Illinois Senate Floor Debate — October 30, 2019

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The regular Session of the 101st General Assembly will please come to order. Will our Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Bishop Jacson Moody, Redemption Center, Springfield, Illinois.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Cunningham.

(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Blueroomstream.com seeks permission to video record -- tape. Permission is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 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.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending the arrival of the printed transcript. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Resolution Consent Calendar.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House. 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Will all Members please be at their desk? Will all Members please be at their desk? President Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. If I can have your attention for just a second. Today we have the honor of thanking the men and women who have served our country in the Armed Forces ahead of Veterans Day. It is the service and sacrifice of veterans from all branches of the military that has kept our country safe and free. Because of your willingness to put your lives on the line to defend our country, Americans can sleep peacefully at night. The Members of the Illinois Senate are grateful for the sacrifices you have made. As we honor our veterans and remember their great work, let us not forget to salute those who are currently fighting for our freedom. Please join me in honoring our veterans. I would note that there are Members of the Senate who have served. I'm one of 'em. I was in the Army National Guard back in the Vietnam era. We have others who have 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 served and I welcome the others to share their gratitude for the brave men and women by addressing the Senate if they so wish. Thank you, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schimpf, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Wilcox, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point. 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019

If I could ask the Chamber just to take a seat for a minute, I'd like to read a -- a few statements here about a friend and a -- and an American hero that I'm about to introduce. And members {sic} in the gallery who are here today, I think you're about to experience what I call "living history". It's truly a special moment in our General Assembly and in the Senate to -- to be able to introduce who I'm about to introduce. So, I am proud, Mr. President, on Veterans -- the -- the week -- couple weeks before Veterans Day to introduce Sergeant Vincenzo Speranza. He goes by Vincent. But on the battlefield, he went by "Curse and traverse" Speranza. And Vincent fought with the first of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment with the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. I want to read some excerpts from his book. It's called "NUTS!" and I think it accurately describes the World War II scenario that Sergeant Speranza was in. And bear with me - it's worth reading. Vincent grew up in Staten Island in his {sic} late twenties and thirties and graduated high school and joined the Army at eighteen. There was a war on and Vince wanted to defend his beloved country. As an infantryman, he became a paratrooper and joined the 101st just before the Battle of the Bulge. Dug in on the outskirts of Bastogne during the bitterly cold and seemingly interminable period of continuous tank and artillery bombardment, Vince and his fellow paratroopers held their ground and stopped Adolf Hitler's last violent attempt to delay or reverse his inevitable defeat before it reached the town. He describes his clear and accurate recollections of his unit's action against an overwhelmingly numerical superior force during the battle for Bastogne and recalls modestly his role in founding of a very 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 special Belgian lager, now known throughout Belgium and Luxembourg as "Airborne Beer", a role that has made him a modern-day legend and celebrity of pub owners and beer drinkers across the region. He describes recuperation from wounds received in direct contact with the retreating enemy in Belgium, the kindness and compassion showed by the hospital staff and ordinary citizens of England, and the circumstances and the route he took to ensure that he would rejoin his old unit upon his return to duty. Then there is his fight across the Rhine River, the liberation of concentration camps, the search and clearing of the Eagle's Nest, which was Hitler's famous mountain retreat in Berchtesgaden, and the stand down of the 101st, and a period of occupation duty before the long- awaited return home and discharge to begin a completely different set of adventures. Sergeant Speranza spent a hundred -- his unit spent a hundred and forty-four days in combat, of which Sergeant Speranza missed eleven days because he spent six days in the hospital recovering from his wounds and then he spent five days, again, getting back to his unit. He now goes to a hundred -- or the -- Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 101st -- 101st Airborne Division to talk to young paratroopers. He actually goes up in the airplanes themselves while they're about to jump to remind them that "It's not that bad, just jump out of the airplane." Vincent told me that when he was jumping out of airplanes, there was a gentle reminder of the gentleman with the -- his boot up in the air ready to kick him out of the airplane. They're a lot nicer now in the Army, he told me. But he also goes up to West Point and he speaks to cadets about leadership, especially in times of combat. And his story is truly remarkable. His story during the war is truly nuts. If any of you have the opportunity to read 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 this, it's -- it's an unbelievable story. I want to thank Senator Bennett for allowing me to come to Danville and -- and see the veterans cemetery and speak at the Wreaths Across America. I had the opportunity to meet our local State Representative here in Springfield - that being Mike Murphy. I met him on a -- on a very unfortunate occasion, but he introduced me to Vincent. And through our friendship with Representative Murphy and -- and Senator Bennett, I would've never {sic} had a chance to meet what I consider living history. And if all of you have a chance, please, just come and say hi and meet him. In the military, we wear our pride on our chest. Not a lot of us pump our chest and tell everybody all the accolades and all the things we've done in the military, but if you just look at what that man has on his chest, that tells a story of a warrior, one of America's warriors. And I am just so darn proud that he's here spending his time with us before Veterans Day. If we can all give him a warm Springfield welcome. Thank you, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: To the resolution {sic}, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I want to rise and say thank you to our World War II veteran that's here with us, United States paratrooper, and to thank Senator Hastings and Representative Kifowit for sponsoring this legislation - resolution, I should say. To all our veterans here, 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 you know, it's always an honor to recognize those here and throughout the State of Illinois who have served a part of the brotherhood and sisterhood we call the United States military. No -- no matter what branch you served, your service and sacrifices are what keeps our country safe and free. To the vow, the offer -- to vow to offer yourself is a noble, incredible act. As we honor our veterans and remember their great deeds, let us salute those who are currently fighting for our freedom. There's nothing we can do but to say thank you for what you are doing for us to keep our country safe. And even though you are in harm's way and you leave your families, we want to say thank you. And it is nice that we honor Vietnam. I didn't serve in Vietnam; I went after Vietnam. But I know so many friends that were in Vietnam and they came home and they were spat upon. They didn't even want to come home wearing their uniforms. They didn't come home to the marching bands. A lot of 'em got drafted and a lot of 'em went to serve. And one of our own, who had -- just left this past year, went and fought in Vietnam. And I asked him, you got -- "Did you get drafted?" He goes, "No, I enlisted." And that was Senator Haine. And there's so many others like him, because people love America and they care for our freedom. So, to them, thank you for what you did, and to World War II veterans. Sir, it is truly an honor, sir, to have you in this Chamber. And I want to say, I am a -- a brother paratrooper. I was with the 82nd Airborne Division, sir. Nowhere near your league, but to be a brother paratrooper is truly amazing. Thank you, sir.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Will all Members turn to page 2 of the printed Calendar? Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 460. Senator Bertino- 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 Tarrant. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Bertino- Tarrant seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 460 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 460. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Bertino-Tarrant, on your amendment.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. I'll explain it on 3rd.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 460. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Bertino-Tarrant, on your bill.

11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Chamber. Senate Bill 460 simply extends the effective date for the three-day IEP timeline to -- July 1st, 2020. I know of no opposition. I ask for an Aye vote.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 460 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 Ayes, no Nays, none Present. Senate Bill 460, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On page 2 of the printed Calendar -- Senator Cunningham, for what purpose do you rise?

For an announcement, Mr. President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your announcement.

Thank you, Mr. President. In the President's Gallery behind you, we see a familiar face, Bernie Sieracki, a -- a longtime lobbyist here in the State Capitol for many years, now a professor at Public Administration at UIC. He has a group with him in the gallery from the -- the Bank of Beijing in China. They're a group of bankers and staffers there that are currently taking a class, his class, at UIC. They're led here to Springfield by their coordinator, Mr. Du Xaiofeng. They're learning about the legislative process on this day of their instruction. I'd like to ask the Chamber to welcome them to Springfield.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 Welcome to Springfield. Senator Fine, for what purpose do you rise?

Point of personal privilege, please.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.

Thank you. I just want to make everybody aware that November is Drowsy Driving Month {sic} (Drowsy Driving Prevention Week) by the National (Highway) Traffic Safety Administration. And they estimate that about a hundred thousand crashes happen each year as a result of fatigue. According to the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep in America poll, sixty percent of Americans have driven while feeling sleepy and thirty-seven percent admit to actually having fallen asleep behind the wheel in the past year. The Illinois Secretary of State's Office would like to remind everybody to be aware of the signs of driving drowsy and, if you are drowsy, to pull over so you are not in an accident. And just, really, remember to avoid driving while you are fatigued. November 3rd through the 10th is Drowsy -- Drowsy Awareness Month {sic} in the State of Illinois and we really need to be aware of this, especially on a day like today when conditions are not going to be the greatest when we're all driving home. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) House Bill 3608. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Rezin, on your bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 3608 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 52 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. House Bill 3608, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On page 3 of the printed Calendar are -- on the Order of Motions in Writing to Override the Total Veto of the Governor. This is final action. Senate Bill 2026. Senator Rezin. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill {sic}.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 Senator Rezin, on your bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Steans, for what purpose do you rise?

To the bill.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the motion.

To the motion, excuse me. Yes, so I very much appreciate what the sponsor is trying to do on -- on this bill; however, I would urge a No vote. You know, we have a strong -- I think we all want to protect the interest of health care here and have been doing a very strong job of this in this General -- in this General Assembly and with this administration. We have a very strong bipartisan Medicaid working group that is consistently working with the Governor's administration and they don't take steps without the participation and communication with that bipartisan Medicaid working group. There are {sic} constantly a need to go to federal CMS, the centers for management of Medicaid and Medicare in the federal government, for all sorts of waivers. And this really does tie the hands of the administration in being able to take steps that we all agree we should be doing. So I urge a No vote on this. Also just want to point out, the General Assembly had passed this before under the previous Governor, that Governor vetoed it, and we did not override that veto then either. I would occur -- strongly suggest a -- a No on this motion. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any further discussion? Senator Rezin, to close?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2026 pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. 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 27 Ayes, 23 Nays, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 2026, having -- the -- the motion -- the -- having not received the required three-fifths majority, is declared failed. Politico seeks permission to take photos. Seeing no objection, permission is granted. To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advise and Consent. Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz moves the Senate to resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointment Message {sic} just read. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate resolves into Executive Session. Mr. Secretary, on page 3 of the regular Calendar appears the Order of Executive Appointments. Please read Appointment Message 1010044.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 58 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010046.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read the Appointment Message 1010057.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010062.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, does the -- does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made? 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 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010063.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made? 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 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010064.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, does the Senate advise 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 and consent to the nomination just made? 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 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010065.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made? 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010066.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010067.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, does the Senate advise 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 and consent to the nomination just made? 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 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read the Appointment Message 1010068.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made? 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 57 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010070.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made? 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Senator Muñoz.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate arise {sic} from Executive Session. We will turn to page 2 of the printed Calendar. On the Calendar is the Order of Resolution. This is final action. Senate Resolution 728. Senator Hutchinson. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hutchinson, on your resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. We wanted to designate 2019 as "The Year of Chicago Theatre". It's been an historic year through the -- through the theatre community across the State and its impact on the entire State. It's important to acknowledge that this was designated by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and many other civic, arts, and theatre leaders in 2018. The citywide, yearlong focus on theatres is the first of its kind in the U.S. and has included theatre performances including improv, dance, opera, puppetry, and more and special events for the public at hundreds of cultural venues, theaters, parks, and neighborhood locations throughout the City. One thing that the arts does is unify everybody and I'm absolutely proud to carry this resolution to make 2019 the year of the theatre in Chicago.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall the Senate Joint -- Senate Resolution 728 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 15. Senator Hastings. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hastings, on your resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution designates November 1st, 2019 as "Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day". In the 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 late fifties and sixties, we engaged in conflict in South Vietnam and North Vietnam. Over fifty-eight thousand members of the United States Armed Forces would end up losing their lives and more than three hundred thousand were wounded. Three thousand Illinoisans were at least killed or listed -- listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War. And returning home, those that served in Vietnam were met with a vigorous public debate about the involvement in the war, and when they returned war, they were not -- returned home from war, they were not given the credit and support they deserved for dutifully serving their country and they were met with vigorous protests and condemnations and they were - - the recipients of widespread insults. Members of the Korean War and World War II and World War I were greeted with parades. The men and women of Vietnam War were not. And the reason why we bring this resolution is to bring recognition to those Vietnam veterans who served, those who lost their lives, and those that are missing in action. And I ask for an Aye vote on this, Mr. President, and for a point of personal privilege following the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate -- House Joint Resolution 15 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Hastings.

Thank you, Mr. President. My point of personal privilege is to thank Representative Murphy. Representative Murphy and I met on a -- a - I don't know how you would explain it - a weird date, I would say. But through our experience together, Representative Murphy and I have become great friends. I've enjoyed the pancakes 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 at Charlie Parker's. But the main thing is, is that I've had the opportunity to meet some of Representative Murphy's constituents - that being Sergeant Vincent Speranza. I introduced Sergeant Speranza earlier today as "Curse and traverse" Speranza, but following his military service, he was very disappointed at the fact that when he saw soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines returning home from Vietnam, they didn't get the recognition that he -- that they deserved and that he received. So he made it his personal mission to make it "Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day" in one state and he would hope that this recognition spread across the entire country, in which I believe it will. Sergeant Speranza wanted to leave the Chamber with one last piece of his thoughts when he was in the Eagle's Nest at -- at Adolf Hitler's Eagle's Nest. He saw a map. It was a three-foot by five-foot map on the wall and it was a map of the world and it was divided into three colors - red, green and brown. And those colors designated what the world would like after Italy, Japan, and Germany were done conquering its enemies. And it serves as a reminder that we should always remain vigilant, we should always -- we should always respect our men and women of our Armed Services, and that we should continue to fight for the freedoms that we enjoy here in our great State and our country. And for that, I want to rise one more time and give him a round of applause for all the work that he's done in efforts for our veterans. Thank you very much.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Lightford in the Chair.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. President seeks to suspend the rules for the immediate consideration of Resolution 754. Mr. Secretary. All those in favor, say Aye. All those opposed, say Nay. The Ayes have it. The resolution is -- motion is adopted. Mr. Secretary, please read Resolution 754.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. President, on the resolution, please.

I'd like to read a transcript of a Senate debate on January 12th, 2009. The occasion was Senator Hutchinson being welcomed to the Senate Floor for her first day and she rises to give her first Floor remarks. The first speaker is the President of the Senate, Senator E. Jones. He says, "Yes, thank you," - I can do an impersonation of him - "Mr. President. I'd like the Body to give a warm welcome to the newest Senator, replacing our Majority Leader, and that's none other than Toi Hutchinson from the 40th Senatorial District. Toi Hutchinson." The next speaker is the Presiding Officer at the time, Senator DeLeo. "Senator Toi Hutchinson, welcome. Welcome, our newest Member of the Illinois Senate. Congratulations. The Chair will now recognize Senator Hutchinson." The next speaker is Senator Hutchinson. "Thank you. I'm honored to be here and I'm just looking forward to serving with and learning from all of you. Thank you." The next speaker is Senator DeLeo. "Thank you. Congratulations. You learn fast. 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 Very short. Very good. Very good." So, at twenty-three words and under ten seconds, it is by far the shortest Floor speech she will ever give for the rest of her career. Okay. There's -- last night, if you were at the mansion, there was a fantastic tribute. Senator -- it was just fantastic. It was a huge crowd, and if you were there, I hope -- hope you enjoyed it. So -- and -- and I can go on and on about how much I love Toi. So I'm just going to -- make one comment about a -- a compliment for her. I end up getting to go to meet other Senate Presidents a few times a year and most of those Senate Presidents are familiar with NCSL. And so, therefore, they know Toi Hutchinson. And to a person, they always come up to me and say, "oh, my God, what a rock star" - is the word that everybody uses - your Senate -- Senator is, Toi Hutchinson. So it's -- it's a national tribute to her and we are so lucky to have her here in our midst. So I'm going to stop and I'm going to wait for the rest of you for rebuttal. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Madam President. To the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Senator Hutchinson, it has been an honor to serve with you. You've accomplished so much in the short amount of time that you were here. I remember when you were here before as a Senator and then you became a Senator. You've done your district proud. You made us all proud when you went national and became the President of NCSL. Thank you. We were really proud of you when we saw you 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 at NCSL. I -- I know I was. The only thing I can say is your going from the third floor to the second floor - God bless you. You and your family, I wish you all the best. And if -- I probably won't be talking to you about marijuana, but I'm sure I can come and see you to say hi. Thank you. God bless you, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

So, many of you don't know that Toi and I's districts border each other's and when Toi gets up to speak she says that she's PJ's, Cam's, and Ryan's mom, and I'm the husband {sic} of Paul, and it's always hard going after her when she starts off like that. But, Toi, you've taught me how to step, you taught me how to drink, and you -- you taught me a lot about the Southland that I didn't know. And when you talk about the Southland, there's always going to be one legislator the Southland will always remember for the contributions that you made to our area and -- and you're always going to be remembered for who you are and what you did. You're a trailblazer. You're a master negotiator, which was evidenced by last -- last cycle, and you're a champion of the suburbs. And I wanted to leave you with something that I read the other day. "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside (of) you." And what you're going to do in the future is truly extraordinary and I look forward to 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 watching. Thank you so much for being a big sister and I look forward to seeing you at Redwood's later on this week. God bless you. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

Every once in a while when we're down here, my wife will watch our proceedings, and every time she happens to see Toi Hutchinson speak, she inevitably says to me, "Why can't you speak like that?" "Well, because I'm not Toi Hutchinson." But certainly you have always captured the -- really the heart and soul of what we have been debating and I just -- I -- I love that about you. But I have to say that the high point of my year was seeing you and Dolly Parton on stage together. You are a rock star.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thanks -- thank you, Senator. Senator Morrison, for what purpose do you rise? To the resolution, Senator.

There once was a lady named Toi To work with her has been a true joy She taught me, "be strong" And then to "get along" And those were my lessons from Toi 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 So this Senator namely {sic} Toi The Governor wants to employ She'll lead and advise Be thoughtful and wise And that is our wonderful Toi But she's worried we girls might fight So she's willed me her office outright As you empty your desk soon so bare Just leave those Louis Louboutin's under your chair Wish you every success, Toi. We'll miss you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Holmes, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

Toi, it has been such a pleasure to serve with you and I just want to say we've -- we've certainly had some moments. Anybody who has ever {sic} had the occasion to travel with Toi is in for an experience. I will say, on one of our trips, I'm very happy that I was the one person who decided to stay back and lay by the pool while you guys all went off to the mud bath. I'll let you explain that one at some point. Other than that, I just want to say I'm going to miss you. You are the only person in the General Assembly that makes my shoes look sensible and low-heeled. I -- I will miss seeing yours. But best of luck to you and I know we'll 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 be seeing you all the time. Love you, dear.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Collins, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

Toi, it has been my honor and privilege to serve with you in the Illinois General Assembly. As a colleague, I am very proud of your achievement because I know it is the result of your diligence, dedication, and hard work. As you look into the future, there is no doubt in my mind and heart that your life will be filled with many more successes. I will miss your warm hugs and kisses, your mother wit, your sparkle and your sass, but more importantly, your brilliance -- brilliance and spirited debate in defense of the frail and the forgotten. God's best and love.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator McGuire, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McGUIRE: To the resolution. Senator Hutchinson…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator. SENATOR McGUIRE: 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 Excuse me. Senator Hutchinson, my neighbor in the back row, neighbor in Will County, we've heard you say that "we campaign in poetry, but govern in prose", but I don't think that's true for you. As has been mentioned, your powerful, emotional, eloquent - - eloquent speeches on this Floor show not only that, like me, you were an English major, but that you do govern in prose. And I specifically remember, on March 1st, 2017, the day the dream of the "grand bargain" died, that evening we gathered in Senator Mulroe's office, women with their shoes off, guys with their ties loosened, boxes of pizza - it being Senator Mulroe's office, bottles of Miller Lite - and amid the -- the dismay, the anger, amid the tears, amid the curses, you began to sing "We Shall Overcome". So, as the song says, Toi, from the bottom of my heart, "I do believe" your work will have enduring benefits for the people of Illinois. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Belt, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Resolution, Senator.

To Senator Hutchinson, we -- we didn't have much time together and so I will stress quality over -- over quantity, but what I can say about you, you're authentic, you're genuine, and you don't do anything halfway. Right? And so we -- we -- we all know that you are a wonderful, wonderful speaker, but the -- the two attributes I love most about you, you're passionate - and passion is that 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 fire that burns inward. It's -- it's something that you would do just -- if you didn't get paid for it. You have a passion for what you do. The other thing that you have is compassion. Compassion is that fire that burns outwardly towards other people - and that's so evident in what you do. God bless you. Continue to win. And in the words of -- at Illinois State, I would say, "yoski". All right. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Sims, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

You know, I -- I thought this would be a little easier, but it's not. Toi, we are going to miss you tremendously. I remember from the very earliest times when I was running for office the conversations that you and I would have about the issues that we wanted to -- to take on and the -- the impact we wanted to make. And when I first got elected to the House, we continued on that journey, our districts being neighboring districts in the southern part of the district that I represent have -- sharing counties with you, and we'd be in -- in these events, and as -- as already been mentioned, you have this calm about you. And when things are going on around and the chaos is going on, you've got this -- this inner strength that -- that I -- that I appreciate. I came to not only appreciate that strength, but I came to -- to look forward to it when things got tough and when -- when we got challenged -- 38  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 when things got challenging and all the chaos was going on - that -- that calm, that strength. We are going to miss you tremendously. I know that you and I have shared many moments of brevity -- of -- many moments of levity, where we have had conversations that are not for public consumption. They were moments where you would also -- often start that -- start that moment and say, "I can't say this to anybody else right now", and it -- it -- it meant so much to me that we shared that relationship, that we shared those moments of honesty. I -- I've known you to be empathetic. I've known you to be principled. I've known you to be dedicated. You're going to take that to the -- to the second floor. The Governor is getting - and I know he -- he understands that, which is why he made the appointment - he's getting someone who is all of the things who've -- that's been said on this Floor and more, someone who is willing to give their all to making sure that the best product is put forward on behalf of the least of these. Because oftentimes folks forget about those who don't have a voice, but you have never done that, and you have been very -- you have been steadfast in your desire to make sure that everyone does not forgot that those who do not have a voice are represented when we walk in these -- when we walk into this room, in this august Chamber. I appreciate all that you have accomplished - that list is very long - but I also remember the love you have for this institution. I do remember when I came to this Chamber and, you know, I -- everyone was saying, "oh," you know, "he's back", as a -- as a -- after being staff and he was a -- as a Rep, and you and another Member -- former Member of this Chamber went to great lengths to show me that I was still a freshman. But I'm still -- still smarter than Emil. But I -- I appreciate the love 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 that you have for this institution and for the people that you represent. Again, we are -- we -- we love you. We are -- we are going to miss you being in this Chamber, having your -- your -- your -- your passion, having your knowledge, having your empathy for people, but we know that your spirit will continue to -- to - - to -- to permeate all that we do in this Chamber, because your -- your legacy will live on. Thank you so much for being a part of all of our lives and making this institution stronger.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Bush, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

So, I want to thank you for being a leader who understands what it means to share leadership, to mentor others, and to when other people think they might have misspoke, done something that they weren't really proud of, you didn't tell people -- didn't tell me that I was wrong. You don't do that to people. And you have taught me to be a better mentor to others and it's something that I will take from my time with you. I know everyone has talked about what an eloquent speaker you are. I mean, there's no doubt. And I just can't do a poem like Senator Morrison. I feel so ill- prepared. I wasn't going to absolutely follow her. But I really want you to hear that. You don't judge other people. You don't. You help other people see their own power, their own goodness, and you support them. It's something we don't always see in places 40  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 like this. And my promise to you is, I'm going to do my best to learn from that, to learn what you taught me, and to help mentor other people to know that none of us are perfect here, sometimes we make mistakes, sometimes we don't do things right, sometimes we wish we had a do-over button. That doesn't matter, really doesn't; matters how we move forward. It matters that we learn and that we keep learning - and that's what you taught me. I really mean it. I love you, Toi. You're a beautiful human being. You are so smart. And you know what I want to say to you, but I can't on the Senate Floor. But I'm so glad as you are getting out that you are going to a place where I know I'll still be able to see you. So proud of you. So proud to have served with you. All the best, my friend. I love you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Van Pelt, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Resolution, Senator.

Well, I just couldn't sit here and not say anything about Toi. I mean, she is dynamic. I really appreciate being able to serve with you and hear you speak. It's meant so much to me. It has set me on fire in my own heart many times when I feel like, you know, we're fighting against -- we're fighting a never-ending battle and we can never really get there. But hearing you speak, it's been such an inspiration to me. And everything that everyone's said here has been on point. Ditto - I can just say 41  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 ditto. I'm not going to take a lot of time, but I just know that what we see in you right now is a small glimmer of what actually exists in you, and what we've enjoyed, so many others will enjoy as you continue to go up, up, up, up, up, and I'm going to be down here cheerleading for you all the way. All right. God bless you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

Toi Hutchinson, I just have so much to say about you. You started talking and saying and calling me "soror sister", "sister soror", and that's what we AKAs and the -- the -- the girls and the guys of the Greek field do as we recognize one another. But, you know, I -- I always look forward to seeing you come on the Floor. You always had a smile on your face. You were always glowing all the time, you know, other than the days you were not feeling well. And so when I saw you glow, although I may not have felt well that day, it made me feel good, you know. And I've always recognized you as a natural-born leader, you know. And every time I turned around, I said, "Now, I wonder what has Toi got to say about this", 'cause she always has an opinion about something, and then next thing you know, you have a different spin on something. I'd say, "Oh, okay, I didn't think about it that way", you know. And so that's where that natural-born leadership comes from, because you're looking at everything from all -- all 42  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 types of angles, you know. And I -- I do remember, and I'm sure you do too, I said something to you and you were taken aback when I said it and then I said, "Toi, I'm only saying this to you because I love you", and you thought I was trying to be harmful or mean-spirted, but it wasn't that and we both realized it wasn't. But, you know, sometimes we have to pull each other up when we feel as though we need to be pulled up. And I've always seen you as -- as one of my little sisters and I still do that as -- as well, and so I'm really -- I'm sorry to see you leave this Chamber, but I'm really, really excited about your -- your next step in your career, because I know that you are going to do well in that position. And -- and I look forward to you breaking through that glass ceiling, because -- because you've -- you've -- you've broke through it somewhat, but you haven't gone all the way up yet, and so I -- I -- I look forward to doing that and -- and I'd like to encourage you to keep moving forward. Okay? Thank you. Good luck and God bless you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Manar, for what purpose do you rise?

To speak to the resolution, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

I rise today with a bit of a heavy heart. Toi, I'm not sure if you remember, but we met a few steps away, in the back hallway, many years ago. We were both staffers. I was working for President Jones at the time as his budget director. You were working for 43  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 Leader Halvorson. And I recall you coming around the corner, out of Debbie's office, and think I was headed to the Floor and I remember you told me that you were on a mission that day to -- to introduce yourself to me for something that Debbie needed in her district. And I recall that moment as being introduced to someone that I didn't know; that I walked away from that very brief conversation understanding that that individual was one of the most unique, kind, energetic people that I had ever met. And if -- I think if someone had pulled us aside that day and said, hey, Andy, Toi, years later, years from now we would be doing this, I think we both would've said that's complete nonsense, that would never happen, but life doesn't work that way. But I think of you today and all that you've accomplished in this Chamber and what you have still yet to accomplish as evidence of good things that have happened and good things that are yet to come. I -- we have a running joke. We have this running joke and I'm -- I'm going to -- I feel compelled to say it today. My mother's favorite Senator is not her son. My daughter's favorite Senator is not her father. And my wife's favorite Senator is not her husband. Those three individuals look up to you so much. They ask about you all the time. They listen to you on this Floor. Abbie takes a picture with you when -- when she is here. That is indicative of the type of person that -- that you are, not just to your colleagues, but to people in this Chamber, their families, and around the State. I feel compelled to thank you for a few things today, knowing that this isn't goodbye. You have so many good things yet to accomplish, especially in the role that the Governor has -- has asked you to take on, a very important role for the State. But I want to thank you for helping me through my first campaign. You 44  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 -- you literally drug me through Decatur and Springfield and showed me how to be better, not just at campaigning, but, later, how to be a better representative of people that -- that send you to this place. You had experienced that yourself and you translated that to me in -- in my first campaign that I just -- I frankly wasn't prepared for. I want to thank you for acknowledging that this job is hard. I -- I can't recall how many times in private conversations where we would reach a moment in the conversation and you would just blurt out, "this job is hard", and I think that's one of your greatest strengths, is your -- your ability to convey emotion in order to show the human side of who we are to make us better at what we do. You do that so well. And acknowledging that this isn't easy and we all have flaws and we bring those things to this Chamber hoping to better the world around us is something that you have done better than almost anyone I've ever seen out on this Senate Floor - and I've been out here a very long time - and that should be acknowledged today. I want to thank you for helping the Legislative Branch of government through the budget impasse. So much work was done behind the scenes that will never be written about, that -- that individuals will never know about, to get us through that long three years, and you were in the middle of every single conversation and it was your work that helped the Legislative Branch of government get through that awful time in our State's history, and it wouldn't have happened the way that it did and had the outcome the way that it happened without your work, and that should be said today. And finally, I want to thank you for being a role model to my daughter. When I think of my daughter, I think of -- of what could become. She's fourteen years old, and for her to see women in the roles 45  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 that they play in this place firsthand, not just her father, but -- but women in those roles, is meaningful beyond words. And the ability for you to convey that to young women is remarkable and that's going to change things beyond anything that we could ever realize today, and I look at that through the eyes of my fourteen- year-old daughter and I want to thank you for being a role model for her. And -- and finally, I want to thank you for being true to who you are. You are no different today than the day that we met in the back hallway. You are no different and that's special - that's special - in this environment. Of all the things that - - that come at us as elected officials, that is a special trait that -- that you hold and you are no different today than the day that we met. And I want to end by saying thank you for your friendship. I know this is not goodbye. Kind of feels like it - I know it's not. And I wish you the best of luck in the future.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank -- thank you, Senator. Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution.

Can we take this -- can we take this resolution back? I just don't think she should leave. I mean, Toi, do you really want to leave after all of this? We don't want you to leave - period. But let me just say this in all seriousness, I -- I thank you. Thank you for being such a powerful woman. I think many of us continue to always learn from the powerful women. You have been 46  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 such a great inspiration to so many of us at so many different levels. The fact that the Governor snatched you from us, I don't know if we're going to forgive the Governor for that, but the good thing about it, you're going to be around, and that's the important thing. We're going to continue to work. There couldn't be a better person to head this endeavor that we -- you know, that we put into law and that we know is going to be good for the State of Illinois. I know you're going to do an awesome -- awesome job, because you are that rock star. You leave a -- such a hole in the -- in -- here in the Senate. During the budget process, I don't know what we're going to do without you, during this next budget process, which they say is going to be harder than this year. But, you know, the Revenue Committee I don't think will ever be the same with the kind of leadership that you had there. And I know that -- I think we're going to all feel your loss during this next budget next year. So I know that you're probably going to be tapped by many of us and we're -- we're not going to let you do your job -- your new job. But know that in our hearts, you are someone that is going to leave -- that leaves something so special here. Just a good thing is that you're not going to go and you're going to be working with us, you know, here in the State Capitol and in the State of Illinois. So I wish you all the very best, my sister, 'cause you are a rock star and we love you very much. Your compassion, the way you speak, the way you look at us, the way you smile at us, you know, it is something that I think many of us will always hold here, real deep in our heart, because you were - - you've been such a great asset here in the Senate. And working with you these years -- all these years has really been a learning experience, but more a true solidarity when it comes to issues 47  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 that really matter to all of us, and especially to us, the women. Thank you. Thank you so much. Te amore! I love you, girl! Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Madam President. To the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Resolution, Senator.

Thank you. Toi, I rise today, too, just to thank you for being you, for being the person that you are that you show to us, that you allow the rest of us to be real and show you who we are. It's uncanny and it's rare to find someone that genuine, particularly in this cycle and -- and in this situation that we have here. I wonder how many people -- if you really know how many people's lives you've impacted and changed, how many people you've mentored directly and indirectly, how many people have been impacted by your words. Because unlike many, your words are followed by action and your actions cause people to open their minds to perhaps rethink an idea, to have another approach to a situation, and you just are the epitome of that. Of course, those words are eloquent and we've never had to expect anything less than that from you. But not only do you do your job, but then you do more and you do it in stilettos. So we thank you for all that you've done. I'm going to miss you. Our office suite is going to miss you, 'cause who else would've brought the three-tiered pediform platform to our office complex. I wish you all the best. I thank you for the path that you have done here, to the trail 48  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 that you are leaving for all the women to come behind you. I wish you all the best. Godspeed.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution, Madam President.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

Before I was elected, I had a preconceived notion of what a Senator was and it was born of what I'd seen growing up. My Senator was Phil Rock. Not everyone here knows him. His picture hangs on the wall in the President's Gallery. And Phil was the Senator from central casting. He was a big man with a -- a square jaw and big beefy hands that would envelop you and these reading glasses he could use as a weapon, but the highest praise I'd ever heard lauded on him was, "when Phil spoke on the Senate Floor, you could hear a pin drop", and he had this unparalleled command of the Chamber and an ability to influence debate with a Floor speech. And in my time in Springfield, there is no one who has had that sort of power on this Senate Floor more so than Toi Hutchinson. The power and the poetry and the passion of your Floor speeches and your work here day in and day out is the epitome of what a Senator is, and I think central casting now has a new wardrobe, and I can't tell you, Senator, how important that is, as many have said, for our daughters and for our constituents to see a Senator who looks a little different than Phil Rock. But once a Senator always a Senator. You have been my partner on some great 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 adventures and I hope we have a few more of those down the road, but when I think of a Senator, I think of Toi Hutchinson. God bless you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Steans, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the resolution, Senator.

Robert Louis Stevenson once said, "A friend is a gift you give yourself", and Toi has been such a gift - I think to all of us in this Chamber as we're hearing it. I've gone through a lot of -- spent a lot of time in the trenches with Toi from the "grand bargain" days, where, gosh, I can't even -- remember possibly the hours that we spent trying to see whether we could do something to break the -- the budget impasse, to more -- more recently along with - I think we have Jehan and -- Gordon-Booth and Kelly Cassidy in the Chamber as well - what we've just done on the cannabis, a two-year-long project, trying to see whether we could bring a whole new industry to fruition in a way here in the State of Illinois. And what I've learned in watching Toi, and how you do this is truly just the pinnacle of what it means to be a legislator in so many different ways, she's brought a sense of values always on what it is you're trying to accomplish. And while compromise is the nature of being a legislator, you can't compromise on what your values are and knowing what it is you're trying to achieve, and Toi is somebody who always makes sure that we're keeping that front and center in our minds. What's your end goal? What is it we need to 50  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 get to? And that you can't compromise. A lot of stuff you can, but you can't fundamentally on what we're trying to achieve here and we saw that long and strong and hard in both going through the budget impasse as well as on the cannabis and what we needed to achieve in social equity. We knew we wanted to be the model on that and Toi was never going to let us waver from that for one minute. Then her intellect and sort of creativity and how she can help forge within that set of, you know, knowing what it is you need to achieve, how you actually are going to get to that compromise. It's not easy. There's so many times along the cannabis way -- I remember being up in Jehan Gordon-Booth's office thinking that, literally, okay, I think -- I think we're just done; I don't think we're going to actually make this happen. That happened a couple times during that bill. And Toi seriously would come up with a new way of thinking about something in that instant that would bring back hope to the room. I mean, it's just who she is and how she thinks. Always that mind is churning on how are we going to problem solve on this. And then, her -- just her effervescent personality on bringing people together. You want to get it done for Toi - you just do. I mean, I think all of us in this Chamber have had that sense when you don't want to let her down - so someway you're going to stick it out and you're going to get it done 'cause you can't let Toi down. That's a very unusual set of skills to bring -- embody in -- in one -- one person. And, you know, I -- I'm an identical twin and my twin sister and I grew up - you know, cribs right next to each other - with our own little language. It took us awhile till we starting speaking English. And, you know, our husbands to this day are like -- you know, 'cause we -- we didn't have to explain ourselves to each other; we 51  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 just got each other. And it does -- makes it also hard for me, something I've learned, how to share of myself and who I am. And Toi's one of those people you just sort of watch and learn. Sharing of yourself is a powerful thing. She shares of herself to all of us and really has taught us, each I think, how to do a little bit more of that, which really it does help people come together in a very unique and powerful way. She's been a true gift to me and I really think she has to every single person in this room. And I'm glad you're going to continue to be a gift to all of us here. I'm -- I'm going to so miss you in this role, Toi. It's not going to be the same.

President Cullerton in the Chair. The Chair recognizes Senator Lightford, and we'll put the timer on. All right, while she is contemplating her remarks, Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise?

To the resolution, Mr. President.

Resolution.

This is a bittersweet moment for me, Senator Hutchinson. We started this journey together. I can remember the first day I met you - January 9, 2009. I finally met the person that got here two weeks before me. It wasn't until the next day when we picked offices did I realize I was the lowest person on the totem pole and got that little five by seven office on the first floor. But from day one, you and I connected. And I'll never forget on our way to the President's fundraiser, we sat in that car on Lake Shore 52  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 Drive, heading north to the Cubs game, and we bonded. Shortly after that, we became roommates and you begged me every week to cook. What people don't know, Senator Hutchinson is also a good cook herself. But getting to -- living with you, I was able to get to know you on a personal level and you really became a big sister to me. Often, you know, Toi would do these big speeches; she would practice the night before and we would sit at that kitchen table and you would go over your speeches. So I kind of had an idea what you would say the next day. But I just can't believe you're leaving me. You have been a great friend, a great mentor. To see how this whole Chamber is going to miss you, we have uplifted you. I look forward to the many days to come. This is definitely not the end. So good luck in your endeavors. Wish you the best. And I truly, truly love you. Thank you.

Senator Lightford, for what purpose do you rise?

To speak to the resolution, Mr. President.

To the resolution.

Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I promise I'll be brief. I spoke last night about Senator Hutchinson, but I know her and I know I needed to be on the record for her today. Yeah, she'll probably take it and blow it up and frame it, and then there will be no account of my love for her in this Body. And so, last night I did a good job on kind of bringing the whole experience together in a short period of time and I won't say anything I said last night. What I'll say on today -- what 53  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 I'll say on today is that you made me a better person, because I knew you were watching, and I've never been the little sister - although I am the little sister in my family, but I've never been treated as such - and to have an opportunity to just instill everything that I had experienced in you so that you wouldn't have to just made me a better person. And so a lot of the times that we talked about being wives and being mothers, it's so different, and being a young black woman in the public's eye and what that looks like and the perceptions. I think you have outshined every inclination of what it should be. Your district, the 40th Senate District, is losing a tremendous public servant. And I know you've had the heart for your community, and not just your community in Cook County, you were always concerned about Kankakee County and Will County, and Pembroke, and communities that needed your presence, but I think you blew us all away when you arrived in the Senate and then the next weekend you were goating cows or milking goats. Yeah. I knew then we had nothing in common - other than those other things. I also knew that you were so jovial. It's not times that I've seen you so down that you couldn't find something good in it in some way. That also helped me to be a better person. There's people around this Chamber for years that saw me, never acknowledged me, never spoke, no credit to me, but you even changed that dynamic, because in many settings you would tell them about me, and you didn't have to do that - and I thank you. I thank you for letting me be your mentor and I thank you for outshining me after just ten years here. I've seen a lot of legislators come and go in my twenty-one years - and this is John's closing - they leave in different ways, but for you to leave going to manage an industry that we've created here is the absolute best 54  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 way to move on, because everything that you've learned here, every -- every opportunity, every meeting, every behind the scenes that Andy and Heather's talking about - every time I look up, you three are in a meeting somewhere, not getting credit for the leadership that all three of you display - but you are going to utilize all of that and go shake these departments up like never before, and that's important, because a lot of work we do, the implementation never follows through. And I feel good in knowing that you will be in that position to make sure that happens. So, from my heart and my family -- you're my family. I love your children and I know you love mine. And we affectionately acknowledge each other as sisters and -- and our kids' aunties, and I'm so glad we're at that place. So we'll continue to do what we know how to do and in the best pair of heels that we have, and I'm glad yours are now red bottoms, and I'll just be here to still be that supportive system. Whenever you need me, I'm still available to you, always. I love you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Hunter in the Chair. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 754 pass. All those in favor, say Aye. And those in opposition, say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution has been adopted. Senator Hutchinson, what purpose do you rise?

So…

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) Proceed with your point.

Thank -- thank you. Thank you. I don't know if I can do this in twenty-three seconds, John. I will say, I remember the 55  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 first day I walked on this Floor, and I remember what the ceiling looked like and I remember what the light looked like and I remember when they showed me how to vote and where my name was going to be on that board. And I remember thinking that this was -- I didn't understand how anybody could be cynical about this, that we're in the stream of history that people will look back and say, "look at what we said and why we said it and what we talked about" and that I'd be a part of that, and I was so humbled by that. I'll never forget the first day that I walked on this Floor. And I walked in here this week and I thought about my last Revenue Committee hearing and all the way up to the last Pledge of Allegiance on the Floor here today and how much of my life has changed because I know you and because this institution is worth fighting for. It's why I wanted to do the -- the National Conference of State Legislatures, because it really was about strengthening the institution of the Legislature, an Article I branch, a branch that is -- is contemplated, as our dear friend Senator Haine would say, before the Executive Branch. We are the first branch. We are -- we are the ones that are closest to the people. We make laws. I had the opportunity to go speak at the 400th Anniversary of the First Legislative Session in Jamestown, Virginia. They asked me to come because I was President of NCSL, and forty-eight hours after I said I was going to come, Trump said he was going to come, and that set off a Democratic boycott and some really messy politics on the ground, and I remember being really worried, like, should I go or should I not go; if I go, do I hurt the Democrats, do I hurt the Black Caucus in Virginia; if I don't go, do I hurt NCSL, 'cause I'm not just president of the Democrats, I'm also president of all the Republicans, and this is 56  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 supposed to be about all the -- all the Legislatures across the country. And then I was like, well, nobody's going to be here for the 500th Anniversary of the First Legislative -- so I'm going to go, because just me wouldn't have been contemplated four hundred years ago, much less standing there to be president of all fifty Legislatures, so I went. And I really thought about how important the institution of the Legislature is and what it means to serve in a Body like this. And I talked about what legacy is. And everybody in this room knows it. I just did a resolution for theatre in Chicago and everybody in here knows my favorite thing is Hamilton. I can put a Hamilton reference in almost anything. But one of the things that I love, one of the lines I love the most in that play is that "legacy", our "planting seeds in a garden you may never get to see". That's what all of us do here. It's our legacy - so guard it well. Guard it well. I love you guys more than I can say. Thank you.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) Mr. Secretary, Message from the House 1 {sic}.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) 57  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019 House Bills 1st Reading.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) Message from the House.

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) On the Order of Resolutions is House (Joint) Resolution 89. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution. 58  STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/30/2019

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Lightford moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of House Resolution 89 -- Joint Resolution 89. Those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules have been suspended. Senator Lightford moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 89. All in favor, say Aye. The Nay -- opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolutions on the Consent Calendar?

PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? If not, the question -- the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. And the resolutions are adopted. There being no further business to come before the Senate, pursuant to House Joint Resolution 89, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on the 19th day of November 12th -- the 12th day of 2019 {sic}, or until the call of the Senate President. The Senate stands adjourned. 59