"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."
"Let us pray. Bless this House and all who serve here. Amen."
"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Will Davis." Davis, W. - et al: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Ortiz: "Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Gabel is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."
"Speaker, let the record show that Representatives Ammons, Andrade, Croke, Guerrero-Cuellar, Mason, and Yednock are excused today."
"Leader Keicher is recognized to report any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that all Republicans are here to conduct the people's business today."
"Speaker, let the… have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 104 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports." 10300078.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024
Clerk Hollman: "Committee Reports. Representative Delgado, Chairperson from the Committee on Immigration & Human Rights reports the following committee action taken on March 13, 2024: do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 5371; and recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 2 to House Resolution 453. Representative Scherer, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools reports the following committee action taken on March 13, 2024: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4581, House Bill 4903; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 4622. Representative Evans, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor & Commerce reports the following committee action taken on March 13, 2024: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4426, House Bill 4743, House Bill 5089, House Bill 5256; and recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 4742 and Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 4819. Representative Walker, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration reports the following committee action taken on March 13, 2024: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4855, House Bill 5145, House Bill 5496, House Bill 5511; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 4908. Representative Morgan, Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Licenses reports the following committee action taken on March 13, 2024: do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 5135. Representative Stuart, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education reports the following committee action taken on March 13, 2024: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4252, House Bill 4360, House Bill 4938, House Bill 5365, House 10300078.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024 Bill 5450; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 4253. Representative Stava-Murray, Chairperson from the Committee on Public Health reports the following committee action taken on March 14, 2024: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 5027, House Bill 5076, House Bill 5290; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 5151. Representative Cassidy, Chairperson from the Committee on Restorative Justice reports the following committee action taken on March 14, 2024: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4843; and do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 4409. Representative LaPointe, Chairperson from the Committee on Mental Health & Addiction reports the following committee action taken on March 14, 2024: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4498, House Bill 5094, and House Bill 5313. Representative Mason, Chairperson from the Committee on Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Education reports the following committee action taken on March 14, 2024: do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 4491. Representative Tarver, Chairperson from the Committee on Counties & Townships reports the following committee action taken on March 14, 2024: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4440, House Bill 4942, House Bill 4993, House Bill 5287, and House Bill 5543. Representative Kifowit, Chairperson from the Committee on Personnel & Pensions reports the following committee action taken on March 14, 2024: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4109, House Bill 4662, House Bill 4870, House Bill 5083; and recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 2 to House Bill 4139. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 659, offered Representative Cabello, is referred to the Rules Committee." 10300078.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024
"Leader Gabel is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"I rise today to honor the Red Cross volunteers and the good work they do across Illinois. They are joining us from the Speaker's Gallery, if you'd like to stand. I'm… I'm pleased to sponsor House Resolution 639, along with Speaker Welch and Leader McCombie. Every year approximately 3,500 Red Cross volunteers spend their time providing aid to countless people across our state, many of whom are living the worst days of their lives. They support communities devastated by natural disasters. They assist families who have survived house fires. Every year, they hold thousands of blood drives to gather hundreds of thousands of units of blood for burn victims, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, and sickle cell disease. The Red Cross provides invaluable support for the brave men and women serving in our armed forces as well as their families. Veterans who have had to overcome serious challenges as a result of their sacrifices can look to the Red Cross for medical assistance. Red Cross volunteers have trained hundreds of thousands of people in first aid, CPR, and other lifesaving skills that have doubtless gone on to save lives in communities throughout Illinois. The House of Representatives of the 103rd General Assembly of the State of Illinois declares March 2024 Red Cross Month to honor all those who fulfill Red Cross founder Clara Barton's noble 10300078.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024 words, 'You must never think of anything except the need, and how to meet it.' Thank you for your service."
"Representative Halbrook is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to bring your attention to House Resolution 658. Up beside me here in the Republican side of the gallery is members of the Mt. Zion Braves basketball team. And let me just give you a few highlights of their historic season this year. The Braves went on to the state tournament for the first time in 20 years, making history every step of the way and setting a school record for wins against… 35 against and only 3 losses, 35 wins, 3 losses. The Braves only had one regular season loss, which was in January, defending… to the defending Class 3A champs. The Braves had a tournament win of 46… 47 to 46 over Centralia in the Class 3A Super-Sectional in Springfield, which was the closest margin of victory all season. The Braves won 33 of their 38 games this season by double digits. The Braves defeated their opponents by an average margin of 22.6 vote… points with a rotation primarily of non-seniors. At this point, I'm going to introduce the members and their coaches. And at this point, if you guys will just wave as we announce your name. Junior Sam Driscoll, senior Tucker Burrus, senior Makobi Adams, senior Chase Fink, junior Lyncoln Koester, senior Grant McAtee, senior Landon Weigler, sophomore Jacob Harvey, freshman Connor Fox, senior Owen (sic-Gage) Owens, junior Brayden Trimble, sophomore Will Grohne, freshman Connor Cuddy, junior Logan Auvil, sophomore JC Anderson. They're here with their head coach, Dale Schuring; JV coach, Jay Driscoll; freshman coach, Mike Greer; 10300078.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024 managers, Valerie Affeldt and Thomas Kanemaru. The athletic director, Rob Prange, is here. This is a district that is represented by myself and Representative Caulkins. And, guys, let's give them a great show of appreciation for this record- setting season here in Springfield. Thank you."
"Representative Halbrook moves for the adoption of House Resolution 658. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Congratulations, gentlemen. Representative Davidsmeyer is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Thank you. Today, I want to draw your attention to the Speaker's Gallery. Ladies, if you can stand up for me, I'd appreciate it. We have the 2024 ICCA Game Day state champion cheerleaders, 2024 IESA Small Routine state champions, the 2024 IESA Cheer Division third place. These are a great group of young ladies from my… both of my boys go to Jacksonville Middle School with these young ladies. Some great athletes that have a great future ahead. If the history tells us anything, they've got a great future ahead because they are celebrating the third year in a row of a state championship. I'm going to… I'm going to read… if you can give a little wave when I say your name. First off, I want to recognize their coach, Emily Hudson. We've… we've got eighth graders Jaelie Harp, Kaidynce McGillicuddy, Josie Meggison, Brooklyn Walker. We've got seventh graders Edith Bryson- Adams, Ella Chumley, Chloe Colen, Madalyn DeFrates, Madi 10300078.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024 Doerr, Elizabeth Guidish, Macee James, Mattisyn Weikert. Sixth graders Lydia Baptist, Violet Brockhouse, Kinsli Dobson, Hilary English, Marley McGuire, and Ellie Scott. So, I want to… everyone, if you could join me in congratulating another state championship team. We've got a lot more bragging to do on the 100th District coming up in the weeks to come, but I appreciate them allowing me to celebrate their great victory. So, congratulations, ladies."
"Representative Walsh, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"For a purpose of announcement, Mr. Speaker."
"Please proceed."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, after we enjoy a nice long weekend, we come back on Wednesday. The first reception of that evening will be the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, the largest bicameral, bipartisan caucus under the dome. Hope everyone can come out for the festivities. I just want to make sure it's on everybody's radar. Thank you."
"Representative Ness, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"So, I just want to make an announcement. Next week, COWL is hosting a leadership development program for women leaders. It's called Building a Legacy – Women and the Institution. This month of Women's History Month, we decided we wanted to do something with an emphasis on women leadership and development. Men are welcome as well, just know that the 10300078.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024 focus is on women as leaders. So, that's next Thursday, March 21, 9 a.m. in Room 402, right above. Hope you can make it."
"Representative West, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed."
"I just wanted to remind the Body that today is World Kidney Day, where it aims to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce a frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. And also wanted to give a quick shoutout to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and thank them for all the work they've done so far in our state. Thank you."
"Mr. Clerk, Rules Report. Representative Haas is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I rise to tell the House about a pioneering woman in Illinois State Government, Emma Boilvin, who is believed to be the first woman to work in the Old State Capitol. Emma Bailey was born in Pekin in 1852. She later received her schooling at the Sisters' Convent School in Peoria. She married William Boilvin in 1869, but after her wedding, her life took a bit of a tragic turn. The couple's son, also named William, died of cholera in 1873. And then Emma lost her husband not long after that, making her a widow at the age… young age of 21. But that same year, her brother- in-law, George Harlow, became Illinois' Secretary of State and hired Emma to run the State Library, making her the first woman to work in the Capitol Building. In addition to working in the building where Abraham Lincoln did some of his finest 10300078.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024 work, she also briefly lived in the Lincoln house at 8th and Jackson Street in Springfield before it was preserved as a historic landmark. She had a reputation of doing her job very well. In 1876, the Secretary wrote, 'She was admirably adopted for the position she so well fills,' and spoke of her earnestness and zeal in the performance of her work assigned to her. When Secretary Harlow left the office in 1881, Emma Boilvin stayed on at the State Library where her official title was clerk in charge of the State Library. But she was anything but just a clerk, she was effectively the library's director. As clerk in charge, Emma Boilvin led the efforts to reclassify and index all the books and documents in the State Library's possession, while better preserving the organization… in organizing the state's records, something 21st century historians still remain grateful for. She eventually retired from State Government and handed off her job to Edith Wallbridge, who was the first person to hold the more accurate title of assistant state librarian, ranking only below the Secretary of State himself. Emma Boilvin died in 1905 and is buried in Joliet. Today our State Library has grown and moved into its own building just across the street and is a resource for which all Illinoisans can be proud of. And while there are many people who deserve credit for the library's success, one of the most important is Emma Boilvin, who paved the way for women serving in State Government. Thank you."
"Representative Cassidy, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege." 10300078.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024
"Please proceed."
"As we head home for the weekend and celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Sunday, I want to remind everybody that when we come back on Wednesday, the annual Sullivan Caucus party will be at the Gin Mill on Wednesday from 6 to 10. There will be pipers. There will be corned beef. There will be beer. Hopefully, it won't be green. Happy St. Patrick's Day, everybody."
"Representative Canty is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"I rise today to celebrate Women's History Month by acknowledging the contributions of Dr. Marian Rogers Croak, a brilliant engineer and trailblazer for women and people of color in the scientific community. Born in New York in 1955, Croak showed academic aptitude from a young age. After receiving a chemistry set for a birthday, she became interested in science and ultimately earned a BA from Princeton and a PhD in quantitative analysis. Y'all, did you hear that? Quantitative analysis and psychology from the University of Southern California in 1982. Following her graduation, she joined AT&T Bell Labs to advance emerging technologies in digital communications. Her brilliance quickly carried her to a leadership position, where she eventually managed over 2 thousand engineers and 500 development projects, ultimately leading to more than 200 patents. She was one of the first black women to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and has received numerous other plaudits in years since. She's currently 10300078.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024 serving as the vice president of engineering at Google. Her most lasting contribution so far is one that we have all grown intimately familiar with in recent years. Croak spearheaded the growth of Voice over Internet Protocol, an essential technology behind Zoom, Google Meet, my personal favorite, FaceTime, and other audio and video conferencing services. So, the next time you join a committee via Zoom, you can thank a black woman. You can thank Dr. Marian Rogers Croak for not having to travel. In addition to being a brilliant innovator, Croak is endlessly quotable, and my favorite of one of her lines is simple. And I'm going to give it to you right here, and you take it with you. Take it all around. Use it on your Zooms, your Google Meets, your FaceTimes. 'Don't go for perfection. Go for significance.' Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions. Mr. Clerk, please read the Adjournment Resolution."
Clerk Hollman: "Senate Joint Resolution #52, offered by Representative Gabel. RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, March 14, 2024, it stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 20, 2024, or to the call of the President; and when the House of Representatives adjourns on Thursday, March 14, 2024, it stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 20, 2024, or until the call of the Speaker."
"Leader Gabel moves that… moves for the adoption of the Adjournment Resolution. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 10300078.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day 3/14/2024 'ayes' have it. And the Adjournment… Adjournment Resolution is adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Gabel moves that the House stand adjourned until Wednesday, March 20. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 5777, offered by Representative Windhorst, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 5778, offered by Representative Gordon-Booth, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 5779, offered by Representative Rita, a Bill for an Act concerning gaming. House Bill 5780, offered by Representative Morris, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 5781, offered by Representative Syed, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. House Bill 5782, offered by Representative Lisa Hernandez, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. First Reading of these House Bills. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10300078.docx 12