PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The regular Session of the 102nd 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 Pastor Jerry Weber from Chatham Baptist Church, in Chatham, Illinois. Pastor Weber.
(Prayer by Pastor Jerry Weber)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Thank you, Pastor. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Johnson, will you please lead us?
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Johnson)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) James Carder, from Blueroomstream seeks -- seeks leave to video today's proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Thursday, March 24th, 2022.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Hunter.
Excuse me, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal -- 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 transcript. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022
Senate Resolution 933, offered by Senator Collins and all Members. And Senate Resolution 935, offered by Senator Anderson and all Members. They are both celebration of life resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 934, offered by President Harmon. And Senate Resolution 936, offered by Senator Villanueva. They are substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, Introduction and Reading of Senate Bills for the first time.
Senate Bill 4198, offered by Senator Pacione-Zayas. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Murphy, Chair on the Committee on Executive Appointments, reports Appointment Messages 102, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 145, 147, 148, 149, 153, 154, 155, 157, 158, 159, 160, 162, and 207 Do Recommend Consent
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 Mr. Secretary, are there any Appointment Messages?
Yes, Mr. President. I have Appointment Messages 1020378. Governor's salaried appointment. To be a Member of the Illinois State Police Merit Board, Raymond Garcia Appointment Message 1020379 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Trustee of the Chicago State University Board of Trustees, Jason Quiara. Appointment Message 1020380 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Trustee of the Chicago State University Board of Trustees, Cheryl Watkins Appointment Message 1020381 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Member of the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, Mitchell Davis Appointment Message 1020382 Governor's non-salaried appointment To be a Member of the Waukegan Port District Board, Thomas Evers
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 passed bills of the following titles in the passage of which I'm instructed to ask the concurrence of 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 the Senate to wit: House Bill 205. We have received like Messages on House Bills 1587, 4285, 4332, 4423, 4544, 4783, 5098, and 5262. Passed the -- passed the House, March 24th, 2024 -- 2022. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President, - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following Joint Resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 75. Offered by Senator Morrison and adopted by the House, March 15th, 2022. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 205, offered by Senator Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1587, offered by President Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4285, offered by President Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4332, offered by Senator Villa. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4423, offered by Senator Johnson. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4544, offered by Senator Johnson. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4783, offered by Senator Glowiak Hilton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5098, offered by President Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 5262, offered by President Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Andrew Campbell from Gray T.V. seeks leave to record this evening's proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, on page 13 of the printed Calendar, what is the status of Appointment Message 102-109 (1020109)?
Mr. President, 102-109 (1020109) has been withdrawn.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're going to House Bills on 2nd Reading. If you'd like to move your bill, please come to the Senate Floor. House Bills on 2nd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're going to pick up House Bills on 2nd Reading on page 10, near the bottom of the page, where Senator Hunter brings House Bill 2382. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2382. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 3rd Reading. House Bill 2910. Senator Loughran Cappel, on House Bill 2910. Senator Cappel. Senator Loughran Cappel, on House Bill 2910. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2910. (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 bottom of page 10, where Senator McClure brings House Bill 3717. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3717. (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, were going to move to page 11, of your printed Calendar, near the top of that page, Senator -- Senator Anderson brings House Bill 4251. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read that bill.
House Bill 4251. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported. 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we will move down to House Bill 4605. Senator Villanueva, on House Bill 4605. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4605. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senator Holmes, on House Bill 4680. Senator Holmes, on House Bill 4680. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4680. (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, were going to turn to page 12 of your printed Calendar, and move to House Bill 5506. Senator Rezin, on House Bill 5506. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5506. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Next, we have House Bill 5525. Senator Simmons. Senator Simmons, on House Bill 5525. He indicates he wishes to proceed Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5525. (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 going to go back page 11 of your printed Calendar, near the top of the page, where Senator Joyce brings House Bill 4382. Senator Joyce, on House Bill 4382. Next, Senator Joyce brings House Bill 4383. Senator Joyce, on House Bill 4383. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4383. (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 are going back to page 11 on your printed Calendar, where Senator Joyce brings House Bill 4382. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4382. (Secretary reads title of bill) 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we're going to move back towards the top of page 11, where Senator Peters brings House Bill 4165. Senator Peters, on House Bill 4165. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4165. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Leave of the Body, we're going to move towards the bottom of page 11 on your printed Calendar, where Senator Fine brings House Bill 5018. Senator Fine, on House Bill 5018. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5018. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
The Senate Democrats will caucus for one hour in the Senate President's Office. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition? SENATOR McCLURE: Thank you, Mr. President, the Senate Republicans will caucus for one hour in Leader McConchie's Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The Senate will stand at recess for the purpose of caucuses by both parties. The Senate stands in recess. (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 please assemble immediately in the President's Anteroom. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Cunningham, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3118; refer to Criminal Law Committee - House Bill 4392, 4593 and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4556; refer to Education Committee - House Bill 2828, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4243, Floor Amendment 3 and 4 to House Bill 4256, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4813, and Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 5016; refer to Energy and Public Utilities Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3125, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 4973, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4988, Floor Amendments 2 and 3 to House Bill 5502 and Floor Amendment 2 to 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 Senate Bill 1104; refer to Environment and Conservation Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4818; refer to Executive Committee - Senate Joint Resolution 22, House Bills 1587, 4285, 4332, 4386, 4696, 4729, 5193, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 1780, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4073, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4116, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4126, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 4489 and Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 5108; refer to Health Committee - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 4674, and Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 5196; refer to Higher Education Committee - Senate Resolution 922; refer to Insurance Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 4941 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3926; refer to Judiciary Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 861; refer to Licensed Activities Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4501; refer to Local Government Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 5283; refer to Pensions Committee - House Bill 4209, 4785, 4926 and 5447; refer to Revenue Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 448; refer to State Government Committee - Senate Resolution 9 -- Senate Resolutions 914, 926, 930, House Joint Resolution 64, House Bills 4682, 4783, 5201 and Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 5015; refer to Transportation Committee - Senate Resolution 931, House Bill 4163, 5098 and Floor Amendment 2 House Bill 5026; refer to Appropriations Human Services - House Bill 205; Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bills 1105, 1490, Senate Resolution 927, Senate Resolution 934 and House Bill 1091. Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, (Vice) Chair. Senator Cunningham, (Vice) Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 House Bill 1091; refer to Judiciary Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1490; Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, (Vice) Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Simmons, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For purpose of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) State your announcement, please.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to welcome three constituents to the gallery. Lindsey Hammond from Restore Justice Illinois, focused on restorative justice issues and Nelson Morris and NaJei Webster. Welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Welcome to Springfield. I believe our first welcoming message in two years. To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advise and Consent. Senator Murphy.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the appointments set forth in Appointment Message 110, 113, 114, 115, 116, 128, 129, 130, 131, 134, 135, 145, 147, 153, 154, 155, 157, 158, 159, 160, and 207 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, 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. Mr. Secretary, are there any Motions in Writing?
I have a Motion in Writing from Senator Murphy, Chair of the Committee on Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, print the motion on the Calendar. Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been printed and distributed. Mr. Secretary, on the Order of Executive point -- Appointments. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment 102-113 (1020113).
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois State Mining Board, Robert Eggerman.
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 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 49 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 1020114.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois State Mining Board, Bernard Harsy.
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 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 49 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020115.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois State Mining Board, Michael Huff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022
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 50 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020116.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois State Mining Board, Stephen Willis.
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 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 50 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurred by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Message 1020128.
15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to following salaried appointment: To be Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Mario Treto Jr.
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 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 50 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020129.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be Director of Real Estate for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Laurie Murphy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Laura Murphy.
Thank you. Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination. 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Now wait a minute, what's going on here? Leader Murphy are you appointing yourself to a hundred and forty-six thousand hundred twenty-nine-dollar a year job?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Senator Rose, I have cringed at Laurie my whole life. So, no this is not me, this is there are two thousand Laura, Laurie Murphy's in the State of Illinois alone. They are not related.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Rose.
That is a likely story, Laurie Murphy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further 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 50 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020130.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Terry James Prince.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
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 50 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 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 1020131.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Executive Inspector General for the Secretary of State, Megan E. Morgan.
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, Pursuant to Section 5 -20 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, a three fifths 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 vote is required for confirmation. The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. A three-fifths majority of the Senate concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020134.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois Racing Board, Lydia Gray.
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 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 50 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020135.
19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Property Tax Appeal Board, Robert Steffen.
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 is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Yes. 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 49 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020145.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois Human Rights Commission, Stephen Kouri II.
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 is, does 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 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 49 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020147.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Inspector General for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Brian Dunn.
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 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 50 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020153.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 recommends that the Senate Do Consent to following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Civil Service Commission, G.A. Finch.
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 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 49 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020154.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Executive Director of the Liquor Control Commission, Lisa McLeod.
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 is, does the Senate content --consent to the nomination just made. All 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 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 49 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020155.
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 Central Management Services, Mark Mahoney.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
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 50 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020157.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to following salaried 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Alice Gallagher.
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 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 50 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020158.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Karen McConnaughay.
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 is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. All those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020159.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Scott Paddock.
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 is, shall 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 49 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020160.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Illinois State Toll Highway 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 Authority, Gary Perinar.
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 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 50 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. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 102- 207 (1020207).
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to following salaried appointment: To be the Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Jenny Aguirre.
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 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 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 the record. On that question, there are 50 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. On page 13 of the regular Calendar. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020110.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends no recommendation to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Eleanor Wilson.
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 Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To speak against this nominee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the appointment.
Thank you, Mr. President. The appointment that's before us right now, is more troubling than any of the individuals that came before the Executive Appointments Committee, as is evidenced, by the fact that the name was put forward without a recommendation for -- for approval. I, from my perspective as someone who again, as you know, spent twenty years working in the Department of Corrections, those who work in law enforcement, whether it's 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 correctional officer, or police officer on the streets, go to work every day in the hopes that at the end of the day they'll go home alive. You know, in my capacity, part of my job was to make sure everyone under my authority went home alive at the end of the day. Unfortunately, the person that we are considering at this moment, is someone who did not give consideration to those who serve in law enforcement on our streets. And in fact, I believe, I'm just going to name a few of these individuals who were released from incarceration, who were cop killers. And so, Ms. Wilson voted multiple times to release cop killers. Police, those who are putting their jobs on the line for us. And, I just want to mention a couple of them to you, just to give you an idea of the severity of the crimes that these individuals committed. I believe we found at least seven times that she voted to release these folks that are trying to protect us. One was offender, Aaron Hyche, who killed State Trooper Layton Davis. He was given a hundred and fifty to three hundred years, and that trooper was shot two times in the chest and one time in the back. A second individual who was released, James Taylor, also connected in that same murder, released due to the vote of this individual. Another individual, Ronnie Carrasquillo, shot Chicago Police Officer Terrance Loftus, was given two hundred to six hundred years. On a vote of seven to six, Ms. Wilson voted to release this individual back into society. Joseph Hurst and Johnny Veal, armed with a .30 caliber rifle, killed Sergeant James Severin and Officer Anthony Rizzato. Former Chicago Police Superintendent, a former Chicago Police Superintendent, objected to the release, and he said clearly the intent of the court was for these murders to pay for the lives they stole, with life in prison. The decision to release these 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 murderers is in direct conflict with the Judges intent, more importantly, allowing these men to be free, sends a troubling message to the families of these officers, that their sacrifice and the lives of their loved ones are somehow insignificant. So above all else, above who we believe should be out on the street and who we shouldn’t -- who we believe shouldn’t be out on the street. The one thing that we cannot allow as society is for those who put their lives on the line every day to protect us, for their lives and their families lives to be considered somehow insignificant. Unfortunately, Ms. Wilson voted many, many, many times to release these killers of those folks who were supposed to protect us. With all my heart and with deepest sincerity, I ask you to please vote No on this nominee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there further discussion? Senator Rose, for purpose do you seek recognition?
To speak against this nominee, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the appointment.
Ladies and Gentlemen. I'm from the town of Mahomet, Illinois, where approximately -- 1977, an individual now known as Salik Abdullah, Salik Abdullah, who was then known as Ted Parsons. One night decided to commit a robbery and in the course of that robbery Mr. Parsons, Mr. Abdullah, now , after the victim had peacefully surrendered his money to Mr. Parsons. Mr. Parsons fired a shot gun point blank into the neck, and shoulder, and head of the victim. Miraculously, somehow, that victim survived his wounds. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 By the way, this is from the Prisoner Review Board file of Mr. Abdullah. I'm going to start quoting directly from that file. The next night, Mr. Parsons with a new friend, decided they were going to do another robbery, but they wanted to get a car. So about 9:00 p.m., just before 9:00 p.m., Mr. Mark Harris, who was only nineteen years of age, drove into the parking lot of a liquor store on -- on Lake of the Woods Road, it's actually just around the corner from my house. Mr. Harris, nineteen, drove into that liquor store parking lot with his friend, Douglas Scott Simmons, who turned eighteen years old just four days earlier. Following the purchase of a six pack of Strobes -- Stroh's beer, the two young men got back in the car and drove off. Having made their choice of the car they wanted, Mr. Abdullah, now and then known as Mr. Parsons, and his accomplice, followed these two young men for a mile and a half down a dark county road. Mr. Parsons then pulled around in front, forcing Mr. Harris' car to the shoulder of the road. After it stopped, Mr. Carsons -- Parsons exited the car with a 20-gauge sawed-off shotgun, and his accomplice's name was Mr. Gleckler, also approached with a 12-gauge shotgun, 12-gauge over/under. The point of these guns, Mr. Parsons, Salik Abdullah, and Mr. Gleckler ordered both victims out of the car and across the road. As the two victims stood facing the corn field with their backs to Mr. Parsons and Mr. Gleckler, Parsons fired a 20- gauge blast into the back of each of them. Not to be outdone, Mr. Gleckler then fired one round from his 12-gauge into the skull of each victim. Mr. Parsons, now known as Salik Abdullah, having reloaded, fired additional shots into each of the victims' heads. As a result, the victims faces were totally unrecognizable and the pathologist later testified that each young man had little or no 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 skull or brain tissue left. This nominee, this one right here, who apparently got appointed because she is related to President Obama, not because of any qualification. Voted to let the brutal murderer out. Two young men, lives gone at eighteen and nineteen years old, gone. Mr. Parsons, Mr. Abdullah, whatever you wanna call him, has been paroled. Where was life for those two young men? Four years into his eighteen -- four days -- four days into his eighteenth birthday, the other one nineteen. And so that Barack Obama's fiftieth kin can get a paid job. A paid job, fiftieth kin. My constituent today, Mr. Kenny Simmons, is the brother of one of those young men. Do you have any idea what he said to me when he found out that his murderer, his brother's murderer, was let go? Do you have any idea what kind of conversation that was? And you know what, he was right. He was damn right. Mr. Salik Abdullah, otherwise known as Ted Parsons, he forfeited his life the day he took those two lives, but now he's out. This person does not deserve to stay on this Board where they can do more harm and terrorize more victims in this State. Vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To this appointment, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the appointment.
So, I've heard the rationale in committee last week, I just heard the rationale, today, for just -- trying to justify you all 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 not supporting Ms. Wilson. And I don’t think it's fair and the reason why I don’t think it's fair is because I have known Ms. Wilson for over forty years. She has worked with non for profits, for all of the forty years plus that I've known her. She has worked with ex-offenders, she's worked with youth, she's worked with all kinds of people, and you need to do your homework because Ms. Wilson is not related to Barak Obama. So, do your homework next time you stand up. I don’t want to hear it, I don’t want to hear, you put it out there. How do you think my community feels when police officers kill people in my community? They feel the same way that the police officers' families feel. All of the families have feelings when they lose -- lose loved ones. Look at Laquan McDonald, a police officer stood over him and emptied a gun, sixteen times. And I never said anything about it, but Laquan McDonald is a distant cousin of mine. So, I never said anything about it because that same year I had two nephews that were murdered in Chicago. So, myself, and my family has very strong feelings, about that whole situation and some of the other people who were murdered. Why do we spend so much money on rehabilitation? People go to jail, they commit a crime, they get prosecuted, they go to jail and what do we do? We spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year to rehabilitate these people. So, all Ms. Wilson and all the other Prisoner Review Board Members did, was read the file. They don’t know these people personally, they read the file and they look at whatever the staff, psychologist, psychiatrist, their therapist recommends to them. And then they will make a decision. They have to look at the whole picture. They don’t just rubber stamp anyone that comes across their desk. So, I believe that we're treating Ms. Wilson very 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 unfairly here today. The lady was doing her job. She did what she thought was best and now you trying to hang her. I don’t think it's fair at all and you know it's not fair. So, I would recommend that everyone on this side of the aisle and if you all have conscious, you would vote for Ms. Wilson, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition? SENATOR McCLURE: Thank you, Mr. President, to the appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the appointment. SENATOR McCLURE: You know, I want to talk about one of these cases that's particularly troubling, because we did, Senator Hunter -- Leader Hunter just mentioned rehabilitation. I want to talk about somebody named Ray Larsen, who was originally sentenced for six months, after he was charged with raping a woman, he was -- he pled down to a lesser sentence of battery. After that stint, he broke into a woman's apartment and he stabbed her. From that apartment, he went into another apartment, where he robbed a woman at knife point. Mr. Larsen was a model prisoner and therefore he said, you know something, I'd love to go visit my grandma over the course of the weekend. Can I have a weekend furlough? He was given that. The first thing he did was he went to a woman's house and he raped her, stole her car, stole two guns and took one of those guns and he found a sixteen-year-old boy. And he shot that sixteen-year-old boy in his stomach, continued to fire upon his body, hit him with twenty-three different bullets, didn’t know -- 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 didn’t know the young man. He was simply fishing after school. He was found the next day in this stolen car with a fourteen-year- old girl who he raped. He was sentenced to one hundred to three hundred years in the Department of Corrections. This is a person that is not going to be rehabilitated ever, ever. He was brought before the Prisoner Review Board in 2018. He was voted down twelve to nothing, not a single person voted to release this man. In fact, one board member, in the minutes said quote "There is something about inmate Larsen that makes him a spree offender and he may be a high risk to reoffend." Fast forward to this Prisoner Review Board and Ms. Wilson. She voted to release him. He was released. He was a fugitive for a week, he was eventually found in a hospital. The Prisoner Review Board still did not revoke his parole. After that, he left the State without telling anybody, to go to Cincinnati. Where was he going? He was going to visit a female who was his prison pen pal. Thank God, he never saw her. He went back afterwards, so that -- that second strike, was enough for them to finally revoke his parole. Of course, the family was totally opposed to this man being released and they were heartbroken. I couldn’t even imagine being in that position that those folks were in. Thank God, he's back in prison, but Ms. Wilson thought that he should be released. And for those of you that think that someone who's a senior citizen is not able to reoffend, or do something horrific, around the same time period that the Prisoner Review Board voted to let this guy out, a sixty- seven-year-old in California was released after serving a stint in prison for murder and he was then accused of stabbing to death a woman within weeks of being released. So, these are serious cases, when a judge looks at the evidence and decides you need to go for 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 one hundred to three hundred years in prison, because your crime was so horrific. That needs to be taken very seriously. When the victim's family is against their release, that needs to be taken into effect and taken very seriously. And when you've got someone who is obviously -- obviously not able to be rehabilitated, that needs to be taken seriously. And, anytime you’ve got this -- States Attorney Kim Foxx and the Senate Republicans on the same page about the Prisoner Review Board, there's a real problem. We need to protect the public. And we need to stick up for victims and their families. No matter who the victim is, no matter where they are in this State, and we need to stick up to violence right now. We all do, I think we all agree on that. Allowing Ms. Wilson to continue to serve to release violent people that have not been rehabilitated is a tragedy and this has to stop right now. So, I sincerely urge all of my colleagues to do the right thing and vote No. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do seek recognition?
To the appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the appointment.
You know, I -- I think I can speak for the Members of Executive Appointments and probably most everyone in this room, that we would all like to have the Prisoner Review Board issue behind us. On - - on this this particular nominee, is a -- is a perfect example. I wish everyone that was voting on this, could sit in committee 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 and could see the testimony and the questions that are asked, because I think we all go in there thoughtfully and we go in there with a conscious because we believe in rehabilitation. We believe that people deserve a second chance. I personally, you know, some people have said that this is a politicized event. I have voted Yes on Republicans, I've voted No on Republicans; I've voted yes on Democrats, I've voted No on Democrats. What we have with this appointee here, is someone that voted, I believe, about forty five percent of the time to let people out. Some of the most heinous crimes were committed by some of these individuals that have been released. If you watch the testimony by this appointee, I think you would be troubled. We asked questions like, how much time do you spend on these cases to some of these folks. We ask questions like what factors do you take into account, the crime that was committed, their prospects for rehabilitation, their prospects to commit again, the wants and needs of the victims and the prosecutors. You know, a lot of these cases are tried with prosecutors and defense attorneys and judges and witnesses and a jury for weeks and months. And then they come before some of these appointees and they cast a vote after reading some paper work for a few hours. It's a real problem and I don’t like the politicalization that’s taken place here. I don’t think anyone's being treated unfairly. I am extraordinarily sympathetic to Leader Hunters comments about Jason Van Dyke and Laquan McDonald. Let me remind this Body, and I'm reading from WGN T.V. right here, that the Illinois Prisoner Review Board granted Jason Van Dyke's release in September of 2021. This -- this committee granted his release. Let me -- let me add to that, that this committee doesn’t post all their minutes online like they're required to by law. Let me add 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 to this -- this committee is being sued for violating FOIA requirements, or FOIA requests. Right now, they are being sued. I ask questions about these issues to this appointee about the lack of transparency, about public information, about just making sure, Republican and Democrat, throw that stuff out the window. Is there transparency, is their accountability and is there consistency with the decisions being made? I didn’t get good answers. So, you know, and I'm sympathetic to my colleagues that talked about circumstances in their district. You know, I really try not to bring individual decisions, or individual personalities into this. Madison County, Paula Sims being released. I get phone calls about that all the time. This is about good government, transparency and this is about appointees being able to answer very basic questions that the committee asks of them. And this particular appointee, did not give answers that make me comfortable about the decisions she's making to release violent criminals, murderers, rapists, repeat offenders, back into our committees. This appointee and Mr. Oreal James, both were voting almost half the time to let people out of prison. I understand that Mr. James resigned his position on the PRB today. I think, if we vote no as a Body on Ms. Wilson, I think going forward, you'll find on this side of the aisle with the exception of maybe one other appointee. We're ready to vote Yes and move forward and let this committee get back doing their job. But we have to do it in a way that we know the people in our districts, our constituents, the people of Illinois are safe. Ms. Wilson is making decisions that make them less safe. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) There is one final Member seeking recognition. Senator 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 Simmons, for what purpose do seek recognition?
To the nominee, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the appointment.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. As I listen to us debate the merits around this nominee, I'm reminded of the fundamental reason why I became a candidate for public office. There are many of us in this Chamber, and the people we represent, that believe in restorative justice and we believe in redemption. And, I don’t expect anybody here to unanimously say that they are always going to support restorative justice, but with the Prisoner Review Board, when I look at what this Body is charged with doing, I think that the members have done their jobs. And it -- it strikes me, as a bit of an overreach, that in our Advise and Consent powers as a Senate, I feel like we're literally looking at the decisions of these members and second guessing the decisions that they've made. Now, that’s your -- that’s your right, that’s your prerogative as a Member of this Senate. But when I hear Members here start to attack and malign the members of the PRB, I get really concerned about what that means for this institution, because, people are watching us as we debate this nominee and all these nominees. And, I'm forced to say to myself, if we are not going to give these members the space and the latitude to use their judgment and their qualifications because this nominee, Eleanor Wilson, is far over qualified for this position. She is a expert in restorative justice. She has had a decades long career looking at these issues and producing results for 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 people. And, so I get really concerned when I feel like we're just second guessing these members and their qualifications and the decisions that we ask them to do. That was the whole point of these members sitting on the PRB, and so, I just want to ask Members here to look at this nominee, to look at her qualifications, to vote Yes on her nomination, because she's done a great job at taking her qualifications and applying them to the -- not -- to the -- to the cases before the PRB as charged by the Constitution. I respectfully don’t think that it is within the purvey of the Senate to second guess individual decisions that this body hands out. And so, in defense of the Senate and this institution, I want to ask that we draw the line at some point, and even if some of my colleagues here who don’t believe that restorative justice principles should be applied, would be really expensive to keep people in prison indefinitely, and I know that a lot of our constituents would be the first to remind us of that in all of our districts. So, those are the things I wanted to ask us to think about as we -- as we cast this final vote and thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, just to clarify, this motion came out of committee with a -- an atypical recommendation, came without recommendation. Regardless, you vote the same way on this appointment. A Yes vote is for the appointment, a No vote is against confirmation. 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 -- on that measure, 15 Senators having voted Yes, 31 having 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 voted No, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected having refused to give their consent by record vote, the Senate rejects the nomination. Supplemental Calendar, No. 2 has been printed and distributed. On Supplemental Calendar, No. 2, Mr. Secretary, Motions in Writing Appointment Messages.
Mr. President, I have a Motion in Writing from Senator Murphy, Chair of the Executive Appointments Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 10-1(c), as the Chair of the Executive Appointments Committee, I move to compile the following Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate: Appointment Messages 1020111, 1020112, 1020133, and 1020148 - Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board; Appointment Messages 1020118, 1020119, 1020120, 1020121, 1020125, 1020126, 1020136, 1020137, 1020138, 1020139, and 1020149 - Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes; Appointment Message 1020122 - Illinois Sports Facilities Authority; Appointment Message 1020123 - Teachers' Retirement System Board of Trustees; Appointment Message 1020127 - Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission; Appointment Message 1020140 - Illinois Housing Development Authority; Appointment Messages 1020141, 1020142, 1020143 - Mid-Illinois 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 Medical District; And Appointment Message 1020162 - the Illinois Finance Authority; Dated March 28th, 2022. And signed, Senator Laura Murphy, Deputy Majority Leader and Chair of the Executive Appointments Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Murphy moves to compile the Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. Mr. Secretary, read the Compiled Appointments.
To be members of the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board: David Bennett, Weston Sparks, Daniel Schwabe, and Michael Sutton. To be members of the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes: Anita Banerji, James Bennett, Cindy Buys, Molly Uhe- Edmonds, Brendan Kelly, LaDon Reynolds, Hilda Bahena, David Goldenberg, Amy Meek, Dilara Sayeed, and Jason Rosenweig. To be a member of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority: Tarrah Cooper Wright. To be a member of the Teachers' Retirement System Board of Trustees: Maria "Mia" Jazo-Harris. To be a member of the Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission: Vanessa Del Valle. To be a member of the Illinois Housing Development Authority: Sam Tornatore. To be members of the Mid-Illinois Medical District: Charlene Aaron, Egbe Egiebor, and Aaron Gurnsey. 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 To be a member of the Illinois State Finance Authority: Timothy Ryan.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
I move the Senate Do Consent to the compiled nominations just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate consent to the compiled nominations. 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 51 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 compiled nominations. Senator Murphy.
First, Mr. President, since I have the Floor, can I ask to be recorded as an Aye vote on Appointment Message 1020154, Lisa McCloud?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The record will reflect your intent. Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, 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 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 102nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 3/28/2022 Executive Session. Senator Belt, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that Senate Resolution 9 - 2 -- 922 can be heard at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow in the Senate Education Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Belt moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that Senate Resolution 9-2-2 can be heard at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow in the Senate Education Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. 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 77. Offered by Senator Hastings. And Adopted by the House, March 28th, 2022. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12:00 noon on the 29th day of March, 2022. The Senate stands adjourned. 43