"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. Mr. Padget."
"Let us pray. Lord, as we prepare for Session today, we ask for freshness of your spirit to quicken our thinking, that out of confused issues may come simplicity of plan, that out of fear may come confidence, that out of hurry may come deliberation, and that out of frustration may come guidance. Let us get to work not head first, but heart first. May we be able to disagree without being disagreeable, to differ without being difficult, to be honest without tension, and to be frank without offense in an atmosphere of team spirit. These things we ask, Amen."
"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Ugaste."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Gabel is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."
"Speaker, let the record show that Representatives Ammons, Andrade, Evans, Guerrero-Cuellar are excused today."
"Representative Severin is recognized to report any absences on the Republican side of the aisle." 10300058.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"There are no excused absences today. We're all ready to do the work. Let's get ready to… no, we're not going to say that."
"It's going to be that kind of a day. Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 114 Members answering a roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."
"Rules Report. Representative Gabel, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on October 25, 2023: recommends be adopted, referred to the floor is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 4148. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 460, offered by Representative Costa Howard, is referred to the Rules Committee."
"On page 2 of the Calendar, under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 408, offered by Representative Nichols. Representative Nichols is recognized."
"All right. The Rep. is in the House. Where these guys at, man? You guys stand up. So, I'd like for everybody to be quiet and turn their attention to the gallery. We got young people down here. Y'all know when we got young people down here, pay attention to them 'cause these are our young people. These are great, great young men from my district. The State of Illinois House of Representatives 103rd General Assembly. Everybody listening? All right. WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Burbank National Little League Senior Division on its recent achievements; and 10300058.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 WHEREAS, The Burbank National Little League is a nonprofit youth organization and a charter member of Little League Baseball and Softball; and WHEREAS, The Burbank National Little League has won over 80 Little League championships, from the district level to the national level, over the past 35 years; and WHEREAS, The Burbank National Little League Senior Division won the Illinois and Central Region championships in 2022, competing in the Senior League Baseball World Series in 2022; and WHEREAS, The Burbank National Little League Senior Division earned repeat victories as the Illinois and Central Region champions in 2023, again competing in the Senior Little League Baseball World Series; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Burbank National Little League Senior Division on its recent achievements, and we wish the team continued success; and be it further RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to all members of the Burbank National Little League Senior Division as a symbol of our respect and esteem. We all give a round of applause to these amazing young people in our chamber today. I am so glad they had a chance to… to come down to your House. This is your House. This chamber belongs to you. Continued success, man. And for you guys that's moving on, we're going to keep an eye on you. And keep swinging, man, and… and you can do anything you put your mind to. Thank you, guys. I appreciate you, love you. Have a great time." 10300058.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"Representative Nichols moves for the adoption of House Resolution 408. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Representative Fritts."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, last night at 10:47 p.m., Illinois State Trooper Kody Green was shot following… here in Springfield, following an incident with a suspect in a Chicago homicide. This is personal to me because Trooper Green is engaged to my legislative aide here in Springfield, Madison Kinsel. Yesterday, I spent my morning talking to Madison about the engagement photos that they'd just taken and about the wedding plannings that they have. Spent my morning this morning talking with Madison as she sits with her fiancé in the ICU. During that time, I thought about what I wanted to say here today. One thing I keep thinking about is how angry that I am. I'm angry at the needless violence against our law enforcement officers. I'm angry at people who screamed to defund the police. And more than that, I'm angry at this Assembly is dead set on making their jobs as hard as possible without protecting them. When does it end? When does the crimewave from Chicago's soft on crime prosecutors end? When do we finally decide to back our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line each and every day for us? We can't go on like this any longer. We need to start prosecuting criminals and supporting law enforcement. We need to ensure that they have proper funding, that they are fully staffed, 10300058.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 and that they know that their government unequivocally supports their efforts to make their state a safer place. I call on every single Legislator here today to really think about the world that they want to live in. Do you want to live in a world that advocates for the rights of criminals, or do you want to live in a world that protects those who protect us? Because I know what kind of a world I want to live in. But for some of us in this room refuse to do anything to make that world a possibility. It's time to wake up, people, because some day you'll get the call that I got this morning, and it may be your own loved one. My thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Green, the State Police, and most of all, our dear colleague, Madison. Madam Speaker, I ask that the Body take a moment of silence."
"A moment of silence. Thank you, Representative Fritts. Chair recognizes Representative Carroll. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Madam Chair. A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"I'd like to introduce to you my Page for a day. Her name is Claire Eisenstadt. She is a constituent of mine and a high school student from Glenbrook North High School. She is the great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and a tireless fighter for anti-Semitism. She's involved with several Jewish youth groups in our area, including the American Jewish Committee, who are represented here today. I believe everyone is standing up over there. So, if we could give her family and friends a round of applause, I'd appreciate that." 10300058.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"Welcome to Springfield."
"Thank you. Claire went on… Claire and her work went on to found the Jewish chapter of Young Judaea, which… which currently… and she currently serves in the role as president. Now more than ever we need educators and organizers like Claire who are willing to do the important work of teaching people about the dark history of anti-Semitism and what happens when bigotry is allowed to fester. Education is the light that… that beats back the darkness of ignorance and hate. We also must remember to be compassionate and love one another as our own, especially amidst the tragedies that we are seeing today. Again, please join me in welcoming Claire and her family here to Springfield. And thank you, Claire, for all your work combatting anti-Semitism and educating the world about its evils. Thank you very much."
"Chair recognizes Leader Windhorst. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's my honor and privilege today to have the dean of the SIU School of Law, Dean Camille Davidson. I'm a proud SIU law graduate from the year 2000, and this year the Southern Illinois University is… law school is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Earlier this spring, we approved and passed HR297, which recognized all of the accomplishments and great success that has occurred with the school and its alumni. So, if everyone here could join me in welcoming the dean and representatives from the law school. Thank you." 10300058.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
Speaker Manley: "Thank you, Leader. Chair recognizes Representative Swanson."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I've got a couple of Pages here with me today, and very honored to have both of them here, longtime family friends of the Swanson family. First, I want to introduce Traidan Hier. Traidan's a senior at Wethersfield High School. Her activities in schools include softball, cheerleading, golf, FFA, National Honor Society, Key Club, yearbook, student council, and Phi Theta Kappa. Very involved in her community. She does tutoring and volunteering for the Key Club with her school. She's on the student council, National Honor Society, and she's currently the two-term president of her FFA chapter at Cambridge schools… or Kewanee's Wethersfield schools. Her family's an eighth-generation family farmer at Henry County, and I learned they just got their crops harvested. And she resides near Kewanee, Illinois, the Hog Capital of the World. At the end of her high school senior year this year, she would not only graduate with her high school diploma, but she'll also have her associates degree from Black Hawk College. Quite a… quite a feat to have both. So, I'd like to welcome Traidan today. Thank you, Traidan. And with Traidan is her older sister, Daci. She attends… she's a sophomore at Augustana College. Her major is psychology and business administration with a focus on marketing. Her activities in school include, she is on the Augustana College cheerleading team for both football and basketball. So, not only a student, but an 10300058.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 athlete also. She's a mentor of the… she's a member of the Augustana Republican Club. And her special recognition, she's a… she was on the dean's list this past spring semester at Augustana College. She was a graduate of Wethersfield High School and graduated as valedictorian of her class. Their parents include Dan and Tracy Hier. So, welcome to you too, Daci. Thank you."
Speaker Manley: "Welcome to Springfield. On page 2 of the Calendar, under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 395, offered by Leader Lilly. Leader Lilly is recognized."
"Thank you, Madam Chairman. On today, I am truly honored to present this… thank you, Madam Speaker."
"There you go."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. On this day, I am truly honored to present this Resolution on behalf of my friend, my family, Coach Ping. WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize and celebrate the birthdate of the late Gene "Coach Ping" Pingatore on October 25, 2023; and WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore was born on October 25, 1936 and passed away on June 26, 2019; he was raised in Cicero; he graduated from St. Mel's High School in 1954; he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Loyola University of Los Angeles, known today as Loyola Marymount University, in 1958; and WHEREAS, Following his college graduation, Gene Pingatore returned home and began working as a freshman boys basketball coach at St. Joseph High School in Westchester in 1960, the school's first academic year; he became the head coach, 10300058.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 varsity, of the varsity team at St. Joseph High School boys basketball, the Chargers, in 1969; he served as head coach for 51 years and was the most successful basketball coach in Illinois High School Association (IHSA) history; he further served the school in a number of roles, including as a social studies teacher, the director of recruitment, the assistant principal, the dean of students, the director of development, the acting principal, the director of building and grounds, the special events coordinator, and the alumni director; he had a lot to offer his community and his school; and WHEREAS, Under Gene Pingatore's guidance, the St. Joseph High School boys basketball team was one of the best in the State, winning 34 regional championships and 13 sectionals, advancing to the state finals six times, and winning two state championships, Class 2A in 1999 and Class 3A in 2015; he possessed a record of a total of 1,035 wins and only 386 (sic- 383) losses in his career, becoming the only coach in Illinois to accomplish 1,000 wins in 2017, making him one of only 15 coaches in the nation who had that esteem; and WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore received many accolades for his work, including being named Educator of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission/Police Athletic League of Illinois in 2008, Coach of the West for the McDonald All-American Game in Chicago in 2011, Coach of the Year by the Central Officials Association in 2016, and Coach of the Year by Pioneer Press and Suburban Life in, listen to this, 1978, 1979, and 1999, and again by Suburban Life in 1981, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1999, and 2004; he also received the Ellie Hasan Award from the Central Officials Association in 2005, the De La Salle 10300058.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 Award for Service and Leadership in the Community from Lewis University in 2020… 2010, and… and not to mention the 2018 Morgan Wootten Award for Lifetime Achievement in Coaching High School Basketball from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore was affectionately known as "Coach Ping", and he became nationally known for his starring role in the critically acclaimed 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams; his leadership and guidance positively impacted an immeasurable number of students; and WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore was the son of the late Frank and Annette Pingatore; the brother of the late Sandra Pingatore; the father of Lisa; the grandfather of Erin, Kelli, and Jack; the fiancé of Jill Oakley; the uncle of Frank, Nick, and the late Robert; and the great-uncle, godfather, cousin, and friend of many; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that today we recognize and celebrate the late Gene Pingatore's birthday, October 25, 2023, and we remember the legacy he created and the many lives he touched during his lifetime; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution will be passed to the family and friends of Gene Pingatore as an expression of our esteem, love, and respect. And with that, we have his family and friends here to be recognized in the Speaker's Gallery. Can we please stand? Can we have Jill Oakley; his fiancé, his late fiancé; Coach Bill Riley, who coached with him for millions of years. Yes, it seems like millions of 10300058.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 years to me. And as you can see, we wear the red for Red Chargers on today because we are celebrating and recognizing the life and the commitment of Coach Ping to his community, to his family, and of course to the state. We want to say, go Chargers. St. Joe's will live forever remembering our loved one, Coach Ping. Thank you."
"Representative Lilly moves for the adoption of House Resolution 395. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Chair recognizes Leader Spain. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, it's my privilege to introduce my Page for the day, Will Rumbold. Will, get on the camera here. You're… I'll have to stand up a little taller to fit you in. Will is a senior at Stark County High School. He is active in the student council. He plays golf, baseball, obviously basketball. He's involved in Bible class at the Apostolic Christian Church of Princeville. And Will is interested in law, in politics, attending law school, and you can tell his commitment and interests in Illinois State Government because this is the second time this year that he has been a Page for us in the Illinois House of Representatives. So, he was a Page for Representative Weaver back in the spring, and he's returned with us here in Veto Session. So, please give a warm Springfield welcome to my Page today, Will Rumbold." 10300058.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
Speaker Manley: "Welcome back, Will. Nice to see you. Representative Yang Rohr, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. I'd like to introduce the Body to my Page for the day, Talia Owens. Talia is the daughter of Logan Owens, my former district office intern and also a current member of the research and appropriation staff. So, Talia is six years old. And she is a student at Sandburg Elementary School here in Springfield. Her favorite subject is math. She is very… she's super excited about gymnastics. She participates a lot in the YMCA. She loves animals, especially dogs. And when she grows up, she wants to be just like her mom, working in policy and budget. Let's give Talia a warm welcome."
"Welcome to Springfield. Representative Didech, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"A point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. We have a very special guest in the gallery today. His name is Lewis Whitehead. Lewis, could you stand up? Lewis has traveled here all the way from Scotland to observe the democratic process in Illinois. Now, Lewis doesn't know this, I actually had my honeymoon in Scotland. They have something quite amazing there. There's this highway, where if you drive down this highway, out of nowhere comes the most enormous, magnificent statues of 10300058.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 horses that you've ever seen. And it was a memorable experience, maybe something we could think about doing in Illinois. But please give Lewis a very warm welcome to Springfield."
"Welcome to Springfield, Lewis. On page 2 of the Calendar, under Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 409, offered by Representative Marron. Representative Marron is recognized."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, it's an honor for me to present Resolution 409 to honor someone who was very, very special to me personally. But as much as he meant to me, he meant even more to my district and to the entire State of Illinois. What can you say about Bill Black? Bill Black served in this Body from February of 1986 when he was sworn in to replace his friend and mentor, Harry 'Babe' Woodyard, in the 104th District that I now represent, until his retirement in 2010. Bill Black, we lost him on September 9, and we truly lost a giant in Illinois government. There's not a day that goes by when I'm in Springfield that I don't hear legendary stories about the things that Bill Black did on this floor. And let's say they're very colorful stories. You could say that Bill Black mastered the art of the Mike Bost outburst before Mike Bost. He did that stuff before it was cool to do that stuff, before the advent of the Internet, before social media. But as a young man, as a boy who was interested in politics growing up in Vermillion County, I used to watch the nightly news and I would see Bill Black speaking forcefully for Vermillion County, for Danville, speaking passionately. And to us in Vermillion County, he was our hero. He was the 10300058.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 guy that was fighting for the little guy. He was fighting against the machine. He was making sure Springfield didn't forget about Danville. And his story was quintessential Danville. Came from humble beginnings. His family had a small business. He grew up and got an education degree and became a school teacher and worked his way up through the political system and became State Representative. I truly have to say it was one of the… the coolest experiences of my life, getting to watch him as a young boy, this larger-than-life hero figure for our area, and then, over the last 10 to 15 years, getting to know him personally and calling him a friend. I… I think it's a testament to Bill and to his memory that people thought of him the same way on the day that he died as when he was here representing them in Springfield. In this day and age when attention spans are so short, and with social media and the Internet, once you step out of the limelight, people forget about you five minutes later. But people remembered Bill and the impact that he made. When I first ran for this position in 2018, Bill had been retired for 10 years. And we had decided to meet and get together for lunch at a local restaurant so we could talk about the campaign. And I got there first, before he did, and I can remember at the time I thought I was running a really successful campaign. I was everywhere. I was at every event. I was knocking doors. I was on the radio. I was on television and the newspaper, on social media. And I'd just been county board chairman for four years, and I was really aggressive at getting my name out in the news cycle. I thought everybody knew who I was. So, I get to this restaurant, and I… I got there before Bill did. And so, 10300058.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 I kind of tried to work the room and I got a real lukewarm response. And you know, people would look up from their lunch and think, who is this guy? I just want to be left alone so I can eat my lunch. So, I kind of sulked back in the corner and sat at the back of the restaurant and waited for Bill to get there. When Bill walked in, the room lit up and it literally took him 15 minutes to walk from the door to the back of the room because every single person in that restaurant stood up and greeted him and shook his hand and had some kind of personal exchange with him. And it hit home to me right then the kind of impact, the kind of legend that Bill Black was eight years after he retired from the Legislature. You know, I think it's really important, at a time when people have lost faith in government, when people think government is some far away entity that doesn't care about them anymore. Almost every week, when I'm back home in my district, I get stories from people about how they are so proud that they worked on some piece of legislation with Bill Black. And we're not talking about some small, insignificant, technical changes. We're talking about impactful things that still affect education or a small business in a positive way. If I've heard one of those stories, I've heard a hundred of those stories. What a better way to install faith in government than to make people part of the legislative process, to make them feel like they have an impact and that they have a role in fixing some of the problems that we face. I know many of us in this Body hold constituent service as a very high priority. I know I do, and it's one of the most rewarding parts of this job. But I can honestly say that I 10300058.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 never had a choice when I came into office because that is what the people of the 104th District expected. For years, if you had a problem, you went to see Bill Black. It didn't matter what it was. It almost always… Bill got those problems solved. A few years ago, we decided to change location of my district office. And it was the district office at the time that… that Bill had, had probably his entire time that he was in the Legislature. And Bill was somewhat a hoarder of documents, of records. And so, we had two rooms full of file cabinets chalked full of files, paper files, and literally thousands of files of constituent issues. And in every one of those files, there was a personal, handwritten letter, a copy of a personal handwritten letter, in Bill's own handwriting, about the issue and how Bill was going about resolving the issue and how important it was to him. And I was blown away that this person that was in the limelight, that was so busy had taken that amount of time to address each and every one, thousands of issues, personally. To his family, his wife, Sharon, his kids and grandkids, it could not have been easy to share him with all of us all those years, but I hope you understand and realize the kind of impact that he had on all of us, on the 104th District, on Danville, Vermillion County, and the impact that he had on the State of Illinois. He was truly a giant in Illinois State Government. You know, in our little City of Danville, we've been blessed to be the home of many giants. We were the home of Dick and Jerry Van Dyke, Gene Hackman, Bobby Short, Astronaut Joe Tanner, U.S. Speaker of the House 'Uncle Joe' Cannon, Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman, and we were the home of Bill Black. And thank God we 10300058.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 were. Godspeed, Bill. We love you. We're going to miss you. Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask for passage… pass Resolution 409 in honor of a giant of a man, Representative William 'Bill' Black of Danville."
"Representative Marron moves for the adoption of House Resolution 409. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Chair recognizes Representative Hirschauer. For what reason so you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. I wanted to take a quick moment to introduce a special guest, Leland Pan. Leland is a sophomore at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is studying political science and communications. Leland… thank you. Leland is extremely active in her community. She interned and volunteered with Save the Children for six years and is a passionate children's health advocate. She is also a dedicated disability rights advocate. And alongside a rigorous course load, her plate is full. Leland was an intern with me in the summer of 2022, and this fall she came back as a Running Start fellow. Running Start is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that trains young women like Leland to run for office. Illinois' own Congresswoman Lauren Underwood is a distinguished alumni of the program, and I have no doubt that Leland will follow in her footsteps. Leland will be traveling to Washington, D.C. in a few weeks for the 10300058.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 culmination of her prestigious program, but today she gets to see how a well-functioning House is run. Let's give Leland a warm welcome."
Speaker Manley: "Welcome to Springfield. Chair recognizes Representative McLaughlin. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. And it's good to see you after spring break, or summer break. I rise to speak about a program that we haven't talked much about here in the last day and a half, Invest in Kids. I know we've got a number of advocates upstairs for this program. The one thing I've learned in my short three years here in the General Assembly is how we do math in Springfield. And I've come to understand that how we do math is that the teachers' unions and their organizations incent politicians in this chamber and others to support student funding for public education in Illinois. In my district, I've heard from many on the other side of the aisle how we're defunding schools. I just want to make sure we understand what greater than means. In Chicago public school system, per child spending in 2020 was 17 thousand. Thank you."
Speaker Manley: "Excuse me, Representative. Members. Please proceed."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. Seventeen thousand in 2020. Now, it's at 29 thousand per student in 2023. That's actually greater than, not less than. Their test scores, 10300058.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 unfortunately, have gone in the opposite direction. The Governor and many of my friends on the other side of the aisle will boldly announce their support for freedom and choice on many issues and for equity and equitable opportunity. Why not the freedom and choice for underprivileged children to have the best possible outcome in education? Where's the morality and the fairness that I hear from the other side as it relates to these children? And by the way, these scholarships don't see color, religion, ethnicity. What they see is an opportunity for someone to succeed. The parents want these choices. You guys know the numbers. And many of you spoken to me outside of this chamber in support of this Bill. Twenty- two thousand students waiting, with about nine thousand participating. We've got a Rainy Day Fund, I understand, here in the state of a billion dollars. Yet, we're griping over 75 million to help the most underprivileged children in the state. That, my friends, is a morality issue. The money donated to politicians who seek to sabotage this Invest in Kids program speaks loud and clear to what's wrong with Springfield. And this is the only math that matters at times with these self-interested groups and self-serving Legislators who can accurately count their support when they run for office. Mr. Speaker, I humbly ask you, Sir, and I hope you're listening and I know you do, that my Bill 4105 be taken out of Rules that will allow the successful evidence- based program of the Invest in Kids Act, that both sides of this aisle supported for so long successfully, to be taken without a political sunset provision. We need to stop demonizing underprivileged families that want to get their 10300058.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 children out of failing public schools, and we need to prioritize this now. We have the money to do it. We have the support to do it. Let's do it today. Thank you, Madam Speaker."
"Thank you, Representative. Chair recognizes Representative Stava-Murray. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I have with me my Page for a day, Riley Monroe, who is joined by her father, Lauren Monroe, in the gallery. Riley is a junior at Downers Grove South High School, a member of the varsity volleyball team, and also involved in the DECA club. Her favorite subject is history. She's excited to attend college, where she hopes to major in either political science or biology. Please help me welcome her to the House Floor today."
"Welcome to Springfield. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 394, offered by Representative Kifowit. Representative Kifowit is recognized."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. House Resolution 394 declares November 10, 2023 as Marine Corps Day. And… it's the Marine Corps birthday, so if the Body would indulge a… I apologize, my screen wasn't up. I could tell you all about the Marine Corps birthday as a… as a member of the Marine Corps that I served in and all the things that I did overseas, but the Marine Corps has a proud tradition… hold on one second. My 10300058.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 apologies. My system isn't working in pulling up the Resolution. Can I… can you come back to me?"
"I sure can."
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"Thank you, Representative. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 368, offered by Representative Keicher. Representative Keicher is recognized."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, today I stand before you to recognize October 13, 2023 as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in the State of Illinois."
"Members, please."
"This Resolution signifies our commitment as a state to raising awareness about metastatic breast cancer and, more importantly, to honor the strength and resilience of those that have suffered from this disease. As we all know, breast cancer is a very formidable adversary that impacts millions of lives in our country and individuals worldwide each year. It's left an indelible mark on countless lives, affecting not only those that are diagnosed, but as we all know, the families and friends of those that are battling. Metastatic breast cancer in particular prevents a unique set of circumstances because it's a stage of the disease where the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, often making it more difficult to fight and defeat this awful scourge. The importance of raising awareness for metastatic breast cancer not only lies in recognizing the medical challenges posed by metastatic breast cancer, but also in celebrating, and I cannot understate, the bravery and 10300058.docx 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 determination of those who fight it head on. Their journeys are marked by courage, hope, and an unwavering spirit as they navigate the side effects and uncertainties. Through House Resolution 368, we acknowledge the urgency of addressing metastatic breast cancer and the need for continued research and awareness within the State of Illinois. As we weigh this issue, let us remember those who have fought valiantly, have lost their lives to metastatic breast cancer. Let us offer encouragement to those who are currently engaged in this battle, offering them strength, solace, a hug, and sometimes a shoulder to cry on. Let us recognize those around them, the caregivers, the medical experts, the families, and the advocates as they work tirelessly to improve what their loved one is battling. By designating October 13, 2023 as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day for the State of Illinois, we stand here and we reaffirm our commitment to making sure that we move forward in helping those suffering through it. And together, we can make a difference in the lives of those that are affected by breast cancer through our collective efforts. And we can strive for a future where no one has to endure the pain and suffering caused by this devastating disease. In closing, I appreciate the unanimity. I appreciate every one rising to recognize the battle that so many of our fellow citizens have waged. God bless, Godspeed, and let's find a cure. Thank you."
"Thank you, Representative. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 394, offered by Representative Kifowit. Representative Kifowit is recognized." 10300058.docx 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. My apologies from before. Again, this declares… November 10, 1775 was the birthdate of the United States Marine Corps. The Continental Congress authorized a formation of two battalions of Marines in Philadelphia beginning what is the basis of the Marine Corps. Tun Tavern is our favorite place to be. The Marine Corps has been protecting Americans and their freedom for 248 years, and we serve with distinction in all wars in which the United States has been involved. The United States established a position of world leadership, and the Marines has proven themselves as dedicated professionals willing to defend the lives and rights of Americans and our allies of freedoms around the world. Pretty much since the formation of Marines, the terms Marine has always been associated with us. I know the Army has the soldiers and the Air Force has the airmen, but Marines are just Marines. And so, we are proud of this tradition. We are proud of our tradition. And November 10 is the Marine Corps birthday, and I wanted to bring it to the Body of this… with this distinction. Also, I've known several Marines that have lost their lives with regards to their service, some of them personally. And so, it is… is my honor to present this today as well. So, with that, on November 10 everybody can wish me a happy birthday, 'cause it's my birthday on November 10, so… every year. And I just wanted to… to, again, being the only Marine in the General Assembly, represent. So, thank you very much, Madam Speaker."
Speaker Manley: "Thank you, Members. Chair recognizes Representative Halbrook. For what reason do you seek recognition?" 10300058.docx 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. A point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. So, today, we have a group from Effingham, Effingham County. I would like to recognize a large group of students, parents, grandparents, school administrators from Sacred Heart grade school and St. Anthony Grade School and High School in Effingham. They're here to support the Invest in Kids program. They hope to meet several of you before they leave this afternoon. At least… of course, I also want to recognize my colleagues, Representative Niemerg and Wilhour, as they share Effingham County. They may want to say a few comments about this group. But let's give this group from Effingham a great Springfield welcome. Thank you."
Speaker Manley: "Welcome to Springfield. Chair recognizes Representative Reick. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Madam."
"Please proceed."
"They say the wheels of justice grind exceeding fine, but they do grind. Last week, week before last, up in McHenry County, a certain amount of justice was given to a young six- year-old boy who died in 2019. We all remember the story of AJ Freund, he was murdered by his parents, convicted of murder. But what also happened was the child welfare agents, child welfare specialist who was in charge of the case for the Department of Children and Family Services was brought up on charges of child endangerment and reckless conduct, as was his supervisor. Two weeks ago, a judge in McHenry County 10300058.docx 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 rendered his decision on the case. He found the child welfare specialist guilty of child endangerment… on two counts of child endangerment. He found the supervisor not guilty, not because he didn't think he deserved it, but because he couldn't prove when the supervisor knew what was going on or what he knew and when he knew it. But the fact remains is that, for the first time in American history, a government employee charged with child welfare has been found guilty of child endangerment here in Illinois, in McHenry County. In his final remarks before he rendered his decision, the judge said this is a young child who was failed by every adult he ever came into contact with. The mother who murdered him, the father who buried him in an unmarked grave along a country road, the child welfare agent who was more interested in checking boxes on a form than looking at the evidence of his own eyes and doing something to get that child out of harm's way, the supervisor who sat silently throughout the entire trial and did nothing to try to defend the fact that he had failed this child as well. But what the judge said at the end of his comments is, I think, even more damning. He said the adults that failed this child include the Department of Children and Family Services. They are the ones also who are responsible for what happened ultimately to this child. I didn't say that. The judge said that on the bench to their faces. We just learned yesterday that the Governor has proposed a new state agency dealing with child education, early childhood learning. And ironically, he's removing the day care licensing function and responsibility from DCFS to put it into this new agency. Now, I've been calling for that 10300058.docx 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 for months. I don't think DCFS has any business doing this or many other things because it can't do what it's supposed to do, and that is take care of the children of this state. Would've been nice if we had known that this was going on. If you read Cap. Fax this morning, you see a little addendum saying that this has been in the process for quite some time. None of us over here knew anything about it. Don't have a clue as to what's in it. Don't know who's going to run it. Don't know what it's going to do. It's going to take day care licensing out of DCFS and that is in fact an improvement. But the Governor also said that… oh, and I'll back up. We've been dealing with DCFS and JCAR for the past six months too, dealing with rules, dealing with child teachers in… in classrooms, the failure and the inability of… of day care centers to find adequate staff. But DCFS wrote a series of rules that are now in place because they ran out the clock, and without rules, these day care centers don't know how to act. Were they consulted? No. I spoke this morning with the head of ILDOCC, which is the Illinois department… or agency that represents day care centers here in Illinois, and I was informed that, no, we knew nothing about this until the Governor made his announcement yesterday. Now, the Governor's comment was the fact that ILDOCC was more interested in putting unqualified people in charge of day care classrooms, which could not be further from the truth. So, I'm calling on the Governor from the floor of the Illinois House to say listen, if this is the way this agency is going to be constituted, if we're going to end up with an agency that is… that is designed and everything by the echo chamber that gave 10300058.docx 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 us the three-hour rule that we had foisted upon us, if we don't have some sort of accountability, both in this agency and the Department of Children and Family Services, nothing's going to change. If AJ Freunds' life meant anything, it has to mean that we're willing to do what we have to do to reform this agency and get it on its right track. I know they're looking for a new director, and I hope to God that the Governor has the strength to go out of this state and find somebody who's willing to look the Governor in the eye and say this is not going to be run this way if you want me as your director. Child welfare belongs in… under local jurisdiction. There are states that have models that we can use to put child welfare within the context of multidisciplinary teams of cops and doctors and teachers and other… other people who are charged with seeing abuse and neglect, who see it all the time. But if what we have is a state agency that comes in on top of that and is more interested in filling out a form in order to cover its own ass than it is to understand what it is to take care of kids in this state, in their own communities, then damn it why are we here? Why are we here if we're not willing to protect the most vulnerable among us by doing something different than it's been done for the past 25 years? Ronald Reagan once said about the Soviets, trust, but verify. Well, tell you what, I'm not going to trust, but I'm certainly as hell going to verify every single thing that goes on with this agency, this new agency, I want to know about it. And I think every one of us here should want to know about it because there isn't one of us who doesn't have a case in our own districts where this 10300058.docx 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 agency has fallen on its face and kids have been harmed as a result. It's up to us. It's up to us. I'm asking for your help. Join me. Thank you."
"On page 3 of the Calendar, under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 445, offered by Representative du Buclet. Representative du Buclet is recognized." du Buclet: "Thank you, Madam Chair. Point of personal privilege. Today, I…"
"Please proceed." du Buclet: "Thank you. Today, I am here to honor and give recognition to one of the middle and working classes most tireless dedicated and hardworking fighters, the legendary William McNarium… William McNary. Please join me in celebration of William's retirement after 38 years. Throughout his career, William has been on the front lines of numerous issues. From making taxes fairer and ensuring affordable health care for all, to reforming our out-of-date campaign finance laws, William has done it all. He has played an important role in national history by serving as the Speaker for the then candidate President Barack Obama, the first black President in our nation's history. He also served as the first president of USAction, a DC-based advocacy group that is focused on passing legislation that improves the lives of working- and middle-class families throughout our country. Most recently, he has served as the legislative chair of Responsible Budget Coalition and the director of Citizen Action Illinois. Both organizations have fought tirelessly to ensure that our state's finances stay on track and our dollars 10300058.docx 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 are prioritized to go towards those with the greatest need. Additionally, he also serves on the boards of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability and the Environmental Law and Policy Center. During election season, he has worked with the Rainbow/Push Coalition to invigorate voting in the black community. And what is perhaps most impressive about Mr. McNary is the fact that he did this and much more all while being married, I know his wife, and raising six wonderful children. I wish him nothing but the best in his future. And I want him to enjoy his retirement. He deserves it, even though we will all miss him. Again, please join me in congratulating William McNary on his retirement after a lifetime of service to the American people and the people of Illinois. Please stand. He's in the Speaker's Gallery. Please stand, Mr. McNary."
"Congratulations, Mr. McNary. Well deserved. Chair recognizes Representative Syed."
"To the Resolution. Well, to William, really. In the short nine months I have spent here as a Legislator, you have been such a beacon of joy. And I'm very excited for you to embark on your next journey, but selfishly, I am very sad. I'm sad for myself and I'm sad for Springfield because you certainly will be missed. And everyone knows there is no one in Springfield like William McNary. And there's no one in the world, quite frankly, like William McNary. You are a gem and I feel so fortunate to have worked with you. Thank you for all the lessons you have taught me. Thank you for reminding me that justice delayed is not justice denied. It is just 10300058.docx 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 justice delayed. And I know I'll remember many of these lessons in the work I do. Thank you, William."
"Representative du Buclet moves for the adoption of House Resolution 445. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. Resolution is adopted. Chair recognizes Representative Weber. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"A point of personal privilege, Madam Speaker."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. I'd like to bring the chamber's attention to a friend of mine and former mayor of Lake Villa, Frank M. Loffredo, who, at 78 years old, passed away last Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Mayor Frank was born January 15, 1945 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His family moved to Illinois, where he graduated from Waukegan High School and then Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He clearly loved being at school, as he continued with his Master of Business from the Governors State University and worked on his Doctoral…"
"Excuse me, Representative. Members, please. Please continue."
"Thank you, Madam Chair. Where he continued to work on his Doctoral of Education at Vanderbilt and was complete… completing a dissertation, which included a dental technology manual for the deaf and hard of hearing. On March 16, 1968, Frank Loffredo married Carole Jean Ham at St. Martin Catholic Church in Washington Park, Illinois and together moved to Lake Villa in 1970. He worked as a professor and department chair teaching dental technology and prosthetics at Triton 10300058.docx 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 College. He finally retired from education after 35 years from Triton College. He started his public service with the Village of Lake Villa as a planning commissioner in 1978. He then was elected as a village trustee in 1985 and then elected mayor in 1993. Mayor Frank served as a total of 24 years as mayor of Lake Villa until he retired in 2017. Mayor Frank Loffredo took on many projects to improve the community he loved so much. He oversaw the building of the Metra Station, the purchase and restoration of the Lehmann Mansion, and development of the community baseball complex. Mayor Loffredo received the Businessman of the Year award in recognition for his ongoing community development and commercial projects and even received the village recognition of his service by naming of the Frank Loffredo Park. Frank is survived by his wife, Carole, of 55 years, their sons, James Loffredo and Joseph (Megann) Loffredo, and their grandchildren, Maxwell and Jesse Loffredo. Frank will always be remembered as a friend who cared about the community and everyone who lived in Lake Villa and the area. Frank, you will be missed. And I would ask this chamber to please take a moment of silence."
"Members, a moment of silence, please. Thank you. Leader McCombie, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Madam Speaker, just a moment, please. We've had a few death Resolutions or comments of people that have died, and just decorum of the chamber, just a friendly reminder. I know it's very loud in here sometimes and you do a great job of calling it to our attention, but if everybody would have some respect for the chamber and for the Member who's speaking on 10300058.docx 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 both sides of the aisle, that we pay attention and stand up in respect, please. Thank you."
"Thank you, Leader. On page 2 of the Calendar, Bills on Second Reading, House Bill 4140… 4148, offered by Speaker Welch. Chair recognizes Leader Keicher."
"Madam Speaker, the Republicans would request an immediate caucus."
"Representative, how long will you need for your caucus?"
"As long as it takes. Should… it shouldn't be too long. Half an hour, 45 minutes, we hope."
"The Republicans will caucus for 45 minutes-ish in Room 118. And the House will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. I missed the bell. Under Order of Resolutions, House Resolution 458, offered by Representative Nichols. Take your time, Representative. Representative Nichols is recognized."
"All righty. That was… that was quite a sprint there, Leader Manley. I mean, like, you usually be my… you're my friend, but okay. Welcome back, everybody. WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Jeanette Anderson on the occasion of her retirement from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce on November 7, 2023 after 40 years of service; and WHEREAS, Jeanette Anderson attended Simeon High School for two years and then Jones Commercial High School, where she completed a two-year program allowing students to obtain skilled office work experience, graduating in 1976; and 10300058.docx 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 WHEREAS, Jeanette Anderson started working as a receptionist for the Chamber of Commerce in downtown Chicago, holding that position for 15 years; and WHEREAS, Jeanette Anderson was then promoted to the Membership Department as a secretary; and WHEREAS, Jeanette Anderson assumed the duties of supervisor of Financial Transactions for the Finance Department in 1999; and WHEREAS, Jeanette Anderson assumed the duties of office manager in 2001, and while still holding that position, she was promoted to assistant to the chief operating officer in 2015; and WHEREAS, Jeanette Anderson was promoted to her current position as the administration and membership manager in 2023; and WHEREAS, Jeanette Anderson has two daughters, five granddaughters, one sister, two brothers, three nieces, and one nephew; and WHEREAS, In her free time, Jeanette Anderson enjoys sewing, barbecuing… I'm going to get some of that… and assembling products; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Jeanette Anderson on the occasion of her retirement from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce on November 7, 2023 after 40 years of service; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Jeanette Anderson as a symbol of our esteem and respect. It just lets us know that, even in this day and age, you can work your way up to the top of a major Chamber of Commerce 10300058.docx 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 and run it. Jeanette, thank you so much for everything you've done for the State of Illinois. We love you, and enjoy the rest of your time in Springfield. Thank you."
"Representative Nichols moves for the adoption of House Resolution 458. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. On page 2 of the Calendar, House Bill 4148, offered by Speaker Welch. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4148, a Bill for an Act concerning government. This Bill was read a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Speaker Welch, has been approved for consideration."
"Speaker Welch on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd ask for adoption of House Amendment #1, and we can debate it on… on Third Reading."
"Speaker Welch moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, any further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4148, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Speaker Welch."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Members of the House, I rise today to present House Bill 4148. This Bill is the culmination of months of diligent research and thorough 10300058.docx 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 conversation. It's been a collaborative effort to ensure that we get it right because, upon passage of both chambers and signing by the Governor, this Bill will be historic legislation. This legislation will allow legislative employees in the House and Senate to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their choosing for the first time in our state's history. Something I've remained firm on is that this legislation must give employees equal opportunity to join a union and make their voices heard. That's why I wanted to ensure that we included Democratic and Republican staff in both chambers as well as nonpartisan staff that are critical to the legislative process. I'm not sure if everyone here knows that we have almost 200 hardworking employees that work behind the scenes that make this place go. We are nothing without these almost 200 employees. We have janitors that do an amazing job of keeping this place immaculate. We have our clerks that, without our clerks, I don’t know what we would do. And the IT people, most of us still are learning how to turn our computers on. Thank God for our IT people. Thank God for our doorkeepers who keep us safe. There's a whole lot of people here that deserve equal opportunity to join a union. This legislation creates the Office of State Legislative Labor Relations, which will be responsible for negotiating agreements. Because of the nature of the work we do here in this building, though, this legislation also has some exclusions. Consistent with the Public Labor Relations Act, existing law, the Bill exempts specific high-level policy positions, confidential employees, managerial employees, and supervisors. We've also put in some 10300058.docx 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 parameters regarding what can and cannot be bargained for, such as qualifications and elections of Members of the General Assembly, choosing leadership of committee chairs, and the establishment of committees. All of this coincides with our current labor laws as well as what we're seeing in other states that are navigating this very issue. We've seen it in the State of Oregon in 2021. We just saw it in the State of California this past month, where it passed the Legislature and the Governor signed it into law. And we also saw it in the State of Washington. But it's also happening in other states as well. As I did yesterday in committee, I also wanted to take a moment in this chamber to publicly recognize and thank our staff for making us think again. It's okay to think again. When we pause and think again, we can learn new ways of doing things. We can get fresh perspectives on how those things can be done. And so, I think it's important that we thank our staffers from my office who brought this discussion forward last November. I thought they were courageous. And I want you to know that these employees have been heard, and we support these employees. And honestly, I believe they should be applauded. Brady Burden, Kelly Kupris, Logan Owens, Mike Wasielewski, and all those behind this effort to help us think again. Can we give them a round of applause, please? I believe in workers' rights and always will believe in workers' rights. And that's exactly why I'm standing here introducing this monumental piece of legislation. To all of our staff, you make our work possible. Thank you for what you do. You keep this place running and you help us deliver results for the people of this great state. And I think all of our staff 10300058.docx 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 deserves a round of applause. Thank you for what you do. Madam Speaker, I'm going to open up for questions, but I just want to, you know, kind of front what was in the Amendment 'cause I know this Bill was a result of several meetings. We took a lot of things into consideration from those meetings. We met with our staff. We're a part of ILSA. We met with House GOP staff. We met with Senate Dems. We met with our staff again. And as a result of that, we did come with an Amendment that was filed last night. That Amendment makes various technical changes and changes for conformity with the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. There were some things that I honestly believe were drafting errors that we just missed. Some of the other changes include moving up the effective date for the creation of the actual Office of the State Legislative Labor Relations to July 1 of 2025, have the office in place before the actual effective date of the remainder of the Bill of July 1 of 2026. You know, I also think it was important to recognize the importance of, you know, getting this law into effect, but we… we also want to make sure we have a sustainable on-ramp to prepare for these changes. This Amendment also removes the weighted vote method of appointment for the director of the office. That was raised in committee yesterday. It was raised in meetings that I… I talked about that occurred in the last month. It clarifies that newly elected officials are not obligated to continue employing their predecessor's staff after turnover in an election. And we have added a severability clause. There are several changes that we've added, specifically as a result of the conversations, the great conversations we've had with our 10300058.docx 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 staff, including we changed the number of days' notice required to strike to 5, down from 30, to be consistent with the Public Labor Relations Act. And so, I'm thankful for everyone who has helped us shape this historic piece of legislation. I'm… I'm certain we will continue working on it in the Senate. But I am happy to take questions here today."
"Chair recognizes Leader Spain."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates that he will."
"Mr. Speaker, thank you for being here today. And just have a few questions. I'll start with the Amendment. So, I understand the… the fair share language, that may have been something you were referring to related to Janus. I don't know if that was a drafting error or not, but that… that is now removed, correct?"
"That was removed."
"Okay."
"That was language that the Janus decision found unconstitutional. And in conformance with that Supreme Court opinion, we took it out of this Bill."
"Okay. The… you mentioned removal of the weighted vote for the selection of the director of the Office of State Legislative Labor Relations. There was sort of a two-part weighting in the original drafting of the Bill, both a weighting based on the size of each caucus and then an additional weighting. Have both of those weighted provisions been removed?"
"At your suggestion yesterday? Yes." 10300058.docx 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"Thank you. And… and I do appreciate that. It's consistent with many of the other bipartisan, bicameral framework that we have in place in the General Assembly. And thank you for the clarification on if there is turnover in an office and the… the retainage of that staff. And I also greatly appreciate, on behalf of the bipartisan, bicameral Members that work within JCAR, some of the exemptions for the rulemaking process as well, which continues some of the negotiations that take place at a legislative level and then move forward. I had some questions about… let me start first… and some of these things we just may not have the answers to yet. They may be subject to bargaining. But right now, you as the Speaker or Leader McCombie as the Republican Leader, has a broad discretion in time served, you know, work hours and conditions for employees. Or even, you know, after we adjourn Session in May, you know, there may be… staff is given a day off work to catch up and recuperate. How will things like that… going forward, will you maintain that flexibility or is that a subject of bargaining now?"
"The Bill outlines things that are specifically not subject to bargaining. So, I'll defer you to the Bill."
"I just don't know the… the answer to that. I haven't seen that in the Bill, Mr. Speaker. Do you…"
"It… there are…"
"And as a follow-up, will there be… we will have exempt employees and nonexempt and there will… will there be any differences in you know… would you, as Speaker, be able to offer a day off or a flexible work policy if that's not 10300058.docx 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 available and agreed to in the bargaining within the unionized staff?"
"Well, in practice, typically what happens with employees who are not in a bargaining unit, you typically follow what is in a collective bargaining unit."
"Right. Okay."
"To be consistent."
"You talked about the notification for strike moving from 30 days down to 5. Is there still language in the Bill that protects or restricts the ability to strike during months in which the Legislature's in Session?"
"That… that language remained in the Bill."
"Okay. And then if there were a strike, we talked in committee about, you know, other bargaining units that have an impact on the public's health, safety, welfare, and well- being. Police officers, firefighters use interest arbitration as a resolution instead of the ability to strike. What… what would be the treatment towards interest arbitration for unionized legislative staff?"
"Well, this Bill gives them the ability to strike. However, they cannot strike during months where Session days are scheduled. You were here, a number of folks were here during the 736 unprecedented days of a budget impasse, and we all saw what that did to organizations and communities across this state. I don't think there's anyone in this chamber that ever wants us to go through that situation again. And so, this is a nod toward recognizing a union. But in this unique space, there are some things that we have to consider. All of us are going to leave this place one day. And when we're gone, 10300058.docx 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 we want to set up a system that's going to still allow government to work. And so, we give them that right to strike, just not during months where Session days are scheduled."
"Okay. I understand. I had a question about our district office staff, and there would be a separate bargaining unit for district office staff. I see that you created some exemptions or clarified them in the Amendment that excludes district office chief of staffs and deputy chief of staffs. Are there any requirements associated with those position? Is there an overall staffing requirement in a district office? In other words, do I need to have X number of employees in my office before I could employ a chief of staff?"
"No."
"Okay. So, there's flexibility then for individual Members and how they would choose to operate their district office. Is there an ability for a Member to… to pay an exempted employee in their district office above the scale that is established within the bargaining unit?"
"If they are exempt from collective bargaining, they can pay them whatever they want to pay them. If they're part of the…"
"And if they're part of the bargaining unit?"
"They… that's subject to collective bargaining."
"They're at the scale? Okay. Madam Speaker, to the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"Speaker Welch, thank you for answering my questions. I appreciate many of the adjustments that you made in the Amendment that were a result of our discussion in committee yesterday. I think this is a really interesting topic. I think 10300058.docx 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 we certainly all appreciate the incredible work that is done by the staff, every single person that is part of making this government work. We all rely on our staff who all do an incredible job. I know it's a tough job. I know it includes a lot of hard work, a lot of late nights. I don't know if this Bill becomes law if we could expect to see some changes in how our business works as a House. Maybe that could be a very good thing. I'm one who believes in… could point to many examples of all-nighters here in this chamber or at the Bank of Springfield Center that, in my opinion, have not resulted in very good outcomes at a policy level. And they certainly weren't very good environment for our staff to work. I don't know what this Bill will do to change those realities for our staff or for the decisions we make in this chamber. But look forward to continuing the discussion and seeing what steps happen next. I do think that there are a lot of questions here, and I don't know that any of us will have all the answers to them. And there may very well be some unintended consequences that we will learn about as we go. But, Mr. Speaker, thank you for your time today."
"Chair recognizes Leader Windhorst."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates that he will."
"Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate you bringing this Bill forward. I have some questions, primarily around how these changes will impact in-district staff. Currently, in-district staff is employed by whom?"
"The Representative." 10300058.docx 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"Are they deemed employees of the Clerk's Office, currently, under current law?"
"Technically, yes."
"Technically, they are employees of the Clerk's Office, but we are given broad discretion on hiring and firing, wages, working conditions as an at-will employee?"
"Yes."
"If this Bill were to become law, who would be the employer of in-district staff?"
"That relationship doesn't change."
"So, technically, the individual in-district staff would be employees of the Clerk's Office?"
"Technically, yes."
"Okay. So, issues such as administrative cost, IRS reporting, workers' compensation insurance, all those issues would continue to remain as they currently do?"
"Yeah, I don't see anything that changed that… what that relationship would look like."
"But for purposes of collective bargaining, if this becomes law, they would be considered employees of each individual Legislator. Is that accurate?"
"Leader, I'm going to use an analogy that my chief counsel has been using…"
"Okay."
"…in this discussion. And the analogy he's been using is the NFL, where you have the National Football League, which was governed by a collective bargaining agreement. There's an overall structure that every NFL franchise has to follow. But we know that each individual franchise is run 10300058.docx 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 very differently. The Green Bay Packers, unfortunately, are very different than the Chicago Bears. You know, they win a lot more than we do, and that's based on how the organizations are run. Each district office will still have that ability to run individually, have its own personality. But what the collective bargaining agreement will do for those employees who are subject to the collective bargaining unit, they would have to operate within that framework."
"Thank you. One other question that has been raised, just to get some clarification on, the in-district staff would still be technically employed by the Clerk's Office but would be deemed, for purposes of collective bargaining, individual Legislator's employees. Does that in any way change or affect the liability of Legislators if we are sued for any employment practice that occurs in the office? So, if you're dealing with staff who's employed by the Clerk's Office, or technically the state, they would sue the state. The individual Legislator would not have any liability. Does this change by referring to them as being employed by the individual Legislator impact personal liability?"
Speaker Welch: "I don't believe it changes the legal relationship."
"And if such a suit were to occur, would legal representation be provided to our individual Legislators or would we be responsible to provide our own legal representation?"
"Well, I think the answer to that question is very similar to what we do now. I… I think you have to examine each case on a case-by-case basis, make sure we're aware of 10300058.docx 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 the facts, seek opinion of the counsels of the respective caucuses, seek opinions of the Attorney General. That's what we do now. Nothing's going to change when this becomes law."
"And as it relates in-district staff and their right to strike, if in-district staff, as a union, votes to strike, that would impact every legislative office in this state. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"So, even if offices… obviously, we employ just a few people, one or two people. They may not want to strike. They would be obligated to strike if the whole union voted to strike?"
"If they're not exempt employees. And under the Amendment, a chief of staff, a deputy chief of staff, or a functional equivalent, would be exempt. If they're not exempt and they're part of the collective bargaining unit, and in your hypothetical if there is a strike, they get to go on strike too. That's how collective bargaining works."
"Yes, but even if they don't want to strike, they're obligated to strike, would be the… also the counter to that."
"Unless they want to walk across the picket line? I don't encourage that, but that's their right."
"As it relates to the wages that are paid to unionized employees, is it the intention that those will still be paid out of the Legislator's district allotment?"
"Yes."
"Thank you. Appreciate your answers to my questions."
"My pleasure."
"Chair recognizes Leader Davidsmeyer." 10300058.docx 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Speaker yield?"
"He indicates that he will."
"I want to go back on a couple things really quick. So, if you pay your legislative staff, a brand-new member of legislative staff, $35 thousand a year and mine is getting paid $45 thousand a year, if the collective bargain… collectively bargained rate is less than the 45, will my staff member lose wages?"
"If there's a collective bargaining unit in place and if the employees are subject to the collectively bargaining unit, that's what salary would control."
"So, it's possible they could lose salary?"
"In your hypothetical? I… it's possible."
"I mean, to be fair, I'm sure that we have a number of legislative staff. And I'm talking about district staff mostly. You know, mine may… may not necessarily do more, but do different things than… than staff in other districts, but they're going to come up with a wage rate for each and every legislative staff no matter if they live in Chicago with a higher cost of living or in Murrayville with a lower cost of living?"
"Let me… let me emphasize the language that's in the Amendment. You, as the Legislator, have the authority to hire a chief of staff, a deputy chief of staff, or a functional equivalent. If that's what you do, that position would be exempt from the bargaining unit. I mean, we're not even having this discussion. Pay them whatever you want. Pay them your entire allotment if you want."
"As well as the additional…" 10300058.docx 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"If they're part of the collective bargaining unit, the way a collective bargaining unit works is that's… those are the negotiated salaries and that's what they would get paid."
"It is certainly possible for a member of staff to have a decrease in wage. So, in… in committee, we discussed… I asked a couple questions about this. You've… you've never had the privilege of serving in the Minority Party, unfortunately. I think everybody should have that opportunity at some time in their… in their career, in their life. Our staff often… often operates at a disadvantage because they haven't had the opportunity to sit at the table during negotiations, whether it's budget, whether it's some of the larger Bills that we deal with that are sometimes rushed through. So, our staff is tasked with the job of figuring out why something is written a certain way. Not only that, but going through page by page to figure out what changes were actually made. And… and I want to just get this on the record that you assure us that when, say the SAFE-T Act is passed at 2:30 in the morning, that our staff will have ample time to review that within the constraints of time. Because we know that one of the… one of the gripes from members of your staff has been the hours and sometimes the working conditions. So, I just want to make sure that we are given ample amount of time. Because at 2:30 in the morning, they may not be able to call an association or something like that to get the background of why something was written… written a certain way." 10300058.docx 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"As I said to you yesterday in committee, since I've been Speaker, I have been committed to making this place run better. We have continued to improve our processes, continued to try to do better, continued to try to give you more time to read Bills. We were very intentional about doing our budget different than we've ever done it before. And instead of using that ample time to read the budget, you wrapped it in a bow and stuck in on the desk. I would've recommended you use that ample time, instead of wrapping it in a bow, to read the budget."
"I didn't wrap any budget in a…"
"Because… because if you… if you read the budget, you would've seen in that document, that you voted 'no' to, that your caucus of 40 Members get the same amount of money that our caucus gets with 78. Your Members are getting paid more money than our Members, staff, because you have the same amount of money that we do, even though you vote 'no'."
"I… this wasn't a…"
"So, don't talk to me about fairness. We're here trying to do something better for our staff, but what is really wrong here is that your staff makes more than my staff because… and you don't even vote for the budget. Think about what's wrong with that."
"We…"
"Think about what's wrong with that."
"And apparently we haven't had issues with staff retention that… that your side has had."
"Because Democrats vote for a budget that pay them." 10300058.docx 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"And you're the one that's having issues with retention. So, I just…"
"You have retention issues too, Representative, but they're less because Democrats vote for a budget that give you the same amount of money that we have to run a much larger staff. So, just do the math. Now, next year when I ask you to put votes on the budget, I'm going to recommend you put votes on the budget, again, or we're going to make some changes."
"I'd be… I'd be happy to work with you if we're involved in the negotiations, but this isn't about the budget."
"It is about the budget. It has a lot to do with the budget."
"A question that I asked you yesterday, in your discussions with Senate President… President Harmon, you said you hadn't… you spoke with him prior to filing the original Bill."
"That is correct."
"Have you had discussions with him prior to filing this current Amendment?"
"We, staff to staff, have had conversations."
"Have… have you gotten any understanding of where his caucus is on this Bill? 'Cause generally on… on larger Bills that deal with the effect… that affect both sides a little bit more, generally there is a little bit more tracking of where votes may be. Do you have any understanding of where his caucus will be?" 10300058.docx 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023
"As Speaker of the House, I've been working to understand where my caucus was on this issue, understanding where my staff was on this issue. We have had several conversations with staff in the other chamber. We're going to commit to continuing to have those conversations when this Bill is over in the Senate. We're going to allow the legislative process to work. This is a House Bill. We've had a lot of conversations. Those conversations are reflected in the Amendment. Will there be more conversations? I presume so. But has there been an agreement? No. The legislative process is working."
"So, we do not have agreement… sorry to interrupt."
"Legislative process is working."
"So, we do not have an agreement with the other side on this Bill?"
"No."
"Okay. So… so, will you continue to work… work this Bill on the other side?"
"I think this Bill is an excellent Bill. That's why I'm standing here presenting it. It's my hope that they would just pass it as is. But I recognize and respect the other chamber's right to take this through their process, to caucus with their caucuses. If they make changes, we're going to work through it with them."
"I would say probably, generally on a Bill that's taken this seriously that the negotiations between the two sides are generally a little bit closer. I… I'm not sure that this… this Bill is soup. I'm not sure that it's legitimate. I don't know where it's going to go in the Senate. And I know 10300058.docx 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 we don't always know where it's going to go in the Senate, but generally on things like this, we… we see the writing on the wall and the direction it's going. At this point, I think there's a lot of changes that need to be made, a lot of things that haven't been thought of. So, I look forward to seeing how this vote goes."
"Chair recognizes Leader McCombie."
"Thank you. To the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"So tired of hearing about how we don't vote for the budget because there have been Republicans that have voted for a budget. And our office reached out to your office every week, except for a couple, sat down with you, asked about a budget. Before we had a budget, and we're going to keep rehashing this, the question was, how many votes, how many votes, how many votes? What's the budget, what's the budget, what's the budget? Deputy Leader and I sat here until 9:30 at night. Showed up for meetings. There were no meetings. Your own caucus wasn't aware of what was in the budget before you sat with the Governor and spoke with the Governor and the President of the Senate of what was in the budget. We all know this, so let's knock it off. It's fine. If you don't want us in negotiations, so be it. We get it. We're the minority. There's 40 of us. That's fine. This is about staff, that's right. But our staff staffs the same amount of committees that your staff does, without the insight of what's going to be called in those said committees. So, if you're talking about having respect for staff, then have respect for staff and give ours a heads up. And like you said, we do it 10300058.docx 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 with less. Our staff works very hard and so does yours, and we appreciate that. We work through our issues with our staff. Our staff has an issue with pay. Our staff has an issue with benefits. Our staff has an issue with flex scheduling. We sit down with our staff, and we figure it out. That's what good leaders do. So sick of hearing about the budget. We want to vote on a budget. We want to sit at the table. You know what we don't want to hear? When Leader Durkin negotiates a capital Bill with Speaker Madigan and puts 20 Republicans on a capital Bill, and we get our proportion of said capital Bill, and there's $41.8 million still sitting out there. And the current Speaker says to me, forget it. Not my Bill… not my deal. Not my deal, get over it. Move on. That's not how we do business in Springfield. You want agreed processes, you want things done right here in Springfield, then behave properly. This is really about staff, you would've taken it back to committee like the staff asked you to. And you also would've worked with the Senate. This isn't about all four caucuses. Do better."
"Speaker Welch to close."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, Members of the House. I want to, again, thank our staff for helping us think again. I want to thank the lady standing on my left who spent all summer answering the call, the charge, to do the research, to be diligent and thorough, to help us do better. And I'm grateful for the work that Kendra Piercy did to get us here today. Can we give Kendra a round of applause, please? And I… I said this yesterday, and I'm going to… I'm going to just say it again here today, that everyone here knows that 10300058.docx 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 I like to talk about our why. And… I want to talk about why I'm standing here today sponsoring this Bill to allow all General Assembly employees to unionize. I told the story about my dad, how he worked in a union most of his life. And when my parents bought their first house in Bellwood, Illinois, shortly after that, my dad's company decided it was going to move the company to Georgia, a right-to-work state. They said he would still have a job, but it wouldn't be a union job. My dad put it to a vote, asked the family what did we want to do, and the family voted to stay in Illinois. I don't know if I'd be standing here if we didn't stay in Illinois, but my dad was unemployed because of that family vote. And in order for my dad to pay for that new mortgage, to continue to take care of our family, he had to work two full-time jobs to make the same amount of money he made in one union job. I watched my dad go to work at one company from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and drive from 2 to 3 p.m. to the next one, and work 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the second job every day just so he can take care of his family. So, I can tell you why I believe in unions. I can tell you why I believe in the right to collectively bargain. I can tell you why I believe in the American dream. I can tell you that because unions have always provided a path for people to do better, a path to the middle class. I saw what it did for my family. I've seen what it does for so many families across this state. That's why I fought along with so many people on this side of the aisle for the passage of the workers' rights Amendment. This is a workers' right state. We will never, ever be the State of Georgia. Right to work is wrong. Always has been, always will be. We believe in workers' 10300058.docx 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 rights. And yes, yes, I think we can always do better. And since becoming Speaker, knowing that we have had staff issues for a long time, not just on the Democratic side, in all four caucuses. These issues have gone on for a long time. So, I have tried to address them even without a union in place. Since becoming Speaker, we have worked hard to make the environment here better. We have restructured our office so that employees have clear… clearer and better job descriptions. This way they know exactly what their responsibilities are. Believe it or not, in 2018 job descriptions didn't exist. We've given raises every year to get salaries up to a better, livable wage and raised the base salary nearly every year for most positions. And that effort is ongoing. To be more specific, from 2020 to today, legislative assistants, from 2020… I want to make sure you understand the time line here. From 2020 to today, legislative assistants have received a 43 percent increase in salary. Research analysts have received about a 23 percent increase since 2020. Same with the communication specialists, same with the legislative coordinators. And our janitors have received a 22 percent increase since 2020. Our employees have day-one benefits. For most of our employees, there's no more probationary period. For those few positions that do still have a probationary period, we have made sure that we provide 100 percent reimbursement for their health insurance that they purchase. You know what? Two summers ago, that was not the case. But it is the case today. The majority of our employees get health and pension benefits on the first day, on day one. This was the right thing to do, especially when 10300058.docx 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 we were existing in the period of COVID. But we can do better. We can always do better. And that's why I think it is important that we think again. Like Adam Grant, the writer, says, like Steve Jobs says, think different. We can be better if we think different. We can be better. But what's happening here and what you continue to see play out on the floor from time to time is that you see some people playing a finite… and infinite game with a finite mindset. And let me explain what I mean by that. In a finite game, people play to win or lose, like football, baseball, golf, soccer. There's always a winner and loser. That's a finite game. But here, when we come here, this is an infinite game. Everyone in this room is going to be replaced or move on. There's going to be someone else here, but the business of government is going to go on, with new people. What we have to do is play this infinite game with an infinite mindset and have a just cause and say, what can we do when we're thinking and rethinking to make this place go better? What can we do? We can't be afraid of change. To ask yourself what's best for me is finite thinking. To ask yourself what's best for us is infinite thinking. This Bill is infinite thinking. I'm thankful for those employees for challenging us. You don't know it, but you're going to be challenged too, every single caucus. And I think you should think different. I think you should think infinitely and join us in the infinite game and pass HB4148. Thank you, Madam Speaker."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 4148 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have 10300058.docx 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 74 voting in 'favor', 35 voting 'opposed', 4 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Chair recognizes Leader Buckner. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"Madam Speaker, I would just like to acknowledge yesterday we took some time to welcome back Representative Will Davis. I want to welcome back Representative Thaddeus Jones, who is joining us today for the first time in a while. Welcome back, Representative Jones."
"So good to see you both. Chair recognizes Leader Windhorst."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Inquiry of the Chair. What is the status of HR446, support for Israel Resolution?"
"Mr. Clerk."
"HR446 is in the Rules Committee."
"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 456, offered by Representative Smith. House Resolution 457, offered by Representative Costa Howard. House Resolution 459, offered by Representative Johnson. House Resolution 461, offered by Representative Nichols. And House Resolution 462, offered by Representative West."
"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of Agreed Resolutions. All if favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed 10300058.docx 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Clerk, please read the Adjournment Resolution."
Clerk Hollman: "House Joint Resolution #43, offered by Representative Gabel. RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the House of Representatives adjourns on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, November 07, 2023, or to the call of the Speaker; and when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, October 26, 2023, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, November 07, 2023, or to the call of the President."
"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of the Adjournment Resolution. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Adjournment Resolution is adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Gabel moves the House stand adjourned until Tuesday, November 7. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 4177, offered by Representative Weber, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. House Bill 4178, offered by Representative Jed Davis, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. House Bill 4179, offered by Representative Meier, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. House Bill 4180, offered by Representative Syed, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4181, offered by Representative Evans, 10300058.docx 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 a Bill for an Act concerning State government. House Bill 4182, offered by Representative Niemerg, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 4183, offered by Representative Vella, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 4184, offered by Representative Vella, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 4185, offered by Representative Blair-Sherlock, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. House Bill 4186, offered by Representative Elik, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 4187, offered by Representative Davidsmeyer, a Bill for an Act concerning government. House Bill 4188, offered by Representative Weaver, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 4189, offered by Representative Smith, a Bill for an Act concerning conservation. House Bill 4190, offered by Representative Ness, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 4191, offered by Representative Sosnowski, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 4192, offered by Representative Canty, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. House Bill 4193, offered by Representative Ford, a Bill for an Act concerning hemp cannabinoids. House Bill 4194, offered by Representative Guerrero-Cuellar, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. House Bill 4195, offered by Representative Buckner, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 4196, offered by Representative Moylan, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 4197, offered by Representative Harper, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. House Bill 4198, offered by Representative Ammons, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. House Bill 4199, offered by Representative 10300058.docx 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 Flowers, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. House Bill 4200, offered by Representative Meier, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. First Reading of these House Bills. Introduction and reading in full of House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment #16, offered by Representative Friess. RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the State for adoption or rejection at the general election next occurring at least 6 months after the adoption of this resolution a proposition to amend the Illinois Constitution in Article XIII by adding Section 9 as follows: ARTICLE XIII GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 9. PARENTAL NOTIFICATION (a) As used in this Section: "Abortion" means the use of any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance or device to terminate the pregnancy of a woman known to be pregnant with an intention other than to increase the probability of a live birth, to preserve the life or health of a child after live birth, or to remove a dead fetus. "Actual notice" means the giving of notice directly, in person, or by telephone. "Adult family member" means a person over 21 years of age who is the parent, grandparent, step-parent living in the household, or legal guardian. 10300058.docx 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 "Constructive notice" means notice by certified mail to the last known address of the person entitled to notice with delivery deemed to have occurred 48 hours after the certified notice is mailed. "Medical emergency" means a condition that, on the basis of the physician's good faith clinical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of a pregnant woman as to necessitate the immediate abortion of her pregnancy to avert her death or for which a delay will create serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of major bodily function. "Minor" means any person under 18 years of age who is not or has not been married or who has not been emancipated as prescribed by law. "Neglect" means the failure of an adult family member to supply a minor with necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical care when reasonably able to do so or the failure to protect a minor from conditions or actions that imminently and seriously endanger the minor's physical or mental health when reasonably able to do so. "Physical abuse" means any physical injury intentionally inflicted by an adult family member on a minor. "Physician" means any person licensed in this State to practice medicine in all its branches. "Person under legal disability" means a person 18 years of age or older who has been adjudged by a court to be a person with a mental illness or a person with a developmental disability and who because of his or her mental illness or developmental disability is not fully able to manage his or 10300058.docx 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 her person or estate, and for whom a guardian of the person has been appointed as prescribed by law. "Sexual abuse" means any sexual conduct or sexual penetration that is prohibited by the criminal laws of this State and committed against a minor by an adult family member. (b) No person shall knowingly perform an abortion upon a minor or any person under legal disability, unless the person or his or her agent has: (1) given at least 48 hours' actual notice to an adult family member or legal guardian of the pregnant minor or person under legal disability of his or her intention to perform the abortion; or (2) received a written statement by a referring physician certifying that the referring physician, or his or her agent, has given at least 48 hours' actual notice to an adult family member or legal guardian of the pregnant minor or person under legal disability. If actual notice is not possible after a reasonable effort, the physician or his or her agent must give 48 hours constructive notice. (c) Notice shall not be required if: (1) the minor or person under legal disability is accompanied by an adult family member or legal guardian who is entitled to notice; (2) notice is waived in writing by an adult family member or legal guardian who is entitled to notice; (3) the attending physician certifies in the patient's medical record that a medical emergency exists and there is insufficient time to provide the required notice; or 10300058.docx 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 58th Legislative Day 10/25/2023 (4) the minor declares in writing that he or she is a victim of sexual abuse, neglect, or physical abuse by an adult family member who is entitled to notice. The person intending to perform the abortion must certify in the patient's medical record that he or she has received the written declaration of abuse or neglect. Any notification to public authorities of the alleged abuse that may be required under the laws of this State need not be made by the person performing the abortion until after the minor receives an abortion. SCHEDULE This Constitutional Amendment takes effect upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act. This was First Reading in full of House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment #16. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10300058.docx 62