Illinois House Floor Debate — March 13, 2025

"The House will be in order. Members will be in their 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."

"As we gather together again today in this chamber, we do so in celebration of Women's History Month, a time to honor the trailblazers who fought for equality, the advocates who never wavered, and the countless women whose labor, wisdom, and resilience have shaped our communities, our state, and our nation. Let us remember the women who built this state, the mothers, the teachers, the nurses, the workers, those who held communities together yet were often denied a seat at the table. May we honor their labor by ensuring no woman is left behind; that health care is a right, not a privilege; that safety is a guarantee, not a luxury; that opportunity is open, not obstructed. Let our work in this chamber reflect their courage. Let our policies uplift their dignity. And let our decisions shape a future where every woman, every girl, and every person knows their worth, their power, and their place in this great state of ours. With resolve, with justice, and with unwavering commitment, let us begin together. Amen."

"Amen. We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Ugaste."

"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, Gill, Gong-Gershowitz, Guerrero-Cuellar, Jones, Kelly, Moylan, and Omar Williams are excused today."

"Leader Keicher is recognized to report any excused absences from the Republican side of the aisle."

"Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the roll… please take the record. There being 106 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Representative Davis, for what reason do you seek recognition?" Davis, W.: "Madam Speaker, may I have a point of very personal privilege?"

"Please proceed." Davis, W.: "Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, as many of you know, I've worked in this chamber on behalf of our schools and our communities. I was particularly proud to work across the aisle to finally make Illinois' innovative evidence-based funding formula a reality. Our approach at that time was that a rising tide lifts all boats. So, we refused to pick winners and losers. We worked together to strengthen every school because every student deserves the opportunity for a world-class education. But our work is under attack by the gentleman in the White 10400019.docx 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 House named Donald Trump. We are still determining just how much damage Trump's orders firing half… his order firing half of the Department of Education will have on schools in my community and all of our communities. But what we do know is this: We know he's not done. And, in fact, that it's the only side of the aisle is willing to speak up. If the other side of the aisle is willing to speak up, makes me… whether or not they're willing to speak up, makes me question whether we're all still dedicated to the idea that every student deserves a world-class education. But before you start thinking that this is just a problem in communities like mine, know this: Donald Trump is not picking winners and losers. His cuts are a loss to every district in the State of Illinois. McHenry County schools receive over 1 million in Title I funding from the Department of Education. Danville school district receives $4.2 million in funding from the Department of Education. Millstadt, East St. Louis, Cahokia, O'Fallon, and Lebanon receive more than 11 million every year in funding from the Department of Education. So, what are people on that side of the aisle going to do, what are they going to say when property taxpayers start continuing to pick up the bill for Donald Trump's agenda? How are you going to spin the idea of gutting your own schools so billionaires like Elon Musk and others can get yet another tax cut? Time to speak up is now, ladies and gentlemen, because our work in this chamber has proven that we understand that we need to lift up every school in the State of Illinois. But today, some of you aren't willing even to speak up for your own schools. You notice the T-shirt that I'm wearing, that equity is excellence. 10400019.docx 3  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 Unfortunately, Representative Wilhour and… and I disagree on this fact. We believe that equity is excellence. I think his statement was is that we have too much equity and not enough excellence. And I said, well, aren't the two synonymous? Don't they go together? All the work that we're doing to stand up schools in the State of Illinois is about making sure that we can do both, Representative, that we can do both. But unfortunately, the gentleman on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue sees it a little different. I mean, when we talk about cutting a… a department like the Department of Education, a lot of the folks that he's laying off are the folks that process the claims from the states, that process our requests for funding to stand up Title programs, to stand up special education programs. And even a Member of your caucus even spoke to me early on to say, 'What's going to happen if the Department of Education goes away?' Now, clearly we don't necessarily know what that means. But we got some thoughts on what's going to happen to the quality of education. So… and as much as you talk about the need for excellence versus equity, we're not even going to have excellence if Donald Trump does exactly what he wants to do to supplant his people in the Department of Education to make sure that states like ours don't receive funding for basic educational rights. Title funding serves the lowest-income individuals in the State of Illinois. It serves those that don't… just don't have. And I know we've got funding challenges all over the State of Illinois, but that's why we've been working very hard to stand up the EBF, to make sure that every year we put new dollars into EBF and pushing those dollars out to the schools that need it the 10400019.docx 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 most. Now, some of you may say the schools that need it the most are schools that are in my communities and kids that look like me. But I can assure you, in your districts throughout Southern Illinois, your districts are benefiting from the EBF as much as mine are as well. So, why not stand up, support what we're doing? Speak against Donald Trump's cuts to the Department of Education so that we can not only have excellence, but we can also have equity. Thank you very much."

"Representative Faver Dias, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"A point of personal privilege, Madam Speaker."

"Please state your point."

"The destruction of the Department of Education should alarm everyone in this chamber, just as Chair Davis said. Our education system is an interdependent system of students, parents, educators, staff, business partners, local contractors, community members working at the local level to make decisions about the content and delivery methods of education. But funds from the federal government are essential to providing critical programs, especially in rural and low-income areas. Who will feel these cuts most dramatically? Initially, it will be the most vulnerable among us: Working families trying to send their kids to college, only to discover Pell Grants and federally backed student loans are harder to get. Children with disabilities, who rely on those federally funded programs, will find their services reduced or cut altogether. And the more than 2,000 Title I eligible schools in Illinois that rely on federal funding to 10400019.docx 5  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 make up for the shortfalls in their local budgets. That's the immediate fallout, but there will be long-term ripple effects that impact the fiscal health of our state. In Illinois, more than 265,000 students receive federal financial aid for higher education annually. That's not just good for those individuals. That's good for the financial prosperity for our state to ensure we have qualified professionals in our tech, education, financial, medical, and other fields. In Illinois, about 16% of our students have IEPs. Over 100,000 students in Illinois receive special education services under the federally legislated IDEA. That's not just good for those students and their families. That's good for the stability of our state. Not only are those students provided quality education, but they are prepared to pursue higher education or join the workforce. There is no way these programs will meet the incredible needs of our families across the state as the U.S. Department of Education is slashed. These types of cuts will be pervasive across the services once provided by the Department of Ed. These… this system did not develop overnight, but it is being torn down by… before our very eyes. These changes will negatively impact families today, the prosperity of our state today and for generations to come. Thank you."

"Representative Scherer, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege, please."

"Please proceed."

"There is so much uncertainty facing our schools right now, but I know who will be left with the bill. I spent 30 10400019.docx 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 years teaching in Central Illinois classrooms, and I've dedicated my time here fighting for those same schools that are too often written off as hard to staff. Many of our rural students are not being taught by full-time teachers, but by substitutes who are not certified. So, the small towns, the rural districts, and modest-income communities that are already struggling are going to get hit the hardest. So, why is Donald Trump pushing ahead with a policy that will hurt the same people who trusted him? I'll tell you why. Simply because his billionaire donors want another tax cut. And they'll mortgage our children's future to pay for it. Working families are going to pick up the bill in every way. Those schools already facing teacher shortages are about to get hit even harder. The latest report… listen to this, everyone. This is very serious. I don't speak that often on the floor, but this is very serious. The latest report said 180,000 teachers losing their jobs. If you didn't get it the first time, that was 180,000 teachers losing their jobs. The students in those schools won't get the opportunities we have all said, right here on this floor, that they deserve. Families will pay the price on their property tax bills, which I hear Members saying are entirely too high already. And according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the Trump tax cuts are focused on people who make more than $950,000 per year. Let me say that again. The tax cuts are for millionaires and billionaires only, not our working families, not our poor struggling to get by, not our middle class. Oh, no. The tax cuts that we're cutting schools to fund are for millionaires and billionaires who already don't 10400019.docx 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 pay their fair share. I don't know a lot of people in Decatur and Springfield who are going to benefit from that, and I bet there aren't a lot of people in your communities either. But if we're all going to go home this afternoon, we're going to see the people who are going to pay for this. Thank you."

"Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."

"Representative Kifowit, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10400019.docx 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025

"Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise for a point of personal privilege."

"Please state your point."

"Thank you, ma'am. Members of the House, I just want to draw your attention to a very special visitor that we have today. So, it is my pleasure, to my left… if you want to stand up. It is my pleasure this morning to announce that we have Olena Striletskyi here with us in the gallery. You might recall that Ignat Striletskyi was here a while ago, and this is his mother. So, Ignat joined us about a year ago, and they are refugees from the war… the war in Ukraine. Members, they… she has come all this way from Ukraine, and she is visiting her son, he is a student at UIS, for the first time in three years. So, I know what it's like to be away from your son for a year. She hasn't seen him in three years because of the conflict in Ukraine. So, this morning, and this is Women's History Month, but this morning I want to honor her, and I want to thank her and all the brave mothers of the Ukraine as the war continues. Her resilience, and those of mothers abroad and their resolve, truly embodies the spirit of democracy, the spirit of freedom, the commitment of mothers, not just really in Ukraine but here in our own country. But they work tirelessly for the betterment of the future of their children. So, it is stories like hers, like Olena's, that we have to hold close to our hearts… ladies and gentlemen, please… that we hold close to our hearts and uplift the stories of brave women, strong women, committed to a better future for all of us and not just for some. So, Olena, I want to welcome you to Illinois. It has been an honor and a privilege to have your 10400019.docx 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 son here. I want to thank you for your trust in our nation and state, where at times it's been very, very, very frightening. And thank you and everybody in your country for standing up for democracy and… in the Ukraine, but we are also here bound to stand up for democracy as well. So, from Illinois to you, thank you so much for making the trip across the ocean to come to Illinois."

"Representative Blair-Sherlock, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please proceed."

"Good morning, House. I'd like to take a moment to introduce my page for the day. I'm going to go with what I call him, Omer Mohsin… did I say that right? I'm trying, okay… who is our page for the day. He's a sophomore at the University of Illinois, where he is pursuing a track into pre-law, with the ultimate goal to join us here in public service. He's civically engaged at school, where he's involved in student advocacy, leadership activities, and faith organizing for the Muslim students' associations. In his free time, he is an also an avid food pantry volunteer, an activist for humans rights causes, and he enjoys playing basketball and soccer. Omer interned for me last summer, over Christmas break, and we are anticipating his return this summer. He is amazing, and I would like the House to give him a warm welcome. Thank you."

"Representative Olickal, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege." 10400019.docx 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025

"Please state your point."

"I wanted to… up in the gallery here, I have my district staff in town. I wanted to welcome them. First, I want to shoutout Tina Samuel who's here, my outreach director. She's going to be my chief of staff soon because, unfortunately, my current chief of staff, Beni Batiste, who many of you have had the chance to work with, is moving on to bigger and better things. And so, I just wanted to give… take an opportunity to thank her for her incredible work and service to the people of the 16th District in my office. Beni and I met five years ago when I first ran for office and has been an incredible partner and friend in… in the work that we've done in the legislature. For over two years, she has served as my chief of staff. I can't thank her enough for all the great work she's done in the district, setting up our office, building relationships with all of the state… the diverse stakeholders we have. And I also would not have been able to do half of the things that I've done here legislatively if she didn't push me out of my comfort zone, tell me no when I needed to hear it. So, and to be honest, would not be in this chamber for… if it weren't for all of her great work. So, I want to thank her for her service. So, I want to just ask the body to join me in thanking her for all of her great work and wish her good luck on her future endeavors."

"Representative Sheehan, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point." 10400019.docx 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025

"Representative Hirschauer, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Personal privilege, please."

"Please proceed."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I'd like to take a quick moment to introduce the body to my page for the day. This is Shahid Khatib, a proud son of immigrants from India, an undergraduate student at the College of DuPage pursuing a political science degree, an aspiring advocate, and an intern in my district office this year. Shahid is a member of student government at the College of DuPage and very involved with the community there. He is working on his legislative project researching student mental health initiatives in higher education, and he is looking to pursue international studies and to possibly work in NGOs and nonprofits or maybe in Springfield someday. Since starting his internship, Shahid has learned the ins and outs of the legislative process. He has advocated for community college students when meeting with various state agencies, but he says his most favorite 10400019.docx 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 thing was getting to meet constituents from all walks of life who are willing to share their story with our office. Shah is, right now, in the middle of filling out college applications and doesn't quite know yet where he will end up next year, but I have no doubt that his future is bright. No matter the path he chooses, I have faith that he will continue to support those who are most in need and use his talents for the betterment of our community and country. So, please join me in welcoming Shah to Springfield."

"Representative Buckner, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege, please."

"Please state your point."

"Thank you, Madam Speaker. If I could have the attention of the body. Today, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Jerry Butler. A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a civic leader, and a cherished member of our special group of Illinois elected officials. Commissioner Butler was laid to rest yesterday in Chicago. He was born in Mississippi and raised in Chicago's Cabrini-Green. Jerry Butler understood the power of community from an early age. His deep, soulful baritone, a voice that could swoon an audience and stir a movement, first echoed through church pews before it graced the airwaves and the record charts. He gave us songs that endure, like 'For Your Precious Love' and 'Only the Strong Survive,' an anthem as much about love as it was about resilience, the very kind of resilience that he embodied as a person. Jerry Butler was more than just a voice. He was a champion for the people, dedicating his later years to public service and 10400019.docx 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 health care advocacy. As a Cook County commissioner, he fought for resources for Stroger Hospital, ensuring that families across the city, no matter what their zip code was, had access to care. He believed that strength of a community laid not just in its economy, but in its well-being. He made sure that policies weren't just written, that they would work for the people who needed them the most. I could stand here and talk about his platinum records, his decades in public service, and the halls of power where he made a difference, but let me tell you about the Jerry Butler that I knew. When I was a kid, my father's car broke down on the Dan Ryan Expressway near 79th Street, and we were stuck on the side of the road. And then, almost like clockwork, a car pulled up behind us. Not just any car, a beautiful Cadillac, a deep blue 1975 Eldorado. Sleeked, polished, the kind of ride that made an entrance. And out stepped a man impeccably dressed, smooth as silk, Jerry Butler. I had never met him before, but my father had a long relationship dating back to 1960s with him centered around both of… both of their work in the music industry. My dad turned to me and said, 'That's my friend, the Ice Man.' And what did he do? He jumped out of the car, and he saved us. He jumped the car, and we were able to move… move forward. But he left as smoothly as he entered. He was the first actual politician I ever met in real life, and he helped shape my understanding of what being a person of the people looks like in actuality. In other words, Jerry Butler wasn't just cool in his music. He was cool in his kindness, whether on stage, in public service, or on the end… on the edge of the highway. He showed up. He lifted people up. And so, today, we remember 10400019.docx 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 him not just as a musical icon, not just as a public servant, but as a man with a big heart, a booming voice, and an undeniable presence, the kind of presence that could fill an arena or quietly change a life. That's the Jerry Butler I knew. Let us honor his memory today and his legacy. May his music, his service, and his spirit continue to inspire us all."

"The body will take a moment of silence. Thank you. Representative Mason, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege, Madam Speaker."

"Please state your point."

"Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, today is March 13, and that is a very special day for me because 20 years ago today, my baby boy, Grant, was born. It's hard to believe that he is 20 years old right now. He is a sophomore at Western University, a Leatherneck, on the honor roll and studying fire science. He's my little athlete and my absolute joy, and I'm going to really miss being with him today. So, happy birthday, Grant. Please help me wish him a happy birthday."

"Representative Wilhour, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please proceed."

"Representative Will Davis, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10400019.docx 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 Davis, W.: "Thank you, Madam Chair. A point of personal privilege, if I may."

"Please state your point." Davis, W.: "Well, Representative Wilhour… and, yes, I'm using your name again because I'm not scared to… it's interesting when you talk about three out of 10 not supposedly being able to read. I hope you all realize on that side of the aisle that he's talking about your kids too. Because three out of 10 kids is not just Chicago. That's everywhere in the State of Illinois, so basically he's saying that your kids can't read either. Hope you heard that. And that's fine, again, Representative. What we talked about was you're not speaking up to what's happening in Washington, D.C. So, that's right, your poor kids, like mine, benefit from those Title programs. Now, if you don't want them to benefit from them, tell your school districts to return the money. Tell your school districts to give back the money that they're receiving. If they don't like EBF, they can return the dollars. They don't have to keep 'em. So, please have that conversation with your superintendents and see how they respond to you encouraging them to give back the money. I said earlier that someone on your side of the aisle was very concerned about the Department of Education going away. What's going to happen to those programs? What's going to happen to that money? And I believe the conversation was wanting to make sure that I supported the idea that those dollars, those trillions of dollars that we get from the Department of Education, will still be used to support special education programs, Title programs, and other programs that are designed to stand up particularly the 10400019.docx 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025 least of them and the most underserved young people here in the State of Illinois. So, it's real easy to say, you know, what we should be doing, but the question is, what are you doing? Sounds like you're hiding too. Now, I… I can't fit under my desk. So, there's no need for me to try to hide. I'm standing right here. Here I am, every day. In committee every day, making sure that those that want to talk about supporting our young people have the opportunity to do so, holding those hearings. And in fairness to you, I give you all the latitude you need to ask questions, even though some of the stuff you say seems a little inappropriate sometimes. But I don't stop you because that's your right to be able to do so. But what we do know is that when you make those statements, everybody in the State of Illinois is hearing them. So, they see how you feel about them. They see and hear how you feel about their children here in the State of Illinois. I believe, on this side of the aisle, we're doing everything we can to make sure that our children have the highest quality possible education. We're standing up programs to make sure that we are putting more teachers in the classroom. We're standing up programs to make sure they have all the wraparound services that they can. We're standing up those programs. What are you standing for? Not this. As far as I'm concerned, you're making it worse because all you're doing is talking. At the end of the day, when we vote on a budget to support those programs that not only service my communities but also service your communities, when we take that vote, you know what, I think I know which color button you're going to press already." 10400019.docx 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025

"Thank you, Representative Davis. Can you wrap up your remarks?" Davis, W.: "I will, Madam Chair. Needless to say, again, I'm not hiding, Representative Wilhour. I stand by those things that I do. I stand by those things that I say. And I wish you had the fortitude to do the same."

"Representative Wilhour, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please proceed. Please note that we've instituted the two-minute timer."

"Representative Miller, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point."

"Representative Miller, please bring your remarks… remarks to a close."

"Representative Deering, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point."

"Representative Grasse, for what reason… for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege, please."

"Please state your point."

"Today, I want to introduce you to a remarkable woman I'm sure most have never heard of, the Reverend Pauli Murray: resilient, defiant, determined, courageous, visionary, unyielding, fearless, trailblazing, unbreakable, strong- willed. I first heard of the Reverend Pauli Murray when I was in seminary. She was a poet, a labor organizer, a legal theorist, a civil rights and gender equality pioneer, and an Episcopal priest. Arrested for sitting in the whites only section of a bus years before Rosa Parks, she became the first woman to graduate from Howard Law. She was denied entry to Harvard because she was a woman. And later, she earned a master's from Berkeley and became the first Black woman to receive a JD from Yale. Her book, 'States' Laws on Race and Color,' was called the bible of civil rights by Thurgood Marshall, and her legal work helped shape Brown v. Board of Education and Ruth Bader Ginsburg's fight for women's rights. A cofounder of National Organization for Women and the first Black woman ordained as an Episcopal priest, Murray's legacy is one of relentless courage and groundbreaking change. And as I am one who loves poetry, one of her verses remains one of my all-time favorites. It's from her writing, where she says, or she said, 'Hope is a song in a weary throat. Give me a song of hope. And a world where I can sing it.' Thank you."

"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions." 10400019.docx 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 19th Legislative Day 3/13/2025

"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. And now, allowing for perfunctory time for the clerk, Leader Gabel moves that the House stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 18, at the hour of noon. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned." 10400019.docx 27