Illinois House Floor Debate — March 19, 2025

"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 the Pledge of Allegiance. Representative Severin."

"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Faver Dias."

"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 Representative Ammons is excused today."

"The record will so reflect. Leader Keicher is recognized to report any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle."

"The record will so reflect. Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 117 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."

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

"Please state your point."

"Congratulations, team. Representative Moylan, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"It's on."

"Please state your point, Representative."

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

"Please proceed."

"Today, I am proud to announce we have two special pages. Charlotte Sullivan is a sixth grader at Mary, Seat of Wisdom 10400021.docx 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 in Park Ridge. She loves volleyball. Honora Heffernan is a sixth grader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview. Her basketball team recently made it to the championship game. These girls are cousins and the oldest of three children in their family. Their grandparents are Dru and Dave Sullivan, who are in the gallery. Hey, guys. And they're with their daughters, Sharon (sic-Shannon) and Erin. Let's have a great big round of welcoming to our friends. Thank you."

"Welcome to the Capitol. Representative Canty, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please state your point, Representative."

"I rise today to address the immediate threat to our public safety posed by President Trump's continued abuses of the presidential pardon power, specifically his repeated release of dangerous criminals. As if granting clemency to January 6 insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol and were responsible for the death of a member of law enforcement wasn't enough, he has used his presidential power to let anti-choice extremists, convicted of harassing and abusing women, walk free. His actions, Trump's actions, send an unquestionable message to people out there who are eager to hurt others that they won't have to pay for their crimes. And that includes people right here in Illinois because this isn't just about the safety of women who some are so willing to write off. This is about entire communities. Communities like Danville, where a women's health center was the target of an arson attempt just last year; or the Planned Parenthood in Peoria County that was attacked in 2022; or the women's clinic in 10400021.docx 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 Champaign County that was attacked in 2017. Ill-considered, ill-informed whims of a vengeful bully are now the foundation of American policy, so let's get it straight. To those who claim to be tough on crime, this president doesn't care about law and order. He cares about preserving his popularity with violent radicals. To those who preach about protecting women, and we hear it every day in this chamber, this president defends extremists who attack women just for seeking health care, and it should stop. Thank you."

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

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please state your point, Representative."

"Well, I'd like to welcome ABATE of Illinois to the Capitol today. They have been standing up for motorcyclists and off-road riders in Illinois since 1987. This is their lobby day, and they're here to advocate for better rider education, among other issues. And don't forget their reception is tonight at Floyd's starting at 5:30, and it's always a blast. Thank you."

"Thank you. Welcome to the Capitol. Leader Hammond, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point, Leader."

"Thank you. Today, I'd like to welcome not only a constituent, but a very dear friend of mine on the House floor. Colin Randolph is here joining us today. Colin lives in Havana, but he works in Fulton County at the Fulton County Rehabilitation Center. And something that should not be 10400021.docx 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 overlooked is Colin is an advocate for the DD community, and he has taken an extensive 9-week course in order to achieve that accreditation. And I just want to thank him for joining me today and for all he does for the disabled community. Thank you, Colin."

"Thank you, Colin, and welcome to the Capitol. It's our pleasure to have you. Leader Buckner, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please state your point, Leader."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to welcome to the floor and to the Capitol my page for the day, Mr. Mikie Cory. Mikie is the son of Tommy and Melissa Cory. He just turned 11 years old on February 27. He's a straight-A student, with his lowest grade being at 95%. He's active in PORTA Pipeline, which is the television at his school. He participates in swimming and running. And dig this, y'all. He wants to go to the University of Illinois, the greatest university in the world, to major in engineering. He has his orange and blue on today. His mom is the director of special education at the Department of Juvenile Justice, and his dad, Tommy, is the assistant fiscal director for the Speaker's Office. Welcome to Springfield, Mikie."

"Welcome to the Capitol. Keep those grades up, young man. Representative Halbrook, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point." 10400021.docx 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025

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

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

"Please state your point."

"I rise today to honor Saint Joseph and the celebration around his day by Italian Americans across the country. For those who don't know, St. Joseph was the husband and… of the Virgin Mary and the legal father of Jesus. The tradition of St. Joseph's Altar dates back to medieval Sicily during a time of sever famine. The people of Sicily, desperate and starving, prayed to Saint Joseph, the patron saint of workers and the protector of families, to end their suffering. In response to their prayers, the famine lifted. And as a sign of gratitude, they began to celebrate and collaborate altars in Saint Joseph's honor. Those altars were adorned with food, flowers, and sacred symbols meant to share God's bounty with the others and honor the saint who had interceded on their behalf. When Italian immigrants came to the United States, they brought this tradition with them and it quickly became 10400021.docx 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 a cherished practice in Italian American communities. The altar is often set up in homes and churches and community halls filled with beautiful displays of food, such as breads, pastries, vegetables, and fruits. The foods displayed in the altar are not just meant for decoration, but to share with family, friends, and anyone who comes and anyone who's in need. For Italian Americans, this tradition serves as a bridge between the old world and the new. It connects us to our roots. In a way, it keeps the spirit of our ancestors alive to remember the struggles they face and to honor the strength they exhibit in creating new lives in a foreign land. Today, on your desks, you have a symbol of these altars. You have a bag of biscotti. These bags, these cookies were made by hand by one of our Members. Natalie Manley spent six hours on Monday making these for you. I'm sorry, Sunday. I'm sorry, on Sunday, a holy day, she spent six hours making these for you. Now, one of the great traditions of Italian American community is guilt. You should feel guilty when you're eating these, that you be happy as you go to say thank you to Natalie. So, on behalf of Natalie and myself and my family and the whole Italian American Caucus, I'm going to wish you all a happy St. Joseph's Day, and may your families enjoy the happiness that they all deserve. Thank you."

Speaker Guzzardi: "Thank you, Representative. Thank you, Representative Manley. We'll now proceed to the Order of House Bills on Second Reading. At the top of page 8, we'll begin with House Bill 2456, Representative Croke. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk." 10400021.docx 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025

"Third Reading. House Bill 2459, Representative Manley. Representative Manley, House Bill 2459. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2493, Representative Grasse. Representative Grasse, House Bill 2493. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2506, Representative Kifowit. Representative Kifowit. Out of the record. House Bill 2532, Leader Evans. Leader Evans, House Bill 2532. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2537, Representative Mussman. Representative Mussman on House Bill 2537. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk." 10400021.docx 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025

"Third Reading. House Bill 2539, Leader West. Please read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Bunting, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point, Representative."

"Thank you, Representative. Welcome to the Capitol, Mr. and Mrs. Bunting. Representative Mason, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

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

"Please state your point, Representative."

"Thank you so much. Ladies and gentlemen of the gallery, I have a very special guest to introduce to you. My police chief from Zion is here, Chief Eric Barden, standing up back there in the corner. Chief Barden has been with the Zion Police Department for 23 years. He's been chief for the last four years. He sits on the training board, the Lake County chiefs, and state chiefs' associations, and he goes above and beyond for our community, and he truly helps make it a better place. I am so grateful to him, and I am thrilled to welcome him on his first visit to Springfield. Please join me."

"Thank you, Representative. Chief, welcome to the Capitol. Proceeding to the Order of House Bills on Second Reading, House Bill 2545, Representative Guzzardi. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2562, Representative Costa Howard. House Bill 2562. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2572, Representative Schweizer. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2602, Representative Stuart. Representative Stuart on House Bill 2602. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2667, Leader Spain. House Bill 2667, Leader Spain. Out of the record. Proceeding to page 10 of the calendar, House Bill 2726, Representative Moeller. Out of the record, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 2728, Representative LaPointe. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2754, Representative Grasse. Representative Grasse. Representative Grasse on House Bill 2754. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk." 10400021.docx 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025

"Third Reading. House Bill 2857, on page 11 of the calendar, Representative Andrade. Out of the record. House Bill 2874, Representative Deuter. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Moving back, House Bill 2857, Representative Andrade. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2924, Representative Morgan. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Moving to page 12 of the calendar, House Bill 2955, Representative Rashid. Out of the record, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 2983, Representative Vella. Out of the record, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 2986, Representative Blair-Sherlock. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 3000, Representative Hammond. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 3023, Representative Croke. Representative Croke. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Moving to page 13 of the calendar, House Bill 3098, Representative Olickal. Representative Olickal on House Bill 3098. Out of the record, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 3144, on page 14 of the calendar, Representative Delgado. Leader Delgado. Leader Delgado. Out of the record. Returning to page 2 of the calendar, House Bills-Second Reading, House Bill 1077, Representative Didech. Out of the record, Mr. Clerk. Moving to page 3 of the calendar, House Bill 1225, Representative Slaughter. Out of the record, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 1312, Representative Hirschauer. Representative Hirschauer on House Bill 1312. Out of the record, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 1358, Representative Chung. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. House Bill 1373, Representative Tarver. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading, Mr. Clerk. Proceeding to page 4 of the calendar, House Bill 1538, Representative Chung. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 1555, Representative LaPointe. Representative LaPointe on House Bill 1555. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. Returning to page 3 of the calendar, House Bill 1312, Representative Hirschauer. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. Returning to page 4 of the calendar, House Bill 1577, Representative Huynh. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill." 10400021.docx 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025

"Third Reading. House Bill 1630, Representative Johnson. Clerk, please the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 1711, Representative Didech. Didech on House Bill 1711. Out of the record, Mr. Clerk. Moving to page 5 of the calendar, House Bill 1838, Representative Tarver. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 1842, Representative Barbara Hernandez. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading, Mr. Clerk. Moving to page 6 of the calendar, House Bill 1938, Representative Sheehan. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

Speaker Guzzardi: "Third Reading. Moving to page 7 of the calendar, House Bill 2350, Representative Johnson. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2386, Representative Katz Muhl. Representative Katz Muhl on House Bill 2386. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2391, Representative Katz Muhl. Representative Katz Muhl on House Bill 2391. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. House Bill 2394, Representative Benton. Representative Benton. Out of the record, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 2437, Representative Costa Howard. Representative Costa Howard on House Bill 2437. Out of the record, Mr. Clerk. Moving to page 14 of the calendar, House Bills-Second Reading, we have House Bill 3144, Leader Delgado. Leader Delgado on House Bill 3144. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. Leader Mah, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."

"Please state your point, Leader."

"Thank you. This is for the purposes of an announcement. I wanted to alert colleagues that tonight at the Legacy Theatre in Springfield, which is just four blocks south of the Capitol, or four blocks away from the Capitol, there will be a special performance of a play called 'Searching for Justice.' It's a play by the Mud Theatre Project. And the reason this is a special performance is that it is a unique and rare opportunity to see the performance of this play, which was developed, written, and performed by individuals who are directly impacted by incarceration. So, I have the flier here if you would like to take a picture and register through the QR code. It is a free performance tonight and everyone is welcome. Thank you very much."

"Thank you, Leader. Representative McLaughlin, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point, sir."

"Representative, your time has expired."

"Your time has expired. Please wrap up your point, Representative."

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

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

"Please state your point, Representative."

"As a teacher in a public school for 35 years, I'm really having to take a deep breath over that, so I'm just going to limit my comment today to one thing. I have had DCFS workers come to me and say, 'Please pass the homeschool bill, if for no other reason than to save lives. I passed a bill a few years ago, the Ta'Naja Law, for a girl who was murdered by her mother and stepfather, sleeping in a freezing room with no food, no water, no heat. If we would've had the 10400021.docx 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 homeschooling law in place, many of these lives could be saved. And what my workers told me was, 'There's no one holding anything accountable if they never have to report.' Now, I need to be clear. There are many homeschool families that are over the top magnificent. And if that's the case, you just say you're homeschooling, end of story. The problem is the hundreds of thousands of neglected children that are left to die while their parents say that they're homeschooling 'em. And the most recent call I got said, 'I just went to a house with over 10 children, magots everywhere. The parents say they're homeschooling, and they're not doing a thing but letting these children die, and they want no oversight.' Thank you."

"Thank you, Representative. Representative Chung, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

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

"Please state your point, Representative."

"Good to see you up there too, by the way. I just wanted to… today, I guess, we're talking a lot about education. This morning, a lot of teachers and educators throughout the state had a… participated in walk-ins, where they sort of gathered and walked into schools together, including all the schools in Bloomington District 87, which my kids both attend, and McLean County Unit 5. And educators were gathering before the school and walking in together to show their solidary and support for public education and to remind students and families that they're going to stand together to support… to protect our students, even as we face attacks on public education and cuts to the Department of Education, which will 10400021.docx 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 harm our students with highest needs the most. And all students deserve to learn in safe, adequately funded… fully funded, adequately resourced, and fully staffed classrooms in schools. And so, I just wanted to share our support here for our educators today. Thank you."

"Thank you, Representative. Representative Will Davis, for what reason do you seek recognition? Representative Will Davis, for what reason do you seek recognition?" Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate you telling me to stand up and talk. Very kind of you. Ladies and gentlemen, while we understand that this is Women's History Month, and I think you'll hear something more specific from my colleague from the other side of the aisle, I would like to take this opportunity to ask all the young ladies in the Speaker's Gallery to please stand. Those young ladies represent… are here at a one-day event hosted by the Paul Simon Institute… Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and these students are here in Springfield to hear from legislators, public sector leaders, and community advocates. It's a chance for them to gain inspiration, build connections, and explore future opportunities in service. We all have heard of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. Maybe some others of this chamber, including myself, have had the opportunity to speak to students, traveled to Carbondale to speak to students in the institute, and we appreciate the work of the Paul Simon Institute who, among their leaders, is Dr. Linda Renee Baker, who may be up there somewhere. There she is. Oh, there she is. Dr. Linda Renee Baker, if you have 10400021.docx 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 not had a chance to speak to her, you certainly should. But these young ladies, as we often say, represent out future. I certainly hope that as you look on this House floor, based on where you live, that you are looking at these as possible opportunities for each of you. We often talk about cultivating the next generation of leaders. Ladies and gentlemen, in front of us is the next generation of leaders. And whether they run for office to take any of these actual seats or working on staff… because I'll tell you that I certainly couldn't be the legislator I am without the staff that supports us down here in Springfield, that we need those… those brains, those minds, that intelligent to come down here to help us to shape and to form public policy here in the State of Illinois. There is a resolution that I will introduce, and I'm sure we will adopt, that acknowledges, obviously, the program itself, and we'll make sure that everyone's name is included in that resolution and that each of you get a copy of it. Because we want that to at least represent a physical presence… a physical piece of your presence here today. But, ladies and gentlemen, again, as I stated, these ladies from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute that are here today to talk to you. Maybe you've had a chance to see some of them already and meet them, but as I said earlier, this is the future generation of leaders here in the State of Illinois. And please, before the others speak, please, ladies and gentlemen, give them a great round of applause."

"Welcome to the Capitol, leaders. Thank you very much for being here. Leader Windhorst, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10400021.docx 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025

"Thank you, Leader. Welcome to the Capitol. Representative Mussman, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Personal privilege. There we go."

"Please state your point, Representative."

"Thank you. Today, I rise to recognize Margaret Sanger this Women's History Month, a female scientist whose contributions changed the course of modern medicine. As the world searched desperately for lifesaving treatments during World War II, Sanger was part of a team that advanced the ability to mass produce penicillin, a breakthrough that turned a once rare antibiotic into a tool that would save millions of lives. And not long after, Margaret played a critical role in developing the first effective polio vaccine, helping to eliminate a disease that had gripped families with fear for generations. Margaret Sanger may not be in textbooks, but her work lives on in every routine antibiotic prescription and every polio-free generation. This Women's History Month, let's honor Margaret and the many women whose contributions have shaped our world, even if their stories are not always widely told. Thank you, everyone."

"Thank you, Representative. Leader Lilly, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10400021.docx 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025

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

"Please state your point, Leader."

"I, too, rise in recognition of Women's History Month and just to share a little fact and recognize three women. Since 19… excuse me, since 1891, 40 African American, Black American women have served in the Illinois Legislative General Assembly. On today, I would like to recognize three of those wonderful woman who have made a difference here in the State of Illinois. These three women paved the way. These three women, for every reason, have done the work for the people of Illinois. They have fought the thickest fight, and they have made changes here in the State of Illinois. The three women that I'd like to recognize is State Representative Karen Yarbrough, State Representative Esther Golar, and former Leader Mary Flowers. I'd like to start with Representative Mary Flowers. To say the least, Mary Flowers dedicated and uplifting the people of Illinois would be an understatement. She was a long-time or the longest-serving Black American legislator, along with Barbara Flynn Currie and Lottie Holman O'Neill. During her time, with so many people overlooking, she… she took the time to address those who are in need and underserved. Mary Flowers addressed discrimination in our justice system while supporting thinking solutions for equitable change. She backed up improvement in health care and education. She made sure DCFS and other state agencies are looking out for their communities. She challenged the disparities in health care and ensured the outcome for… better outcome for infants, women, and women… infants, children, and women. And we can't forget the many conversation around 10400021.docx 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 transactional tax and Medicare for All. A true mover and shaker she was. Since 1985, she shielded and protected our communities who were not being seen. Yes, she did inspire many. I'd like to now address the fantastic, wonderful woman, State Representative Esther Golar, a fearless leader who stood firm on communities fighting for justice. She would often stand to her feet and sing forward the issues that affected the most vulnerable populations here in the State of Illinois. She inspired so many. Her inspiration to fight for the Black American family who were, and still are, dealing with firsthand struggles in life. She began to address those daily. Rep. Golar did not only come to sing, but she also went forth on the battleground with fierce advocates for those that did not have the tools and resources to advocate for themselves. She's fought with legislation that helped people with disabilities and vulnerable students. She worked relentlessly for striving, safe communities and supporting better schools. She worked to improve access to health care, and she, many times, made sure that we had every opportunity to advance equal treatment and protections for the LGBTQ communities here in Illinois. Rep. Golar, she believed that everyone, no matter the background, income, or color, deserved a fair share in life and never hesitated to make her mission known. Rep. Golar put her life on the line to protect our child care system. Nobody was going to stop her… excuse me, was going to stop her because she wanted to make sure she voted on legislation that prevented reduction of child care for the most vulnerable population. She had one on… she had one wheel, and it's to uphold the commitment that she made to 10400021.docx 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 her community, even though she felt weak and sick herself. Rep. Golar meant a lot to me and many others, and she is missed, but her work continues on. The next, and last but not least, I'd like to stand to speak to the dynamic State Representative Cook, County first Black female of the clerk, Clerk Karen Yarbrough. She was a trailblazer here in Illinois politics. During her time as a State Rep., she fought tirelessly for veterans, homeowners, and civil rights. Some of her accomplishment included making Illinois the 22nd state to ban indoor smoking, securing money for transformative projects across the region she served. We know it as Smoke Free Illinois. Perhaps one of the biggest accomplishment of her champion of legislation is to ban the death penalty in Illinois in 2011, making us, meaning the State of Illinois, the 16th state to do so. Further, we've always known that the unjust application of the death… death penalty disproportionately affected Black Americans. While we make up 13% of the population, we make up more than half of the exonerations. And because of Representative Yarbrough, that practice have ended. And it led to criminal justice reform here in Springfield as well, with the historic SAFE-T Act and the Reimagine Public Safety Act. Representative Karen Yarbrough made a difference in many lives, and she showed that commitment day in and day out. And even though she's not with us today, her work lives on. All three of these women have had a powerful legacy and impact on our state and in this chambers where they did their work. And I, like many, stand to say thank you and recognize the footsteps that they have made, yet big, we will walk forward and do the work of 10400021.docx 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 the people of Illinois. Let us all rejoice and be honor for their work and commitment to service. Thank you."

Speaker Guzzardi: "Thank you very much, Leader Lilly. Representative Severin, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point."

"It is, Representative."

"Very much so, Representative."

"Thank you, Representative. You look good as well. Leader Windhorst, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point."

"Thank you, Representative. Representative Will Davis, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10400021.docx 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 21st Legislative Day 3/19/2025 Davis, W.: "Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. Very quickly, we know there… there are a lot folks lobbying here in Springfield today. One of the issues being lobbied are bills to try to address and to help provide avenues for those folks that are returning citizens back to our communities to give them a better opportunity and chance to… to have a productive life as citizens. Much of that work is being done… done by the Workers Center for Racial Justice. But I'm very proud to have two very important young ladies that are visiting for the Capitol… the Capitol today to work on that work. The first is Rashanah Baldwin, if she could please stand. She's here today working with those individuals. And the second one to… behind me to my left is Keisha Lacey as well. I want to welcome them to Springfield, and thank you for your work to support returning citizens. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker."

"Thank you, Representative. Welcome to the Capitol. Representative Meier, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point, Representative."

"Thank you, Representative. We wish a speedy recovery to the folks in your community. Representative Blair-Sherlock, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please state your point, Representative."

"Thank you. Today, in the Speaker's Gallery, we have the College Board hosting students from around the state for College Board AP Day. We… they brought participants from one of my local schools, Addison Trail High School, which is in my district. But also, there are representatives from the Pekin High School, which is Representative Weaver's district; Proviso Math and Science Academy, which is Speaker Welch's district; Lockport High School, which is Rep. Avelar; and St. Ignatius College Prep, which is Rep. Morris' district. The schools are here to highlight the importance of supporting AP programs in all the districts in Illinois and highlight how getting credit through AP helps support our children to get an economical college education. I'd like to give a big Springfield welcome to the AP students that have come here to see us today. Thank you."

Speaker Guzzardi: "Welcome to the Capitol. Representative Swanson, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point."

"Thank you, Representative, and thank you all for your service. Mr. Clerk, committee announcements."

"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."

"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of the 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 perfunctory time for the clerk, Leader Gabel moves that the House stand adjourned until Thursday, March 20, 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."