Regular Session of the 101st 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 Reverend Jacson -- I'm sorry, Jacson Moody, Grace United Methodist Church, Springfield, Illinois.
(Prayer by the Reverend Jacson Moody)
Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Cunningham, please lead us in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)
Lisa -- Lisa Yuscius from Blueroomstream.com requests permission to videotape. Is there any objection? Seeing none, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Friday, May 24th, 2019.
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 approve -- sorry. Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. …Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolutions 441 through 448, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 449, offered by Senator Castro and all Members. And Senate Resolution 450, offered by Senator Righter and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Joint Resolution 45, offered by Senator Hutchinson. It is substantive.
Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Muñoz, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive Appointments, reports Appointment Messages 1000392, 1000415, 1000418, 1000419, 1010032, 1010036, 1010039, 1010040, 1010041, 1010042, 1010043, 1010045, 1010049, 1010050, 1010051, 1010052, 1010053, 1010054, 1010055, 1010056, 1010058, 1010079, 1010082, 1010083, 1010085, 1010086, 1010090, 1010091, 1010092, 1010129, 1010139, 1010140, 1010143, 1010149, 1010151, 1010152, 1010154, 1010173, 1010179, 1010180, 1010202, 1010203, 1010204, 1010205, and 1010208 Recommend -- Do Recommend Advise and Consent.
Mr. Secretary, Introduction and Reading of the Senate Bills 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 for the first time.
Senate Bill 2260, offered by Senator Bertino-Tarrant. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 100. Together with the following amendments which are attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendments 1, 2, and 3 to Senate Bill 100. Passed the House, as amended, May 24th, 2019. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 111, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 131, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 162, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1852, with House Amendment 2; and Senate Bill 2038, with House Amendments 2 and 3. Passed the House, as amended, May 24th, 2019. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, 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: 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 House Joint Resolution 59. Offered by Senator Bush, and adopted by the House, May 24th, 2019. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President. A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 397. Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 397. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 482, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 726, with House Amendments 1 and 2; Senate Bill 1264, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1515, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1743, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1778, with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, May 26th, 2019. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I'm instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 833. We have received a like Message on House Bill 3840. Passed the House, May 26th, 2019. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 1139. Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1139. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 1149, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1890, with House Amendments 1 and 3. Passed the House, as amended, May 27th, 2019. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
Mr. Secretary, Appointment Messages.
Appointment Message 1010212 Governor's salaried appointment To be a Member of the Illinois Labor Relations Board, Thomas Willis Appointment Message 1010213 Governor's salaried appointment To be a Member of the Illinois Racing Board, Greg Sronce Appointment Message 1010214 Governor's salaried appointment To be an Arbitrator of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Paul Cellini Appointment Message 1010215 Governor's salaried appointment To be an Arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Stephen Friedman 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 Appointment Message 1010216 Governor's salaried appointment To be an Arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Gerald Granada Appointment Message 1010217 Governor's salaried appointment To be an Arbitrator, the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Jessica Hegarty Appointment Message 1010218 Governor's salaried appointment To be an Arbitrator, the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Jeffrey Huebsch Appointment Message 1010219 Governor's salaried appointment To be an Arbitrator of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Christine Ory Appointment Message 1010220 Governor's salaried appointment To be an Arbitrator, the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Maureen Pulia Appointment Message 1010221 Governor's salaried appointment To be an Arbitrator of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Melinda Rowe Sullivan Appointment Message 1010222 Governor's salaried appointment To be an Arbitrator of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Douglas Steffenson Appointment Message 1010223 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Member of the Illinois Community College Board, Paige Ponder Appointment Message 1010224 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Dwight Baird Appointment Message 1010225 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Member {sic} (Trustee) of the Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Joseph Dively Appointment Message 1010226 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Member {sic} (Trustee) of the Illinois State University Board of Trustees, Robert Dobski Appointment Message 1010227 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Member {sic} (Trustee) of the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Dennis Barsema Appointment Message 1010228 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Member {sic} (Trustee) of the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Eric Wasowicz Appointment Message 1010229 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Champaign County, John Brown Appointment Message 1010230 Governor's non-salaried appointment 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 To be a Member of the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission, Marilyn Baldwin Appointment Message 1010231 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Member of the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission, Tim Touhy Appointment Message 1010232 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Member of the Waukegan Port District Board, Robert Hamilton Appointment Message 1010233 Governor's salaried appointment To be the Director of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Professional) Regulation Division, Cecilia Abundis
Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 833, offered by Senator Ellman. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 3840, offered by Senator Landek. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
I would ask the Members to please come to the Floor for the purposes of a Memorial Day celebration. Please come to the Floor immediately. Leader Lightford in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Villivalam, for what purpose do you rise? 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019
Thank -- thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to -- for a -- sorry, for a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator.
I just wanted to welcome my family to the -- the Chamber today. I have my mom with me. She is an inspiration and a mentor to me in many ways. And I'm not sure when she came to this country in 1976 that she thought I'd be a -- a State Senator. I'm still trying to convince her that it's as good as being a doctor. But if you all can -- can help me with that, I'd appreciate it. She's -- she's been very helpful. My wife Elizabeth, who is the -- the Speaker, the Senate President, the Governor - whatever you want to say - of our household, and she makes sure everything runs on time. And our eight-month-old, Rohan Villivalam, here, who is happy to be here. And if you could all join me in welcoming them to Springfield, I'd appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. A pleasure to have you here. Senator Bennett, for what purpose do you rise?
For the point of an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your introduction, Senator.
Thank you, Madam President. Once a year I try to bring my children as well. I was successful in getting one of the two here today. So with me is my five-and-a-half-year-old son, Sam, who 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 starts kindergarten in the fall. He's super happy to be here, despite what he might tell you. And if you'll all give him a nice welcome to the State -- to the State Senate. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Hello. Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. Senator John Cullerton. Oh! Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you rise?
For an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your introduction, Senator.
Thank you. To the Members of the Senate, I would like to introduce my legislative assistant, Sarah Hessenauer, and her husband, Kyle, who, on this Memorial Day, is a National Guardsman, I want to point out, and their seven-week-old baby, Harper Grace. She is asleep for her introduction, but there's going to be video of it and there's going to be pictures, so I want her to know how great of a -- a welcoming she got from the Members of the Senate. So, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. A pleasure to have you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, will you please take your seats? We will begin our memorial celebration honoring our troops. Ladies and Gentlemen, will you please take your seats? President Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Almost every year, because of our Constitution and our schedule, we find 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 ourselves in Session on Memorial Day. I think it's appropriate to take a moment and invite our colleagues who have served in the military to lead us in remembering those who have fallen in service of our great country. There is no greater service than to defend our country from its enemies, and there's no greater sacrifice than to give your life. I personally happened to have served in the Illinois National Guard, full-time for two years. And I have witnessed the change in attitudes and, quite frankly, respect for the men and women who have made those sacrifices. And so I would like to invite the Members who have served in our country's military to take a few moments on this Memorial Day to remind us of why we honor the sacrifices of so many in celebrating the American holiday. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Schimpf, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam President, to talk about Memorial Day.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Absolutely, Senator. Please express yourself.
My friends, you've heard me talk on Memorial Day before. This is going to be the third year that I've -- that I've spoken with you and I've also spoken in the Rotunda. You probably remember that I said that the -- the greatest day of my -- of my twenty- four years in military service also happened to be the worst day of my military service. That was August 4th, 2011, and that was the day that I represented the Commandant of the Marine Corps at 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for Staff Sergeant Leon Lucas, Jr. Now I told the story about that and I'm not going to go into the -- go into all the details again today, but what I want to do for a few minutes, my friends, is kind of tell you the rest of the story. There's a back story behind it. I screwed that day up really badly. It was a tremendous honor, but it wasn't an honor that I was prepared for, because usually the Commandant of the Marine Corps is represented at Dover Air Force Base by Marines that are stationed at 8th & I, our ceremonial barracks in Washington, D.C. They're the best of the best. They're the ones that handle it. But on occasion they don't have anybody available for that duty and they would ask for volunteers from the Pentagon, where I was stationed at the time. And a couple days before August 4th, I got an email saying that they needed somebody to volunteer for this duty and I sent in an email saying that I -- it would be my honor to do it. So, on August 4th, I drove up from my house in Northern Virginia, which was about three hours away from Dover, got there thirty minutes before I was scheduled to be there, and when I arrived, the Marine Corporal who was on duty said, "Hey sir, glad that you're here. Got two things for you. First of all, CNN is here and they are going to film the dignified transfer ceremony. And then second, the family of Staff Sergeant Lucas is here and they would like to meet with you." Now the problem is, I had never done that dignified transfer ceremony before and I had also been kind of told that the family's not going to be there, you won't have to meet with 'em. So that was a surprise and I didn't know anything about Staff Sergeant Leon Lucas. Well, in the thirty minutes that I had before the ceremony started, I made a decision; I decided I'm going to try to learn 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 this ceremony so that I don't do anything that embarrasses the Marine Corps or embarrasses the family. So I spent my thirty minutes talking with the Marines about how the ceremony went and I was able to get through it without any mistakes. You can find -- you can find the ceremony online. I didn't -- didn't make any mistakes; I was fine. But when it came time to talk with the family right after the ceremony was over, I was an absolute mess. I couldn't really get anything out other than talking about, you know, what a great Marine he must have been to have been a Staff Sergeant. And I was talking with a family that had just lost a father. He had two young boys that were there with his wife, about the exact same age of my boys at the time, and, also, his wife was pregnant with their third -- third child. She was about five months pregnant, so she was -- she was showing. So after that -- after I met with the family for about thirty minutes, I went back out to my car and I just sat there and I broke down for a while, because I felt -- I felt like I had let the family down because I didn't have anything that I could say that would ease their pain. I drove home. When I got home, I saw my kids that were the same age and I broke down again. Now it's been -- it's been eight years since that happened. And I don't beat myself up as much anymore over my failure that day because I've come to realize that nothing I could have said on that day would have made a difference. In fact, the best speakers in our nation's history understand that at -- on those kinds of occasions and on Memorial Day, words simply let us down. Trying to say something to match the magnitude of the sacrifices that our fallen made is just absolutely futile. President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was really a Memorial Day address. We didn't have Memorial Day yet, but he was dedicating 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 a cemetery and he recognized it. He said, "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." President Reagan has also said, "I have no illusions about what little I can add now to the silent testimony of those who gave their lives willingly for their country…" So what I would -- what I would suggest to you today is, what we say on Memorial Day is important, but it's not as important as two things. First, we have to understand why our fallen gave their lives. A few people believe that military service is transactional -- transactional in nature, that people serve because they get an education or a job. Military service does have its benefits, but the reason our fallen gave their lives is not for a job or for an education. It's because they believed that their families, their communities, and their country were all worth fighting and dying for. So we need that understanding, but we also need to look in the mirror and understand as well that sometimes saying thank you isn't enough. Sometimes acceptance of a gift also entails responsibility. I think it's somewhat serendipitous that we have Memorial Day so close to college and high school graduations. One, it gives our graduates a chance to see that there is a way to serve, but also it makes for a really good analogy. A gift sometimes requires action. Our graduates, if they are truly thankful for the education that they've been given, have a responsibility to try to -- to try to go out and put that education to good use. Likewise, if we want to be truly thankful for the sacrifices our fallen made, we -- it's -- it's an obligation upon us to make our country the country that they believed was worth fighting and dying for. So I want to say thank you to you all not only for listening to me talk this afternoon and the Senate 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 President for giving us the opportunity to honor our fallen, but I also want to say thank you to you, my friends and colleagues, for the work that you all do to try to make our country a better place, a place that all of our fallen believed was worth fighting and dying for. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator T. Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator.
First of all, I want to thank the Senate President for allowing this every year on Memorial Day. I also want to thank Senator Schimpf for those incredible words. For me, it's an honor to always speak at this time. I served in Echo Company, 1st in the 12th Infantry, 4th ID in the U.S. Army. For me, it wasn't necessarily just an option; it was something I wanted to do, something I desired to do, enlisted and enjoyed my time, signed up for the infantry. However, Memorial Day is not just about veterans. I appreciate every time somebody says, "Thank you for your service." I appreciate every time somebody -- there are celebrations on Veterans Day. But Memorial Day is different. Memorial Day is the day that we recognize those who did not return, those who did not come back, those who finished in the battle. And that is the time, me as a veteran, I feel is my time to say thank you to them, to say thank you for their service, thank you for their -- giving their lives, thank you to their families for 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 sacrificing their men and women for the greater good of our country. So I'll not be long and I want to thank all of you for taking time out today to listen to us, those of us who've served in the military. I want to thank the men and women who have given their life for this country, given their life for this State, given their life for all of us to live in a democracy that we have today, for allowing us to be in this type of Chamber to debate back and forth. People gave their lives for that ability and I want to say thank you to them. Thank you to Mr. President for allowing us to speak today. And I appreciate our time, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator McConchie, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCONCHIE: Moment of -- a point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator. SENATOR McCONCHIE: Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Chamber. Senator Schimpf had some great comments last week when we opened up the Wall of Remembrance downstairs on the first floor, in which people had the opportunity of being able to go and write a name of someone who they remember who paid the ultimate price for our sacrifice. And during those comments, he said something which I'd heard before, it hadn't really sunk in in this context, but it was that they say that everyone dies twice. One time is when you die physically and the second time that you die is when your name is spoken for the last time. So I consider it my responsibility on this day when we make these comments is -- to remember someone 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 from our State who did that for us. I specifically want to take a moment to honor a hero from my Senate district, Army Specialist Wesley R. Wells from the town of Libertyville. Specialist Wells died in 2004 and he was twenty-one years of age when his observation post was fired on by anti-coalition forces in eastern Afghanistan. I'm told that Specialist Wells joined the Army after September 11th attacks because he wanted to do his part to help protect this country. And it is because of people like him that we are able to enjoy our freedoms today - so many -- so many that we aren't able to count. I found it interesting that one of -- one of -- one of my great experiences throughout the years has been - at times that I've been in D.C. - has been to go to the Arlington National Cemetery and see the rows and rows of people - - of -- of graves of those who have paid that price. And I found it interesting that on Friday, when it was the responsibility of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard", who goes and guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and it's their responsibility to go and plant flags at every gravesite to honor them for the Memorial Day, on that day were torrential rains, drastic wind gusts that caused people to flee for cover, but during that storm, you can find pictures online of The Old Guard not running for cover, not hiding out, but going through the storm to plant those flags at each one of those spots. The comment from The Old Guard that they posted online was, "Humans have their limits, but The Old Guard has yet to meet theirs." And it is a somber reminder of our responsibility to meet the calling that our fallen have laid upon us, which is to continue to make this country the best place that we possibly can. Thank you for this opportunity, Madam President. 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your privilege, Senator.
Well, first, I want to say thanks to the Senate President for allowing all the veterans to speak on Memorial Day. Since being here in the Illinois Senate, I've had the unbelievable opportunity to be surrounded by public servants who are elected by the people of their community. The burdens of leadership are heavy at times, but what a humbling experience, and that is to serve our fellow citizens. When I reflect on this Memorial Day, I think of those I currently serve with and remember those who I served with. The word, "fate", what does it mean? It's defined as "the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a higher power". During my time in Iraq, I frequently thought to myself: What will my fate be? Will today be the day? You see, from 2006 to 2007, when I served in Iraq, there were thousands of insurgent attacks per week, hundreds of sectarian killings. Explosive devices being imported and implanted by those trained in neighboring countries. Outside the wire every week, we would travel to places named the "OK Corral" or down roads named after planets with craters due to the massive -- explosions that occurred there. What would my fate be? My fate would be life - the gift of life. To take the lessons I learned and impart them on future generations. To continue to serve our great country and to love 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 our fellow citizens. Some, however, did not have the same fate as I. Their fate was to serve and make the ultimate sacrifice. Since being here in the Senate, we've celebrated every Memorial Day by having the opportunity to make remarks in this historic Chamber. I've told the stories about special people that I served with in the military, but today I want to name my friends and classmates who I served with that died in combat or as a result of the injuries related to combat. I do this because, similar to Senator McConchie, I believe that every time I mention their name, they're remembered once more. I do this because hopefully someone in this Chamber or someone online will take the time out of their day to look them up and read the great story of their life. At a minimum, it's an opportunity to celebrate their life for what they sacrificed for our country and just to say thank you. Lenny Cowherd. Laura Walker. Derek Hines. Rhett Shiller. Clay Vincent. Derek Draper. Ben Larson. Matthew Carpenter. Daren Hildago. Emily Perez. Amos Bock. Daniel Whitten. Thomas Kennedy. Ashley Henderson. Tom Felts. And Aaron Toppen. To close, Madam President, I'd like to share with the Chamber a short poem that was published in an issue of CADET magazine by my football teammate, Chris Pestel, and the poem was written by my classmate, Daniel Trusilo, as we honored our fallen classmates. "For the Brothers and Sisters We Lost" "In the dark depths of solitude, I search for meaning and find you My heart is filled with gratitude, I remember, I continue 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 You have seen the end of life's light Teaching to cherish the present. This moment, now, ever finite, Slips away, a last breath, a life spent I will carry on with passion In your legacy, forged anew Living life, defined by action, Echoes of being, pure and true With dreams and hopes, I strive, and I see A purpose in unwritten roles In this life, one can choose to be, Like you, an unconquerable soul." There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. Happy Memorial Day, everybody. Celebrate and remember those who sacrificed for our country. Thank you for your time, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Barickman, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your privilege point, Senator.
Thank you -- thank you again, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen, I, too, want to thank the -- President Cullerton for allowing us an opportunity to speak today and I want to say -- say a special thanks to those colleagues who have taken some time today 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 to speak and for their service as well. I want to use my remarks today to talk about Blue Star families and Gold Star families and help make sure we understand how they are different. Service members, those who serve in our armed forces, never serve alone. And -- you know, I can speak to that. As a -- as a seventeen- year-old, I signed up for -- as an infantry soldier in the Illinois Army National Guard. My parents had to sign the -- the paperwork for me, to provide consent for me. Many who serve, of course, leave parents, maybe siblings, children, or a spouse, but I think we all recognize that those who serve don't serve alone. Regardless of where we all come from as Members of the Senate, certainly there are members of our communities who have served, are serving, have lost someone in service, and, again, the recognition -- the distinction between our Blue Star families and our Gold Star families I think is very important. Beginning in World War I, back in -- in World War I, the families of U.S. soldiers often flew flags and on those flags was a blue star for each member of the family who was serving in the military, hence the "Blue Star". If you had two members serving in the military at that time, you had two blue stars. If an individual died in battle, the blue star was changed to a gold star, and hence the name "Gold Star" families. In 1947, Congress authorized the military to present to the next of kin a Gold Star lapel pin, again, signaling the recognition -- the loss that that family had occurred {sic}, a gold star being presented to the family. In Illinois, we have a chapter of America's Gold Star Families. And it was several years ago when I first met a woman named Patti Smith, who is the Founder of Illinois' Gold Star Families chapters. She's a terrific woman. She is graceful and supportive to the 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 families who are facing a loss in these -- in these -- in the world that we live in. I was with Patti less than two weeks ago. We were having a memorial service in my district for Sergeant Anthony Maddox. "Mad Dog", he's called. Sergeant Maddox lost his life six years ago in Afghanistan, and through your actions -- or many of your actions here, we renamed part of I-55 the Anthony R. Maddox Memorial Highway. That area around Bloomington, in fact, is named -- designated that very recently. IDOT put up the signs. We had a ceremony for the Maddox family just two weeks ago. Patti Smith helped put that together. The -- again, the Illinois -- as the - - as the head of Illinois' Gold Star Families, she helped coordinate that event and she helped make sure that the Maddox family had an opportunity to celebrate their son and his sacrifice. In a stunning turn of fate, Patti lost her husband within forty- eight hours of that event. He -- she is not a Gold Star family as a result; she's a Blue Star family. Her sons have served in the U.S. Marine Corps and, thankfully, did not lose their life. She lost her husband, though, tragically here just less than two weeks ago. So I -- I hope that -- I hope that Patti's loss of her husband Greg reminds us of the work that so many people do in this State for our Gold Star families, like the -- like the Maddox family, who lost their son in battle over in Afghanistan. And I hope we use Memorial Day to pay tribute to all those who've paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege. 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your privilege point, Senator.
Thank you. Across the country on Memorial Day, we give humble thanks to those brave men and women in uniform who, during their lives, fought for the principles we hold dearest and who, in their deaths, sacrificed themselves in defense of those American ideals. As we pause to remember the nation's war dead, it's worth remembering that Memorial Day was first celebrated by black Union troops and -- and free black Americans in Charleston, South Carolina, at the end of the Civil War. To dedicate the ceremony {sic} (cemetery) to the Union's war dead, black white leaders came together to organize a parade of ten thousand. Black Charlestonians, mostly former slaves, remained in the -- in the - - in the city and conducted a series of commendations -- commemorations to declare their sense of the meaning of the war. The largest of these events, and unknown until recent research, took place on May 1st, 1865. Then, the black Charlestonians, in cooperation with white missionaries and teachers, staged an unforgettable parade of those ten thousand people on the slaveholder's race course. So let's remember that African Americans in a ritual of remembrance and consecration. Thank you very much, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Wilcox, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam President, a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 Please state your privilege point, Senator.
In northern Illinois, there's an organization called the Veterans Network Committee and, every Memorial Day weekend, they set up a Field of Honor, and on every flag is the name of an Illinois soldier, airman, or Marine that has passed away since 9/11. There were three hundred and thirty-one flags this weekend. In the past, in helping them set those up and walking through that field, I've come to learn a few things. Our fallen heroes represent the character of a nation as diverse as they come. It matters not where our veterans came from, but it matters now and forever how we honor them. For their deaths have left heartache that will never quite heal, but their love leaves memories that shall never fade. It is our duty, our burden, our responsibility, and our solemn vow that never shall their deeds, their sacrifices, their families, or their country ever be forgotten. We should be humbled by the tremendous courage shown by our brave sailors, soldiers, airmen, and Marines, and marvel at the sacrifice of the Coast Guard, the Merchant Marines, and Rosie the Riveters. They display the strength and character of our nation, of our State, and of our special communities that raises strong young men and women, that combines a love of country, a yearning for justice in the world, and a sense of duty and honor that no other nation enjoys. That is why it is important, in fact imperative, that we remember them always. All you need do is read the newspaper, watch the news, or ask someone not raised in this country to understand just how rare a commodity it is to enjoy Liberty, to bask in Freedom, to be blessed with Choice, in a democracy still striving to be better, wearing a sacred cloak of Rights provided by our 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 Creator, and defended by our armed forces. Liberty and Freedom need constant attention, as do our veterans, so please take your time and pay tribute and honor to them this day. May God bless America, may America bless its citizens, and may its citizens never forget her veterans! Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you. I'd like to take a moment to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. Today we show our gratitude to the brave men and women who served our country and the price that we can never repay. My heart goes out to all their families - not only today, but every day. It's -- when you go to events, whether it's the American Legion hall or the VFW, in our districts or in other districts throughout the State, we see families that have lost loved ones the past sixteen years in the Middle East. I've had the pleasure of knowing other members from Korean War, Vietnam, but the ones currently, ones now, some of the kids are so young. You know, we say thank you to the men and women today who have fought for us. And, not knowing, some people don't realize the aftermath of what war does. Their loved ones are gone, but their families still have to carry on and raise their families. So what we should do is always ask our American Legions, VFWs, how we can help, if we know of any families that are in need of help. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 Whether it's financially, whether it's spiritual, we need to be there for them. And it's unfortunate that we still have a crisis going on in the Middle East and we have men and women that are still in harm's way. And I met a gentleman who is -- completed eleven tours from Iraq to Afghanistan. Who would ever think eleven tours? And some of these guys are doing anywhere from ten months to twenty-one months, and as a result, when they come home, some of 'em come home with the medals - yeah, they get the medals - lot of 'em come home loss of limbs, and a lot of 'em come home PTSD and they have no clue how to deal with it, and some of 'em come home to broken families. So it is our job to look out for them every day when we can. And it's a shame that we have twenty-two veterans die every day throughout the United States, so we need to help them. During wartime, they feel they are broken. They've been to the front line fighting for us; now it's our job to put 'em on the front line back home so we can help them survive. God bless our men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice, and to their families, we wish you the best. And please let us keep in our prayers the men and women in harm's way. God bless them and God bless America.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please rise for a moment of silence. (Moment of silence observed) Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please turn your Calendars to page 3 on the Order Senate Bills 3rd Reading - page 3 on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We will begin with Senate Bill 459. Senator Ellman seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 459 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 459. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Ellman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Ellman.
Thank you, Madam President. I move to adopt the amendment and I'll discuss it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thanks, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed. 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 459. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
Senate Bill 459. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Ellman.
Thank you, Madam President, fellow Senators. Senate Bill 459 is identical to House Bill 205 and, as amended, it requires the instruction on mental health and illness included with the State of Illinois' Comprehensive Health Education Program to evaluate 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019 the multiple dimensions of health by reviewing the relationship between physical and mental health so as to enhance student understanding, attitudes, and behaviors that promote health, well- being, and human dignity. The bill -- House bill was voted on nearly unanimously and I urge an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 459 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 58 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 459, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The members of the Committee on Assignments will come to the President's Anteroom immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. Senator Koehler in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Crowe, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your point.
Thank you. I have with me today Miss Piper. She is an adorable little lady, who I can take no credit for. She belongs to our wonderful Craig here. She has figured out the microphone and all the buttons and she would like to say, "Hey, everybody." Please join me in welcoming Piper. 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 51st Legislative Day 5/27/2019
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Welcome, Piper, to the Illinois Senate. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chairperson of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 26 -- 3623; refer to Criminal Law Committee - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 51; refer to Education Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2078 and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2627; refer to Environment and Conservation Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Resolution 419; refer to Government Accountability and Pensions Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3053; refer to Human Services Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2304; refer to Judiciary Committee - Floor Amendment 1 and 2 to House Bill 3358 and House Bill 2408; refer to Public Health Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1438, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2276, and Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1864; refer to Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 925; refer to Transportation Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 3233. Signed, Senator Kimberly Lightford, Chairperson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until 12 noon on the 28th day of May 2019. The Senate stands adjourned. 29