PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The regular Session of the 102nd General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members be at their desks? In place of our invocation, the Senate will observe a moment of silence in respect for all those lost during the pandemic. (Moment of silence observed) Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Johnson, can you please lead us.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Johnson)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Lizzie Seals -- or Seils from Gray TV seeks leave to video today's proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Also, Caroline Kubzansky/WBEZ seeks leave to photograph the proceedings and James Carder from Blueroomstream seeks leave to video today's proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, March 9th, 2022.
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 transcripts.
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 objections, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 Senator Hastings, Chair of the Committee on Energy and Public Utilities, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2940 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Hastings, Chair of the Committee on Energy and Public Utilities, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2940 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 5093, offered by Senator Cunningham. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The Committee on Assignments will meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. The Committee on Assignments please assemble in the President’s Anteroom. …Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Cunningham, (Vice) Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bill 2803. Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, (Vice) Chair. Senator Cunningham, (Vice) Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2803. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, (Vice) Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
The Senate will caucus -- the Senate Dems will caucus in the President's Office for one hour. Correction, for thirty minutes. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition? SENATOR McCLURE: Mr. -- Mr. President, the Senate Republicans will caucus for thirty minutes in Leader McConchie's Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Both the Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats will now meet for a thirty-minute caucus. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The Senate will come to order. The Committee on Assignments will meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. The Committee on Assignments will meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. (at ease) The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Cunningham, (Vice) Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment No. 2 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 to Senate Bill 2803. Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, (Vice) Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're about to go to Senate Bills on 3rd Reading. Please all Senators within the sound of my voice come to the Floor for final action. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're on Senate Bills 3rd Reading. On page 2 of your printed Calendar, at the very bottom of that page, where Senator Koehler brings Senate Bill 2940. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Senator Koehler seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2940 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2940. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Koehler, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to adopt the amendment. I'll talk about it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Rezin, do you wish to speak to the amendment or to the bill? Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 2940. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2940. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the Senate, this bill, as amended, limits the rebate to motorcycles to fifteen hundred dollars. It expands the entire electric vehicle rebate statewide and -- rather than just covered areas. And it limits applicability to highway-legal motorcycles; therefore, no scooters, mopeds, or ATVs. This is a trailer bill to the -- to CEJA. We -- we admitted to A.B.A.T.E. and the motorcycle riders of the State that we forgot to include motorcycles in it. This fixes it. It's a good bipartisan bill, and I'd be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support, as well, of this bill. This is, as we passed a very large negotiate -- or 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 negotiated energy bill last year. Sometimes we forget things. This is one of those issues. And we're happy to standup in support of this bill for our friends at A.B.A.T.E. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Seeing no further discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2940 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 47 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2940, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Mr. Secretary, Senate Bills 1st Reading.
Senate Bill 4195, offered by Senator Syverson. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading -- 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To fill {sic} our responsibility under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advise and Consent. Senator Murphy.
I move that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on Appointments set forth in Appointment Message 049, 51, 59, and 63 of the 102nd General Assembly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointment Messages just read. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. And the Senate is 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 resolved into Executive Session. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020049.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, Janel Forde.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
…President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate 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 44 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 3 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020051.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Theresa Eagleson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate 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 39 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 3 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020059.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, John Rogner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Inquiry of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) She indicates she will yield.
Senator Murphy, thank you for this Appointment. Yesterday in 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 committee, when this Appointment appeared, we had some conversation, you probably recall, about some additional Appointments. And just for a clarification purpose, for everyone that serves hard and works hard on the Executive Appointments Committee, the Governor is quoted yesterday as saying, in regards to the Prisoner Review Board Appointees, "…because they don't get taken up by the Committee that's supposed to take those [appointments] up. So, you know, we're at the whim of the Senate and their decision about whether to take up and when to take up proposed members." That's a direct quote about the Prisoner Review members we -- we talked about. Can you clarify, for the Body that those appointees were withdrawn so the Committee had no opportunity to act on the Prisoner Review Board Appointees, yesterday?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Plummer, those appointments are not before us right now but I would offer Senator Murphy a chance to respond, if she wishes.
…President, thank you. Thank you for the question. I'm happy to respond at the appropriate question -- or time. But we are on Appointment Message 1020059. This is the Illinois Department of Natural Resources; it has nothing to do with those comments. But perhaps we'll have an opportunity at the end to address it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Seeing no further discussion, the question is, does the Senate content -- does the Senate consent with 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 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 46 Senators voting Yes, 1 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020063.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, John Kim.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question -- the question is, does the Senate 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 48 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Senator Murphy.
…President, begging your indulgent {sic}, I'd like the Chamber to know that the Senate position is to Advise and Consent. Whenever a nominee is brought forth, the Executive Committee on that - Executive Appointments Committee takes up any person that is brought before our Committee. And we take them up according to the Senate Rules that require confirmation within sixty days, sixty 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 session days. The Governor has the right to withdraw an appointment and reappoint them. The Senate follows those Rules intentfully and consistently. That being said, I move that the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy 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. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been printed and distributed. On that Supplemental Calendar you will see Senate Bill 20-0… 2803 from President Harmon. There has been a change of sponsorship from President Harmon to Senator Holmes. Senator Holmes indicates she wishes to proceed on Senate Bill 2803. Senator Holmes or Mr. President, please read the bill. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Holmes seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2803 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2803. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes.
Yes. I would ask that the amendment be adopted. I'll explain it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes, on Floor Amendment No. 2.
Thank you. It's a technical amendment. I will explain it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 2803. Senator Holmes, indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2803. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. Senate Bill 2803, as amended, would appropriate two billion in ARPA funds for the 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to help cover the 4.5-billion- dollar deficit. Talks are ongoing amongst the agreed bill group which is representatives from both business and labor to come up with a situation to address this. This is just sending forth a vehicle so we're going to be able to do that without running into any deadline dates. I'd appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Stoller, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) She indicates she will yield. Senator Stoller.
Yeah -- uh – Senator, I know – um -- this bill appropriates two billion dollars to the -- the deficit we have with our unemployment trust fund. We currently have a four-and-a-half- billion-dollar loan to the federal government. So, my question to you is, what's the rest of your plan to fix this problem?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes.
That is exactly why the agreed bill process is ongoing with discussions. We are meeting at least twice a week to figure out how we're going to handle the rest of the deficit.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Stoller.
So, you don't have a plan and there's a confidential meeting 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 this afternoon where there's an agreed bill process. Yet, we're introducing this bill in the middle of that. For what purpose are you introducing this bill, at this time, when there's an ongoing confidential discussion going on to solve this problem?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes.
…keep -- to keep all of the options on the table while we continue to meet. And those meetings, like I said, are at least twice a week. They are with the agreed bill group which is representatives from the labor community and representatives from the business community. We want to make sure that we keep our options on the table.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Stoller.
To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
We have a four-and-a-half-billion-dollar loan to the federal government we're paying millions of dollars of interest on that loan, right now, that other states are not doing. The reason they're not paying interest on their loans is because thirty-one other states have used ARPA money to solve the entirety of their unemployment trust fund deficits. In addition, if we don't pay that back - these funds – a – FUTA penalty kicks in on the federal side. As all too common in this State, we overspend, we delay, and then we increase taxes. In this case, taxes on employers. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 I'd like to remind everyone that employers did not create this problem. Employers are not the reason that we had a shutdown. They were forced to shut down. They were forced to -- close their doors. Many of them are still closed. This problem was not their fault. There were many victims as the result of the COVID crisis and employers were one of them. If we put this on the backs of employers, like I believe this is suggested that we are doing, right here by short changing what we could be putting in to the trust fund from our ARPA funds. We're short changing by only doing the two billion and if we put this on the backs of our -- of our employers it begs the question, how much do we hate jobs in this State? Thirty-one other states solved this in its entirety using ARPA funds. We're in the middle of an agreed bill process that is supposed to be confidential and we -- I suggest we let that process play out. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Question for the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) She indicates she will yield. Senator Rezin.
Sure. Senator Holmes, can you tell me why, if this is just a bill, a vehicle bill, to - while negotiations continue between labor and the businesses - if this is just a bill, why is there a two-billion-dollar figure and substantive language contained within this appropriations bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 Senator Holmes.
This is just a number. This is not going to be the final number. This is so the groups can continue to meet. We want to have this in place so that we can meet certain deadlines. And we want to make sure before we adjourn in April that we have this all in the table in the works so we continue with our budgeting process.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Rezin.
Thank you. So, the agreed bill process, for those of you who maybe are new -- new to the Senate, is a negotiation together with groups between really the unions and the businesses. And I've sat on this working group for well over, well, twelve years now. And usually the process is, you know, a negotiated process that when there is a bill or an agreement by both sides then the bill is brought to this Chamber to be voted on. Senator Holmes, can you tell me why you feel that on March 10th that we are seeing a bill with substantive language with a two-billion-dollar figure in the bill, how that won't be used to influence negotiations between these two groups?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes.
This money that we're talking about came from the federal government. There are certain restrictions on that money and they're certain deadlines. So, in order for us to leave all of our options on the table so that business and labor can negotiate, 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 we need to pass this before the April 1st deadline.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Rezin.
Thank you for that. Again, just to reiterate where we are in terms of the numbers so - to put that two-billion-dollar number into perspective for many of our colleagues here on the Floor - currently, it is agreed upon that we have a 4.5-billion-dollar deficit in the trust fund. And, as a result of the pandemic, no fault to anyone in here, we know that we've had record high unemployment to the likes that we've never seen, many of us, in twenty plus years. Typically, in a normal year, pre-pandemic, with normal unemployment, we have an additional two billion dollars sitting in the account that's being used to pay for benefits. So, if you add those two numbers up to get us back to where we were pre-pandemic, potentially we're talking about 6.5 billion dollars with a b. Now, again, I know that because of potentially some constraints that we have with the federal government, we still have time to sit and negotiate with or allow the negotiations to continue through the agreed bill process. I do believe, by putting a marker in there stating that two billion dollars is going to be used for -- to help replenish a very massive deficit that that somehow is a marker or is influencing the process. Senator Holmes, did a meeting occur between the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and the Governor where there was an agreement on a -- on two billion dollars of federal money to be used for -- to help to begin to replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which is four and a half billion dollars in the deficit - I would say -- I would argue six and a half billion dollars is what we 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 would need to get us back to pre-pandemic level.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes.
Yes. While I appreciate people coming up with their ideas on how this should be addressed, as the agreed bill process goes, it is going to be people that are expected to be and are in that meeting. Conversations are ongoing, we are meeting twice a week, the agreed bill process has leaders in the business community, as well as leaders in the labor community we are continuing to work on this process. Had we not put the two billion dollars in we could have passed this quite simply as a shell bill and I think you would have objected to that even more strenuously. So, please, let's leave this option open so we can continue to address this problem.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Rezin.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
Thank you. And thank you, Senator. I mean -- and I appreciate your work too. I mean, we sit on the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Working Group - been there for quite a while, as you have as well. So, I appreciate that. But this is the first time that we've seen a bill with substantive language and a number actually in that bill trying to be passed on the Senate Floor before we even have an agreement between both parties. For the Members of 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 the Senate, there are thirty-one states who have used their ARPA funds, the federal funds, there – again, everybody's in this situation. I'm not saying that we’re unlike any other states. Our State happens to have a very large deficit, because we have very high unemployment and a huge amount or a very large population. But thirty-one states did use their ARPA funds, just for context here, as the negotiations continue, they -- they used their ARPA funds or their federal funds to remove their deficit, meaning they wiped out their deficit. And because they did, with that one-time federal dollars, they were able to replenish their Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund immediately, where many of these states already have surpluses sitting in their Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund as we speak. So, as we talk about how do we move forward in the negotiations as we continue to negotiate? It is important to note that the number that was put into this bill -- and I trust, again, trust the sponsor, my colleague, that your intent is for a placeholder as those speedbumps come up here in a couple months. But that two billion dollars, my friends in the Senate, is no way near the amount of money that we need in order to replenish the fund and continue to increase the fund so there's benefits there to be paid out. So, what's our options? Maybe borrowing, borrowing comes at an interest rate, right? Somebody has to pay that so we have to be very conscious of what tools we have before us and make sure that we don't pass the burden on many of the small businesses who are the people are paying the FUTA tax. And we've done and we've heard calculations. I'm not getting into details because our negotiations our ongoing. But I am comfortable enough to say that this two billion dollars that's in this legislation is nowhere near the amount of money that we need 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 -- to replenish this fund. So again, thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Seeing no further discussion, Senator Holmes, to close.
Just ask for an Aye vote. And I appreciate my colleague speaking up on this and I think the labor and business groups will be hard at work trying to resolve this problem. Thank you. I appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2803 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 33 Senators voting Yes, 15 voting No, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2803, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition? Leave of the Body, we're going to go to page 6 of your printed Calendar under Secretary's Desk Resolutions -- where Senator Doris Turner brings Senate Resolution 812. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 812, offered by Senator Doris Turner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Turner.
Thank you. Senate Resolution 812 commemorates March 2022 as Kidney Disease Awareness Month and March 10th, 2022, as Kidney Day in Illinois in order to increase education and awareness around kidney health. Chronic kidney disease is defined by a progressive, 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 gradual loss of kidney function, which results in a decrease in the ability of the kidneys to remove waste from the body. Without diagnosis and treatment to slow its progression, chronic kidney disease can progress to end-stage renal failure, which is fatal unless the patient receives dialysis or a kidney transplant. It is estimated that thirty-seven million adults in the United States have chronic kidney disease and, of those, approximately ninety percent remain undiagnosed. That's why this resolution is extremely important, because regular screening and early detection can prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure, and it is essential to raise awareness of kidney disease and the importance of prevention and early detection.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is… Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 812 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next on the Calendar we have Senate Resolution 834 from Senator Pacione-Zayas. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 834, offered by Senator Pacione-Zayas.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Pacione-Zayas.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 834 is essentially a resolution to lift up the substantive information in Senate Bill 3990, which encourages school counselors to promote careers in technical education as one of the pathways in their post-secondary trajectory. I urge an Aye vote. 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 834 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next on -- with leave of the Body, we will move to Senate Joint Resolutions. Senator Bennett brings Senate Joint Resolution 44. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read that resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 44, offered by Senator Bennett.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bennett.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Joint Resolution 44 declares the first full week of March 2022 as "Illinois Soil Health Week" and Wednesday, that being yesterday, the "Illinois Soil Health Day". We hosted a soil health summit yesterday, where a bi- partisan group of legislators and officials talked about different ways to make sure we were conserving our soil health. Now most of you drive through several hours of farm fields on the way to the Capitol every day. On your way home this week, I hope you take the time to think about it and think about all the work that goes into those fields feeding the entire world. There's an expression in farm communities, “they're not making any more of it”. They're not making any more farmland. We need to make sure that we are doing all we can to conserve the nutrients in those soil and this resolution tries to raise awareness of that and better practices. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 44 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. 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 78. (Secretary reads HJR No.78) Adopted by the House, March 10th, 2022. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution 78. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 78, offered by Senator Jones.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Jones moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 78. Those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Jones moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 78. 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 leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, are 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 94th Legislative Day 3/10/2022 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 business to come before the Senate, pursuant to House Joint Resolution 78, the Senate stands adjourned until noon on the 22nd Day of March 2022, or the call of the President. The Senate stands adjourned. 24