"The House shall be in order. Members should be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Minister Justin Odom. Minister Odom is with Mount Vernon Church of Christ in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Minister Odom is the guest of Representative Severin."
"Let's pray. Gracious and heavenly Father, as we gather in this esteemed Assembly of our State Representatives, I humbly come before you, recognizing your sovereignty over all affairs. I acknowledge that it is your wisdom that guides us and your grace that sustains us. Heavenly Father, grant this Assembly wisdom to govern justly and with integrity. Help this Body to set aside their agendas and partisan interests, seeking instead the common good and welfare of all our citizens. May your principles of justice, compassion, and righteousness be the foundation of their deliberations and decisions. Father, I pray for our leaders, both elected and appointed, that they may be filled with wisdom, discernment, and humility as they carry out their duties. Grant them clarity of mind, courage of conviction, and a heart of compassion for those that they serve. Bless, O Lord, the people of our state, from the youngest to the oldest, from the… every background and walk of life. I pray that you will be with us and you will unite us in our diversity through you and your word. Father, I commit this Assembly's deliberations and decision into your hands, trusting in your providence and seeking your will in all things. May their words and their actions bring glory and honor to your holy name. All these things I ask in Jesus' name. Amen." 10300106.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Swanson."
"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 Evans: "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 Flowers, Gong-Gershowitz, Guerrero-Cuellar, and Ladisch Douglass 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 Representative Bunting is excused for today."
"Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 112 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
"Corrected Committee Report from… from May 15, 2024. Representative Rita, Chairperson from the Committee on Executive reports the following committee action taken on May 15, 2024: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 536, Senate Bill 951, Senate Bill 3216, Senate Bill 3302; do pass as amended Short Debate is Senate Bill 692; and recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 2662. Committee Reports. Representative Delgado, Chairperson from the Committee on Immigration & Human Rights reports the following committee action taken on May 15, 2024: do… recommends be 10300106.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 adopted is House Resolution 737. Representative Scherer, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools reports the following committee action taken on May 15, 2024: recommends be adopted is House Resolution 734 and Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 463. The Chairperson with the Committee on State Government Administration reported the following committee action taken on May 15, 2024: recommends be adopted is House Joint Resolution 70, House Resolution 736, House Resolution 740, Floor Amendment(s) 3 to Senate Bill 2628, and Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 3157. Representative Evans, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor & Commerce reports the following committee action taken on May 15, 2024: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 5324, House Resolution 723, and Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 2907, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 3208, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 3592, Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 3646, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 3650; and recommends be adopted as amended is House Joint Resolution 69. Representative Stuart, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education reports the following committee action taken on May 15, 2024: recommends be adopted is House… is Floor Amendment(s) 2 to House Bill 307, House Resolution 728, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 3132, Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 3581, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 3771. Representative Crespo, Chairperson from the Committee on Appropriations- General Services reports the following committee action taken on May 15, 2024: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 3713; do 10300106.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 pass as amended Short Debate is Senate Bill… correction, House Bill 5172. Representative Mayfield, Chairperson with the Committee on Appropriations-Public Safety reports the following committee action taken on May 15, 2024: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4127, Senate Bill 3422; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 4489. Representative Lilly, Chairperson with the Committee on Appropriations- Health & Human Services reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 3268; and do pass as amended Short Debate is Senate Bill 2658. Representative Mussman, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 2 to House Bill 299. Representative Ammons, Chairperson from the Committee on Small Business, Tech Innovation reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is House Resolution 727 and Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 2682. Representative Stava-Murray, Chairperson from the Committee on Public Health reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is House Resolution 741, Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 2644, and Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 3112. Representative Mason, Chairperson from the Committee on Child Care Access… Accessibility & Early Childhood Education reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 814. Representative Jones, Chairperson from the Committee on Insurance reports the following committee action taken on May 10300106.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 3538. Representative Ann Williams, Chairperson from the Committee on Energy & Environment reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is House Resolution 731, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 2960. The Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Availability & Accessibility reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 2 to House Bill 581 and Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 582. Representative Will Davis, Chairperson from the Committee on Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 3768. Representative Burke, Chairperson from the Committee Revenue & Finance reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: do pass Short Debate is Senate Bill 3563; recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 2 to Senate Bill 3282. Representative Didech, Chairperson from the Committee on Gaming reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 394. Representative Morgan, Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Licenses reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 2586. Representative Slaughter, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary - Criminal reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 681, Floor Amendment(s) 1 to House Bill 4834, Floor 10300106.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 2643, and Floor Amendment(s) 1 to Senate Bill 3463. Representative Gabel, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on May 16, 2024: approved for consideration, referred to Third Reading is House Bill 4567. Introduction of Resolutions. House Joint Resolution 73, offered by Representative Mussman, is referred to the Rules Committee."
"Representative Benton, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"I just want to give a warm Springfield welcome to Vicki O'Leary, who happens to be a general organizer from the Ironworkers International, my union, proud ironworker. Vicki is doing a great job. She's down here with the Women in Trades trying to get more diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Ironworkers, and doing a great job from the Chicagoland area. And I also want to welcome Marisa Richards, who happens to be the director of outreach and engagement for the Painters District Council 30. She's doing a great job, again, on equity and inclusion. And she's always trying to get women into the trades and authored a book that's available, hardcopy and paperback, "Girls Who Build." So, check that one out, and let's give 'em a warm Springfield welcome."
"Representative McLaughlin, what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point." 10300106.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Thank you. Everyone in the chamber, before we see the final budget, which is usually rolled out in the wee hours of the morning, out of tradition or a lack of effective organizational skill, and, frankly, neither one serves any of us or our constituents well, can we please remember, our constituents are tapped out. If you've seen an MMA fight, they've… they've hit their arm three times. They are tapped out, they've had it, and they're leaving our state. Many people in this chamber and the Governor adamantly deny this is happening, but even Washingtonians get it. They've taken away a Congressional seat due to out-migration. Those who stay in Illinois, their pockets are empty and more people are on the edge financially. How do we know this? Personal debt is at an all-time high. As I hear from my constituents, and I'm sure many of you do, complaining about their property taxes, income taxes, service taxes and fees, for the record, IDR now collects over 80 individual line-item taxes. Why does that not bother anyone in this chamber? I can't stop thinking about… and Kam Buckner, I saw him at the… I know I can't see him right now, and I'm not… but Kam is a music devotee, as I am to soul music. Billy Preston, one of the great musicians of the time, had a song, "Nothin from Nothin Leaves Nothin." There are hundreds of millions of dollars that are being spent in revenue enhancements by the Governor. I call this Govsplaining, which is like mansplaining, but in this case, it's a lot more expensive for individuals, man, woman, child, and business. Governor, if you want to be a hero, restore LGDF to 10 percent while removing the grocery tax. Stop the prevarications regarding LGDF. The state is shorting our 10300106.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 towns by hundreds of millions of dollars. The Governor's Office, doing more Govsplaining, said to all of us 15 years ago, the state's giving a hundred percent more. Well, that's a partial truth. Ten years ago, there was ten billion in revenue, and they gave each one of our towns in aggregate a billion dollars. Today, it's 33.4 billion, and we're not giving anyone anywhere near 3.3 billion. What's this do to our property tax? It raises it, which isn't good for Illinois. So, Governor, don't be a zero. Put forth a zero-sum budget so we can have accountability, transparency for once in this state. Let's pass House Joint Resolution 44. Enough of living beyond our means, enough shifting the goal lines. Cut the tax hike proposals. Start eliminating wasteful spending for once in this chamber. Instead of nothing, let's leave something in the pockets of our constituents. When you consider and construct this budget, this final year budget, our final act in the chamber, let's make sure that we think of our constituents first. And for God's sake, let's present this budget during the day, not at 2 a.m., where the bright light of day is the best disinfectant for an awful budget. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Kifowit, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"Mr. Speaker, we have distinguished guests in the gallery and right here to my right on the House floor. First, I want to recognize, in the gallery is Liz McElroy, the general vice president, government affairs, International Union of 10300106.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 Painters and Allied Trades. Mandy Jo Ganieany, director of organizing, IUPAT District Council 30. And then we also have with us today Cynthia… or Vicki O'Leary, as was mentioned before, she was the director of diversity, general organizer Ironworkers, by my colleague, Harry Benton; and Deborah Chunn, marketing development representative, United Union of Roofers, Water Roofers and Allied Trades. So, Mr. Speaker, as mentioned before, today is Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield. I'm joined on the House floor by Missouri Senator Gina Walsh. Senator Gina Walsh was elected to the Missouri State Senate in 2012, pledging to honor hard work, aspirations, and faith to the people of North St. Louis County. She served in the Missouri Senate until January 2021. Prior to her service in the Senate, Senator Walsh served four terms in the Missouri House of Representatives, representing North St. Louis County 69th District. She's a graduate of Rosary High School and a lifelong resident of North St. Louis County. She is here because she was the first woman to graduate from the St. Louis Insulators Apprenticeship Program and the first female head of the Missouri State Building and Construction Trades Council, where she served as president. She's also the graduate of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Apprenticeship School. And she is a retired member of the Heat and Frost Insulator and Allied Workers Local 1, with over 35 years of experience in the trade. She's done enormous amount of work to support labor, has been recognized by groups like the Labor Management Council for her hard work. And currently, she's a deputy director of Heat and Frost Insulators Labor Management 10300106.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 Cooperative Trust. And, again, she is here because Trades Women Take Over Springfield. Tradeswomen, without a doubt, are the unsung heroes of our nation's infrastructure. They are the ones who tirelessly build our roads, bridges, and buildings, laboring in roles such as pipefitters, ironworkers, electricians, painters, operating engineers, to be part of who are here today. Along with that, we have boilermakers, we have sheet metal workers, we have the insulators, Midwest Carpenters, IBEW, plumbers, pipefitters, bricklayers, operating engineers, and roofers. And they are joined by the Finishing Contractors Association, which support our women in our trades. So, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, please… they will be here until 2:00. They are on our first floor. Meet the women of the trades as Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Olickal, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"So, I… I ask the Body to indulge me. I'm trying to do two things right here. So, first, I want… if you look up to the Speaker's Gallery, I have some special guests with me, my mom, my dad. So, I have Susan Olickal. I got Jojo Olickal here. I have my aunt and uncle, who are visiting from India for the first time, Joseph Pallan, Lovley Pallan. And I have my cousin, Jenny Olickal, here. So, please, if you could give them a warm Springfield welcome. But I… I also rise for a second reason, and that's for Asian American Heritage Month. So, with them… and so, when I… when I thought about who I 10300106.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 wanted to honor, what I wanted to honor, the only thing that I could think of was honoring an individual. And she has no idea that I'm doing this. She's up in the gallery. Her name is Chinnamma Olickal, and she is my aunt. And I believe she… she epitomizes what I believe is the collective experience of the Asian American community. I'm very lucky to have her in this chamber today. And earlier, she told me, this month, 50 years ago, she came to the United States for the first time. And… and that's why I wanted to honor her today. And so, in 1974, she bravely left her home in India, leaving behind a six-month old child, her husband to pursue a nursing career in the United States, driven by the hope for a better future for her family. It was incredibly challenging for her, not being able to hold her child for years or knowing when she would be able to see her parents or siblings, wandering a foreign country with little resources. And at a time she couldn't even find an apartment because landlords did not understand what she was. However, she persevered. She guided solely by the hope for a better future for her family. And little did she know that her decision would not only shape her own destiny, but a future generations of family that didn't exist, like myself. And so, today, I honor her sacrifice because her story embodies the story of so many Asian Americans and the immigrant experience, families who have made the same choice, in search of opportunity, guided solely by the dream of a world where their children might have an opportunity to succeed. And every generation of immigrants has faced doubt, prejudice, and barriers. Every single generation of those immigrants, whether they came here 10300106.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 on a visa, as a refugee, in a trunk of a car, or seeking asylum, they have proven those who doubted them wrong. And many of us… and if you… and many of us only sit here because of that determination. And we've all contributed to the fabric of this country. And if you doubt it, then look around this chamber. How many Members of this chamber are first- generation Americans, immigrants, refugees, who are forever committed to the promise of this country who… and who work every day to make the lives of their fellow Illinoisans a better place? So, my commitment to public service stems from the desire to protect the institutions and policies that enabled families like ours to flourish in this country. Our presence here is a testament to the investments made in those communities, providing us the opportunities to thrive and contribute to society. And I am confident that Illinois will stay a place where all families will thrive, but we must continue to reject the false idea of scarcity and the trap of pitting ourselves against one another. We have real challenges, that's no doubt, but we have real opportunities as well, as long as we affirm our shared belief in the promise of this country and the commitment to building a more inclusive and prosperous state for all. So, please, join me in welcoming my aunt and thanking her for making that decision to come here and welcome her to Springfield."
"Representative Harper, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point." 10300106.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"We would like to welcome nearly 24 4-H members from across Illinois who are attending the University of Illinois Extension 4-H Legislative Connection event today and tomorrow at the Capitol. These youth represent 19 different 4-H programs from counties reaching… from counties touching our Wisconsin border to our southernmost counties and across the state, representing nearly 100 thousand 4-H participants in all 102 counties. These teens represent the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team and 4-H members trained through the Speaking for Illinois 4-H Program. They have been active in their local 4-H clubs and communities in community service projects and 4-H learning experiences that include STEM, animal sciences, healthy living, civic engagement, and the creative arts. We know many of you are 4-H alumni or have a connection to 4-H. If you are a 4-H alumni or are engaged with 4-H, please stand and be recognized. A brand new 4-H Alumni Association is being formed, and we hope that you all will be a part of it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Swanson, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my opportunity to embarrass, I mean to recognize, my seatmate, General Rosenthal, as he celebrates another year of earth going around the sun. So, General, happy birthday, and everybody take the time to wish him a happy birthday today. So, thank you, General." 10300106.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Representative Weaver, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"I was recently given a book by world… world-renowned economist Art Laffer called "Rich States, Poor States," which raises extremely alarming statistics about the great state of Illinois. In his book, Laffer ranks each state based on their economic outlook, where Illinois ranks 45th. Despite Illinois' incredible resources and potential, our economic outlook is the 6th worst among all 50 states. From the bottom of my heart, my comments are not intended to indict anybody in this chamber. I fully understand that we're fighting a lot of bad decisions made in prior years and decades. But as we make final budget decisions, this reality is a great reminder for all of us. Our tax burden, as a percentage of income, ranks 38th worst. Our corporate income tax ranks 43rd most competitive. And our debt to revenue ratio ranks dead last, 50th out of 50. As we make spending… spending decisions, we, just like everyday citizens, always need to ask two questions. One, is this program a good idea? Sometimes, the answer may be yes. But we still need to ask the second question, can we afford it? More oftentimes, the answer is no. Our citizens are hurting, and they're leaving for greener, more competitive pastures. We need to start making hard decisions. Start answering the second question, and start saying no. Since 2020, our budget has grown by over a third, yet our problems persist and, in many cases, are getting worst. The answer is not more spending. The answer is using our vast 10300106.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 resources to make Illinois more competitive. Let's be more fiscally responsible so we can relieve the exorbitant income… the exorbitant burden on our citizens. Thank you."
"Representative Stuart, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"A point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"So, Members of the Body, I would like to introduce a very good friend of mine, Grace Knabe. She is here to Page with us today. She is joined by her mom, Sairee Knabe, one of the best social studies teachers you'll ever meet, up in the gallery. She's probably up there grading papers to not let her students down when she goes back to school tomorrow. But Grace is with me. She's a seventh grader at Liberty Middle School in Edwardsville, and she's a phenomenal tennis player. And she's looking forward to seeing the rest of what we do here today. Thank you."
"We'll be heading to the Calendar. Page 5, Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2872, Representative Faver Dias. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2872, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Faver Dias is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to present Senate Bill 2872. We have had many conversations, discussions in this Legislature about the mental health crisis we are facing. We also know that it is a persistent and increased issue after COVID for our young people. Senate Bill 2872 allows, it is permissive, there is no mandate, schools to 10300106.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 support students' mental health by allowing them to offer 20 minutes of relaxation to support their students' mental health in the form of mindful-based movements, yoga, stretching, meditation, breathing exercise, other mindfulness exercises, walking, and stress-relieving activities. This Bill will… also allows for the partnership of local private organizations that could support these efforts. These activities could take place in P.E., social-emotional learning class, student advisory, homeroom, or a new class if the school district chooses. There is no opposition, and I'm happy to answer questions. I encourage an 'aye' vote."
Speaker Evans: "Any discussion? Representative Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicated she will."
"Just so I have it clear, this is not a mandate, but it's permissive to the school districts. Is that correct?"
"Correct."
"Is there anything in law that prevents the school districts from doing this now if they wanted to?"
"No. But I think this is a… a necessary piece of legislation for a couple of reasons. One, it continues the work of destigmatizing mental health and we now can put it in statute that we are prioritizing it in our schools for our young people. We also know that Alabama had banned the practice of yoga. And I also think as a former advanced placement teacher, it empowers teachers to know that they can use this and they can meet the needs of their students' mental health during stressful times. So, yeah, those are a couple 10300106.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 reasons. It is not a mandate, but I think… and then the fourth, it explicitly allows for cooperation with private organizations within a community."
"But my understanding is all these things could occur now if school districts wanted to."
"Yes."
"All right. And so, it… to me it seems like this is superfluous or unnecessary."
"For the previous reasons I mentioned, I… I think that it is necessary. We have seen it banned in Alabama. Teachers can now point in statute if there would be an overzealous administrator that would walk in their room while they were doing mindful-based movements. To your point, my fourth grader's teacher does periodic mindful-based movements in the classroom to help them get out the wiggles. Yes, they could do it, but this explicitly allows them to do so."
"Well, I think one of the issues may be, while this not a mandate, we put so many mandates on our school districts that it's, not… not only is it financially burdensome, but it's providing… or, sorry, putting those burdens on them that they can't engage in other things that they may wish to. So, to the Bill. I think this… the intention of the Sponsor is good behind this Bill, but it's something that's… can already be occurring in school districts. So, I believe this is unnecessary. Thank you."
"Representative Wilhour is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicated she will." 10300106.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Thank you. We talked about this a little bit in committee. How do you… how do you square the… the thought that yoga is a spiritual activity? Certainly has its roots in spiritual activity being… having its roots in Hinduism and Buddhism and things of that nature."
"Yes. So, first of all, the expectation with the yoga that would be in class, that would be presented in class would be nonreligious, just like any other kind of activity in school. It would need to be from an academic perspective. So, first of all, I just want to put that in record. The same expectation would be there for the practice of yoga as bringing any other religious-based practice. But yoga today, there are many forms where it is not religious at all. And then I also think it's important that we recognize that many of our traditions within our school have religious foundations. Our school calendar is based on a Christian holiday calendar. We say the Pledge of Allegiance daily where we say 'under God.' The celebration of Halloween comes from pagan origins. And so, I think it is unfair to specifically have issues specifically with yoga because of its religious origins. Many of the practices that we have in daily life have historically religious origins. And, again, the expectation for the public schools would be to make it nonreligious, just like anything else."
"Is there an opt-out option for… for parents that don't want their kids participating in… because what… what you're doing here is you're allowing outside organizations to come in and basically facilitate this. And, you know, you never know what you're going to get with that… with that kind of 10300106.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 stuff. So, is there… is there a specific opt out for… for parents that don't want their kids participating in spiritual activities at school?"
"As we discussed in committee, there is not specific opt-out language in this piece of legislation. But as the school board administrator explained to us, school boards have policies, opt-out policies. And so, if a parent had an issue, then… with their students getting mental health mindful coping skills while in school, then they could certainly go to their local school board."
"Are you… are you familiar with the Quiet Time program…"
"No, I'm not."
"…that's been instituted in several schools?"
"No."
"You're not?"
"No."
"I would say that you would… should probably familiarize yourself with… with that. It's a… it's a program from the David Lynch Foundation. It's based on transcendental meditation. In fact, there is a class action lawsuit in the Chicago Public Schools right now because students are saying that they're basically being forced into a… into a situation where they're doing yoga and all these other transcendental mediations and it's against their… it's against their Christian values. But they're… they're forcing these people, basically, are coercion… using coercion to get these folks to do that. You haven't heard or read anything about that?"
"No. I have not." 10300106.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Okay. So, an ex-student of the Chicago Public Schools was just awarded $150 thousand from CPS as a result of her filing a lawsuit that forced her to participate in this Quiet Time program, this meditation program, which has basically been characterized as a thinly-veiled Hinduistic religious ritual. Your Bill is… would not prohibit something like this Quiet Time program. I understand that you're saying that this isn't a religious deal, but at the same time, you're bringing in outside organizations to facilitate this, potentially. Your Bill is… is permissive… permissive to that. So, I think we're getting into very, very dangerous territory here, and we've got actual case studies in the State of Illinois where these issues have been very, very problematic. Problematic enough that… that our education system has had to pay out to basically settle claims of this nature. You have any commentary to that?"
"Again, this is… this is permissive. Outside…"
"It's permissive, yes, but you're… but, you know, you can definitely be putting your students in situations where they would feel compelled to have to do this. In fact, that's exactly what happened in the Chicago Public Schools because of this very issue. I'll just go to the…"
"So, again, I haven't heard about the… the specific issue that you are talking about, but, overall, this meets the same standards of any other type when it… any kind of other outside organization comes into our schools for a variety of reasons. As a former teacher, I had guest speakers come in and talk about a variety of things. There are procedures in place in every school that school districts 10300106.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 have policies around safeguarding, making sure that you have reputable organizations. Again, I can't speak to the specific example that you are talking about, but this applies the same guidelines, baselines to meet nonreligious standards applies here as well."
"Thank you. To… to the Bill. This is a… this is a very bad idea. There are already cases out here where situations like this have been… have been abused. The Chicago Public Schools has paid money to, you know, negate this very issue. So, I would strongly encourage a 'no' vote on this."
"Representative Mason is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. I have read countless articles about the benefits of mindfulness and stress reduction in classrooms. It improves grades. It improves concentration. It helps kids cope. Our children right now are facing more trauma than ever. And if we can do what we can to teach our kids to stop and take a moment and breathe and stretch their little bodies or dance out their wiggles because they're stressed, then we need to do that. The idea that some of this is somehow some kind of indoctrination is absolute foolishness. The AARP hosts yoga classes for people because they recognize the health benefits. The American Cancer Society hosts yoga classes because of the benefits. Now, teachers don't have to do yoga. But, again, are the AARP and the American Cancer Society indoctrinating people? Foolishness. I vote… I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Representative Swanson, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Sponsor yield?" 10300106.docx 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"She indicated she will."
"Thank you. I understand it's permissive, but who's it permissive to?"
"The schools."
"So, it's permissive to the school district. Is it permissive for the students?"
"It… like we spoke about earlier, you know, if a teacher or a course team or a school, however they implement this. Again, as we heard in committee, if someone has an issue and wants to opt out for their student learning mental health coping skills, then the parents could go and petition to the school board that they could. Just like any other kind of skill that we are teaching in schools."
"So, you'd have to petition a school board? It's not something that a parent could just sign a letter in the principal's office to… to get out of this? I mean, we've got to take this all the way to school board?"
"That is unclear, as you may remember… or that is something that I am not clear on in… in terms of specific school board policies. But if you'll remember, the school board administrator representative talked about that school boards have policies and districts in place… districts have policies in place if they're… if a student, if parents want to opt out. So, I can't speak to what those policies are across the State of Illinois, but they are in place. You know, as a… as a former teacher and as a parent, I would always just encourage starting with the teacher and having a conversation with the teacher. But I can't speak to the policy that exists in every school district." 10300106.docx 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"And it's… it could be as little as 5 minutes per week or could be one whole 20 minutes per week?"
"Yes."
"Or I mean 5 minutes per day or 20 minutes…"
"It… the language is very broad to allow school districts to have flexibility."
"Okay. And so, currently… recently, legislation was passed to mandate 30-minute recess for kids. And everything behind that, I just heard, was for mental health, was for… was for kids to stretch, was for students to get a better mental health position, better activities, better all this other stuff, and to make it a better learning environment. Now, we've got to add another 20 minutes into that school week, or 5 minutes per day, and we continue to take away from math, science, history, and all those other classes that we expect to be taught in our schools. And we keep reducing the teacher contact with the students by adding 30 minutes for this and 20 minutes for that. So, I think we need to focus on what schools are about, is education. I understand you're going to come back and say, well, there's mental health involved. I certainly understand that, but I think we need to allow the schools to do the job, to educate our students, allow the school boards to do their jobs in managing their schools. And I think, once again, we're stepping into an area that best left alone for local control. Thank you."
"Representative Davis, Will Davis, what reason do you seek recognition?" Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would… to the Bill. So, Ladies and Gentlemen, it's interesting we're having this 10300106.docx 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 conversation. And I know I've been here a long time, and there are only probably a couple of people that would remember something called the moment of silence. That was a Bill that I passed years ago where we asked schools, at the very beginning of their day, to just stop, take a moment and relax to allow the kids an opportunity, as they came into the school building, to just simply calm down so that the teachers can then start their lessons and plan their day. Hearing this debate reminds me of that. But the main reason that I wanted to talk about it is that, Representative, you're going to be in a good space at the end of the day. Because when we passed that Bill, Governor Blagojevich vetoed the Bill. We overrode the veto, and then somebody actually took us to court. And guess what? We won the court challenge. So, Representative Wilhour, when you file that legislation, we've got precedent through the courts that we beat that lawsuit. So, instead of getting too bent out of shape about this, just embrace what it is, an opportunity for young people to just sit down, relax, and as was pointed out earlier, get their wiggle on and get on with the rest of their day. Trust me, it puts young people in a good space. They will be in a good space and they will be… then be ready to learn. So, Representative, I definitely support your piece of legislation and would encourage everyone else to do so. Thank you."
"Representative McLaughlin is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor take questions?"
"She indicated she will." 10300106.docx 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Just… just a simple question. Representative Davis, I wasn't here for that discussion, but I… I appreciate where you're going there. Quick question. It looks like we did everything we possibly could here with mindful-based movements, yoga, stretching, meditation, breathing exercises. Was there a reason why prayer or contemplative time to one's deity or lack of deity wasn't included in this?"
"I… I would assume for First Amendment purposes, yes."
"Well, again, lack of deity. Wouldn't that be including everyone, agonistic and everyone else? Is there a very specific reason why… I believe many people in this chamber find meditation exercises, quiet time to potentially, whether they're Muslim, Jewish, Christian, to be part of that. Did we really go that specifically around that? And…"
"I was not included in the original conversations of drafting this Bill, as it was a Senate Bill, but I would assume that out loud prayer led in schools from any religion was not put in here because of the clear First Amendment precedent against that."
"Again, again, I appreciate that. But when you say led, it appears you're allowing the individual to choose what they want to do doing relaxation time. Would I be correct in that?"
"I would imagine that the way that this would be, again, when schools choose to do this, it would be… there would be a variety of structures that schools could use to put in place. But from a teacher perspective, if you're going to implement teaching mental health coping strategies, you're going to have a clear plan how to lead your class through 10300106.docx 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 that. And, again, any student can pray silently to whatever deity they choose in schools as long as it's silent."
"Wait. Wait. Can… for the record, can you say that one more time? I just want to make sure I understand what you just said. Any student can pray silently during this time?"
"No, in schools. In general."
"But not during the meditation breathing exercise portion?"
"Teachers aren't… teachers don't monitor what's going on… teachers aren't mind readers. So, if a student…"
"To the Bill. God forbid, God forbid, that we don't allow students, or Allah forbid, or whatever religion, or even the agonistics… I find this unbelievable that you've danced around the head of a pin. Just add it in for God's sake. People in this state are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, agonistic. Let's stop dancing around the head of a pin. Just add it in and you would have caught many of us on our side. Please vote 'no'. Thank you."
"Representative Faver Dias to close."
"Thank you for the robust discussion. Again, this is permissive language. It is showing our students, our teachers, our schools that we value mental health. If you're familiar with Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which is a core tenant of your education curriculum, students can't learn if they don't feel safe, and being safe means physically and emotionally safe. And it is in our students' best academic outcomes that we teach them how to regulate and deal with stress. I would encourage an 'aye' vote." 10300106.docx 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2872 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 71 voting in 'favor', 40 voting 'against', and 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Continuing down page 5 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2930, Representative Gonzalez. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2930, a Bill for an Act concerning business. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Gonzalez."
"Thank you, Speaker. Senate Bill 2930 would require those nonprofits with the greatest financial power in that sector to report the aggregated demographic information about their boards of directors by posting on their publicly accessible websites. This only applies to those nonprofits that give a million dollars or more to other charitable organizations. I ask for an 'aye' vote."
Speaker Evans: "Any discussion? Representative Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Thank you. Do we require this reporting for any other corporations or business entities?"
"We require it from the private sector. So, we think that, for the bigger nonprofits, this makes sense." 10300106.docx 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"And that was a recent addition, relatively speaking, to our law. I believe in the last four or five years we added that."
"Yes."
"Is that… is that correct, to your knowledge?"
"Yep."
"I think, on our side, when it came to that Bill, we expressed concerns about those reporting requirements. And so, we have those some reservations as it… as it comes to including nonprofits in that. I… I appreciate your effort to only have it apply to those that are greater than a million dollars, as you referenced, but we're concerned about the overall trend on these reporting requirements, and therefore I will be voting 'no'. Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Representative Gonzalez to close."
"Ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2930 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all the opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 72 voting 'yes', 39 voting 'no', 1 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have Senate Bill 2933, Representative West. Mr. Clerk, please call."
"Senate Bill 2933, a Bill for an Act concerning business. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative West." 10300106.docx 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As amended, Senate Bill 2933 prohibits reporting past due medical debt to credit reporting agencies unless a debt was put on a credit card that isn't specifically for health purposes. Thus, this debt won't appear on a credit reports or affect someone's credit score. And why is this necessary? I want to answer that in advance, Leader Windhorst. This is necessary because medical debt is different. It is extremely rare that someone voluntary undergoes a medical procedure. The vast majority of medical debt happens because someone gets sick and is uninsured, underinsured, or because, even with insurance, the cost of care is deeply unaffordable. Medical debt is not a predictive of someone's creditworthiness. That makes no sense for a number of reasons. Medical bills often pose astronomical costs in our country for both the uninsured, underinsured, and insured, as opposed to the daily routine expenses a person might charge to a credit card or even a mortgage that's broken up into hundreds of monthly payments. And lastly, it's just not lenders, but potential employers and landlords. People should not be kept from earning a living or having a place to live just because they got sick in a society where health care remains unaffordable for many. There is no opposition to this Bill. And I… it passed unanimously out of the Senate and out of committee, and I'm asking for it to do the same in the House. And I will entertain any questions you may have."
Speaker Evans: "Any discussion? Representative Weber is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will." 10300106.docx 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Representative West, I know in committee we had talked, and I appreciate your Bill. I think it's a good Bill. One of the concerns I did have was that elective procedures that someone, you know, not out of necessity had, but because they wanted it, and I'd asked if you would be willing to look into that to see if that was something that we could exclude from the Bill. Is that… did you look into that by chance?"
"Yes, Sir. Research shows that the majority of individuals who participate in medical procedures electively generally have the money to do so. This is for those who are not in that position to have elective procedures."
"Okay. I guess my question would be that it wouldn't hurt to add them in just in case there were people?"
"Can you clarify your question, Sir?"
"Well, I'm saying, there is people, I'm sure, that have elective procedures that put a down payment on it, maybe not pay it in full. I mean, I… I'm sure that happens, right? I'm not a doctor, but I can't imagine it doesn't. Anyway, I would just say, in further in this Bill, that we might look into eventually maybe adding in something for those that have elective procedures and not let them get away with something that they shouldn't. So, thank you very much."
"Thank you."
"Representative West to close."
"I appreciate an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2933 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. 10300106.docx 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 109 voting in 'favor', 2 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And the Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Remaining on page 5 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2931, Representative Johnson. Out of the record. Continuing down page 5 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2934, Representative Vella. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2934, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Vella is recognized."
"Thank you. Very simple Bill. All it states is that consent is not a defense to hazing. Just because someone's agreed to the hazing does not give you the right to torture them. It is… it came out of committee without any opposition. I urge an 'aye' vote."
Speaker Evans: "Any discussion? Representative Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Thank you. Representative, appreciate that description. If you would just briefly explain why you think consent is not a valid defense to hazing?"
"Really, it comes to a… a power dynamic. When somebody's pledging a fraternity or, you know, sporting event, the people who are doing the hazing are always in a power position to the people who aren't doing the hazing, who are getting the 10300106.docx 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 hazing done to them. So, the idea of consent just doesn't apply."
"I supported this Bill in committee. I will be voting 'yes' on the floor. I noticed in the Senate it was a mixed vote. So, that may occur here today. Thank you."
"Yeah, I'm not sure why, but thank you."
"Representative Vella to close."
"I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2934 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all the opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 98 voting 'yes', 11 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Remaining on page 5 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2935, Representative Vella. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2935, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Vella is recognized."
"Thank you very much. Senate Bill 2935 requires owners of manufactured home parks to give notice of sale to officers in a mobile home association. And it provides that the manufactured home association has the right to purchase that property if they can meet the offer within 60 days, 10 days if the offer is lower. And the manufactured housing association must form a corporation. The reason this Bill came about is that manufactured housing in my area is being 10300106.docx 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 bought up by big ticket investment bankers, and they're being sold and sold and sold, and my… my residents do not have any power. This gives them the power. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Representative Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Thank you. Representative, the concerns I've heard raised, one of them is that this is limiting the ability of the owner of the mobile home park to contract with who he wishes to or she wishes to. Why do you feel we should limit that right?"
"Well, I… I don't foresee that does this. So, there… with the… the reason why the Illinois Manufactured Housing Association is neutral on this is we negotiated five exceptions. One is selling to descendants. One partnership to partner transfer. There's… there's five that… that they determined was the most likely reasons why this would not apply. As long as they're getting the money that they want, I don't think they should have a… a problem with it."
"Our analysis shows the Illinois Rental Property Owners Association is still opposed. Have they contacted you or made their opposition known?"
"They have not contacted me, no. I've been working mostly with the Manufactured Home Association."
"Thank you."
"Representative Vella to close."
"Thank you very much. This is something that's going on, I think, across the state. They… these manufactured homes are 10300106.docx 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 being bought up and bought up, and the people have no power. This will give them some power. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2935 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 73 voting in 'favor', 37 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have Senate Bill 2935, Representative Vella. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Excuse me, Senate Bill 2936, Representative Spain. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2936, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Spain is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 2936 is a great initiative from the Peoria legislative delegation. It simply adds property tax abatement, which is already available in certain designated areas, available for new construction single-family residential. It now applies that same opportunity to the rehabilitation of existing single-family residential properties. It passed unanimously in the Senate and here in committee. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2936 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there 10300106.docx 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 are 111 voting 'yes', 1 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. At the bottom of page 5 in the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2957, Representative Costa Howard. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2957, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Costa Howard is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 2957 amends the Act on Aging to include language specifying that the ombudsman program has access to facility incident reports. It also allows for residents to give consent to the… for those released records in means other than writing. We've had some issues in our long-term care facilities not being willing to turn over those reports. We want to make sure we codify it in… in law. Thank you."
"Seeing no discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2957 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk… Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 110 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving forward to page 6 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2959, Representative Kifowit. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Mr. Clerk, please place this Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill on Second Reading." 10300106.docx 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Senate Bill 2959, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1 is offered by Representative Kifowit."
"We have Kifowit on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Floor Amendment 1 adds to the underlying of the Bill as it maintains the Sons of the American Legion license plate, but it also looks to honor our Gold Star families by placing on the back of the driver's license the indication that a Gold Star family… as you know, a Gold Star family is a family that does… never wants to get that designation. Myself, my son is serving overseas, so I'm a Blue Star family. And if our service member serving pays the ultimate sacrifice and doesn't come home, then they turn to a Gold Star family. And it's for service members that paid the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives for our country. And so, this is a designation for their sacrifice."
"Representative Kifowit moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all the opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Please read the Bill on Third Reading."
"Senate Bill 2959, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Kifowit is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I mentioned that we are honoring our Gold Star families, in addition to the underlying Bill, 10300106.docx 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 which creates a vehicle decal for the Sons of the American Legion. The initial cost of the Sons American Legion decal is $25, with $10 to the Sons of the American Legion Fund and $15 to the Secretary of State's Special License Plate Fund. The renewal of the Sons of the American Legion decal is $25, with $23 going to the Sons of the American Legion Fund, and $2 going to the Secretary of State License Plate Fund. And I ask for your approval."
"Seeing no discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2959 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 110 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Continuing on page 6 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2976, Representative West. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2976, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative West."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 2976 creates the State Historic Preservation Board to manage the list of state historic sites through administrative rulemaking rather than the current statutory list. The… it… the board will be appointed by the Governor and the Director of the Department of Natural Resources, or the director's designee, who shall as an ex-officio nonvoting member of the board. Of the members appointed by the Governor, two members shall have a relevant 10300106.docx 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 background in public history or a background in teaching or researching either the history of Illinois or the history of historically marginalized communities. One member shall have the experience in library studies or archival work in Illinois. Three members shall be representatives of the community-based organization working on historic preservation in Illinois. One member shall have experience with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. One member shall have experience working on federal historic designations. And one member shall be a museum professional. It came out of the Senate unanimously and out of committee unanimously, and I ask for the same in the House floor. Thank you so much, and I will entertain any questions."
Speaker Evans: "Any discussion. Representative Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Thank you. So, with this Bill, as it relates to the state historic sites, those are currently set by statute."
"Correct."
"Is that correct? And this will make it by essentially rule of the board? The board will decide and make that vote?"
"That is correct."
"So, we've had discussion a little bit yesterday and continue today about this Body, the General Assembly, giving up its authority to the Executive Branch. And this is an area where we have that control. We can decide what's on the state historic site list or not. And we will be now allowing this board to decide if those sites are there or if they're added 10300106.docx 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 to or taken away. So, I would just like to give you the opportunity to explain why you think it's a good idea for this Body to give up authority over this area to a board? Why they would have better authority than… than we do?"
"Understood, and thank you for that question. The way I would answer is to look at the breakdown of who would be appointed to the board. These are subject matter experts in the field of state historic preservation. And so, they… I would argue that they would have more of a expertise in what… what the administrative rulemaking than we will as a General Assembly. So, it just adds more of a safeguard in place for the… because they're… they are subject matter experts in the field."
"Well, I appreciate you bringing this forward. I… I think overall, even beyond this Bill, a concern I have is Legislatures giving up their authority to other branches of government, particularly the Executive Branch, when the Legislature is perfectly capable of exercising authority. We see that with the budget each year where we sometimes give authority to the Executive Branch that we should maintain for ourselves. We see it in other Bills similar to this where we give away that authority. So, to the Bill. I… I think that the point I'm trying to make is that something we should consider as a Body is how much of the authority that we have are we going to give up to other branches of government rather than exercising it ourselves. Thank you."
"Representative Swanson is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will." 10300106.docx 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Thank you. Will this list of historic sites be ranked in such a way that those on the top will most likely or possibly get state funding? Will this help raise attention to that?"
"That's an answer I won't be able to… that's a question I won't be able to answer because we are allowing the subject matter experts to make these recommendations if approved today and signed by the Governor."
"Okay."
"The director will still have to approve. So, there's numerous times and input that can be put in front of a variety of people."
"Okay. I appreciate that because, in my area, it used to be a part of my district, we got Bishop Hill, it was just listed on the most endangered site… historic site in Illinois. And Carl Sandburg birthplace in Galesburg is… is in great disrepair. And I've had both… at the time, I had Director Callahan. I've also had the Lieutenant Governor out to look at the site. But we sure need some funding for those sites, and I would hope that if we have this piece… if this legislation passed, that this board will have the authority to… to help guide funding to the needed site. So, thank you."
"Thank you. And I will just say, we have to… just for a reminder, the General Assembly has the will of funding these types of projects. So, these will be recommendations given to us by the board."
"Any further discussion? Representative Ugaste is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?" 10300106.docx 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"He indicates he will."
"Representative, just a couple quick questions so I have a fuller understanding. And I think I under… I probably know the answer to at least one of the questions. If it becomes a state historic site, is the state obligated to provide financing for upkeep or anything in any way, shape, or form?"
"I would say that's on a case-by-case basis, depending on what the… the needs are for each site."
"So, is it once it's been determined a site, then we're obligated to, based upon their needs? Or how… how's it determined how… what has to be funded and what doesn't? I… I guess I'm just trying to get… get an idea for that."
"There will be an annual report given to the General Assembly with a full list of state historic sites and their designations as recommended by the board and which received the approval of the department. And then us as a Body will go from there on what will funded and what will not."
"Okay. To the Bill, then. Echoing some of Leader Windhorst's concern, I guess my preference would be if… if we have to decide on funding anyhow, we might as well decide on what the state historic site is and whether or not… and while the board could be appropriate for making a recommendation to us, I don't know that we need to be giving them this type of authority. I… I sort of view it like the subject to appropriation. You know, we're just putting added pressure on the budget when… when we do each of these things. So, while I like the idea of having experts in the area take care of this for us, Representative, I… I just… I probably won't be supporting it only because I… I don't want to give them 10300106.docx 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 complete authority over deciding whether or not something's a state historic site. Thank you."
"Representative Halbrook is recognized."
"Thank… thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he will."
"Yeah. So, Representative, I'm just… just confirming that these members of this board will serve without compensation. Is that correct?"
"That is correct."
"Yeah. And… and so, I… I'm trying to see if there's any appropriation here for the functioning of anything that they do. Will they be paid any per diems or mileage or expense reimbursement? Is there a budget here for any of this?"
"No, Sir. To my… there is not a subject to appropriation for this Bill."
"So, just to be clear, they're going to serve without any compensation or reimbursement for any travel expenses or any of the like?"
"Keep in mind that we also have virtual meeting spaces that could be used as well. And so, to answer your question, no."
"Okay. And… and so, who's taking care of the responsibility of what this new panel will be engaged in? Who's… who's taking care of that responsibility now?"
"Can you say that one more time?"
"Yeah. Who… so, you're going to create a new board or a new panel of nine members to do what's outlined here in the statute, and I think it's already been discussed. Who's taking care of that responsibility now of doing what you want to do here?" 10300106.docx 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Right now, it's pretty much the… what is put in statute."
"But who's doing that now?"
"The director… the Department of Natural Resources."
"So, why is… why do we need to create a new… a new panel or a new body of… a new board to do this stuff? Why do we need to do that?"
"The Department of Natural Resources desires for this to… for the… to move the process for designating historic sites to administrative rulemaking using subject matter experts in the field."
"Okay. And so, who has the final… who has the final say so when… when the panel makes recommendations?"
"We do, the General… General Assembly."
"Okay."
"And keep… and I just want to stress as well, there's… there isn't a uniform process right now. But that's why we need this because it turns… creates a uniform process going through the board."
"Okay. Thank you, Representative. I… I'm not really sure that the need to do this is… is really important right now. I think this just creates more bureaucracy in a situation where we don't need any more of that. Thank you."
"Representative West to close."
"Thank you. I just want to make sure the Body understands we are looking for a more strategic process to protect these historic sites. And at the end of the day, it's still going to come back to us here at the General Assembly. So, I ask for a favorable roll call." 10300106.docx 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2976 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 83 voting 'yes', 29 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Continuing down page 6 of the Calendar of Senate Bill-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2979, Representative Ann Williams. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2979, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Williams." Williams, A.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2008, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Biometric Information Protection Act. That law simply required notice and consent before any entity collected your personal biometric information, such as a facial scan, fingerprint, et cetera. The courts have since considered this law in various contexts. And a recent case, White Castle… Cothron v. White Castle, provided that, while the court believed the policy-based concerns could involve potential excessive damage awards, they felt that was best addressed by the Legislature, so they invited us to weigh in about damages. This Bill is simply a response to the court's invitation to address liability, clarify the intent that we have regarding damages for each violation. This Bill does that by providing for easier compliance, allowing for electronic signatures for consent, as well as changing the assessment of damages from a per violation, per occurrence to 10300106.docx 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 one person, one violation. So, this Bill addresses a liability issue, as outlined in White Castle, provides some relief to small businesses in terms of ease of compliance, while still maintaining what we all believe is an important privacy right to protect. And that is the right for our very unique biometric information not to be collected without notice and consent. We recognize there is significant interest in this issue, so I'm happy to answer any questions."
"Is there any discussion? Representative Keicher is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicated she will."
"Excellent. Thank you, Representative, for bringing this as is. I think there's been a little bit of a discussion on somewhat… what I would term deficiencies in what's presented here from what industries have asked us. And I think the examples that they put out there are examples based on lawsuits that have been filed and potential verdicts that are out there. So, with that in mind, I'd like to ask, I… I don't see that this has any retroactivity involved in the language. Could you help me walk through why that is not in here?" Williams, A.: "Well, let me just mention one thing to you. So, many of us heard a sky-is-falling scenario with regard to the White Castle case, where the damages, we were told, could reach up to $17 billion. Just a side note. Within the past couple weeks, that case was settled for 9 million, with an M, dollars. So, while the courts could have assessed damages to the max, certainly they're courts of equity, and they've not 10300106.docx 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 chosen to do that. White Castle is an example of damages being reined in, I think, partially by the existence of this Bill."
"Okay. And so, to clarify, there is no retroactivity? That… that is something that you're deeming inappropriate at this time?" Williams, A.: "We are not including a retroactivity provision. However, I think we'll be working on some legislative intent that may be helpful in… in terms of that issue."
"Okay. I also understand that there's been a little bit of a… a cropping up, if you will, of suits against data centers regarding our… our BIPA legislation. Are you familiar with that going on? And… and the allegation under our BIPA statute is that since they're warehousing the data, that they are culpable under the BIPA statute. Do you have any opinion or… or commentary on that as it relates to your piece of legislation?" Williams, A.: "Again, this is a narrowly-tailored piece of legislation designed to address the issue in Cothron v. White Castle. And that's what we've done here, is really to scale back the damages, again, to per person versus per violation. So, we have not weighed in on some of those broader issues on this… in this case."
"Okay. And… and so, is there a methodology now in place with this piece of legislation that would enable or help, say, a business that used a thumbprint time clock for their employees to time in and time out of their workplace? Williams, A.: "I'm sorry, could you repeat the question?"
"Yeah. So, one of the most common…" Williams, A.: "I'm having trouble hearing." 10300106.docx 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"…yeah, one of the most common suits, as I understand it, that's filed under the BIPA statute has been an employer who unknowingly used a thumbprint time clock, where they would have their employees thumb in and thumb out each and every day. And that's one of the things that led to the White Castle potential verdict. So, what would be the protocol in place so that an employer could use a thumb print clock and not be in violation of BIPA once this legislation is in place?" Williams, A.: "That is unchanged. It's very, very simple. It is notice and consent they are… biometric information is being collected. And I will note, while that issue comes up quite a bit in the workplace setting, this is also about your face being scanned when you go to a place of business, to a place of worship, to really anywhere in your community. And that's something that, in Illinois, we are protected from. Many states, your biometric information, your very unique information is collected without your knowledge. Here, we have the foresight to protect that information. And so, we're just limiting the damages to make them a little a more reasonable, consistent with the request made by the court in Cochran… Cothron."
"Sticking with the consent issue, what would be the… the accepted methodology in consent and… and any methodology to retract consent?" Williams, A.: "The… the Bill doesn't go into a lot of great detail, but I will note that we provided for electronic signatures to make that compliance even easier than it is now. As you know, when you start at any place of employment, there are numerous documents you have to sign, information to 10300106.docx 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 review. And this could easily be simply part of that process, and always has been."
"And so… so, it… you… we could have electronic signature authorizing collection of the biometric information and it would be acceptable and it would not be in violation of the BIPA statute if this legislation passes?" Williams, A.: "Yeah. We defined electronic signature as meaning an electric sound, symbol, or a process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record. Electronic signature, pretty clear that is there."
"Could signature or acceptance be a condition of employment?" Williams, A.: "I don't believe that we weigh in on that here in BIPA."
"Okay." Williams, A.: "Or we don't change anything in the current law."
"And is there any methodology for withdrawing consent?" Williams, A.: "I think that's probably up to the company. I don't think that's addressed within the four corners of the BIPA statute, as far as I'm aware."
"Okay. And the… the other piece that I wanted to bring up was the facial recognition. I understand there is a significant safety issue that's presented by many of the trucking firms that transit the State of Illinois because they use facial recognition technology in the truck cab to make a determination of whether a truck driver is getting drowsy, falling asleep, or… or paying attention to the road in front of them. What would be the situation that trucking 10300106.docx 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 companies would find themselves in after this piece of legislation passes?" Williams, A.: "Again, it limits the damages to per person versus per occurrence, if that company somehow wasn't aware of the law that's been in effect since 2008 and was somehow unable to obtain consent. Again, these are not complicated requirements here. Just notice and consent."
"You know, and… and I guess that's of the problem that I'm worried about, is I'm worried about a trucking firm, say, out of Nebraska that's taking a load out to New Jersey, transits I-80 across the State of Illinois, and they've got constant monitoring on the driver. They would be in… still in violation of the BIPA statute?" Williams, A.: "Well, I think that depends on… that's more of a jurisdictional or venue question for the courts and goes beyond the scope of this legislation today."
"Thank you for bringing what's here, Representative. I think it's a good start. I appreciate it. I hope that we can do it… a little bit more work on this in future and we can address the data center gap that's sitting out there that's currently preventing data centers from proceeding to a construction status. Thank you." Williams, A.: "Thank you."
"Representative Didech is recognized."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicated she will."
"I… I have just a few questions for legislation intent. Representative, in the Cothron v. White Castle decision, the Illinois Supreme Court invited the General Assembly to make 10300106.docx 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 clear our intent regarding the assessment of damages under the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Does this Amendment to the Act clarify our intention that the availability of discretionary liquidated damages serves to deter future violations without destroying a defendant's business?" Williams, A.: "Yes."
"And does this Amendment to the Act suggest any legislative intent to authorize a damages award that would result in the financial destruction of a business?" Williams, A.: "No."
"Does this Amendment to the Act apply retroactively to cases already decided or to pending cases?" Williams, A.: "No, but a court or reviewing court could take judicial notice of our Amendment to the Act in determining an initial award or in reducing an award."
"Thank you for answering these questions. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Any additional discussion? Representative Ugaste is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. Representative and I had conversations during committee and… and Representative Keicher had some detailed questions. So, I'm not going to go back over that. I just wanted to state that while I appreciate what is being done here as far as a partial fix to help in the situation, I, unfortunately, don't believe I can support because, while you… we might not get everything we want out of something, sometimes some partial fixes just don't go quite far enough. And, unfortunately, as Representative Keicher was pointing out, there's still much work that needs to be done 10300106.docx 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 to make this so that we can even say, okay, this a good compromise on behalf of business. I am hoping that going forward consideration can… can still be given to other items which protect our biometric information. I want that protected as much as anyone here in the chamber. I don't want anyone taking my biometric data and sharing it with anyone, neglecting proper care for it, or doing anything of that nature. But I also don't believe a company should be penalized when no actual harm's been done, they've taken steps to remedy things, and we're just allowing a suit because of maybe a simple mistake or, better yet, they can't even comply with our law, such as in the data center case. Which, if they're storing someone's information, that someone who is sending their information to a cloud from a business and didn't get the proper consent, well, the data center certainly can't get consent 'cause they don't even know that it's there. So, I would really like to see more work done on this. For those who don't know, we are losing out on data centers because of this. We had a number of data centers that were scheduled to come in that were put on hold because of this. We have about 12 suits now in State of Illinois suing data centers, and it's something we need to address so that we don't inhibit growth in an industry in which Illinois and Chicago had become a leader not only nationally, but in the world. And we are quickly declining in our status in that field, and a fix to this would go a long way to help it. So, while I appreciate the Sponsor's work in getting this Bill through and the help it's going to provide, I just think we need to keep talking and go a step further in order to make certain that businesses 10300106.docx 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 do what they're supposed to and protect the data they're collecting but, at the same time, aren't punished unnecessarily. And that if we're going to apply a penalty to something, we make certain it… it's something, such as a data center, can even comply with if we're requesting it of… of them. Thank you."
"Representative Rashid is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. I want to thank Representative Williams and Senator Cunningham for their tireless work on this legislation. This Bill keeps the critical privacy protections that are at the core of the Biometric Information Privacy Act, protecting people from social media companies' data harvesting of personal information like facial scans. But it adds much needed clarity that helps small businesses operate in a more predictable regulatory environment. I know that many small business owners will be relieved to see this measure passed. I strongly urge an 'aye' vote."
"Representative Williams to close." Williams, A.: "Thank… thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate all the conversations, both on the floor and prior to bringing it to the floor. Again, this is a really straightforward requirement in BIPA for a very significant and valuable privacy right. This Bill addresses the invitation by the court to address damages, and that's exactly what we're doing here. Appreciate an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no discussion, the question, 'Shall Senate Bill 2979 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who 10300106.docx 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 81 voting 'yes', 30 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Ford, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, I rise for a point of personal privilege."
"Please speak your point."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, please join me in welcoming my friend Fred Crespo on his birthday. I remember when he came, he had black hair, and now he's got gray hair. Happy birthday, Fred."
"Continuing on page 6 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2980, Representative Ness. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2980, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Ness."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 2980 amends the Child Care Act by eliminating the public notification of… of facilities that… licensed by DCFS when it allows them range and flexibility to make changes to… to be able to take in children as needed. And this was an initiative of DCFS. There are no proponents, and I request an 'aye' vote."
Speaker Evans: "Any discussion? Representative Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates she will." 10300106.docx 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Thank you. Just so I understand what… what we're doing with this Bill. So, we're removing a requirement that DCFS notify the public when a child care institution, group home licensed by the department, undergoes a change in the area within the facility used by children or a change in the age of the children served. Is that correct?"
"Correct. Like if… if there's a need for a bed, for say, a 10- to 12-year-old and they have beds open, but they might not have that number of that age range, but the facility is licensed for that, then they can make that adjustment with some flexibility to address the needs of… of the children being placed. And it's still… by the way, it will still be public notice because that notice must be placed on the website. So, the public can still weigh in."
"So, there is an element of public notice on the website."
"Yes."
"Just not the full notice that was previously given."
"Correct."
"Is that accurate? And the reason this is being done, as you explained, is to allow the… the department to care for more children in a… in a quicker fashion. Is that accurate?"
"Yes, especially in those emergency placements when they don't have a lot of time to find a place or they get somebody in as an emergency, they can place more quickly and with more flexibility."
"And are there any known opponents to your Bill?"
"No. We… we amended the Bill with the public notification on website, and that took care of any opposition." 10300106.docx 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Thank you."
"Representative Reick is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicated she will."
"Representative, is this going to change any of the licensing requirements of these day care centers or these… these centers at all?"
"No, it will not."
"It will not. So, these are mere temporary arrangements, not permanent arrangements. Is there a limitation on the amount of time that the child can spend in these… in these alternate arrangements?"
"Well, my understanding is that's based on the facility where they're placing. And some of those are in place, and that won't change with this. It just allows them to flex the mix of children that they are able to take in."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Representative Ness to close."
"I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2980 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 107 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Leader Mah, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10300106.docx 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please excuse Representative Jamie Andrade for the rest of the day."
"Moving backwards to page 3 of the Calendar of House Bills-Second Reading, we have House Bill 5324, Leader Hoffman. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 5324, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. The Bill was read for a second time previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1 is offered by Representative Hoffman."
"Leader Hoffman on the Amendment."
"Yes. The Floor Amendment #1 becomes the Bill."
"Leader Hoffman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all the opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Please read the Bill on Third Reading."
"House Bill 5324, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Leader Hoffman is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Bill deals with the Education Labor Relations Board and the Public Labor Relations Board. Both of them deal with complaints, one for education and one for other labor complaints from state government. What we would do is we would, as goals, we would place time… timetables on various aspects of the investigation and decision making. Currently, 10300106.docx 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 I believe that it takes too long from a complaint being filed to final disposition of the complaint. This would place a hundred day… 100-days limit on the investigation to be completed. And then after that, it would place a 60-day limit on the… the complaint issuance, time for the complaint to be issued. It would issue a recommended order within 120 days from the close of the record in the case. And finally, it would… it would issue the board's position within 90 days. These are… these are goals, and they would be accompanied with a yearly report from the boards that would indicate how effective they have been in meeting these goals. I don't… I know of no known opposition. I believe it's an agreed Bill."
"Representative Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he will."
"Thank you, Leader. Leader, this is… Bill is designed to make sure these complaints and hearings are occurring in a timely fashion. Is that accurate?"
"Yes. That's the idea."
"And the time frames you mentioned are goals in essence, and if they're missed, that will be reflected in the report that's given?"
"Yes. They aren't hard and fast time periods because there could be a more complex case and… and maybe… hopefully, though, this gives guidance to the boards 'cause I believe that they've been taking too long to issue their final decisions."
"Thank you."
"Leader Hoffman to close." 10300106.docx 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"I ask for a favorable roll call."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 5324 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving forward to page 6 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 2987, Representative Elik. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2987, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Elik."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 2987 provides that every new school board member must have training on improving student outcomes within the first year of their first term. This will be included with the training requirements that already exist, doesn't add additional required hours, and it must be relevant to the scope of a school board member's role. This Bill is agreed language with ISBE and the Illinois Association of School Boards. I know of no opposition, and I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no… seeing no discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2987 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 105 voting in 'favor', 6 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. 10300106.docx 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have Senate Bill 3077, Representative Harper. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 3077, a Bill for an Act concerning agriculture. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Harper."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to present Senate Bill 3077, which simply codifies the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program. For so long, I've been an advocate of Illinois producing its own food and growing our own local healthy food systems across the state. Ninety-five percent of the food purchased and consumed in Illinois is from other states when we have farmers right here who can supply food in our own community. And so, the Local Food Infrastructure Program does just that by providing grants to small farmers to enhance local food processing, aggregation, and distribution. In the past few months alone, we've seen the positive effect that these grants have had all over the state, helping them increase their production and distribution. This program not only helps us generate revenue for our communities, but also supports our local farmers and improves local healthy foods access in food deserts across the state. I encourage an 'aye' vote."
Speaker Evans: "Any discussion? Representative Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicated she will." 10300106.docx 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Thank you. Representative, appreciate you bringing this forward, a worthwhile program. Is this subject to appropriation?"
"Yes, it is."
"And if it… the appropriation were given, what would be the cost?"
"So, this… we have this appropriation in the current budget. It's at 2 million, and we will be seeking that same appropriation at 2 million."
"And do we know yet if it will be in this year's budget, the FY25 budget?"
"We're working on that right as we speak."
"All right. Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Representative McLaughlin is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just want to make a correction to the record. I meant to vote 'yes' on the last Bill, 2987, SB2987, for the record. Thank you."
"Thank you. Record will reflect. Any additional discussion? Representative Crespo is recognized."
"Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicated she will."
"Representative, so, this… is this a new… a new program?"
"Can you repeat the question?"
"Is… is this a new program?"
"This is not a new program, being that we've already funded this program through our state budget this year."
"Okay. So, it was funded for this fiscal year at $2 million?" 10300106.docx 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Yes, it was."
"Is…"
"And we've already given out the grants."
"Okay. Is it part of the Governor's introduced budget?"
"That I'm not sure of."
"Okay. And this is GRF, I presume?"
"Yes."
"Who runs the… who runs the program? Which agency?"
"This year, the program had to be run by Illinois Stewardship Alliance. This year… going forward, we're going to be asking that the Department of Agriculture runs the program."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Seeing no discussion, Representative Harper to close."
"I encourage an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 3077 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 109 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And the Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Continuing down page 6 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 3091, Representative Haas. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 3091, a Bill for an Act concerning property. Third Reading of this Senate Bill." 10300106.docx 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Representative Haas."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a companion Bill to House Bill 4883. Senate Bill 3091 would allow the transfer of a small parcel of land from the Department of Natural Resources to the Will County Forest Preserve. And I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no… seeing no discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 3091 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have Senate Bill 3110, Representative Mason. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 3110, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Mason."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to present Senate Bill 3110. It's an initiative of the Regional Office of Education #34 in response to some difficulty that they have had over the years filling vacancies on the Regional Board of School Trustees. This Bill adds an exclusion to the residency requirement set forth in current law, specifically for single county service regions where the vacancy may be filled with a person who is a resident of a congressional township not represented on the board. This Bill passed unanimously in the Senate and in the House committee. There's no known opposition, and I ask for an 'aye' vote." 10300106.docx 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Seeing no discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 3110 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving back to page 2 of the Calendar, House Bills-Second Reading, we have House Bill 307, Leader Buckner. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 307, a Bill for an Act concerning education. The Bill was read for a second time previously. Amendment #1 is offered by Representative Buckner."
"Leader Buckner on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, the Amendment is a page and line Amendment. It deletes the provision limiting liability for a school or employees who interfere with a student's ability to access benefits from NIL contracts."
"Leader Buckner moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All in favor vote (sic-say) 'aye'; all opposed vote (sic-say) 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"
"Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Buckner."
"Leader Buckner on that Amendment."
"I'm sorry. House… House Floor Amendment 2 actually was the line and page Amendment. The original Amendment was a gut and replace Amendment that becomes the Bill. It makes various 10300106.docx 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 changes to the Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act. It expands the opportunities for student-athletes for compensation. It protects employees against liability and protects student information from FOIA disclosure."
"Leader Buckner moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. All those in favor vote (sic-say) 'aye'; all opposed vote (sic-say) 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Please read the Bill on Third Reading."
"House Bill 307, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Leader Buckner is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, this Bill makes various changes to the Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act that we passed three years ago in this… in this Body. It expands opportunities for student-athlete conversation. It protects employees against liability, and it protects student-athlete information from FOIA disclosure. Currently, student-athletes may enter into contracts in order to financially benefit from their… the use of their name, their image, and their likeness. However, there are limitations on how NIL compensation may be paid and what consideration is allowed to be part of this. And so, working with the universities across the state, we worked on this to change some of the provisions to make it a more streamlined process. Happy to answer any questions." 10300106.docx 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Any discussion? Leader Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Thank you, Leader. Or, Leader, this Bill is designed to strengthen our… our state's name, image, and likeness abilities for student-athletes and would also hopefully increase our universities' prospects as being college sports destinations for athletes. Is that accurate to say?"
"That's… that's correct, Leader. And just so you know, the context and the background, when we passed this three years ago, we did it under the assumption that the NCAA would make some… some rule, policy changes. They have not done that. And so, what we've seen is that Illinois universities have been left behind in this conversation. So, this just brings us up to snuff."
"And if you could, just give us a few details of what would improve our current… how this Bill improves our current standard."
"Yeah. In the original Bill, there is no ability for universities to be a part of making sure that these contracts are vetted the proper way for these student-athletes. And so, to make sure that they're not, you know, being used in an untoward way by folks that don't have their best… their best interest at hand, this allow the universities to be a part of the process as well. It also exempts them, these student- athletes, from FOIA in terms of how much money they're making for these deals right now. There is some gray area there in the law. And so, we tighten that up." 10300106.docx 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"And the… the latest Amendment, Floor Amendment 2, which was adopted, removed liability protections from university employees acting within the scope of their employment as they relate to NIL agreements. Why was that liability protection taken away?"
"Yeah. We had some conversations with the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. They had some issues with those liability provisions. And so, the… the true spirit of it is not changed by what we're doing here, what is dealing with some of the issues that they brought to us."
"Did the universities express any concern about that being removed?"
"They did not."
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Leader Buckner to close."
"I urge a 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall House Bill 307 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 110 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And the Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Going back to page 6 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 3111, Representative Delgado. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 3111, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill." 10300106.docx 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Representative Delgado is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 3111 aligns the assisted living statute with the skilled nursing statute, allowing the Department of Public Health to approve an automatic two-year license if the establishment has no Type 1 or Type 2 violations and less than 10 Type 3 violations in the past 24 months. This is an automatic process that cuts down on administrative duties, and establishments will still be required to pay the annual licensure fee. As far as I know, there is no opposition to this legislation. And I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 3111 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting in 'favor, 0 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have Senate Bill 3115, Representative Moeller. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 3115, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second… Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Rep. Moeller is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 3115, as amended, requires that a written transition plan be submitted to the Department of Public Health to ensure that adequate staffing and care remain in place during the transfer of ownership of a nursing home facility. If the facility does not follow its transition plan and harm to a resident is found, the facility 10300106.docx 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 may be given a high-risk designation. Under current law, the transfer of a nursing home facility is to provide at least 30 days prior to the final transfer. Again, this legislation would shorten that to 10 days and require that both the transferer and the transferee sign off on the written plan. It's my understanding that there is no opposition. We worked with both the industry and the advocates on crafting this legislation. This did pass the Senate unanimously. And I'm happy to any questions, and would ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Is there any discussion? Leader Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicated she will."
"Thank you. Representative, appreciate your work on this Bill and getting to a place where this is… appears agreed. I did have a question about the 10-day provision that the Department of Public Health will accept or reject the transition plan within 10 days after submission. Number one, is that agreeable with the department? Are they going to be able to meet that timeline?"
"It… yes. So, the Department the Public Health was part of drafting this language and is supportive of… of this language."
"If the… that time frame is not met, meaning the decision is not made within 10 days, does the Bill address what occurs in that situation?"
"Yes. If the plan is rejected, the department is required to work with the facility, the transferee, and the transferer to bring the transition plan into compliance. And if the… the 10300106.docx 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 change… change of ownership process must be begin upon transmission of the transition plan 30 days after the transfer of the facility. So, I… I think if there is… if the department does not respond within 10 days, there's not additional liability put on the transferer or the transferee. But in… in working with the department and working with the stakeholders, it was my understanding that this time frame was acceptable to… to all of the parties and I… and I believe that the department believes they can work within that time frame."
"And at this point, with the changes you've discussed, is there any opposition to your Bill?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"All right. Thank you."
"Representative Moeller to close."
"Would ask for an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 3115 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 110 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Remaining on page 6 of the Calendar of Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 3130, Leader Gabel. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 3130, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Leader Gabel." 10300106.docx 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last Session, legislation was passed, actually, I carried the Bill, to transition Illinois to a state-based marketplace. The Department of Insurance has identified some areas where there needs to be updates for the state to effectively manage the state-based marketplace as well as bring Illinois in line with various federal state- based marketplace requirements. I know of no opposition. It's a trailer Bill, and I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Any discussion? Leader Windhorst is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicated she will."
"Thank you. Leader, I had a… a question regarding the open enrollment for pregnant women. There is a provision dealing… that says that will be effective 60 days, and I just want to make sure I understand. Is that 60 days after this Bill becomes law? Or how does that 60-day provision apply?"
"What it does is it would last 60 days and start at the date the pregnancy is confirmed. So, the 60 days is the open… open enrollment period."
"From the date the pregnancy is confirmed?"
"Yes."
"All right. And we show opposition from Illinois Right to Life Action and Pro-Family Alliance. Do you know what their opposition is, and did they express that opposition to you?"
"They did not. We… when we had it in committee, they did not. Nobody attended. There was no… I did not why they opposed."
"All right." 10300106.docx 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"This… you know, the reason that we're this is to make sure that women can get insurance when they're pregnant."
"Is there anything in law that would… let me just back up. This allows women who are pregnant to obtain health insurance when they don't have it previously, correct?"
"Correct."
"And that would allow them to…"
"Correct."
"…care for themselves and the child during pregnancy?"
"Correct."
"I believe what I understand about the opposition is the concern that that would also allow a minor to obtain insurance and then potentially an abortion without the approval of her parents."
"You know, it's a… it's…"
"Are you aware of that, as it would exist in law, that that would be allowed to occur?"
"I… I believe that a pregnant person is a… yes, they can… they can get health care for themselves."
"Including a minor? Is that… without the parents' approval?"
"Once they're pregnant, yes."
"Okay. Is it they're deemed emancipated at that point?"
"Yes. Correct."
"Is that correct? So, I… I think presents a difficult issue, but there will be women who want to receive health insurance, obtain health insurance who are pregnant to care for themselves and their child that this Bill will provide for. Is that accurate?" 10300106.docx 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"Leader Gabel to close. Leader Gabel to close."
"Oh. Thank you. Thank you. I ask for an 'aye' vote. This Bill is simply a… a trailer Bill to a Bill that we passed last year. Thank you."
"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 3130 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 107 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have Senate Bill 3133, Representative Blair-Sherlock. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 3133, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Blair-Sherlock."
"Thank you. You love this Bill. We all love this Bill. We already passed it unanimously as House Bill 5005. This would allow people who have invested in 529 plans for their kids to go to college, but don't use that money for college, to be able to, under certain circumstances, transfer that into a Roth IRA. I would urge an 'aye' vote, and I'm happy to answer any questions."
"Seeing no discussion, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 3133 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who 10300106.docx 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 109 voting in 'favor', 0 voting 'against', 0 voting 'present'. And the Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Chair recognizes Leader Mah for the purpose of an announcement."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Democrats would request a caucus meeting immediately in Room 114."
Speaker Evans: "The Democrats will caucus in Room 114. Representative Windhorst, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Inquiry of the Chair."
"Continue."
"Could the Republicans know approximately how long the Majority expects the caucus to last?"
"The Democrats will caucus at adjournment… after adjournment. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 783, offered by Representative Didech. House Resolution 784, offered by Representative Ness. House Resolution 785, offered by Representative Ann Williams. House Resolution 786, offered by Representative Andrade. House Resolution 787, offered by Representative Davidsmeyer. House Resolution 788 and 789, offered by Representative Davidsmeyer. House Resolution 790, offered by Representative Rosenthal. And House Resolution 791, offered by Representative Faver Dias."
"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor say 'aye'; all the opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. 10300106.docx 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Gabel moves that the House stands adjourned until Friday, May 17, at the hour of 11 a.m. All those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 5849, offered by Representative Morris, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 5850, offered by Representative Morris, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 5851, offered by Representative Kifowit, a Bill for an Act concerning public employee benefits. First Reading of these House Bills. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 779, offered by Representative LaPointe, will be referred to the Rules Committee. Second Reading of House Bills. House Bill 4127, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 4489, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 5172, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Second Reading of these House Bills. They'll be held on the Order of Second Reading. Second Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 463, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 536, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Senate Bill 647, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Senate Bill 692, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 774, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 860, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 914, a Bill for an Act concerning wildlife. Senate Bill 951, a Bill for an Act 10300106.docx 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 concerning civil law. Senate Bill 1087, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Senate Bill 2371, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 2586, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 2597, a Bill for an Act concerning property. Senate Bill 2625, a Bill for an Act concerning liquor. Senate Bill 2628, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 2641, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 2643, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Senate Bill 2644, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 2655, a Bill for an Act… a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 2658, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Senate Bill 2662, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Senate Bill 2703, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 2737, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Senate Bill 2740, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Senate Bill 2876, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 2878, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 2907, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 2918, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 2919, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Senate Bill 2960, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 3132, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 3155, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 3156, a Bill for an Act concerning… a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 3157, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 3173, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 3180, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Senate Bill 3182, a Bill for an Act 10300106.docx 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 concerning regulation. Senate Bill 3208, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Senate Bill 3216, a Bill for an Act concerning liquor. Senate Bill 3268, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. Senate Bill 3282, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 3302, a Bill for an Act concerning liquor. Senate Bill 3310, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Senate Bill 3314, a Bill for an Act concerning business. Senate Bill 3342, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 3348, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 3349, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 3402, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 3414, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 3421, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Senate Bill 3422, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Senate Bill 3448, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 3463, a Bill for an Act concerning courts. Senate Bill 3473, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 3476, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 3481, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 3538, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 3563, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 3581, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 3592, a Bill for an Act concerning journalism. Senate Bill 3597, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 3646, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Senate Bill 3650, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Senate Bill 3678, a Bill for an Act concerning business. Senate Bill 3686, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 3687, a Bill for an Act 10300106.docx 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 5/16/2024 concerning regulation. Senate Bill 3713, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Senate Bill 3753, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Senate Bill 3762, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Senate Bill 3768, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 3771, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 3775, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 3807, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Second Reading of these Senate Bills. They'll be held on the Order of Second Reading. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10300106.docx 77