The regular Session of the 103rd General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? The invocation today will be given by Father George Pyle from St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church here in Springfield, Illinois. Father Pyle.
FATHER GEORGE PYLE: (Invocation)
Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Johnson, would you please lead us?
SENATOR JOHNSON: (Pledge of Allegiance)
We have a collection of media requests. The Daily Line requests permission to take audio and photo of the proceedings. Blueroomstream requests permission to videotape, WAND-TV requests permission to record the video, and WGEM requests permission to record video and audio. Seeing no objection, permission granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Thursday, March 30th, 2023.
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.
Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Ellman, Chair of the Committee on Environment and Conservation, reports Senate Amendment 5 to Senate Bill 1769, and Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2212 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Joyce, Chair of the Committee on State Government Reports, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1997, Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2100, Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2121, and Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2278 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Castro, Chair of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 64, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 380, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 422, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 990, Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1344, Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1653, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1913, and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2228 Recommend Do Adopt.
Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 3720, offered by Senator Villa and Senator Doris Turner, an Act concerning State government. House Bill 3876, offered by Senator Porfirio, an Act concerning transportation. 1st Reading of the bills.
Capitol News Illinois requests permission to photograph the proceedings today. Seeing no objection, permission granted. Senator Lewis, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. -- Mr. President. I rise today to wish my father a happy 75th birthday, and thank you for the time, and happy 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 birthday dad.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we'll be turning momentarily to final action. I would ask all Members to be at their desks. I would ask every Member within the sound of my voice to be on the Floor, at their desks, for final action. On page 4 of your printed Calendar, on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 64, Senator Castro. Mr. Secretary, Senator Castro seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 64 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now, on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 64. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Castro.
Senator Castro, on your amendment.
Wish to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
Senator Castro moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 64. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Castro.
Senator Castro.
Wish to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023
Senator Castro moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 64. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 64. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 64, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Castro, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 64, as amended, provides that attaching a vinyl substrate to signs that was permitted or registered to display information in another medium does not require a new permit or registration. Senate Bill 64, as amended, also removes a five-dollar registration fee for advertising signs, which are located beyond 660 feet from a right of way located outside of urban areas. There is one more clause that they're going to work on in the House, but this bill flew out of Senate Executive Committee, unanimous. I ask for an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion, -- any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 64 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 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 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, none voting Present. Senate Bill 64, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Still on page 4 of our printed Calendar, Senate Bill 188, Senator McClure. Senator McClure. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 188, an Act concerning civil law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator McClure.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, this is a bill that came to me from a constituent who, she's a single mom whose child has Down's syndrome. And even though she is the HIPAA representative for her child, she was not able to get medical records for an issue in which it was a procedure which she had to give permission for the child to receive. So, this would make it so that in situations like that, the parent would not have to go before a court and ask for a court order to get this information. And this is a good thing because it's going to free up our court system a little bit and cause people, like my constituent, to not have to take off work and go do this for something that they should be entitled to by law, right now. And I worked with the State Medical Society and the ACLU to come up with language that the ACLU is neutral on and the State Medical Society supports. So, this passed without any No votes. I'd be happy to take any questions.
5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 188 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 53 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 188, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on page 4. Senate Bill 218, Senator Gillespie. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 218, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Gillespie.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 218 is an initiative of the Academy of Physician Assistants. These physician assistants are a valuable resource, in particularly, in parts of the State where physicians are not plentiful. This is an agreed bill and with the amendment with the Illinois State Medical Society, it does two major things: exempt FQHC's from the collaborative requirement agreement in the same manner as hospitals, and allows physician assistants to continue to practice for 90 days after a termination of a collaborative agreement where a physician is not available to fulfill it. I ask for an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator, is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 218 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 voting Aye, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 218, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. On page 6, we have Senate Bill 380, Senator Koehler. Senate Bill 380, Senator Koehler. Mr. Secretary, Senator Koehler seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 380 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 380. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Koehler.
Senator Koehler.
Yes, I'd like to seek to move the -- adopt the amendment.
Senator Koehler moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 380. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendments adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 380. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 380, an Act concerning civil law. 3rd Reading of the bill. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023
Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This creates the Illinois Fertility Fraud Act, which provides a civil cause of action for fertility fraud against health care providers who knowingly or intentionally use their own human reproductive material without the patient's information -- informed written consent for assisted reproductive treatment. I'll not read the rest of this. I'll tell you the story. The young man, who was with me last night testifying, can you imagine the horror he felt when he, at Christmas time, opened up the DNA results that he got from one of the popular genealogy places and found out that his real father was not his father. His biological father was, in fact, the fertility doctor in Indianapolis at a clinic. He found out, as well, that he had 95 siblings. This is wrong. And this gives a right of action for anybody who has been harmed in this. I would ask for an Aye vote.
Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 380 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 53 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 380, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Let's move ahead to page 7 of the printed Calendar, still on the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 423, Senator Ventura. Senator Ventura seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 423 to the Order of 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 423. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? I beg your pardon. Mr. Secretary, Senate Bill 422. Let the record reflect, we are on the Order of Senate Bill 422. Have there been Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2 {sic} (1)s, offered by Senator Ventura.
Senator Ventura, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. Please do adopt the amendment, and I'll explain on 3rd.
Senator Ventura moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 422. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 422. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 422, an Act concerning criminal law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Ventura.
9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Thank you. This bill provides that the Department of Corrections shall digitize the master record file, including medical and dental files. It will also instruct a study to be done with DoIT on or before 2024. And it's subject to appropriations. And I ask for an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion, Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Question of the sponsor, please.
Sponsor indicates that she will yield, Senator Bryant.
Thank you. Do you have any opposition to this bill?
Senator Ventura.
No.
Senator Bryant.
Can you tell me what safeguards are going to be placed on these records, in particular the medical records, once they're digitized?
Senator Ventura.
Yes. So, these records would be internal digitization and would fall under the same guidelines of FOIA today. They would be 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 working with DoIT to create that study that would break down how this would look and the cost of it. It would roll it out over two years at a time. So, the first two years would be all incoming individuals to the DOC facility. The next two years would be for medical and dental, and the last two years would be any back files of people still incarcerated.
Senator Bryant.
One -- one final question then. So clearly, this is going to be an increase in cost. DOC is not opposing the bill. Have they asked for additional funding to make this happen?
Senator Ventura.
Yes. So, that's one thing that the study is going to identify. We had COGFA look at some initial cost, the costs that DOC thought it might cost that were not in line with what COGFA was. So, by looking at that study, we can get an accurate amount of cost. They did ask that the cost not become -- would not come out of their current budget, hence, the bill being subject to appropriation. So, we could ask the Governor for more money in the future.
Senator Bryant.
Just, thank you.
Is there any further discussion? Seeing no further 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 discussion, the question is, shall Senate Bill 422 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 voting Aye, 1 voting No, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 422, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Capitol News requests permission to photograph and record the proceedings today. Seeing no objection, permission is granted. With leave of the Body here on this deadline day, we're going to move forward on our Calendar to page 37. Senate Bill 1344, Senator Villanueva. Mr. Secretary, Senator Villanueva seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1344 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 1344. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Villanueva.
Senator Villanueva, on your amendment.
I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
Senator Villanueva moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1344. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 1344. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1344, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Villanueva.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Floor Amendment 2 deletes all and becomes the bill and reinserts the underlying bill, which was a technical change, but also adds the following changes: it exempts -- it exempts reports from the Abortion Care Clinical Training Program from the Freedom of Information Act, it clarifies that drugs approved for off label use, such as Abortifacients, are subject to the existing coverage mandate, it clarifies the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation must report to the Department of Public Health when they become aware of a temporary medical licensee violating the law at a facility licensed by the Department of Public Health, and it grants the Illinois Department of Public Health to issue a standing order for HIV prophylactics. Again, a bunch of these are changes that were brought forward by the Governor's office to make sure that the Departments of the State of Illinois have what they need in order to enact a previous bill that we had passed the last General Assembly, and just to make some technical changes, I asked for an Aye vote.
Thank you. Senator. Is there any discussion? Leader Curran, for what purpose do you seek recognition? 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023
To the bill.
To the bill, Senator.
Senator, I appreciate the conversation we had in committee yesterday on the -- the point of the clarification on this bill with regards to privacy. This is a -- this is a program that's been in place now for three months. The current statute gives the Governor broad rulemaking authority, in fact, says to exempt any -- any sort of information, personal information, any information that could pose a threat of harassment, a threat of any sort to someone. I would just note, I understand why you're bringing this, but the reality is we already have this authority on that point. It's up to the Governor to act. The Governor for three months has not acted on this point. There's been no rule put in place. I -- maybe you're getting impatient with that, but the reality is, you know, our process worked. We passed -- the statute was passed and at this point it should be moving through the administrative process, and the Governor and the Department should get off their hands and start doing their job on this point. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Senator. Is there any further discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Mr. President, I request a verified roll call vote for this measure.
14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Thank you, Senator, for following our rules and requesting the verification before the roll call begins. I would ask all Members within the sound of my voice to be at their desks for the remainder of this debate. All Members of the Senate, please be at your desks. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Villanueva to close.
Again, this bill makes technical changes, and it also adds some clarifying language for several Departments of the State of Illinois in order to do their job. When we talk about the particular change of the Abortion Care Clinical Training Program, the reality is this. We already know that reproductive rights providers have been under attack, have been harassed, have been abused, and in some cases murdered. So, when we strive to clarify laws in the State of Illinois in order to make sure that people are not put under duress in a situation, or harassed or abused or potentially murdered. That's what we're trying to do. We're trying to protect people, which is what was the original intent of the original bill that we passed last year. Again, this is a good bill. I ask for an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1344 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 36 voting Aye, 19 voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1344, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator McClure.
15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 We withdraw, I withdraw my request.
Thank you, Senator, for withdrawing your request for a verification. With leave of the Body, we're going to turn to page 40 on your printed Calendar, and -- and turn to Senate Bill 1909. Mr. Secretary, Senator Villanueva wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1909, an Act concerning civil law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Villanueva.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1909 amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act to prohibit the use of deceptive practices to; one, interfere with an individual seeking to gain entry or access to the provider of an abortion or emergency -- or emergency contraceptives, number two, induce an individual to enter a limited services pregnancy center, three, in advertising, soliciting, or otherwise offering pregnancy related services, or four -- and four, sorry, and providing pregnancy related services. The amendment to this bill addresses concern raised by the Medical Society and the Illinois Hospital Association. Again, this Senate bill protects patients against the use of deceptive and misleading practices that hinder their ability to make informed decisions and access timely reproductive health care. I ask for an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion Senator Bryant, 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the sponsor yield for some questions? President. Sorry, that chip, I forgot to take the chip out this morning.
Thank you, for handling that entire exchange by yourself. Appreciate that. Senator Bryant, the sponsor wishes -- sponsor indicates she’ll yield. Senator Bryant.
Thank you. Senator, the bill -- this bill only regulates entities that seek to dissuade women from obtaining abortions. Is that correct?
Senator Villanueva?
Senator, it's limited services pregnancy centers.
Senator Bryant.
So, organizations that refer for, or provide abortions, or emergency contraception's are exempt from this bill. Is that right?
Senator Villanueva?
Senator, those entities that you're talking about are already covered under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act. What we're trying to do is provide clarifying language for the Attorney General's office to do their job. 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023
Senator Bryant.
I'm glad you said that, because I believe that in this bill. You're carrying water for the Attorney General's Office. Right now, the Attorney General -- to the bill. Right now, the Attorney General's Office already has the ability and the authority to do exactly what this bill says through consumer protections that are already in place. In fact, what this bill does, is it says that the Attorney General's Office is allowed to make the rules. Then they're allowed to decide what the fines or what the fines are going to be for this. And then they collect the fines, and it goes into their own coffers. So, we're going to have the same entity making the rules, deciding what the fines are, and then collecting those into their own coffers. I don't know any other circumstance that we do that in, and I'm going to say here, shame on the Attorney General's Office for doing this. It's deceptive. And honestly, on these types of bills, I would say that if -- if a bill like this or any other one that's even remotely close to this, was really about giving people choices, we would allow them to have choices at whatever the facilities are. In fact, I've run, for at least three years, maybe four, Senate Bill 1914, which is the Ultrasound Opportunity Act, which says that if a woman is given an ultrasound, that she has the right to see that ultrasound, because the very places that this sponsor just described, does ultrasounds and then prohibits, in many cases, a woman from seeing that ultrasound. So, if we really wanted this to be about choices, we would make sure that those types of bills are called and not this type. This is a protection for the Attorney General's Office and allows them to 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 unfairly issue these fines. This is going to get litigated, like many of the other bills that have passed in here recently, because a person should have their day in court on these issues. And in fact, this will allow the Attorney General to go much farther than they have than -- than he has been willing to do with the authority that he already has. Now, I know that the end of this debate, the sponsor might get very angry, which she has done in the past, and yell and scream at me for what I just said, but those are the facts that we all need to -- to really look at today. Thank you.
I hope you've handled that one all by yourself too. Is there any further discussion? Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, please.
To the bill, Senator.
Just when you think you've seen everything, you see a bill like this, that is very lopsided. This legislation only applies to pregnancy crisis centers, but not abortion clinics. It gives the Attorney General power that he already has. In a statement that the Attorney General issued this morning, he said, I experienced deceptive crisis pregnancy center tactics firsthand on a visit to a Planned Parenthood health center in Illinois. People who appeared as though they might work at the health center were outside with a sign that said check in, and they were attempting to direct us away from the health center, Raoul said. Seriously, if the Attorney General experienced this, I think he has every tool. I would 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 consider that deceptive and should not happen. But I don't think a volunteer who wants to voice their opinion outside an abortion clinic, peacefully, should be subject to overreach of a $50,000 fine for voicing their religious beliefs to a person entering a facility. I kind of thought back to freedom of religion, where people come to your door and want to give you solicitations. That's their right. We had, for a period of time, people who shared religious literature in airports. And that was their right. That was their freedom of expression. We've come to a point where we've lost civility, that we don't respect someone else's opinion. And this overreach just goes to the point that if you don't believe the way the majority party believes in this State, you're wrong and we're going to go after you. And it's just disheartening that we can't have equal respect. Certainly, if there's deceptive practices that were described in committee with no firm evidence, no pictures, no videos, but if those acts are happening and people are dressing up as people that work in the Planned Parenthood Center or held against their will, contact the authorities. Contact the Attorney General. He has that authority. Don't go after a volunteer of a pregnancy crisis center that that crisis center may not have direct control of. They're -- they're trying to do what they honestly believe in, and if it's -- if it's deceptive, the Attorney General has the tools. Don't try to hang this over their heads and harass them, bullying them. We talk about bullying all the time. We need peaceful discussion of our ideas. If you believe in choice, fine, if you don't, if you believe that life starts at conception, fine. You can express those. This law is wrong. It's overreach and its harassment of the minority -- minority side of this view in the State of Illinois, but we still have rights. And 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 this tramples on them. Thank you, I would urge a No vote.
Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Question for the sponsor.
Sponsor indicates that she'll yield. Senator Rezin.
Thank you. Senator, does the current Consumer Fraud Law cover both abortion clinics and pregnancy clinics -- pregnancy health clinics?
Senator Villanueva.
Yes.
Senator Rezin.
To the bill, please.
To the bill, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. In committee, I asked the Attorney General's witness if sharing the belief that conception begins at life would be considered a deceptive practice. The response was that, quote, "it would be determined on a case-by-case basis." Now, I'm not an attorney, but I'm a woman, a mother, and a human being, and I believe that allowing any government that has 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 authority to determine the deception of life at conception on a case-by-case basis, to be a great concern for the society. Now, we all agree to disagree on the -- on the topic of abortion. However, to say that someone strongly held belief, potentially is a deceptive practice is just morally wrong and crosses the line. I ask for a No vote.
Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Chesney, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
To the bill, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President, and Members of the Senate. You know, we talk about extremism often nationally on -- and on the State level. And I can't think of a bill that more accurately indicates extremism than 1909. Right? So, we have weaponized the Attorney General Office to go after facilities that are ideologically in contrast to the majority belief in this Chamber. And why that is of concern is because these pregnancy centers have a belief that is in contrast to yours, but they're providing an alternative that is different than your opinion. So, rather than having a debate, which we've had in the past, now we're going to weaponize the Attorney General Office to harass non-for-profit entities, not-for-profit entities that help people in your communities just as much as they help people in our communities. And so, if we're going to have a conversation on the state level about extremism, what is extremism? And when we have non-for- 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 profits that are not profiting, right? These are non-for-profit pregnancy centers that are trying to help people of all backgrounds, rich and poor, black and white. And now we're going to have the Attorney General's Office have this -- this ability, this weapon, to criminalize them and penalize them. But just remember, the abortion clinics that you put into your communities, you all profit from inside this Chamber and outside this Chamber. And for that reason, Mr. President, I ask for a No vote.
Any further discussion. Senator Ventura, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
To the bill, Senator.
Yes. No yelling or screaming is needed. But let's be clear. This bill is about women and ensuring that they have the factual information. We can only make good decisions when we have good information and no one wants to be deceived. Let's trust that women can make the best decisions for themselves when given all the information -- information to do so. I urge an Aye vote to support women and honesty. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator. Senator Villanueva, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, yes, I am very passionate. And I do like to yell. I also like to laugh very loudly. The reality is this, if you've ever looked up the definition or not 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 looked up the definition of microaggression, I encourage you to do so, especially when you're talking to a young legislator of color, who is a woman. Thank you. So again, I'm going to reiterate a couple of points. Senate Bill 1909 protects patients against the use of deceptive and misleading practices that hinder the ability of people to make informed decisions and access timely reproductive health care. Why? Because crisis pregnancy centers will often look like a medical office, and maybe even have staff or volunteers in white coats with nametags, which can be bought online. But often the people providing the services are not licensed professionals. When we ask questions about other health care providers and abortion providers, what about them? Those providers are already heavily regulated. Meanwhile, limited services pregnancy centers often have non-licensed staff or operate through volunteers that have no regulation. So, when you don't know if you're giving your private medical information to someone that might be licensed, or you just really don't know because you don't know who the people are, or let's say, getting a transvaginal ultrasound and you don't know what the person providing the ultrasound is a medical provider. Those are deceptive practices. Now, let me add a couple of examples of what these deceptive practices are. Because yes, this is a bill that was brought to me by the Attorney General's Office, which I'm very grateful for because our Attorney General -- General Kwame Raoul, actually witnessed this firsthand. He witnessed persons and people stopping cars and taking down personal information on clipboards. Seeing people that were being redirected and had no idea that they were being redirected -- redirected to a pregnancy crisis center because they thought they were going to a Planned Parenthood. When in some cases, well, in 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 these cases that we know of, because again, there's a lot of cases that we don't know of because some people feel so much shame and are made to feel so much shame when they're seeking something that is legal in the State of Illinois. That they often don't know that they've given sensitive health information after they've had a pregnancy test, or an ultrasound. And again, these folks are not just seeking abortion, sometimes they have appointments for a pelvic exam, cancer screenings, birth control, and other services that simply are not provided by some of these fake clinics. I want to -- I want to also bring forward some of the experiences of people who have called in to the Chicago Abortion Fund hotline. Like a caller, a mother who had the estimated gestational age of the pregnancy, that meant that, and was told that she would be cared for over the course of two days at her local clinic. She told the person who answered the hotline call, "I understand that there's a risk of me dying, but I have to do this anyway. I can't have another child." The caller -- or the respondent asks who told her that there was a risk of dying, and she said that she got a free ultrasound at a women's center down the road, and the employees there told her it was almost a certainty that she would die if she got an abortion at this stage in pregnancy, and that she would leave her children behind. Another caller, who was a mother of five, was extremely emotional when she called in because she was in the parking lot of a crisis pregnancy center. She explained that she went to a crisis pregnancy center for a free ultrasound to get a sense of gestation and to talk about her situation. She told the respondent that the website was very misleading and she thought that she was going to get information about getting an abortion. Once she arrived, they wouldn't let her 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 leave for three hours. Three hours. And when she said that she was still planning to get an abortion, they told her she was going to hell and told her misinformation so that she was confused if she could even go get an abortion at all. Another person was told by a crisis pregnancy center that her medication abortion would leave debris in her uterus. Yet another example with a crisis pregnancy center was when a staffer held a younger woman behind a locked door, not letting her out until they had prayed over her and showed her images from a sonogram without her consent. I know there's been arguments. This is infringing on First Amendment rights without saying it. There's arguments that the Attorney General already has the ability to do this under our laws. And yet, every single day that we come down to this Capitol, all of us are constantly passing bills in order to clarify statute. That's our job. Yes, we have disagreements about what we believe in, and that's okay. But you don't have the right to do in the State of Illinois is to deceive, to lie, to manipulate, and lead people who are seeking reproductive health care that is legal in the State of Illinois, to places that don't offer them the services that they are looking for. So yes, I can yell. I can raise my voice. But I can also tell you that I'm going to continue to fight for all of those people, many of them that are coming from other states, because their states are having these conversations every single day and don't have enough champions. But guess what? In Illinois we do. This is a good bill. I asked for an Aye vote. Oh, I'm sorry. One more thing, Mr. President. I want to add a little bit of legislative intent because again, I want to make sure I cover all my bases. The intent here is not to disrupt the authority of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 discipline or regulate the conduct of licensed medical professionals. In addition, this bill is not intended to punish medical providers, such as licensed providers who provide obstetric -- obstetrical, or gynecological care simply because they do not perform abortions. Health care providers will not be subject to enforcement under this bill, so as long as they do not employ fraud, deception, and misleading practices to interfere with, or prevent, another from accessing comprehensive reproductive health care. It's a good bill. I ask for an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1909 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 36 voting Aye, 19 voting No, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 1909, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to turn back to Senate -- the Calendar, page 33. Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1127, Senator Stoller. Mr. Secretary, Senator Stoller seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1127 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now, on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1127. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Stoller.
Senator Stoller, on your amendment.
I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023
Senator Stoller moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1127. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 1127. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1127, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Stoller.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill relates to an issue in my district relating to an enterprise zone where substantial investment has been made to an enterprise zone that is now a Dual Rail Mega Site. It's over 1000 acres with two major rail lines, two interstates, I-39 and I-88. And over the past ten years, about 75 million dollars have been invested in infrastructure to prep this area for major industrial development. The concern is that it is now being approached by solar developers, and this is in a county that has embraced renewables. In fact, they have 291 wind turbines. They have five large scale solar developments already and more in the works. And so, while they're embracing renewables generally, they want to protect their investment in this particular enterprise zone. We've crafted the language very narrowly to not 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 impact other renewable projects in the county and elsewhere. And I particularly want to thank Senator Cunningham for his work and collaboration on coming to the agreed language on this bill. I'm not aware of any opposition, and I would ask for an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1127 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, none voting No, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 1127, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, let's turn to page 38 of your Calendar. Near the top of the page is Senate Bill 1438, Senator Ventura. Mr. Secretary, Senator Ventura seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1438 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now, on 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 1438. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Ventura.
Senator Ventura, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment. Discuss on 3rd, please.
Senator Ventura moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1438. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendments adopted. Have there been any 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, Offered by Senator Ventura.
Senator Ventura, on your amendment.
Yes. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd, please.
Senator Ventura moves to the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1438. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 1438. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1438, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Ventura.
Thank you. As amended, 1438 establishes the Illinois Dig Once Act, which would require IDOT, the ICC, the Tollway, and the DCEO to establish rules to reduce the number of road excavations for the installation and maintenance of broadband infrastructure and underground utilities. This will save Illinoisan's money and 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 less distractions on our roads. And I urge an Aye vote.
Thank you. Senator, is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1438 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, and none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1438, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on that Order is Senate Bill 1468, Senator Bennett. Senator Bennet seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1468 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 1468. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Bennett.
Senator Bennett.
Yes, Mr. President, we'd like to amend or include Amendment No. 2 and discuss on 3rd Reading, please.
Senator Bennett moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1468. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 1468. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1468, an Act concerning public employee benefits. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Bennett.
Thank you, Mr. President. With the Amendment No. 2, Senate Bill 1468 extends the period in which retired teachers are allowed to return to work for 120 days, or 600 hours, through June 30th, 2026. Amendment 2 also eliminates old language that was with old dates and no longer pertinent to what's going on there. So, if you would, there's no opposition and I'd move for an Aye vote, please. Thank you.
Thank you. Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1468 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 1468, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Still on page 38, we have Senate Bill 1653, Senator Ventura. Mr. Secretary, Senator Ventura seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1653 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now in the Order of 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 1653. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Ventura.
Senator Ventura, on your first amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. Please adopt the amendment and I'll explain on 3rd.
Senator Ventura moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1653. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Ventura.
Senator Ventura, on your 2nd Amendment.
Please adopt and I'll explain on 3rd.
Senator Ventura moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1653. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendments have been adopted. Have there have been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 1653. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1653, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Reading of the bill.
Senator Ventura, on your bill.
Thank you. The amendments remove all opposition on this bill. So, Senate Bill 1653, as amended, creates the Low Clearance Early Warning Device Pilot Program, which requires the Department of Transportation to establish a pilot program to erect early warning devices near or on bridges and viaducts. The early warning devices will now only be limited to LIDAR, radar, visual signs and additional signage, and there will be a fine capped at a thousand dollars. I urge, an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator DeWitte, for what purpose do you rise?
To the -- to the bill, Mr. President.
To the bill, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this amended bill. Senator, you took a lot of grief in committee. I think this may have been one of your first bills, if not your first bill. Second bill. Thank you. There was a lot of concern expressed by a number of people, including Midwest Truckers and the Truckers Association. They had grievous concerns based on some past experiences and some other states that had had problems with some of the proposed remedies to this issue. The sponsor took her time, considered the options. Happy to hear that IDOT will be engaging 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 the University of Illinois to find solutions to this ongoing problem. I just want to thank the sponsor for her hard work, and I encourage an Aye vote. Thank you.
Thank you. Senator, further discussion? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
To the bill, Senator.
I just want to highlight something that happened here, and I want to take a moment to commend the sponsor, is a freshman, that the rest of us could all take a lesson from. When you let the committee process work, it works very well. You get a better piece of legislation when you listen to the input from your colleagues. You get a better piece of legislation when you take the time to amend it based upon that input. You get a better piece of legislation. This is a much better piece of legislation than it started. I hope that we can all take a lesson from this freshman sponsor and realize that shotgunning stuff through at the last minute really doesn't help get anything done in the long term. So, I'm very excited to vote for this, and I thank the sponsor for actually taking the time to listen to Members on all -- both sides of the aisle who had very constructive input. I think, Chairman, our Chairman, I'm not supposed to say his name, but anyway, not that I know how to pronounce his last name anyway, but our committee Chairman, our good committee Chairman had great ideas. And, you know, my mentor, a long time ago, Representative Bill 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Black, told me, when you let this process work, it works very well. And this is an example of it. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Senator Rose. Is there any further discussion? Senator Ventura, to close.
I want to thank my colleagues for helping me through this very frustrating bill, but I'm happy to have it passed. And may we see less trucks jammed underneath viaducts and bridges in the future. Thank you for the Aye vote.
The question is, shall Senate Bill 1653 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1653, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Turning to page 39 on the Calendar. Senate Bill 1715, Senator Glowiak Hilton. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1715, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Bill 1715 requires that each new drinking fountain in any construction where a fountain is required under the plumbing code, will also have a water bottle filling station. So, if you go to a regular drinking fountain and 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 you have your water bottle and you try to fill it, it is physically impossible to do that. So, what this does is make sure that where drinking fountains are required, only where they're required and only under new construction would this be, we believe, a great idea. It's supported by the pipe trades, as well as, the Environmental Council. And I'm hoping that I get lots of good support with this bill. Thank you.
Thank you. Senator, is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1715 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 54 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 1715, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Turning to page 40 on the Calendar, Senate Bill 1913, Senator Fine. Senator Fine seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1913 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now, on 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1913. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Fine.
Senator Fine, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
Senator Fine moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 1 to Senate Bill 1913. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1913. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1913, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Fine.
Thank you. This legislation, like private insurance, will make telehealth permanent for mental health and substance use disorders under Medicaid.
Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1913 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1913, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1915, Senator Martwick. Mr. Secretary. Still on page 40, let's move forward to Senate Bill 1997, Senator Edly-Allen. Mr. Secretary, Senator Edly-Allen seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1997 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on 2nd Reading 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Senate Bill 1997. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration.
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Edly-Allen.
Senator Edly-Allen, on your amendment.
I'd like to adopt the amendment and speak to it on 3rd.
Senator Edly-Allen moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1997. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendments adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 1997. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1997, an Act concerning local government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Edly-Allen.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1997, is a Lake County initiative it has 14 proponents, zero opponents. One of the proponents is the Illinois Association of Counties. It will allow a county that has a population of less than a million, that they may create requirements for new building design and construction 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 to mitigate the risks caused by new building design and construction to wildlife and surrounding habitats. I would also like to thank my friend across the aisle, Senator Harriss, who worked with me as freshman legislators to get this bill to a place of agreement.
Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill.
To the bill Senator.
I just want to thank the sponsor for this legislation, because at the very last moment, Senator Harriss had an issue with the bill and the sponsor was willing to put an amendment on instead of having this go to the House and have them do an amendment. It was done very quickly and we really appreciate the fact that the sponsor took the time to do this, because it was kind of a pain to do it. So, thank you very much. So, I will be voting for the bill and encourage an Aye vote. Thank you.
Is there any further discussion? Senator Edly-Allen to close.
Thank you, Leader McClure, for your words, and I urge an Aye vote.
The question is, shall Senate Bill 1997 pass. All those in 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1997, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On page 41, Senate Bill 2100, Senator Martwick. Mr. Secretary, Senator Martwick seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2100 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now, on 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 2100. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Martwick.
Senator Martwick, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I seek to adopt the amendment and I will explain it on 3rd.
Senator Martwick moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2100. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 2100. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2100, an Act concerning public employee 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 benefits. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Martwick.
Thank you, Mr. President. And before I explain the bill, I'd like to take a moment, get the attention of the Body for just one second and speak a little bit out of order. The last speaker on the last bill commended the sponsor for her work in amending a piece of legislation. Mr. President, in this Session, I have seen a great deal of bipartisanship and so much of that work would not be accomplished to be able to get these bills done in such timely fashion without the hard work and the dedication of our staff drafting these amendments late into the night, getting this stuff done. So, if everybody give a big round of applause for all of our staff. And now, I have a scintillating explanation of my legislation. This legislation is -- this amendment was a very late agreement. And what it does is, it sets procedures for when the police officers, the Consolidated Police Investment Fund, has a vacancy on their Board, how that vacancy is handled in terms of appointments and elections. I know of no opposition. I ask for an Aye vote.
Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2100 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 2100, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Let's continue on the 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 same Order. Senate Bill 2228, Senator Holmes. Mr. Secretary, Senator Holmes seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2228 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now on 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 2228. Mr. Secretary, have there been any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Holmes.
Senator Holmes, on your amendment.
I would ask that we adopt the amendment and I will describe it on 3rd's.
Senator Holmes moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2228. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there have been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 2228. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2228, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Holmes.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. Senate Bill 2228 amends 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 the personnel code to allow the implementation of modern processes and best practices in the State's hiring process. The amendment is modernizing our State's hiring process while reducing the time it takes to hire and grow the State's workforce. And I want to say the biggest part of that was, I want to give a big thank you to AFSCME and CMS for coming to the table and coming to agreement to talk about how we can best do things within our State to hire in a much more timely manner. And this also provides for the concurrent review of proposed rules by JCAR and the Civil Service Commission to have, instead of staggered rulemaking, to have it be concurrent. So, I just want – again, want to give a big thank you for our work on this and to also say that our work is not done. We will continue to work and see if we can come up with even more measures to expedite our hiring practices. I ask for an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator, is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 2228 pass. All those in favor of vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 2228, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Turning to page 42 of your Calendar, near the top of the page. Senate Bill 2278, Senator Simmons. Mr. Secretary, Senator Simmons seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2278 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now, on 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 2278. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Simmons.
Senator Simmons, on your first Amendment.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I would like to withdraw Floor Amendment No. 1.
Mr. Secretary, Senator Simmons withdraws Floor Amendment No. 1. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Simmons.
Senator Simmons, on your second Amendment.
Thank you very much. I'd like to move to adopt and explain it on 3rd.
Senator Simmons moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2278. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendments adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 2278. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2278, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Reading of the bill.
Senator Simmons.
Thank you very much, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This legislation, as amended, provides that an agency or local government shall not be required to design, construct, widen or otherwise alter a non-designated highway to accommodate trucks between 55 and 65 feet in length. Senate Bill 2278, as amended, also provides that a unit of local government shall report to the Department of Transportation any limitations prohibiting the operation of vehicles on non-designated highways and any non- designated highway that is not designed or constructed after January 1st, 2023, to accommodate trucks between 55 and 65 feet in length. Right now, we have several organizations as proponents, Active Transportation Alliance and others, Illinois Municipal League. The amendment that we were able to negotiate with the Illinois Trucking Association and the Midwest Truckers Association has brought them to neutral and is also brought the Chicago Chamber of Commerce to neutral, as well as, the Illinois Movers and Warehousemen's Association. I know of no other opposition at this time and I will take any questions. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Senator. Any discussion, Senator DeWitte, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
To the bill, Senator. 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. Once again, I rise in support of a piece of legislation that I want to applaud the sponsors engagement in, not only our side of the aisle, our Members of the Transportation Committee, but also the various agencies who were opposed initially to this legislation. Once again, a little open mindedness and humility has given this sponsor our side of the aisle its consideration for favorable support. IDOT will be working with local governments to establish new parameters to allow this legislation to be implemented. And I urge an Aye vote on our side of the aisle. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator. Senator Simmons, to close.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I want to thank Senator DeWitte for his engagement on this legislation. I also want to thank Chairman Villivalam for his patience throughout this process, and also would like to thank the Midwest Truckers Association and Illinois Trucking Association, which were fantastic to work with over the last couple of weeks on this piece of legislation. This is going to save lives. Those that are pedestrians, those that are on public transportation, and also our truckers and those that are motorists. I urge an Aye vote. Thank you.
The question is, shall Senate Bill 2278 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Aye, 3 voting 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 2278, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on the same page, we have Senate Bill 2337, Senator Edly-Allen. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2337, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Edly-Allen.
Thank you, Senate President. Senate Bill 2337 requires the State Board of Education to include more demographic information of students assessed for and enrolled in gifted education programs or accelerated placement. Senate Bill 2337, also clarifies what type of courses are classified as advanced academic programs and lists several evidence-based practices that school districts may incorporate into their accelerated placement policies to expand access to accelerated programs. There are 273 proponents, one opponent and I urge an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 2337 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 2337, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 2340, Senator Turner. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Senate Bill 2340, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Turner.
Senate Bill 2340, as amended, provides that a school bus may be equipped with the maximum of two stop arms that partially obstruct the roadway to ensure passenger safety. These extensions must be equipped on the driver's side of the school bus and, -- and contain a system of flashing red lights. Additionally, the stop arm cannot extend more than 78 inches from the front stop sign and 32 inches from the rear stop sign. Finally, the legislation provides that no driver shall make contact with any portion of a stopped school bus, including the stop arm. A driver who does so is subject to the same penalty as illegal -- illegally passing a stopped school bus. I think that this is a good piece of legislation that will -- that will not only provide safety for students as they enter and exit the school bus, but save lives. And I urge an Aye vote.
Thank you, Senator, is there any discussion? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, to the bill, Mr. President.
To the bill Senator.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to give some historical context to this bill, and I want to thank the sponsor for bringing this 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 version forward. The original stop arm bill emanated in my old district, which is now Senator Turner's new district, Piatt County, Monticello, Illinois, Vic Zimmerman, the school superintendent. He's the one who came up with this entire idea. It was a great idea. We passed in a bipartisan fashion long, before you ever got here, Senator. And in fact, Senator Murphy or Representative Murphy in the House, the House sponsor, and then it goes to IDOT to do rules. And this is another good lesson for all of us today, getaway day. Without rules, nothing matters. And so, for years, almost half a decade now, IDOT has done nothing to protect the kids of Illinois when they could have. They could have done this well before now. So, what this bill is doing now is basically telling IDOT, too late, we're just going to go ahead and tell you-- you have no choice now but to do it. Thank goodness that nobody's gotten killed in the meantime. But this rule nonsense where stuff goes over to agencies and sits there for half a decade almost, until the good Senator shows up and says, "Hey, let's dust this off and force them to do it." When is the administration going to pay attention? And so, with that, I wanted you all to have the historical context. This is a great safety bill for school kids all over the State of Illinois. I thank the Senator from Springfield for -- for basically telling, well, I won't say what she's actually telling IDOT to do here, but we appreciate it. So, please everyone, vote Yes.
Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to thank Senator 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Turner, and I appreciate her bringing this bill and allowing me to get on as chief co-sponsor. This is a really important issue for all of our children in all of our districts. And I want to thank Senator Rose for mentioning that it's our district that we had shared. And I think it's nice to always have a Turner/Turner Bill. So, thank you.
Thank you, Senator Turner. Senator Doris Turner, to close.
Thank you for the support from the other side of the aisle and I urge an Aye vote.
The question is, shall Senate Bill 2340 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 2340, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. WCI(A) requests permission to film and record audio of the proceedings today. Seeing no objection, permission is granted. With leave of the Body, we're going to turn back to page 19 on the Calendar. Senator Napoleon Harris. Mr. Secretary, Senator Harris seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 734 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now, on 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 734. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Napoleon Harris.
51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Senator Harris, on your amendment.
I would like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
Senator Harris moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 734. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 734. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 734, an Act concerning public employee benefits. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Harris.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 734, amends the municipal employee section of the Illinois Pension Code, establishing what pay rate the employee must use to purchase service credit prior to employment with the Chicago Transit Authority. There is no opposition and passed out of committee on a bipartisan roll call.
Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 734 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, 1 voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 734, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to turn back to page 28 on the printed Calendar, Leader Curran, Senate Bill 990. Mr. Secretary, Senator Curran seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 990 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Now, on 2nd Reading, Senate Bill 990. Mr. Secretary, have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Curran.
Senator Curran, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would move for adoption of the amendment and discuss it on 3rd.
Senator Curran moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 990. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senate Bill 990. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 990, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 the bill.
Senator Curran.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. So, Senate Bill 990, seeks to address a process of disposing of large tracts of property from schools -- school districts that no longer wish to utilize the property and are putting them up for sale. It models itself after how CMS disposes of State property, and that is three -- three appraisals and the median appraisal determines value. And this would be offered to the local -- governing entities first as a right of first refusal -- refusal to determine if the property still has public purpose, public use. If it does not, it would then proceed out to market. So, with that, I would ask for an Aye vote and be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you, Senator. Any discussion? Senator Glowiak Hilton, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I do stand in support of this bill. That this is a clarification that's going to help some of the school districts in hopefully, in my area, to make good decisions on selling their property and it makes a good guardrail. So, I do support the bill.
Thank you, Senator. Senator Curran, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd be remiss not to thank my neighboring colleagues on the other side of the aisle that have 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 worked with me on this, as I border many Democratic districts, and I've gotten great support and help from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle on this. So, thank you very much.
The question is, shall Senate Bill 990 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Senate Bill 990, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, that completes our substantive business on this deadline week. I would point, for the record, that last week the House adjourned closer to 10:53 p.m. than 10:53 a.m. So, thank you everyone for your hard work and diligence in getting us through a deadline week with very little drama. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate 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 27. Offered by Senator Holmes. Resolved by the House of Representatives of the 103rd General Assembly of the State of Illinois, the Senate concurring herein, that when the House of Representatives adjourns on Thursday, March 30th, 2023, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, April 18th, 2023, or to the call of the Speaker; and when the Senate adjourns on Friday, March 31st, 2023, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, April 18th, 2023, or to the call of the President. Adopted by the House March 30th, 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 2023. John W Hollman, Clerk of the House.
On the Order of Resolutions, is House Joint Resolution 27. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 27, offered by Senator Holmes.
Senator Holmes moves to suspend the rules of the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 27. Those in favor, will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Holmes moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 27. All in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 166, offered by Senator Syverson and all Members. It is a celebration of life resolution, Mr. President.
Resolutions Consent Calendar. We'll now proceed to the Order of Consent Calendar, celebration of life resolutions. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolutions on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
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 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 34th Legislative Day 3/31/2023 the resolutions are adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are going to adjourn for the week. Please, please, please be safe traveling home. Watch your weather apps for the forecast, but please use your heads getting home safely. We will have some committees meeting next week and the week after, so, watch your Senate Calendars and your advice from legislative assistants. With there being no further business to come before the Senate, pursuant to House Joint Resolution 27, the Senate stands adjourned until noon on the 18th day of April, 2023, or the call of the Senate President. Happy Passover, Happy Easter to all celebrating. The Senate stands adjourned. 57