"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led today in prayer by the gentlelady from McLean County, Representative Chung. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off their cell phones, and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Representative Chung."
"Thank you so much. I thought we would… with the Easter holiday being celebrated a couple days ago, I thought we would do a very nice spiritual today. So, thank you, and I hope you indulge me in this." [violin performance]
"That's what a professional musician looks like. We will be led today in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Gong-Gershowitz."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Buckner is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."
"Mr. Speaker, let the record show that Representatives Ammons, Andrade, Guerrero-Cuellar, Huynh, Jones, and Scherer are excused today."
"Thank you. 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 Hammond, Coffey, McLaughlin, Niemerg, Schweizer, Halbrook, Wilhour, and Miller are all excused for today." 10400033.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 33rd Legislative Day 4/22/2025
"Thank you. Have all voted who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 103 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Representative Vella, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"I rise today in remembrance of a… of a great man, who I just… I just want to say a few words about. Pope Francis passed away right after Easter. And to a lot of us Catholics, and lapsed Catholics, and fallen Catholics, he was our leader, and he was someone who showed us what leadership was. He led with humility. He led with humanity. He was about reaching out to everyone who was out there. He was not about being mean. He was about inclusive leadership. He will be missed, and I just… I wanted a moment of silence for him because he really spent his life in service to humanity."
"We shall all take a moment of silence. Thank you. Representative Deuter, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"Today, I am excited to welcome a future leader here at the Capitol. Ella Kautz is a member of the Girls Lead Program, and today she's here to shadow, meet lawmakers, and further learn about our General Assembly. Currently in the eighth grade, Ella has already displayed an immense interest in public service and has been active in her community. She's served on her school's student council, helped organize food drives, and volunteered for political campaigns, all while 10400033.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 33rd Legislative Day 4/22/2025 balancing her significant academic and athletic responsibilities. She's a standout soccer goalie. In the time I've gotten to know Ella, it's clear to me that she has a bright future, and I'm so excited to see what's in store for her. So, please join me in welcoming Ella, and please feel free to stop by to say hello."
"Welcome to your House, Ella. Leader Morgan is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record also reflect that Leader Gabel will be marked as excused today. Thank you."
Speaker West: "It shall reflect. Representative Gill is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"Thank you. I would like to introduce my page for the day, a constituent of mine, Will Wiers. He is a sophomore at Marist High School in my district. He's active in the theater program at Marist, and he is also a boy scout. And this young man is so impressive to me. He reached out himself and made an appointment with me to speak with me at my district office, and we had such a nice talk. And he's… he's really interested in… in our world, and I invited him so he can get a closer look. And his dad, Nate, is in the gallery also. And I want everyone to give him a warm Springfield welcome. Thank you."
"Welcome to your House. Leader Davidsmeyer is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"State your point." 10400033.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 33rd Legislative Day 4/22/2025
"In the long line of state champions from the 100th District, I'd like to introduce you to the young ladies in the Speaker's Gallery. We've got the St. John the Evangelist seventh and eighth grade state championship teams. Both teams, the IESA Class 1A volleyball champions. So, if you all can stand up. Give them a big round of applause. As you all know, this is one of my favorite things to do, is bring our champions here and celebrate their accomplishments. I do want to say they also got second in basketball, so we've got some very athletic young ladies up here. I'm going to go through the seventh grade team. Starting with Brooksley Robeen… if you can raise your hand… Reese McMurtrie, Lillian Gourley, Brooklyn Steinacher, Rylee York, Maisy Wolfley, Kyla Sibley, Olivia Varble, Bailey Peters, Jemma Miner, Fallyn Lamb, Shyann Grafford, Bailey Eilerman. And then with eighth grade… and some of these girls are… are sixth graders on the seventh grade team, and I believe some of the seventh graders are also on the eighth grade team. So, these are the eighth graders: Leah Schnettgoecke, Kenna Brannan, Lexi Ross, Hannah Hoaglin, Kadyn Lake, Hadley Lake, Ada Albrecht… Albrecht, sorry, Reese Bierman, and Maggie Stumpf. And their coaches, Terra Lake and Crecia Robeen. Congratulations."
Speaker West: "Congratulations and welcome to your House. Representative Davis, Lisa Davis, is recognized." Davis, L.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"State your point." Davis, L.: "I'd like to enter… or introduce to the chamber today who I affectionately call my three-piece spicy. Or I should 10400033.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 33rd Legislative Day 4/22/2025 say that I'm going to let them introduce themselves to you today." Davis, Adam: "Hello. I'm Adam Davis." Davis, Ava: "Hello. I'm Ava Davis." Davis, Aston: "Hello. I'm Aston Davis." Davis, L.: "And they are on spring break, so they are down here visiting with mommy while I give my husband and my mom a break from taking care of them while I'm down here. So, please, everybody, stop by and say hello. Thank you."
"Welcome to your House. Representative Blair- Sherlock is recognized."
"Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"As you all know, I love someone with autism. And as you all know, this is also Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. And I'd like to set the record straight, based on some things that came from Robert Kennedy Jr., the head of Health and Human Services at the national level. Autism is not a disease. Autism is not contagious. And my autistic angel is the heart and soul of my community and brings us together. He has not torn us apart. We need to get past these terrible, unscientific statements about people and think before we speak. I love someone with autism. Thank you."
"Representative Benton is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"I want to introduce, to my right, ASEZ STAR is down. And for those of you who don't know who ASEZ STAR is, ASEZ STAR is short for Save the Earth from A to Z, Students Take Action 10400033.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 33rd Legislative Day 4/22/2025 Right Now. It's a shining example of youth leadership and compassion. As a volunteer group made up of high school students from the World Mission Society Church of God, ASEZ STAR is dedicated to building a brighter and more sustainable future through practical and meaningful acts of service. From school to neighborhood cleanups, to the disaster relief, environmental awareness, and community outreach, ASEZ STAR has consistently shown that no one is too young to make a difference. Their dedication has not only transformed local communities but has earned multiple national recognition from the presidents… multiple Presidents' Volunteer Service Awards. So, I want to thank ASEZ STAR for coming down and for the impact in our communities and around the world. Congratulations to the achievements, and let's give them a warm Springfield welcome."
"Welcome to your House. Representative La Ha is recognized."
"Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I wanted to take a minute to introduce the body to my three pages that are extremely special to me and to my daughter. Malena, Max, and Major Lindberg of Glen Ellyn. Malena Lindberg is in sixth grade at Glen Crest Middle School. Max and Major are both in the first grade at Arbor View Elementary School. Malena, Max, and Major have gone to 20 Illinois schools to read a book that Malena wrote called 'Hi, Max' and answer questions from students. Their favorite line from 'Hi, Max' is 'Life is more fun when everyone is included.' Max was able to participate in the 10400033.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 33rd Legislative Day 4/22/2025 Make-A-Wish Foundation program, where he received a mural that shows inclusion in kids of all abilities having fun during play. The mural travels and has traveled from the Shedd Aquarium to Lombard Library, and now at the Elmhurst Public Library. All three participate in FSC, Firebird Soccer Club. Malena is also a basketball player and softball. Major and Max are both in basketball, and Max is a WWE fanatic and would like to be a wrestler when he gets older. I also want to say just something very personal. This is Ashlynn's very first crush and very first friend, so today's a very special day for us. Thank you."
"Welcome to your House. Representative Manley is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege, please."
"State your point."
"Another autism fact for the day: Applied Behavior Analysis, otherwise known as ABA therapy, is one of the most common interventions for people with autism. ABA is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. It is typically used to help people with autism and other developmental disorders learn behaviors that help them live safer and more fulfilling lives. The therapy usually begins by identifying unsafe behavior, learning about the triggers, and then teaching a safer alternative response. ABA is effective for people of all ages. While therapy looks different in young children versus adolescents and even adults, the principles remain the same. My grandson who has autism has been in ABA therapy for a year and a half, and I saw very slow but lasting 10400033.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 33rd Legislative Day 4/22/2025 results, and my hope is that all kids with autism will someday be able to get ABA behavioral therapy. Thank you."
"The Chair recognizes Leader Mah for the purpose of an announcement."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Democrats would request a caucus meeting starting 10 minutes after adjournment today in Room 114."
"Thank you. The Chair recognizes Leader Keicher for the purpose of an announcement."
"Thank you, Speaker. The Republicans would also request a caucus in Room 118 upon adjournment."
"Thank you. The Democrats will caucus in Room 114, 10 minutes… minutes after adjournment. The Republicans will caucus in Room 118, 10 minutes after adjournment. Mr. Clerk, committee announcements."
"The following committees are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today: Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education committee in Room 115; Ethics & Elections Committee in Room 118; and Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges in Room 114."
"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 254, offered by Representative Didech. House Resolution 255, offered by Representative Gabel. House Resolution 256, offered by Representative Meyers-Martin. House Resolution 257, offered by Representative Grant. House Resolution 258, offered by Representative Grasse. House Resolution 259, offered by Representative Delgado. And House Resolution 260, offered by Representative Gabel." 10400033.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 33rd Legislative Day 4/22/2025
"Leader Buckner 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 Bucker moves the House stand… stand adjourned until Wednesday, April 23, 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."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 4041, offered by Representative Chung, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. First Reading of this House Bill. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 261, offered by Representative Croke. House Joint Resolution 29, offered by Representative Didech. These are referred to the Rules Committee. Committee Reports. Representative Gabel, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on April 22, 2025: approved for consideration, referred to Second Reading is House Bill 2987. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10400033.docx 9