"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Representative Dave Severin. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, and rise for the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Representative Severin."
"Good afternoon. It's good to be with all of you, and I want to share a verse out of the New Testament, 1 Thessalonians 5:15. This is Paul writing to the people in Thessalonica. And he says… I'm not… I don't like this verse, and some of you may not like it either, but it's in here for our good. 'See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, but among yourselves, and to all men.' Let's pray. Lord, I thank you for this day, and I pray that you would help each one of us to render good to those that render good to us. And to those that render evil to us, I pray, Lord, you'd help us to have the right kind of heart, the right attitude, and the right actions in our lives, not only as a State Representative, not only as a staff member, but also just as a citizen of this state and of this country and… and living for you, Lord. I pray you would help us, those things that we struggle in, that we're weak, I pray that you would be with us. And, Lord, I pray today if there's someone in this room that's struggling, whatever it would be, I pray that you would touch them. Or if they have a loved one or someone that they're working with or someone on their mind, I pray you touch their bodies. I pray you touch their… their spirits, their… their lives this day. And I pray you'd help us today to do our very best in this House and for our 10400063.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 districts, for our state, for this country. Lord, it's not just words that sound good, but I pray, God, you would actually help us to do this. In your name, amen."
"We will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative du Buclet." du Buclet - 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."
Speaker Smith: "Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Gabel is recognized to report any excused absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."
"Speaker, let the record show that Representatives Cassidy, Evans, Harper, Slaughter, Stava, Syed are excused today."
"Please let the record reflect that Cassidy, Evans, Harper, Slaughter, and Stava, Syed are excused. Leader Keicher is recognized to report any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Speaker. Good to see you standing there today. I hope you enjoyed your holiday season. The Republicans are sad to report that we have Representatives Weaver and Wilhour unable to join us today."
"Let the record show that Representatives Weaver and Wilhour are excused today. Have all recorded those… themselves who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There being 108 Members answering the roll call, a quorum is present. Representative Mussman, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege." 10400063.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026
"Please state your point."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. It is my honor today to welcome our newest colleague. My Senate seatmate in the next-door district, Justin Cochran, is now here in replacement of the illustrious Marty Moylan. I know those are very big shoes to fill. I know that Justin is ready to hit the ground running and is happy to introduce himself."
"Representative Cochran, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"A point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"I just wanted to say I'm tremendously honored to be here and part of this body with all of you. Looking forward to working with all of you individually and as a group, and I hope I can do well by our relationships and our work here together and by the people of the 55th District. Thank you."
"Leader Morgan, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege, please."
"Please state your point."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. While we might have been on break and not here in this body, sometimes the world continues to turn and things happen in people's lives, and wanted to take a minute to recognize a joyous event for one of our amazing staffers, Fallon Sellers. Fallon is here, and Fallon on December 27th got engaged. And I think it's really important for all of us to say congratulations. Mazel tov. Congrats, Fallon." 10400063.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026
"Representative Hirschauer, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"A point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a special day today in the House. And this person probably didn't want to be recognized, but her husband made sure to text me this morning so that we could all wish a very, very happy birthday to Representative Janet Yang Rohr. Happy birthday, Janet."
"Representative Halbrook, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege, please."
"State your point."
"Thank you. The people have already voted. They've said no. And yet again, here we are. The Democrats are after a new income tax once again. Another session, another tax hike, another attempt to force through what the voters have already rejected. After watching families pack up and leave, after watching thousands of businesses leave, after losing nearly 100,000 people in just one year, the answer from leadership and our speaker is the same old answer, tax more. Let's be honest about this. This is a progressive tax 2.0. The same idea, the same philosophy just wrapped up in new packaging. You can change the name, but you can't change the record. Tax more, spend more, repeat. Our own Speaker Welch, just two weeks ago, went on record claiming that Illinois does not have a spending problem. It just needs more revenue, also known as tax dollars. If this is how we're going to start the 10400063.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 2026 spring session, Illinois taxpayers should buckle up because they're about to pay for another round of bad decisions. We know this playbook, borrow money, raise taxes, promise reform, and raise taxes again, then come back for more. But what has all of this gotten us? Record outmigration, empty storefronts, a shrinking middle class. So, here's the real question. Why should anyone believe this time is going to be different? Every time bad policy fails, the majority party reaches for the same solution, the taxpayer's wallet. What's next? The wallets of our retirees? Enough is enough. As the bleed out of Illinois continues, the majority party keeps treating the symptoms with higher taxes instead of fixing the disease. Respect the people who pay the bills. Respect the voters who have already answered this question. And let's stop pretending this next tax hike will save us because it never has and it never will. Thank you."
"Leader Stephens, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, sir."
"Please state your point."
"Thank you, your excellency. It was the mid-1950s in a small pocket of unincorporated Leyden Township, in an area located just outside what would become O'Hare Airport. The area homeowner's association sought better services. And when the surrounding communities declined to annex them, there was not much more than the two and a half square miles, they decided to go it alone. Led by a 27-year-old independent insurance salesman, they passed a referendum to incorporate the area. And on January 20, 1956, 84 founding homeowners 10400063.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 elected Donald E. Stephens its first mayor. The name Rosemont was picked out of a hat. The mayor saw great potential for this area. He saw the potential of the proximity to O'Hare. As O'Hare grew, so did Rosemont. A convention center, which today is nearly 1 million square feet. An 18,000-seat indoor arena, which was the first to be built in nearly 50 years in the Chicagoland area. Office developments and hotels, all built as a result of one man's vision. Don Stephens loved Rosemont and the people he represented. His dream was a special place that was safe and fun, a great place to live and to raise a family. Good schools, great parks, and flowers everywhere. And boy, he loved those flowers. We have built on that legacy, a legacy that laid the groundwork for new developments to entertain folks from all corners of the world. Parkway Bank Park, fashion outlets, and Impact Field all built on the foundation of what Don Stephens provided for us. I am extremely honored and humbled to represent the village of Rosemont in this body as well as its second mayor. Please join me in congratulating and saluting the village of Rosemont on the seventh… 70th anniversary of this truly one of a kind, amazing community. Thank you."
"Leader Stuart, for what reason do you wish to seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point."
"Thank you. And I would appreciate the attention of the Members of the body. I will have a formal resolution coming to the House floor, but we lost a really important piece of 10400063.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 our Edwardsville community on January 12, so I haven't had time to get it through the process. And I just want to make sure that I recognize the wonderful man Herman Shaw, who we lost. Herman was referred to by many as the Jackie Robinson of Edwardsville. He was a standout in football, baseball, basketball, and also track and field. He broke barriers at Edwardsville High School during an era of segregation. He made the varsity football team in 1951, and he did that as a sophomore, which is a pretty rare feat for a sophomore. But don't forget, he was a young Black man during the time of segregation as well. Herman moved to Edwardsville. We were lucky enough to have him move to Edwardsville in 1944, after he grew up during the Great Depression and during World War II. He often spoke about the shack that he lived in on North Road when he first came to our community. Shaw's impact on our community goes well beyond his athletic prowess, for which he was inducted into the EHS Athletic Hall of Fame. First, Herman Shaw worked with some of his other notable residents to create what's known as the Lincoln School Alumni Foundation, which works to preserve the legacy of the formerly segregated Lincoln School, which still stands to this day. They provide scholarships to Edwardsville High School students. They provide resources to District 7 for underfunded programs, like the home-to-school liaison and other things to make sure that every child gets every opportunity. And he didn't just stop there. He was deeply involved in education, being a teacher throughout his career. He was also deeply involved in the arts. He was a founding board member of the Edwardsville Symphony. In his 91 years, 10400063.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 Herman Shaw positively impacted countless individuals and families. His story of perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles has inspired many. The scholarships he worked so hard to create and grow through the Lincoln School Alumni Foundation, I think they totaled over $23,000 just in 2025 alone. They've allowed so many young people an entry onto a path of success. And his dedication to bringing music to all has positively enriched so many lives. I feel lucky to have been able to meet and speak with Herman Shaw multiple times, and I joined his family and the entire Edwardsville community in mourning his passing. I would request a moment of silence to honor his memory."
"We will have a moment of silence. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Leader Keicher for the purpose of an announcement."
"Thank you, Speaker. The Republicans would request a caucus nine minutes after adjournment in Room 118, please."
"The Republicans will caucus nine minutes, nine minutes after adjournment in Room 118. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 547, offered by Representative Mason. House Resolution 549, offered by Representative Kifowit. House Resolution 550, offered by Representative Gordon-Booth. House Resolution 552, offered by Representative Ford. House Resolution 553, offered by Representative Huynh. House Resolution 554, offered by Representative Evans. House Resolution 556, offered by Representative Hoffman. House Resolution 557, offered by Representative Guzzardi. House Resolution 558, offered by 10400063.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 Representative Buckner. House Resolution 559, offered by Representative Chung. House Resolution 560, offered by Representative Chung. House Resolution 561, offered by Representative Scherer. House Resolution 562, offered by Representative Spain. House Resolution 563, offered by Representative Spain. House Resolution 564, offered by Representative Cabello. House Resolution 566, offered by Representative Cabello. House Resolution 567, offered by Representative Vella. House Resolution 568, offered by Representative Hoffman. House Resolution 569, offered by Representative Meyers-Martin. House Resolution 570, offered by Representative Ammons. House Resolution 571, offered by Representative Mah. House Resolution 573, offered by Representative Will Davis. House Resolution 574, offered by Representative Crawford. House Resolution 576, offered by Representative Jacobs. House Resolution 577, offered by Representative Schweizer. House Resolution 581, offered by Representative Williams. House Resolution… correction, House (sic-Resolution) 581, offered by Representative Evans. House Resolution 582, offered by Representative Will Davis. House Resolution 584, offered by Representative DeLuca. House Resolution 585, offered by Representative Harper. House Resolution 587, offered by Representative Will Davis. House Resolution 588, offered by Representative Crawford. House Resolution 589, offered by Representative Crawford. House Resolution 590, offered by Representative DeLuca. House Resolution 591, offered by Representative Buckner. House Resolution 592, offered by Representative Swanson. House Resolution 593, offered by Representative Elik. House 10400063.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 Resolution 595, offered by Representative Evans. House Resolution 596, offered by Speaker Welch. House Resolution 597, offered by Representative Grant. House Resolution 599, offered by Representative Gordon-Booth. House Resolution 600, offered by Representative Gordon-Booth. House Resolution 602, offered by Representative West. House Resolution 604, offered by Representative Mason. House Resolution 606, offered by Leader McCombie. House Resolution 608, offered by Representative Fritts. House Resolution 610, offered by Representative Elik. House Resolution 611, offered by Representative Stephens. And House Resolution 612, offered by Representative Spain."
"Leader Gabel moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the clerk, Leader Gabel moves that the House stand adjourned until Wednesday, January 21, at the hour of 11 a.m. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay.' In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 548, offered by Representative Manley. House Resolution 551, offered by Representative Ford. House Resolution 555, offered by Representative Mason. House Resolution 565, offered by Representative Ford. House Resolution 572, offered by Representative Grant. House Resolution 575, offered by Representative Kifowit. House Resolution 578, offered by 10400063.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 Representative Hoffman. House Resolution 579, offered by Representative Meier. House Resolution 580, offered by Representative Meier. House Resolution 583, offered by Representative Ugaste. House Resolution 586, offered by Representative Crawford. House Resolution 594, offered by Representative Meier. House Resolution 601, offered by Representative Coffey. House Resolution 603, offered by Representative Crawford. House Resolution 605, offered by Representative Spain. House Resolution 607, offered by Representative West. House Resolution 609, offered by Representative Elik. House Resolution 613, offered by Representative Swanson. House Resolution 614, offered by Representative Swanson. House Joint Resolution 48, offered by Representative Mason. House Joint Resolution 49, offered by Representative Didech. House Joint Resolution 50, offered by Representative Faver Dias. House Joint Resolution 51, offered by Representative Gabel. These are referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 4428, offered by Representative Cassidy, a Bill for an Act concerning courts. House Bill 4429, offered by Representative Stava, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4430, offered by Representative Stava, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4431, offered by Representative La Ha, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. House Bill 4432, offered by Representative La Ha, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 4433, offered by Representative Spain, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. House Bill 4434, offered by Representative Grasse, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 4435, offered by 10400063.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 Representative Chung, a Bill for an Act concerning business. House Bill 4436, offered by Representative Buckner, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. House Bill 4437, offered by Representative Buckner, a Bill for an Act concerning gaming. House Bill 4438, offered by Representative Yang Rohr, a Bill for an Act concerning government. House Bill 4439, offered by Representative Guzzardi, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. House Bill 4440, offered by Representative Manley, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 4441, offered by Representative Vella, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 4442, offered by Representative Cochran, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. House Bill 4443, offered by Representative Ford, a Bill for an Act concerning health. House Bill 4444, offered by Representative Didech, a Bill for an Act concerning government. House Bill 4445, offered by Representative Didech, a Bill for an Act concerning government. House Bill 4446, offered by Representative Didech, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. House Bill 4447, offered by Representative Lisa Davis, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. House Bill 4448, offered by Representative Gabel, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. House Bill 4449, offered by Representative West, a Bill for an Act concerning care for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. House Bill 4450, offered by Representative Morris, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. House Bill 4451, offered by Representative Ford, a Bill for an Act concerning government. House Bill 4452, offered by Representative Grasse, a Bill for an Act concerning 10400063.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 regulation. House Bill 4453, offered by Representative Chung, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 4454, offered by Representative Briel, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4455, offered by Representative Briel, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4456, offered by Representative Faver Dias, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4457, offered by Representative Briel, a Bill for an Act concerning business. House Bill 4458, offered by Representative Briel, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. House Bill 4459, offered by Representative Briel, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. House Bill 4460, offered by Representative Briel, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4461, offered by Representative Briel, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4462, offered by Representative Gong- Gershowitz, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. House Bill 4463, offered by Representative Gong-Gershowitz, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. House Bill 4464, offered by Representative Gong-Gershowitz, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4465, offered by Representative Mason, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. House Bill 4466, offered by Representative Mayfield, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 4467, offered by Representative Huynh, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. House Bill 4468, offered by Representative Huynh, a Bill for an Act concerning business. House Bill 4469, offered by Representative Huynh, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. House Bill 4470, offered by Representative Huynh, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4471, 10400063.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 offered by Representative Slaughter, a Bill for an Act concerning firearms. House Bill 4472, offered by Representative Mussman, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. House Bill 4473, offered by Representative Didech, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. House Bill 4474, offered by Representative Huynh, a Bill for an Act concerning financial regulation. House Bill 4475, offered by Representative Slaughter, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 4476, offered by Representative LaPointe, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4477, offered by Representative Kelly, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4478, offered by Representative Smith, a Bill for an Act concerning health. House Bill 4479, offered by Representative Stava, a Bill for an Act concerning business. House Bill 4480, offered by Representative Mussman, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 4481, offered by Representative Bunting, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 4482, offered by Representative Hauter, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4483, offered by Representative Coffey, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 4484, offered by Representative Crawford, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 4485, offered by Representative Weaver, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 4486, offered by Representative Tarver, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. House Bill 4487, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 4488, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act 10400063.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 63rd Legislative Day 1/20/2026 concerning transportation. House Bill 4489, offered by Representative Stava, a Bill for an Act concerning health. House Bill 4490, offered by Representative Barbara Hernandez, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4491, offered by Representative Evans, a Bill for an Act concerning government. House Bill 4492, offered by Representative Jacobs, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. House Bill 4493, offered by Representative Swanson, a Bill for an Act concerning military service. House Bill 4494, offered by Representative LaPointe, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. House Bill 4495, offered by Representative LaPointe, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. House Bill 4496, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. House Bill 4497, offered by Representative Buckner, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 4498, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. House Bill 4499, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. House Bill 4500, offered by Representative Croke, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 4501, offered by Representative Barbara Hernandez… correction, by Representative Norma Hernandez, a Bill for an Act concerning health. First Reading of these House Bills. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 10400063.docx 15