Illinois House Floor Debate — January 29, 2025

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

"Spirit of empathy and human community, guide us in this chamber today and let truth rise above ideology, love overcome fear, and compassion outweigh the thirst for power and chaos. May we serve not to control but to care, not to divide but to heal. May we serve not with empty bravado but with humble courage as public servants. Grant us the clarity to see the dignity of all, the resolve to uphold justice, and the grace to truly work together for the good of every person while using our limited resources responsibly. Let us remember we are entrusted with helping and supporting all of our constituents, those who voted for us and those who did not. May our words and actions reflect the common good, and may our hearts be guided by unity and care. Peace be with every one of us as we do this important work together. Amen."

"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Jiménez." 10400004.docx 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 Jiménez - et al: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

"Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Gabel is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side."

"Speaker, let the record show that Representatives Jones, Manley, Scherer, and Vella are excused today."

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

"Have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 112 Members being present, there is a quorum. Appearing on Supplemental Calendar #1 appears House Resolution 92. And under the Order of Resolutions, House Resolution 92 is sponsored by Leader Gabel. Leader Gabel."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"Leader… Leader, hold… hold on one second. I'm… I'm sorry. Leader, please proceed. Leader Gabel."

"Thank… thank you, Mr. Speaker. House… House Resolution 92 is a amendment or addition to our… the last rules bill we passed. This bill adds the following four committees: Gun Violence Prevention; International Relations, Tourism, & Trade; Museums, Arts, Culture, & Entertainment; and Small Business, Technology Innovation, & Entrepreneurship to the 10400004.docx 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 committee list. And it renames two committees, Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies to Education Policy and Restorative Justice to Restorative Justice & Public Safety. We have also added one of the rules change that the… that the other side had recommended. House Resolution 21, we will be reducing the number of bills that can be placed on a Consent Calendar from 80 to 25. And it also exempts bills on a pending Consent Calendar from the Third Reading deadline under House Rule 9."

"On this resolution, Leader Windhorst."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"To be determined."

"Well, that language actually deleted the motion to pass a bill in committee. And… but we… what… we need that motion as well. So, it would then require two motions to pass the bill in committee and to put it on the Consent Calendar. And we felt that that would just be too cumbersome and it would be, you know, there… if someone made a mistake, we'd have to go back to committee just to add that it was going to be a motion to… to pass or to put on the Consent Calendar. So, we just felt it was too cumbersome."

"Yes."

"It was… it was felt that this proposal limits chairpersons' discretion." 10400004.docx 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025

"Oh. My… my response to what you… what you just explained was that Members do… do have a right to speak their minds and to represent their districts on the floor. Everyone's allowed to speak, and they're allowed to represent their districts in that way."

"Yes, we did."

"Again, we feel that this proposal diminishes the power of a committee chairperson's discretion."

"Seeing no one seeking further recognition, Leader Gabel to close."

"I'd appreciate an 'aye' vote."

"The question is, 'Shall House Resolution 92 be adopted?' Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of House Resolution 92. 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 74 voting 'yes,' 10400004.docx 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 38 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And House Resolution 92 is hereby adopted. Representative Canty seeks recognition."

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

"Please state your point."

"I want to take a moment to introduce my page for the day, Shyla Sood. She is a junior at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. She is amazing. She's on the debate team. She's a peer tutor. She is the founder of Hearts for Tomorrow, which is a club to raise awareness of heart disease, and she is part of the show choir and choir. She is interested in medicine and public policy and is looking to do something that marries those two interests after college. She's still picking out which college she wants go to, but she's thinking about Brown after she graduates from high school. And she joins us today as the first winner of our bill contest for our district because she… she wrote an incredible opportunity for us to deal with healthy school lunches. So, please give a warm Springfield welcome to Shyla Sood."

"Representative Halbrook."

"Please state your points."

"Representative Johnson, for what reason do you arise?"

"Point of personal… personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."

"Please state your point."

"Thank you. As a young boy growing up in the mid-1970s and a left hander, I wanted to be the next Jimmy Connors. Jimmy was the pride of Belleville, Illinois. The 'Brash Basher of Belleville,' he was coined by Bud Collins. Eight major titles and the only player in Open history to win a championship on three different surfaces. His popularity in Belleville can only be exceeded there by the famous author and current Assistant Majority Leader J.C. Hoffman in his district office. I remember riding my bike a few miles to Mel McKay Park in Rock Island just to play with my friends. We would even take plywood and put them across overturned metal garbage cans and put them across the driveway just to play our very own Wimbledon. Unfortunately, my career was over before it began, for when I started seventh grade at Rockridge High School, there was no tennis team. As a matter of fact, our tennis courts were being used as teacher parking, and my budding career ended before it even started. That's how I ended up in this place stuck with all of you rascals. I want to congratulate the 2025 women's singles champion in the Australian Open, Madison Keys. Madison is the pride of Rock 10400004.docx 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 Island and our Illinois Quad Cities community. Her path to a major champion has been a long one, but finally her time has come. Her inspiration came from watching Venus Williams, and Madison herself became an instant phenom, turning pro at the age of 14. A few months later, she became one of the youngest women ever to win WTA match in 2013. At the age of 17, she broke into the top 100 of the world, and less than two years later, first reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open. In 2016, she became the first American woman since Serena Williams to be ranked in the top 10. And in 2017, she reached final of the U.S. Open, falling just short to fellow American Sloane Stephens. There were other close calls over the next few years, but that first major stayed just out of reach. Injuries have certainly played a part the last few years, and it started to seem as if it just wasn't going to happen. But just last weekend, finally, her time came. She fought off a match point in the semi-finals to beat the number two ranked player in the world, and two days later defeated Aryna Sabalenka, number one player in the world, who was going for a three-peat. At the age of 29, Madison moved from local hero, an example for little girls in the Quad Cities, to a legend whose storied determination, heart, and perseverance should be a great example for everyone. Watching her play over the years has always been a joy. She is as genuine as it gets, the epidemy of what you look for in a competitor: always giving a hundred percent, never, ever showing disrespect for the game or an opponent, and afterwards ready for her next challenge. She said the other day after winning that she had begun to question herself. 'If I never win a major, am I a 10400004.docx 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 failure?' The answer is absolutely not, but I am sure that she has reflected many times on just falling short. She is proof that if we live in the past, our present goals cannot be realized. But if we learn from the past, then we can write our own future. From now to eternity, Madison, you are a major champion, and there is much more to come. Congratulations to you and your family. Way to represent Quad Cities and Rock Town. Way to set an example for all of us."

"Leader Avelar."

"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."

"Please… please state your point."

"Thank you. I rise today to wish somebody who's very special to me and my constituents a very happy birthday, my chief of staff, Jasmine Rubio's birthday is today and I'm… and I'm bummed that I can't say happy birthday to her in person. But she truly cares about community. She does everything that she does for our office with a smile on her face. So, I just want to thank her for her undivided attention to our constituents and her undivided commitment to make the world a better place. So, with that being said, feliz cumpleaños, Jasmine. Thank you."

"Representative Miller seeks recognition."

"Please state your point."

Speaker Hoffman: "Members, moment of silence. Thank you. Representative Katz Muhl, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please state your point."

"I rise this afternoon to present, in advance, House Resolution 74, recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This pending resolution honors the holiday which occurred on Monday, January 27, which was the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp at Auschwitz. In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we honor the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and recognize the bravery of the survivors. Between 1933 and 1945, 6 million Jewish people were killed by the Nazi regime and its allies as part of the antisemitism that was core to their ideology. In addition to the Jews, others killed included Poles, Romanies, Serbs, people with disabilities, political dissenters, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and Black Germans. By the end of the Holocaust, nearly two in three European Jews had been killed. But today, we honor not just their memory, but bravery of survivors and others who persevered through the war. In particular, we recognize the Allied soldiers, including nearly 1 million Illinois soldiers, 22,000 of whom lost their lives, who fought in Europe and who liberated the concentration camps. We 10400004.docx 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 recognize the righteous people who sheltered Jews and other victims of the Holocaust and saved lives at the risk of their owns. Here in Illinois, we have led the way originating Holocaust education in our schools, and we are home to so many survivors. Our survivors are aging. Many of them were but children when the Holocaust occurred, and they still tell and record their stories. And those stories are more important than ever now as we face an unprecedented rise in antisemitism. As our survivors continue to age, the responsibility will fall on us. Those of us who are the children, the grandchildren, and the great grandchildren of the survivors, and of those who were killed, it will be our honor and responsibility to carry forth those stories. So, today, in honor of those families and those communities, I share with you the story of my grandparents, Aron and Serina Katz. Serina was Serina Weiss during the war, about 16 years old, just about the same age as my daughter. She and her family were captured by the Nazis and taken to the concentration camps. Her youngest sister and her mother were killed at the concentration camps when her mother refused to leave her youngest daughter. My grandmother, her siblings, and her father did survive. My grandfather, then known as Aron Zoldan, was living in Poland with his family. He had a wife and young sons. His wife and sons were killed. He alone survived. Both my grandmother and grandfather survived because of their skills with a needle. They were tailors and had a useful skill that they used to survive the tragedies around them. They met in Germany in a reunification area after the war when a cousin of my grandfather's… or grandmother's 10400004.docx 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 found my grandfather and said, 'Come, you're my cousin, beautiful young woman.' They were married on Christmas Day. They had my Uncle David in Germany in the reunification area about a year later and my father, Abe, the year after that. Most of their family at that time immigrated to Israel. But they had such young sons, they decided to wait and to reach out to a cousin in America with the last name Katz who helped them get papers to move here, first to Indianapolis, and then to the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. I'm lucky to be part of this beautiful family that came from survivors. And my grandmother was one of the many survivors who recorded a video for the Shoah Project. It is a treasure that our family has forever and that anybody can access in the archives kept of the memories of the survivors. And so, in honor of not just my grandparents, but our family, my father, Abe, and his brothers, David and Ralph, the eight Katz grandchildren, Mark, Steve, Brett, Danny, Rich, Jeffery, Lori, and myself, and the 24 great-grandchildren that are descended of these survivors, we ask you to take a moment to take some thoughts for those who we lost and those who survived. If you're so moved, take some time to take a look at what your local school district does for Holocaust education, visit our Illinois Holocaust Museum, or visit the online website for the National Holocaust Museum. Together, we can carry forward these memories and make sure this never happens again. Thank you."

"The body shall observe a moment of silence. Thank you. Representative Cassidy seeks recognition."

"Point of personal privilege, please."

"Please state your point." 10400004.docx 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, while many of us were dealing with the chaos brought on by the memo that was released freezing all sorts of federal programs, which, by the way, the Office of Management and Budget just released a memo rescinding it, proving once again that the chaos is the point. During that time, as I was fielding calls from service providers and constituents concerned about their benefits, the White House also released two more executive orders: one imposing a ban on transgender members of the military, weakening our… our country's armed forces, squandering the training and dedication of many who… who have chosen to serve our country, and another taking aim at trans youth and attempting to impose what will likely be a total ban on young trans people accessing lifesaving care. There are a lot of folks here in Illinois and around the country who are busily analyzing a very dense and chaotically written executive order to figure out exactly what it will do. But to the families that I imagined having really difficult conversations over the dinner table last night, to the families who are terrified that they're alone, that they will not be able to keep their kids alive and safe because the White House is occupied by a group of bullies who punch down on kids. People who get their ya-yas by punching down on kids that represent less than one percent of the population are beyond despicable. Pick on someone your own size. I volunteer. These families are not alone. These kids are not alone. You have allies in this building who will fight to our last breath to protect you. Know that. Know that things are scary, know 10400004.docx 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 that things are uncertain, but know that you're not alone. Thank you."

"Leader West on House Resolution 52."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to memorialize the life of the Honorable Charles E. Jefferson. For those of you who remember, he served in this body as a State Representative for the 67th District from April 2001 to July 2014. During that time, he eventually became an assistant majority leader for the Democratic Caucus. My first memory of Leader Jefferson was when my mom literally drug me to his campaign office to make calls for him when I was 17 years old when he was running for State Rep. the first time. I reluctantly made those calls. I put a hard stop on going door knocking. But I was not aware that I was doing my part to pave the way for his legacy that I would eventually strive to live up to 20 years later as his State Representative of the same district. Chuck Jefferson's legacy is vast under this dome. He worked to ensure that a new judicial circuit was created, paving the way for the first Black woman to be elected judge in Winnebago County in 2008, the Honorable Judge Gwyn Gulley. He mentored and supported Dr. Litesa Wallace, his successor, my predecessor, in becoming the first Black woman to be a Member of the General Assembly for the Rockford region. She eventually went on to run for Lieutenant Governor. She's here in the body with us on today. He prided himself on constituent service, and it is now the expectation for any State Rep. that followed him to have the same level of service. He created the Mother's Day luncheon, which brought out over 200 moms in their Sunday's best the day before Mother's Day to be honored by Chuck. When 10400004.docx 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 I became State Rep., he let me take that luncheon, and now I'm up to 400 mommas. And I can't take the credit because I have to give it all to Chuck, and the moms remind me of that every year. 'Baby, this was so good. Thank you for doing what Chuck started.' Yes, ma'am. Most importantly, however, as his brother, Pastor Frank Jefferson, said at his homegoing service on this past Saturday, 'Chuck loved his family. His legacy is living through his sons, Carl Edward, Curtis Lamar, and Charles Jr.' A legacy builder is who the Honorable Charles Jefferson was to our state. A mentor and a friend is who he was to me. Mr. Speaker, as the words… after the words of remembrance from others, I ask for a moment of silence for my friend, the Honorable Charles E. Jefferson."

"On this resolution, Representative Ford."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."

"Please proceed."

"Thank you. So, in 2007, the people at 8th District had voted for me to come to Springfield and represent them, and I met Chuck Jefferson here in Springfield and he embraced me. And there are a lot of memories, but there are just a few that I want to tell you guys about Chuck Jefferson. One, I got to travel with him and Art Turner as a new Member, and I got to experience Chuck Jefferson's brothers in the same house where… when I tell you the brotherly love that Chuck Jefferson and his brothers, I think it was three or four, had was life changing. I was sitting in the house that we were staying in during our time away, and I had never felt the way I felt in that room with a bunch of guys that showed a younger guy how to get along with pure fun, wholesome fun, and love. It was 10400004.docx 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 life changing, and I'll never forget it. And that's because of Chuck Jefferson that I got that experience. He also took me golfing, and he pointed out to me some of the people that may had holes in their pockets. Like, he always close to the hole because he got holes in his pockets, so don't bet him. He also would tell me in golf, you know, 'take your time,' then he'd say, 'hurry up.' I'm like, Chuck, what you want me to do, take my time or hurry up? So, I would learn to pace myself better. But also, I got a chance to, when we would adjourn, stop and hit some balls at a driving range, and Chuck and I would talk and he would teach me some things about Springfield. And the last time we did it, this will forever reign in my mind, and I'll will never forget it. So, because he was the senior Member, I wanted to pay for everything, and because he blessed me with the time. So, when we were about to leave, I went to the washroom and I met the waitress and I gave her my card to pay for it. So, the waitress beat me back to the seat with the card and the invoice, the check. And Chuck said, 'Hey, do you know deny… say denied?' I say, no. 'Well, your card was denied.' That was funny. My card was denied, and he said, 'You need another card to pay for this because'… yeah, I didn't do good in stand up so that's why I'm here. But Chuck… I would never forget… I've always worried about my card being denied and my card got denied on Chuck Jefferson. It was just funny. He asked me did I know denied. I thought it was a person. It was my card. So, I really, really love Chuck Jefferson and the love that he showed me. And I thank him for bringing us Dr. Wallace and Leader West. And the people in Rockford loved him. Went to the service and 10400004.docx 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 they really showed a lot of love for Chuck Jefferson. They shut the city down, and they appreciated his service to their town. So, I mourn with all of you the loss of Chuck Jefferson, but I celebrate all that he gave the State of Illinois. Thank you."

"Representative Will Davis." Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After listening to Representative Ford, and I thought about it, I realized that there are probably only a handful of Members here who actually served with Chuck Jefferson, and I was fortunate enough to be one of them. He certainly was a… a large presence. One thing about Chuck is that he didn't say a lot, but when he did speak, it was meaningful, it was profound, and you paid attention to what we did, to what he said. Kind of some of the discourse that we have now, Chuck would have never been a part of it. It just wasn't his style. If you want to call him a southern gentleman, it just wasn't his style to be in the mix like that. But I appreciate Chuck because… it was because of Chuck that I actually started learning how to play golf. Chuck was the organizer of the Black Caucus' Foundation golf outing every year, and he would allow me to assist him and work with him to set it up. And I would have to credit Chuck for the success of the own event that I have… that I have every year for my… for myself. And one of the lessons he talked about on the golf course, when I did get a chance to play with him, was patience. Be patient, you know, as it would say on a par 4, for those of you who understand golf, you got four chances to get the ball down there. So, even if the first one goes this way and the second one goes that way, as long 10400004.docx 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 as you're moving forward you're getting closer to… closer to the hole and that's what is really important. But Chuck, as a Member, was great to work with, to be a part of, just to sit and learn and… and understand. And as a result of Chuck, we were blessed with Dr. Wallace, and now Leader West. So, the legacy, if I can say it that way, of Chuck Jefferson lives on. It truly, truly, lives on. And they're traits that Chuck had certainly can be seen in his predecessors here on the House floor. So, thank you, Chuck, for the time that you served, the work that you did, and allowing me to be a part of his village and be a part of his circle. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"Leader Evans."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to join Leader West and all of the folks who had the opportunity to experience this great man. You know, I'll try to keep it quick. I'm from Chicago, and I've engaged with a lot of men like Chuck Jefferson in Chicago. When I got to Springfield, I was 27 years old, and he was the first person like him outside of Chicago. And he would tell me, 'Marcus, I represent Rockford.' And he was serious about Rockford. He wanted me to know Rockford. He made me drive up to Cliffbreakers. What's that restaurant? Cliffbreakers? He said, 'Marcus, I want you to come to Rockford to have dinner with me.' I'm like, man, I ain't trying to… I've never been to Rockford, no intention to go to Rockford. I ain't interested in Rockford. That man made you care about Rockford. And he wanted to talk about… and not the Black people in Rockford, not the north side of Rockford, not these people, those people, everybody in Rockford. When 10400004.docx 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 you talk to him it's about Rockford. When I engaged with him at Cliffbreakers, white people came up, poor people came up, all types of folks. We went back to his office. He loved that community. He showed me right away that one person can really represent and push for a community irrespective of what they look like, irrespective of all these things because I have my particular Chicago-slated view, and that man cared about Rockford. He fought for Rockford. And when West got elected, you know, I wanted to hear those things, and you hear that from Leader West. Rockford, Rockford, Rockford, Rockford, Rockford. You hear him talking about his community. You can feel that love. And he was the first person I really engaged with, and he reminded me about that connection of your community. Fight for all the communities. He didn't care if they were Democrat or Republican. That man fought for that area. He drug me up there. And, La Shawn, I think I paid that when we went to Cliffbreakers. I don't know why you got off without paying 'cause I sure recall paying. But that man has so much wisdom, and thank God that we had him to serve in the chamber. So, if you can learn anything from… from my experiences, he was serious about everybody in his community. He was a unifier of Rockford, and I've heard of love from all different types of people, from the top to the bottom. So, thank God for Chuck Jefferson, and thank you, Leader West, for bring this to honor this great man."

"Representative Mayfield."

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please proceed." 10400004.docx 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025

"Thank you so much. I'm one of the few people who actually did serve with former Representative Chuck Jefferson. He was a truly wonderful person. And just following along the theme with some of my colleagues here, I bought my first set of golf clubs because of Chuck Jefferson. He took me out, and I was swinging for my life, and he's like, 'No, that is not how you hold a club. That is not how you tee up.' But he was just truly wonderful. He explained to me the benefits of learning how to play golf and not just for the edification of the game itself, but the relationships that you build on the golf course. And here I am 14 years later, and I have, oh, my God, I… I just have a wonderful time when I go out there, and I remember him every single time. It's not just driving around in that cart, even though I had these neon green golf balls that he absolutely hated, but it was the only way I could find my golf ball 'cause they went everywhere but where they were supposed to be. When I was… when I came in in 2010, I was appointed. My predecessor had died unexpectedly in office, and him and Chuck Jefferson were friends. So, Chuck knew a lot of about my district. So, he came in and he just had that mentoring spirit. He's like, 'If there's anything that you need, any questions you have, just come to me.' I'm like, well, okay. So, I wanted to do a community forum. I had no clue how to set up a community forum. It was just… it was going to be my own state of the state, what's happening in Springfield. He actually gave me an outline, told me how to pick a venue, what topics that, you know, to stay away from. And thank God he did that because it was my first one and I've learned since then. But he 10400004.docx 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 actually drove from Rockford to Waukegan, which is not a… it looks close on a map, but it is not close. And he was there, you know, giving me that extra sense of security that… that camaraderie, that rah-rah, I am here to support you, questions that I wasn't able to answer because I was new. He stood up, addressed the… you know, and was able to just give me my very first successful community forum. That was just his spirit. He was that kind of person. He encouraged me to reach across the aisle for bills that I was trying to work. I'm like, I… I need help passing my bill. He's like, 'Well, did you go over there?' I'm like, over where? You know, he's like, 'Go over there, and go shake everybody's hand, introduce yourself because when you're passing a bill, you need everyone or as many individuals as possible to support your bill.' So, he had that kind of a spirit. It wasn't us versus them. It wasn't Republicans, Democrat. It was we the people in this chamber and how can we do the best for our communities. And… and, yes, Representative Evans, he loved Rockford, and he pushed those bills for Rockford. And he did so in such a respectful manner that he had that bipartisan support. So, I'm just so grateful to have known him. So, thank you."

"Leader Gordon-Booth."

"I, too, happen to be one of those young… used to be young people that… that Chuck pulled into… pulled into his circle. When I think about what it really means to be a leader, you should be judged by who you invest in, who you are lifting up to replace you. Whether that happens or not, that's important that there is a succession plan. And long before I met Dr. Litesa Wallace, I would hear him talk about 10400004.docx 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 this young lady who was so amazing, who was so hardworking, who was a single mom, who had got her doctorate, who was doing the people's business when he was in Springfield. She was advocating for the people in that community. Certainly, when she got here, I knew all about her because Chuck Jefferson had been pouring into her for many, many years. I know this loss is a great one for Dr. Litesa Wallace. And so, I want to honor you in this moment as well. Leader West, he called me when Leader West was coming to Springfield and he told me about this young, sharp man. 'Sharp. You got to see him, girl. He's sharp.' And he talked about the family legacy that Leader West comes from in Rockford and how he had worked with this entire family throughout his career, not just as a State Representative, but through all his years in Rockford. You know, Chuck was like an uncle to many of us. Chuck shared many of the same roots that my family shared, migrating from the segregated South looking for greater opportunities in the North. And he treated me like a niece because, again, I came here as a young woman, Chuck came to my wedding in Mexico. When I got pregnant, Chuck was at my baby showers. Chuck drove to Peoria. Chuck was true person that cared about each and every person in this building. And I'm going to tell you, if the spirit of Chuck Jefferson could do anything for us, in this time, in this moment, is that we ought to open ourselves to a little bit more kindness and a little bit more love because that is truly the Chuck Jefferson way."

"Leader West to close."

"I want to thank those of you who provided words of remembrance to the Honorable Charles E. Jefferson. I want to 10400004.docx 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 thank Chuck for his legacy, not just for the City of Rockford, the State of Illinois, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, the legacy he built within myself and Dr. Wallace. And thank you all for helping me to honor him on today. I ask for an 'aye' vote."

"The body shall observe a moment of silence for Chuck Jefferson, who was a great man, true gentlemen, and it was an honor for me to serve with him. Moment of silence. Thank you. Leader West moves for the adoption of House Resolution 52. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 52 is adopted. Representative Yang Rohr, for what reason do you arise?"

"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."

"Please state your point."

"Thank you. On behalf of the Asian American House Legislative Caucus, I want to wish all of my colleagues here and all of the… the residents in Illinois a happy Lunar New Year. I invite you to join us in House Resolution 86, sponsoring the resolution and celebrating with your constituents with Asian American communities throughout the state and throughout the country who are gathering today to celebrate the Lunar New Year. While we say goodbye to the Year of the Dragon, we are, today, welcoming the Year of the Snake. 2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake. The snake is commonly known in the Chinese zodiac as a intuitive animal, one that it's known for wisdom and transformation. And with the wood element, we can expect this year to be marked by resourcefulness and creativity. And so, here in the Illinois 10400004.docx 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 House, I know that we are looking forward to a new year where our work transforms the state and is guided by the wisdom and creativity from every corner of the state. And in the spirit of the wood snake, happy Lunar New Year."

"Representative Gong-Gershowitz."

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please state your point."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Representative Yang Rohr just said, Asian Americans around this country are celebrating the new year. And while it is a time for celebration, it is also a time for reflection. And so, tomorrow, January 30, on the birthday of Fred T. Korematsu, many of us also take time to honor Fred Korematsu's legacy because he was a person who stood against the tyranny of his own government. And in his honor, for all those who stood for right against might, I offer the following resolution. WHEREAS, The people of Illinois seek to uphold the values that make the United States and the State of Illinois great, those of freedom, opportunity, equal justice under law for all, and all civil liberties enshrined in the United States and Illinois Constitutions; and WHEREAS, Anti… anti-immigrant sentiment and anti-immigrant extremism have factored into discrimination against Asian Americans and other marginalized people throughout our history and caused real and lasting harm to individuals and communities; and WHEREAS, The people and the State of Illinois have a duty to uphold our founding values and actively work to learn from our history and prevent the mistakes and tragedies of our 10400004.docx 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 past, including the unconstitutional use of executive orders to deny the guaranteed rights of citizenship; and WHEREAS, the people and the State of Illinois have a duty to uphold… sorry. WHEREAS, It is most appropriate and necessary to commemorate those incredible individuals who have defended civil liberties and resisted oppression within our great nation; WHEREAS, An assault on civil liberties was launched on February 19, 1942 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the internment of all people of Japanese descent in the United States; under order, those of Japanese ancestry, many American citizens, were subject to a curfew, ordered to submit to imprisonment, and placed in American internment camps without trial, access to legal counsel, or notice of any criminal charges; and WHEREAS, Fred T. Korematsu of Oakland, California valiantly refused to comply with these directives in an admirable display of civil disobedience and continued proudly to live his life as a free American citizen; he was subsequently arrested and tried for refusing to comply with Civilian Exclusion Order No. 34, which was authorized by Executive Order No. 9066, and was sent to Topaz internment camp in Utah; and WHEREAS, Fred Korematsu, in a selfless act of sacrifice, agreed to be the representative for those wrongfully imprisoned and appealed his case with the help of Earnest Besig of the American Civil Liberties Union; the case was heard by the United States Supreme Court; and 10400004.docx 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 WHEREAS, The Supreme Court upheld the decision to imprison Fred Korematsu in a 6-3 ruling, as well as the constitutionality of discrimination against a racial group as justified under conditions of war; that decision… that decision remained a stain on the civil liberties and American values of equal protection under law; his conviction was overturned via writ of error coram nobis on November 10, 1983 by the United District… United States District Court of Northern California; the Supreme Court decision has yet to be challenged; and WHEREAS, Fred Korematsu and his legal team appealed to overturn his conviction, inspiring the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan and which formally apologized to those wrongfully incarcerated under Executive Order No. 9066 and acknowledged the order was issued because of "racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership"; he was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton, the highest honor awarded to a civilian who has admirably served the interests of our nation; and WHEREAS, Fred Korematsu continued throughout his life to raise his voice for the voiceless and defend the defenseless in solidarity with those denied civil liberties, including speaking out against the solitary confinement of an American Muslim man in a United States military prison without trial; and WHEREAS, Fred Korematsu passed away on March 30, 20… 2005; today, the Fred Korematsu Institute works to educate people about his life story and the importance of civil liberties; 10400004.docx 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 the institute also aims to promote awareness of his life and work by schools, the general public, and state and federal legislators of his life with the observation of his birthdate, January 30, as Fred T. Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, that we commend Fred T. Korematsu for his courageous efforts for civil liberties; and be it further RESOLVED, That we honor the legacy of Fred Korematsu, his institute, and his children who work so diligently to educate the public by encouraging schools and institutes of higher learning throughout the State of Illinois to incorporate his story and his valiant stand for American values of justice into their curriculum; and be it further RESOLVED, That the suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Illinois State Board of Education and each Illinois state university. We often fail to learn from history with tragic consequences, and I felt that today of all days on Lunar New Year, and tomorrow the birth date of Fred Korematsu, that we honor his legacy and continue the fight for justice. Thank you."

"Leader Keicher."

Speaker Hoffman: "Thank you, leader. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."

"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Clerk, please read the Adjournment Resolution."

"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of the Adjournment Resolution. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Adjournment Resolution is adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the clerk, Leader Gabel moves that the House stand adjourned until Tuesday, February the 4th. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; all opposed 10400004.docx 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 4th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned."