Illinois House Floor Debate — October 14, 2025

"The House will be in order. The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We will be led today in prayer by the gentleman from Franklin County, Representative Dave Severin. Members and guests are asked to 10400056.docx 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, and rise for the invocation and for the Pledge of Allegiance."

"We will be led today in the Pledge of Allegiance by the gentlewoman from Cook, Leader Delgado." 10400056.docx 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025

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

"Speaker, let the record show that Representative Moylan is excused today."

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

"The record shall reflect. Have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Have all recorded themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 113 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Representative Gong-Gershowitz, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."

"Please proceed."

"Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, 'A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.' Everyone should be so lucky to have a friend who gives you the courage to be yourself, forgives you when you fall short, and has your back always, no questions asked. Terra, you and I have held hands and jumped off more cliffs than I can count, and not all of 10400056.docx 3  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 them had a soft landing. But someone once told me, 'If you never make anyone mad in this place, people will wonder what you stood for.' And my fearless friend, no one ever had to wonder what you stood for. Your courage, your tenacity, and your integrity are something I have come to count on to get me through the hard times. But what I will remember the most are the laughs. Like the time we folded up lawn chairs and drove them down to Springfield during COVID because we couldn't possibly imagine not ending our day together. So, we brought out the lawn chairs and set them up in the hotel parking lot. Yeah, because there's not a night that has gone by when we haven't ended it together. I am going to miss you. But, judge, everyone that comes before you is going to be so lucky, because they know that they are before someone that puts justice first, that will always have the courage to do the right thing no matter how hard. And so, you are going to continue to serve the people of Illinois the way you always have, your way, and none of us would have it any different. Don't ever change. I love you, I am here for you always, and don't you dare forget to call me every day. Love you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"Leader Stuart, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"A point of personal privilege."

"Please proceed."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And… and, Rep. Gong-Gershowitz, I don't know that anybody can top that tribute, but I… I wanted to give some downstate love. To my friend, to the Honorable Terra Costa Howard, it's been amazing to serve here 10400056.docx 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 with you. I don't know how many times on this floor I can turn around and just, we have that look, like, what in the world are they doing? What are they talking about? Why are they doing this? How did this happen? How did we get here? But… and I will miss that. I know that I have the love of other people in the chamber, but nothing will fill the hole that you are leaving. I do have one bit of advice. Sitting here in front of you in those times, there were times I could hear your eyes rolling. And you… you were not on camera. But just remember, when you're on that bench, everyone is looking at you. So, make sure you watch those eyes. And… and don't, you know, fix your face, is the way that we say that. So, Terra, we love you. We will miss you. I'm so proud of you. I'm more proud that I ever got to be your friend. This is what this world does for us is it brings people into our lives that we wouldn't meet otherwise. And I'm so thankful that you're one of those people. And I will just have to go to DuPage County a lot more often now. I love you."

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

"Please proceed."

Speaker Buckner: "Representative Guerrero-Cuellar, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

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

"Please proceed."

"I'm going to try really hard not to cry. Terra, I think we got off to a bumpy start when I first came into the GA, but Gong-Gershowitz was completely right. Is… we knew what you stood for. You made that very evident. And I respected you as my colleague because we would go right at it, and we would have those difficult conversations. But there was something very unique was that you were always professional, right, you listened. And you may have not agreed with my side, or I may not have agreed with yours, but I respected that and the ground that you stand on. And I would say that our relationship had evolved and look at where we came. I became a vice chair of a caucus. And you were the chair of a caucus. And now, I don't want you to go, but this is an amazing opportunity. And to all the young women who are going to see you and follow your career and your trajectory and the example that you are providing to them, to the women, 10400056.docx 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 thank you very much. Because that is a lot, right? When I told my daughters and say, man, all you women in the GA, you're such baddies. Like, you always do things. Like, how are we supposed to top this as the next generation? Yeah, I know. But thank you so much because you have taken this caucus into a different direction. You have led as your role as chair, and I… I'm going to reach out to you and call you for advice and guidance. And thank you for everything that you have done for us on behalf of the new Dems. Thank you, and you will be missed."

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

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please proceed."

"Thank you. I would like to also add to Representative Reick's comments. When I first found out I was going to be the chair of Adoption & Child Welfare, I was really intimidated 'cause you were still here, and I was like, oh, man, this is going to be scary. But I also knew that you were going to be a tremendous help, which you were. And you were a tremendous role model as well. I… I learned so much just being on a committee with you that it made stepping into the role a little less scary. So, I also still have the handbook, the juvenile court handbook, in case anybody wants to read it. I haven't actually read it all yet, but I will because I know that you'll ask me about it one day. I'm really excited about you going to a place where I think you can continue the really important work that you've done in this area, and I look forward to being able to reach out to you as we continue 10400056.docx 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 to make improvements to our child welfare system. So, thank you, and best of luck to you."

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

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

"Please proceed."

"Thank you. Rep. Costa Howard, Terra, I want everyone in this chamber to know that I chose to sit by you in the House chamber because you are more senior than me. So, this was a choice that I made. And you are a great seatmate. You're a fun seatmate that makes me laugh. You are a seatmate that shares keen observations with what is going on in this chamber and outside of this chamber. You are also a seatmate that makes me a better policymaker right here in this chamber. When I think back to when I first heard of you, I had no idea who you are. But in 2018, in the summer, I was in D.C. with the Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership Academy. And at that moment, people were talking about who's running from DuPage County, and there was somebody running against the Republican floor leader named Terra. And so, I Googled you, and I thought, wow, could somebody beat that guy? Could somebody beat the Republican floor leader? And then later, when I watched you, when I wasn't in the chamber yet, I thought, of course she did it. Of course you did it. So, a few observations about you and how I'm going to miss you so much. You… you're a fun person and you can be light, but you treat this job with the gravity that it deserves. You are a serious legislator. You are a serious policymaker. And I don't think anyone can doubt that you are in this for the right 10400056.docx 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 reasons, and you're going to take those reasons with you to every setting, including being a judge. I am so going to miss you in Human Service-Appropriations, when we get to chitchat about every line in the budget, and… and should it be there or should it not be there, and why isn't it… is it there, and who's behind that? You were a tremendous chair of Human Services. That is going to be a big hole to fill. The human service system in Illinois is better because of you. And the last thing I want to share is just something I've observed about you. And that is, as part of your leadership, you have such good relationships with everybody. Like, I watch you out in… under the dome and in the chamber, and you're friends with everyone and have good working relationships with everyone. And that is a model that we should all aspire to 'cause it helps people get things done and it respects who we are all as people. So, I am so proud of you. I'm going to miss you as my seatmate, and I'll be calling you about human service issues for sure. Thank you, Terra."

"Representative Norma Hernandez, for what reason do you seek recognition?" Hernandez, N.: "Point of personal privilege."

"Please proceed." Hernandez, N.: "Your Honor, thank you for all of your work, your service, and how much you poured into your… your… this work, specifically, as a legislator for many, many years. You and I have had the opportunity to work more closely this year because of our roles as chairs in our caucuses. But one thing that I release… that really stayed with me was you never close a door. Even when we disagreed or we just couldn't get on the 10400056.docx 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 same page about something, you always kept that door open. But I think, more importantly, what I really appreciated was you always checked in on me and asked how I'm doing or how I… how you can help. And I really, really value that. I value how much you care about things that I care about, even when sometimes our communities are so different from your communities, right? But having… seeing that in you allowed me to become a better legislator and how to communicate and engage with people. So, thank you. My respects to you and everything that you've done and what you're going to continue to do. I just want to wish you the best of luck. You have my phone number. Continue to use me as a resource with whatever it is I can do for you. But I wanted to just share a thank you, and I respect everything that you've done and what you're doing now, so."

"Leader Morgan, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

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

"Please proceed."

"Thank you, Speaker. I wasn't going to speak to this point, honestly, because, as a friend, I will tell you lots of things later. But I… I thought it was really important to put on the record not just what you mean to me but what you have meant to this chamber. There are a lot of people in this room that have… that started around 2019 that were part of a really large class, some of whom are still here, some of whom have moved on. And in this chamber, we talk a lot about the infinite game, the idea that we are placeholders in this world, in this universe of a legislative chamber, and someday 10400056.docx 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 somebody will replace us and keep that movement ahead and keep working on the issues that we care about and our communities need. But the truth is, and I think we all know this deep down, not all of us will leave here having made a significant change that will last forever. And I think it's important that the record show that you have done that. And when you think about and when you are thinking about whether or not it's OK to leave in this moment, I want you to know and I want the record to reflect that you have moved this state forward to help millions of people, and we will always remember that. So, I just wanted to say thank you and make sure the record reflects the important contributions you have made to so many who have never met you. And you're incredible. Thank you."

"Representative William Davis, for what reason do you seek recognition?" Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I have a point of personal privilege as well?"

"Please proceed." Davis, W.: "Ladies and gentlemen, when we are Members, sometimes we don't always know where that Member came from. We learn a little bit about the district they represent, but personally we generally don't know much about them. We hear about their families, maybe children, but we don't always know what they did professionally or are continuing to do professionally as they are Members here. So, sometimes I find myself on the ILGA website looking at everybody's biography because I just want to know a little something about who they are and what they've done or… or what they're adding, the value that 10400056.docx 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 they're adding to this group based on their personal and professional lives. And so, to learn that you were a lawyer, but primarily in the guardian ad litem space, that was an immediate connection there because I served as a commissioner on guardianship and advocacy. So, if nothing else, I knew there was something that I could learn from listening and hearing and… and observing the way you operate and particularly on those issues. And so, when you speak on those things or bills that I've done, you know, you've added something to that, and I very much appreciate that. And that's one of the things that sometimes is missed in this chamber is that… the value that someone brings to the chamber, particularly on something that may be important or… or impactful to you. Now, the fact that you are now going to be on the bench, that's something that we all… I won't say we all talk about, but certainly when we go through the voting process, guess who's often not voted for. The judges, because we don't get to the bottom of the ballot in a lot of cases. But when you know somebody that's been here and they get elevated to the bench, particularly once you've had a sense to understand who they are, you know that that value will then go with them to the next phase in their life. And so, I have no doubt that you'll be a great jurist, that you're going to be fair, you're going to be impartial. I… I think they said the… the better of you is when the… the law is blind, and you just administer the… the rule of law the way it's supposed to be administered. Often, you know, I try to play an attorney in this space, even though I'm not one, but I had… just have no doubt, you know, what you're going to do on 10400056.docx 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 the bench. You know, look forward to seeing you in your professional life. And… and I probably won't ever, but I… I want to say, I hope I never wind up in your courtroom, right? I think that's usually the phrase that we like to say. I don't want to be in your courtroom, so to speak. But even if I were, I know that whatever decision would be rendered, good or bad, if you will, or for me or against me, will be administered appropriately. And that's all that we can ask from our… our jurists is that they administer the law without prejudice, appropriately. So, congratulations on this next phase in your life. Have no doubt you'll be fantastic at it. And I know you're not supposed to lobby us, but I'm sure there are some issues that will come that will impact judges, and hopefully you'll have an opportunity to at least offer your thoughts and opinions on it as we are pressing these buttons and making those decisions. So, congratulations to you. It's been a pleasure being your friend, and I look forward to continuing being your friend forever. Thank you."

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

"Point of personal privilege, please."

"Please proceed."

"Terra, I've been listening to all these tributes to you today. I… I was touched significantly by Representative LaPointe's comments that she chose to sit next to you on the floor because you were more senior than her, which is something I can relate to. You have more seniority than me in this House, but as you know, that wasn't always the case. As some of you know, Terra came in as… her first session as Terra 10400056.docx 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 Costa Howard with an H. But somewhere between session one and session two, she became Terra Costa Howard with a C, thus leapfrogging me in seniority. And now, finally, I'm back to where I belong, above Terra Costa Howard on the seniority list. So, now in all seriousness, though, I'm very sad to see you go. You're one of the bravest people I've ever met, one of the smartest people I've ever met. When I came into the General Assembly with you together in 2018, with a big new class, I knew I would get new colleagues, if I was very lucky maybe a few friends, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get a sister like you that I feel is part of my family for the rest of my life. I love you. I will miss you. DuPage County is so lucky to have you. And I would ask the whole body to join me today to give a big, rousing applause to thank Terra Costa Howard for her service to the state of Illinois. Thank you so much."

"Representative Costa Howard, thank you for your selfless service. Congratulations, and good luck. The clerk is in receipt of a Motion in Writing to waive the posting requirements for a joint resolution. Leader Gabel on the motion."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the posting requirements be waived so the following resolution could be heard in committee: House Joint Resolution 1 to Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges."

"Leader Gabel has moved to waive the posting requirements. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. 10400056.docx 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 And the posting requirements are waived. Leader Gabel, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my honor today to introduce to the body our newest State Representative, Margaret DeLaRosa. Where is she? So, Margaret currently serves as the school board president for Glenbard. She lives in Glen Ellyn, and she is the first Latina to represent a district entirely in DuPage County. Or… or as I should have said, 'BluePage County.' She is active in the PTA and the League of Women Voters, and she is a coleader of Indivisible DuPage with a good friend of mine. So, I… I'm excited to see her here. I think she's going to be a great addition to the assembly. And let's give Representative DeLaRosa a warm welcome."

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

"Thank you. Members of the House chamber, thank you for the warm welcome. After listening to all the accolades for Representative Terra Costa Howard, I can only hope to do as good of a job. I'm dedicated to honest and responsive government, and that's what I have brought to my community, and I hope to continue in that… in that way. Thank you."

"Welcome to the House. Under the Order of Resolutions, we have House Resolution 470, offered by Leader Gabel."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 470 celebrates the legislative friendship between the House of Representatives of the state of Illinois and the House of Assembly of South Australia, and expresses hope that it will serve as a model for other legislative bodies to form 10400056.docx 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 relationships ingrained in democracy, peace, and respect. It commits to ongoing collaboration, support, and shared advocacy to the cause of representative government as a human right. Thank you."

"Representative Gabel moves for the adoption of House Resolution 470. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the resolution is adopted. Leader Avelar, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."

"Please proceed."

"Thank you so much. Members of the House, please join me in welcoming my page for the day, Sumayya Fatima. She's a pre-law and business management student at North Central College, minoring in conflict resolution. Sumayya is passionate about equity, inclusion, and community empowerment and hopes to pursue a future in law and policy. I know that the future is bright with Sumayya in it. So, welcome her to the House."

Speaker Buckner: "Sumayya, welcome to your Capitol. Representative Tipsword, for what reason do you seek recognition? Representative Tipsword, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please proceed."

"Gage, welcome to your Capitol. Representative Schmidt, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please proceed."

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

"Please proceed." 10400056.docx 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025

"The House will take a moment of silence. Representative Ford, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

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

"Please proceed."

"Speaker, I rise today to share some thoughts that I think may surprise some people in this chamber, but they need to be said. I want this chamber to pause today to recognize the life of a man who was taken from us. Today would have been his birthday. He was a father of three, and those children will never see him again. When he died, some people condemned efforts to memorialize him. They dismissed his value. They demonized him. Those who chose to speak ill of the dead were cast… were not castigated. In fact, in many circles they were celebrated. But I want this chamber to stand for what is right. So, today, on his birthday, I want to pause to recognize the life of George Floyd."

"The House will take a moment of silence. Leader Gordon-Booth, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10400056.docx 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the teens and the moms of Jack and Jill that are in the gallery please rise? I am so honored today to welcome the parents and students from Jack and Jill to the Illinois House of Representatives. Their presence here signifies the importance of civic engagement and community involvement. Jack and Jill's commitment to leadership and development in youth is completely invaluable in our society today. By fostering strong community ties and empowering the next generation, they are laying the groundwork for a much brighter future. Their dedication doesn't just extend to their academics, it also extends to their community. Before you today, ladies and gentlemen of the House, you have the Jack and Jill young people, teens and parents, primarily moms from the greater Peoria area, Bloomington-Normal, St. Clair County, East St. Louis, Champaign-Urbana. We also are so proud of a young man by the name of Julian, who took it upon himself to write a resolution that we are going to be enacting very soon. And if you would allow me the indulgement… excuse me, indulge me for a moment, I want to give you just a little tidbit of what this young man who is in high school is already producing. The level of writing is impeccable. Whereas, the programs of Jack and Jill of America, which was founded in January 24, 1938, are centered around imparting and educating its youth members with principles and skills around leadership development, awareness and elevation of cultural heritage, commitment, and involvement in meaningful and consistent community service. To these ends, we have established multifaceted initiatives and programs such as STE(A)M, science, technology, 10400056.docx 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 engineering, and math, healthy living initiatives, and healthy development in various projects with our national and local partners. Today would not have been possible without the caring and loving moms and dads that are really leading the way in Jack and Jill, and I need to give an extra special shoutout to mom, Dr. Yolanda Lowry, who hails from no… no place greater than God's country, Peoria, Illinois. Please, you all, give them a warm House of Representatives welcome to the Jack and Jill of Illinois."

"Jack and Jill, welcome to your Capitol. Leader Morgan, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

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

"Please proceed."

"Thank you, Speaker. I rise today to recognize something quite remarkable that happened yesterday. Something that personally I've been dreaming of and praying for, for the last two years, an end to the Israel-Hamas war, the release of Israeli hostages taken on October 7, 2023, and the initial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. A war that began when Hamas murdered over 1200 Israelis in a single day has led to so much loss of life and unprecedented death, starvation, and displacement of Palestinians living in Gaza, both communities grieving over lost parents, young children, beloved grandparents. And despite being the chair of the Jewish Legislative Caucus, I've never stood up on this floor to talk about this conflict until now. But with the news that we finally, finally can breathe the air of renewed peace in the Middle East, I believe this was the right time. Just over a 10400056.docx 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 month ago, I spent some time with the parents of murdered Israeli hostage, Chicago native, Hersh Goldberg-Polin in a hotel in Jerusalem. The message from Jon and Rachel was sobering and simple: 'We need peace, hostages have to be released, and Israelis and Palestinians have to live in safety and security.' It was simple. But, of course, I don't have to explain to this body that nothing in the Middle East is simple. And it didn't happen that day or that week. And in fact, it's been several long years. But at this point, thankfully, we've reached a point where peace is in sight. And after so many disappointments and so much diminished hope, again we can breathe. Despite my personal, vehement opposition to some of the domestic policies of the current administration, I'd be remiss if I didn't credit not just former President Biden, but also President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their international leadership and diplomacy in making this happen and for bringing the hostages home. This war personally affected so many in Illinois. As you may know, we're home to some of the largest populations of Jewish community, Palestinian community in the world. But I can tell you that yesterday was a return… the return of some hope for those at home and abroad who are most impacted by this conflict. So, I appreciate the body's attention and time. At this point, let's continue to pray for that community, for that state, for that region to make sure that we continue to move forward in that hard work, to make sure peace prevails so that we can have an Israel that continues to exist with safety and security and we can also have a Palestinian state where they live freely in peace 10400056.docx 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025 and security, independent of Hamas control. And let's finally have peace in the Middle East. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker."

"Leader McCombie, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Please proceed."

"Leader Davidsmeyer, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 10400056.docx 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 10/14/2025

"Please proceed."

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

"Please proceed."

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

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please proceed."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As we've heard today, we always talk about how we become family in this place, and that goes to our staff as well. And I have been lucky to be staffed for all three spring sessions that I have been here by the amazing Caitlin Anderson. And she is so great, and she knows all the things that I need exactly when I need them. Some would say she's even bossy. And so, it was my honor on September 20, 2025 to get to go and staff the amazing Caitlin Anderson as she got married to Vince Vega. Finally, finally. We love them so much. So, can we all please give a round of applause to the brand-new married Caitlin Anderson?"

"Congratulations, Caitlin. The Chair recognizes Leader Mah for the purpose of an announcement."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Democrats would request a caucus meeting starting at 2:15 today in Room 114."

"The Chair recognizes Leader Keicher for the purpose of an announcement."

"Democrats will caucus in… at 2:15, and the Republicans will caucus at 2:15… 2:17. Representative Hirschauer, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

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

"Please proceed."

"We are celebrating love today on the House floor. I also have an announcement about a beautiful wedding that happened this past weekend. DJ Ramos, who staffs us over here on the Democratic side, got married to Arlin in a gorgeous ceremony. Let's give him a round of applause. They… they got married on Friday, and they are both at work today. So, they, like, are amazing, and they will for sure celebrate with a lovely honeymoon soon. Congratulations, DJ and Arlin."

"Congratulations, DJ and Arlin. Representative Manley, for what reason do you seek recognition?"

"Hello, Mr. Speaker. It's nice to see you."

"You as well."

"Point of personal privilege, please."

"Please proceed."

"Tonight, the first annual, hopefully, reception for the Illinois Legislative Neurodiversity Caucus is going to be held at Bloom Wine Bar in the Old State Capitol Plaza from 5 to 7. You are all welcome and all welcome to join and be part of this bipartisan, bicameral, awesome caucus. Thank you."

"Mr. Clerk, committee announcements."

"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."

"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the resolutions have been adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the clerk, Leader Gabel moves that the House stand adjourned until Wednesday, October 15, at the hour of noon. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned."