The regular Session of the 101st General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by the Reverend Jeremy Wood of Salem United Church of Christ in Alhambra, Illinois.
(Prayer by the Reverend Jeremy Wood)
Thank you, Reverend. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Bennett, will you lead us?
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Bennett)
Quincy Media and Blueroomstream.com request permission to videotape and photograph the proceedings. Seeing no objection, permission is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of February 5th, 6th, 11th, and 14th, 2020.
Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1029, offered by Senator Barickman and all Members. Senate Resolution 1030 through 1033, offered by Senator Anderson and all Members. And Senate Resolution 1034, offered by Senator Brady and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
Resolutions Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
I have a Committee Report Correction. On February 14th, 2020, the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments omitted Appointment Message 1010080 from its report to the Senate. Appointment Message 1010080 is reported to the Senate with a recommendation of Do Recommend Advise and Consent.
Mr. Secretary, Appointment Messages.
Appointment Message 1010486 Governor's salaried appointment To be Inspector General of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Patrick Conlon Appointment Message 1010487 Governor's salaried appointment To be the Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Anthony Vaughn 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020
Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
Please state your point.
Thank you. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I'm honored today to have some special guests up in the gallery. We have with us some dynamic women that are advocating for the music therapist's license. They're from D.C.; they're from Florida; they're from Illinois. So please join me in welcoming the Illinois -- excuse me, Illinois Association for Music Therapists {sic} (Therapy). And would you please rise? And can we give them a warm welcome?
Will our guests please rise to be welcomed to the Illinois State Senate? Senator Barickman, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
Please state your point.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce to you my guest for the day, Brianna Croft. Brianna is a junior at Normal West High School. She is the daughter of Eric and Angie Croft and -- and is actually joined today by her father, who is in the gallery above the President's podium here. I'd ask you to welcome Brianna to the Illinois Senate. Thank you. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020
Brianna, welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. First chance I've had a -- a chance to say that to you in this form. I have a point of personal privilege.
Please state your point.
One of our own Senators is celebrating a birthday today, my seatmate, Don DeWitte. Senator Don DeWitte is having a birthday, so let's help him celebrate with a warm welcome of birthday wishes.
Happy birthday, Senator. Senator Martinez in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
For a point of personal privilege, if I might, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Can we please have everyone's attention? That's always in order, Senator Righter. Please go ahead.
Thank you very much, Madam President. I would like to announce the birthday of one of our colleagues. The lovely and talented Senator Paul Schimpf's birthday is today. Rumor has it that there is a pool on how old he is. I would know nothing about that because that would be illegal gambling, but rumor has it that 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 there is a pool out there about how old Senator Schimpf is, and I will tell you that thirty-nine has already been taken. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Happy birthday, Senator. Senator Martwick, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I rise on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your business, Senator.
Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, if I could have your attention for a quick moment, I'd like you to join me in welcoming a special guest to the Floor. I'm joined by a very good, dear personal friend of mine, who is a Cook County commissioner. He was recently elected, last cycle, and he set a number of records, not the least of which is he's the youngest person ever to serve as a Cook County commissioner and the first openly LGBT candidate to be elected to the county board. He's here advocating on behalf of a number of issues, including the -- the -- the wonderful Brookfield Zoo. He's my dear friend. Would you please give him a warm welcome? Commissioner Kevin Morrison.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Welcome to the State Senate. 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. SENATOR MUÑOZ: 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 Thank you, Madam…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator, can you hold on one second? Can we please have it quiet here in the Chamber, please? We're going to the order of business. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the appointments set forth in Appointment Messages 29, 30, 31, 37, 60, 74, 75 of the 101st General Assembly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointment manage -- Messages just read. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. Mr. Secretary, on page 2 of the regular Calendar appears the Order of Executive Appointments, please read Appointment Message 1010029.
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Department of Central Management Services, Janel Forde.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Madam President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just -- 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. A majority of the Senate -- with -- with 50 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present, a majority of the Senate {sic} (Senators) elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010030.
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Erin Guthrie.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Madam President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, we have 53 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010031.
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Alicia -- Alicia Tate-Nadeau.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Madam President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall -- shall -- all those voting {sic} will vote Aye. Voting Nay. The now -- the -- voting Nay. The -- is now open. All voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, we have 53 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to this nomination. Mr. Secretary, read Appointment Message 1010037.
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Department of Revenue, David Harris.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Madam President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 -- all those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, we have 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to this nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010060.
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of Real Estate with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Mario Treto Jr.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Madam President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Is there any discussion? 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 now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, we have 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010074.
9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following nonsalaried appointment: To be the Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Will County, Colleen Wengler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Madam President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 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 now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1010075.
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Secretary of Innovation and Technology, Ron Guerrier.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Madam President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 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 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen. I move that the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 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 has arisen from Executive Session. Senator Lightford, for what purpose do you -- rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your business, Leader.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, if I could please just have your attention…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator, hold on. Can we please have it quiet in the Chamber for a few minutes? Thank you. Leader Lightford.
11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 Thank you, Madam President. Really quick, guys. Just wanted you to know that today is the birthday of a fine gentleman standing to my left, Senator Tony Muñoz. If you all can join me in wishing him a happy birthday. And there's cake in the office, so please come by and have some birthday cake with Senator Muñoz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Happy birthday, Senator Muñoz. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are going to the Order of 3rd Reading, final action. Ladies and Gentlemen, …your Calendar to page 2. Senate Bill 2541. Senator Steans. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2541. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator Steans.
Thank you -- thank you. Yes, so this bill is an initiative of the Department of Human Services.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Can -- can we -- Ladies and Gentlemen, this is final action. Please, please, hold it down while get this bill presented and passed. Senator Steans.
Yes, this bill's an initiative of the Department of Human Services to bring us into compliance with the Ligas federal Consent Decree. It provides a .26, or twenty-six-cent, hour wage increase for direct care personnel in ICF/DDs, or the intermediate care facility {sic} (facilities) for developmentally disabled 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 individuals, and the medically complex facilities for developmental disabled, or the MC/DDs. We had had some discussion in committee about when this twenty-six percent {sic} increase would be applied. It's not going to be applied before the regionalization factor happens, but after. So every single facility will see the full twenty-six-cent increase. I would urge your Aye vote. It does not require increased appropriation authority. We already have the appropriation authority needed and the revenue needed to cover this twenty-six-cent increase. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you rise?
To -- Madam President, to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) To the bill.
I just wanted to take a second, tell our side as well, to thank the Senator for her leadership on this. This is an important piece that will deal with this consent decree. And in negotiating the rates, it helped make that uniform throughout the whole State. So thank you for that. I'm sure we'll be back with added pressure because of the minimum wage increases. So this is something that we'll be seeing again for the next couple years, but at least this gets us by for this year. And I want to thank you and urge our Members to support this as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Any further discussion? Senator Steans, to close. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020
Just urge your support. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2541 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Members voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2541, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome Leader Brady to the podium to introduce a special guest {sic} that's here visiting us today. Leader Brady.
Ladies and -- Ladies and Gentlemen of the Illinois Senate, let me have your attention. Today I'm proud to welcome the Williamsville High School Football Class 3A Champions to the Illinois Senate. This team, led by Head Coach Aaron Kunz, demonstrated how hard work, perseverance, and dedication can overcome any obstacle. Down ten points in the Class 3A title game to Byron, Williamsville never gave up, and they knew they could still win. They started their comeback when quarterback Conor McCormick hit wide receiver Brendon Bishop in stride for a score with three minutes and thirty seconds left, cutting the Byron lead back to three. This play, and the steadfast leadership of their coach, set the stage for the comeback that won Williamsville a State championship. As Coach Kunz said after the game, "There were plenty of times we could have folded. But like I've said all year, this is a relentless group. They never quit tonight." You must be Republicans. On behalf of the Illinois Senate, I want to 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 congratulate each Williamsville -- each Williamsville player, the Bullets, on your amazing achievement. Please join me on congratulating them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Senator McGuire, for what purpose you seek recognition? SENATOR McGUIRE: Thank you, Madam President. I inadvertently hit No on Appointment Message 1010031 and I ask that the record reflect me as voting Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) I'm sorry, I cannot hear you. Hold on. Please, everyone, keep it down so we can hear what Senator McGuire has to say. Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: Thank you, Madam President. I inadvertently voted No on Appointment Message 1010031 and I ask that the record reflect my voting Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) The record will reflect that. Thank you very much. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you rise?
For the purpose of an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Please state your announcement.
The Senate Democrats will caucus for approximately one hour in the -- in the Senate President's Office, immediately following adjournment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you very much, Madam President. The Senate Republicans would like to announce a caucus with the Senate Democrats at the same time.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Thank you for that, Senator. As you heard, both Senate {sic} and Democrat will go to caucus for one hour. Please go to the caucuses immediately. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 11:30 a.m. on the 19th day of February 2020. The Senate stands adjourned.
Pursuant to the directive of the Senate President, the regular Session of the Senate is now in perfunctory Session. Communication from the President. Letter dated February 18th, 2020. Dear Mr. Secretary - Pursuant to Rule 2-10, I am scheduling a perfunctory Session to convene on… I'm sorry. Excuse -- excuse me. Pursuant to Rule 2-10, I am scheduling a perfunctory Session to convene on Tuesday, February 18th, 2020. Sincerely, Don Harmon, Senate President. Resolutions. Senate Resolutions 1035 through 1037, offered by Senator Anderson and all Members. They are all death resolutions and will be referred to the Consent Calendar. Committee Reports. Senator Van Pelt, Chairperson of the Committee on Public 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 78th Legislative Day 2/18/2020 Health, reports Senate Bill 3109 Do Pass; and Senate Resolution 988 Be Adopted. Senator Crowe, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Bills 2471 and 2559 Do Pass. Senator McGuire, Chairperson of the Committee on Higher Education, reports Senate Bills 2937 and 3069 Do Pass. Senator Morrison, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports Senate Bills 2760, 2996, 3096, and 3113 Do Pass. Senator Villivalam, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Bills 2304, 2497, 2518, 2963 Do Pass; Senate Bill 2303 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 52 Be Adopted. Senator Sims, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Bill 2496 Do Pass. There being no further business to come before this perfunctory Session, the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, at 11:30 a.m., or until the call of the Senate President. Senate stands adjourned. 17