"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Representative Dave Severin. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, and rise for the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Representative Severin."
"Thank you, Representative. I appreciate it and appreciate the opportunity to lead us in prayer, the different times I'm able to do that, and don't take it lightly. And I just want to read one verse from you… for you out of John, Chapter 16, Verse 33, the words of Jesus: 'These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye… ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I've overcome the world.' And before I pray, you know, each one of us, we have troubles and trials in our lives, but we can look to a higher power, which is God, to give us direction, wisdom, peace, and also I pray for safety this day as we head home. So, let's pray. Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank you for the opportunity to gather in this chamber, to come before you humbly, Lord, asking you for wisdom, direction, guidance, peace this day, safety as we travel. Lord, I pray for our families and friends and constituents, the State of Illinois, and our country. And, Lord, we don't take it lightly that we can call upon you and you hear and answer our prayers, and I thank you for that. And I thank you for each one that's in here. And, Lord, I thank you for lovin' Larry Walsh. Amen."
"Amen to that. We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative du Buclet." 10400013.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 du Buclet - et al: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Smith: "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 Costa Howard, Jones, and Welch are excused today."
"Let the record reflect that Representatives Costa Howard, Jones, and Welch are absent on the Democratic side. Leader Keicher is recognized to report any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representatives McLaughlin and Sosnowski are excused for today."
"Please let the record reflect Representatives McLaughlin and Sosnowski are excused for today. Have… have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 113 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
Clerk Hollman: "Committee Reports. Representative Evans, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor & Commerce reports the following committee action taken on February 26, 2025: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 1189 and House Bill 1616. Representative Blair-Sherlock, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration reports the following committee action taken on February 26, 2025: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 1312, House Bill 1432, House Bill 1447, 10400013.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 House Bill 1631, House Bill 1632. Representative Stuart, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education reports the following committee action taken on February 26, 2025: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 1073; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 1430. Representative Kelly, Chairperson from the Committee on Police & Fire reports the following committee action taken on February 27, 2025: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 1271 and House Bill 1388. Representative Stava-Murray, Chairperson from the Committee on Public Health reports the following committee action taken on February 27, 2025: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 1630. Representative Mason, Chairperson from the Committee on Child Care Access… Access & Early Childhood Education reports the following committee action taken on February 27, 2025: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 46. Representative Ortíz, Chairperson from the Committee on Counties & Townships reports the following committee action taken on February 27, 2025: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 42 and House Bill 1615. Representative Yang Rohr, Chairperson from the Committee on Personnel & Pensions reports the following committee action taken on February 27, 2025: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 1435 and House Bill 1647. Introduction of resolutions. House Resolution 158, offered by Representative Tarver; and House Joint Resolution 18, offered by Representative Will Davis, are referred to the Rules Committee."
"Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 156, offered by Representative Sheehan."
"Mr. Speaker, fellow Members of the House, I rise today to honor Sergeant Gerald Schneider of Sherman, Illinois. We 10400013.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 are deeply saddened by his passing. Today, we gather to honor his memory and reflect on the incredible impact he had on our community. Sergeant Gerald Schneider was a dedicated law enforcement officer and a beloved family man. He loved horseback riding, taking beach trips, and spending quality time with his family. With us in the gallery today are Gerald's wife, Sally, and their children, Kaylie and Beau. Please join me in extending our heartfelt condolences to them. I first met Gerald when we were cadets at the police academy in 2007, where we quickly became friends. We reconnected here at the Capitol when I began serving as a State Representative. Gerald was always a good, honest, and reasonable man. His straightforward nature and unwavering integrity earned him the respect and admiration of all who knew him. Gerald's career in law enforcement was marked by exceptional service and dedication. He began his journey at the Tri-City Police Department and later served in the Sherman Police Department and finished at the Illinois Secretary of State Police, where he rose to the rank of sergeant. Throughout his career, Gerald received numerous awards and commendations for his devoted efforts to protect and serve our community. I would like to extend my gratitude to the following people for their support and assistance in honoring Gerald's memory today by bringing together fellow officers, colleagues from the Secretary of State Police, and family: Thank you Sherman Mayor Trevor Clatfelter; Sherman Police Chief Craig Bangert; Director Bryan Hart of the Secretary of State Police; deputy chief of downstate operations with Secretary of State Police, Sheleda Doss; Captain Brian Walter of the Secretary of State police; 10400013.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 the Speaker's Office; Speaker's chief of staff, Clayton Harris; Representative Rosenthal and his staff. Their efforts have helped bring about this tribute, and we are truly grateful. As we mourn the passing of Sergeant Gerald Schneider, we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. Gerald's legacy of service, integrity, and love for his family will live on in our hearts. At this time, I would like to ask the Speaker for a moment of silence to honor the memory of Sergeant Gerald Schneider."
"The House will have a moment of silence. Thank you. Representative Rosenthal, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"Please proceed."
"Today, we stand in solemn remembrance of a great man who dedicated his life to not only his family, but to everyone that walked those halls on the Capitol Complex. We honor the service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment of Sergeant Gerald Schneider, also known as Jerry. We reflect on Sergeant Schneider's life. Let us extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fellow officers. We recognize the immeasurable loss they endure, and we express our gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who surrounded him. May we continue to honor Sergeant Schneider's legacy by supporting the men and women of the Illinois State Capitol Police and by striving to uphold the principles they so… so courageously protect. May his memory be a blessing, and may we never forget 10400013.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 the heroes who stand and watch over our democracy. Thank you to his family and friends that could be here with us today."
"Representative Morgan, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"I really want to thank Representative Sheehan for bringing this resolution forward. Some of you may have encountered Jerry in your… your day and may not have known that he was there for us, but I… I appreciate that the family is here and friends because it's important that we point out that sometimes those that are keeping safe are invisible to us. Jerry was not invisible to me, personally had been there for me. Many of us on both sides of the aisle have experienced, at a point, where I had experienced some threats against myself. Jerry was the person that oversaw making sure, here, I was safe. And when my family would ask how I was keeping myself safe, I would refer to Jerry. He did that for a number of us in ways that we can never express. So, I just want to say thank you to the family, to the other officers who are here because Jerry was incredibly important to many of us. And to those who may not have ever had to meet… the opportunity to meet him, he changed their lives too. So, thank you."
"Representative Sheehan to close."
"I ask for the adoption of the resolution."
"Representative Sheehan moves for the adoption of House Resolution 156. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And 10400013.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 the resolution is adopted. Representative Davidsmeyer, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Yesterday, we heard a little brief introduction on the recent release from the auditor general on the HBIS/HBIA programs. The key findings of that audit were, frankly, shocking. Governor Pritzker's administration greatly underestimated the actual cost and actual enrollment of the HBIA/HBIS programs. To put this into perspective, the HBIS estimate was $224 million, while the actual cost was $412 million, an 84% higher cost. For HBIA, age 55 to 64, the estimate was $58.4 million, while the actual cost was $223.1 million. Guys, we're… we're talking about the budget here. I'd appreciate everybody to listen and understand the large impact this has on the upcoming budget. Two hundred and eighty two percent higher than the estimate. For HBIA, age 42 to 54, the estimate was 68 million. The actual cost, $262 million, a 286 million… or 286% increase in cost. The total cost from '21 to '23 was 1.6 million, and they've updated those to over $2 billion just in health care costs directly to the people of the State of Illinois. That doesn't count hotels. That doesn't count any other ancillary things that were a cost to the City of Chicago and to the State of Illinois. As the sponsor of House Bill 1456, which will end taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants, I was surprised to see last week that the governor actually supported part of my idea. He wants to get rid of the HBIA program. Unfortunately, 10400013.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 he does not want to get rid of the HBIS program, which is… is something that I… I hope that we can work towards. Keep in mind that these programs were not passed through the committee process. They didn't go through the three-step process that we're required to go through. They were added to the BIMP and passed in the middle of the night. We couldn't afford free health care for illegal immigrants when the first HBIS program was passed during COVID, and we certainly cannot afford it now. Even Governor Pritzker has come to that realization. For all the reasons stated above and in the auditor general's report, these programs must immediately come to an end. Shut them down now."
"Representative Stuart, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"A point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"Thank you, Speaker. I just want to take a minute to introduce to the body my friend and my page for the day, Cathryn Windsor. Cathryn actually came to us all the way from Memphis, Tennessee. So, thank you for coming to visit us here in the great State of Illinois. She's a fifth grader. She loves to draw and sketch. She's been a dancer for a long time. She's a big reader. She prefers mystery novels. And something very cool about Cathryn, she's an entrepreneur. She has her own little small business, Creative Spirit Art, where they make custom art T-shirts. And she's joined by my friend, Leah, who is… grew up in the Troy-Edwardsville area of Illinois, who's up in the gallery with us. So, if we could give them a welcome, I would appreciate it." 10400013.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025
"Representative Ammons, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Seeking a point of personal privilege, please."
"Please state your point."
"Thank you. I was made aware yesterday evening, like many of my colleagues, that the Health Alliance firm in Champaign is closing its doors as well as closing plans for almost 280,000 people. Six hundred people in our community are about to lose their jobs. Hopefully, Health Alliance and Carle will place them in Carle's very vast system. But what I'd like to bring to the attention of the body is that, unfortunately, those employees were given very, very, very, very, very little notice of this situation. I hope to work with CMS here at the state for us to find remedy for all of these employees who will lose their jobs. Some of them, those who called me yesterday, both the husband and the wife work at Health Alliance currently. They're trying to put together the best practice for them to move those employees. We intend to meet with Health Alliance and call hospital leadership tomorrow and bring back to the body some actions that we should take. In this moment that people are losing their jobs at the federal level, we certainly cannot afford to start shedding employees in our state that depend on not only their positions, but, more specifically, state employees, including some of us who depend on Health Alliance for our medical insurance. This is a very difficult time for people in our country, and we need to have a little more humanity in us as corporate partners to give people a little more courtesy when 10400013.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 they are closing out their facilities. It was shocking to her and her husband yesterday evening, and they have very little information, unfortunately, at this time beyond what was given to the employees. So, I’ll call on my colleagues to help us remedy some of these issues in the near days. But we wanted to draw the attention to all of those and speak for those who don't have voice right now and are afraid of what is going to happen to them and their families as a result of this decision. Mr. Speaker, thank you, and I yield back."
"Representative Halbrook, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege, please."
"State your point."
"Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, nearly every week, we hear some of my Democrat colleagues say that somewhere in the State of Illinois there is yet another desert: a child care desert, a grocery store desert, an education desert, an employment or opportunity desert. The list is endless. And yet, for a party that has controlled this state for decades, one has to wonder: If you've been in charge, why are there so many deserts? Well, let's talk about what is… Illinois is not short on. It seems we are living in a desert in all but a few things that we'll call an oasis: an oasis of corruption, an oasis of skyrocketing real estate taxes, an oasis of excessive income and gas taxes, an oasis of burdensome and licensing fees. Illinois is overflowing with everything except what working families actually need: affordability, opportunity, and honest government. So, my question to my colleagues on 10400013.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 the other side of the aisle is simple. What have you done with your decades control of this state? You've held the majority in this chamber for nearly all of the last 40 years, controlled the governorship for nearly 20 of the last two and a half… 20 years of the last two and a half decades, and as far as the City of Chicago is concerned, a one-party stranglehold for nearly a century. If government is supposed to solve these problems, why have things gotten worse? And now, we see the consequences of one-party rule. The longest- serving state House Speaker in U.S. history, Michael Madigan, the architect of Illinois politics for decades, has been convicted on multiple corruption charges. His influence shaped this state for generations, and the system he built is still intact. So, I ask you again, what are you going to do about it? You can't blame Republicans. You've had the power. You still have the power. The people of Illinois deserve an answer. They deserve real solutions, not empty rhetoric. Our residents are tired of being taxed out of their homes. They're tired of watching businesses pick up and leave. They're tired of the same excuses year after year. And most of all, they're tired of political elite getting richer while the rest of the Illinois struggles to get by. Illinois doesn't need more political theater, more commissions, more task forces, or empty promises. It needs a government that works for the people, not for the insiders or special interests who have profited from its failures. It needs a system that rewards hard work, not one that punishes success and drives families away. It needs bold reform, not another generation of excuses. The people of Illinois are watching. They know who is 10400013.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 responsible. And if this body refuses to act, if the same broken system continues to put politics over people, then rest assured, the people will act. The voters are waking up, and they will not tolerate more of the same. Real reform is not a choice, it's a necessity. The only question now is whether you will be part of the solution or continue to be a part of the problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Reick, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"State your point."
"You know, I find it… I spent… well, my friend from Jacksonville here was taking about the overruns on the HBIA and the HBIS programs. I was watching the goings-on on the other side of the aisle, and I saw one thing that struck me was a… an attitude of total unconcern. Unconcern about the fact that a program that everybody could basically see was going to go off the rails and cost us a lot of money, that we had to pass because it was the right thing to do, now that when the bill comes due and… or when the bill is paid and the chickens come home to roost, there's no… there seems to be no concern on the other side of the aisle that, oh, my goodness, we went way, 200-and-some percent, over what we had budgeted for this thing. I would remind the people of Illinois that these are the same folks over there who, in May, are going to ram through a budget that we cannot afford because there is going… there are going to be deficits. There are going to be tax increases. So, when you're looking at our side of the aisle trying to point out the fact of the waste that goes on 10400013.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 in these… in these programs, things that are not taken care of, it takes an auditor's report for… for us to understand how badly administered these programs are. The folks who are actually going to be in charge of making things happen in May and put this budget through have absolutely no concern about your money."
"Representative LaPointe, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"It's not even 1 o'clock, and we've already heard about big budget line items, we've already heard about people losing their jobs in Central Illinois, and we've been accused of having no concern. No concern. On this side of the aisle, we feel like some in this chamber have no concern that Medicaid is at risk. We feel that there's no concern that the $21 billion that the federal government sends to Illinois every year is at risk. We feel that there is no concern that the 772,000 people that are on the Medicaid expansion program that have health insurance for the first time in their lives is at risk. I read in the newspaper this morning that some people in this chamber want to cut people off from health benefits immediately. Not in July, not in a few months, but absolutely immediately. And we're talking about access to emergency care, access to routine health care, access to cancer treatment. And in the news, it said some in this chamber want to cut people off immediately. So, I want to counter that by just uplifting that many of us in this chamber have so much anxiety that our biggest funder of behavioral 10400013.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 health care, our biggest funder of AIDS care, our biggest funder of long-term care in Illinois is at existential risk. And we are concerned, and we are raising our voices about that. We need that hospital CEOs and leaders around this state, especially in rural Illinois, can't sleep at night. People are literally losing sleep because the health care is at risk and the whole infrastructure and thousands of jobs are at risk because of the conversations in D.C. And we are concerned about that. And I've said this in this chamber, and I'm going to say it again 'cause last time only half of us were in here. Of the 108,000 people that I represent on the far Northwest Side of Chicago, 33,000 of those people are on Medicaid, 7500 of which are on the ACA expansion population. For my Southern Illinois colleague, who I consider a friend, who represents Carbondale and Cairo, 40,000 people in his district are on Medicaid, and 10,000 of those are on the ACA expansion population. In the South Side Chicago district, represented by my good friend who happens to be in the Chair right now, 53,000 of his constituents are on Medicaid. Fifteen thousand of those are on the expansion population. Since we've opened the conversation about big budget line items today and about people losing their jobs, thank you, Representative Ammons, and about who cares about what, we care about that existential threat to not only health care access, but our state budget. We cannot lose that 21 billion. We cannot lose that 7.34 billion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Severin, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10400013.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please state your point."
"It was pointed out to me that I have not given the MISO report for the week, so here it is. That… if you're unfamiliar with the MISO report, that is the fuel mix for the southern part of the state and the mid part of the state. Twenty-five percent is… power is produced by coal; natural gas, 17 percent; nuclear, 14 and a half percent; wind, 27 percent; and solar, 11 and a half percent. So, that's your fuel mix for MISO for the southern part of the state. Stayed tuned next week, you might get PGM. Thank you. PJM."
"Representative Niemerg, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"You know, I'm kind of listening to the conversations in the chamber here today and happen to see President Trump's cabinet meeting yesterday. And he was asked… maybe everybody should start watching President Trump's cabinet meetings. He was asked by a reporter, 'Can you guarantee Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security will not be touched?' President Trump, 'I have said many times, many times, that you shouldn't even ask me that question.' He said, 'No.' But when we have a line item in here, thanks for talking about line-item budgets, and you're $2.2 billion, 2.2 billion, you're 286% higher on your cost estimates for illegal immigrant health care. You know, other folks throughout the State of Illinois, they have deductibles. They have cost sharing. It comes out 10400013.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 of their own pocket. Then, on Tuesday, the governor sends a letter to President Trump saying, you guys need to unfreeze the $1.88 billion in federal funding. Well, I'm sure President Trump would be very happy to talk about federal funding to the State of Illinois if you stopped paying for illegal immigrant health care. And this 2.2 billion doesn't even talk about the cost for housing, transportation. That's something I'll be asking the auditor general about. Who's paying for this? Where are these contracts coming from? Who's making money on this 'cause it surely isn't the citizens of the State of Illinois. So, stop paying for illegal health care benefits, stop paying for illegals, start putting Illinois citizens first, and I am sure President Trump would be happy to work with you. Thank you."
"Leader Guzzardi, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A brief point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"To my colleague who just spoke, I appreciate you speaking on this topic now, but you'll recall that there was an opportunity to take a record vote on the matter of President Trump and his proposed budget cuts. And rather than be on the floor to debate that measure, you chose not to be here. Now, if you'd like, we can put a Motion to Reconsider on that resolution. We can bring it back before the House floor. We can have a debate about it, and you can finally stand here, do your job, and cast a vote. But if you should choose not to do so, I would just encourage you to withhold 10400013.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 your remarks on points of personal privilege until you're willing to cast a vote on a measure on the floor."
"Representative Walsh, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Purpose of an announcement."
"Please make your announcement."
"Morning, ladies and gentlemen of the House. Just want to remind everyone that the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus will be taking place next Tuesday, March 4, at the Wyndham hotel from 5 to 7. All is… all are invited, including your staff, so please come out and support the caucus. It is the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucus down here in Springfield. Look forward to seeing everyone. And secondly, to my friend and colleague, Representative Severin, thank you for the prayer this morning. I need 'em all."
Speaker Smith: "Leader Mah, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege and… and an announcement, actually."
"Please state your point."
"Thank you. Colleagues, yesterday I was at an event at the Illinois State Library and I was really delighted to find that library cards are available to all of us state employees for free. And they have… they give you access to audiobooks, as well as documents, state and federal documents, maps, all kinds of wonderful benefits. So, if you go on to the state library's website, you can apply, and they will send you a library card for free. So, that's all. Thank you." 10400013.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025
Speaker Smith: "Leader Lilly, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"Please state your point."
"In recognition of Black History Month, I rise to recognize Ruby Bridges Hall, born September 8, 1957. Ms. Hall is an American civil right activist. She was the first Black American child to attend formerly white school William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis on November 14, 1960. She is the subject of the 1964 painting 'The Problem We All Live With.' Brown v. the Board of Education decision was finalized in 1954. The southern states were extremely resistant to the decision that we must integrate within six years. The court ruling declared that the establishment of separate public schools from white children, which Black children were barred from attending, was unconstitutional. In 1961, when she, at the age of 6 years of age, her parents responded to a request from the NAACP and volunteered her to participate in a integration of the New Orleans school system, even though her father was hesitant. In 1960, Bridges was one of six Black children in New Orleans to pass the test that determined whether she could attend a all-white school, which was William Frantz Elementary. As soon as the Bridges entered the school, white parents pulled their children out. All the teachers except one refused to teach a Black child. One Black child was taught every day by Barbara Henry, who was a Boston… who was from Boston, Massachusetts, every day for one year alone. She taught Ms. Bridges as if she was the only teacher in the whole class 10400013.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 with one student. As of 2024, Bridges now lives in New Orleans with her husband, Malcolm Hall, and their four children. She is the founder of Ruby Bridges Foundation, which was formed in 1991 to promote the value of tolerance, respect, and the appreciation of differences. The mission of this group is… basically is to say, 'racism is a grown-up disease, and we must stop using children to spread this disease.' Her childhood struggles at Frantz Elementary School was portrayed in a movie in 1998, titled… and it was a TV movie, titled 'Ruby Bridges.' I suggest you check it out. On March 5, 2024, Ms. Bridges was inducted into the National Woman Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony included her alongside the world- renowned tennis player, Serena Williams. In 19… 2011, excuse me, in 2011, July 15, Bridges met with President Barack Obama at the White House. And while they were viewing the Norman Rockwell painting that was on display in the White House, he said, 'I think it's fair to say if it was not for you guys, I might not be standing here and we wouldn’t be looking at this painting together.' It is important to know that we all have a lot to learn, but I wanted to leave us with a poem that I had something to do with the authoring, so bear with me. And it's titled 'A Brave Step Forward.' 'In a world of whisper, shadows cast, A young girl stood, and had courage at vast. Ruby, with a dream that reached the sky, Took a deep breath, and let her spirit fly. On that first day, hearts heavy with doubt, She walked through the gates, her eyes looking out. A dream and a sea of faces, some cold, some warm, 10400013.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 But she carried a fire, with a quiet storm. With each step she took, history swayed, Breaking the bridge that was so delayed. The echoes of the footsteps, a call to be free, In the halls of learning, she planted the seed. Through the path… though the path was rough, with trials to face, She stood tall, a symbol of grace. For every child dreaming, every heart that yearn, Ruby lit the way, and the world slowly turned. Her story minds us, though tough struggles and strife, That love conquers hate, and hope breathes life. So here's to the brave, who dare to stand tall, Like Ruby Bridges, who inspired us all.' Happy Black History Month."
Speaker Smith: "Mr. Clerk, please read the Adjournment Resolution."
Clerk Hollman: "Senate Joint Resolution #23, offered by Representative Gabel. RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, February 27, 2025, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 04, 2025, or to the call of the President; and the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 04, 2025, or to the call of the Speaker."
"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of the Adjournment Resolution. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed 10400013.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 13th Legislative Day 2/27/2025 say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Adjournment Resolution is adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Gabel moves that the House stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 4, at the hour of noon. All in favor say 'aye'; all 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 3997, offered by Representative Syed, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 3998, offered by Representative Ford, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. First Reading of these House Bills. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10400013.docx 21