The regular Session of the 100th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, Loyola Ramblers Team Chaplain, Chicago, Illinois.
(Prayer by Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt)
Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Cunningham, to lead us in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)
Lisa Yuscius, Blueroomstream.com, and Mike Miletich, WCIA, requests permission to record video. Permission's granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, May 8th, 2018.
Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. …Secretary, Resolutions. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
Senate Resolutions 1708 through 1712, offered by Senator Anderson and all Members. Senate Resolution 1713, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. Senate Resolution 1714, offered by Senator Connelly and all Members. And Senate Resolution 715 {sic} (1715), offered by Senator Brady and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
Resolutions Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Bertino-Tarrant, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Senate Resolution 1647 Be Adopted; and House Bills 1265, 4208, 4226, 4284, 4369, 4442, 4657, 4742, 4870, 4908, 5005, 50 -- 5062, 5136, 5153, 5175, 5195, 5196, 5481, 5770, and 5795 Do Pass; and House Bill 5588 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Van Pelt, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports House Bills 1042, 1338, 1447, 4331, 4392, 4428, 4515, 4707, 4745, 4848, 4892, 5011, and 5111 Do Pass; and House Bill 4771 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 175 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Cullerton, Chairperson of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, reports House Bills 4288, 4317, 4954, and 5682 Do Pass. Senator McGuire, Chairperson of the Committee on Higher Education, reports House Bills 4346, 4467, 4781, 4858, 4882, and 5696 Do Pass. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Senator Raoul, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2387 and Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3103 Recommend Do Adopt; House Bills 128, 4268, 4319, 4594, 4754, 4867, 4879, 4911, 4951, 5047, 5077, 5147, 5155, 5157, 5690, 5745 Do Pass; House Bill 4949 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Morrison, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2382, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2898, Motion to Concur on House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 351 Recommend Do Adopt; House Bills 1443, 4340, 4665, 4686, 4885, 4887, 4936, 4965, 5104, 5109, 5257, 5558, 5599, 5636 Do Pass; House Bills 4687, 5308, and 5463 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Bennett, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2271 Recommend Do Adopt; House Bills 4741, 5267, 5494, 5597 Do Pass; House Bill 4191 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Sandoval, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2804 Recommend Do Adopt; Senate Joint Resolution 62 Be Adopted, as Amended; House Bills 4416 and 4846 Do Pass; House Bills 4259, 5056, and 5856 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Landek, (Vice) Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports House Bills 1190, 4697, and 5303 Do Pass. Senator Collins, Chairperson of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports House Bills 4404, 4710, 5141, and 5497 Do Pass. Senator Bush, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Reform, reports House Bill 1010 Do Pass, as Amended. And Senator Biss, Chairperson of the Committee on Labor, 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2707 Recommend Do Adopt; Senate Resolution 1561 Be Adopted; House Bills 126, 127, 1595, 4572, 4677, 4743, 5221, and 5595 Do Pass.
Jaclyn Driscoll for NPR Illinois seeks permission to take pictures. Permission granted. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 93. Offered by Senator Rose, and adopted by the House, May 8th, 2018. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Readings.
House Bill 4513, offered by Senator Hastings. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
Senator Lightford in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you rise? Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you rise?
4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Madam President, point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your privilege point, Senator.
Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I know there are a lot of people visiting from out of town, but a lot of people watch us online as well, and I want to greet one special person who may be watching online from Deltona, Florida, and that is my mother, who's celebrating her eighty-ninth birthday today. I want to say happy birthday, Mom.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Happy birthday to Mrs. Raoul. Senator Connelly, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an introduction, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your introduction, Senator.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. I'd like to introduce my Page for today. David Hernandez is thirteen years old. He's from the great city of Cicero. He's a seventh grader at Epiphany Catholic School. He plans to go to college. And he's very smart. He wants to study civil engineering. He's accompanied today by his parents, David and Sandra. Please give 'em a warm Senate welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. We hope you have a wonderful experience. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise? 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
Personal privilege, Madam Chair -- Madam President. Sorry about that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your privilege point, Senator.
I'd like to introduce to you a Page -- my Page of the Day. Her name is Inaya Gray. She's in seventh grade at Brooks Middle School in Bolingbrook, Illinois. She is a second-year cadet of the Girl Scout Troop 75142. Inaya loves helping others. She volunteers for the Greater Chicago Food Depository for Kids Day, soup kitchens, and the Ronald McDonald House, and that's just naming a few of her many community activities -- helping endeavors. So please welcome Inaya to the Illinois State Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome, Inaya, and keep up the great work. Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) State your privilege point, Senator.
If I could have the attention of the Chamber, today is a special day for me and an exciting day for me. Today is the AFFI's Lobby Day. You'll be visited by your local fire department members and they're going to talk to you about the issues that are important to us firefighters. So give them the time, give them the respect, as -- as we do in this -- in this building. Being a firefighter myself, it's -- yesterday with the memorial and -- and 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 today, it's pretty special. And with everything going on in our country right now, firefighters are constantly being cut by municipalities and counties. There is a chink in our armor, and that chink is that our -- our greatest asset is also our own worst enemy, and our greatest asset has always been and always will be, no matter how much you cut us, our manpower, our equipment, we will always get the job done, and that is always used as a reason to cut more and more firemen. So make sure you keep that in the back of your mind as we vote on legislation that affects our -- our firemen and fire service. And please give them a warm Springfield welcome this week. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you so much. We appreciate all the fine work the firefighters do to protect our communities. Senator Fowler, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) State your point, Senator.
Thank you very much. I'm honored today to have two Pages with me today. I have Sarah Flick -- Sarah Flick. Sarah is a seventh grader from Vienna. She's a member of the volleyball and track teams. Sarah is also a member of the Junior Beta Club. She owns three Quarter Horses and enjoys riding them in her spare time. Sarah is also an extremely gifted artist. This is also Sarah's first trip to the State Capitol. And also I have with me Will Smiley. Will is an eighth grader from Lick Creek. He is active 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 in the Boy Scouts of America and is currently pursuing his Eagle Scout badge. Will is a member of the basketball and track teams. He is passionate about digital technologies. And also, in the crowd, if you -- we have their mothers with us today. We have Sarah's mother, Cindy - if you would stand please - and Will's mother, Barb - if you would stand, please. Would everyone please join me in welcoming them to the State Senate, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed. Please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois General Assembly. Thank you for coming. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
For the purposes of an introduction, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your introduction, Senator.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I'm very pleased to be joined on the Senate Floor today by a special guest, Meredith Carmichael. She is nine and a half years old and finishing the fourth grade at Longfellow School in Oak Park. She is active singing and dancing with the CAST Jr. program. She is very much looking forward to the fifth grade. She is a well-informed young woman, has been an absolutely delightful companion here with me today. And I'd like you all to join me in giving her a -- warm Senate welcome. Her dad, Matt, is up in the gallery. If he could stand and be welcomed with Meredith.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois General Assembly. Thank you for coming. Senator Sandoval, for what purpose do you 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 rise?
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Illinois Senate. I'd like to take a moment to welcome one of the finest mayors in west suburban Cook County. He's one of my mayors that I've had the honor of representing for the last six years. He is none other than the Mayor of the Village of Lyons, Mayor Getty, accompanied with -- by his Public Relations Director, Kevin Thomas. Let's give him a warm Springfield welcome to Mayor Getty of Lyons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly, Mayor. Thank you for joining us. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have a wonderful announcement to make. Today is Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Day in the Capitol and I have so many of my beautiful sorors in the building and around the Capitol today, lobbying all of us in both Chambers. But I have sitting with me, which I've done for the past four years, and I have the honor of hosting, Mrs. Kathy Walker Steele, the Central Regional Director, at AKA Day in the Capitol. Central Region includes the states of Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, -- Missouri and North Dakota and South Dakota, Wisconsin, which is the home of our National President, Ms. Dorothy Buchanan Wilson. Ms. Walker Steele is a distinguished and prominent constituent of Majority Leader Clayborne…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Excuse me -- excuse me, Senator Hutchinson. Can you please lower your voices so we can hear? Thank you. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
I'll say that last part again. Ms. Walker Steele is a distinguished and prominent constituent of Majority Leader Clayborne. Ms. Walker Steele presided over the largest regional conference in the history of Central Region last month in St. Louis. The Gateway City was painted pink and green and so will the City of Houston, where our national meeting will take place in July. At this meeting, Ms. Walker Steele will retire after serving for Regional Director for four years. She has grown the region, been an effective and fair administrator. She is loved and adored by all. Central Regional Director, Soror Kathy Walker Steele, please stand so that we can welcome you to the Illinois State Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. Welcome, ladies. Senator Sandoval, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I just want to remind everyone in the Chamber that today is Latino Unity Day in Springfield. A number of community groups have converged upon our State Capitol to speak to their legislators and let us know about the issues of -- the policy issues affecting our communities, particularly the Latino community. We invite all Members of the Illinois Senate to join us in the Cinco de Mayo Latino Unity Day Celebration. It'll be -- it's an annual celebration of unity and we invite everyone to join us. We also will have the special unveiling of the bicentennial -- it is the bicentennial year for the State of Illinois. We'll be unveiling the bicentennial -- the official bicentennial tequila of the State of Illinois. So join us for 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 that unveiling, also of that bicentennial commemorative, and we will be -- have four live bands, Mariachi Cobre; we have Bandolero Band; we have a salsa band; and we have a number of other festivities going on tonight. It will -- starts at 6:30 at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. Please join us in celebrating Latino Unity Day in Illinois. Muchas gracias.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Sims, for what purpose do you rise?
For purpose of an introduction, Madam -- Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your introduction, Senator.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I have the great privilege and honor of celebrating…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Excuse me. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are in order. Please. Thank you. Senator Sims.
Thank -- thank you, Madam President. Today, as Senator Hutchinson just mentioned was AK -- Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol, but it's also Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Capitol. But in keeping with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol, I am pleased to have as one of my guests today, Ms. -- Ms. Sonya Bowen. She is currently the Central Region's Representative to the International Protocol Committee and is the immediate past Protocol Chair of the Central Region. Last month, Ms. Bowen was elected in St. Louis to succeed Ms. Kathy Walker Steele as Central Regional Director for 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 the 2018-2020 term. And as a former Vice President for Alpha Phi Alpha, the Regional Vice President for Alpha Phi Alpha, I know the challenge that Ms. Bowen will have, but she is going to do an amazing job and she's -- she's here with us and I would like the Illinois Senate to recognize her and thank her for her future service, her past service, and welcome her to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed to the Senate, and we wish you all the best in your new capacity. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise?
I wish to adopt amendment…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be going to the Order of Senate Resolutions on page 14 of your Calendar. Senate Resolution 1582. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1582, offered by Senator Hunter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter, on your resolution.
Thank you, Madam President. The confident, committed, and connected women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Central Region has been advocating before the General Assembly for over twenty-five years. Their days at the fifty capitol -- fifty state capitols are -- are uniformed. The theme today is "Be the Voice 4 Your Family, Community, State and Nation". The theme grew out of their International Connection program for 2014 to 2018 entitled "Take A.C.T.I.O.N." - "A", which stands for Advocate; 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 "C", which stands for Communicate; "T", which stands for Train; "I", which stands for Influence; and "O", which stands for Organize; and "N", which stands for Network. And I'd like to welcome the women here in AKA. And thank you very much, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) You're welcome. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Senator Hutchinson.
Thank you. Thank you, Senator. I wanted to also -- we -- we have another -- distinguished former Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I'd like to add on to the resolution that was so wonderful done -- wonderfully done by Senator Hunter. We -- Soror Peggy LeCompte, who was both our nineteenth and twenty-fourth Regional Director. Please stand.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha, you do an amazing job for our community. Thank you all for being here for your lobby day and a special shout out to my assistant, Miss India Hammons, who holds a position here with your Springfield Chapter. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 1582 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege once again, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
The person who represents Central Region on the International Connection Committee and is responsible for overseeing the AKA Days nationwide is Dr. Bakahia Reed Madison, who we went -- who we would like to stand and be recognized, and she's also a constituent of Senator Emil Jones. And also -- and also, our former staffer, Nia Hassan, is here and she's celebrating fifty years as a member of AKA. And let's welcome them all to the Senate. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Congratulations, Nia. Happy anniversary and welcome. Senator McGuire, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McGUIRE: Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator. SENATOR McGUIRE: I believe it's appropriate that on the day that AKA is being honored and the Loyola Ramblers will be here and Cinco de Mayo is being celebrated and May 9th is probably other commemorative occasions which I don't know, but Senator Haine could tell us, so it's appropriate that I have as my special guest today, former State Senator, current Will County Executive, a friend to all - he's universal - Lawrence M. Walsh, Sr.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome. And welcome home. Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. Senator Mulroe, for what purpose do you rise?
14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Yes, Senator. Please state your privilege point.
Thank you. With us today in the gallery is a group of advocates from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, to my left in the President's Gallery - if you can please stand, as well as some family members of -- who have family with cystic fibrosis, the Dec family and Kata {sic} family, if you'd stand, on that side of the aisle. May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month and they're here today at the Capitol advocating for that cause. Please give them a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois General Assembly. Welcome. Mr. President in the Chair.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, can I have your attention, please? Members, please be in your chairs. Ask the staff to go to the rear of the Chamber. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we are honored -- we are honored to welcome an accomplished group of guests today. You may recall that just yesterday, we voted to officially declare May 9th, 2018, as Loyola University Chicago Day. As such, it's only fitting that we then welcome the members and coach from the 2017-2018 Loyola Men's Basketball Team to their day. And I'm especially proud, since I happen to hold two degrees from Loyola. And when I first arrived on campus in 1966, it was just a few years after the team had broke the color barrier in college basketball on its way to winning the national championship. 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 And I got to actually -- actually lived in the same dorm as some of the players back then. It was a great experience. There was a great excitement around the campus in the City for what Loyola was doing back then and I want to thank you guys for bringing it back. You really put together a magical run to the Final Four, along the way capturing the imagination of people across the City, State, country, and the world. With each game and each win, you dared us to dream big, never back down from a challenge, and always compete until the very last shot - for those of you who watched the games. You showcased for the world all that's great about Loyola, Chicago, and Illinois. So it's my honor and privilege as the President of the Illinois Senate to introduce as our honored guests today, coaches, players from the 2018 Final Four Loyola Ramblers Men's Basketball Team. So joining me up here are: Naperville's own, Loyola Head Coach Porter Moser. Coach Moser is a hot commodity in Chicago, not only for his ability to build a successful program around efficient offense and stifling defense, but also his fearless and fantastic taste in sideline fashion -- sideline fashion, if you watched the games. We're also joined in the Chamber today by Loyola's goodwill ambassador to the world, none other than Team Chaplain, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt. Sister, thank you for providing the opening prayer today. She has been the Team Chaplain since 1994, so it's a good thing Loyola doesn't have term limits. We are also joined today by three players from the team: Lucas Williamson, a freshman from Chicago's Whitney Young; Jake Baughman, sophomore from -- Bloomington Central Catholic; and we have Christian -- Christian Negron, a freshman from Larkin High School in Elgin. So, like to welcome these guys. And I believe we're going to have -- we're going to 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 ask Lucas, the freshman from Loyola's -- Whitney Young, to say a few words. Lucas.
(Remarks by Loyola Rambler Lucas Williamson)
And now the coach. Porter.
(Remarks by Loyola Rambler Coach Porter Moser)
Senator Lightford in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Connelly, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your privilege point, Senator.
Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to say a few words too. And thank you, President Cullerton, for inviting the Ramblers today. I'm the son of a Loyola graduate, I'm a Loyola graduate, and I'm the dad of a Loyola graduate. And first, I want to start with Porter Moser - and it's not Mosher, by the way, folks. The people back home in Naperville, St. Peter and Paul, Bennett, incredibly proud of you. They -- you know, I saw your brother, Matt, who I played against years ago at Bennett Academy. We were kind of chuckling about how far you came and couldn't be more proud. There's some people who -- who weren't around, though, that need to get some recognition. Father Michael Garanzini, the former President of Loyola for years, came down here and we would 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 meet -- when I was in the House, we'd meet in Tom Cross' office and I would walk in the door and Father G would look at me and he would say, "I know, Connelly, I know. Why aren't we Gonzaga? Why aren't we Xavier? Why aren't we Marquette?" And I used to say, "We're the largest Catholic Jesuit school in the country. When a school from Spokane, Washington; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Milwaukee are better than us in basketball, there's something that has to be done." And he kept telling me, "It's coming. It's coming." And, Porter, you may remember this. You had just gotten the job and my son and I were on campus; my son was graduating. I said, "Well, let's go see the new coach. I know his brother. I -- I've met him a couple of times." And I think what got me in the door is when I said, "I'm a St. Joe guy." And they're, "Oh, let him in. Let him in. Let the St. Joe guy in." But we talked and I remember you saying, "Mike, this is a sleeping giant. We have the largest alumni in the -- in the area. When this turns, it's going to turn. It's going to be big." And I'm telling you, I was at the game against ISU, saw it, was part of the sell-out crowd, was amazed. I got up at four in the morning with my son and drove to Grand Rapids to get to the game in Atlanta against Kansas State, an amazing experience. But I'll say this: It wasn't Donte Ingram's shot. It wasn't Clayton Custer's shot, which by the way, I filmed in Ireland's, in the bar, one of them. I've got to upload that to that website, 'cause -- Phil Hale was with me, by the way. And it wasn't Marques' shot against Nevada that really I will remember. I will remember being at the Gentile Center for the Final Four game with my son, my daughter-in-law, my -- and our whole family, and it was a packed house and it was every conceivable race, religion, age. I mean, that's Rogers Park, by and large, for those 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 of you who have never been to Rogers Park, but it was an amazing group of people. And by the way, thank you, Giordano's, for the free pizza, too, that day. But the -- the excitement, the energy, but what -- what struck me, while you were warming up, Lucas and Christian, Jerry Harkness was on CBS. He was -- he was talking to Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. The whole world was watching and they talked about the '63 team and how they broke the color barrier. And Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley spent five minutes thanking Jerry Harkness and the '68 team for what they stood for in breaking the color barrier. And as a Loyola graduate, it didn't matter what happened against Michigan - although we don't want to talk about it. I would -- the pride that we all felt that moment is something that'll never -- I'll never forget and it's because of you, your team and your players that this happened. And finally, this is just the beginning. I've got my season ticket order for next year. My son's got his season ticket order. I'm -- get there. You better get there, because there's a game against Nevada that'll be the toughest ticket in town next year. Could not be more proud of how you guys conducted yourselves as -- as great young men. The highest graduation rate in the country - could not be more proud. These guys know. They keep calling me the Loyola guy and all that. Immensely proud. Ad majorem Dei gloriam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Congratulations again to the team. Ladies and Gentlemen, please direct your attention on the Order of Resolutions. On the Order of Resolutions, Senate Resolution 1613. Senator Sims. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Senate Resolution 1613, offered by Senator Sims.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Sims.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate -- Senate Resolution 1613 acknowledges and recognizes today, May 9th, as Alpha Phi Alpha Day in the State -- State of Illinois. As I -- we mentioned -- I mentioned earlier in some comments, we have -- I've had the great pleasure and privilege of being not only a member of this august organization, but to be one of its national leaders. I have served -- I -- I almost hasten to say how -- how -- how many years I just celebrated, but the men of Alpha Phi Alpha have been a committed bunch for over a century. We have -- we have -- our mission is to develop leaders and promote brotherhood and academic excellence, while the -- while providing service and advocacy for our communities. That translates into programs focused on voter education and empowerment; focuses on mentorship; focuses on one of our national programs, which is Project Alpha, which talks about -- talks to teens about their involvement in sexually transmitted diseases. So we are a committed -- committed -- committed organization of men who are -- want to make sure that we are making a difference in our community each and every day. So I -- it is with great pride, privilege and pleasure that I stand here to present Senate Resolution 1613, which -- which acknowledges today as Alpha Phi Alpha Day in the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 1613 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Congratulations, Alpha Phi Alpha, on your day here in Springfield. Senator Sims, for what purpose do you rise?
For a point of introduction, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Absolutely, Senator.
Thank you, Madam President. I am honored to have as my guest here on the Floor an individual who has succeeded me as the Illinois District Director here for Alpha Phi Alpha, Brother Michael Boyd. He's a former military officer of the United States Army, a graduate of Lincoln University. He is married to -- to Robin Carey-Boyd, a member of Delta Sigma Theta. He resides in Swansea, Illinois, and he's a member of the Delta Epsilon Lambda Chapter in East St. Louis. Brother Boyd is -- is proud to represent the more than one thousand members of Alpha Phi Alpha across the State of Illinois. Brother Michael Boyd, please welcome -- be welcomed -- be welcomed to the Illinois Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed. Smart man. Married the right kind of girl. Senator Sims…
I got a couple -- I got a couple…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) …for what -- for what purpose do you rise?
Point -- point of introduction, Madam President. I've got another…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Okay. State your point.
…another -- another introduction of another esteemed -- esteemed guest I have on the Floor with me. We have Brother Michael Gaines. He is the Chairman of the Alpha Day at the Capitol Committee and also a local leader here in Springfield. He resides here in -- here in -- here in Chatham, Illinois. He's a graduate of Grambling State University and the University of Illinois Springfield. He is also married to a wonderful lady of Delta Sigma Theta and he -- he works for the Department of Public Health on Corrections Re-entry programming. Please -- Brother -- Brother - - Brother Gaines, please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly, another smart Alpha man. Well, in the Senate, we like roll 'em all in there, so -- so make sure, you know, you just get 'em all in there. Senator Sims.
Madam President, I would be remiss if I did not welcome the outstanding illustrious men of Alpha Phi Alpha to the Capitol. They are in the President's Gallery and the gallery behind me. I think the Brothers in the gallery behind me left and went to the House, but we do have Brothers who are in the President's Gallery who are with us, so please rise and have them -- have the Senate welcome them to the Illinois Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois Senate. And thank you for your service. Thank you, Senator Sims. Enjoy your day. Will the Committee on Assignments please come to the President's 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Anteroom immediately? Committee on Assignments, please come to the President's Anteroom. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Aquino, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your business.
So, many of us know of the great program, of the Parent Mentor Program that's in the State of Illinois and I wasn't actually prepared to introduce this group, but I get the privilege of looking up to the President's Gallery and I see some -- some mothers and -- and parents that I know quite well due to all their hard work in the schools not only in -- in -- in my district and in the -- in -- in the Leader's district on the northwest side of the City of Chicago, but throughout our State, and so I just want to give a warm Springfield welcome to the dedicated parents of the Parent Mentor programs that are standing in the President's Gallery.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you and please rise. Welcome to the State Senate, the woman -- the mentoring program from our wonderful communities. Thank you. Senator Jones, what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A purpose of introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your introduction. 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
In the President's Gallery, I want to make an introduction. We have Teresa Haley. She is State Chairman of the NAACP. She's down here with her group. Could we give them a warm Senate welcome?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please rise and please -- and welcome to the State Senate. Senator Lightford back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture Committee - House Bill 5440; refer to Education Committee - House Bills 4368, 5754, 5786, Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 4768, and Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 5247; re-refer from Energy and Public Utilities Committee to Executive Committee - House Bill 4508; refer to Environment and Conservation Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Resolution 1534; refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 275…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your privilege point, Senator.
Well, I want to congratulate Loyola as well for just a stellar year, but -- I want Senator Weaver to join me in this. Senator 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Weaver. Here's -- here's a trivia question for anybody interested in trivia. Who was the last team to beat Loyola in regular season? It was Bradley Braves on January 31st at the Peoria Civic Center. It was 69 to 67. I just wanted to put that in perspective. That was the highlight of our -- of our game this year, so…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Let the record reflect, Senator.
Refer to Environment and Conservation Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Resolution 1534; refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 275; refer to Human Services Committee - House Bill 682, Committee Amendment 1, 2, and 3 to House Bill 3479; refer to Insurance Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 1336, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2617, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2624, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4516, and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4821; refer to Judiciary Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 128; refer to Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee - House Bill 5212, 5137, 5342, and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 5502; refer to Public Health Committee - House Bill 5069; refer to State Government Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 44, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4348, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4420, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 4751, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4888, and Senate Joint Resolution 70; refer to Transportation Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 4472, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2804, and Senate Bill 2494; Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3103, Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3488, Senate Bills 276, 337, 355, 2591, 2598, Senate Resolution 1700, and House Bill 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 4433. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (b-1), the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments: Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 545 and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 5147. Signed, Senator James Clayborne, Chairman. Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Energy and Public Utilities Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2591. Signed, Senator James Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen, please come to the Senate Floor for Floor action. We will be going to Resolutions, then Senate Bills 3rd Readings and Concurrences. Please come to the Senate Floor for further Floor action. Please direct your attention to page 14, Senate Resolutions. 1437. Senator Murphy, on Senate Resolution 1437. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1437, offered by Senator Murphy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Murphy, on your resolution.
Thank you, Madam President. You know, we know we want to instill the importance of service in our children, so this simply creates a "National Service Day", and I would just ask for support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 1437 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Moving along to Senate Resolution 1595 on page 14. Senator Aquino. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1595, offered by Senator Aquino.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Aquino, on your resolution.
Thank you, Madam President. Simply, Senate Resolution 1595 establishes and declares that the first week of December 28 {sic} (2018) is a "Cancer Screen Week". Senate Resolution 1595 encourages all Illinois citizens to visit cancerscreenweek.org for cancer screening resources and talk to their healthcare providers about their risk factors for all cancer types. As we all know, we know many people that are afflicted with -- with cancer. About two hundred and ten thousand deaths in the United States could be avoided with early and appropriate cancer screening each year. Today is the famous "wear your gym shoes and suits day" {sic} (Suits & Sneakers Day) with the American Cancer Society and there were some volunteers here earlier, but I just ask for the passage of this resolution. And thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any question? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 1595 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, on the top of the Calendar of page 19, please. At the top of page 19, Senate Joint Resolution 67. Senator Martinez. The lady indicates she 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 67, offered by Senator Martinez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Martinez, on your resolution.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 67 creates a Home Birth Maternity Care Crisis Study Committee, which is required to meet monthly until it is prepared to make a recommendation to the General Assembly, on or before October 19th, 2018. The Home Birth Maternity Crisis Committee must thoroughly consider the role that certified professional midwives may have in helping to resolve the home birth maternity care crisis and must recommend a consumer-focused, evidence-based solution to the Illinois house -- home birth maternity care crisis which protects families from the dangers of having inadequate numbers of licensed home birth providers to care for them during the prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum portions of the pregnancy, especially in the underserved communities of Illinois. And I'll be happy to discuss this resolution with anyone.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, as this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 67 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Senate Joint Resolution 67, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. On the Order of 2nd Reading, Ladies and Gentlemen, on page 2. Top of your Calendars on page 2, Senate Bill 2447. Senator Murphy. Lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2447. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Senator Clayborne, for what purpose do you rise?
I'd like to make a motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your motion, Senator.
I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 4508 can be heard today in the Senate Executive Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Clayborne moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 4508 can be heard today in the Senate Exec Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. Ladies and Gentlemen, please come to the Senate Floor for 3rd Readings. Please come to the Senate Floor for 3rd Readings. Senator Steans, on Senate Bill 2898. Senator Steans. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 She seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2898 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2898. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Steans.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Out of the record. Senate Bill 2341. Senator Collins. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Senator Collins seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2341 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2341. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Collins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Collins, on the Floor amendment.
I move for the adoption of the Floor amendment. I'll discuss it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Senate Bill 2341. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you. Senator Collins.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2341, as amended, adds synthetic cannabinoids to the Controlled Substance {sic} (Substances) Act. The bill defines synthetic cannabinoids as synthetic drugs and includes synthetic cannabinoids as a substance subject to emergency scheduling. Manufacturing or delivering of synthetic cannabinoids will be a Class 3 felony. Simple possession of synthetic cannabinoids will be a Class 4 felony. I know of no opposition. I ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2341 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2341, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Castro, on Senate Bill 3103. The Senator wishes to proceed. She seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3103 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3103. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Castro. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Castro, on Floor Amendment No. 2.
I'd like to withdraw No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Senator Castro wishes to withdraw Floor Amendment No. 2. Now on the Order of Floor Amendment No. 3. …Secretary, please read the amendment.
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Castro.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Castro, on Floor Amendment No. 3.
I ask for its adoption and I'll explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
Senate Bill 3103. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Senator Castro, on Senate Bill 3103.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 3103 creates the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act. It would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants based on immigrant status, or disclosing or threatening to disclose a tenant's immigration status for the purpose of harassing or -- retaliating against the tenant. In the amendment -- you know, we worked very diligently with all the proponents. I want to give special thanks out to the advocacy -- the fair housing -- advocacy groups, groups representing the property owners, including the Illinois Realtors, the Illinois Property Owners Association, the Chicagoland Apartment Association, and the Illinois Manufactured Housing Association. In addition to what I outlined, it removes a provision allowing nonprofit organizations to bring suit on behalf of injured tenants; it limits the -- definition of immigrant status to "actual" immigration or citizenship status - previously, it was "perceived"; removes the prohibition against asking a tenant about his or her immigration status and limits the Act's prohibitions to a landlord's use of that information to threaten or harass a tenant; it also removes a prospective tenants from those protected under the Act. Given today -- today is Latino Unity Day, we have passed many bills in this Chamber supporting our immigrant community and, you know, many we have found, while quiet, many suffer from tenants -- or bad landlords, who have a tendency to use their status against them from reporting crime, from reporting bad housing conditions. And I ask for its support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Senator Barickman, 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 for what purpose do you rise?
A question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates she'll yield. Senator Barickman.
Thank you, Madam President. Just a few questions. I think we're trying to catch up here on the amendment. Can -- so you walked through a number of things that you removed in the legislation to address concerns raised by the opponents. Can you -- tell us what the net effect of the bill does do. Instead of, you know -- so you -- I appreciate you walking us through what was removed, but what does the bill now do?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Castro.
Sure. So it's -- it would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants based on immigrant status, or disclosing or threatening to disclose a tenant's immigrant status for the purpose of harassing or retaliating against the tenant. It additionally provides an affirmative defense against eviction for tenants whose rights under the Act have been violated. It does not prohibit a landlord from asking -- looking at other ways on not to offer residences to tenants, what would be like a credit background check or criminal. This just deals with immigration status and the fact that sometimes they use status as a way to wield it at 'em to prohibit them from reporting bad housing conditions or reporting crime in their area. Again, this is to address bad landlords. And -- and this -- again, the Realtors and a lot of the different groups worked with us on 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 the language. It was a long process, but I -- I'm -- I'm happy that everyone sat at the table and worked it, and some of the language we removed was because, you know, they asked us to look at that and remain neutral on the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Barickman.
Can -- can landlords require their prospective tenants or their tenants to provide social security numbers as a condition to renting or remaining in their lease?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Castro.
It actually doesn't -- it doesn't talk about prospective. We took that out.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Barickman.
What about for existing tenants, so not prospective?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Castro.
It's just dealing with the immigration status and you can't use that against them and evict them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Barickman.
So if a landlord was found to violate this Act, what is the penalty on the landlord? 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Castro.
So the tenant can bring a civil action to seek one of the following remedies: actual damages, as reasonably determined by the court; a civil penalty; reasonable attorneys' fees and costs; and other -- other equitable relief as the court may deem appropriate and just.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Barickman.
Is there any differentiation in the legislation about how -- larger landlords versus smaller? Can you address that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Castro.
Are you speaking of the third party? We removed all that language. Third party right of action? We took that out of the language. That was part of the -- part that we negotiated out.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Barickman.
I wasn't to that yet, but I appreciate that. If a -- if a landlord manages properties with higher number of rental units than others, kind of your small mom-and-pop shop, you know, landlords, who might rent a -- their house or a duplex with two units, is there any differentiation in how the law -- or how the legislation treats those landlords?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Senator Castro.
No. It treats everyone the same.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Barickman.
So, to the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
So I -- I -- I -- I rise in opposition to the bill, but I do want to commend the sponsor for her work to attempt to address, I think, some of the opponents' concerns. I remain -- I continue to have concerns. Specifically, I think -- this legislation proposes new requirements on landlords that may be difficult for some of them to meet, especially some of our small landlords. It may impose on unknowing landlords some very significant costs and fines and related expenses. I think that it jeopardizes -- I'm concerned that it jeopardizes the ability of our landlords to properly screen their tenants to determine whether or not -- this has nothing to do with whether tenants are immigrants or not, but it has to do with the ability of a landlord to scrutinize prospective tenants for their creditworthiness. There are mechanisms in place today for which landlords can perform that diligence. I think this legislation will make it more difficult, and as a result, I'd ask the Body to vote No. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you rise? 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
Let me just say that this is a -- I think, a very clear bill when it talks about protecting the rights of the immigrant who actually is renting in -- an apartment. I -- in my office, I get tons of -- of immigrants, undocumented, come in and talk about how they were abused by some of these landlords, by not returning their security deposit, by having them leave because of, you know, 'cause of -- of their immigrant status, because they want to go ahead and raise the rent and -- and -- and get someone else in. I think that this is a great bill, Senator Castro. I think that we need to make sure that everyone, regardless of their immigrant status, should be treated fairly and respectfully. Right now, many tenants that do not have -- many undocumented folks do not have social securities. That's why they have ITIN numbers. Through the ITIN numbers, landlords can do background checks if they need to find out more information about that prospective tenant. But I think that this bill is about making sure that they are not discriminated based on being an undocumented person. So I rise in very strong support of this bill and I hope that everyone else does. This is a good bill. This will protect the undocumented from being mistreated and basically discriminated against by a landlord that is just utilizing and harassing that tenant because of their status. And I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Castro, to close. 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
I ask for an Aye vote, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. The question is, shall Senate Bill 3103 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 33 voting Yea, 18 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3103, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Would you please have the record reflect that I -- my intention was to vote Yes on 3103?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Yes, the record will reflect your intention, Senator. Ladies and Gentlemen, please direct your attention on the Order of Concurrence, page 15. Senate Bill 1461. Senator Holmes. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1461. Signed by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Holmes.
Thank you so much, Madam President. Senate Bill 1461, as amended, allows for the release of proprietary information regarding vendor expenses in the aggregate in an annual report. 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 As amended, it sets a dollar amount or percentage, ten thousand or ten percent, whichever is less, that must be sent by the film production on a vendor before the film office may report on a production and vendor. Currently, any vendor paid by the film production must be reported on without limitation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1461 {sic} concur in House Amendments No. 1 and 2 to Senate Bill -- excuse me, just Senate Bill -- Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1461. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 voting Yea, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1461, having received the required constitutional majority -- does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1461, and the bill is declared passed. Remaining on the Order of Concurrences with Supplemental Calendar No. 1. Senate Resolution -- Senate Bill 351. Senator Morrison. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 351. Signed by Senator Morrison.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Morrison.
Thank you, Madam President. This amendment removes the January 1, 2018 date by which the Department of Human Services must adopt any rules necessary to implement the program to 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 determine which students are eligible for SNAP benefits. And since the start date's already passed, this change will allow it to adopt rules once the bill is signed into law. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 351. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 351, and the bill is declared passed. Remaining on the Calendar, Supplemental Calendar No. 1, is a Senate resolution. Senate Resolution 1700. Senator Mulroe. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 1700, offered by Senator Mulroe.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Mulroe, on your resolution.
Thank you, Madam -- thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Senate Resolution 1700 declares the Month of May "Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month". Cystic fibrosis, also known as CF, it's a -- a debilitating disease, a genetic disease affecting approximately thirty thousand children and about seventy thousand -- I'm sorry, thirty thousand children and adults in the United States and nearly seventy thousand children and adults worldwide, 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 a thousand of which live in Illinois. I won't go into the details. We probably all know someone that has it. It's a really tough disease. I'd ask for the resolution's adoption. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 17 {sic} pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Cunningham, for what purpose do you rise?
For an introduction, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Yes, Senator, please state your introduction.
Thank you, Madam President. In the President's Gallery on the Democratic side, I'd like to introduce two people that are in Springfield doing some lobbying work today, Itedal Shalabi and Nareman Taha - if you could please stand. They are the leaders of Arab American Services, which is based in Bridgeview. It's a leading social service agency in the southwest suburbs. They -- they -- they present all sorts of services to people in my district and throughout the southwest suburbs. They do a terrific job. I'd like to ask the Senate to welcome them to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois General Assembly. Welcome. Senator Bennett, for what purpose do you rise?
For the purpose of an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 Please state your introduction, Senator.
Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, if you'll turn your attention to the -- the rear left side of the gallery, we have a very special guest. If you'll please rise. Needs no introduction, of course, but my uncle, Representative Tom Bennett, has come over to -- to check things out over here. And I just wanted to -- to welcome him over here. You notice how much more peaceful it is over here than in the House? Much quieter. But we're glad to have you. And please give him a -- a warm welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome, Representative Bennett. It's a pleasure to show you how it's done in the Illinois Senate. Ladies and Gentlemen, please turn your Calendar and your attention to page 5. On the Order of 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 2808. Senator McConnaughay. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2808. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McConnaughay. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: Thank you, Madam President. This bill is a cleanup trailer to Senate Bill 2301 that affects the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Services Act. This is an agreed initiative between the Association of -- or Alzheimer's Association and DPH. I would appreciate an Aye vote. 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2808 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2808, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator McConnaughay, on Senate Bill 2907. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2907. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McConnaughay. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: Thank you again, Madam President. Senate Bill 2907 allows authorized agencies and entities in the State that are currently authorized to get national criminal history background checks for employees, such as bus drivers and others, to now be able to participate in the Federal Rap Back Service program, which is administered by the State Police. Unlike the current policy of routine background checks, the Rap Back program can now receive ongoing real-time notification and updates about convictions, which would otherwise disqualify them from sensitive positions in other states without school or other entities having to run criminal histories again and again and again on a weekly, monthly, quarterly basis, et cetera. So this does not create any new or 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 broader authority for entities currently authorized to receive criminal history record information. This is supported by not only the Illinois State Police, but also the Secretary of State's Office. And I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2907 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have…(microphone cutoff)…voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2907, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator McConnaughay, on Senate Bill 3027. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. She seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3027 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3027. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator McConnaughay.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McConnaughay, on your amendment. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: Thank you, Madam President. I'd read on 3rd Reading, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) There any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 3027. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
Senate Bill 3027. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McConnaughay. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: And once again, thank you, Madam President. This is a technical cleanup bill that codifies existing practice, eliminating outdated statutory requirements, and moves IDOT towards compliance with federal regulation. I know of no objection. I would appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3027 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3027, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator McConnaughay, on Senate Bill 3141. The Senator seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3141 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3141. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator McConnaughay.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McConnaughay, on your amendment. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: I would appreciate moving it to 3rd and read on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 3141. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
Senate Bill 3141. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McConnaughay. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: Thank you, Madam President. This bill amends the current -- the Cigarette Tax Act, and essentially what it does is it gives Department of Revenue the ability to impose a thousand-dollar penalty for the first failure to keep appropriate books and records as it relates to cigarette tax stamps. Thereafter, three-thousand- dollar penalties for each subsequent failure. This is necessary 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 121st Legislative Day 5/9/2018 because of the current -- the current fines are so low that there's no incentive not to, at the retail level, sell contraband and untaxed cigarettes. I would -- this is -- also was resolved. There were some questions that were brought forward by IRMA. That has now been resolved. So I would appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3141 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3141, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I have a special announcement. May I please have your attention for this special announcement? Thank you so much. No, the special announcement is, we are headed to committee. Please hurry yourselves to committee. Please be on time as quickly as you can, so that we can continue our business for today. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour -- 11 a.m. on the 10th day of May 2018. The Senate stands adjourned. Get to committee. 48