currently."
"Okay. So, I'm going to transition a little bit. Has the department submitted a letter of intent to establish a state- 10300043.docx 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 based exchange to the federal CMS and, if yes or no, why or why not?"
"It requires… this Bill must be passed first before we can send in that letter."
"Okay. So, they would anticipate sending this letter to federal CMS upon… if this passes?"
"Correct."
"Okay. How much staff has the department projected would be needed to fully staff the state-based exchange by 2026?"
"We don't know at this time."
"So, we don't know what the cost is… or what the extent of staffing is. Does the department have a cost estimate for what any staffing would be, or are we just going with the 10 million number?"
"Well, that's the beginning. I mean, the department believes that with the assessed fees of between 67 and 95 million dollars that we should be able to run a very effective marketplace exchange."
"Would staffing for the exchange take priority over regulatory staffing issues currently experienced by the department?"
"Pardon me? I'm sorry, I didn't hear. Can you repeat that question?"
"It's getting loud in here. Would this staffing take priority over regulatory staffing issues at the department?"
"It would be additional staff."
"Okay. But which should take priority if the… if the department's out there looking for people and there's a limited pool, which one is going to take priority? Because 10300043.docx 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 we're right now suffering with some regulatory understaffing."
"It'll be separate staff. They'll be looking for people with different qualifications."
"Okay. Can the Sponsor walk through the appropriations requested for the transition phase to the exchange and what appropriations you're referring to in the next fiscal year?"
"There's going to be a whole advisory group and a whole organization that will be working on those questions. I don't believe that information is in the Bill at this time."
"Okay. Is it anticipated that the budget for Fiscal Year '25 or '26 will be increased to cover these additional costs?"
"I can't answer that. I'm not sure."
"Okay. And… and the reason for this is these assessments don't go into place until we have a functioning exchange, correct?"
"Exactly."
"Okay."
"In the first year, we're going to begin working on the state exchange, but it will still be using the federal platform. And then, by 2026, it will be a state platform."
"And… and if there is underfunding, does this legislation… or do you project the department to be able to assess additional dollars to the plan participants on the platform?"
"There's a cap."
"There's a cap. And again, what is that cap level? Are we aware?" 10300043.docx 95 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"One second. I'm going to… I'm going to have to get back to you. I'm sorry."
"Okay. All right. And, obviously, the… the issue that we're raising there is the cost that's affiliated with maintaining these programs. Because again, these would be non-ERISA health plans that we're offering here in the State of Illinois and we've already placed a number of significant cost burdens upon those plans. Are there any concerns with the department capacity, either the Department of Insurance or HFS, to take on the necessary pieces of gaining federal approval, given the inevitable workload that will be involved in the Medicaid redeterminations with the first rounds of those deemed to be ineligible through that determination process coming off a Medicaid coverage in July?"
"Well, let me go back to your previous question. I found the answer to that question."
"Fantastic."
"So, the answer to that is, in the Bill it says, 'but in no case shall the assessment be applied at a rate that exceeds 4 percent of the total monthly premium charged by a carrier.' So, there is a cap in the… in the legislation."
"So… and are you aware of how that compares to the federal assessment?"
"I believe it's similar."
"Okay. So, let me repeat the last question. Are there concerns with the department capacity, either at the Department of Insurance or HFS, to take on the necessary pieces of gaining federal approval, given that the inevitable workload that's coming from the Medicaid redeterminations 10300043.docx 96 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 this July and every year after, those first rounds of those ineligible folks will now become eligible for the platform? So, what are the level of concerns with those pieces falling into place?"
"You know, I believe the department is confident that we will be able to ramp up and be prepared for these… for these changes. The… the HFS, for many, many years, was able to… to deal with a… an annual redetermination. So, it's not something that's brand new. It's just something that hasn't been done in a while."
"Has the department ever issued a request for information to gather information on what technology platforms and venders exist to assist in this transition to a state-based exchange?"
"There will be an RFP that will go out."
"But no information to date to your awareness has been sought or gained?"
"No."
"Have there ever been any conversations to your knowledge with technology venders that specialize in this area? And I think you answered that with the last one. So, I'll just… I'll withdraw that."
"Not that I know of."
"And several states with state-based exchange, including New Jersey, have enacted separate individual coverage mandates that are going along with these plans that are on there. And this was contemplated by the Affordable Care Act but not really enforced. Does Illinois currently have a 10300043.docx 97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 coverage mandate in place requiring individuals to purchase health insurance?"
"I don’t… I don't believe so."
"Is this something that the Governor's Office or the department would support, especially if they wish to attract younger, healthier risks into this state-based marketplace?"
"Nobody has spoken to me about that."
"Okay. And… to the Bill. Thank you very much, Leader, for helping me along with this. What we had originally suggested in a couple of hearings that we had on this before the committee is that the first step in this consideration be more of a task force format so that the issues can be brought to light that are weighty, costly, and need to be figured out before the short timeline runs. I would encourage a 'no' vote until we're able to move through that process. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Mayfield."
"I'm sorry, yes. Can the record reflect that I meant to vote 'yes' on Senate Bill 1909?"
"Will do. Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Leader Gabel to close."
"I encourage an 'aye' vote. This state-based exchange will really assist the state in being able to make sure that every single Illinoisan has the coverage that they need and that is the best for them. It will allow us to more easily coordinate care for all of our… for all of our people. And I… I urge an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 579 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. And the voting 10300043.docx 98 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 72 voting in 'favor', 39 'opposed', 1 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 218, Representative Gong-Gershowitz. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 218, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. This Bill was read a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Gong-Gershowitz, has been approved for consideration."
Speaker Manley: "Representative Gong-Gershowitz on Floor Amendment 1."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Do I… I think I need to move to rule the notes inapplicable."
"You need to adopt your Floor Amendment first."
"Thank you. I move to adopt Floor Amendment 1, and then I'd like to debate the Bill on Third."
"Representative Gong-Gershowitz moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 218. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments, but notes have been requested and not filed at this time."
"Representative Gong-Gershowitz on the notes."
"Madam Speaker, I'd like to move to rule the notes inapplicable."
"Mr. Clerk. Representative Windhorst." 10300043.docx 99 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"Thank you. So, there were several notes filed on this Bill and you moved to rule them inapplicable, particularly the fiscal note and the judicial note. Why do you believe those don't… do not apply in this situation?"
"This is a civil liability statute, the Consumer… amending the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act that has been around since, I think, 1974. So, I… I am… I'm moving to rule them inapplicable because I don't think that they would provide information that would enlighten the debate."
"The Attorney General will be charged with enforcement of this provision. Is that accurate?"
"This Bill provides a private right of action consistent with the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act. And so… consistent with a private right of action. Under that Act, it would not only be the Attorney General, but I think an individual could also bring a private right… a private action as well."
"Well, we, just a few moments ago, passed a Bill that gives the Attorney General authority in another area. Wouldn't it be good to know if there are going to be any additional staff required by his office to meet the obligations of 1909 and now potentially House Bill 218?"
"We can discuss that, you know, as part of the conversation on the Bill, but I think it's fair to say that I'm ready to discuss the merits."
"Well… there may be costs involved, that leads to the fiscal note. What costs may be incurred and… and needed by 10300043.docx 100 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 the Attorney General's Office to fulfill his obligations under this Bill?"
"It's my understanding from the Attorney General's… that they have it… Attorney General's Office that they are not concerned about cost, that they have the ability to enforce the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act under the existing resources and appropriations."
"And he could… his office could file a note that reflects that and that would satisfy that obligation. To the Motion. Again, we're… we have notes, we have the notes provided in rule, and they serve a purpose for not only this Body but for the public to understand what the costs and other obligations of government are. And I believe they have a purpose and that purpose should be fulfilled. And I'd urge a 'no' vote."
"Representative Gong-Gershowitz moves that the notes be ruled inapplicable. This is a roll call vote. Those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. 69 voting in 'favor', 39 voting 'opposed'. The… the Motion for the rules (sic-notes) to be ruled inapplicable passes. Mr. Clerk."
"No further Motions."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 218, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Gong-Gershowitz." 10300043.docx 101 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. House Bill 218 amends the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act to clarify that the firearm industry is subject to the Act. This legislation takes preexisting standards of conduct in Illinois common law and the Consumer Fraud Act regarding responsible sales and marketing practices and makes clear that they are applicable to the sale and marketing of firearms products. This clarification is necessary to ensure that courts correctly interpret that the CFA falls within the predicate exception and is not preempted by PLCAA. The Bill ensures that the firearm industry does not get special treatment under Illinois law. The Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, House Bill 218, is designed to hold gun manufacturers accountable and ensure that families devastated by gun violence have a path to justice in Illinois civil courts. I… I ask for an 'aye' vote and happy to entertain questions."
"Chair recognizes Representative Ugaste."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She will."
"Thank you. Representative, we had quite a bit of discussion, just this morning actually, on this very large Bill that's very impactful for our state. A Bill that I believe the Amendment was filed yesterday. You indicated in your initial comments on the notes that were filed that this provides for a private right of action as well as one that the Attorney General can follow. Is that correct? Pursue, correct?"
"Yes. The legislation amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act. Accordingly, it incorporates all 10300043.docx 102 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 existing rights and remedies under the Act, which means that individuals can bring claims, in addition to counties and the Attorney General."
"So, any individual within the State of Illinois, all 12 and a half million of us, can pursue a cause of action under this Bill if it passes, correct?"
"Like most civil liability statutes, yes, that create a private right of action. It would enable victims of gun violence to bring a claim as well."
"Okay. And state's attorneys would be able to pursue this as well?"
"Yes."
"Okay. So, it's not just at the discretion… at least this Bill under the Consumer Fraud Act is not just at the discretion of our Attorney General, but it's of every Illinoisan as well as other office holders besides the Attorney General, correct?"
"That is correct."
"Okay. And in the definitions for this Bill, firearm industry member not just includes those who manufacture firearms, munitions, or sell them, but every individual person within the State of Illinois. Is that right?"
"I… you're saying that because you're pulling out the word 'person'?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Well, if you read the entire language, the Bill defines firearm industry member to include individuals and corporate entities who are engaged in the 10300043.docx 103 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 design, manufacture, distribution, importation, marketing, wholesale, or retail sale of firearm-related products."
"Okay. But it also says every person, correct? So, it applies to all individuals who are engaged in that activity as well, correct?"
"So, they would have to meet the definition of a firearm industry member. So, you can't cherry-pick out the word individual, separate it off from the rest of the statute. You have to read it in the context of the whole statute."
"Okay. And we heard an example earlier today that straw purchaser could include an individual who might smoke marijuana and goes to purchase a gun with intent of giving it as a gift to their family member. And if they mark on the federal form that has to be completed in order to purchase that firearm that they have just made themselves a straw purchaser under this Act. Is that correct?"
"That is not correct."
"How is it incorrect? I believe that's what your… the definition says a straw purchaser includes."
"Well, first, I think it's important to say, you know, that you can't selectively parse out pieces of definition and cherry-pick language, put them out of context to make your point. That's not how logic works. This Bill does not create a new criminal liability regarding cannabis use, and it does not resolve the conflict between State and Federal Law on that issue."
"Well, I'm not just cherry-picking language. And I know what the whole Act says. But… to the Bill. As an attorney, I also know…" 10300043.docx 104 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"To the Bill."
"…what statutory construction is. And statutory construction means that the courts are going to give each individual piece of this legislation its plain meaning. So, a straw purchaser would mean any individual, whether they be in this Body or anywhere else, who marks that form incorrectly and gives that firearm as a gift to someone, a straw purchaser. We had a lot of conversation in committee today about the intent of the Bill, about stopping violence within the State of Illinois, and it's something that everyone, I believe, in this chamber firmly wants to do and take actions that are appropriate to complete. We have ideas on this side of the aisle we believe would truly help. A lot of those Bills, a lot of those ideas never get heard. This Bill is coming forward, and I wish I could say it would accomplish the task it's seeking to meet. What we have here is, at best, a constitutionally questionable Bill that is going to require our state to expend resources in defending it because it's already being said that a challenge is going to come. It's happened in every other state that's passed this legislation. And it ignores the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution and other Federal Law. We are trying to give civil causes of action not just to the Attorney General's Office, in this case, not just to our state's attorneys and other publicly elected officials, but to every individual in the State of Illinois who can now look and sue, be it a business or a person, because that's what this Act says, for anything that they believe may cause a harm in an extremely vague, vaguely-worded Bill and could cause a lot of litigation 10300043.docx 105 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 and costs for many people, and yet not seek or address what's truly causing harm here in our state. But one thing I think you should notice is that there's an action in the Bill that indicates that they're looking to protect or make a violation of this Act, any individual who would promote a person under 18 years of age to unlawfully purchase a firearm. And I think we can all agree we don't want anyone doing that. But they list things to be considered when doing that, and it would be items such as possibly showing a minor with a parent doing something with a firearm that isn't specifically excluded. Say, showing them how to clean a firearm or showing them purchasing a firearm together so that the child could learn firearm safety. The Act… this Bill goes too far. It's vague. It really has nothing to do with consumer fraud or business or deceptive practices by business. We should look to correct those things we need to within this House but not overreach solely because we believe we can. I urge a 'no' vote."
"Chair recognizes Leader Windhorst."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"Thank you. Representative, I wanted to cover one area that the Representative just mentioned in his closing and that is preemption doctrine and the Supremacy Clause in the U.S. Constitution. Has this Bill been vetted to see if it complies with those constitutional doctrines?"
"We believe that it is."
"And what specifically was done to compare what we have here in this legislation with Federal Law that governs this area?" 10300043.docx 106 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023
"Well, Leader, as you know, PLCAA general affords manufacturers and sellers of firearms immunity from civil liability arising from the criminal or unlawful use of their products by third parties. But Congress laid out six exceptions. One, is the predicate exception. It permits civil actions alleging that a manufacturer knowingly violated a state or federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of a firearm. And when the violation was the approximate cause… or a proximate cause of the harm. That is the predicate exception for predicate state action applicable to the sale and marketing. And this approach has been upheld in New York and California."
"Of course, I think there's some issue with the proximate cause doctrine where proximate cause has been held to require that someone be deceived in order for that to be… to be met. But I'm… don't want to take up too much more time because I think the prior speaker covered most of the points that need to be raised. The one thing I do want to bring up is the Attorney General's Office has sought, in SB1909 and now in House Bill 218, additional authority to, in the prior Bill, look at crisis pregnancy centers and in this Bill deal with the marketing of firearm-related products. To your knowledge, has the Attorney General's Office put forward any legislation dealing with expanding his office's ability to root out public corruption or enforce ethics laws?"
"I'd like to stick to the Bill at hand, which is House Bill 218. Which, frankly, is not an expansion of the Attorney General's authority. It is expressly defining and ensuring that is clearly understood the nature of the conduct 10300043.docx 107 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 that could give rise to liability under the Consumer Fraud Act holding firearms manufacturers accountable, much like the Attorney General's successfully done to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for the opioid epidemic. There is no constitutional right to lie and deceive the public, and that is consistent with existing law."
"Well, I guess like a good lawyer, you really didn't answer the question that I asked. But I think the answer is there have been no Bills put forward to give the Attorney General expanded authority to root out public corruption and enforce ethic's laws. And that is a large problem in our state that I would hope we would all agree must be addressed and we must deal with. To the Bill. I would encourage a 'no' vote."
"Chair recognize Representative Davidsmeyer."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"In this House, on this floor, it seems as though we want to hold everybody accountable for someone's actions except for the individual who actually committed the crime. The last Bill that we went through gave more authority to the state… the Attorney General. This Bill will give more authority to the Attorney General, more work. What I want to know is what is the Attorney General doing with the crime problem in the City of Chicago? The people that are actually doing the shooting, the people that are actually killing people? What about the four teenagers that just shot a cop? A 24-year-old young woman. What is the Attorney General doing? We should be ashamed of ourselves for going after everybody except for the individuals committing a crime. I assume Kim 10300043.docx 108 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Foxx isn't going to go after this. She's not running for re- election. Why would she? This is absolutely ridiculous. We should hold our prosecutors accountable and stop doing this nonsense, trying to sue everybody else except for the person responsible for the crime. Vote 'no'."
"Representative Gong-Gershowitz to close."
"So, let's talk about accountability. Because gun manufacturers have avoided responsibility for normalizing and even glorifying a culture of gun violence with devastating consequences for communities throughout this state and this nation. Our children are dying in our neighborhoods and schools with unprecedented regularity. In 2020, guns surpassed traffic fatalities as the leading cause of death for children in the United States. The Consumer Fraud Act has been used effectively when cracking down on deceptive marketing practices and pharmaceutical marketing fueling the opioid epidemic, by big tobacco companies using Joe Camel to market to children. This makes clear what constitutes unfair and deceptive conduct under the Consumer Fraud Act. It is about time to say that here in Illinois it's not okay. It's simply not okay to market firearms to white supremacists urging an insurrection. It's not okay to market an assault weapon to children. It's about time to hold gun manufacturers accountable just like every other business. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 218 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On 10300043.docx 109 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 this question, there are 71 voting in 'favor', 40 voting 'opposed', 1 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Page 12, Senate Bills on Second Reading. We have Senate Bill 1774, Representative Lilly. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1774, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 269, offered by Representative Stephens. House Resolution 270, offered by Representative Stephens. House Resolution 272, offered by Representative Stephens. House Resolution 273, offered by Representative Yednock. And House Resolution 274, offered by Representative Yednock."
"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Chair recognizes Representative Chung."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. A point of personal privilege."
"You're in such danger right now."
"No. No, this is going to be great."
"Oh, yes."
"Thank you. I rise today during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate an amazing person, Angela Oh, the groundbreaking Korean American attorney who has played, and continues to play, a pivotal role as a nationwide spokesperson and advocate for our community. Born 10300043.docx 110 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 in 1955 and raised in Los Angeles, Oh earned her Juris Doctor from the University of California. And in 1992, Oh's work as a spokesperson for the Asian American community during the civil unrest following the beating of Rodney King earned her national recognition. She went on to distinguish herself as a public servant for years. In 1997, she joined President Clinton's One America Initiative on Race to examine how race and racial divides affected the United States. Since then, Oh has had several roles working with nonprofits with the goal of peaceful conflict resolution and contemplative healing through meditation, often in underserved communities. Now an ordained Buddhist priest, Oh once said, 'I feel very strongly that people are capable of coming together.' She has continued to employ that philosophy in all the aspects of her professional life, and I hope that we can all employ that same philosophy as we work for our communities here in this chamber. Thank you very much."
Speaker Manley: "Thank you, Representative. Representative Benton, for what reason are you standing in the back of the room looking at me?"
"I'm… I'm sorry, Madam Speaker."
"Please proceed. Just get to it."
"It's a quick one. It's a good one. The Secretary of State wants to make sure that everybody knows that they are opening up the cafeteria tomorrow in the Stratton from 7:30 for breakfast and lunch. And that's all I have."
"Thank you, Representative. Moving to page… just kidding. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Gabel moves for the House to stand adjourned until 10300043.docx 111 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Thursday, May 11, at the hour of 11:30 a.m. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Committee Reports. Representative Gabel, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on May 10, 2023: approved for consideration, referred to Second Reading is House Bill 351. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 4077, offered by Representative Tarver, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 4078, offered by Representative Moylan, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4079, offered by Representative Ugaste, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 4080, offered by Representative Ugaste, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. House Bill 4081, offered by Representative Stephens, a Bill for an Act concerning business. House Bill 4082, offered by Representative Ugaste, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 4083, offered by Representative Egofske, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. House Bill 4084, offered by Representative Sanalitro, a Bill for an Act concerning education. First Reading of these House Bills. Second Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 76, a Bill for an Act concerning utilities. Senate Bill 183, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 188, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Senate Bill 327, a Bill for an Act concerning gaming. Senate Bill 375, a Bill for an Act concerning children. Senate Bill 684, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 724, a Bill for an 10300043.docx 112 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 Act concerning health. Senate Bill 761, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 849, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 990, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1233, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1235, a Bill for an Act concerning public employee benefits. Senate Bill 1250, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 1438, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 1463, a Bill for an Act concerning minors. Senate Bill 1499, a Bill for an Act concerning animals. Senate Bill 1508, a Bill for an Act concerning gaming. Senate Bill 1559, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 1629, a Bill for an Act concerning public employee benefits. Senate Bill 1630, a Bill for an Act concerning public employee benefits. Senate Bill 1670, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Senate Bill 1675, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 1701, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 1710, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 1716, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 1754, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 1782, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Senate Bill 1803, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 1826, a Bill for an Act… a Bill for an Act concerning aging. Senate Bill 1875, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 1879, a Bill for an Act concerning utilities. Senate Bill 1886, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 1979, a Bill for an Act concerning business. Senate Bill 1999, a Bill for an Act concerning children. Senate Bill 2017, a Bill for an Act 10300043.docx 113 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 43rd Legislative Day 5/10/2023 concerning education. Senate Bill 2175, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 2192, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Senate Bill 2213, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 2227, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 2354, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 2390, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of these Senate Bills. They'll be held on the Order of Second Reading. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10300043.docx 114