PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The regular Session of the 101st General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members be at their desks? Will our guests in the gallery please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Keith Thomas, from Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, in Champaign. Pastor Thomas.
(Prayer by Pastor Keith Thomas)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Bennett, please lead us in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Bennett)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Lisa Yuscius from Blueroomstream seeks leave to photograph and videotape the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of March 4th, 2020.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 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 CUNNINGHAM) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020
Senate Resolution 1072, offered by Senator Sims and all Members. It is a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Resolution Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Bennett, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, reports Senate Bills 2285, 3232, 3438, and 3448 Do Pass; and Senate Bill 2932 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Bush, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Conservation, reports Senate Bills 3421 and 3441 Do Pass; Senate Bill 3291 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 60 Be Adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary… Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we will soon be moving to Senate Bills on 2nd Reading. Ask all Senators within the sound of my voice to come to the Floor. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The members of the Committee on Assignments will come to the President's Anteroom immediately. Senator Martinez in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MARTINEZ) Leader Cunningham back in the Chair. Leader Cunningham back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 Senator Cunningham, (Vice) Chairperson of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Commerce and Economic Development Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3078; refer to Criminal Law Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3476; refer to Education Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1369; refer to Executive Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3152; refer to Human Services Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3333, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3638, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2396; refer to Judiciary Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2489, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2539, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3150, Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3150, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3351, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3353, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3374, and Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill -- 3036; refer to Public Health Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3184; refer to State Government Committee - Committee Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 3098; refer to Telecommunications and Information Technology Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3518. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (d), the following bill will be re-referred from the Transportation Committee to the Committee on Assignments: Senate Bill 2305. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (b-1), the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments: Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3437. And pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (c-1), the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments: Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Resolution 1024, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2561, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3448. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, (Vice) Chairperson. Senator Cunningham, (Vice) Chairperson of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Senate Bill 2305. Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, (Vice) Chairperson. And Senator Cunningham, (Vice) Chairperson of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2305. Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, (Vice) Chairperson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we will now be moving to Senate Bills on 2nd Reading. We are going to start on page 3. Right in the middle of the page, Senator Morrison has Senate Bill 2457. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary.
Senate Bill 2457. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Insurance adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Next, we have Senate Bill 2495. Senator Cullerton. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020
Senate Bill 2495. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) With leave of the Body, we'll move down -- sorry. Let's move that last bill to 3rd Reading, please, Mr. Secretary. Now with leave of the Body, we will move to Senate Bill 2510. Senator Rezin. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2510. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2548. Senator Glowiak Hilton. We're now moving to the top of page 4, where Senator Fine has Senate Bill 2561. Senator Fine. Senator Fine. Next, we have Senate Bill 2768. Senator Ellman. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2768. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2769. Senator McClure, on… With 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 leave of the Body, we will move to Senate Bill 2794. Senator Martwick, on Senate Bill 2794. With leave of the Body, we will move to Senate Bill 2800. Senator Bertino-Tarrant, on Senate Bill 2800. Senator Bertino-Tarrant? She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2800. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2925. Senator Schimpf. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2925. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we will move down to Senate Bill 2968. Senator Peters, on Senate Bill 2968. Next, we have Senate Bill 2973. Senator Holmes, on Senate Bill 2973. Senator Holmes. Senate Bill 2994. Senator Harris. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2994. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Next, on the bottom of page 4, we have Senate Bill 2999. Senator Castro. Senator Castro, on Senate Bill 2999. We'll now move to page 5. With leave of the Body, we'll go to the bill listed second from the top. It's Senator Morrison's Senate Bill 3012. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3012. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we will move to Senate Bill 3061. Senator Hastings has Senate Bill 3061. Senator Hastings. Next, we have Senate Bill 3107. Senator Hunter, on Senate Bill 3107. With leave of the Body, we will move to Senate Bill 3110. Senator Hunter, on Senate Bill 3110. Mr. Secretary, Senator -- Hunter indicates she wishes to proceed on Senate Bill 3110. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3110. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we're now going to move back to Senate Bill 3107. Senator Hunter indicates she wishes to 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3107. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Public Health adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Oh, pardon me. Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Back on the order, we will go to Senate Bill 3114. Senator Peters. Senate Bill 3114. With leave of the Body, we'll move down to the middle of the page, where Senator McGuire has Senate Bill 3182. Senator McGuire, on Senate Bill 3182. With leave of the Body, we will move to Senate Bill 3214. Senator Belt. Senate Bill 3214. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3214. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3216. Senator Castro, on Senate Bill 3216. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 Senate Bill 3216. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Next, we have Senate Bill 3222. Senator Bennett, on Senate Bill 3222. With leave of the Body, we'll move down to Senate Bill 3315. Senator Martinez, on Senate Bill 3315. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3315. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to move ahead to page 6. At the top of page 6, Senator Martwick has Senate Bill 3333. Senator Martwick, on Senate Bill 3333. Next up, Senator Martwick has Senate Bill 3334. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 33… Senate Bill 3334. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Revenue adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Next, we have Senate Bill 3344. Senator Crowe, on Senate Bill 3344. Senator Crowe. Senate Bill 3346. Senator Muñoz, on Senate Bill 3346. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3346. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3348. Senator Sims, on Senate Bill 3348. Next, we have Senate Bill 3408. Senator Bush has Senate Bill 3408. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3408. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on State Government adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3416. Senator Castro, on Senate 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 Bill 3416. Senator Castro. Senator Van Pelt has Senate Bill 3418 next in the order. Senator Van Pelt. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3418. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Next, we're going to skip to Senate Bill 3426. Senator Bush has Senate Bill 3426. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 3426. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we'll skip down a couple bills to Senate Bill 3452. Senator Weaver, on Senate Bill 3452. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3452. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3454. Senator Martwick, on Senate 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 Bill 3454. Next, we have Senate Bill 3459. Senator Joyce, on Senate Bill 3459. Senator Joyce. With leave of the Body, we will skip to Senate Bill 3478. Senator Weaver, on Senate Bill 3478. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3478. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. At the bottom of page 6, Senator Cullerton has Senate Bill 3515. Senator Cullerton, on Senate Bill 3515. Moving now to the top of page 7. Senator Belt has Senate Bill 3522. Senator Belt. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3522. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Next, we have Senator Feigenholtz, who has Senate Bill 3526. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3526. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3527. Senator Feigenholtz indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3527. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3528. Senator Feigenholtz. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3528. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senator Manar, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) State your point.
I would like to ask my colleagues to -- to pause for a moment so that -- so that we can recognize the work of Becky Locker, as this is her last official Session day, Mr. President, as our 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 Appropriations Director. I would tell you - I think I can say this on the Senate Floor - that when I was -- years ago, when Becky was hired and I was the Budget Director here at the Senate for our caucus, the staff knew I got down to business when I started to call them by their initials of their first and their last name. So you may not know that Becky's maiden name was Souther. So her name was Becky Souther. So her first and last initials didn't work very well when she was hired, but I used them anyway. I would tell you that Becky came into the Senate from, I would say, an untraditional path. I remember Linda Hawker handing me her resume that came from Rosa Orama and Linda impressed upon the management at the time how impressive this young woman was. And she was hired to start appropriation work. This is how good she was. This is how good Becky was at her job. There were moments in time when she would come into my office exhausted from the work here, where she would literally say to me, "I don't know if I can keep doing this." And as a young staffer, it's a little overwhelming. You -- you go through these -- these phases of starts and stops, and the good staffers pause and ask themselves the questions whether or not they can -- they can survive here. Many don't. Most don't, frankly. Many spend years here perfecting their craft, and then there's a few that keep going, like Becky Locker, who truly perfect the difficult work of -- of the Senate. And she did it while getting married and having two kids along the way. So, Becky, the Pritzker administration's gain is our loss as an institution. Your work is unprecedented as a young woman in the State Senate, working your way through the hierarchy here on our staff. And I know that I appreciate your work. But I would just end by telling you this: I am so proud of you. I am so proud of you and the work that you 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 have done. And I feel so privileged to watch you and have watched you grow over the years, starting at the first day you walked into the Stratton Building to start analyzing your first budget. Congratulations to you on a job well done. I am so proud of you and I wish you the best in your next step in life.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
On a point of personal privilege, if I might, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) State your point.
Thank you. I would also like to address Becky's departure from the Senate. And I -- I think we have, to some extent, started a new trend of bipartisan recognition of staff, regardless of what side of the aisle they come from, and that is nothing but a good thing. The hardest -- one of the hardest things about this job is to see good people go. The only good news that I took from Becky's telling me a couple days ago that she was going to be leaving the Senate was that she is staying in the building. We never like to see capable, diligent, talented people leave the circles in which we are working. But we are blessed that you are just going to the next cut; you're not going too far that -- public service, Becky, needs people like you and, specifically, this building needs people who are -- are -- are cognizant of the fact that they have to represent the people for whom they work or the caucus that they represent but appreciate the balance of the openness that is necessary in order to achieve that which is sometimes difficult to achieve, and you have struck that balance perfectly. So, Becky, 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 thank you for your service to the Senate. And thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Steans, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
On a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) State your point.
I -- okay, I -- I'm going to apologize. I already hear myself, cracking in my voice. I apologize, but this is a tough one for me. Becky -- you know, when I started being Approp Chair, Becky was there, already working. And I just have learned so much from you, Becky. Just your intellect, your sheer knowledge of what's going on in the budget. I think your calm demeanor. I don't think I've ever seen you get upset. Your creative problem- solving, you know, and your ability to generate trust from everybody who -- who sort of interacts with you around what we're trying to do in the budget and you really enabled us to get to a lot more good creative problem-solving because of all those skills you brought to the table, Becky. You're going to be a huge loss to this institution, but I'm very glad you're not far away. You better stay in touch with all of us here, and I know we will be as we talk about our capital projects as well. Sorry for that. So I'm going to keep it short because otherwise I'm going to have more challenges in keeping myself together. I'm really going to miss you, Becky. You've been a huge, huge source of support and just really knowledge for me here in the Senate. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) State your point.
Thank you. Becky, I was really surprised the other day we were in caucus and President Harmon mentioned that you had -- you were leaving. And I said, "Well, where are you going?" You said, "Over to IDOT." And I am really going to miss you, because Becky can tell you, a thought will come to my mind on a weekend, it could be on a Saturday afternoon, a Saturday night, Sundays, I can call Becky. And I know she's probably saying, "Here she go again. Here she go again." But she never said that or she never sounded as if she wasn't very happy that I'm calling her on weekends, you know. And -- but she always took my question, she gave me the answers, and she always indicated that she would follow up with me the next day or she'll have someone else to follow up on the next day. And so I remember when I got here. You -- you've moved up consistently on a regular basis and that shows your professionalism and that you are a very quick learner and you learn quickly on a regular basis. So I'm going to miss you, Becky. I wish you well, but I will never take your phone number out of my book. Thank you very much and I wish you well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Sims, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 State your point.
Becky, thank you so much for the work that you've done, the example you've been for our caucus, for making sure that we are able to put -- put forth a professional budget that is done in the spirit of excellence on behalf of the people of Illinois. I think it's important for all of us to look in the back of the room at the young people who are standing there supporting Becky as she - - as she moves on. This is what we intend for all of our staffs on both sides of the aisle, for them to be developed and then to -- to perfect their craft and then go on into bigger and better things. So, Becky, I am so -- so -- so pleased and proud to have worked with you. Having been an Appropriations Director, I -- I know how difficult the days are. I -- I know, I looked in your face, as we did the last budget -- as you had your final budget night here, and I know the challenges that you experienced during that time and the -- all of the challenges that you -- you -- you -- you -- you go through as you put that -- that -- that proposal -- as you go through that proposal and put that package together that the Members are going to -- to go through. So I just want you to know how much that we appreciate you, and I think it's a testament to the work that you do and the staff that you have put -- put forth that you see the positive words coming from both sides of the aisle to talk about you and all of the great things you've done. So thank you. Again, I -- I -- I echo the sentiments that the administration's gain is our loss, but I know you're not very far away. So thank you so much for being who you've been.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Gillespie, for what purpose do you seek recognition? 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020
Becky, I just want to say, as a -- as a freshman, one of the things that I would often get asked back home is what was one of things that was most surprising to me coming here. And the first answer I always give is, I was so excited to see the level of support we got in these roles coming in new. And you've been a prime example of that. Before inauguration, you were willing to take meetings with me, to help explain things. You never, in any way, acted like it was a waste of your time or an infringement, and it made it so much easier to transition to this role. In the Governor's Office, I have no doubt you're going to be working with some people that are going to be new to government and I know that they're going to have a terrific mentor in you being there. Thanks so much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bush, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you very much, Mr. President. So, as someone who was not the head of an Appropriations Committee, I -- I'd just really like to thank you for everything you've done for all of us, and your amazing, uncanny ability to remember everything. And I'm going to bring something up that happened lately that I was truly stunned. So I have a project in my district that, frankly, didn't get funded, and, you know, and I was in the President's Office recently, our past President, and Becky was in the office and I said, "Yeah, so, you know, this didn't get funded." Explained it. And he looked at me and he asked me some questions about it - and these are conversations I'd had prior - and Becky looked up and said, "It's the first project Senator Bush asked for when she got 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 here, and she's asked about it several times." I was -- with all the details she remembers and has to deal with, all the numbers, all the figures, which is just so impressive to all of us, that you remembered a project that I questioned about in my district just really speaks to the level of detail and how much you cared about each and every one of us and making sure that we were taken care of. I just wish you the best. I'm thrilled that you're going to be at IDOT, 'cause I have a project I'd like to talk to you about. But, anyway, just all the best to you. We will miss you. It's part of life to say goodbye to amazing things. So, anyway, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Belt, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) State your point.
To Becky: Being a freshman, trying to get caught up to capacity on just capital bill and this budget, I would often reach out to my predecessor, James Clayborne, and say, "James, what did you do", or "How did you go about doing this during the last capital bill", or "What projects did you -- did you, you know, identify?" And he would say, "Oh, it's easy, just reach out and ask Becky." And so I would ask Becky. And so when -- whenever bumps came up having to do with the budget or -- or anything like that, I would reach out to James and James would say, "Oh, don't worry about it, just ask Becky." And so I would -- find myself often asking Becky and Becky would always come through. I remember 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 one night in particular I sent her an email, had to be like 1 o'clock in the morning, and at 1:05 came a response, and I'm like, "Wow", you know. So Becky I just want to thank you. You -- you -- you helped me gain some valuable insight and knowledge through this whole budgetary process. And, again, you did it with the calm and the cool, as cool as the other side of the pillow, and I thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Our last speaker is President Harmon. President Harmon, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) State your point.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Perhaps the most important, albeit inconvenient, thing we do is to allow and encourage our best and brightest talents to move on to new and bigger challenges. And while I don't have the same depth of experience with Becky as Senator Steans and Senator Manar, it is clear to all of us that you are among our best and brightest. And for all of us, you have been an invaluable asset as we have tried to navigate the budget process. The Senate has a proud tradition of promoting its alumni into other roles in government and I am very pleased that you have chosen to continue your public service at IDOT. You are a credit to the Senate and will always be a part of the Senate family. I also personally want to thank you for your -- your generosity and your graciousness in our recent transition. I am sorry to see you go, but I am thrilled for your 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 new opportunities. And, again, you will always be part of the Senate family. Thank you so much for everything you've done.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 120. (Secretary begins to read HJR No. 120)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Sims, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) State your point.
Mr. President, on March 2nd, 2020, we were saddened to learn the -- the passing of former Chief Justice Charles E. Freeman, born on December 12th, 1933 in Richmond, Virginia. The descendants of formerly enslaved people, Mr. -- Mr. -- Chief Justice Freeman's family adopted the -- the surname "Freeman" as an ode to their newly found status and freedom from enslavement. A long-time resident of the City of Chicago, Chief Justice Freeman earned his Bachelor's {sic} (Bachelor) of Arts degree from the -- from Virginia Union University in 1954 and his Juris Doctor from the John Marshall Law School in 1962. Chief Justice Freeman had a 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 long and distinguished professional and public career, where he served as an assistant attorney general, an assistant state's attorney, and an attorney for the Board of Election Commissioners. He was appointed as an arbitrator to the Illinois Industrial Commission in January of 1965 and served in that capacity until - - September 1973, where in -- in September of 1973 until December of 1976, he served as a commissioner on the Illinois Commerce Commission, having been appointed by former Governor Otto Kerner and confirmed by the Illinois Senate. Justice Freeman engaged in the general practice of law from 1962 to -- through September of 1976, when he was elected to the circuit -- Illinois circuit court. He served there for ten years on the Cook County circuit -- on the -- Cook County circuit court, and while a circuit court judge, he became the first African American to swear in a mayor of the City of Chicago, his good friend Harold Washington. In 1986, Justice Freeman was elected to the appellate -- to the Illinois appellate court, where he served as a presiding judge of the 3rd Division and a member of the 1st District Executive Committee. On November 6, 1990, in a 1st Judicial District election to fill the Illinois Supreme Court vacancy of Seymour Simon, Justice Freeman defeated Robert Chapman Buckley and won election to the Illinois Supreme Court, the first African American to serve on the court. On May 12th, 1997, he received the honor of being selected by his fellow justices to serve as chief justice, also becoming the first African American to serve in that position, where he served until January 1st, 2000. On June 14th, 2018, the fifth longest-serving justice in Illinois Supreme Court -- Court history, at twenty-seven years, six months, retired, bringing a close to a distinguished legal and public service career spanning more than five decades. Chief 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 Justice Freeman was walking black history. And it's ironic that we would lose this giant of the legal community at the end of -- of -- at the end of -- after the close of Black History Month, but it's further evidence that black history is not confined to February, but it occurs throughout the year and -- because African American history is inextricably weaved into the fabric of Illinois and American history. On a personal note, after winning the primary to -- going to the Illinois House, I was tapped to fill the unexpired term of my predecessor. I reached out to Justice Freeman at that time, who was a long-time family friend, and asked him, would he do me the honor of swearing me in. At that time, he only had three questions - When? Where? And how long? He never wavered. He never asked any questions. He was -- he was always there to make sure that that process went off. He opened up the Illinois Supreme Court to my family to make sure that we could -- we could -- they could be there to share that day with me. In his -- in his statement during that day, he said, "It's important for us to savor moments." I've -- I always appreciated that. I always appreciated his commitment to a spirit of excellence. I always committed -- appreciated his commitment to public service. I always appreciated his commitment to the law. So, rest well, Justice Freeman. Your impact is immeasurable and your legacy is one where you blazed trails for those who cannot speak for themselves while giving a voice to the downtrodden and marginalized of our communities. Mr. President, I know that others would like to speak, but, at the appropriate time, I would ask that we -- the Senate all rise and engage in a moment to silence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you seek recognition? 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020
Personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Please state your point.
On a personal note, I'd like to just share that I was a youth growing up in public housing in Chicago. I -- I started -- I got involved in politics when I was fifteen years old, and we called him "Charlie" Freeman. Okay? And I didn't know nothing about politics. I -- I, you know, emptied the garbage. My friends called me a gopher at that time. But they don't do it now because, you know, I've risen high above them. But, anyway, Justice Freeman came out of the 3rd Ward, politically, and I got a chance to meet him. Didn't have a whole lot of time to -- to talk to him, but I just saw him move around. Everyone knew him. Everyone had a lot of respect for him. And I believe that he received if not all of his political training, then most of his political training and community service from the 3rd Ward. And I'm just happy to -- to -- to have -- to have had the opportunity to rub elbows with him and come from the same political organization that he came from. He will be greatly missed. I've learned a lot from Judge Freeman and I'll never forget him. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) President Harmon, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Please state your point.
25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020 I recently had the -- the privilege of a tour of the Supreme Court and met with a couple Supreme Court justices, and I was particularly struck by the unsolicited esteem in which they held Justice Freeman and the genuine affection they had for him. He left a lasting legacy on that court and certainly in the community, and it's a shame that it's only in a moment of passing that we tally up all of the incredible accomplishments. I did not know Justice Freeman well. I've been friends with his son Kevin since our law school days. But I think our children are certainly a testament to who we are, and by that measure alone, Justice Freeman was a success. So I wanted to rise to recognize his career and also, on behalf of the Senate, to extend condolences to his family and to his friends. He will be missed, but he was and will always be a giant.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Sims has requested a moment of silence in memory of Justice Freeman. Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for a moment of silence. (Moment of silence observed) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 120. (Secretary reads HJR No. 120) Adopted by the House, March 4th, 2020. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 3/5/2020
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution 120. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 120, offered by Senator Collins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Collins moves to suspend all rules for the immediate consideration of House Joint Resolution 120. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Collins moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 120. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With the leave of the Body, all those resolutions will -- resolutions read today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. There being no further -- there being no further business to come before the Senate, pursuant to House Joint Resolution 120, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 4 p.m. on the 18th day of March 2020, or until the call of the Senate President. The Senate stands adjourned. 27