Illinois House Floor Debate — May 29, 2025

"The House will be in order. We shall… we shall be led in prayer today with Naisan Lohrasbi. Naisan is the Baha'i Center in Springfield, Illinois. Naisan is the guest of 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. Naisan."

"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Costa Howard." Costa Howard – et al: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

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

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record show that Representative Scherer is excused today."

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

"Have all voted who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 115 individuals answering a roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."

"Representative McLaughlin, for what reason do you rise?"

"Please state your point." 10400053.docx 5  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"Representative McLaughlin."

"You're not recognized for that purpose. We're doing points of personal privilege. If that bill comes up, you can debate it. Representative Friess."

"Please state you point."

"Welcome to Springfield. Mr. Clerk, further Committee Reports."

"Representative Schmidt."

"Please state your point."

"Representative Coffey."

"State your point."

"Representative Johnson on House Resolution 363. Please proceed."

"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's OK to not be OK. If you're actively involved in battling a mental health crisis, you will hear this a lot. I remember hearing this a lot a few years ago back in the Quad Cities. I sure remember seeing it on a lot of T-shirts in our area. These shirts are from a local nonprofit, Foster's Voice in East Moline. I knew 10400053.docx 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 some of their story, but sometimes, when the story is too heartbreaking, some of us will put ourselves a safe distance away. In May of 2021… in May of 2021, after 15 months of remote learning at home with probably the worst teacher you could possibly imagine, me, my daughter had several days of profound sadness. My wife and I didn't know what to do. We would be having a great conversation, then, out of the blue, Gabby would just start tearing up. As all the parents in this room know, when your baby hurts, you hurt, and you'd do anything you can to fix it. We… we found out later that this was common with kids coming out of the pandemic. We got her the support needed. We had insurance, by the way, a very important point to every story told surrounding mental health, and we got to a better place. It was at this time that I reached out to Kevin Atwood and his wife, Jaime, at Foster's Voice and made sure to attend their upcoming event. They were gracious enough to let us arrive an hour early, and we all sat down and talked. We talked about life. We talked about the issues facing our kids in this ever more complicated word… world. I confessed to them that I had purposely avoided learning more about their tragedy because I felt in some weird way that it might become contagious and impact my family. And, yes, we talked about our babies, Gabby and Foster. Foster Atwood was their son, and in July of 2017, he died by suicide. Just nine days later, Kevin and Jaime founded Foster's Voice. Their mission was to end suicide and the stigma around mental illness by improving conversations around mental health and creating awareness, action, and hope. Through Foster's Voice, they have provided mental health and suicide awareness 10400053.docx 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 curriculum, including education tools and recommended resources, intended to be utilized at our high school mental health clubs and middle schools to promote a safe environment to tackle these challenges. In 2018, the inaugural Foster's Voice Club opened at United Township in East Moline and has taken off like wildfire. It's now spread to every school throughout our district all the way to Galesburg, Illinois, thanks to the great work of James 'Sully' Sullivan. Each month, this wonderful organization touches the lives of hundreds of young people in our communities and, quite honestly, thousands if you count the lives they then impact. Like nearly every community in this country, it seems like we are failing to address these mental health needs. I'm beyond thankful for the work that organizations like Foster's Voice do. Jaime has this quiet strength about her. While we don't talk nearly as much as Kevin and I do, she is our champion. As for Kevin, I will tell you what you see is what… what you get. He will be the first to admit that he is forever broken. How could one not be? They lost their baby boy. He will share his story. Their pain, the pain and the grief, will immediately seem as fresh as it was in 2017. I know a little bit about that. People think that you feel better when telling your stories of trauma and loss. I think Kevin and Jaime would agree. You can't possibly feel better about reliving experiences; you do it just to feel something. It reopens the wound that allows you to feel connected to it, to never lose it, but the pain never leaves. The heart always hurts. But he leaves people feeling better about themselves and better prepared to have these tough conversations. It's their 10400053.docx 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 mission, their purpose, and they make a difference every day. That first trivia night, the way my Gabby was welcomed made all the difference. It let all of us know that sometimes it's OK not to be OK. If you would please give a warm Springfield welcome to Kevin and Jaime Atwood and James 'Sully' Sullivan from behind the gallery, behind the Speaker's well, I would really appreciate it. Thank you, everyone."

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

"Please state your point."

"Happy birthday. Representative Huynh on House Resolution 357. Please proceed."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present House Resolution 357 to congratulate Alan Mills, a constituent of mine Uptown and the executive director of the Uptown People Law Center, on his retirement. Alan has served the Uptown People Law Center for 45 years, beginning as a volunteer intern when he was a law student at Northwestern University School of Law in 1999. Go Wildcats. After graduating, he served as a volunteer attorney from 1981 to 1990, and then as a full-time staff attorney for two years, before becoming the legal director in 1992, and then being appointed executive director in… in 2014. During his time as executive director, the Uptown People Law 10400053.docx 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Center has grown from a staff of four to 20, with a budget of over $2 million a year. Under his leadership, Uptown People Law Center has become a nationally recognized organization in prisoners' rights, fighting tirelessly to end solitary confinement and protecting civil rights. Uptown People Law Center has also become a leader in tenants' rights, defending individuals and communities and supporting community resistance to gentrification and helping keep neighborhoods like Uptown and the North Side diverse and livable for thousands of people. Alan Mills has also served as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where he has taught and trained many young, aspiring lawyers, some of whom have served in this chamber. On behalf of the General Assembly, we congratulate Alan Mills on his retirement, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. And we have other folks, other Representatives here as well who would like to also provide some words as well. Thank you."

"On the resolution, Leader Buckner."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to join Representative Huynh in congratulating Alan Mills on a fantastic career as a true champion for justice in the state of Illinois, as someone who has worked for the least among… among us. I got to know him as a young law student at DePaul University, where he was one of my professors, and his passion and commitment to the people of Illinois and being a fighter for human rights is something that will precede him and that will be a part of his legacy forever. So, Professor Mills, thank you for all you've done, and good luck on the road ahead."

"On the resolution, Representative Olickal." 10400053.docx 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"I also wanted to echo the sentiments shared about Alan Mills, and I want to thank you for your years of service. And it's truly inspiring, as someone who's also trying to get their own legal career started, to see all the incredible work that you've been able to do, especially in… early in my career working in the prison reform space, the solitary confinement… trying to regulate the use of solitary confinement. Really grateful for your expertise in that subject matter and your advocacy, and look forward to continuing to lean on you for your advice and support on that front. So, thank you again, and congratulations."

"Representative Jiménez." Jiménez: "Hi. Thank you for bringing this, and I want to also congratulate Alan Mills. I was lucky enough to be on a panel when I was in law school. And I was so excited to be on a panel with you, Alan, and… and look up to… have looked up to you ever since. So, thank you so much for your work. Very proud to… to have learned from you and to continue on your footsteps. Thank you."

"Representative Cassidy."

"Thank you. I want to join with my colleagues in recognizing Alan Mills and the importance of the work he does and the people who have no voice that he has been the voice for for so long. When I was chair of Public Safety Approps, I feel like we basically lived together for a better part of the year, and I've always just been so in awe of your dedication to your mission. And I'm so proud to have been able to be a partner with you and to continue to be a partner with the Uptown People's Law Center. And I'm glad to know 10400053.docx 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 that you're just stepping back and not stepping out 'cause I don't think we're done yet. So, thank you for all you have done."

"Representative LaPointe."

"I also want to echo the accolades of several of my colleagues that we have just heard from. And, in particular, just want to connect the dots to the work that we do here in the General Assembly and the policy that we do make or the policy that we debate and we try to make. The work that you have done, Alan Mills, over so many years has been on behalf of people that are bearing the brunt of our policy decisions, many of which have been poor policy decisions. And so much of your work has been connected to consent decrees that we are enduring at the Illinois Department of Corrections. So, I just want to highlight how your work is so connected to what humans endure in Illinois, what people who are incarcerated in DOC have endured, and that includes people that work at DOC and making for more humane conditions for our DOC professionals and correctional officers. You have been a guiding light for the decisions that we make here, even though we don't always follow your guiding light collectively. So, thank you for all the incredible work you have done over the years. And I know you will continue to do some work, but also, hopefully, some relaxing. Thank you so much, Alan Mills."

"House Resolution 357 had already been adopted. Moving on, Representative Hauter, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please state your point." 10400053.docx 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"Leader Lilly on House Resolution 378. Please proceed."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and ladies and gentlemen. I rise to present House Resolution 378. It is in… it is in recognition of the accomplishments of Mr. Bill Riley, and I shall read it. WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives wish to congratulate Bill Riley on his induction into the Illinois Basketball College Association Hall of Fame; WHEREAS, Coach Riley was born on February 7, 1962 and raised in Westchester, Illinois; he was graduate of Proviso West High School in 1980 and earned a degree from Northern Illinois here in the state of Illinois; WHEREAS, Coach Riley began his lifelong dedication to mentoring young people through his work as a coach and as a teacher; over the course of his career, he has… he has known and has been known as… for the good work that he's been done… he's been doing on behalf of education and on behalf of athletics, on and off the court; 10400053.docx 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 WHEREAS, Coach Riley is known for his skills, character, and dedication to a player and to his players; WHEREAS, Coach Riley has served his school and his community in a variety of roles and has been especially admired for his ability to connect with students and inspire excellence both athletically and academically; Coach Riley was a part of the 26 regional championship, nine sectional championship, five state finals, and two state championships, one in 1999 and one in 2015; Coach Riley has received many honors during his lifetime, including coach of the year; Coach Riley is beloved by many and known for his humility, sense of humor, and faith; he has positively impacted generations of young people and has touched many lives through his dedication, again, to teaching, coaching, and public service; Coach Riley is the son of the late Patricia and Edmund Riley, the brother of Jerry and the late Michael, and a cherished friend, mentor, coach, and community leaders to countless others; this resolution… WHEREAS, RESOLVED, THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HUNDRED AND FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, is to congratulate Coach Bill Riley on being inducted into the Illinois Basketball College Association Hall of Fame; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Riley as a token of our respect and esteem. Mr. Coach Riley was with us on yesterday in the chambers celebrating the work that we do. He had the opportunity to take pictures here on the floor, but he wanted to say thank you to each and every one of us for acknowledging his accomplishment and he wanted to thank all of the families and all the youth that 10400053.docx 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 he's able to touch and be a part of their lives. Thank you for this time, and let's give Coach Riley a round of applause."

"Moving to supplemental one of the… of the calendar appears House Bill 111 on the Order of Second Reading. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Leader Buckner on House Bill 111."

"Thank you… thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 111 is an appropriations bill that is intended to be a shell and a part of the FY26 budget package. I urge a 'aye' vote."

"On this question, Leader Windhorst"

"He indicates he'll yield."

"This… leader, this is a shell bill that, if passed, will go to the Senate as a part of the… the budget package. Could be the BIMP, could be revenue, but it will be a part of the package, yes." 10400053.docx 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"Yes, sir."

"Seeing no one seeking further recognition, the question is, 'Shall House Bill 111 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay.' The voting's open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 76 voting 'yes,' 38 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And this bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving to page 2 on the calendar, on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading appears House Bill 1582, Representative Croke. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Representative Crook."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1582 is an initiative of the Attorney General's Office. The bill seeks to make some technical changes to the 1998 tobacco manufacturers' Master Settlement Agreement. So, recently, the courts have been finding states out of compliance with the settlement's strict and diligent enforcement requirements. This actually resulted in Washington state losing nearly half of its allocation. These changes are necessary so that Illinois does not lose its 215 to 300 million dollars that it receives annually from the settlement. Specifically, the bill authorizes the AG's Office to instruct IDOR to revoke licenses of distributors that fail to comply with the AG's Office request for quarterly 10400053.docx 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 sales reports. It also allows tobacco manufacturers to voluntarily transfer escrow accounts… escrow account funds to the state and enable the AG to assume control of escrow accounts belonging to defunct tobacco companies. I know of no opposition to the bill. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association is neutral, and I'm happy to answer any questions."

"On this question, Representative Ugaste."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Yes."

"If you don't mind, leader, I'm just going to read kind of the… the process for it because I… I know that that's the feeling. But the bill would give uncompliant distributors multiple notices through the tobacco enforcement office's monthly and quarterly communications, first off. So, it then gives them 10 days to cure once the warning letters of license removal are sent and 20 days to appeal the license removal. So, yes, they would receive that letter. They have 10 days to cure it. They have 20 days to appeal after that. And the reason being, and we talked about this in committee, is that office within the AG's Office is very small. They have a total 10400053.docx 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 of three attorneys, four paralegals, and one administrative staff, and there are 543 tobacco product distributors. So, they just do not have the capacity to do multiple letters, multiple warnings. And… and we're talking about a small office that is responsible for collecting, you know, 215 to 300 million dollars per year. So, it is a matter of, like, what is… is state government able to do in this case."

"To the bill."

"Representative Croke to close."

"Thank you. I… I would push back and say that if this were to be too onerous on the distributors that IRMA would have made that concern known to me, as being someone who obviously cares about their concerns. And we are talking about a large 10400053.docx 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 sum of money that has already been stripped from other states. This is not something we're talking about in the hypothetical. States have lost more than half of their allocation because they were not following the MSA strictly and diligently. So, we must enforce this strictly and diligently. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 1582 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay.' The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there's 78 voting 'yes,' 36 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And this bill, having received the constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Leader Mah, for what reason do you arise?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Rising on… for the purposes of announcement. The Democrats would request a caucus meeting starting in 10 minutes in Room 114."

"The Democrats will caucus in Room 114 at 1 o'clock sharp, 114 at 1 o'clock sharp. Leader Keicher."

"The Republicans will caucus in Room 118 one minute after we recess. The House will stand at recess… call of the Chair."

"Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."

"Leader Keicher."

"Leader Morgan."

"Thank you, Speaker. Please excuse Marcus Evans for the rest of the day, please."

"Representative Chung, for what reason you arise?"

"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."

"Please state your point."

"I just wanted to introduce the body to a friend and constituent who's up in the… in the gallery. It's my friend Sarah Breeden, who's here with Compassion & Choices. And they've been lobbying really hard for medical aid in dying, and I just wanted to introduce her and everybody to the chamber. So, thank you."

"Moving to page 23 of the calendar, under the Order of Resolutions appears House Resolution 391, Representative Grasse."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 391 to strongly condemn the actions coming out of Trump's Washington, where they are celebrating a plan to gut $1 trillion for Medicaid and other critical lifesaving services that children, working families, seniors, and people with disabilities in Illinois rely upon. As a hospice chaplain for over 30 years in Illinois, I've dedicated my life to supporting our most vulnerable people, sitting at their bedsides, supporting them through deep moments of fear and 10400053.docx 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 hardship and difficult illness. I know what it means when health care is available to our people, and I know what it means when it's taken away. And I am heartbroken and, frankly, sickened at the thought of abandoning millions of our newborns, our children, our working parents living paycheck to paycheck, and our seniors who just want to live out the lives they've built with dignity. The safety nets to protect our neighbors that generations before us fought to put into place are being dismantled before our very eyes. And so, today, I call on the United States Senate to denounce the Trump health care cuts bill. Many will remember Trump promised the American people that Medicaid would not be touched, but here we are, watching $880 billion in slashes to Medicaid to make room for $4.5 trillion in tax breaks for the wealthiest few, what amounts to a Trump family and friends fund. And this isn't just a talking point. These are real numbers with real consequences that affect real human beings in Illinois. Under this plan, a family of four earning $32,000 a year would struggle to afford even the most basic health care. Congress itself admits this will result in 8.6 million people losing health care coverage. Again, 8.6 million people losing health care coverage. Three major credit agencies have already downgraded our economy. Rural hospitals will close. Again, rural hospitals will close. Seniors will lose access to care, and premiums for everyone else who are still insured will skyrocket. And this isn't abstract to me. I've seen firsthand what happens when health care is there, and I've seen the unnecessary death and devastation to families when it's not there. This matters deeply to me, and it should matter to all 10400053.docx 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 of us as Members here. If we can't talk about what this means for the real people in Illinois, we are not doing our jobs. I strongly oppose the U.S. House's compliance with this attack on our low-income families, our seniors, and our people with disabilities, and I urge the U.S. Senate to vehemently reject this bill. Thank you."

"On this resolution, Leader Wilhour."

"It is extended."

"Representative Hauter."

"We shall have a recorded vote."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Are… are you asking me? That's not relevant to this resolution."

"I'm sure you can find the answer elsewhere."

"I've… I've heard the numbers. I also care for people without a pay source. And I also know that our hospitals, there was a 15% reduction in debt with the health care service we had. But I just want to speak to your comment before. The resolution is speaking to the federal response to Medicaid and how it affects this."

"Please."

"To the resolution."

"On this resolution, Leader Windhorst."

"To the resolution."

"On this resolution, Representative LaPointe."

"I am so glad this is a recorded vote. Make it a recorded vote. As many of us know, Medicaid is the biggest funder of behavioral health care in the state of Illinois. That is mental health, addiction, and recovery. Medicaid is the biggest funder of long-term care in the state of Illinois. Medicaid is the biggest funder of AIDS care in the state of Illinois. And I'm so glad to talk about work requirements. But let's talk about it with real data and with people who have spent time on the ground with people struggling with mental health and addiction that, until we expanded Medicaid to cover them, did not have access to any type of health care. Fifty-eight percent of people who are of working age who are 10400053.docx 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 on Medicaid are actually working already. But let's talk about the folks who aren't who now have access to Medicaid, who did not before we expanded it. These are the folks that I walked alongside when I worked in homeless outreach and as a social worker on the Far Northwest Side of Chicago. These are folks who, previous to expanding Medicaid, their only pathway to health care was the very long and arduous pathway of Social Security Disability. And it takes two to three years to even get that. You need to get a lawyer. Do people living on the street under a bridge, struggling with addiction, can they just get a lawyer? It's not easy. Those are the folks that, if we hadn't expanded Medicaid, that some of you in this room are demanding need work requirements. And I'm not saying that those folks can never work. They can. But you've got to be stabilized and have an access to health care and treatment, and it's really hard to get treatment if you have no payer source, if you don't have Medicaid. So, there's a reason why work requirements are very, very troubling for people that have some of the most severe health and behavioral health care issues. So, let it be a recorded vote. Let it be a recorded vote that the majority of people in this room right now who have the ability to vote can't wait to vote 'yes' for this resolution. And we are dismayed about the big beautiful bill that came through last week, but I do want to remind everyone and everyone in this country that that bill passed by one vote. So, for the people in Illinois that feel…"

"Representative. Representative, please…" 10400053.docx 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"…like they're not cared about, it was just one vote. It was one vote. So, raising our voices and paying attention to what happens in Washington does matter. Thank you."

"Thank you. Members, we are on Extended Debate. We're adhering to a strict three-minute time limit. I appreciate everyone's indulgence. Representative Blair- Sherlock."

"Thank you. Discrimination in employment is an epidemic with respect to people with disabilities. When I was raising my children, I was encouraged to apply for Social Security Disability and get them on various programs. And I said, why would I do that? My children are intelligent. My children can work. My daughter graduated summa cum laude from NIU as a teacher and could not get a job in the area that we live in. God bless Dixon, Illinois for hiring my daughter. But despite her graduating summa cum laude, she was not getting job offers. She's an amazing teacher. Now, my son, who graduated cum laude from UIC and is in grad school, cannot get full-time employment. So, he cannot, now at the age 27, get health insurance. And he doesn't make enough money to pay for health insurance on the open market. But these are the people that you are going to cut off. They want to work. But when you cut off that expansion, this is who you're cutting off. People with disabilities who don't want to be on the welfare rolls, they want to work, but they don't have the opportunity to get full-time employment 'cause we all know employers will hire you part time so they don't have to provide you with benefits. So, shame on you. We need to support people and lift them up and encourage them to succeed 10400053.docx 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 in life and not push them onto full-welfare rolls or discriminate against them in employment or deny them benefits by forcing them to work part time, as we also see with adjunct professors. So, this is not people who don't want to. This is people who society is not allowing to. Thank you."

"On this resolution, Leader Avelar."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, let's be clear: The work requirements for Medicaid are not about promoting jobs. They are about cutting people off from health care. This policy is enrooted… in fact, the majority of Medicaid recipients, as we heard before, can… that can work already do. Those who don't are often caregivers, and we need to make sure that we are uplifting that. Most of those who cannot work are caregivers, people with disabilities, or those facing real barriers to employment. Instead of offering support, work requirements throw bureaucratic red tape in their path, creating a maze of paperwork that leads not to opportunity but to denial of care. And who pays the price? Who pays the price? Low-income families, older adults, and our rural and working-class neighbors. People lose coverage because… not because they are unwilling to work but because they missed a deadline, because they couldn't navigate a glitchy system, or simply they could not meet arbitrary rules. So, let's call it what it is, a political maneuver to shrink Medicaid rolls by punishing the poor. It undermines the core value that health care is a human right not a reward for those who can't jump through the hoops. We cannot allow this kind of cruelty to masquerade as reform, and not on our watch. So, 10400053.docx 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 thank you so much, Representative Grasse, for bringing this resolution."

"Representative Grasse to close. Representative Grasse."

"Thank you. I bring to this place the many faces and names and stories of the people I have journeyed with who were able to die with dignity because of Medicaid, who were able to receive the care they needed because of Medicaid. But I also remember the days of the people who died when it was not available, and they died needlessly. So, I thank you for all those who have spoken in support, and I believe that we must, in our decision making, always remember and hold on to those people with the least and not leave them behind. And I ask for your 'aye' vote. Thank you."

"Representative Grasse moves to… the adoption of House Resolution 391. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'no.' The voting's open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this resolution, there are 76 voting 'yes,' 33 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And the resolution is adopted. Leader Morgan, for what reason do you arise?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can we please excuse Representative Ammons for the rest of the day?"

"On page 11 of the calendar, under the Order of Resolutions, appears House Joint Resolution 40, Representative Chung. Representative Chung."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present House Joint Resolution 40, which is a measure to find new 10400053.docx 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 legislative approaches to make life more affordable for Illinoisans by cutting the cost of everyday essentials and vital services. House Joint Resolution 40 will accomplish this by establishing the Saving Working Families and Easing the Cost of Living Task Force. Growing costs of essential expenses, such as prescription drugs, housing, utilities, and groceries, which are likely to be brought on by President Trump's escalating trade war, will make life much more challenging for millions of people in our state. Numerous major retailers, including Target, Walmart, McDonald's, and Amazon, have already warned that the outcome of the chaotic tariff policies will lead to frequent closures, limited hiring, empty shelves, and price hikes nationwide. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to take a comprehensive look at a range of potential solutions from both sides of the aisle. So, this resolution includes a number of possible approaches, many of which have support from Democrats and Republicans. These include Leader McCombie's back-to-school shopping cost relief. And Illinoisans elected us to address the serious problems our committee… our communities are likely to face, and this task force will lay the foundation for Illinois' response to the upcoming rise in costs. Neglecting to look at next steps will leave people vulnerable to difficult times, and I hope no one here is willing to do that. I'm confident that the combined efforts of lawmakers from both the majority and minority parties in both chambers of this Legislature will bring forward fiscally responsible and compassionate solutions that the people of Illinois need to ease this burden as they navigate new difficulties in 10400053.docx 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 coming months and years. I ask for your 'aye' vote today. Thank you."

"On this resolution, Representative Deering."

"We… we are going with five… Extended Debate will be granted. Five speakers on each side of the aisle and three minutes apiece. Proceed."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Although President Trump included no tax on tips in his budget bill, it will not benefit, actually, waiters, servers, or bartenders, only those who itemize their taxes. No tax on tips is a good idea, but it's not being executed very well in Washington. And the task force intends to take good ideas and turn them into practical policies that will help working families across the state."

"I mean, it's a possibility. I mean, again, it's a task force where we're going to be able to look at it…" 10400053.docx 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"OK."

"I will give the same answer that I just said. Again, it's… we believe that maybe it's a good… it's a good policy."

"It's probably not being executed well in Washington."

"So, then, again, this is something that we can look at as a task force."

"Can you repeat that question again? I'm sorry."

"I think what's really clear is that, you know, the… there's been lots of news out there saying that the… the prices were… are going to spike this summer. Again, these are things we're just looking at. All the possibilities are on the table of what we can do to reduce costs for families."

"Been… President Biden before actually did have a cap set and things like that on prescription drugs. So, again, those are great ideas that have been, you know, who knows what's going to be happening with Washington as we've seen that some of the… the follow-through or the execution might have left… much left to be desired."

"On this resolution, Representative Moore."

"Representative Halbrook."

"Your request will be granted."

"To the resolution."

"Representative Ugaste."

"Representative Chung to close."

"I think it's very clear that we here, on this side of the aisle, we are committed to coming together, bringing people's ideas together to figure out what we can do to best serve the people in our state. I have Representative Morris, who is my seatmate. She represents parts of Chicago. I represent parts of Central Illinois, and yet we both sit here every day and talk about how we feel a lot of the same pressures and rising costs and things like this. And that… it's what makes us relatable to our constituencies, and… and that's what we're going to… that’s why we're here, and we're here to fight for that. So, I ask for your 'aye' vote. Thank you."

"Representative Chung moves for the adoption of House… House Joint Resolution 40. All those in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay.' The voting's open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who 10400053.docx 42  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this resolution, there are 75 voting 'yes,' 33 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And the resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."

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

"Point of personal privilege, Speaker."

"Please state your point."

"I rise today to bring attention to the chamber… to the Members of this chamber a serious and growing crisis that threatens the foundation of our child welfare system here in Illinois. For years community-based foster care providers, who are a big part of Illinois' child welfare system and are contracted by the state to serve nearly 70% of the more than 19,000 children in care, have faced an escalating crisis related to the cost and availability of liability insurance. This year, the situation has reached a tipping point. In 2024 alone, Illinois providers spent more than $13.5 million just on general liability insurance, sexual abuse and molestation, and umbrella insurance. That does not include property casualty… or property, auto, cyber, or other critical coverages. Despite paying these ever-increasing premiums, up 61% over the last five years, the amount of coverage available has significantly declined. Most providers now only carry 1 million per incident and 3 million in total coverage, with limited or no umbrella coverage to supplement that. This is 10400053.docx 43  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 not unique to Illinois. Other states are facing the same threats to their systems. And many insurers are leaving the market altogether, leaving providers without viable options to renew their coverage. The remaining two major insurance characters… carriers in Illinois have publicly announced that they will not be writing any new policies in 2025 and will only be renewing on a case-by-case basis. Without insurance, these providers will not be able to legally or financially continue to operate, and that can lead to significant disruptions in our system, creating real challenges for children already traumatized by being removed from their homes. We have spent this spring legislative session working intensively with stakeholders, including DCFS, the Department of Insurance, the Attorney General's Office, the Governor's Office, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, insurers, and providers to craft legislation that would offer a both short- term release and long-term stability. These conversations were substantive and collaborative, and I want to thank everyone who has participated in the conversation and come to the table in good faith. I'd also like to thank Senator Fine over in the Senate for leading this effort there and my colleague, Representative Reick, for his leadership and partnership in this work. Additionally, our staff, Jackson and Maddie, who have continued to be there at the table, ready to assist when we could come up with a solution. Unfortunately, we did not reach a consensus this legislative session. And so, we have decided to continue these conversations over the summer, meeting formally every two weeks. The goal is to bring back a comprehensive and 10400053.docx 44  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 actionable solution to this chamber that we can vote on. I want to be very clear: This is more than a policy challenge. It's a test of our collective conscience and leadership."

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

"This is a shared responsibility, and the need is urgent. The children in Illinois are counting on us. Thank you, Speaker."

"Thank you. Representative Reick."

"Please state your point."

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

"Moving to page 23 of the calendar appears Senate Joint Resolution 25, Leader Hammond. Please proceed."

"Leader Hammond moves for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 25. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the resolution is adopted. Leader West in the Chair."

"West in the Chair. Proceeding to Order of Senate Bills on Second Reading, we have Senate Bill 26, Leader Hoffman. Mr. Clerk, read the… read the bill."

"Leader Hoffman on the amendment."

"Yes, I ask that the amendment be adopted, and then we can debate it on Third Reading."

"Leader Hoffman moves that Floor Amendment #2… Leader Hoffman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. All those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the amendment is adopted. Any further amendments, Mr. Clerk?"

"Third Reading. Mr.… Mr. Clerk, read the bill."

"Leader Hoffman is recognized."

"Thank you. Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House. Senate Bill 26, as amended, amends the Code of Civil 10400053.docx 47  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Procedure and the Business Corporation Act to require foreign corporations to be subject to general jurisdiction in Illinois courts. When I say foreign corporations, I don't mean foreign companies from other… other countries. I'm talking about foreign corporations that are not domiciled here in the state of Illinois. This would make it… make the courts available for individuals who are harmed by hazardous substances here in Illinois. And if you are a corporation and you avail yourself of the benefits of doing business in Illinois, and you should have been registered or are registered to do business here in Illinois, then you would be subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois courts. In other words, if hazardous substance that cause sickness or death, currently, you can avoid Illinois courts, which forces an injured victim, worker, or other family to pursue multiple cases against that foreign corporation in one or more states. This is a direct result… this bill is a direct result of the ruling of Mallory v. Norfolk Southern, which was handed down by the currently Republican-controlled, conservative Supreme Court that indicated that in the state of Pennsylvania and other states that you could have jurisdiction against a foreign corporation if they are doing business in that state, even though they're not domiciled in that state. I believe that this is a bill that's going to make access to Illinois courts more accessible. This does not, again, this does not confer any new jurisdiction on Illinois-domiciled businesses. It simply allows for judicial equity and ensure that injured victims have a place in Illinois courts. I ask for an 'aye' vote." 10400053.docx 48  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"For discussion, Representative Friess."

"Granted."

"Indicates he will."

"He does not. He has to have… the action has to accrue in Illinois, however, and there has to be an Illinois- domiciled defendant."

"I'm familiar with it, yes."

"Well, I would say that that is true. They have these dockets. However, the defendants are actually making… availing themselves to that jurisdiction. They've made a decision, for whatever reason, that they would be part of that asbestos docket. However, in some cases, particularly in the case of Ford Motor Company, they have brought motions, 10400053.docx 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 and then the plaintiff has had to go and sue them in other states."

"Yes."

"Again, you have to have jurisdiction with a business that is domiciled here in this state, and the jurisdiction is very clear what it would take to have that jurisdiction. And this would say that, in addition to that, a foreign corporation who does business in the state, who has availed itself to the business of the state and the benefits of doing business in this state, that they would also have jurisdiction."

"We did not change what constitutes doing business and what requires registration under the secretary of state in this state. That is already well established in current law. And basically, if you are doing any business in this state, you then have to… not just driving through the state, but actually transacting business in this state. It's my understanding you are supposed to be registered to do business in this state, whether you are domiciled here in Illinois or not." 10400053.docx 50  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"Representative, can you bring your remarks to a close?"

"Thank you. Leader Tarver is recognized."

"Thank you, Mr. Chair. Will the sponsor yield?"

"He indicates he will."

"Jay, just a couple of quick questions for you. Does this bill have any impact on nongovernmental entities? So, for example, nonprofits, charities."

"No, it does not."

"OK. And then what about Illinois-based companies? So, companies that are based here in Illinois. Does this bill affect them in some kind of different way if it were passed?"

"It does not. They would… they would already have jurisdiction in the state."

"OK. Thank you. I appreciate it."

"For discussion, Leader Ugaste is recognized."

"Indicates he will."

"Yeah. I… the witness did use the term 'toxic.' I would… I would rather use the term 'hazardous substance' because that's how it's defined in the Uniform Hazardous Substance Act. Under Section 2-4, they're called hazardous substances. So, this would be limited to hazardous substance… cases that 10400053.docx 51  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 result from hazardous substances under the Uniform Hazardous Substance Act."

"No. These cases that we are talking about here under this act, we would only have jurisdiction of a… with a foreign corporation who is doing business in this… in this state if the illness or the injury was caused by a hazardous substances defined under the Uniform Hazardous Substance Act."

"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 26 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay.' The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 75 voting in 'favor,' 37 voting 'opposed,' 0 voting 'present.' This bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. The clerk is in receipt of Motions in Writing to waive the posting requirements for several bills. If there is leave, we will make these motions together in one motion. Is there leave? Leave is granted. Leader Morgan on the motion."

"Thank you, Speaker. I move that the posting requirements be waived so the following legislative measures can be heard in the following committees this week: Senate Bill 1697 in Energy & Environment Committee, Senate Bills 243 and 1331 in Executive Committee, and Senate Bill 453 in Labor Committee."

"Leader Windhorst is recognized."

"Leader Morgan has moved to waive the posting requirements. All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay.' The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. There being 74 voting in 'favor,' 37 voting 'against,' 0 10400053.docx 53  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 voting 'present,' and this motion, having received a constitutional majority, the posting requirements are waived. Proceeding to Order of Senate Bill on Third Reading, we… excuse me, proceeding to Senate Bills on Second Reading, we have Senate Bill 1418, Representative Jones. Mr. Clerk, read the bill."

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the bill."

"Representative Jones."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. I rise to present Senate Bill 1418, which is an initiative of the Illinois Association of Black Cardiologists. This bill is the peripheral artery disease. This bill basically is a preventative measure. Many of you who were around in 2018 know that my brother passed away from a similar disease. He had his leg amputated and… and passed away. This bill seeks to identify and help at-risk individual… individuals and allow them to have their blood… blood pressure taken through their legs. This is a good bill. I know of no opposition to this bill. It is not only a bill of the Black Cardiologists of Illinois Chapter, but also the American College of Cardiology. This is a great bill. And, Mr. Speaker. I ask for its support and prepared to answer any questions." 10400053.docx 54  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1418 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay.' The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 112 voting in 'favor,' 0 voting 'against,' 0 voting 'present.' And this bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Leader Hoffman back in the Chair."

"On page 3 of the calendar appears Senate Bills on Second reading. Senate Bill 100, Representative Meyers- Martin. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Meyers-Martin."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 100 amends the Illinois Gaming Act. Provides that the Illinois Gaming Board shall allow sworn law enforcement personnel employed by the board who retire in good standing to keep their previously issued board identification cards or issue photographic identification cards to sworn law enforcement personnel employed by the board who retire in good standing. This… this bill has passed this House twice, and it passed out of Police & Fire Committee unanimously. So, I ask for an 'aye' vote." 10400053.docx 55  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"Seeing no one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 100 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay.' The voting's open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 110 voting 'yes,' 0 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And this bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 3 of the calendar appears Senate Bill 406, Representative Mason. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Mason."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill continues the work of the new Department of Early Childhood that we established last year to create more efficiency and less confusion for providers and families. It creates the Early Childhood Data Integration System. And it has passed with full support through both committees, and I ask for your support."

"On this question, Leader Windhorst."

"Indicates she'll yield." 10400053.docx 56  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"They'll only be collecting the same data. It will just be consolidated."

"I do not, but I'm happy to get back to you."

"So, you know, in education, when we talk about equity and when we talk about inclusion, it's a little bit different from the conversations that are currently going on now. When we talk about giving equity in education, we're talking about making sure that every child has the same opportunity to learn. So, for example, if there is somebody with a developmental disability or who may be blind or deaf or speak a different language, we want to make sure that they have the same opportunities as every other child. And inclusion is the same. You know, when I was in elementary school, if someone had a developmental disability, they were put in a separate classroom or a separate school. And now we try really hard to be inclusive so that students can be there among their peers and learn together. And that's what we're talking about here."

"Thank you."

"Representative Mason to close."

"I ask for your support." 10400053.docx 57  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 406 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'no.' The voting's open. Have all voted who wished? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting 'yes,' 0 voting 'no,' and 0 voting 'present.' And this bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 3 of the calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears Senate Bill 637, Leader Hernandez. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Leader Hernandez." Hernandez, L.: "Thank you, Speaker. Senate Bill 637 addresses a parking situation between the…"

"Leader, let's adopt the amendment and then we'll go to Third Reading. I apologize. We need to adopt the amendment on Second. Let's do that first." Hernandez, L.: "OK."

"Representative… Leader Hernandez moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1 to Senate Bill 637. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the amendment is adopted. Third Reading. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Leader Hernandez on Senate Bill 637." Hernandez, L.: "Yeah, so the… the bill addresses a parking situation between the Brookfield Zoo and the Riverside Brookfield High School in my district. The zoo resides on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, which leases their land to the zoo for the operation of the zoo. And part of that property butts up on the side of the Riverside Brookfield High School. Over the years, the… the zoo has casually allowed the high school to play baseball on this property. But during large attendance days, the zoo also parks on the property, causing ruts in the fields and disturbances in existing sports schedules. The zoo and the high school would like to enter into a sublease agreement whereby the zoo would agree not to park on the ball fields, and the high school… high school would provide funding to invest in alternative parkings around the zoo. The current law allows… does not allow the zoo to sublease and neither does the Forest Preserves. So, what the solution here is giving authority for the zoo to sublease… sublease to the high school. All parties around surrounding villages are on board with this, and I ask for your 'aye' vote."

"Seeing no one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 637 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay.' The voting's open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting 'yes,' 0 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And this bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving to page 5 of the calendar. On 10400053.docx 59  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 the Order of Second Reading appears Senate Bill 2201, Representative Johnson. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Representative Johnson moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #3 to Senate Bill 2201. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the amendment is adopted. Any further amendments, Mr. Clerk?"

"Representative Johnson moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #4 to Senate Bill 2201. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. The amendment is adopted. Further amendments?"

"Third Reading. Please the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Johnson on Senate Bill 2201."

"Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senate Bill 2201 requires the Department of Corrections to collect and publish data on contraband found, substance use disorder treatment or educational programming, emergency medical response and hospitalizations and overdoses by each correctional facility. 10400053.docx 60  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 This did pass unanimously in the Senate, and I ask for an 'aye' vote."

"On this question, Leader Windhorst."

"Indicates he'll yield."

"Yes, sir."

"Yes. And also… also visitors as well to the facility."

"Yes."

"Yeah. We continue to have discussions with the department, with the John Howard Association and AFSCME. There's basically five employees that are responsible for collecting the data. So, we… we did offer and moved the reporting date out a little bit, and we're… we're kind of willing to have conversations. We think the data… getting this data is very, very important with all of the things we've 10400053.docx 61  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 been hearing over the last couple years in the department. So, we were very open to… to moving it out and giving them sufficient time in which to compile and report the data."

"You bet."

"Representative Johnson to close."

"Ask for an 'aye' vote."

"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2201 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay.' The voting is open. Have all voted who wished? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 109 voting 'yes,' 1 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And this bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 5 of the calendar, under the Order of Second Reading, appears Senate Bill 2153, Representative Guerrero-Cuellar. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

Speaker Hoffman: "Representative Guerrero-Cuellar on Floor Amendment #3."

"Thank you, Speaker. Floor Amendment 3 is just two minor changes to the language. So, it's a technicality."

"Representative Guerrero-Cuellar moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #3 to Senate Bill 2153. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of 10400053.docx 62  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the amendment is adopted. Any further amendments?"

"Third Reading. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Please proceed."

"Thank you, Speaker. The bill, what it does is a Physical Therapy Act, amended, of changing the restrictions regarding using telehealth are loosened and allowing for more cases where telehealth may be used. Discretion is allowed to the therapist and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation."

"Seeing no one seeking recognition, the question is 'Shall Senate Bill 2153 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay.' The voting's open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 112 voting 'yes,' 0 voting 'no,' and 0 voting 'present.' And this bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Deuter on Senate Bill 2215. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Third Reading. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Deuter."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 2215 directs the Illinois Department of Public Health to provide information about fertility options, including ovarian reserve testing, to health care professionals who may distribute the information to interested patients. For women making family planning decisions, knowing what fertility- related assessments are available can be incredibly helpful when considering their options. This legislation also outlines that they should be informed of testing limitations as well as potential results and resources that are available after an assessment. Making this material more available in routine health care appointments will allow more-informed decisions. This bill passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support and came out of committee unanimously. I ask for your support."

"On this question, Leader Windhorst."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"This was in response… it came from my Senator in response to a constituent question and… and concern that was expressed, and the idea is really to give women more information when it comes to their family planning."

"That's correct. The department of…" 10400053.docx 64  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"That's correct, may provide to the patient."

"Representative Deuter to close."

"Thank you. I ask for your support."

"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2215 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay.' The voting's open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 109 voting 'yes,' 0 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And this bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Moving to page 6 of the calendar, on the Order of Second Reading appears Senate Bill 2426, Representative Harper. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

"Representative Harper on Floor Amendment #1."

"I ask that the amendment be adopted, and I can explain it on Third."

"Representative Harper moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1 to Senate Bill 2426. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. The amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, any further amendments?"

"Third Reading. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Harper."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. Law enforcement has said that the timber industry would like to clarify confusion over the 4% timber harvest fee and the transportation of timber by secondary buyers or transportation from concentration yard to concentration yard. So, Senate Bill 2426 aims to provide an additional layer of protection for secondary buyers and timber growers. This is an initiative of the Department of Natural Resources. Now, this new form will indicate the source of the timber and confirm that the 4% timber harvest fee has been paid while safeguarding growers, especially as law enforcement has reported increased instances of theft on multiple layers. Lastly, it would enable law enforcement to trace the origins of the timber and conduct further investigation, if needed, to help deter theft. I encourage an 'aye' vote."

"On this question, Leader Windhorst."

"Indicates she'll yield."

"That is correct." 10400053.docx 66  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"Yes."

"So, any person already transporting timber has to show this proof."

"Only people who are subject to the licensing act have to show proof of ownership, and this is what we corrected in amendment 1."

"It was made because that is what the Department of Natural Resources would like."

"Representative Harper to close."

"I encourage an 'aye' vote."

"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 2426 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay.' The voting's open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 77 voting 'yes,' 35 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And this bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Leader Mah, for what reason do you arise?"

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

"State your point."

"Thank you. I'd like to direct your attention up in the gallery and introduce an old friend of mine, Charmaine Manansala, who is here with her… her organization. She's the chief advocacy officer for the Compassion & Choices Action Network. She and… they're here to advocate on behalf of the medical aid in dying legislation. They've come from all over the country, and they're… they're here in the gallery. So, please give them a warm Springfield welcome." 10400053.docx 68  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"Going… going to page 4 of the calendar appears Senate Bill 1950, Leader Gabel. Mr. Clerk, please read the bill."

Speaker Hoffman: "Representative Hirschauer on Floor… Floor Amendment #1. Representative Gabel on Floor Amendment #1."

"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #1 is a Hirschauer bill. We… we don't want to call that one. We just want to call Floor Amendment 2."

"Mr. Clerk, please withdraw Floor Amendment #1. Any further amendments?"

"Representative Gabel on Floor Amendment #2."

"Thank you. Floor Amendment 2 is a new bill. It is the Medical aid in dying bill, and I will speak to it on… on Third Reading."

"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 1950. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the amendment is adopted. Any further amendments, Mr. Clerk?"

"Leader Gabel moves to withdraw the corrections note. The corrections note is withdrawn. Any further notes?"

"Third Reading. Please read the bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Leader Gabel on Senate Bill 1950."

"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Medical aid in dying is a trusted and time-tested medical practice that is part of the full spectrum of end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care. Deb's Law would allow terminally ill, mentally capable adults with a prognosis of just six months or less to live to request from their doctor a prescription for medication that can decide… that they can then decide to self-ingest to die peacefully in their sleep. Medical aid in dying is authorized in 12 jurisdictions: Oregon, Washington, Montana, Maine, New Jersey, Vermont, New Mexico, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and now includes Delaware. Beyond authorizing medical aid in dying for a terminally ill adult who is an Illinois resident and has a six-month prognosis, as confirmed by two Illinois physicians, Deb's Law also requires the following steps: Qualified individuals must be able to self-administer, i.e., self-ingest, the medicine. Physicians must inform the requesting individual about all of their end-of-life care options, including comfort care, hospice, palliative care, and pain control. No physician, health care provider, or pharmacist is required to participate in the law. The individual can withdraw their request for medication or 10400053.docx 70  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 change their mind after receiving the medication and decide not to take it. An individual's providers may refer the person for a mental health evaluation to ensure the person's capacity to make an informed decision. The law includes multiple protections to prevent coercion, including strict eligibility requirements, two separate physician assessments, and mandatory counseling on all treatment options. The law makes it a felony to coerce someone to request the medication or to forge a request. Life insurance payments cannot be denied to the families of those who use the law. Health care providers who participate and comply with all aspects of the law are given civil and criminal immunity. Health care providers must submit documentation of medical aid-in-dying deaths to the state health department so it can compile an annual report for lawmakers and the public. Death certificates list the terminal disease as the cause of death, consistent with statutory language to provide accurate data and to prevent inappropriate suicide investigations. The law includes several… several other regulatory requirements: two verbal requests for the medication directly from the patient with a five-day waiting period between the first and second request, a written request is also required from the individual requesting medical aid in dying, prescribing physicians must comply with medical record documentation requirements, and unused medication must be disposed of according to state and federal law. In a February 2023 poll of 700 likely Illinois voters conducted by Impact Research, more than seven out of 10 Illinois voters, 71%, including 73% of voters living with a disability, think a mentally capable adult patient with an 10400053.docx 71  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 incurable terminal illness who only has six months or less to live should have the legal option of medical aid in dying to pass peacefully in their sleep. Less than one out of five voters, only 17%, oppose the legal option of medical aid in dying. Majority support for medical aid in dying spans the age, gender, racial, and religious spectrum. White voters, 69%; Black/African American voters, 69%; Hispanic/Latino voters, 86%; Catholics, 69%; non-Catholics, 50… Christians, 58%; and atheists, agnostics, nonaffiliated, 89%. In a February 2011 Medscape/WebMD poll, nearly seven out of 10 Illinois physicians, 58%, said they support medical aid-in- dying practice in which a terminally ill adult with decision- making capacity asks for and receives a prescription medication that may be self-ingested to hasten a foreseeable death. Only one out of four Illinois physicians, 25%, oppose medical aid in dying. There are also many safeguards in this law. So, Deb's Law, like all medical aid-in-dying laws in the U.S., contain core safeguards to protect patients from abuse and coercion under the law. Patients, not doctors, nurses, or health care proxies, must initiate a request for medical aid in dying. The patient must make two oral and one written request for medication. The patient must have a terminal diagnosis with a six-month prognosis and must be able to… of making medical decisions for themselves. The patient's diagnosis, prognosis, and decision-making capacity are evaluated by two physicians. If there's any question of a doubt of that person's mental state, they must be referred for an evaluation by a mental health specialist. No person qualifies for medical aid in dying solely because of 10400053.docx 72  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 disability or age. The patient must ingest the medication themselves, via the GI tract, by swallowing, feeding tube, or a rectal catheter. The medication may not be injected into a vein or administered by IV, and it may not be administered to the patient by a third party. There are criminal penalties for any person who coerces or induces a patient into accessing MAiD. In the 28 years since Oregon's law went into effect, 28 years this law has been in effect, there has never been a single verified case of abuse or coercion under the law, nobody has ever been charged criminally for violating the law. No medical professional has ever faced disciplinary action, and medical aid in dying is time-tested and the safeguards work. Opponents of MAiD will sometimes cite cases from Canada, Europe, or other countries to justify their criticism. We are not Canada. MAiD laws in the U.S. operate with a distinct legal environment and differ sharply from other countries in how patients qualify for and request the medications. It is impossible to compare what is happening in Canada with the bill in Illinois. The medication most commonly used across the country is a compound mixture called DDMAPh containing Valium, digoxin, morphine, amitriptyline, and phenobarbital. The medication typically causes patients to fall asleep within 2 minutes to 2 hours and death occurs within 30 minutes to 8 hours. Across the authorized jurisdiction that report data, 10,211 individuals to date have chosen to use medical aid in dying. Less than 1% of the people who die in each jurisdiction use the law each year. Only 62% of the people with prescriptions actually ingest the medication. Up to 38% of the people who go through the process 10400053.docx 73  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 and who die without using the medication die from… from other reasons. What I hear from many people is that people who are terminally ill, they derive a great peace of mind simply knowing that they have the option if their suffering becomes too great. The majority of terminally ill people who utilize medical aid in dying are enrolled in hospice or palliative care services at the time of their deaths. So, this is just one of the… of the medications available to people who are terminally ill and dying. I would appreciate an 'aye' vote."

"We are instituting Unlimited Debate with a 3- minute time limit. On this question, Representative Meier."

"Yes, sponsor yields. Leader Gabel."

"Thank you. This is… for medical aid in dying, a person would have to ask for it themselves. Nobody is allowed to ask for it for them. They have to ask for it themselves. They have to go to two physicians. They have to be able to ingest it themselves. It's a decision that they make themselves. Nobody can make that decision for them."

"If they are not verbal, they are not allowed to take… get this."

"The doctors have to… they have to be mentally capable."

"That's a rhetorical question. I don’t know."

"Representative Meier, please bring your remarks to a close. I'll give you extra time since I… I didn't hear you initially. I apologize."

"They… they would not be considered qualified."

"On this question, Leader West. Three minutes."

"Thank you to Mr. Speaker. To the bill. 'Live every day like it's your last day because it just could be,' a statement I heard in church from the seasoned members while growing up. And it puts things in perspective on what's important to me: my faith, my family, and this job, in that order. My baby girl's about to be 5, and she's the apple of my eye. When she was 2, I found myself in the hospital in excruciating pain, pain that I wish on no one, even those who treat me as if I'm their enemy. Once I came out the hospital, I learned that people go through that same pain that I went through on a daily basis. I'm thankful that my pain was temporary, not terminal, but it could have been. But in this stage of my life, I can only imagine. And I am so thankful to God that I can only imagine. But there are Illinoisans who currently, and, unfortunately, there will be future Illinoisans, who can imagine what it feels like to have a terminal diagnosis. I 10400053.docx 76  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 remember the moments of relief during my time of extreme agony. I felt relief when I passed out from the pain in the ER, which my wife told me had happened after the fact. And I felt relief when I woke up, when they cut me open and fixed the problem. There are people who only feel better when their body shuts down. This is daily in perpetuity. I can only imagine. Even those of us who have loved ones who have received terminal diagnoses, you are closer to the experience but you get… can only imagine as well. But what I can't imagine is the mental turmoil of such a diagnosis. I needed to seek out therapy after my curable diagnosis. Depression, anxiety, the thoughts that went through my head were dark. A lot of us can imagine having dark thoughts. But those dark thoughts, this bill has many safeguards in place, where I will not qualify for medical aid in dying. Many safeguards. To quote the bill, 'You must have a sound mind. Any doubt from a medical professional that… that you do not have a sound mind, then you do not qualify.' Let the record reflect, I'm a public official who represents a great many of people with many religions, and I believe in the miraculous healing power of Jesus Christ. I truly believe that cancer is a killer, but God is a healer. I've personally witnessed Ms. Nylene, from my church, receive a terminal diagnosis of six months in '98, and she lived until 2021. I've heard testimony similar to that throughout my life. After my illness, I value life even the more. Life is sacred, but death is sacred too. The sanctity of life includes the sanctity of death. This bill allows, if one chooses by themselves, for someone with a terminal diagnosis to have a dignified death. A decision 10400053.docx 77  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 between the patient, their physician, and their God. It is not our decision as government officials to get in the way of that. At the end each of us must work out our own soul salvation with due reverence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"Representative Weber."

"To the bill."

"On this question, Representative Grasse."

"To the bill, Mr. Speaker."

"To the bill." 10400053.docx 78  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"Thank you. I come here as… not only as a legislator but as a longtime hospice chaplain who has had the sacred responsibility of walking with literally thousands of people through the final days of their lives and being at their bedside for their final breath. I believe deeply in the power of palliative and hospice care, so much so that I've dedicated my entire life to caring and supporting for dying and grieving people. I've seen hospice ease pain and suffering and offer dignity and quality of life as people are dying. But I've also seen the rare moments when even the best care cannot relieve suffering and pain, when patients ask us, with clarity and peace, for the ability to choose how their life ends. This bill is not about choosing death. It's about choosing how we want to live in the face of our dying. It only applies to mentally capable, terminally ill adults, and my hope is after all other care options, such as hospice, have been exhausted. This bill is surrounded by safeguards, and the terminally ill patient is the one who is always in control. I know some people worry about where this could lead, and please know I understand those concerns and I hear those. But I ask all of us here to consider this: Not one of us can control whether or not we will die, every single one of us will die, but we can offer people the comfort of controlling what matters most to them and to us as they are dying. This bill is about compassion. This bill is about autonomy. This bill is about love, love for life and for those who are living their final chapter. And most of all, this bill is about trust, trusting already-dying people to make the most personal decision of all. So, it is with deep understanding 10400053.docx 79  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 of this situation and deep compassion for those who are dying that I urge a 'yes' vote. Thank you."

"Leader Spain."

"Indicates she'll yield."

"Leader Gabel."

"Yes."

"I just received this the other day. I… I have not… I did not ask them specifically. I just asked them for a fiscal note."

"To the bill."

"On this question, Representative Cassidy."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the bill. Many of you have heard me use the phrase 'nothing about us without us' as how I like to drive my legislative agenda. And so, I want to share some of the words of the people who are most directly impacted by this. 'My name is Beth Langdon. I became disabled due to 10400053.docx 81  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 a traumatic injury at 17. The first thing I felt was a tremendous loss of control over my life. Much of what I have done and worked for since then has been to regain and retain that—medically, economically, and personally. It's why I embrace the most fundamental principle of the independent living movement and the disability rights and justice movement—that all of us, regardless of circumstance, have and deserve the right to self-determination, to make decisions and to exert control over our own lives, including about the services and the care we receive. That was 50 years ago. And as I've gotten older, the odds have gotten increasingly better that I will die of one of the terminal conditions that all of us may face—like heart disease or cancer. We as a culture don't deal particularly well with the only thing in life that's certain—our eventual death. I think that one of the most frightening things about death for most of us is that it means the ultimate loss of control. I want—for myself, for those I love, for anyone else—the right to have some modicum of control in not just how I've chosen to live, but in how I approach my death if it is from a terminal illness. And this is about terminal illness, not acute or chronic illnesses or conditions that can be managed with treatment. Death elicits fear. I understand how all of this can elicit fear. And for many of us who have been marginalized by disability, age, poverty, race, and other socially imposed constructs, we also fear being devalued or dismissed by systems and professionals in those systems, including medical professionals when we face chronic or acute care situations. And this is just not what this bill is about. This is not about chronic or acute 10400053.docx 82  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 care. Disability is not terminal. Death, like life, is easier to navigate when you know you will have options to choose from, even if you never need to, or even if you choose not to. The ability to control the decision-making process in SB1950 is detailed and robust. It's a very high bar to be eligible to participate. It requires you to be able to be fully in control of the decision-making process and of the administration of medication, only when you have a prognosis of less than 6 months or less to live. It requires consultation with at least two different medical professionals. It has very strong provisions that prevent anyone from assisting or exerting undue influence, including any person to whom you might have already given health care power of attorney. It is a trusted and time-tested medical practice that is part of the full spectrum of end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care. People move across the country to access it. For those with disabilities or marginalized by poverty or whose terminal illness prevents it, we need the equity that comes from being able to choose that option where we live. This bill doesn't lessen anyone's control or rob anyone of choice—over our lives, or at the point when our lives reach an inevitable, unavoidable end that no treatment can improve or reverse. This bill strengthens our control. As someone who has learned to never take any right to self-determination for granted'… I like…"

Speaker Hoffman: "Representative, please… please bring your remarks to a close."

"…two more sentences, I promise." 10400053.docx 83  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"OK."

"'I hope Illinois joins the many other states who extend this ability to the end of our lives so that all can choose a death that is peaceful, without unnecessary suffering, with less fear.' And as someone whose son is named for someone who had to move to California to exercise this option, I urge a 'yes' vote."

"Representative Reick."

"To the bill."

"On this question, Representative Costa Howard."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of this bill. And while… I think it's more important today for me to share the words of my own constituent who has been educating me on this issue, and her name is Deb Robinson… Robertson, excuse me. 'My name is Deb Robertson. Thank you for allowing me to share my story and make clear the critical need for this legislation that will provide terminal adult Illinoisans—like myself—a full range of end-of-life options, including medical aid in dying. I deserve to have this option available to me. I was diagnosed in January of 2022 with a very rare and aggressive terminal cancer called neuroendocrine carcinoma. I remember the call from my doctor telling me my liver was full of tumors. How could this be? I am in good shape, I eat healthy, and I'm very active. But after a biopsy and multiple scans, I was told there was no cure for this disease. I am going to die. Sharing the news with my wife, parents, children, and friends was brutal. But I have kept fighting. After several months of chemotherapy, it stopped working. I continued to try several more chemotherapies, but the disease kept growing. There are very 10400053.docx 85  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 few treatments for this cancer because it is so rare. I am in a clinical trial that has shown some progress and kept me stable for 7 months. But the reality is that this trial will stop working at some point. I know what this looks like. I join a regular Zoom call with people from across the globe who share my diagnosis. I have watched so many struggle in pain to the end of their lives until their last breath. Today, I know the end for me could be near. That is why I hope you will appreciate that I want to spend part of my remaining time doing everything I can to ensure that terminally ill Illinoisans have the full range end-of-life options to include medical aid in dying. Now, let me be clear. I love life. I don't want to die. I love my family. My wife and our children have supported me throughout my cancer journey and support me in pursuing this end-of-life option. They all live in Illinois, my parents, my wife, our adult children, grandkids and siblings. Even my 16- and 18-year-old grandsons support me being here today. But, I am going to die, and when the time comes, I pray that this committee and this body and your colleagues will allow me—and others with terminal illness—this option at the end-of-life. This legislation is truly about options. To be sure, I was not given an option about whether I got this terminal disease: but I deserve options about how and when I leave this earth. I deserve options to enjoy the time I have left with my loved ones and friends, and not worry about how my death will occur. It is the last bit of control left to me. But I can only have those options…'" 10400053.docx 86  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

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

"'…if you vote for this bill. And that is why I am spending a portion of the precious time remaining to me to ask this body to support the adoption of medical aid in dying in Illinois.' Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"Representative Hauter."

"To the bill."

"Please bring your remarks to a close." 10400053.docx 88  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"On this question, Representative Guerrero- Cuellar."

"Thank you, Speaker. To the bill."

"To the bill."

"I want to read the perspective from a parent when it comes to their child. 'My name is Nilsa Centeno. I am the mother of Miguel Carrasquillo. Miguel was a chef in Chicago when he was diagnosed in 2012 with an aggressive, deadly brain tumor called glioblastoma multiforme. Despite bravely enduring excruciating painful treatments to try to cure his cancer, it spread across his body. Miguelito was my only son. He was only 35 years old when he died from cancer on June 5, 2016. Miguelito was an old soul with a contagious smile who stood out for his ability to advocate for change, even while he was suffering from the brain tumor that spread all over his body. He spent his last days advocating for medical aid in dying among his beloved Latino community—for a compassionate option that, tragically, was denied to him. The emotional pain of losing my only son devours me every day. I will never forget the last time I… I caressed and kissed my son's beautiful yet tired face. He was in so much pain, and we spoke about God. Miguelito's voice was fragile. His words were mumbled. Yet he reminded me to keep fighting for his legacy to authorize medical aid in dying. Miguel died minutes later, without the end-of-life care option he fought for. Although my son's voice has gone silent, mine has not. 10400053.docx 89  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Passing his… passing this compassionate legislation was Miguel's final wish, and it is now my life's work. I'm honored to say that the bill now contains Miguel's name, along with other powerful advocates for… for this compassionate option. I urge you as a mother: please honor my only son, Miguelito's memory by voting 'yes' on the End-of-Life Option Act.' I do want to add that I've been on both sides of this coin. I've seen this… I'm sorry, I've seen this only from a daughter to a parent. And when you see someone for six months in excruciating pain with no option, it is the hardest thing that you have to live as a child to see your parents suffer. And so, it was the hardest decisions that we had to make medically. And what some of you Members have talked about, hospice and palliative care. And we go through the options, and we talk about it and the cost and the insurance and all those things. We do, but you're looking at a fragile person laying in bed, and you know what that person's asking you. And you want to do right by that person because you know they're suffering. This is not a way to see a loved one at all. This mother saw her son. I saw my father. And it is… I carry his name, and I proudly do, but I would never want to see any parent, I can't see another parent go through something similar. And so, I ask you to support this bill. Thank you."

"Representative Miller."

"To the bill."

"Representative Stava-Murray."

"To the bill."

Speaker Hoffman: "Representative, please… please bring your remarks to a close."

"Representative, please bring your remarks to a close. I know this is very emotional." 10400053.docx 93  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"On this question, Representative Grant." 10400053.docx 94  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"Leader McCombie."

"To the bill."

"Representative DeLuca."

"Questions of the sponsor, Mr. Speaker."

"Sponsor yields."

"Thank you. Leader Gabel, can a terminally ill person with a developmental disability qualify for medical aid in dying?"

"If the terminally ill person does not have the mental capacity to make and communicate an informed decision, they will not qualify for aid in dying. Terminally ill person must 10400053.docx 96  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 be 18 or older and capable of making medical decisions for themselves."

"Thank you. And can you clarify once again the process with the doctor's approval?"

"So, the patient has to see a doctor and ask for the medicine, and then they have to wait five days and ask the doctor again. And then they have to see a… a consulting physician and have that… that visit as well."

"And when is this effective, if it becomes law?"

"I believe nine months."

"If… will you commit to a trailer bill if we identify any areas that could be tightened up?"

"Absolutely."

"That… that you will do that?"

"Absolutely. This is not… this bill and this… this work has been done for 28 years now in 11 states. We're not the first state doing it. But absolutely, if we find things that we need to tighten up, I'm… I would definitely…"

"Thank you. Mr. Speaker, to the bill."

"To the bill."

"I've spent a lot of time speaking with my constituents, trying to represent them on this issue as best as possible. And what I've realized is this is really an issue of faith and science colliding. We've discussed God's will, and we've also discussed modern technologies and modern medications, keeping people alive maybe beyond what God's intentions were. What I do know… and I would ask that this not be called assisted suicide. I am what's referred to as a survivor of suicide. My family has gone through the unbelievable tragedy 10400053.docx 97  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 when my sister unexpectedly, at 31 years of age, smart, successful, outgoing, beautiful girl, unexpectedly took her life. This bill is not suicide. Thank you."

"Representative Niemerg."

"To the bill."

"On this question, Representative Benton."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the bill."

"To the bill."

"First of all, I want to thank the bill sponsor for all the work that she's done on a difficult issue. This isn't something that just came out of nowhere. This is something that we've talked to our constituents and folks around the state. Since last year, the year before that, we've all gotten emails, and folks acting like this is something new is disingenuous. I also want to thank the advocates that have worked so tirelessly on this issue. Not everybody knows my background. Not everybody knows where I came from. But when I was 17 years old, my mom had brain surgery, and they screwed up. She had a stroke on the table. They let her bleed out. Later to find out, from another neurosurgeon, after denying a mistake that they… they did make this mistake and hid it. I made a lot of sacrifice for my family. I dropped out of high school to raise my niece and keep my family together. I went back. Had difficult relationships with my father. Turns out, we are the same person. I moved out, started getting my life together, and found out on my birthday that he was going to die. So, quit my job. This was before, when I was taking care of him, when we just thought he had some issues and not cancer. I worked two jobs to take care of the family. Once I found out, I wanted to spent every moment with him. So, I quit my job, and I did in-home hospice care with him. I got to a point where I watched him, where a cancer spread to his 10400053.docx 99  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 bones, and it was painful for me to hold his hand. He died without my mom, who was in a nursing home, and he couldn't go to see her until I brought her to him. It's not something that people should have to go through, and people should be able to make their own decisions. Do I think my father would have made that decision? No. But that's part of this bill. You don't have to make the decision to do this. And I think people, when they're talking about this, just like one of the previous speakers spoke about, should have compassion and empathy for the families by calling this bill what it is, medical aid in dying, and not assisted suicide. Because if you sign a DNR, do you consider that assisted suicide? Do you consider that person a murderer when they carry out DNR? 'Cause that's me. 'Cause after my dad died, when I was 20, I took care of my mother. By 21, I was her legal guardian. And at 23, I had to hold my family together and carry out my mom's DNR after she became hospitalized after her body started breaking down, and they had to induce her into a coma, and her lungs shut down. Think about what you're saying. Think about the positions that you're putting people in. It's about compassion, empathy. I encourage a 'yes' on this. And I appreciate the work, and the compassion, and the empathy, and the time that you took to get here, and the conversations that we've had. I've had conversations in my district with…"

"Representative…"

"I'll make it quick… with somebody who had a terminal illness with a degenerative disease that was getting ready to lose use of her diaphragm. I've been in a nursing home for six years with my mother and watched people who were terminal 10400053.docx 100  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 with no family, with nobody to love them, with no care. I encourage a 'yes' vote, and I encourage compassion and empathy."

"Representative Johnson."

"To the bill, Mr. Speaker."

"To the bill."

"We've been talking about this bill the last couple of years, and I really had to continue to consider my thoughts on this bill. And like a lot of people, I always go back to my… my lessons from my father. My dad was the toughest man I've… I've ever known, tougher than anybody in this room, I can tell you that. And we used to have conversations about this, and my father was… was a strong advocate for… for people having the ability to not suffer, to make this… to make their own decision. I did not know that in the spring of 2001, years later, that my father would be diagnosed with lung cancer and be given four months to live. This tough, tough man ended up going through rounds of chemo, rounds of radiation, ended up having surgery in December, and was actually declared cancer- free. A walking miracle. Those next several months were some of the best months of my life, and then my lessons continued with my father. But as often the case with cancer, you're never cancer-free. On September 18, 2001, my father had a PET scan, and the cancer was everywhere. The next six weeks were excruciating. He had a tumor growing into his chest, covering his windpipe over his throat. Every single day he got less and less oxygen. My sister and I took turns, along with my stepmother, we would always… those last six weeks, we would sit with him, hold his hand, tell him we loved him. As… as 10400053.docx 101  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 fate would have it, though, on November 2, we were both busy. Stepmom went upstairs, and he passed away that night on November 2. Died alone. Wasn't anybody there to hold his hand, tell him they loved him. Had his thumb on this orange button that would provide him oxygen. There was no more… there was nowhere for the oxygen to go anymore. I just want to close. I've… I've heard God's will invoked here a couple times, and this debate started even last week with that term. I'm not going to question anyone's faith. I will tell you that… that my God is not one that believes that someone should suffer all the way… all the way to the end of their life. I just don't believe that. He's a compassionate God. But I also want to say that, once again, we… we find ourselves in a situation where just a few, a few on the other side, seem to think that if… if you… you are in opposition to this bill that you're pro-life. And then I will simply say to that, that in a couple cases, once again, as I did in the case of my mother, I really just see you as anti-choice. So, I would… I want to thank the sponsor as well. I want to thank the advocates for the work in this bill. And I strongly encourage an 'aye' vote. Thank you."

"Leader Gabel to close."

"Thank you. Thank you all for your comments. So, I've been working on this issue for quite a long time, and in the last six years, constituents throughout the state have reached out to their legislators on both sides of the aisle in support of this issue, and it's resulted in thousands of calls, visits, emails, and letters. Let's be clear: Medical aid in dying is already the law in 11 states and the District of Columbia, 10400053.docx 102  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 jurisdictions that cover millions of other Americans. In those places, when the legislation was considered, they heard the very same fears, and guess what? None came to pass. Rather than seeing a score of people coerced into taking an action against their will, what we have actually seen is a small group of terminally ill people, people suffering unbearable pain, to be able to end that suffering and die in peace, using a process that they initiate and that they have control over. That is what this bill is about, not about the fears and the hypotheticals but about helping those who are facing a terminal diagnosis. It is for those that I'm presenting this bill. It is for those who have worked so hard trying to get this bill passed here, who have advocated for this. And… and you know what? They all wanted to live, but they weren't going to. They knew they were going to die. They knew, 88% of them were in hospice and palliative care, and they only wished that they could take medication when the pain was beyond, beyond, beyond too much. So, I… for all those people who have worked so hard, please, please vote 'yes' on this bill."

"Members, Representative Niemerg has asked for a verification. All Members please be in your chairs and vote your own switches. The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1950 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay.' The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'yes,' 42 voting 'no,' 2 voting 'present.' Mr. Clerk, please read the names of those voting in the affirmative." 10400053.docx 103  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025

"Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk. Representative Niemerg."

"The Member… the Representative withdrawn the… his verification request. On this question, there are 63 voting 'yes,' 42 voting 'no,' 2 voting 'present.' And this 10400053.docx 104  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 53rd Legislative Day 5/29/2025 bill, having received a constitutional majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, First Readings."

"The clerk is in receipt of a Motion in Writing to waive the posting requirements for several bills. If there is leave, we will take these motions together in one motion. Is there leave? Leave is granted. Leader Stuart on the motion."

"Speaker, I move that the posting requirements be waived so the following legislative measure can be heard in the following committee this week: Senate Bill 2510 to Executive Committee."

"Leader Windhorst."

"Leader Stuart. Leader Stuart has moved to waive the posting requirements. All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay.' The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 75 Members voting 'yes,' 36 voting 'no,' 0 voting 'present.' And the posting requirements are waived. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."

"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; all opposed 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the clerk, Leader Gabel moves that the House stand adjourned until the morning of… 9:30 a.m. Friday, May the 30th. 9:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. Friday, May the 30th. All those in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned."