Illinois House Floor Debate — May 18, 2023

"The House will be in order. The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Wayne Padget, the Assistant Doorkeeper. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance."

"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Kambium Buckner."

Speaker Evans: "Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Smith is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."

"Mr. Speaker, let the record show that Representatives Burke, Will Davis, and Jones are excused today." 10300049.docx 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

Leader Keicher is recognized to report any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle. Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 114 Members present, a quorum is present. Representative West, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege, please."

"Please speak your point."

"Thank you so much. I want to… I know Veterans Day is in September, but any day could be a day to serve… to recognize a veteran. And I don't know about anyone in this Body, but I'll speak for myself. When I think of veterans, I know I've got to remember at times that it's not just those who are maybe up in age or older in years. I want to take the time to recognize a 24-year-old veteran who's amongst us serving in this Body. Serving… helping to serve in this House, in this chamber. We have a new doorkeeper that I would like to acknowledge. If you'll direct your attention to the gallery on my left, I want to recognize Sergeant Sidney Dandridge of the United States Army's 1st Brigade Combat at Fort Bragg. He served two terms in Afghanistan and came back home in 2020. And he told me today he is honored to serve in the Illinois State Capitol. If you will help me to recognize him, acknowledge him. And thank you for your service, sir." 10300049.docx 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Heading to the Calendar. Under the order of Resolutions, on page 12, we have House Joint Resolution 31, Representative Moylan. Mr. Clerk. Representative Moylan is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the General Assembly. House Joint Resolution 31 designates the Balmoral Bridge over Interstate 294 as the 'Donald E. Stephens Memorial Bridge'. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have a little statement here. Whereas, Donald E. Stephens was born in Chicago on March 13, 1928. And whereas…"

"Representative Moylan…"

"Yes."

"…can I adopt the Amendment before we…"

"Okay."

"…before you continue? Representative Moylan moves the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"

"Please continue."

"Thank you. I got a little bit excited. WHEREAS, Donald E. Stephens was the first village president (mayor) of Rosemont; he was first elected in 1956 and re-elected in every subsequent election until his death on April 18, 2007; and WHEREAS, Prior to the village of Rosemont's incorporation, Donald E. Stephens was the president of the homeowner's 10300049.docx 3  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 association of the neighborhood that later became Rosemont; and WHEREAS, Donald E. Stephens was believed to be the longest-serving mayor in the United States at the time of his passing; and WHEREAS, During Donald E. Stephens' tenure as mayor, the village of Rosemont grew from a community of only 85 people to become one of Illinois' most influential communities with over 4,000 residents as well as the nation's tenth-largest convention center, properly named the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center; and WHEREAS, Donald E. Stephens oversaw the construction of the 18,500 seat Allstate Arena and the Rosemont Theatre; and WHEREAS, Donald E. Stephens was an avid collector of Hummel figurines and established a museum holding his collection in Rosemont; the Donald E. Stephens Museum of Hummels claims to be the largest public display of Hummel figurines in the world; therefore, be it RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Donald E. Stephens and the Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway. Thank you, Representative Stephens and to the family of Donald E. Stephens, I am proud to present this. Thank you."

"Seeing no further discussion, Representative Moylan moves for the adoption of House… House Joint Resolution 31. This is a recorded vote. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There are 114 voting 10300049.docx 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Remaining on page 12 of the Calendar. On Order of Resolutions, we have House Joint Resolution 28, Representative Niemerg. Representative Niemerg is recognized."

"Seeing no discussion, Representative Niemerg moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 28. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Moving forward to page 13 of the Calendar. On Order of Resolutions, we have House Joint Resolution 33. Representative Niemerg is recognized."

"Seeing no discussion, Representative Niemerg moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 33. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 10300049.docx 5  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Continuing on page 13 of the Calendar. On the Order of Resolutions, we have House Joint Resolution 34, Representative Wilhour. Representative Wilhour is recognized."

"Seeing no discussion, Representative Wilhour moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 34. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Representative Kifowit, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like a point of personal privilege."

"Please speak your point."

"Members of the General Assembly, have you noticed we have passed several pension Bills because pensions is a huge situation in our state. And this General Assembly is time to 10300049.docx 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 do the right thing and time to do what we need to do for the State of Illinois for our pension system. So, I would like to inform the Body that today I filed House Bill 4098, which is a comprehensive package that addresses some of the shortfalls of our Tier 2 system that we have in the State of Illinois. There's a companion Bill as well, House Bill 4099, that will look at our individuals that work in hazardous and very stressful conditions and their pension benefits. These Bills are filed today because we intend to have subject matter hearings on this very serious situation that affects all the employees of the State of Illinois, that affects our budget, and that affects how we operate under this dome. So, I wanted to bring these Bills to the attention of the Body. I encourage you to read the Bills. And we are going to be invoking all stakeholders in the discussion of this important subject matter over the summer and over the fall so that we can finally get the State of Illinois going on the right path and get a sound fiscal policy on how to address our pension system here in the State of Illinois. And so, I would thank you in advance of all your input, all your comments. And I look forward to working on this with all of you over the summer and the fall so that we can finally, finally address this system that has been plaguing the State of Illinois ever since Tier 2 had been established. So, with that Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this point of personal privilege and I appreciate all the Members of this Body being participants in these two Bills. Thank you very much."

"Representative Walsh, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10300049.docx 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."

"Please speak your point."

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, today I would ask you to join me in welcoming my oldest son, Joshua, who's back visiting for the first time since 2015. He's a freshman… or just finished his freshman year at Northern Iowa studying political science and public admin. So, if you would welcome my son, Joshua, to the House Floor today."

"Representative Reick, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please speak your point."

"Representative Halbrook is recognized."

"Please speak your point."

"Representative Fritts, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please speak your point."

"We're going to be moving to Senate Bills–Second Reading. Before we do that, we have a Motion to waive the posting requirements. The Clerk is in receipt of a Motion in 10300049.docx 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Writing to waive the posting requirements for several Bills. Leader Buckner is recognized on the Motion."

"Speaker, I move that the posting requirements be waived so that the following Bills can be heard this week in committee: SJR30 to be heard in Adoption & Child Welfare; SB64 to be heard in Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges; and SB1996 to be heard in Executive."

"Leader Buckner has moved to waive the posting requirements. All… Representative Windhorst is recognized."

"The vote will be recorded. Leader Buckner has moved to waive the posting requirements. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 75 voting 'yes', 39 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And the Motion prevails. Returning back to the Calendar. On Senate Bills–Second Reading, we have Senate Bill 689, Leader Buckner. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Please read the Bill on Third Reading."

"Leader Buckner is recognized." 10300049.docx 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Sorry about that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Senate Bill 689 prohibits the trustees and employees of public libraries and school libraries from eliminating access to books or materials or prohibiting the purchase of the same. However, the provision also allows the limitation on access based upon age and development of person seeking access. Currently, libraries across the state are run by independent boards, which makes decisions about the general management of a library. Librarians are employees of the library and act as an agent of the board. Traditionally, librarians curate the library catalog. The library or school boards are allowed to direct the librarian in this duty as to employer or the librarian. Happy to answer any questions."

"Representative Windhorst is recognized."

"Please state your point."

"Mr. Clerk."

"Mr. Clerk, please take this Bill out of the record. Continuing down page 5 of the Calendar of Senate Bills–Second Reading. We have Senate Bill 1289, Representative Gong-Gershowitz. Representative Gong- Gershowitz. Out of the record. Continuing down page 5 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Second Reading. We have Senate Bill 1446, Representative West. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill on Third Reading."

"Representative West is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When it comes to Senate Bill 1446, it focuses on graduations. And as we know, graduation ceremonies are times to celebrate young people as they complete academic achievement and continue with their personal development. This legislation ensures that students will be able to celebrate their cultural, ethnic, or religious identity at graduation. Now, to Members, I ask that you divert your attention to the camera and you see this picture that I'm holding up. This is Nimkii Curley in his graduation attire. He was a senior at Evanston Township High School, and he was about to graduate last summer. But if you can see, he's holding a feather right in front of him. He was unable to graduate because of this feather. And as we can imagine, he's part of the Turtle Clan and Black Sheep Salt Clan Navajo cultural and religious beliefs, and the sacred eagle feather and floral beadwork was part of his graduation attire. And this often affects students when they are misunderstood like this. It affects students and further serves to alienate young people who may already feel disenfranchised during times they should be celebrated for their successes. I ask for a favorable roll call. And Mr. Speaker, if there are no 10300049.docx 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 questions, I just ask for the opportunity for closing remarks before we vote."

"Representative Windhorst is recognized."

"He indicates he will."

"Yes, Sir."

"Not much of a difference. That Bill, we agreed… and I want to thank the Sponsor of that Bill to allow me to move this Bill, instead of that Bill moving forward in the Senate."

"That is correct."

"That is correct."

"I have an answer, but just let me make sure before I give it to you. I wanted to make sure. No, it's not for private schools, Sir."

"For… what I can say is the association of nonpublic schools is a proponent. The Catholic Conference of Illinois are proponents. I feel like if it… I feel like they would not be proponents if it did not satisfy their concerns." 10300049.docx 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"I want to look at the language, Sir, but I believe that's already allowed. But I want to see what our language says before I confirm. I can say this, Sir, we do not… this language does not address those with military uniform."

"Correct."

"Correct."

"Thank you."

"Seeing no further discussion, Representative West to close."

"Members… I want to thank Leader Windhorst for his questions. And to everyone in this Body, Nimkii was going to come today in his graduation attire, but he fell ill. And one thing I did not mention to everyone in this Body is that he had to watch his graduation from the bleachers. Members, Members, he had to watch his graduation from the bleachers and that he left graduation early in tears because he couldn't bear it anymore. I asked him to come down today so that we could celebrate him and say congratulations for graduating, but he couldn’t make it today. But because of modern technology, he's watching on ILGA. So, if you can help me, before we vote, to congratulate Nimkii for graduating last year. Can we give him a standing ovation for graduation from 10300049.docx 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Evanston Township? And then I will appreciate a favorable roll call."

"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1446 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 104 voting 'yes', 7 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Remaining on page 5 of the Calendar of Senate Bills–Second Reading. We have Senate Bill 1291, Leader Hoffman. Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Please read the Bill on Third Reading."

"Leader Hoffman is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This is an agreed to Bill regarding debt collection by the Attorney General's Office. What it indicates is that if it is a debt that is owed to the Department of Human Services, they shall send a registered written notice of the demand for payment within five years. And then 10 years from that notice, the Attorney General will have that… that 10 years in order to collect. I know of no opposition." 10300049.docx 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Seeing no discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1291 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Remaining on page 5 of the Calendar. Under Senate Bills–Second Reading, we have Senate Bill 1438. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Please read the Bill."

"Leader Hoffman is recognized."

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This will be known as the Illinois Dig Once Act, requiring several state agencies to establish rules reducing the number of road excavations for the installation and maintenance of broadband infrastructure and underground utility facilities. There was a concern by the construction industry, road builders. However, they have removed their concern. And for the purposes of legislative intent, I would just confirm that the committees being formed in this Bill must and will consult with the construction and design 10300049.docx 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 industry as they're formulating the rules promulgated under this Act. I ask for a favorable roll call."

"Seeing no discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1438 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving for… moving forward to page 6 of the Calendar of Senate Bills–Second Reading. We have Senate Bill 1675, Leader Buckner. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."

"Representative Buckner on the Amendment."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that we adopt Floor Amendment 1. It's the gut and replace Amendment that puts the provisions into the Bill."

"Representative Buckner moves the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"

"Representative Buckner on the Amendment." 10300049.docx 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Mr. Speaker, I move that we adopt Floor Amendment 2, which makes three technical changes. One, it clarifies the redemption period that was a typo in the original Amendment. Number two, it shifts a couple words from 'grounds' to 'facts' to provide clarity. And thirdly, it adds the clerks' email address to the notices to go to owners."

"Representative Buckner moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"

"Leader Buckner is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that we… the notes be found inapplicable."

"Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Representative Buckner has moved to rule the notes inapplicable. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? All voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 73 voting 'yes', 40 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present'. And the notes are deemed inapplicable. Any further… anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Third Reading. Please read the Bill on Third Reading."

"Leader Buckner is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 1675 is a comprehensive reform package targeting gaps and loopholes in the Property Tax Code that are driving properties into long- term vacancy and abandonment. Illinois' process of selling and reselling tax liens locks houses, commercial storefronts and industrial properties into a cycle of vacancy and disinvestment. The barriers to investment are most severe in minority majority neighborhoods that were impacted by historical redlining. Tax delinquent vacant properties often sit vacant for years, while tax buyers acquire and discard tax liens without completing a foreclosure action. Tax buyers use a broad set of statutory provisions to receive a refund from the county, often with interest, if the owner does not redeem and the tax buyer does not want to acquire the property. What this Bill seeks to do is, one, it limits the grounds for tax buyers to seek refunds for sales in error. It allows counties to intercept forfeited and dead tax liens and complete acquisitions, opening the door to new investment and new homeowners in communities. And it also reduces the interest rates for property owners and limit… and eliminates the mandatory scavenger sale. Lastly, it simplifies and streamlines the Property Tax Code processes. I'm happy to answer any questions."

"Representative Sosnowski is recognized." 10300049.docx 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Indicates he will."

"So, what we have here, Representative, is that… so we know over the past few decades the grounds for sales and errors have expanded, right? And so, we wanted to address that in this Bill. So, what we do here is we eliminate the sale and error based on the changed property conditions, with the exception of properties that have been substantially destroyed after the tax sale. There were some conversations with the proponents of this Bill about… that we did not arrive at peace in the valley on substantial versus… substantive versus substantial destroy… whether or not the property was destroyed. But we put in parameters in here to make sure that once these properties do go back to the counties, they're done in a way that is streamlined and it eliminates these loopholes." 10300049.docx 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Yes. Representative, as you know, in committee what I promised Chairwoman Burke was that I would go back and facilitate meetings with both sides and we did that for the better part of a whole week last week. We did not arrive, once again, at peace in the valley on all of these things. But some of the things that were incorporated included the clarifications that I mentioned in the second Amendment. There are things that I know the opponents to this still want to talk through, you know, after this spring Session is over. And I’m happy to facilitate those conversations to make sure that we're… you know, we're being upfront on all that's going on here."

"Thank you."

"Seeing no further discussion, Leader Buckner to close."

"I urge a 'yes' vote. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1675 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 77 voting 'yes', 37 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received 10300049.docx 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving back to page 5 of the Calendar of Senate Bills–Second Reading. We have Senate Bill 1463, Representative Slaughter. Out of the record. Representative Hauter, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please speak your point."

"Moving forward to page 7 of the Calendar. On the Order of Concurrences, we have House Bill 475, Representative Didech. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill. Representative Didech is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm asking the House to concur with Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 475. When the House previously passed this Bill, it contained several cleanup revisions to the Community Mental Health Act. The Bill maintains most of those revisions and adds some additional language related to the community mental health board budget process and the appointment of the governing board's liaison to the mental health board. Additionally, the Bill contains language authorizing a volunteer rescue squad in Sangamon County. My understanding is that this is a county initiative with bipartisan support in the General Assembly. Thank you 10300049.docx 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 for your consideration, and I'm happy to answer any questions."

Speaker Evans: "Representative Halbrook is recognized. Representative Halbrook."

"Correct. No change to the levy process. No change to the levy limit or the Property Tax Extension Law. Just a… essentially technical changes and to put into statute what's existing practice."

"Representative Didech to close."

"I would urge an 'aye' vote. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #3 to House Bill 475?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all those opposed signify by voting 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 10300049.docx 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 105 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And the Bill… and this House does concur in Senate Amendment #3 to House Bill 475. And the Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Staying on page 7 of the Calendar. Under the Order of Concurrences, we have House Bill 1131, Leader Hoffman. Leader Hoffman is recognized on House Bill 1131 on Concurrences. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."

"Representative Morgan is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."

"Please speak your point."

"I just want to recognize one of our clerks here today. Her mother, Lindsey Anderson, is here in the gallery. An old friend of many of ours from state government. So, Gracie Anderson is here, is an 11-year-old, amazing young woman from Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette. And if we can give her a warm Springfield welcome."

"Returning to the Order of Concurrences. On page 7, we have House Bill 1131. Leader Hoffman is recognized."

"Thank you… thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask that the House concur in Senate Amendments 1, 2, and 3 to House Bill 1131. These Amendments have to do with the Regional Economic 10300049.docx 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Development Authorities. The initial Bill indicated that the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority would include Monroe County in addition to its current make up of St. Clair, Madison, Bond, and Clinton Counties. And these Amendments add the Quad Cities Regional Economic Development Authority Act, adding Winnebago and Boone Counties into that territory. Would add Jo Daviess, Carroll, Whiteside, Stephenson, Lee, Knox, Winnebago, and Boone Counties to a list of counties in the Tri-County River Valley Development Authority and would add McLean County to the Tri-County River Valley Development Authority. The other Amendments have to do with ethics provisions for the executive directors of these development authorities. And I know of no opposition. As a matter of fact, I believe that these will allow for further regional economic development as well as ethical considerations for the board and the executive director."

"Representative Windhorst is recognized."

"Indicates he will."

"Yes. That's correct."

"The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #1, 2, and 3 to House Bill 1131?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all opposed signify by voting 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all 10300049.docx 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 112 voting 'yes', 1 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present'. And the House does concur in Senate Amendment #1, 2, and 3 to House Bill 1131. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. At the bottom of page 7, under the Order of Concurrences, we have House Bill 1132, Leader Hoffman. Leader Hoffman is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I ask that the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 1132. What this deals with, and you may recall the Bill as it passed out of the House overwhelmingly, it deals with the new regulations for the… for the laser safety officers and it deals with temporary laser systems and the Laser Act of 1997. It indicates how… what a laser officer would be, what a laser installation operator or temporary laser display operator's definition. The Amendment further clarifies those definitions. I ask for a favorable roll call."

"Representative Windhorst is recognized."

"The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendments #1 to House Bill 1132?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all those opposed signify by voting 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted 10300049.docx 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 80 voting 'yes', 33 voting 'no', and 1 voting 'present'. And the House does concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 1132. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving forward to page 8 of the Calendar. Under the Order of Concurrences, we have House Bill 1268, Representative Collins. Representative Collins is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I concur… concur with Senate Amendment 1, 2, and 4 on House Bill 1268. As everyone recall, we passed the FREE Act a few weeks ago. And despite some concerns from our colleagues, I'm proud to say that the advocates continue to work on addressing those concerns in the Senate and they are present in the Senate Amendments 1, 2, and 4. Senate 1, 2, and 4 take additional measures to protect our most vulnerable senior citizens during a very difficult time. These Amendments prohibit people with specific convictions under the Illinois Criminal Code from acting as executors if they have been convicted of a financial exploitation or abuse of someone who is elderly or disabled, they have been convicted on identity theft when it is financial in nature, they have similar crimes in other states or federal court. House Bill 1268 will help hundreds of thousands of people in Illinois with felony records and their families to honor their loved one's final wishes. I ask for an 'aye' vote."

"Representative Keicher is recognized."

"She indicated she will."

"It is putting additional safeguards in place for families who wish to choose someone who, to their knowledge, has a felony conviction."

"I just read those."

"Representative Collins to close."

"Yes. Again, this Bill is long overdue. The advocates share the same stories that I've presented to this Body a few weeks ago about a personal story with my father and my late sister, who died unexpectedly. And this is a way to make sure that families have a sense of peace by making sure that the person that they choose to carry out their final wishes can 10300049.docx 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 do that without any barriers. And so, I ask this Body to please give an 'aye' vote for House Bill 1268."

"The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #1, 2, and 4 to House Bill 1268?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all those opposed signify by voting '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 80 voting 'yes', 34 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present'. And the House does concur in Senate Amendment #1, 2, and 4 to House Bill 1268. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Continuing down page 8 of the Calendar. Under… under Concurrences, we have House Bill 2043, Leader Hoffman. Leader Hoffman is recognized on House Bill 2043."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I ask that we concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2043. This is an initiative of the credit unions. The Senate Committee Amendment simply clarified some of the language. I know of no opposition to the Bill, and I believe that this Bill's passed unanimously out of the House. I would ask Representative Windhorst if that is true."

"Representative Windhorst is recognized."

"Indicates he will."

"Your records are better than mine." 10300049.docx 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Leader Hoffman to close."

"I ask for an 'aye' vote."

"The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2043?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all those opposed signify by voting '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 112 voting 'yes', 1 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill… and the House does concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2043. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Continuing on page 8 of the Calendar. Under the Order of Concurrences, we have House Bill 2131, Representative Huynh. Representative Huynh is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I… move to motion Amendment 1 to House Bill 2131. The Amendment is the clarification of adding in a… an individual representing a municipality to the task force."

"Representative Windhorst is recognized."

"He indicates he will."

"Yep. To add an individual representing a municipality into the task force."

"Yep. Passed unanimously in the Senate." 10300049.docx 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"And it passed out of Rules unanimously as well."

"Representative Huynh to close."

"I urge an 'aye' vote."

"The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2131?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all the opposed signify by voting '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 109 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And the House does concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2131. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Toward the bottom of page 8 of the Calendar, under the Order of Concurrences, we have House Bill 2222, Representative Gong-Gershowitz. Representative Gong-Gershowitz is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to concur with Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2222. It really just makes a minor technical change. It puts a sunset in."

"Representative Windhorst is recognized."

"Representative Gong-Gershowitz to close."

"Ask for an 'aye' vote."

"The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2222?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all the opposed 10300049.docx 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 signify by voting '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 74 voting 'yes', 39 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And the House does concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2222. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, committee announcements."

"Attention, Members. The House will recess for committees. We will be returning to the floor for floor action. The House will recess for committees. The House stands in recess to the call of the Chair." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The House will be in order. Leader Barbara Hernandez in the Chair. Representative Rashid, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"A point of personal privilege." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Please proceed." 10300049.docx 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am so proud today to recognize someone who's with us in the gallery, Rosa Arreola, if you could stand up, and your colleagues at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Rosa has been working for over 13 years as a voter registration coordinator at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. She's led teams of volunteers to so many naturalization ceremonies to register new citizens to vote. She has been the face and voice that greeted more than 150 thousand new citizens as they walked out of their swearing in ceremonies and enabled them as one of their first acts as new citizens to register to vote. Rosa, I just want to say, as someone who's got the chance and privilege to work with you as soon as I graduated from college, to thank you so much for all of your hard work, for your dedication, for your passion to a strengthening our democratic process and making sure that new citizens are exercising their right to vote. Thank you so much, and congratulations." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."

"A point of personal privilege, Madam Speaker." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Please proceed."

"I also wanted to rise and recognize the work of Rosa Arreola, who… I actually wanted to show a picture here. She's the person that actually registered me to vote when I became a U.S. citizen. So, Rosa, I just want to say thank you so much for honestly living, breathing, and… and putting her money where her mouth is when it comes to civic engagement. Thank you for doing what you do, for being unapologetically you and just making sure that we all have a seat at the table. So, thank you so much for all of your work." 10300049.docx 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Keicher, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Just a quick point of personal privilege." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Please proceed."

"In celebration of International Hamburger Day, which is also an attempt to send good vibes to the Legislative Session that will end May 19, right, but certainly before the end of the month. Our good friends at McDonald's Corporation, the Illinois McDonald's franchisees want you to know the following, that International Hamburger Day is celebrated around the world on May 28. The hamburger is named after the German city Hamburg. McDonald's purchased 850 thousand pounds of beef annually from local Illinois farmers and suppliers. Thirty-nine thousand jobs have been created to the State of Illinois for the nearly six hundred and fifty McDonald Restaurants. Six hundred and four of the six hundred and fifty McDonald's in Illinois are independently owned and operated by small businesses owners in your district and mine. If you look in the back of the economic impact statement that could be on your desk or somewhere around, you'll find a special treat. Enjoy a hamburger or any sandwich and have a happy Hamburger Day. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "On page 19 of the Calendar, under the Order of Resolutions, we have Senate Joint Resolution 22, 10300049.docx 40  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 offered by Representative Yednock. Representative Yednock is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. What a perfect complement to Hamburger Day. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present HJR (sic-SJR) 22 as the Bacon Day for Illinois. If you are a vegan, cover your ears. Let's make it May… let's make May 3, 2023 Illinois Bacon Day. Bacon is great on everything, salad, wrapped around scallops, even as an ice cream flavor, or just by itself. Crispy, smoked, maple flavor, the possibilities are endless. Let's put it on a hamburger right after this. So, I ask for you to support Bacon Day, May 3, 2023. Thank you, Madam Speaker." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Swanson, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Senate Joint Resolution 7 seeks to create the Recruiting & Retaining Public Employee Firefighters and Paramedics Task Force. This task force will study the recruitment and retainment of firefighters and paramedics throughout the State of Illinois. The paramedic and firefighter shortage has reached a crisis across the State of Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health has reported 36 thousand combined EMTs and paramedics in the State in 2019. During 2021, there was only 8200 active paramedic licenses on record. Local fire departments across Illinois have yet to overcome their shortage of firefighters. As a result of this unforeseen shortage, SJR007 asks to identify solutions that will rectify Illinois' EMT and firefighter shortage throughout the state. The Recruiting & Retaining Public Employee Firefighters and Paramedics Task Force is a joint initiative of the Senate and the Illinois House of Representatives to combat the shortage of firefighters and paramedics in the state. And I respectfully ask for a 'yes' vote." 10300049.docx 43  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Kelly moves for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 7. All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting 'aye', 0 voting 'nay', 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby adopted. On page 4 of the Calendar, under Third Readings, we have Senate Bill 76, offered by Representative Yednock. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."

"Do I need to adopt an Amendment?" Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Yes. Please speak to the Amendment."

"The Amendment defined that we're talking about advanced nuclear facilities, advanced nuclear reactors. That's what the purpose of the Amendment was." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Yednock moves the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"

"Thank you, Members of the Body. I present Senate Bill 76, as amended. What the Bill does is it overturns the moratorium that was put on in 1987. We need to build out, have the potential of building out our carbon-free energy needs in the State of Illinois and really in the United States. That's what this Bill does, it simply removes the moratorium and allows us to start to plan for small modular and advanced nuclear reactors in the near future. I ask for an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative McLaughlin is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Bill." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"I have the greatest respect for my colleagues who are moving this Bill forward, but I have to say, as a Representative of the 61st District that includes Zion, Illinois that has a decommissioned nuclear power plant with a kiloton of nuclear material sitting on the shoreline of Lake Michigan with no place for these materials to go, this is a bad decision. This is… this Bill is moving very quickly. More reactors of any kind, or extending the operating licenses of existing reactors, means more high-level, long-lived, dangerous radioactive waste with no place to dispose of it. None. My community is stuck and has been decimated because of stranded nuclear materials. This is not clean energy. This is waste that gets dumped into environmental justice communities. It's dangerous, and we have no plan for disposal. We require pet owners to pick up after their pets when they leave waste behind. We are not requiring the same of nuclear providers. The Sierra Club opposes this. The Illinois Environmental Council opposes this. And I ask that we all consider the long-term implications of these materials that will last far longer, far longer than any of us, any of our children, any of our grandchildren, great-grandchildren, to seriously consider this before moving forward. I urge a 'no' vote. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Walker is recognized." 10300049.docx 46  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Leader Yednock, is the outcome of this Bill to guarantee that we will in fact establish new nuclear plants?"

"No. There's going to have to be economic conditions that make it. So, there's 6 to 10 years of studies on licensing, permit requests, and yet they're still a couple years away from the first couple of advanced modular or advanced nuclear reactors being done in other states. So, we are a long way away from this happening, but you have to plan for it now to start thinking about what we may need in the future, which is going to be a lot more carbon-free energy that can be produced carbon free from advanced nuclear reactors. And I will also say, Representative Walker, that much of the material that we have across the United States can be reprocessed and used in advanced nuclear reactors, thereby taking away much of what is on the ground already as we'll say."

"Thank you. To the Bill. I'd like to…" Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"…remind the Body that this is in fact removing a boulder in the road preventing us from even considering new technologies in nuclear, which are being developed every day. I am personally a strong supporter of this Bill. It is a tradeoff, but time goes on, technologies get better. There are new technologies for distribution. There are new technologies for using spent fuel in new reactors. There are new technologies that can allow us to meet our clean air goals. And my personal interest in this has always been that the only way we can meet our clean air goals with a carbon- free environment that allows us to save the planet is to have 10300049.docx 47  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 a baseline of nuclear at least in the foreseeable future. Now, maybe new technologies will come along that say it's not necessary. I just want to open the door, take the boulder out of the road so we consider what options there are and then we can consider how to make them more safe. Thanks." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Caulkins is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Bill." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"You know, folks, this discussion about our energy policy has been going on for quite some time. I've been involved in negotiations since 2015 when we went to work on trying to save the Quad City and Clinton nuclear facilities to keep them online to provide power. You know, last year when we adjourned there in April, right around June there was an auction within the MISO region for their power supply for the upcoming year and that auction coned $236 a megawatt-day. The year proceeding it was five dollars. Southern Illinois has seen a huge, huge increase in their electric bills, plus a factor of reliability. So, what we're doing here today is something that we worked together hand in hand with the environmental community, with labor, with business to find and seek solutions to address Illinois' energy issues. And I think we did that with an open mind amongst all parties. One 10300049.docx 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 of those goals is this very Bill. Is to move that boulder, as the former Rep… or the previous Representative stated, to allow research and development into alternative products within this electric community. And I'm… you know, I think this is one of the most important steps we can take in the State of Illinois to, most importantly, provide reliability to each and every one of our consumers and industries within this state. I urge… strongly, strongly urge this Body to vote 'yes' on Senate Bill 76. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Scherer is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Bill. I just wanted to mention to the body that I… I did a lot of research on this particular Bill, talked to a lot of engineers and scientists at home, actually spent a lot of our Mondays that we were back home working on this. And what I took away from it that I would like to share with others is that the… the new nuclear energy plants will be much smaller. The reactors will be way smaller than currently what we have. And the other thing that I think people would care to know, and I had them explain it to me, was in a case of an emergency or if something would break, currently every nuclear plant is a one-off. So, each one is its own special design, and if a part breaks, it's quite an ordeal to get that one part fixed. Well, with this new plan, they will be not standardized but kind of standardized. So, they're all based off the same basic small reactor. And if something would break on one, you can go to another and they're kind of interchangeable in a way. So, that is another thing that would really help with the safety and for the energy that we can produce. So, honestly, I was 10300049.docx 50  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 a hard 'no' in the beginning. And after doing a lot of research, I'm now a hard 'yes'. And I would encourage a 'yes' vote on this Bill. Thank you for bringing it." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Flowers is recognized."

"Thank you. Representative Yednock, can you please help me to understand, there was some little ladies around here a couple weeks ago and they wanted me to vote just the opposite. And I didn’t quite understand. It's been years since I was the Minority Spokesperson on Utilities. What boulder, what boulder is in the way right now? And let's say, for instance, we do not remove this boulder today, what is stopping us from working on… because we're not ready to make any changes today. I know we're working towards the… the future. But what is it about this Bill that is… that necessitate this legislation today?"

"Thank you, Leader Flowers. What I'll say to you is this, we have the chance to have a lot of federal dollars help out with our energy needs in the State of Illinois too. Part of the… the Infrastructure Act in the Federal Congress allocated a lot of… a lot of funds to help develop small modular nuclear, advanced nuclear energy. But we cannot access any of that when we have moratorium on there. So, we're removing the moratorium, which says we can start to plan for this in the future if we decide to build any in… in Illinois."

"So, in order for us to get the federal dollars, we must remove the… the moratorium in order to have… to get the money to move forward on the discussion?" 10300049.docx 51  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Yeah. If we have a moratorium, there would be no sense for them to have federal dollars come into our state because we'd never build a new advanced nuclear reactor."

"Thank you very much." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Halbrook is recognized."

"Thank you. To the Bill." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"I live forty-five minutes away from a nuclear power plant. I've lived there my whole life. I've been in a nuclear power plant. The waste is stored safely on the grounds of the power plant. No one is in danger, everything is fine. We're getting good, clean, solid, renewable energy out of the nuclear power plants, and we need them now. We need them now because we are moving towards a future where electric vehicles are coming and we're going to need that good reliable energy. We are closing down gas plants and coal plants. We need to replace that energy, and we need to replace it now. This is a great Bill. This is good for the environment. It's good for business. It's good for workers. It's good for everybody. So, please, I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Yednock to close." 10300049.docx 52  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"I appreciate all the questions and the comments of my colleagues. And I will say to my colleagues here that have had me stop into their office and talk to them on the floor, I brought a nuclear engineer and scientist down to try to assuage the concerns. There's an unbelievable amount of information out there on, you know, what the potential holds for this particular future here with trying to get to a carbon-free… carbon-free energy in the United States. If we really want to move that way, we're going to have to invest in new advanced nuclear reactors in the State of Illinois. All I can say apart from that is I appreciate the concerns of a couple of my colleagues that have plants that are closed. I have suffered through a plant closing, although it is a coal plant, and I know the devastation that it leads. It’s possible in the future that we could have clean, carbon-free energy go into these former… former plants. So, the future is possible with clean energy. This would be a compliment to clean energy, but it would be carbon-free energy. And I appreciate the time you've spent with me, and I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 76 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 84 voting 'yes', 22 voting 'no', and 3 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving on to Senate Bill 850, Representative Canty. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill." 10300049.docx 53  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I'm here to present Senate Bill 850, which creates the Grocery Initiative Act. The Bill requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, subject to appropriation, to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to privately owned grocery stores, co-ops, not-for-profit grocery stores, and grocery stores owned by a unit of local government, school district, or community college district located in or to be located in a food desert. The Bill also requires the Department to conduct a study of food and security in urban and rural food deserts, including exploration of the reasons for current market failures, potential policy solutions, geographic trends, the needs for independent grocers, and it shall identify communities at risk of becoming food deserts. This passed the Senate unanimously. I'm open to any questions, and I ask for an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"A food desert is defined in the Bill… give me one second. A food desert has to meet one of the following. It is a census tract that, one, meets any of the following poverty standards: the census tract has a poverty rate of 20 percent or more; the census tract is not located within a metropolitan statistical area and has a median family income that is 80 percent of the statewide median household income or less; or the census tract is located within a metropolitan statistical area and has a median family income less than 80 percent of the greater of the statewide or metropolitan area median household income and meets one of the following population density and food accessibility standards: is a rural tract, and at least 33 percent of the population or at least 500 people residing in the tract reside more than 10 miles from the nearest grocery store, or is an urban tract, and at least 33 percent of the population or at least 500 people residing in the tract resides more than one-half mile from the nearest grocery store."

"Can you repeat the last part of what you said?"

"I believe it's just grants, Sir."

"Yes, Sir."

"In the Governor's introduced budget he has requested $20 million."

"Yes, Sir."

"I have not seen the budget yet."

"They have."

"Their opposition is that they believe there will be a fund created of $20 million and they would be ineligible for applying for these grants."

"They have told me that they do have businesses in food deserts."

"Food deserts exist all across the State of Illinois."

"In urban locations, in suburban locations, and in rural locations as well."

"It is not still the case. In the amended version that I am presenting today, it also provides for not-profit grocery stores and also for cooperative grocery stores."

"I'm not sure I'm following your question. These are not…"

"So you asked me who sponsors these grocery stores. So, this is a grant program, which would help with one-off kind of costs…"

"I'm sorry, you didn't let me finish my sentence. So, I couldn't hear your question."

"It would have to be appropriated in our budget."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Bill." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"See I have a major in psychology, and in psychology, we learned that one of the basic needs of human life is to eat. So, yeah, if we're going to use taxpaying dollars to make sure people eat, to make sure people have food… and with all the things that are going on in our society, we're trying to tackle issues head-on. For generations, I would say we always said we'd bring jobs to our communities. For generations, we always said that we will reduce crime and we still are having this same conversation over and over again. And as we know, the definition of insanity is trying to do the same thing over and over again thinking we're going to get the same result. And in this case, ensuring that people are fed, ensuring that our babies have food… I'm coming from a district that… the reason why I'm here is because of grocery shortages in my community. The side… the east side of my community, which is the haves, has grocery stores up the wazoo, while 10300049.docx 60  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 the west side of the community, which is the have nots, has no grocery stores and they have to rely on convenience stores of where they can get Snickers bars and hot Cheetos and call that dinner. This will ensure that we have not only grocery stores in urban settings, but we'll have grocery stores in rural communities so that people will not have to drive forever to get to a grocery store. And this is what government is supposed to do, help people to eat. Representative, thank you for bringing this… this Bill forward. I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Halbrook is recognized."

"Thank you. To the Bill." 10300049.docx 61  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"I stand in support of Senate Bill 850. We've seen the cross… as the previous speaker spoke about big boxes closing in Chicago, we can't continue to allow our small, small ma and pa businesses to fail as a result of the big boxes coming through, opening up and closing down. This is a great example of how we should support small businesses in Illinois. One of the reasons why I really like it also is, it's an opportunity to not only eliminate the food desert but also the pharmacy desert. Not only are we going to be able to put food in these locations, but we can also partner with pharmacies so that people that are struggling with the lack of pharmacy in their neighborhood, they can also have it. So, Representative, this is a good Bill on two angles. And I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Ugaste is recognized."

"Okay. Here we go again. Once again, once again, we're sent here to solve some problems, address some issues. And we start talking about things that have nothing to do with the Bill right now. You're bringing up things that happened when you filed the Bill. You guys will keep talking about all the things that don’t even matter. Stick to the point of the Bill. We're solving a problem. You know… you know, we live in neighborhoods right now where people don’t have fresh fruits, don’t have grocery stores. Deal with the issue right now. Stop convoluting the issue with things that don’t matter. This is a great Bill. I'm going to support this Bill, and you keep fighting for people in need. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Norma Hernandez is recognized." Hernandez, N.: "Thank you, Madam Chair. To the Bill." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill." Hernandez, N.: "I think the reality here is that food access is a privilege, healthy food access is a privilege. My neighboring suburb, Maywood, Illinois, is a black and brown suburb that is currently a food desert. I got to see Aldi, 10300049.docx 65  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 which is a corporate company, close down in front of the high school that I went to as that being the last standing alone grocery store. I was there working as a social worker in Englewood when Whole Foods opened in 2016, and I got to see Whole Foods close now. The reality is that we have food deserts in our communities, and that requires real solutions. And we need to start incentivizing black-owned businesses to be part of and contribute to our economy and to our small business growth. I think this is an amazing Bill. I think it's about time we start addressing the real issues to food disparities. And if we want people to thrive, if you want to think about youth and for them to thrive in the public school systems or whatever schools they go to, then we need to start having healthy food access be attainable in these communities. And this why I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Johnson is recognized."

"To the Bill." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"I happen to live in Rock Island County. The city I grew up in, Rock Island, is one of these deserts. And you know, the other side acts like it’s so easy to bring Walmart in. You know, Walmart tried… claimed they were coming into Rock Island about five years ago. And the city cleared out all this space for them, gave all these sweetheart deals to these businesses, and then Walmart said I guess we're not going to go there. And just left the whole city holding the bag and four city council members are gone because of that. They paid the price. But I also want to speak to this. You know, I'm here to listen. I'm here to learn. But when I hear the other 10300049.docx 66  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 side make comments like, 'This is the stupidest Bill I've ever heard,' or 'This is a logic desert,' you know what? We also were sent here to act like adults, and I really don’t appreciate that type of language here. And I know we're all edgy, but let's get the job done and stop with that kind of language, okay. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Croke is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?" Speaker Hernandez, B.: "She indicated she will."

"Representative Canty, I want to confirm, so this can go to private grocery stores, right? Small… smaller, private grocery stores?"

"Yes. Independently owned grocery stores, for-profit and not-for-profit."

"And this does not force a county or municipality to create a government-run grocery store?"

"It does not."

"To the Bill. I think…" Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"…that it's incredibly important in our state that we are incentivizing what I believe to be economic hubs. And grocery stores are one of those things that I believe people decide where they want to live based on, is a grocery store available to them. And having that option there, I believe, will create other small businesses and allow other small businesses to thrive. And one of the issues that I know we're seeing in the State of Illinois is not that it’s a unfriendly business environment but actually that the dollar stores are coming to areas and pricing out these smaller grocery stores. As someone 10300049.docx 67  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 who used to work in DCEO at the department, I never received anger from any member about them receiving grants for small businesses in their community. I never heard the rhetoric that I heard on this floor that a grant program for their community, money going into their community was a stupid idea, was an illogical idea. Everyone on this floor was always excited when money went to small businesses. So, I want to remind people of that when we're talking about these targeted grant programs that are also temporary in time as well, correct? Thank you so much for bringing this Bill. I will be a 'yes'." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Ammons, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"To the Bill, Madam Speaker." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"First and foremost, I want to thank the Representative for bringing this Bill to the Illinois General Assembly. This is actually not the first time, as been testified by the previous speaker. State governments are common partners for business incentives. Our state is no different. We incentivized our Governor to be able to give or to provide $400 million in incentives to attract businesses to the State of Illinois. It is a common economic development tool that has been used in every single state in the union. It is no different for us to incentivize businesses to bring businesses to communities or neighborhoods. This is a good economic development tool for neighborhoods that are struggling to attract grocery stores, in this case, and other businesses based on the lack of resources, investment, or 10300049.docx 68  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 need. This is an excellent Bill for all of us to support because it is in line with the economic development tools that we provide every single day in TIF districts that go to businesses and economic development corporations that go to businesses. And this would be no different. I urge an 'aye' vote for this measure." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Canty to close."

"Thank you all so much for this robust conversation. This Bill came to me, and I am motivated by it for our kids because I got the chance to speak to some kids in the Austin community, and they had just lost their grocery store. And what they said to me was that they did not feel safe. And they used to feel safe being able to walk to the grocery store with their family. But with their grocery stores closing, they had to travel long distances in order to get food. And with the rising cost of transportation and parents working, it became a challenge. I also had the opportunity to travel to southeastern Illinois… southwestern Illinois, about 45 minutes west of here and go to a small town that went for nearly 2 years without a grocery store before some members of the community got together and were able to develop a cooperative grocery store that has been thriving for the last 5 years. When that grocery store opened in that small community, their downtown was at 30 percent occupancy. It is now at about 70 to 80 percent occupancy. Their town is thriving because we are creating economic opportunities. We do that in a myriad of ways. And I'm happy to work with you, Representative on the other sides of the aisle, so that we can do more to help our small businesses, our independently 10300049.docx 69  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 owned businesses in our community. But this is a good Bill, and this is a good start to solving food deserts up and down this state. And I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 850 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 96 voting 'yes', 17 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 1463, Representative Slaughter. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."

"Is this on the note or the Amendment?" Speaker Hernandez, B.: "It's on the note."

"I move that they be deemed inapplicable." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst."

"Is there an… Madam Speaker, was there an Amendment on this Bill?" Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Mr. Clerk."

"Okay. All right. So, we're ready to rock and roll. Thank you. Good afternoon. Thank you, Madam Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Senate Bill 1463 is an initiative that eliminates juvenile court fines and fees in the State of Illinois. I had the distinct privilege of being a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Statutory Court Fees Task Force. Senate Bill 1463 is indeed a recommendation of this task force. This Bill is a recommendation of this task force. This initiative should not be viewed as a partisan issue. This Bill is associated with a growing national trend where many states across the country, both majority Democrat and majority Republicans, are advancing efforts to reduce or eliminate juvenile court fines and fees. Our research shows and highlights two main issues. First, juvenile fines and fees create bureaucratic waste and are not sound fiscal policy. Secondly, and some may say more importantly, these fines and fees disproportionately impact underserved 10300049.docx 71  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 communities. In particular, working, poor, families of color. Ultimately, our fines and fees system contradicts the rehabilitative goals of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. In regards to democratic waste, we've done the number crunching, we've done the fiscal analysis. These fines and fees contribute to a regressive cycle that generates a very, very minimal revenue for our counties. Juvenile case filings in Illinois account for less than one percent, one percent of all Circuit Court cases and juvenile cases continue to decline statewide. Estimated annual revenue collected from juvenile assessments makes up less than point five percent, less than four… point five percent of the Circuit Courts' total annual revenue. It's important to note here that in Cook County, which makes up almost 30 percent of these cases in the state, does not charge fines and fees for juvenile court. On collection costs. The collection costs often outweigh any revenue that the counties would receive, and we have a very, very low collection rate. You also heard me mention the discriminatory nature of these fines and fees. When you consider the socioeconomic challenges facing our underserved communities, please realize that these costs can quickly add up to thousands of dollars for working and poor families. In Illinois, a family can be charged almost $1500 for a standard misdemeanor. These are fees for detention room and board, counseling fees, crime lab fees, probation services fees. And yes, these can devastate families. And yes, these are black and Latino youth that make up the majority of these cases. But more importantly, and oftentimes what we see is that these fines and fees interfere with a minor's ability to fulfill 10300049.docx 72  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 court ordered obligations, and thus this can undermine youth's success and can lead to extended system involvement simply for failure to pay. We are pushing families deeper into the system unnecessarily and essentially interfering with a young person's ability to reintegrate within their community and limits their future opportunities, exacerbating poverty and future taxing the systems supporting those in poverty. We worked with system stakeholders on this initiative. The Amendment represents collaboration with the county circuit clerks and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to ensure a smooth and timely implementation. I want to commend the local and national partners who were at the forefront of this effort. In particular, Stand for Children, Loyola University Civitas ChildLaw Center, the University of California Berkeley Law and Policy Advocacy Clinic, the Debt Free Justice campaign, Americans for Prosperity, all at the table supporting and crafting this piece of legislation. And again, this Bill takes into account and considers the collaborative work of the Illinois Supreme Court Statutory Court Fees Task Force. I urge a 'yes' vote, Madam Speaker." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"That's… that's absolutely correct." 10300049.docx 73  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"That's also correct, Leader."

"That's also correct, Leader."

"This is not retroactive, Leader."

"It's prospective only."

"I believe so." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"Leader, it's a great question and I think a two-part answer. First, yes, I think there will be those efforts. But in regards to the fiscal impact, it is important to note that the county circuit clerks are neutral on this Bill. They are not opposing the Bill because literally the fiscal impact is just that minimal. Secondly, Leader, I think we want to also be concerned about… well, I know that there is some concerns about where we're going to find this… the makeup for this little revenue. But we don’t want to justify generating revenue on the backs of working and poor families. These situations can place financial strains on families. You know, just for example so the Members actually know what's going on, public defender fees into a minor's right to counsel. A minor may feel pressured even to accept the plea deal to prevent further accumulation of these fees. And other examples, unpaid fees and fines can become a civil judgement after a minor turns 18, harming their credit and eligibility for student loans, rental leases, car loans, et cetera. And other examples were unpaid fees and fines and the consequences of similar debt can lead to wage garnishments and tax withholdings for youth and their parents or guardians. So, I think we also just want to be careful that we're not justifying generating revenue on the backs of poor families."

"That's absolutely correct. This is not in any way hinder a youth from doing community service, for example. Great question, and we were able to flush that out in 10300049.docx 75  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 committee. And your… how you're viewing that is accurate. It doesn't hinder the youth's ability to do community service in any way, shape, or form."

"Well, yes. It's eliminating fines and fees completely."

"Well, one of the things that we're seeing is that these fines and fees are having an adverse impact on just that, trying to address those obligations. So, what we're seeing is that this would allow families and minors to actually be able to fulfill their court obligated… their court ordered obligations, even more in that instance."

"Whatever the court obligation would be. Yeah, this is about not putting juveniles at a disadvantage. And again, in particularly families and juveniles of color."

"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?" Speaker Hernandez, B.: "He indicates he will."

"Representative Slaughter, do… does the elimination of fees or fines include restitution?"

"No. The family and the minor can still have restitution placed upon them, so…" 10300049.docx 77  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Okay. So, did you… I just want to… let's make sure the record is clear. The judge can still order restitution in these juvenile cases?"

"That's accurate. Yes."

"Okay. To the Bill." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "To the Bill."

"First and foremost, I contacted my DuPage County State's Attorney, who does support this elimination. So, when we talk about law enforcement and clerks and where people are on the Bill, I make the call to my state's attorney, and if he supports a Bill, I support this Bill. That said, we are talking about children. Again, these are fees and fines that in some counties can be high. These could… this could impact their lives. This isn't about having skin in the game or doing something wrong. If they've done something wrong, they damage something, there's restitution, but this isn't going to help their families. Counties do send these cases to collections. The kids not paying it, the parents are paying it. You don't know what's going on in these families. This is a good Bill that does good things to help kids. I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Tipsword is recognized."

"Well, there's an adjudication, yes."

"I'm completely honestly…"

"Can you repeat that one more time?"

"That is one way to look at it. Yes."

"The county circuit clerks."

"It's under point five percent."

"This is very minimal."

"What I do know and what the research is telling us is that the collection costs often outweigh the revenue…"

"…that they get. And the collection rate is very, very low. I don’t know specifically what it is, but it's…" 10300049.docx 80  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"That's accurate."

"Yeah, that's accurate."

"No. It’s prospective. It's not retroactive. However, outstanding balances would be… would be voided."

"I don’t believe they have, Representative."

"Thank you. Representative Slaughter, what… well, let me just share with you what the Eighth Amendment is saying in regards to fines and fees. It says, the Constitution of the United States, in regards to the Eighth Amendment, explain excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines and fees imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment. So, may I ask you, is this Bill in compliance with what the Eighth Amendment is saying in the Constitution of the United States of…" 10300049.docx 81  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"No. Yeah, I'm not sure I understood you, Leader. One more time on that?"

"Pardon me."

"One more time on…"

"I was asking is your Bill in compliance with the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution in regards to cruel and unusual punishment?"

"It's constitutionally sound. Yes."

"Okay. Thank you. The previous speakers, some of them spoke and they made reference to the parents and they also made reference to the kids being found guilty. It doesn't necessarily mean that you've been found guilty of a crime because a fee or a fine has been placed against you. We've read in the newspaper and seen on TV on numerous of occasion that some people have spent 20, 25, 30 years of their life incarcerated, only to be found not guilty. And they had to pay with their life, liberty, and their pursuit of happiness. And we're talking about young people here. And it's still up to the judge to make the decision, and whatever the judge so deemed to want to impose on this young person, that's what the judge can do. But in the meantime, the parents, we're talking about mostly black and brown parents, who are poor, overworked, underpaid, trying to do the best that they can, want to keep a roof over their head, don't want to be a burden on the state and their child may or may not have gotten in trouble. And the only thing that this Bill is saying and the Constitution is saying, let's not have cruel and unusual punishment. That's number one. Number two, because this is a young person, the judge may decide to give them a chance. 10300049.docx 82  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Make… part of his punishment may be that he have to stay in school. Part of his punishment may have to be that he has to clean up… help clean up the community. Part of his punishment may have… there's multitude of things that people can do without putting a fee or a fine that will cause other hardship for the other family members. Why would we do that? Why would we do that? That is further pushing not only that young person, but there may be other members who may have to suffer in that family because of this and we're leading this family to trouble when it's unnecessarily. So, to my colleagues, for those of us who was once their age or in the situation that we wanted somebody to forgive us or to not be as cruel and show a little kindness, please vote 'yes'. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Evans is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?" Speaker Hernandez, B.: "He indicates he will."

"Thank you. You know, Justin, you know you work on a lot… Representative Slaughter, a lot of these issues. And I just wanted to ask, you worked for Cook County in juvenile justice, correct?"

"That's correct."

"And you have a master's degree from the University of Chicago, correct?"

"From Northwestern, Representative."

"Northwestern. Oh, okay. So, you… one of those good schools. So, you know something about this space, correct?"

"A little bit."

"You've worked in this space, correct?"

"A little bit. Correct." 10300049.docx 83  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"And clearly you've worked on a lot of policies. And the question is, in all of your studies, have you seen any correlation between fees and fines and reduction of criminal activity? Anywhere. Could you give me anything where you've seen this?"

"Is there a correlation behind this."

"Yeah. Between fees and… fees and fines and reduction of crime. Have you seen the two connections? Fees and fine equaling reduction of crime. Have you ever seen that?"

"In regards to juvenile justice, no."

"No. Right. Okay. Just to the Bill. You know, one of the speakers said we have to do something, and I agree. We have to do something. We have to continue to doing something. But I can tell one thing that does not work. Because when we… when studying this thing, what does not work? One thing I can guarantee that does not work is charging poor people fees does not reduce crime. We have to start there. Now, I'm not an expert in criminal justice, but I know that for sure. Charging poor people will not reduce crime, okay. And it's been difficult because my whole life… 'cause I have family members who are incarcerated. And bail is a part of what we do, and it became normal. And these fees and fines become normal, but they don’t work. It's not that we don’t want to do it. It's not that we're trying to stop something, but they don’t work if you're trying to stop crime. If you want to collect money for our local court system and punish the poor and put them further in debt so they can't buy homes, so they can be placed in these precarious situations financially, then we can do that. But if this is strictly for crime, 10300049.docx 84  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 there's no correlation. So, the frustration that we have with our youth, we have to figure out new alternatives and not the same old thing. It's 2023. We're going to become more innovative in everything. You know, we got nukes coming up and we got clean energy. We're using innovation, and we're going to have to do it with criminal justice because the same old way is not working. So, thank you, Representative Slaughter, for trying to put monies in the pockets of these poor parents. And we'll use our innovative thought to figure out how to reduce youth crime because I think that's a big issue in the city and I know all over. But fees don’t answer the question. I think we got the answer. And I've look forward to continue to work with you, Representative Slaughter, to figure it out. So, thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Slaughter to close."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. As we close here, it's important to understand, and for both sides of the aisle, the fiscal impact on this is very minimal. We would not bring this initiative forward if the number crunching hadn't been done, if the fiscal analysis hadn't been done. The fiscal impact is very, very minimal. It's also important that we not convolute this dialogue and this discussion. When it comes to accountability, we're not diluting accountability. What we are doing is removing a barrier, a financial burden that perpetuates the cycle of poverty. What we're seeing throughout our system, and it's terrible that we're seeing it in the juvenile system with our minors and our young people, is that not only the minor but the actual family is being pushed further into the system. And so, we try to address 10300049.docx 85  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 some of these… some of these issues where we're pushing families further in the system unnecessarily. This is a commonsense reform when it comes to our juvenile fines and fees system. We're removing bureaucratic waste, something that both sides of the aisle often talk about. We're doing that in this case. We're becoming more fiscally responsible. And at the end of the day, it's giving our young people a better chance and ability to fulfill their court-ordered obligations, to fulfill their rehabilitative goals. I want to commend all the local and national partners that have worked on this over the years. Let's join this growing bipartisan national trend. I urge a 'yes' vote, Madam Speaker." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1463 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 73 voting 'yes', 35 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker and the great Members of this Assembly. This Amendment clears up how the water reclamation 10300049.docx 86  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 district would utilize possible energy that they create, clean energy they would create on their property, and not any attempt to sell it or what have you. So, I request to concur with this Amendment." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"They just wanted a clarification that they were not going to be setting up any type of clean energy distribution business or… it would only be utilized in the energy that they take in from their clean energy that… for their own purposes."

"Yes."

"Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Evans to close."

"I request your support." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2219?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all those opposed signify by voting 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk. On this question, there are 112 voting 'aye', 10300049.docx 87  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 0 voting 'nay', and 0 voting 'present'. The House does concur in Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2219. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 2297, Representative Olickal. Representative Olickal is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to concur in Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2297. Senate Amendment 1 fixes a technical error that removes words within the language that were mistakenly repeated. I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2297?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all those opposed signify by voting 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 73 voting 'aye', 39 voting 'nay', and 0 voting 'present'. The House does concur in Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2297. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. HB2372, Leader Manley. Leader Manley is recognized." 10300049.docx 88  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to concur with Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2372. The Amendment is a gut and replace Amendment. Amends the Fire Investigation Act, rather than the Fire State Marshal Act. Additionally, cleans… has clean up language to make the Bill more technically correct. And I'll take any questions." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Yes."

"Currently, or up until now, the volunteers that go out and do this are highly trained, take their own time to get trained, but they're never compensated if they're traveling any distance for mileage or for actually working the case. So, we're going to do that now."

"You know what? I didn't check. I thought it was the most outstanding Bill, so it would have."

"Thank you. And when you get back to district, say hello to my little friend, okay?"

"Thank you."

"I ask for an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2372?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all those opposed signify by voting 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting 'aye', 0 voting 'nay', and 0 voting 'present'. The House does concur in Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2372. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. HB2412, Leader Hoffman. Leader Hoffman is recognized."

"Yes. Thank you… thank you, Madam Speaker. I would move that we accept Amendments #1, 2, and 3 and concur in House… those Amendments into House Bill 2412. This in an initiative of the Illinois State Police. It makes various organizational changes, addresses various audit issues. But most importantly, what is does, in addition to doing that, is it indicates that former Illinois State Police officers training and experience is recognized and honored by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board in the event an Illinois State Police officer later serves in a local law enforcement capacity. In other words, their training is much more stringent than local law enforcements and they would not have to re go through the training. I know of no opposition, and I ask for an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"That's correct."

"I ask for an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment 1, 2, and 3 to House Bill 2412?' This is final action. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; all those opposed signify by voting 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 112 voting 'aye', 0 voting 'nay', and 0 voting 'present'. The House does concur in Senate Amendment 1, 2, and 3 to House Bill 2412. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 2487, Representative Lilly. Representative Lilly is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd like to concur with House (sic-Senate) Floor Amendment 1 to HB2487. It provides that the Oversight Committee appoints… or appointments by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Speaker of the Senate as co-chairs." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to concur on Senate Amendment 1 to HB2719. Senate Amendment #1 is a page and line Amendment that clarifies that all screening activities, including initial screenings and follow-up assistance, must be provided in compliance with the Language Assistant Services Act. And it removes the following language, requiring the screening activities to be in compliance with the Language Assistant Service Act and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. I'm open to any questions." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Yes, I'm asking that you show that I meant to vote 'aye' on HB2412." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The record will reflect. Leader Flowers, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Let the record reflect that I meant to vote 'yes' on the last Bill, please. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The record will reflect. HB3133, Representative Norma Hernandez. Representative Norma Hernandez is recognized." Hernandez, N.: "Thank you, Madam Speaker. I make… I move to concur Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3133. It provides a electronic reporting system applies only to the discharge of sewage, industrial waste, and other waste subjects to one of the sanitary district ordinances. Provides that an enrollment in the electronic reporting system is voluntary and limited to nonresidential facilities or uses. Provides that services that email using the electronic reporting system is only permitted on the house, persons or entities that voluntary enroll in the system. I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Speaker, on House Bill 3133, it was my full intention to vote 'yes'." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The record will reflect. HB3135, Representative Ann Williams. Representative Ann Williams is 10300049.docx 94  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 recognized. Out of the record. House Bill 3233, Representative… Leader Lisa Hernandez. Leader Lisa Hernandez is recognized." Hernandez, L.: "Thank you, Madam Chair. A motion to concur Senate Amendment #1 and 2 to House Bill 3233. On Amendment #1 will remove the currency exchanges from the requirements of the underlying Bill and makes various changes to the provision requiring money transmitters to provide an option to make a donation to the Illinois DREAM Fund. The Bill also gives the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation flexibility to implement the requirements of this provision. Also, the… well, number two, the Amendment #2 makes it voluntary for money transmitters to provide an option to make a donation to the Illinois DREAM Fund. Doing this, it has removed all the Money Transmitter Industry opposition. I ask for your 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Thank you. I move to concur with Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3370. Senate Amendment 1, added by the Senate, makes sure that the prevailing wage work described in the Bill is paid for wholly or in part by a public body. I urge for the Motion's approval." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Yes, it is." 10300049.docx 96  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"That's correct."

"You know, I believe so, but I can't say for sure. That'd be up to other people in the… all this… all this Senate Amendment does is make sure that the work that is being done is paid for by… by a public body. The idea being… there was a concern that all power washing, private and public. This would just be public. So, I can't say for sure."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker and the great Members of this Assembly. This is just some clarifying language replacing a couple of words, premises where the work is to be performed with job site. But it's clearly there's a lot of different types of work and provides that a one copy of notice would satisfy. So, you know, there's no hundreds of notices around large sites. So, I request your support." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"I move to concur. The Amendment in the Senate removes bone marrow donation from the legislation." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"The original Bill that was passed included five days paid leave for bone marrow donations. That was unfortunately removed in the Senate."

"They said that there were fewer bone marrow… there were not that many bone marrow donations happening. I would argue that this legislation would help those that want to donate bone marrow. But otherwise, you have the 10 days for paid organ donation is a huge difference and will make a significant impact." 10300049.docx 99  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"So, the changes that we actually made in the House made them 90 percent okay with it, but because of that 10 percent, the 10 percent of their clients that they represent or the businesses that they represent, they are still opposed."

"I would say there are many people that are currently waiting for a donation. And providing the option of a living donor, if there is someone who is living that is willing to step forward and donate an organ, that could save a life for someone who is currently on the transplant waiting list."

"Thank you, Madam Chair. I move to concur with Senate Amendment 1 for House Bill 3522. This Amendment makes the effective date for the program move up one year to the 2024- 2025 school year, rather than the 2023-2024 school year. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam… thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to adopt Senate Amendment 1. Amendment 1 changes the date to contracts entered into are renewed on July 1, 2023. This passed the Senate unanimously. I urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"That… that is correct."

"That's correct."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to concur with Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 3563. The Amendments add the Illinois Community College Board and the Attorney General's Office to the Artificial Intelligence Task Force and make other technical changes. These passed the Senate and the House committee unanimously. I ask for your support." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Yes. This is a task force to study artificial intelligence. Correct."

"That's correct."

"That is correct."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to concur with Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3768. This is a technical Amendment at the request of CMS. It passed the Senate unanimously. Ask for an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Yes. Only for workforce data. So, just for Central Management Services."

"Yes. Correct. That's correct."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to concur with Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3819. This Amendment clearly defines the definition of officer intervention and also changes the definition of harm reduction."

"It… well, it's… there are other programs. And what this Bill does, it actually allows for additional programs to be developed. It expands the scope for such programming and there's nothing mandatory about someone having to enter one of these programs. This is… this is an option for an individual that may need help and get them resources more quickly, rather than putting them into a justice system or criminal justice system to get those resources."

"No. The Bill doesn't speak to that. This really… this defines what is available to municipalities or other units of government to develop and implement a program."

"That's correct."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I concur with the Senate. This Bill is the accumulation of many, many hours of constant work between the sheriff's department and General Assembly. It creates a 24 hotline so if a vehicle gets stolen, we can find out where it is. I respectfully ask for an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative… Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Yes, Sir. Almost everybody in the… in fact, the whole Senate signed on and the majority of the General Assembly signed on."

"Yes, Sir."

"This is the way things work in the General Assembly when we work together and just try to solve the problem…"

"Thank you."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. House Resolution 219 is an initiative of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. Since they are one of the first in the nation to include neurodiversity… to have a neurodiversity inclusion statement. As Members may not be as aware about neurodiversity, it is a concept that is a way of looking at autism, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, and other human neurocognitive 10300049.docx 111  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 variations as normal differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits. Again, this is an approach to education that we believe is something that should be adopted by all of our community colleges and educational institutions across the state. Thank you, Madam Speaker." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Costa Howard moves for the adoption of House Resolution 219. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 4, Leader Buckner. Leader Buckner is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. House Resolution 4 is a Resolution that… two seconds here… it urges the Chicago Transit Authority to join the Metra Fair Transit South Cook Pilot Program to aid in reducing transfer costs and urge CTA to adopt reduced fares along corridors with the most essential workers." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative… Leader Buckner moves for adoption of House Resolution 4. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 55, Representative… Leader Evans. Leader Evans is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker and the great Members of this Assembly. Just about there. Let' see. All right, here we go. This Resolution names every fourth Wednesday in February Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day. Cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is a chronic disease involving thickening of the heart muscles, which can cause a stroke, heart failure, or sudden 10300049.docx 112  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 cardiac death. It's the most common form of genetic heart disease and 85 percent of the people with this disease go undiagnosed until a severe health issue arise. HCM is prevalent in the black and brown communities. Black and brown patients can be easily diagnosed at a younger age if screening helps better understand the risks. HCM is also seen in young athletes who face a risk associated with this disease, as it is most common cause of cardiac deaths in young people and competitive athletes in North America. These athletes can easily be asymptomatic prior to a severe cardiac event occurring on or off the field. Awareness in screening for HCM can help our young athletes as well as their families better understand the risks. Prescreening is offered for HCM, which can be easily diagnosed. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day is to help raise public awareness and acknowledge of this critical importance of HCM to improve cardiovascular health."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I present House Resolution 75. And what this does is urges the Federal Government to allow all foster families to automatically qualify for SNAP benefits, regardless of income. And the thought being here, I've had… we have a lot of problem getting 10300049.docx 113  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 foster parents, and right now the SNAP benefits are not following the child. They're following the parents. And we're already asking our parents to take a huge burden when they take on a foster child, and their SNAP benefits should definitely be following them. I'd urge an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Scherer moves for the adoption of House Resolution 75. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 78, Leader Evans. Leader Evans is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker and the great Members of the Assembly. On July 30, 2006, in the wonderful village of Blue Island, a doctor told me I had cancer. I remember that day. My aunt called the ambulance because I couldn’t breathe. And a great doctor at Blue Island's hospital, St. Francis Hospital, when my son was born, he told me, 'Marcus, you know, we're going to do another test.' And I found that I had cancer. I'll never forget that day. That's my cancer story. And this many years, I'm still here. Of course, you know, our colleague, La Shawn Ford, has had his challenges, has made it through. And many of you all have a various cancer stories. But unfortunately, too many people are still dying. I was blessed to be one to survive. But I just always think about the great folks I've met across the country. Before I was in the General Assembly, I joined the American Cancer Society as a Cancer Action Network volunteer, and I traveled all over the country. I'll never forget, I met this really rich woman from Irving, Texas, and her wedding ring the size of my head. And she's a very successful woman, but her husband died from 10300049.docx 114  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 cancer. And she said all of the money that they had couldn't save her husband. And she was a volunteer with me. We were marching in Washington, D.C. fighting for cancer. This many years later, we still need more research and more focus on solving cancer. I'm very happy to still be here. I suffer from a little bit of pain, as I had a thoracotomy surgery and definitely the thoughts of surviving. But we still got to fight for those who didn't make it. But let's celebrate those who made it through and thank God for that. Bob Rita is not the only person that loved Blue Island. You know, for the rest of my life I'll love Metro South Hospital and St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island because my life was saved there. So, let's celebrate the survivors, let's keep fighting for those who didn't make it, and let's support the families that need it. So, we all know a survivor. So, just think about the survivor in your life and let's cheer them on. So, thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Caulkins is recognized on the Resolution."

"Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Evans moves for the adoption of House Resolution 78. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 81, Representative Lilian Jiménez. Out of the record. House Resolution 85, Leader Flowers. Out of the record. House 10300049.docx 115  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Resolution 86, Representative Scherer. Representative Scherer is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I present House Resolution 86. What this does is support home visiting and early intervention programs as an essential component of our state's multifaceted approach to the opioid crisis, acknowledging that the crisis isn't always just the parents, but it's on the entire family and their children. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Davidsmeyer is recognized on the Resolution."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I bring to you House Resolution 85. House Resolution 85 requests that the Illinois Supreme Court and the Circuit Court of Cook County to look at why children who enter foster care in Cook County remain in foster care for more than a year longer than children who enter foster care in the rest of the state and suggest legislation to be addressed to deal with this issue. And it goes on to say that the Legislator recognize that serious delay in the adjudication of abused, neglect, or dependency cases can cause grave harm to minors and the families and that it frustrates the health, the safety, and the best interest of a minor and the efforts to establish permanent homes for the children in need. The statute required that the 10300049.docx 117  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 dispositional hearing to be commenced within 90 days of the date of service of process of the parents. The statute further requests and provide, once commenced, subsequent delays in the proceeding may be allowed by the courts when necessary to ensure a fair hearing. And in Fiscal Year 2021, on average there was 325 days lapsed between the date on which a Cook County child entered foster care and the date on which the court ruled as to whether or not the child was abused or neglected. The figure for the rest of the state was 130.7 days for the northern region, 115 days for the southern region, and the central region there was 126 days. So, once again, I just want to bring to your attention for Cook County there was 325 days and that is unacceptable. So, let it be resolved, by the House of Representatives that… in the State of Illinois, that we urge the Supreme Court of Illinois and the Circuit Court of Cook County to examine the reasons for the disparity length of foster care experience by children in Cook County; and let it be resolved, that we urge the Supreme Court of Illinois and the Circuit Court to recommend legislation to reduce the disparity and shorten the time of foster care experience of children in Cook County. And I would appreciate your adoption of House Resolution 85. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Flowers moves to… for the adoption of House Resolution 85. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 103, Representative Lilly. Representative Lilly is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. House Resolution 103, 10300049.docx 118  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 WHEREAS, The substance use and opioid use crisis in Illinois are responsible for historically high rates of overdose and overdose related fatalities; and WHEREAS, According to the State's own opioid data, use and misuse of opioids in Illinois has continued to have substantial associated public health consequences, including increased rates of infectious diseases, such as hepatitis C, HIV, loss of productivity in the workplace, crime, homelessness, and more. Substance abuse and opioid use are often determinants to a person's mental health. Historical disadvantages groups face additional barriers to treatment from substance abuse and opioid use disorder, such as lack of affordable therapies, stigma, and inaccessible to mental health treatment. Prescription digital therapeutics have the potential to significantly improve health delivery to underserved populations because they… they transcend care access limitations due to geographic, social economic status, and trust of traditional institutions. In 2018, studies demonstrated that when a community reinforcement approach and a contingency plan are administered together then a patient is 2.84 times more likely to remain abstinent at the end of their treatment than those in other programs. Therefore, we urge the Department of Human Services and the Governor's Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee to closely consider funding FDA-authorized PDTs to patients and to help patients who are struggling with substance use and opioid… opioid use disorder. I ask for the support of this Resolution. It will save lives." 10300049.docx 119  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Lilly moves for the adoption of House Resolution 103. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 132, Representative Moeller. Representative Moeller is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move for the adoption of House Resolution 132. House Resolution 132 designates March 24 (sic-14), 2023 as Equal Pay Day in Illinois. On that day I did present the Resolution. So, I won't go back through it again, but ask for its adoption." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Moeller moves for the adoption of House Resolution 132. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 81, Representative Lilian Jiménez. Representative Jiménez is recognized." Jiménez: "Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to bring forward a House Resolution calling on the Federal Government to expand legal protections for asylum seekers and expedite authorization for them to join the workforce, provide for their families, and truly live the American dream. This Resolution expresses support of policies that welcome and support immigrant communities across the United States and urges the Federal Government to act as swiftly as possible to modernize federal immigration law." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Jiménez moves for the adoption of House Resolution 81. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 10300049.docx 120  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 23, Representative Stava-Murray. Representative Stava-Murray is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I present to you House Joint Resolution 23, which would express our support for the I-55 Managed Lane Project. It urges funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the construction of managed express lanes on Interstate 25… Interstate 55 stretching from the I-355 to the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago. The reason for this project is to acknowledge the fact that Interstate 55 has faced severe congestion for many years. This congestion is only getting worse, and it is projected that by 2040 daily traffic in this corridor is expected to increase by up to 74 percent. Without a solution, this section of I-55, which is already routinely suffering from severe congestion, could end up perpetually gridlocked. The benefit of this Managed Lane Project would not only be the creation of new managed lanes within the existing median of I-55 between I-94 and I-355, it will also improve job accessibility, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase regional economic activity, and perhaps, most importantly, cut down on daily commuter delays. I ask for your support." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Stava-Murray moves for the adoption of House Resolution… House Joint Resolution 23. All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 88 voting 'aye', 3 voting 'nay', and 0 voting 'present'. And this Resolution, having received a 10300049.docx 121  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Leader Mah, for what reason do you seek recognition? Representative Caulkins, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would just ask that the record reflect that I intended to vote 'aye' on HJR23." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The record will reflect. Representative Norma Hernandez, for what reason do you seek recognition?" Hernandez, N.: "Yes, I also like to correct the record. I actually meant to vote 'present' for HJR23." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "The record will reflect. House Resolution 163, Representative Omar Williams. Representative Omar Williams is recognized." Williams, J.: "Thank you, Madam Chair. House Resolution 163 urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to include new RSV immunization technologies, including vaccinating and antibodies within a federal VFC program if the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice for the Centers for Disease Control and prevents issues administrative recommendations that are subsequently approved by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And I ask for an 'aye' vote." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Omar Williams moves for the adoption of House Resolution 163. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 170, Representative Scherer. Representative Scherer is recognized." 10300049.docx 123  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. This Resolution, House Resolution 170, requests IDOT to erect a suitable… at suitable locations, consistent with state and federal regulations of course, appropriate plaques or signage directing people to the location of the Trail of Death historical marker in Decatur." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Scherer moves for the adoption of House Resolution 170. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 190, Representative Nichols. Representative Nichols is recognized."

"Yeah, this Resolution was said… we had the fraternity sorority Zeta Phi Beta Sigma Day. We had… we had both organizations down. It's the only African American organizations that’s constitutionally bound to each other through their founding principles. It'll be… just an amazing Resolution that is a long time coming. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Nichols moves for the adoption of House Resolution 190. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 195, Representative Swanson. Representative Swanson is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. This Resolution I already read in April. It declares Arab American Heritage Month to be in April 2023." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Rashid moves for the adoption of House Resolution 198. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 216, Representative Swanson. Representative Swanson is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. House Resolution 233, I presented this last month on the House Floor in April 30 as being the Fall of Vietnam and wanted to recognize the contributions of Vietnamese Americans and Vietnamese refugees 10300049.docx 127  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 to our great State of Illinois. I move this Resolution to be adopted. Thank you for your time." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Huynh moves for the adoption of House Resolution 233. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 251, Representative Faver Dias. Representative Faver Dias is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I already presented the Asthma Awareness Month Resolution last Friday. It declares May as Asthma Awareness Month and May 2 as World Asthma Day. I ask for its adoption." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Faver Dias moves for the adoption of House Resolution 251. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 252, Representative Moylan. Representative Moylan is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Chair and Members of the General Assembly. House Resolution 252 urges the Illinois Department of Transportation and High Speed Rail Commission to move expeditiously in preparing a statewide integrated network plan. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Moylan moves for the adoption of House Resolution 252. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 255, Representative Kifowit. Representative Kifowit is recognized." 10300049.docx 128  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. House Resolution 255 declares May 2023 as Motorcycle Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. It also resolves the recognition of the 36 years of ABATE in Illinois and to recognize the 3,005… 352,318 registered motorcycles statewide. And then suitable copies will be distributed to ABATE for the recognition." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Representative Kifowit moves for the adoption of House Resolution 255. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 256, Representative Swanson. Representative Swanson is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. According to a Illinois Department of Public Health Maternal Mortality Report published in 2021, about 83 percent of pregnancies… pregnancy-related deaths are determined to be preventable by the review committees. This is really particularly interesting and very troubling given that in 2018 the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 72 percent of the pregnancy-related deaths were preventable. So, instead of the numbers getting better, they're getting worse. Despite the many laws passed since 2018 to address maternal mortality, there is still a higher percentage of preventable death three years after the first IDPH report on maternal mortality. And the weight of this crisis is still on the shoulders of black 10300049.docx 130  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 women who are three times more likely to die of a pregnancy- related death than white women, and that is truly unacceptable. And it is not just poor women who faces the consequences of health… of a health care system that does not take the concerns of black women seriously. Celebrities like Beyoncé and Serena Williams have famously experienced pregnancy complications too. They could have easily been one of the cases of maternal death had they not been privileged and able to advocate for themselves. In the words of Serena Williams, 'I almost died after giving birth to my daughter, Olympia. Yet, I consider myself very fortunate.' Even Congresswoman Cori Bush of Missouri had her own traumatic pregnancy experience as a black woman, stating, 'Every day, black women die because the system denies our humanity.' Building a workforce of culturally competent health care professionals is an important part of protecting black women from implicit bias racism within the health care system. We have passed legislation to require implicit bias training, but there's still so much more to do that needs to be done to ensure the concern, the pain of black women are listened to and taken seriously. As Doctor Joi Bradshaw-Terrell, an OB/GYN in Chicago stated, 'The problem isn't limited to racism,' she believes. 'It's a part of a health care culture that has served to disempower black women.' That is why accountability is needed more than ever. We cannot stand by, I will not stand by, as more black women die from preventable causes. Black women deserve a solution to this crisis. House Resolution 262 holds the health care system in Illinois accountable by encouraging… number one, by encouraging 10300049.docx 131  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 reporting on maternal death by hospitals, instead of on an aggregated basis. And we also want the Department of Public Health to implement policies and the corrective action to address the cases of preventable death. This Resolution promote the transparencies for hospitals and the Illinois Department of Public Health to work more proactively to address cases of preventable maternal health disparities in Illinois to save black mothers' lives who have been victims of in… of an inequitable health care for far too long. And just to bring to your attention some of the key legislation that, thanks to you all, that we were successful in passing since 2018, is expanding postpartum coverage for up to one year after pregnancy; requiring training for hospitals on leading causes of maternal mortality; implicit bias training for medical professions, despite the fact we don't know how long and where the training is taking place; and more importantly, Medicaid coverage for doulas and home visiting, a program that we passed a couple of years ago that is yet to be implemented. Thank you very much, and I urge for its adoption." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Flowers moves for the adoption of House Resolution 262. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 268, Representative Bunting. Representative Bunting is recognized."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to once again commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Other members of the AAPI Caucus and I have spent the past few weeks acknowledging the great achievements that fellow members of our community have brought to America. However, it's also proper that we raise awareness of a more somber topic that has lived with my community ever… for our time in America, Asian hate. Today, specifically on the anniversary on what would have been his 68th birthday, I would like to remember Vincent Chin, a Chinese American man who was murdered because of his ethnicity. On June 23, 1982, not in the distant past, but within the lifetimes of many people here in this chamber, Vincent Chin was having his bachelor party with several of his friends. He was set to be married eight days later. At a nightclub, after Chin and his friends were taunted with racially charged insults, there was a fight 10300049.docx 133  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 49th Legislative Day 5/18/2023 and Chin fled the nightclub to hide, but his assailants chased him, found him, and fractured his skull with a baseball bat. A police officer on the scene described one of his attackers as swinging for a home run. This tragedy is not unique in the annals of our history. Asian Americans have borne the brunt of viscous racism for far too often and this violence may now seem long gone, but in recent years, with the many brutal slanders and blatant dog whistles directed toward the Asian community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the specter of attacks like the one Vincent Chin endured is very real. His death is viewed as a turning point for Asian American civil rights engagement and a rallying cry for stronger federal hate crime legislation. So, for any of who doubt our sincerity when we say the threats presented by Asian hate remain with us, I ask you too all remember the all to recent stories of people like Vincent Chin and reconsider your reservations. Thank you very much." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Leader Lisa Hernandez is recognized." Hernandez, L.: "Democrats will request an immediate caucus in Room 114. Thank you." Speaker Hernandez, B.: "Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."