PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 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 Pastor Stephen Lawrence of the Exodus Church of Springfield.
PASTOR STEPHEN LAWRENCE: (Invocation)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Johnson, lead us in the Pledge.
SENATOR JOHNSON: (Pledge of Allegiance)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Tony Yuscius with Blueroomstream, and Chris Webb and Cole Henke with WCIA Channel 3, and Peter Hancock with Capitol News Illinois, and Andrew Campbell of WGEM, seek leave to record video and audio. Is there any objection? Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, May 17th, 2023.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcripts.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Senate Resolutions 310 through 316, offered by President Harmon and all Members. And Senate Resolution 317, offered by Senator Sims and all Members. They are all celebration of life resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Resolution Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 309, offered by Senator Doris Turner. It is congratulatory. And Senate Joint Resolution 40, offered by Senator Morrison. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Doris Turner, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, reports Motion to Concur - House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1701, and Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 3710 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Martwick, Chair of the Committee on the -- Chair of the Special Committee on Pensions, reports Motions to Concur - House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1630, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1646, and House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1648, and Senate Amendment 2 and -- 2, 3 and 4 to House Bill 2147, and Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 2352 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Mr. Secretary, Introduction and Reading of Senate Bills for the first time.
Senate Bill 2582, offered by Senator Villa, an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 2583, offered by Senator Preston, an Act concerning appropriations. And Senate Bill 2584, offered by 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Senator Preston, an Act concerning state government. 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Ladies and Gentlemen. We are going to be doing final action. Would everybody please come to the Floor? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Hey, thank you, Madam President. Very happy today to have a special guest with me. This is my son, Jack. He's back from college. He got back last week. He's completing his freshman year at Ole Miss. Go, Reb's. And we're happy to have him back. If you welcome to the Senate, please. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Welcome to the Senate. Senator Curran, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) State your point.
Thank you, Madam President. If I can have everyone's attention? I am joined on the Floor today by someone who will be a familiar face to a lot of people in this Chamber. Jo retired at the -- Jo Johnson is my guest today. Jo retired at the end of 2020, but during COVID, we never had a chance to thank her for her long- time service to our caucus. If you spent any time around the Senate the last 30 years, Jo is someone you know. She started her career with the Senate Republican Caucus as a Senate page when she was in college and went on to join our staff as part of the Illinois 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Legislative Staff Internship Program. After law school, Jo returned to the Senate Republican staff eventually becoming our ethics officer and chief legal counsel. To the people on both sides of the aisle. Jo was an invaluable resource, whose institutional knowledge provided vital context to the legislation of the day. During her career with the Senate, she was an important part of nearly every major piece of ethics and election legislation that came through this Chamber. She also spent considerable time working on issues like adoption and family law. But perhaps her proudest accomplishment was her work on Illinois' Safe Haven law. This provided parents a safe way to give up newborn babies for adoption. Since that law passed in 2001, 156 babies in the State of Illinois have been brought to a safe haven. Jo, you've been an indispensable part of our staff. And on a personal note, I want to thank you for all your guidance, all the wisdom you've shared with me over the years. So, I'm pleased to announce Jo Johnson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Congratulations and may I also thank you, as the person who probably carries the most animal legislation, for your invaluable help and guidance over these many years. Thank you. Senator Tracy, for what reason do you seek recognition?
Point of -- an announcement. Thank you, Madam President. Jo has been my friend for the years, even before I joined the Senate. One thing that immediately strikes you when you visit and talk with Jo for any length of time is her unsurpassed institutional knowledge about the laws of the State of Illinois. She got her start, as Leader Curran said, as a Senate page, and she was mentored by former Senator Laura Kent Donahue. Going from a Senate 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 page to chief legal counsel, Jo knows so much about our Stat e's laws, as well as how and why they came to be. If you have a question about a bill that passed the General Assembly's decades ago, odds are Jo knows the answer. She has a steel trap memory and she's -- and that's what's made her so good at helping us wrap our head around incredibly complex issues. Years ago, I was working on one of those big, high-profile issues that we sometimes come to see through the legislature, and Jo was our caucus' point person. In the meeting with Members and staff from all caucuses, a prominent Democrat told everyone to just be quiet and listen to Jo, she knows what she's talking about. I was very proud to have her on our staff at that point, and even before, of course. I think that says a lot about her knowledge and the respect that she's had from both sides of the aisle. And she's earned it. And she has had so much experience here. She's played an incredibly important part of the history of this institution. She has a heart of gold and she has cared for her Members with great compassion and passion. Jo, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the help you've given me over the years and the myriad ways you've helped guide important legislation through our State to make it a better place. You have had a major, major impact. So, with that, please again, join me in giving a round of applause to a great lady.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Feigenholtz, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 For your announcement, please.
Oh, that's right. I'm not in the House. Thank you, Madam Chair. I, too, rise to speak to this amazing woman, who not only was an asset to the Illinois Senate, but when I was in the House, she was always available to help me work through some very, very complex pieces of legislation. I know that Leader Curran talked about her experience with the Safe Haven law, but I will tell you, I believe that 20,000 adult adoptees in this State would not have their original birth certificate, were it not for Jo Johnson. Give it up for her.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Well, I should leave well enough alone and just leave it at Senator Feigenholtz' comments. But I've known Jo for almost 25 years, and in fact, the first day I walked in the Stratton Building as a freshman state representative. She razzed me about being an Illini basketball fan and told me that was the wrong team. But we led an immense amount of -- of institutional knowledge, legal knowledge, process knowledge, people knowledge about how this building works, how this building should work. We lost that when she retired, although we are so happy that she's enjoying it. And aside from her odd propensity to commas, a little bit of an inside joke, we just miss her greatly. And, you know, I can't say enough. She's just an absolutely wonderful human being. And that's really the bottom line. Absolutely wonderful human being. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President, for an announcement, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Your announcement.
I, too, would like to stand up and recognize Jo Johnson. You know, when you first come into the Capitol, it is a little overwhelming. Overwhelming in terms of the knowledge that you need to know, overwhelming regarding how does this work down here. And any time you had a question, the answer usually was, go to Jo, everybody go to Jo. And everybody who has stood up here today has talked about that importance of institutional knowledge and Jo was that person. She also was the leader in the attorney for ethics, which we appreciate. So, any time we have questions, we would go to Jo because of her knowledge of the law. And often times, and I kid her affectionately about that, she would usually say "no". But in this world that we live in, "no" is a good thing, and you need that person who understands the importance of the value and the integrity and why we are here in Springfield. And that's who Jo Johnson represents. So again, Jo, many wishes to you. You will be missed, but I know that you're doing well and on to bigger and better things. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Ladies and Gentlemen. We are on Senate Bills 3rd Reading -- House Bills. Sorry about that. Final action. Please be at your desk and ready to present your bill. And remember, the sooner we move through this, the quicker we're out of here. We are going to start out on page 8 of your printed Calendar, starting with Senate 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Bill -- House Bill 2147. Senator Villivalam, do you wish to proceed? He indicates he does. Mr. Secretary, read the bill. I'm sorry, Senator. That is a recall. So, let's -- let's make sure we get on the right page here and again on House Bill 2147. Senator Villivalam seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2147 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2147. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Madam President. I apologize, my seatmate spilled water on my desk, so we'll have to call Joe in. But I would like to adopt the amendment and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villivalam, on your amendment.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villivalam, on your amendment.
Thank you, Madam President. I wish to adopt the amendment and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill, please.
House Bill 2147, an Act concerning public employee benefits, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villivalam.
Thank -- thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2147 is an initiative of the Illinois Education Association. It makes multiple changes to the Illinois Pension Code, including extending the sunset to allow teachers to work up to 120 days as a substitute 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 without it affecting their annuity, allows student teachers who receive salaries to earn optional pension credit, and makes a few other changes to the Pension Code. I know of no opposition. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 24 -- 2147 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 57 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 2147, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On page 9 of your printed Calendar, we are going to go to House Bill 2301. Senator Ellman, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2301, an Act concerning government, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Ellman.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2301 is in regard to how we handle, or how we characterize, radioactive waste. It amends the Central Midwest Radioactive Waste Compact Act, the Radioactive Waste Compact Enforcement Act, and the Illinois Low level Radioactive Waste Management Act. Oh, and the Radioactive Waste Tracking and Permitting Act. What this does is this brings us into compliance with recently federal -- recent changes to federal law regarding the definition of byproduct material. And, as amended, it will include discrete sources of radium-226 that's produced or 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 converted for use for a commercial medical or research activity, or any discrete source of naturally occurring radioactive material that the Federal Atomic Energy Commission determines to pose a threat similar to the threat posed by a discrete source of radium- 226 for the public health and safety of the common defense and security. Basically, it brings us in line with federal requirements, and I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2301 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted a wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. And House Bill 2130, opes, 2331, having received the required constitutional -- 20, that will be House Bill 2301, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Still on page 9, we're going to go down to 2447. Loughran Cappel, do you wish to proceed? House Bill 2539 on page 10, Senator Villa. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2539, an Act concerning revenue, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villa, on your bill.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2539 provides that the Department of Revenue shall remit to the county or township, rather than directly to the end recipient, the amount in compensation owned to -- owed to the county assessors, township 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 assessors, county treasurers, coroners, sheriffs, county clerks and county recorders and auditors. The bill makes the county responsible for the State and federal income tax reporting, withholding and employer contributions under the Illinois Pension Code, rather, the Department of Revenue. I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 2539 pass. All those voting -- 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 57 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. And House Bill 2539, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Still on page 10, we are going to go down to House Bill 2826. Senator Peters, would you like to proceed? Senator Peters seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2826 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2826. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Peters.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Peters, on your amendment.
I'll explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) So, you want to adopt the amendment? Thank you, Senator Peters. Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill, please.
House Bill 2826, an Act concerning state government, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Peters, on your bill.
Thank you, Madam President. I can see that I'm able to use this mic appropriately for once. This is a bill that provides that IDFPR shall not require self -- self-disclosure on criminal background information when that information cannot be used against an applicant, I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
I rise today in opposition to this bill. I just don't understand why we would want to absolve applicants with criminal records from further background checks for -- for serious licensures. The Department cannot safely determine licenses unless they know what the circumstances are of any applicant. In the 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 license process, IDFPR often needs to investigate all applicants for licensure, and they need to go further. And this is not going to allow them to do that. Not having full information on each applicant could result in the Department granting licensure to an applicant that should not be licensed for public safety reasons. This is unnecessary and it has the potential of some -- some harm to the taxpayers of the State of Illinois, and I would request a No vote. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any further discussion? Senator Peters, would you like to close?
This is a good bill. I ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The question is, shall House Bill 2826 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 Ayes, 19 Nays, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2826, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Villivalam, on House Bill 2829. Do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2829, an Act concerning human rights, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2829 is an initiative 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 of the Illinois Human Rights Commission. This -- this legislation provides that the Human Rights Commission shall appoint a qualified interpreter, at the expense of the Commission, when a person who lacks proficiency in English is a party in proceedings before the Commission. I know of no opposition, would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2829 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 57 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. And House Bill 2829, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Going down to the bottom of the page and we have House Bill 2847. Senator Fine, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2847, an Act concerning regulation, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Fine.
Thank you, Madam President. This legislation provides for one no cost coverage annual mental health prevention and wellness visit starting in 2025. I know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Senator Lewis.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 To the bill.
I rise in support of this legislation. Thank you, Senator Fine, for bringing this to our attention. As we know, mental illness is a huge issue in our communities and is at the root cause of many of our problems, including homelessness, drug addiction and senseless gun violence. I appreciate your effort in this space and wish for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
I, too, rise in support of this bill and commend the sponsor. We have been talking about, for the past several years, especially after the pandemic, how do we handle the mental health challenges that we have that we're seeing across the board, especially in our children. And I understand that this is a mandate. We typically are not supportive of mandates, just for the fact that we have to figure out how to pay for them, but I would say that we support this bill because it's an important bill to -- to recognize if somebody is having a mental health challenge. This is the way to go and I commend the sponsor for this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Fine to close.
Thank you. And thank you very much to my colleagues across 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 the aisle for your support of this legislation. Another very important part of this piece of legislation is ending the stigma of mental health. And it requires that the Department engage in an educational campaign to bring more public awareness to mental health and mental wellness. I appreciate your support on this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The question is, shall House Bill 2847 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 57 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2847, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Chicago Tribune and Capitol News seek permission to request to photograph and the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. On page 11 of your printed Calendar. We're going to go down to House Bill 2948. Senator Aquino, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2948, an Act concerning state government, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Aquino.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2948 establishes provisions for the creation of a licensing liaison for international applicants within the Division of Professional Regulations and IDFPR. I know of no opposition and ask for an Aye vote, and willing to answer any questions. 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2948 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 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. And House Bill 2948, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3590. Senator Anderson, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3590, an Act concerning education, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Anderson.
Thank you, Madam President. This is a pretty simple bill. My apologies. Creates a Student Career Development Liability Insurance Advisory Committee within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. I know of no opposition. I would just ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 3590 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 58 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3590, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Villivalam. We are on page 12 with House Bill 3643. Do you wish to proceed? He indicates he does. Senator 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Villivalam seeks leave of the Body to return… Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3643, an Act concerning education, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 3643, as amended, is a product of a few years of work to allow for halal and kosher food options in our State correctional facilities, U of I Hospital, and our schools. It would require the Illinois State Board of Education to enter into a master contract, which was a key provision for our school districts, our school management associations, to be able to administer this and make sure that those students that are seeking these options are able to. Would ask for an Aye vote. And thank you so much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Senator Curran.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
You know, I appreciate the sponsors hard work on this topic, and it has been consistent hard work. I certainly support the concept of the dietary options in schools, in state institutions, that the sponsor is attempting to bring. However, we took testimony in the Executive Committee yesterday from the State Board of 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Education talking about the difficulties in implementing this master contract and quite frankly, the realities that this is not the approach that ISBE believes is going to work. With-- In addition, in those situations, when a contractor does not perform, normally we have clauses in the contract where you can claw back, pay, there can be penalties, you know, fines or you hold back a portion of the contract, or you immediately cancel the contract. In this instance, in this statute, and also bringing in the Senator's amendment to -- to the current statute, under this, we're going the criminal enforcement route. Class C misdemeanor on the first offense and a Class A misdemeanor on 2nd and subsequent offenses. I know that -- I know the topic is important. I don't think going that way rather than dealing with the failure to perform, whether intentional or not, through the contractual mechanisms rather than in the criminal court system, I think would be a better approach. I certainly support the underlying -- I support the underlying endeavor here that, Senator. I just, but I don't support that enforcement option on this. And with that, I would respectfully request a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) He indicates he'll yield.
Thank you. I know you have worked on this for a long time, and we've had some discussions about it. And to the previous 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 speaker's point, there are some pretty serious charges involved in this. If what looks like -- the wording that I see is, an organization that falsely represents a halal food product or kosher product -- food product offered is subject to penalties. So, my first question would be, how do you define an organization, and before you answer that, I just want to give you a little context for why I'm asking that. In a correctional facility, you could have an environment where there are forty offenders working in the kitchen, one supervisor watching those offenders. The offenders have to put the trays together that are going to go out for religious diets. In this -- this seems to me like the organization that is going to get fined, or who is in danger of these misdemeanors, are the organization, such as the Department of Corrections. So, they're -- they're mandated to do it. I get that part. But then they're going to get a misdemeanor charge, either Class C or Class A, when an offender is the one that may not be trained well enough to know what is kosher and halal. Can you tell me what the organization is that's in this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you to the Senator for her questions and the Leader for his. As the Leader acknowledged in committee, this is referencing the -- the penalty is referencing existing statute. So, it is referencing the vendor. If -- the vendor has to certify that the food that's being provided is halal or kosher. So, it's -- it's -- it's in existing statute. We did extend it. So, I'm happy to work with you all on that as we move forward. But that's my understanding and that's our intent. 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Bryant.
So, as I've said a couple of times on some of these bills, I'm not an attorney, but it is an individual who gets that, not an -- who gets a charge, not an entity. So, in this case we would be charging the vendor. I'm not sure that that is specific to who that would be. But beyond that, let me go beyond that and just ask you in regard to the conversations that we -- that we have had. Right now, federal law, the law, that's called RLUIPA, covers a multitude of religious issues, but in particular covers religious diets. So, under federal law, if someone right now, asks for that, they have to be afforded that opportunity. And I'm going to speak to the bill. This is not a question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill. Thank you.
So, under RLUIPA, these requirements are already there, with the exception of the fact that ISBE is required to enter into a contract to purchase these items. I am not aware of any other food instance where ISBE enters into that master contract. So, this bill, although it is well intentioned and I completely understand what you're trying to do, I believe it's very confusing and impossible to enact. So, for that reason, I would encourage a No vote and I would be happy to try to work with the sponsor on this going forward, since this was my previous field. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villivalam to close.
22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Thank you, Madam President. And just again, want to thank the previous speakers for their comments. I'm happy to work with them as we move forward, as well. As I mentioned earlier, this legislation is a product of a few years of work. This legislation builds on what we've done as an Illinois General Assembly, as we look to ensure our youth have access to nutritional food options in our schools. We've done that with plant based. We've even actually changed the procurement code for school districts to not rely on the lowest bidder and actually have the opportunity to look at different nutritional factors when choosing a vendor to provide food for our youth. This is legislation that the Muslim Civic Coalition and the Jewish Federation and Agudath Israel have all worked on together. I again would -- would add, I'm happy to continue this work. This -- this is, I think, something, though, that we need to move forward on. And I would respectfully ask for a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The question is, shall House Bill 3643 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 39 Ayes, 19 Nays, 0 voting Present. And House Bill 3643, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hunter, on House Bill 3710. Senator Hunter seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 37, I'm sorry, 30 -- hold on. Senator Hunter seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3710 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3710. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Hunter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Hunter.
I wish to adopt the amendment and explain it on 3.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3710, an Act concerning health, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Hunter.
Thank you very much, Madam President. House Bill 3017 creates the Alternative Protein Innovation Task Force to study alternative proteins and develop a master plan for the State to best support the alternative protein industry. The task force consists of seventeen members, who shall serve without compensation. The task force is required to meet at least four times, including hosting at least one public hearing before submitting its final report to the General Assembly before December 31st, 2023. And this is -- this Act is effective immediately. So, the amendment was, the task 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 force was initially fifteen members and we increased it to seventeen members to accommodate the -- the Ag community. I know of no opposition now that we've negotiated this bill and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Senator Stoller.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
Yeah, I rise with a couple of concerns about this bill. First point I'd like to make is that this would basically be doing R&D activities for private companies. If there's a product that they see as there's a need in the marketplace that they could profit from, their responsibility -- they should be responsible for doing their own market research, their own R&D activities and coming up with these products themselves, because they will be the ones profiting from the products. The second point I'd like to make can be summed up in three words, and that is bacon, ribeyes, and pork chops. They're already perfect. I don't think we need alternatives. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Hunter, do you wish to close?
I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The question is, shall House Bill 3710 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 38 Ayes, 17 Nays, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 3710, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Edly-Allen on House Bill 3751. Senator Edly-Allen seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3751 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3751. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Edly-Allen.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen.
Thank you, Madam President. I would like to adopt Amendment 1 and speak to it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Edly- Allen.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen, on your amendment.
Madam President, I would like to withdraw Amendment No. 2, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The amendment is withdrawn. Mr. Secretary, are there any 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3751, an Act concerning local government, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 3751, as amended, permits individuals who are legally authorized under federal law, to obtain, carry, purchase, or otherwise possess a firearm to become a police officer. The bill further permits that individuals who are subject to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or formerly known as DACA, may become police officers if federal laws surrounding the DACA programs change and permits recipients to possess firearms. We have proponents from the Chief of Police of Blue Island, Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7, the Illinois Municipal League, and we removed opposition and have neutral, Illinois Sheriffs' Association and the Illinois Chiefs of Police. House Bill 3751 is an initiative of Representative Barbara Hernandez. It passed unanimously out of the House 101 to 0.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Senator Anderson.
A question of the sponsor, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 She indicates she'll yield.
Senator, how do we expect a noncitizen to take an oath to uphold the Constitution?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen.
Senator, I appreciate your question because it allows me to address this particular issue. We currently have many DACA recipients serving in the capacity in our classrooms, as health care workers, and even serving in our military. So, I think this would be a natural progression to allow these same people that serve in this capacity to serve our communities.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Anderson.
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
I think there's a huge, huge issue with this. Teachers and nurses do not have to take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. The military may, but they fall under a completely different jurisdiction, and they can, kind of, do what they want. Here in the State of Illinois, as a sworn elected official in this Body, and as a professional firefighter that has sworn to uphold the Constitution, I find this disturbing. I find it distasteful. And the fact that we are passing law that is predicated on federal law changing, just shows where our priorities 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 are. I would ask for a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Rose.
Bill. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
Ladies and gentlemen. I rise with extreme concern and it's foundational. It's foundational to the United States of America. It's foundational to the State of Illinois. I'm aware of no precedent where a citizen of a nation can be arrested by a citizen of a different nation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen. I'm sorry. I thought you asked a question. Go ahead, Senator Rose.
No, to the bill. Thank you, madam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
Ladies and Gentlemen. Senator Anderson has raised a great point about the oaths that we take to uphold the State Constitution, also the federal United States Constitution. You have to actually change federal law for this to be legal. But put all that aside for a minute, why on earth would we -- the most important power of any government, the most important power that must be conferred with absolute, absolute concern for how it is employed and how it can be abused, is the power to arrest. We 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 listen, every day in this building to debates about the police powers of the State of Illinois, and yet here we are conferring the police power, the ability to arrest a citizen of the State of Illinois, or frankly, visitor to Illinois from anywhere else in the United States of America, an American citizen, to a non- citizen. This is just a foundational thing. I get that everybody is running away from law enforcement in Chicago because of everything the State of Illinois has done to law enforcement in the City of Chicago. But to backfill that and hand the power to arrest and detain a citizen of this State, or any state in the United States, to a non-citizen is a fundamental breach of democracy. It is antithetical to the police power of any state and at the end of the day, quite frankly, it's antithetical to everything that I hear from the other side of the aisle every day in this building. This is a fundamentally bad idea. There's no fixing it. There's no amending it. There's no nothing. It's just a fundamentally bad idea. I don't care where this individual is from, Australia. They should not be able to arrest a United States citizen on United States soil. Canada should not be able to arrest a United States citizen on United States soil. You wouldn't hand this over to the Russians and say, here, come arrest us. There is a greater principle at stake here, than the stuff we typically argue about in this building, a much greater principle. And you cannot hand the power to arrest any citizen of the United States, let alone the ones we represent here in Illinois, over to someone who's not a United States citizen. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Chesney, for what reason do you seek recognition?
30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Question to the sponsor, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) She indicates she'll yield.
Senator, can you give us an example where a US citizen would be able to go into another country and arrest their citizens?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen.
Senator, can you refrain that? I don't understand your question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Chesney.
Can you name another country where I could go be a cop and arrest them?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen.
Senator, with all due respect, I don't believe that has anything to do with this piece of legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Chesney.
Are you concerned at all that this would be implemented even in the event that federal law would not change?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen.
31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 The law -- this is written as such, that the trigger would be the federal law changing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Chesney.
Is there examples in Illinois where we do not follow federal law and we have set policies that have gone around federal law?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen.
Senator, not that I'm aware of.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Chesney.
Are you aware of our marijuana laws that are in conflict with federal law?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen.
Thank you. I was just advised as such.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Chesney.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
You know, we have a few duties as a as a Body to protect our own, and we may disagree with how to get there, but I think that 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 we have a fundamental right to be arrested by a US citizen, to be prosecuted by a US citizen, and to be judged by a US citizen. I think that we all would agree, as a Body, that we have a right to face those that are Americans. And this is not about a immigration piece. This is about, you know, we gave an example of a Canadian coming to our country to arrest us. And I don't think that that is a un -- inappropriate position to have as a Chamber, as a General Assembly and as a general policy of our State. You know, the other side of the aisle always talks about police officers and the things that they're doing that give you concern. And now you're going to have people that are not even citizens of this country going into our communities and having a legal ability, to, not only, apprehend and arrest and begin the process to charge their own citizens. Why would we relinquish that responsibility? Why would that not be something that a US citizen should have the responsibility to do? Because here's what's going to happen. This law becomes -- if this becomes law, we've already found that we could do an executive order and completely wipe out federal law, and we are going to put non-citizens and we are going to charge non-citizens with arresting people in our in our communities. And that is just flawed policy. And respectfully would ask all of you to reconsider your position on the other side of the aisle, because that is not the way that we should be governing, and that is not the way that we should be legally enforcing the laws of our lands with non-citizens having the right to come into our communities and arrest our own. It is just patently wrong. I ask for a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Harmon.
33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 To the bill, Madam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senator Peter Roskam used to stand regularly on the Floor and quote from a movie to make a point. So, I'm going to call you back to one of my favorite movies, "The Untouchables" and the dramatic entrance of the Sean Connery character as a grizzled Chicago police officer who spoke with a pronounced Irish brogue. There was a time when half of the Chicago Police Department spoke with an Irish brogue and they didn't learn them in Chicago. This is not about where you were born. This is about Americans today. This is not about Irish born versus Mexican born, for instance. This is a much more fundamental question. So, I'd ask you to look into your hearts and look into our history. And if the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police is in favor of this, perhaps you should be, too.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Johnson.
Thank you, Madam President. I rise in support of this legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
To the bill. I rise in support of this legislation. There are myriad reasons why we should consider DACA recipients to be hired as police officers. Dreamers. We have thirty thousand DACA 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 recipients living in Illinois. They are law abiding residents. They go to college. They are hardworking people. They pay their taxes. They follow the laws. They have a high degree of respect for law enforcement. And they are just as American as you and me. And excuse me, I didn't interrupt you, and right now, you want an example. The Evanston Police Department, they have hired foreign born applicants. This is a long-standing practice of this esteemed department. And so, we on this side, because it was mentioned, we talk about law enforcement. We respect law enforcement, and we listen to them. And these esteemed police officers and professionals, they feel it's okay, and I do as well. And the sponsor, and I commend you for advancing this timely and important legislation, she mentioned that they also serve in our military. And if they -- these residents who, again, are American in my opinion, should have a right to serve as police officers. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Bryant.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
Thank you. So, there's a couple things that have been said that I think are way off base. All due respect to those who said it. No one's talking here about what someone's accent is. We're talking about whether or not they're American citizens and whether a non-American citizen can arrest me, and if it would even stand up in court. That's the first thing. The second thing is, what was 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 just said is if the police feel that it's okay, then it should be something that we support. Over and over and over again in this Body, there have been individuals who have been -- who have made complaints about law enforcement officers who thought something was okay, but it was illegal for them to do it. Feeling like something is okay, does not make it okay. Having somebody as a sworn police officer enforcing the laws of this country, is not okay. My great-grandmother spoke, not only did she speak with a German accent, but she didn't hardly speak any English. But she went through the process of becoming an American citizen, which gave her the rights of an American citizen. Had she not done that, she would have been able to live here safely, but she would not have been able to exercise the rights of an American citizen, which are very expressly indicated in our Constitution and in the laws of this country. If DACA individuals want to move forward, then they need to be sure that they are lobbying at the federal level to fix the federal law. Superseding those federal laws does not make it right. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villanueva.
Yes, I heard some groans. Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
I want to make a couple of clarifications on some comments that were made. So, number one, non-citizens include legal permanent residence holders, which are valid visas in the United 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 States. And you know who can actually become a police officer in the United States, legal permanent residents. So be mindful of the language that you're using, because non-citizens also include DACA recipients, which again, is a federal program. And I know we are State legislators, and we focus on state law, but it's also really important to make sure that we know at least a little bit of federal law when we're engaging conversation around the Constitution of these United States. Let's be very mindful of that. In addition, under the umbrella of non-citizens is a variety of visa holders, like student visas, tourist visas, a variety of visas. And what the dog whistlers are not mentioning, is undocumented people. So, when you make mention of non-citizens, it means a lot of different people at a lot of different times and a lot of different situations. What you are also acknowledging and also not acknowledging at the same time, is a broken immigration system. So, while I do appreciate, yes advocacies to actually fix our broken immigration system, the reality is this. We as State legislators have been tasked -- tasked with the job to try to find a way for the residents of the State of Illinois to thrive, not just survive. So, when we have people that are saying that we as DACA recipients, because this bill is specific for DACA recipients and other, I think, DACA related programs in the future, shall they come, so that they might have an opportunity to enter in a profession that might actually provide them with a quality of life, a better quality of life. It's very interesting that colleagues from a certain side of the aisle want to talk about broken immigration systems and want to talk about non-citizens when they don't really understand what it is that they're talking about, especially when other states in this country, including 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 California, Utah and Nevada, have passed similar bills. This is a good bill because it is giving people an opportunity to be able to actually increase their quality of life to enter a workforce that, guess what, actually needs people. And I'm not advocating one way or another, but I'm just educating you a little bit, especially when you want to talk about people who look like me and then insinuate that you're talking about people who come from Canada or Australia. Let's be very honest about what it is you're talking about. This is a good bill and I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Aquino, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
I will -- I will be brief in this -- this conversation and debate. Dreamers, DACA recipients Dreamers, are long term residents of this of this country. They live in all our communities. Their families, our -- provide to our communities. They're our neighbors. They go to school. They try to educate themselves to try to improve their communities and give back to this country. There are students at Loyola University, my alma mater, that are studying to become doctors, that are DACA recipients. We mentioned earlier that there are DACA recipients that choose to serve this country because they find that this country, is their country. If you're good enough to save lives in this country as a doctor, if you're good enough to pay the ultimate sacrifice and lay down your life for this country, I believe that 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 you should be afforded the opportunity to serve and protect your country and your community. I -- I congratulate this -- and -- and thank the sponsor of this bill, and I ask folks for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Castro, for what reason do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
This bill came through the Senate Executive Committee, and actually prior to that, I had the opportunity to meet the young lady who came to speak on behalf of this bill. She is honored and would love to wear the uniform of a police officer. As -- as we have heard numerous times, there is a shortage of police officers, and we always hear from our other friends on the aisles that we don't support police officers. Well, here's a bill that is supported by the Chief of Police of Blue Island, the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7, the Illinois Municipal League, the Illinois Sheriff's Association is neutral. Now, I understand there's going to be a lot of passion over the next few days, but, you know, one speaker's comments are a little bit of offensive. And when you talk about DACA, you know, my colleagues, Aquino and Villanueva talk about DACA recipients, this is their country. They pay taxes. They care. So, if they want to be police officers, and obviously -- this is obviously dependent on federal law, why wouldn't we support that? I asked for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen to close. 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023
It's a little emotional for me because my life's work has been in this arena teaching young immigrants and adult immigrants English. And I know these people intimately. They're the hardest working, most dedicated people to, not only their communities, but to our State. And I'm appalled by some of the words that I heard today. If someone is willing to put their life on the line and die for our country and our military, they are certainly -- should be given the opportunity to do the same for our community and for our State. This is a good bill. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The question is, shall House Bill 3751 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 37 Ayes, 20 Nays, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 3751, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Shia Kapos of Politico requests leave to photograph the events. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. On your printed Calendar, we're going to go to House Bill 3924, Senator Ellman. She wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill, please.
House Bill 3924, an Act concerning education, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Ellman.
Thank you, Madam President. There have been a number of bills and concerns addressing fentanyl in this Session, and this is one 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 more. We have got to employ as many tools as we can in the arsenal against fentanyl. HB 3924 requires that high schools teach students about the dangers of fentanyl and all State required health courses. I know of no… ope, I urge an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Feigenholtz, for what reason do you seek recognition?
Madam President, I would like to be recorded as an Aye on House Bill 3751.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Your intentions will be made. Senator Sally Turner, for what reason do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
I just want to thank Senator Ellman for bringing this. There she is up there. Sorry, I couldn't find you. This is extremely important. As you guys know, I always get up and talk about how important the issue of fentanyl is and fentanyl poisoning in our communities and bringing this through our school system is an excellent idea. And I think that we can get more outreach the more people that know about this poison, the better. So, thank you. Senator Ellman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Rezin.
41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Thank you, Madam President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
Thank you. I, too, stand in support of this bill. The importance of educating our, especially our young adults, about fentanyl. There's a difference between overdose, fentanyl overdose, and fentanyl poisoning. Fentanyl is such a powerful drug, that if it is on one pill, enough on one pill, it can actually kill someone. And that's the education that needs to start very early in our young adults' lives. So again, I commend the sponsor. I think it's a great bill and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Ellman, would you like to close?
Thank you. And thank you, everybody who has spoken in favor of this. Again, I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The question is, shall House Bill 3924 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 58 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. And House Bill 3924, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Fine, for what purpose do you seek recognition? The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes, so that would allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. Would the Committee on Assignments, please meet in the front room immediately? The Senate will stand at ease. Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition? 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023
Madam President, I wish the record to reflect that I intended to vote No on Senate Bill, sorry, House Bill 3710.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Your intentions will be made known. (at ease) The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - House Bills 1119, 2493, 2875, 3720, Motions -- Motions to Concur with House Amendment 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 58, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1352, Motion to Concur -- Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1665, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1710, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1872, Floor Amendment 4 to House Bill 2450, Floor Amendments 2 and 3 to House Bill 2858, Floor Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 3062, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3808; refer to State Government Committee - House Bill 301, Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 74, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 684, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1235, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1629, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1555, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1754, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2039, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1076, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 3566, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 3743, House Joint Resolution 30, Senate Resolution 241, Senate Resolution 304, and Senate Resolution 294; re-referred to 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 the Committee on Assignments: Senate Resolution 266; Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bill 376. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (b-1), the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments: Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 779. Signed Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair. Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 376; and Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Resolution 266. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
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 28. Offered by Senator Bryant, adopted by the House on May 18th, 2023. We have received a like Message on House Joint Resolution 33. Offered by Senator Bryant, adopted by the House May 18th, 2023, and House Joint Resolution 34. Offered by Senator Plummer, adopted by the House May 18th, 2023. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. They are all substantive, Mr. President -- Madam President. A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 1291. Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1291. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 1675, with House Amendments 1 and 2. Passed the House, as amended, May 18th, 2023. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 318, offered by Senator Napoleon Harris. It is congratulatory, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Ladies and Gentlemen. We are going to return to House Bills 3rd Reading. Starting on page 6 of your printed Calendar. House Bill 218. Senator Harmon, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 218, an Act concerning civil law, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 218 is an initiative of our former colleague, the Attorney General Kwame Raoul. It's really quite simple. It amends the long-standing Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, which has always been intended, as the title suggests, to protect consumers from fraud and deceptive business practices in the marketplace, including the marketplace for firearms. At the same time, there is a federal statute, the Protection of Law -- of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, or PLCAA, 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 which beginning in 2005, provided dramatic protections from liability for manufacturers and dealers of firearms. That federal law, however, does have an exemption for state laws that expressly regulate the marketplace for firearms. And so, that's what this amendment is doing. It is clarifying, through the addition of express language, that the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act does, in fact, apply to the marketplace of firearms. Happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Senator Anderson.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
We had a very long discussion in committee yesterday about this bill. Unfortunately, I -- I think this bill is, number one, a -- a -- a creative way to circumvent federal law. I think it sets a minefield and traps for small gun dealerships, places that market firearms, and the language is so broad and inconspicuous. Like I said, I think we're just -- we're setting a lot of -- of our top employers in this State, from places like Springfield Armory and Rock River Armory, to be forced to move out of our State, and in turn, lose a lot of good paying jobs. And for that, I would ask for a No vote. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Further discussion? Leader Curran, for what reason do you seek recognition?
46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
I would share my colleague's concerns. Illinois is one of the few states in the nation that actually licenses gun dealers. We already heavily regulate those who sell and transact weapons in this State. What this proposal before us does, it -- it really just sets a whole myriad of additional liabilities for gun dealers. And quite frankly, there's parts of it that would be impossible for them to follow, or they would not know. We had a good lengthy discussion, I had a good lengthy discussion in committee, yesterday, with the Attorney General on his proposal. I certainly appreciate the work he's doing in that Office, but I want to focus in on (b-1) of this proposal and really the vagueness and the lack of notice and guidance that it gives gun dealers when it comes to complying with this Act, (b-1) specifically states, it's an unlawful practice for any firearms industry member, through the sale, manufacturing, importing, or marketing of a firearm related product to: knowingly create, maintain, or contribute to a condition in Illinois that endangers the safety or health of the public by conduct either unlawful, which now that they would understand, or unreasonable under all circumstances, including failing to establish or utilize reasonable controls. This -- that portion of this proposal is a drastic overreach. It is very broad in nature and lacks any of the guidance that a gun dealer would need, or -- or a manufacturer for that matter, to actually comply with this Act. It does lay out a few examples when it says includes, but that is not exclusive. A gun dealer may put in place a system 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 on straw purchasers to try to insure, and we already regulate that through the gun dealer licensing. But under this Act, the -- they would never know that they're actually in compliance, because it is an impossible marker that it sets and its vagueness in this really gives them no notice. I do expect that this Act is going to be heavily litigated. There are other components to this Act that will be litigated. They've been litigated around the country. And quite frankly, it's been split decisions in district courts, and ultimately that's going to go up to the Supreme Court. But when we focus in on (b-1), the difference here is, this is going to be -- this is going to be litigated here in the State of Illinois. And we have -- we have guidance from the Illinois Supreme Court that says the statute is void for vagueness, if it fails to give a person of ordinary intelligence, fair notice, that his contemplated conduct is forbidden by the statute, or if there is an absence of standards restricting the discretion of governmental authorities or courts who apply the law. There is no standard restricting the discretion of governmental authorities that will be empowered and entrusted to enforce this law, not under (b-1). For that reason, I rise in opposition. It is one thing when we know, and in this space, everything gets challenged in the courts and some of it is just, it's unknown and we're not sure where it's going to go. I can rise and speak with relative certainty that (b- 1) is going to be addressed in the Supreme Court and it's going to need to be tailored back. And rather than waiting for that to happen, it should be done right the first time here. And I would ask for a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Harmon to close. 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you for the discussion of the bill. I do want to assure my colleagues that this does not conflict with federal law. In fact, just the opposite. We are expressly complying with the terms of the federal law to make sure that it doesn't invalidate our underlying predicate State law. That's the lawyer talking. I want -- I want to emphasize why we're doing this. One of the key components of this is to prevent marketing to children. And if you think it is far-fetched, I'm looking at an ad from Wee1 Tactical, with cartoon characters, marking -- marketing the JR-15, the Junior 15, a rifle that looks like an AR-15, and encourages you to get him one like yours, smaller, safer, lighter. And if you really want to be disturbed, here's an image from an ad of a toddler holding an assault weapon. This is how people are marketing guns to our children, and I don't think the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act should allow that unchecked. I hope you'll join me and vote Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The question is, shall House Bill 218 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 34 Ayes, 22 Nays, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 218, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're now going to move on to House Bill 219. President Harmon, do you wish to proceed? He does. Mr. Secretary, read the bill, please.
House Bill 219, an Act concerning civil law, 3rd Reading of the bill. 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) President Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The Illinois Supreme Court and our appellate courts sometimes invite the General Assembly to cure a defect in the law that has been identified in litigation. This bill, House Bill 219, is just such a case. Illinois law permits juries to award punitive damages in certain narrowly prescribed circumstances. The Illinois Appellate Court, however, ruled that, notwithstanding this general rule, punitive damages are not generally available under the Wrongful Death Act unless the General Assembly specifically authorizes them. Again, House Bill 219 does just that. It specifically authorizes punitive damages under the Wrongful Death Act. I would note that an action for recovery for severe injuries, when the plaintiff is still alive, may today result in punitive damages. It's only when the plaintiff has died from his or her injuries, that punitive damages are precluded. The awarding of punitive damages should not turn on whether the injuries were severe enough to kill the plaintiff. So, I'm happy to answer any questions. We had a good discussion in committee, but happy to try to answer any further questions here on the Floor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Is there any discussion? Senator Sally Turner, for what reason do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Some questions for the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 He indicates he'll yield.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just had a couple questions. I'm not on this committee, so I had some questions I wanted to ask. And one of them is, there's no cap on awards now, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Mr. President.
Thank you, Madam President. No, our -- our State law does not place caps on punitive damages, nor does this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Turner.
And the other question that I had -- so this is in regard to wrongful death, but how about survivor actions, like loss of compatibility and things of that nature, does that -- is that under this as well?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) President.
Thank you, Madam President. I do not believe we're changing anything other than the wrongful death claim. There may be companion claims in the same litigation. I don't want to mislead you, but we're not proposing changes. They're only for causes of action arising under the Wrongful Death Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Turner.
Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate that. Thank you, Madam 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Further discussion? Senator Tracy, for what reason do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
With all due respect, Mr. President, I don't care for this bill. And I'll tell you why. Illinois is unique in that our Illinois Supreme Court has held that there is not a cap on damages. With this bill, if it took effect and was signed into law, then likewise, there would be no cap on punitive damages. Now, all the business groups are against this bill, in opposition. And the reason is, Illinois does have a fairly bad reputation for litigation across the nation. And because of the Illinois Supreme Court deciding that there is no cap on damages, and hence, there wouldn't be any cap on punitive damages, this would give employers here pause to stay here or to come here. And I think we are -- we can all agree that Illinois needs good employers. We need to thrive economically. And this would be a big, big reason why they would choose not to move, to move or not to come at all. Another reason I don't care for this bill is, it exempts the State of Illinois. Now, we -- we talked about in committee, and I think it's very important -- important to point out, that the veterans and their families who died in the Quincy Veterans Home and the LaSalle Veterans Home, their survivors would not be able to avail themselves of this bill. I think that's hugely unfair. Why would 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 the State be exempt? Why is it such a good idea that the State of Illinois would be exempt from any cause of action, wrongful death, that would occur in a State facility? It's just -- has a huge lack of fairness. We also talked in committee about situations where there's a DUI, that's a horrible situation when someone chooses to be under the influence and takes a life of a innocent bystander, but likewise, the punitive damages would -- would take effect in this. The net effect of all that, even though punitive damages aren't covered by liability insurance, let's face it, there's a huge indirect cost for insurance costs. It's factored in, when you have a cause of action under wrongful death, you're going to have your insurance retain an attorney. They will have to sit through depositions and various -- various parts of the trial that have to do with the punitive damages, but the cost of litigation definitely goes up, definitely goes up, and that will be factored in. Hence, we're going to see our liability insurance to our individuals and to our businesses go up. It's just a -- it's just a inconsequential fact. It's going to happen, and it won't be inconsequential to those that have to pay those premiums. So, these are the reasons I think this bill is not good. Illinois is different than the other states that have allowed punitive damages in these situations that Mr. President talked about, of survivors being able to bring causes of action and get punitive damages. We don't need this bill. We have huge verdicts in wrongful death cases that are ample. And for those reasons, that I stated, I asked for a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Mr. President. To close.
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you for the discussion. 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Although I'm not sure we were discussing the bill before us. Let me try to address the issues notwithstanding. We are not introducing punitive damages to Illinois. We have punitive damages in Illinois. If someone is driving under the influence and hits a family member of yours and severely injures them, punitive damages are available. If they hit your family member and kill them. Punitive damages are not. That seems absurd. Punitive damages already exist in Illinois. They are already built into the insurance premiums. This is not a new concept. Similarly, the notion that there should be caps on punitive damages in many ways defeats the purpose. If there are set caps on damages, it allows business decision makers to do some grisly mathematics. We talked in committee about the Ford Pinto. I can't cite the numbers, but imagine someone sitting in a corporate boardroom saying, "we can kill 127 drivers before it's more expensive to recall the car than it is to simply pay the capped punitive damages." I would point out, also, that even with the existence of punitive damages, there have only been eighteen punitive damages awards, in excess of ten thousand dollars, in the last ten years. This is not a common occurrence, but it is an important tool to be used in rare circumstances to make sure people aren't sitting in boardrooms saying, "how many people can we kill before we hit the breakeven mark." I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The question is, shall House Bill 219 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 37 Ayes, 19 Nays, and 1 voting Present. House Bill 219, having received the required 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 constitutional majority, is declared passed. Moving on to House Bill 476. Senator Belt, do you wish to proceed? He does. Mr. Secretary, read the bill, please.
House Bill 476, an Act concerning local government, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Belt.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 476. It -- it expressly and explicitly authorizes the -- that the Metro East Sanitary District can purchase insurance for its employees and commissioners. Before I yield for any questions, I would like to give some historical context for the reason why this legislation is important. There -- in 1936, the Sanitation District Act was created, and that Act allowed for its members to be able to purchase insurance. The issue is that the Metro East Sanitation District came along after the creation of the Sanitation District Act of 1936. So, current law is a bit opaque and it's a little fuzzy, and so, the commissioners and employers -- employees of the Metro East Sanitation -- Sanitation District, they currently have insurance, but they're constantly under threat of a -- of a lawsuit. And so, this is why this legislation is -- is brought forth. This is why this legislation is important. It clearly authorizes, again authorizes that the Metro East Sanitation District, they can purchase health insurance for their commissioners. So, it brings them up to parity with all other sanitary -- sanitation districts.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Is there any discussion? Senator Erica Harriss, for what reason do you seek recognition?
Thank you. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) He indicates he'll yield.
Senator, so the very beginning of this law states that commissioners of the Metro East Sanitary District should have a salary that is not any more than that of Saint Clair County Board members, or Madison County Board members, the lesser of those two. As we know, the lesser of those two is Madison County. In 2016, Madison County Board removed themselves from the pension. The next year, they removed themselves from getting any type of health benefits. So, based on the language in the law here, would you agree that by providing a salary equal to that of the Madison County Board members, an addition to health benefits would be breaking the intention of the law?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Belt.
Senator Harriss, I would argue that -- that's -- compensation and salaries are beyond the scope of this legislation. This legislation just looks to authorize the Metro East Sanitation District to be able to purchase health insurance. Now, if this -- if this legislation passes this Body and is signed into a public act and it becomes law, I would argue then, that it becomes an internal issue for the Metro East Sanitation District and those members who seek to purchase insurance. This insurance -- this 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 legislation has nothing to do with the compensation. It doesn't even challenge what the current law says about taking the lower salary of the two counties. It doesn't -- it just expressly authorizes the Metro East Sanitation District to be able to purchase health insurance for its commissioners, bringing it into parity with the other sanitation districts that were created under the 1936 Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Harriss.
Would you agree that if the Metro East Sanitary District pays for health insurance for its very part time, one meeting a month, appointed commissioners, in addition to the salary which is equal to the Madison County Board members, that their compensation would eclipse what State law and your bill allows for?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Belt.
Senator -- Senator Harriss. We had a very robust and vigorous committee debate on this very issue. Again, the -- the compensation schedule, the -- the -- what the current law is for the commissioners, which states that -- that the commissioners of the Metro East -- Metro East Sanitation District, their salaries has to be the lower of board members, county board members, between Saint Clair and Madison County. You take the lower of those two. I'm arguing, again, that this legislation, that I'm presenting, has nothing to do with compensation. If it passes or when it passes, and if it -- if it's signed into law, that's an internal HR issue for Metro East Sanitary District. That HR person needs to 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 be able to tell those who raised their hand for insurance what the consequences may be. But this is not what we're dealing with right here. This legislation just authorizes the Metro East Sanitation District, it gives them the permission, in a fuzzy area, to be able to legally purchase insurance and avoid being sued.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Harriss.
I believe what you're trying to say is that salary and health benefits are not the same as compensation. We do have an attorney general report, which is from the State of Illinois, which we discussed in committee, and it says in there that specifically says that salary is synonymous with compensation. And in that opinion, there are also multiple cases cited that say the very same thing, that salary is synonymous with compensation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Was there a question?
Have you sought the opinion of the Attorney General, our lawyer for the State of Illinois, on this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Belt.
Senator Harriss, I'll -- I'll take the bait. I'll go down the rabbit hole. I've argued what this legislation is about, but for intents and purposes, we reached out to the Attorney General's Office. They didn't respond. But what you're quoting is from 1994, when Roland Burris was the Attorney General, and it's just an opinion that he gave. Now, we have case law in Illinois that the 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Village of Hanover Park versus the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hanover Park, and clearly it states health insurance is not fixed and this is not salary under the Pension Code. We also have Kanerva versus Weems, which says the same thing, health insurance and this is from 2014, health insurance is not salary. We have 5 or 6 more that I can -- I can quote in here that says health insurance is separate from salary. So even your argument, if we're going to go that way, it still says health insurance and salary are two distinct entities. So, to your question earlier, would they be the same thing? The answer is no.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Harriss.
The AG has removed guidance previously and taken it down. This one has not been removed. So, while it's from 1994, it is a more apples to apples than some of the other cases that you are citing which are not from the State of Illinois. So, I would urge that we -- we have an Attorney General. We have a lawyer. If we're not following his opinion, then we should -- we should ask our Attorney General what -- if he's going to take down that guidance or if that guidance would remain the same. Because otherwise, I think we -- I don't think, I -- based on his opinion, we would, there's numerous cases saying that salary is synonymous with compensation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Belt.
To close, was that a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 We still do have some discussion here. I'm going to start with the first light that I've seen is Senator DeWitte, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Point of order, Madam Chair. I'm not sure our first Senator was finished with her questioning.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Harriss.
Thank you, Senator. So, my question is, is it the intention of this legislation to allow these part time commissioners, who meet one meeting per month, to receive health benefits in addition to the salary in which they already receive?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Belt.
Senator Harriss, I really can't answer that. What the intent of intent of this legislation is, is to authorize the Metro East Sanitation District, right? To give them the permission to offer to purchase health insurance to those commissioners who want it. That's it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Harriss.
It sounds as if the answer to the -- my question is yes. 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 That it is the intention of this legislation to allow part time commissioners, who are meeting one meeting per month, to receive health benefits in addition to their salary. Additionally, if this bill is really necessary, have the MESD commissioners been illegally taking these benefits for the last numerous years?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Belt.
Again, I'm not going to get off into any conjecture or anything else. The -- as written, it is House Bill 476, expressly authorizes that the Metro East Sanitation District is to -- could purchase insurance for its employees and its commissioners. That's -- that's it. I -- whether they come in once a month or every other week, that has nothing to do with why I'm here right now.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Harriss.
To close. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
I think most of us here would agree that we need to be reasonable. We need to be wise stewards of taxpayers. They are actually our bosses. That is who we report to. And I think that this bill fails to be fiscally responsible and, nor is it keeping in the spirit of public service that we and officials ought to be expected to live up to. And as an advocate for the taxpayers, I urge everyone to vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Senator DeWitte.
Thank you, Madam President. A question of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield.
Thank you, Madam President. Senator Belt, thank you for your legislation. I have one question regarding some information in our analysis regarding insurance coverages. I've only -- I've only been a licensed producer in this State for about 12 or 13 years, but I have yet to see any coverage that allows coverage for employees reliant on treatment through prayer and spiritual needs. Can you please define what type of coverage that would entail?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Belt.
Thank you, Senator DeWitte. It's actually in 29 other statutes. It's really old language that they've included in this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator DeWitte.
And is that -- is that insurance covered in the policies that you would like to purchase, or would you like to have the Sanitary District be able to purchase?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Belt.
Senator -- Senator DeWitte, it would be up to the Metro East 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Sanitary District what they would buy, or look at, or purchase. But even in this language it says they may cover those things. It's not an absolute.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator DeWitte.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
I would concur with my colleague. I question this as a public expense for any government entity, let alone, the Metro East Sanitary District. I would urge a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Plummer, for what reason do you rise?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
So, the Metro East Sanitation District has become an interesting conversation over the last few years, here in the General Assembly. I'm not sure why that is the case. The reality of this situation is pretty simple. There's a handful of political appointees that receive benefits that average taxpayers couldn't dream of, and local folks in Saint Clair County and Madison County have tried to address it, just like we would expect them to do. I've got letters here from a bipartisan group of people, elected officials from Madison County, elected officials from Saint Clair 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 County, citizens, Republicans and Democrats. And all they're saying is, the folks serving in these positions have likely been receiving benefits well beyond what statute allows. And at the local level, they've tried to address it. And now here in Springfield, when only maybe three people in this room have a connection to Madison or Saint Clair County, we're trying to jam expenses down the throats of local Metro East taxpayers. What this is, if you read the introduction to the bill, it talks about employees of the Metro East Sanitation District and commissioners, but if you noticed in the conversation, it was 100 percent focused on the commissioners. Nobody's trying to take health insurance benefits away from any employees. Nobody's trying to take health insurance benefits away from folks working every day at the Metro East Sanitation District, there's a handful of commissioners that meet once a month for approximately 1 hour, according to the elected officials down there. And they're receiving benefits in excess of what statute allows. And in typical Illinois fashion, instead of doing the reasonable thing and letting the local officials rein in these out-of-control benefits, we're just trying to put a boot on the throats of the people that were elected by the citizens of Saint Clair County and Madison County to do the right thing. You know, the sponsor can look over his shoulder in a second because our Honorable Attorney General is here, maybe he can address some of these -- address some of these questions. I'm not going to get into the constitutional merit of it. I'm not going to get into the legal merit of it. The fact of the matter is, these people have likely been in violation of the law. Local officials are trying to address it, and instead of doing the right thing, we're trying to put our boot on the throats of these folks. People 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 that meet once a month for an hour should not get gold plate health insurance benefits paid for by local taxpayers -- payers. That's common sense. Out of decency, common sense and respect for local control and for taxpayers, I urge a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Belt, would you like to close?
I absolutely would. There again, the Metro East Sanitary District is looking to come up to parity with other sanitation districts that were created by the 1936 Act. They can have insurance, but these guys can't. This is not a compensation issue. I know we went down that street. This legislation says -- it authorizes that the Metro East Sanitation District has the authority to purchase whatever kind they agree on. I don't know what kind they may, but they have that authority to do so in a in a fuzzy area. We're -- we're quoting 1994 opinions and guidance, it's not legal preference. And so, with that being said, I just ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The question is, shall House Bill 476 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 38 Ayes, 18 Nays, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 476, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Castro, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Purpose of a motion, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 To your motion.
I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 579, House Bill 2493, House Bill 1119, can be heard today at 6 p.m. in the Senate Executive Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Castro moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 579, House Bill 2493, House Bill 1119 can be heard at 6 p.m. today in the Senate Executive Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. Senator Preston, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Madam President, my intention was to vote Yes on House Bill 476.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Your intentions will be recorded. Okay, continuing on Senate Bills 3rd Reading on page 7 of your printed Calendar. We are going to come up with House Bill 1286, Senator Villanueva. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill, please.
House Bill 1286, an Act concerning health, 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villanueva.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 1286, as amended, provides that any multiple-occupancy restroom may be identified as and/or converted into an all-gender restroom. A facility may choose 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 to construct all gender multiple occupancy restrooms. The bill sets out the requirements for these restrooms, which include inclusive signage, floor to ceiling stall dividers with locking mechanisms, trash receptacles in each stall, a menstruation supply -- supplies vending machine, a baby changing station and ADA compliance. While HB 1286 allows implementation of a all-gender multiple occupancy restroom, it does not mandate that facilities convert or construct such restrooms. Again, domestic violence organizations like ICASA, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, CAASE, are in support of this bill. And again, not a mandate. It is permissive. I'm open to questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Are there any questions? Senator Erica Harriss, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
So, I've heard a lot of ideology on this issue, but the reality is that the vast majority of people that I've spoken to in my district, are very uncomfortable with this legislation, regardless of their political affiliation. And I'm here today to represent my constituents wishes, not an ideology, or an agenda. And for that reason, I'll be voting No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
One question. 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Your question. She indicates she'll yield.
Does -- does this really prohibit the placement of urinals in the bathrooms?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villanueva.
Senator Rose, in order to oblige sensibilities, we wanted to make sure that for these particular all-gender restrooms that again, not a mandate, it's permissive for people that want to construct these or have these in their businesses and their establishments. For those that are concerned with having to deal with a urinal, that a toilet would suffice as opposed to having a toilet and a urinal. So, no, it does not do away with urinals. You still have access to use one as much as you want, whenever you want, in different facilities that offer them, but toilets are sufficient.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Rose, did you now have something other than that one question?
Hang on, to the bill. I only had one question. I didn't concede my right to talk to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Rose, to the bill.
So, I don't know what that was, but the -- the bill, you -- permissive if you do it, but you can't put in a urinal. I got to 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 be very careful what I say here. Silly season is absolutely infected Springfield. We're now solving problems that don't exist. And I'm going to say this very simply, and it's, take it how you will, why would, I've talked to my wife about this, why on earth would any lady want a dude in their bathroom. Okay, I mean, this stuff is crazy. There's no budget. We haven't seen a budget. Deadline to do some of it was yesterday, apparently. There's no budget, but we're talking about this. And I'm going to tell you right now, I'm -- based upon what my wife has told me, I am fairly certain that most women in the State of Illinois do not want guys in their bathrooms. And I just think about, like I, you know, the Coalition Against Sexual Assault, where do you think sexual assaults occur in bars? They occur in bathrooms, just as a matter of fundamental cleanliness. Why would any woman want a guy using their bathroom in a public restroom? And that's about all I can say on it. But if all you ladies want guys in your bathroom, be careful what you wish for. That's all I got to say. Be careful what you wish for.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Tracy, for what reason do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
Obviously, we had a robust discussion about this in committee and it is permissive for a business to choose to do this. However, it likewise, we -- we were concerned that if a business chose to go this route, that they could have different floor options and 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 all that. But -- but in actuality, it's going to be difficult, because it says that if you choose to do a multi-gender bathroom, then if they're closely approximated, all your bathrooms have to be multi-gender. I don't know if businesses will choose to do this or not, but I do know humans do need to relieve themselves regularly. No doubt. I'm blessed to have nine grandchildren, and I can tell you, well, it's my little three-year-old Ruthie's birthday today, she would freak out in this type of restroom, and if that's all the facility that I have to take her into. Let's think about children. Let's think about children. We try to be all inclusive, and that's great. We do need to. But -- but previous speaker made a great point. I don't want to go into a restroom where there's a man next to me washing my hands. President Harmon mentioned that -- I'd have problems with that. I've asked a lot of people; do you have problems if you're in a restroom and there's men in there or you're a guy and there's women in there. Do you have a problem washing your hands or whatever? Truth be told, we do. We do. We don't want this. Now, that's going to be the businesses choice. I guess you can choose not to go to that business if that's what they -- they choose to do, but if that's the only option you've got at that point in time, let's think about that little three-year-old. I have a seven-year-old. None of them want to go in. I've taken my grandson into the bathroom with me. I prefer the single-family restrooms that are available. They are great. They're in airports. I think this is a great accommodation. I think it's very much more of what the public in general wants than a multi-gender bathroom. Those work. My grandson doesn't like to go in where there's women, but I've taken him, no doubt. I mean, you can do that with children, but let's really think about what 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 we're doing. This is going to be more unsanitary. Males, by and large, do need urinals. Trust me, that's a fact. And, we skid around this idea of sexual assault. I do think the man from Family Alliance did make a good point. These types of restrooms do make, if you have floor to ceiling, like individual port-a-potties, floor to ceiling door and all that, enclosures, you do present an extra hazard. And I think that's a point to consider. Do we really need this bill? Do we need this bill? I don't think so. It's certainly flawed, and so for those reasons, I'd ask for a No vote
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Bryant.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) She indicates she'll yield.
So, hey, what's offensive about a urinal?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villanueva.
That's a good question, Senator Bryant. I'm not particularly offended because I don't have delicate sensibilities, but, you know, other people don't want to necessarily stare into a urinal.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Bryant.
Okay, but if this is top to bottom, sealed, right? You could have a urinal in there that nobody else is going to see. I'm -- 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 I'm trying -- the whole urinal thing is the thing that's got me a little messed up, because I don't really like sharing my bathroom with my husband or my son anyway, right? Now, not only do -- what I -- I'm not trying to make fun of this, but not only do I have to worry about a woman who might have been hovering and left something on the stool, but I have to worry about a man now, who doesn't lift the lid because why should he have to lift the ring and touch something that's not sanitary anyway. I don't get -- I don't get the whole urinal thing. So, honestly, beyond all of that, that has me a little… I'm --I don't know what to do with that. Not to the bill. No more questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Madam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
So, just thinking of a real-life scenario, and I know, yesterday we had somebody in committee, we had somebody testify that -- that was called dog-whistling or whatever the comment was about sexual assault. Aside from that, this bill is going to cause a violence problem, and I'm not even speaking to the sexual assault side of it. And I'm going to give you a real-life scenario. My daughter is ten years old. Right now, when we're out in public, what I do as a father, if my wife's not with me, is, we will go to the women's bathroom and I will tell my daughter, hey, peek in there and see if there's anybody in there. If nobody's in there, then she goes. I wait outside the door, right? If somebody goes in 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 there and it's a woman, fine. Under this, I can't see with the floor to ceiling things, she won't be able to see who's in there. I won't be able to see who's in there. I'm telling you right now, if a guy walks in there, I'm going to beat the living piss out of him. So, this is going to cause violence, and it's going to cause violence from dads like me.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Chesney, for what reason do you rise?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
So, the Democrat majority has already acknowledged that they think that gender is fluid, and so we've accommodated the -- the wokeism by creating single-person multi, you know, single-person, multi-sex bathrooms. That was like the middle ground. And people laughed at us, as Republicans, when I was in the House, when we put tampon dispensers in male bathrooms in all the schools. Everybody said that that was to accommodate people that didn't know what sex they were. Although, we believe there's only two sexes. But very seldom do we find bills that are both -- are -- are sexist by both -- in both regards, right? So, if you're a male, this is a sexist bill, right? Because you are taking away urinals away from men, right? This is a sexist bill. And then if you're - - if you're a woman, and all the women feminists out there, this is going to unfairly target women for more criminal activity, because no reasonable person wants this, right? No -- no reasonable person came into your district and said, I want you to fight for 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 X, Y and Z, oh, and by the way, multi-occupancy, multi-gender bathrooms. There isn't one person in this Chamber that has asked or fought for this issue, not one. This is like a really bad Bud Light commercial, is what this is. This is like wokeism on extremism, right? And so, you guys always talk about extremism. This is extremism. No person wants this bill, right? So, you guys, your party is being hijacked by this leftist ideology that nobody really agrees with, right? So, nobody's coming to your communities and saying, you know what, I really think men and women need to use the bathroom together. Do you agree? Yeah, I really agree. Nobody's asking for this, right? This is woke. This is radical and is out of touch with virtually everybody in both my district and your district. Vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Plummer, for what reason do you rise?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
So, only because it came up earlier in terms of self- identification, I want to highlight one interesting fact, and that is, in the House of Representatives, this bill received 60 votes and then another person said they wanted to be on the record in favor of it. So that put it at 61, but then 2 people self-identified that they wanted to be recorded as Noes. That took it back down to 59 votes. So, if we're really into how people self-identify, this bill didn't really even pass the House of Representatives. But I don't know about all this, I don't know about all this woke stuff 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 and all this different stuff, right? I -- it's just common sense. You know, I have a -- I have a daughter that's about to be five and I have twin boys that are two, and I see how my wife, you know, my daughter just graduated pre-K and I think my wife was a little bit embarrassed because at the pre-K thing they read this thing about, my mom can't, and all the kids got to fill in a blank and it was really funny different stuff. And on my daughter's, it said, my wife can't, and it said, handle my brothers by herself. And I thought that was funny because my wife is a saint and she's got three kids under five. And I just think about the situation that a bill like this, to the last speaker's point, no one in our communities is asking for this. And I look at what a bill like this does to someone like my wife, who's trying to go to Walmart, or Target, or whatever, or some establishment that decides to go down this route. I personally have been out with the kids. How do you manage this? And suddenly when my daughter is six or seven or eight or nine and she's going into the restroom by herself and there's men going in the restroom, and I've got four- and five- year-old boys out here. I mean, this just puts parents in a terrible situation. I, you know, I respect the fact that you may think you're solving something here, but for every problem you're solving, you're creating thousands of problems for regular Illinois families that aren't politically conservative and they're not politically liberal. They just want to go to the grocery store, or a restaurant, or somewhere, without some silly confusion and some silly piece of legislation that puts them in a bad spot. This is just common-sense stuff. So, you know, I guess I respect the fact that you think that there's this, like, uproar from the people of Illinois that want to make sure that men and women can go to 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 the bathroom by themselves -- or together. I really think the people of Illinois would like to see us get a budget. I think the people of Illinois would like to address things like property taxes and out-of-control crime. I don't think they need to worry about which pedophile is going to the bathroom with their young child of a different gender when they're just out on a day with the family. I urge a No vote out of common sense.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Edly-Allen, for what reason do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
I'd like to address a statement that was made about sexual assaults happening in a public bathroom. I happened to look up the statistic, and according to RAINN, Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, which is the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the United States, most sexual assaults occur near the victim's home, over 55 percent. So, I'd just like the sphere of the bathroom to be allayed by that statistic, please. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Simmons, for what reason do you rise?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
Madam President. We hear more insincere nonsense from the 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 other side on these kinds of issues. And I sit here, and I try to approach these discussions sincerely, listening to the arguments and seeing if there is some shred of logic to anything that is said. And on this piece of legislation, which I thank the sponsor for bringing forward, there is no reason for anybody in this Chamber to threaten violence if we pass this legislation. Living in an era where we have seen people exacting violence on public officials and in centers of government. I take personal offense to anybody here who would say that if we pass a piece of legislation, that you would go out and beat somebody up. And, Madam President, I would ask that those words be stricken from the record because I wouldn't want a single person in this State to read that record and think that anybody here would come after them if they would do something so mundane as to use the bathroom, a simple call of nature. So absolutely not, I refuse to accept that. Furthermore, to the previous speakers who said that no one has asked for this piece of legislation. No one can speak for my constituents better than the Senator represented -- to represent that district. And I will tell you that I have been asked about this legislation by hundreds of constituents who have written in and who have called and asked that we support this piece of legislation, so that Illinois will step into the 21st century, as other countries have. Who have taken steps to embrace people who come from all genders, those that might be non-binary, those that may be gender non- conforming, those that may be LGBTQ+, such as myself, and proudly so. So, I would ask that we all vote for this piece of legislation, so that Illinois can step on the right side of history, and we can continue to be an affirming and welcoming state for people that come from my community. Thank you. 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Castro, for what reason do you rise?
Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) She indicates she'll yield.
Senator Villanueva, there was some comments about violence. This would create more sexual assaults. Can you tell me who some of the proponents of this bill are?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villanueva.
Well, there's a variety of proponents for this bill, but a couple that I mentioned that actually work with, again, victims of violence include ICASA, CAASE, and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Castro.
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
Well, we spent a lot of time talking about urinals. Glad our friends on the other side of the aisle want to focus solely on urinals. But -- I want to remind some of you, many of you have one single bathroom that you share with your significant other. Port- a-lets, you have a bathroom, a toilet, sealed. This is a permissive 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 piece of legislation and I want to thank the sponsor for bringing it to us. On top of the fact that there is a lot of dog-whistling here, I'll admit, I said it, because when you, excuse me, I am speaking. So, someone who said I called names, I didn't call anybody's name, but it just shows the lack of decorum and dignity and just talking about a very difficult topic. I get it. People have districts to represent, and they want to speak their mind. But at the end of the day, this is an important piece of legislation and there's a lot of just making all kinds of comments, dog- whistling, I'll say it again, on a topic that's permissive. In Puerto Rico, for example, there is a restaurant that has a multi- gender bathroom based on some of the language that is in this bill. People use it. No one's complaining. So, instead of just always bemoaning everything, maybe it would be behest to all of you to actually read the bill, educate it, and ask thoughtful questions. Madam President, I hope everyone supports this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Lightford, for what reason do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) She indicates she'll yield.
Senator Villanueva, is this mandatory?
No, Leader. It's…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Lightford.
79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Thank you. Does every restaurant, business, school, institution, have to implement this bathroom in their space?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villanueva.
No, Leader.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Lightford.
Are you forcing anyone to go into a bathroom that could be for a male or a female if this passes?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villanueva.
No, Leader.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Hunter -- we don't want to have her jump in quite yet. Senator Lightford.
Senator Hunter is my sister, but, Senator Villanueva, I'm trying to understand the opposition. Can you share with me who are the opponents to the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villanueva.
We have the Pro Family Alliance, the Illinois Family Institute, and several thousand individual opponents, who I'm assuming are also coming from those institutions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Senator Lightford.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) To the bill.
It just sounds like, to me, that these are individuals who have problems with the LGBTQ community, and it sounds like these are the same people who act as if they don't have family members or friends who are members of the LGBTQ community. And it sounds like it's people who don't understand that life is evolving. People are changing and growing and not afraid to be who they are. And as a society, we ought to offer options. So, if you do not want to go in that particular bathroom, then just don't freaking do it! Don't go in the bathroom. Don't take your kids in the bathroom. Just don't use it. It's not mandatory. No one said that it had to be in all of these places. It makes the argument, is a little unfair. The argument is a little selfish to those who may want to use it, who may want to have this opportunity, or who may need it at that particular time. I think that we should rise into the 21st century. We should acknowledge those who need to have the adequate space for them. And I don't believe that this is an argument about me and my wife, or me and my husband, sharing a bathroom. We have master suites in our homes and we're using the same freaking toilet. We also have children that we share spaces with in our homes. And I don't believe that this is that issue. And we also have family bathrooms and a lot of places where families go to use the bathroom. So that's his and her at times. I rise in support of this legislation. And I think that the Senate sponsor has done a 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 marvelous job. It is permissible, and if it's something that doesn't suit you, just don't utilize it. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Villanueva to close.
Thank you, Madam President. I want to clarify a couple of things. This bill applies to places of public accommodation. So, we're talking publicly or privately owned sports or entertainment arenas, stadiums, community or convention halls, special event centers, amusement facilities, or a special event center in a public park. Again, these are businesses that are making this decision to do this. This does not include hotels. Again, and I want to clarify this, hotels, restaurants, schools. The reason why I'm clarifying this, because again, we forget that in our homes, if you have a mother, a father, brothers, sisters, someone of the opposite gender, you have already been using -- using a gender- neutral bathroom. I live with my brother, my younger brother and my father. And guess what? Yes, I agree with you. They should be a little bit cleaner, as I constantly remind them all the time, and they're going to hate me for saying that on the record, but it's the reality of things. Okay? What I'm a little bit more worried about, based off of some of these comments, is people's sanitary, you know, lessons that they're learning. Like are you actually washing your hands after you leave the restroom, because I'm a little concerned about that. But that's not what this bill is about. This bill is about actually letting people who want to do this and who have already been doing this in practice in their businesses, that we also rightfully claim that we're very proud of, to be able to continue to do the business that they're already 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 doing, which is to have gender-neutral bathrooms that so many of us already use. Why am I saying that? Because sometimes I really question what experiences people have that they don't realize that they already do this. We had several speakers talk about taking their grandchildren, or their children to the restroom who were of an opposite gender. Actually, this would make your life a little bit easier if you didn't know this. So, if we're going that route, it's actually a pro-family bill, because it makes it easier for dads to take their daughters or moms to take their sons, even though it's already happening. Why? Because if your child, who maybe doesn't know how to aim correctly, needs a little bit of help in the bathroom, you're going to take them. This makes it easier. Why? Because it won't be so awkward of you going into the ladies' room or me going into the men's room. But yet we want to misconstrue everything because again, at the end of the day, the reality is whether you want to admit it or not, dog-whistles galore. We want to talk about the potential for violence and sexual assault. Well, guess what? Every single time that I've been harassed, sexually harassed, it's been in a public street when I've been sexually assaulted by strangers, it's been in a public street. It hasn't been in a bathroom. And while you might say, why are you so concerned with toilets and bathrooms and urinals, I'm really not. The question should be, why you are. Why are you so concerned with urinals when you don't have urinals in your houses, unless you live a very different life? And yes, I'll let that sink in for a while because, again, you want to talk about urinals. We can talk about urinals until the cows come home. The question was, do we need this bill. Yes, we need this bill because we are surrounded by states in this country that are proactively 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 prosecuting and persecuting people because of who they are. And when you start talking over me, there's a reason for that, because I'm hitting way too many trigger points right now. And we can laugh it off because I can laugh it off like nobody's business. When you claim that no one in your communities is coming to you and talking to you about it, nobody's in your communities is coming to talk to you about it because they're afraid of you, because you are not representing everybody in your community, because they come running to us to tell us that my Senator, my Representative, doesn't listen, but I need this in order to make sure that harm does not come to me and my body when I decide which restroom I want to go into. Because I can't live my life openly, freely and honestly. Because what I'm afraid of is a gunshot hurting me because I choose the wrong restroom according to somebody else, not based off of my own decision. So why do we need this bill? Because while you might say, well, it's not about urinals and it's about a toilet, the reality is, if you can't use a damn toilet, then you know what, you need a little bit of help. Because we do have disabled communities that need help using the restroom. We do have little ones that need help using the restroom -- restroom. But if you are able bodied and your concern, and so concerned, with who is using what restroom, you got more and bigger problems than any of us can legislate. I'm trying to clarify why we're needing this bill and I can go on. And literally, as we've been having this debate, I've been getting nonstop text messages of how pro-family this bill is, because it makes it easier for parents to actually take their kids into the restroom when they need to go. I've gotten text messages of people saying, do all of these people have urinals in their home, and we just don't. I've had text 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 messages from people saying, like, you know we all use gender- neutral restrooms, right, because family? Last night we had a Black and Latino Caucus end of Session celebration and there were porta potties. They were very nice porta potties. And you know who was using them? Everyone was using them. And no, there weren't urinals, but they were toilets, because you know what. Guess what? A toilet works with both number one and number two, and whatever else comes out. At the end of the day, while you might say nobody's talking to you about it, it's because they're coming to us saying we need your help to make sure that we're not prosecuted and persecuted for making the decision of what restroom we go to. This isn't just a good bill. This is a great bill. I urge a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Would everybody make sure that their computers are set up and ready for you to vote? And then, the question is, shall House Bill 1286 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 35 Ayes, 20 Nays, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 1286, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Joyce, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For a notification.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) State your notification.
I move that -- waive all notice and posting requirements so that Senate Resolution 241, Senate Resolution 294, Senate Resolution 304, and House Bill 301 can be heard at 6 p.m. in State 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Government Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Joyce moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that Senate Resolution 241, Senate Resolution 294, Senate Resolution 304, House Bill 301 can be heard at 6 p.m. in the Senate State Government Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. All notice and posting requirements have been waived. Senator Sims, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) State your announcement.
Madam President, on May 6th, the Preston-Mhoon family's lives changed forever. While returning from her shift protecting the people of Chicago, Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston was senselessly killed in front of her home in the Avalon Park community. At only 24 years of age, she was already a three-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the City's fifth police district. She protected where she lived. Many have heard the story of Officer Preston's death, but I want you to know more about her life. A graduate of two of the finest institutions of higher learning on this planet, the Illinois State University and Loyola University Chicago's School of Law, where she was posthumously -- posthumously awarded her -- her Master of Jurisprudence degree on this Saturday. Colleagues and those who knew her professionally described her as a humble, dedicated and committed to leaving a positive impact on her community. Officer 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Preston was described by family, friends and neighbors as an intelligent, dynamic, committed, kind, warm, loving and beautiful human being. She had a light inside of her that was as bright as her smile. A light that led her to set her mind on committing her time, energy and talent to improving her community. Officer Preston is an example for all of us of the power of putting your mind to creating the possible. Yesterday, her family celebrated her life and laid Aréanah to rest. But I felt it was important for the Members of the Illinois Senate to recognize and honor, not only her memory, but her lasting sacrifice to our communities. This morning, I had the immense honor of speaking to her mother, Dionne Mhoon, who is watching here today. I want to thank Mrs. Mhoon and the entire Preston-Mhoon family for sharing their amazing daughter with us, and to let Mrs. Mhoon and entire Mhoon -- Preston-Mhoon family know that we are praying with and for them during this time of indescribable pain. Even though Ms. Mhoon is dealing with the unimaginable broken heartedness, when we spoke, I could hear the resolve in her voice to ensure that her daughter's memory and legacy would continue to shine through for years to come. I've often said that the things you do for yourself die when you die, but the things you do for others live on long after you are gone. Officer Aréanah Preston leaves with us a legacy of service, sacrifice and a commitment to excellence that will live with us forever. Words cannot describe the profound sense of loss her family, friends, neighbors of the Avalon Park community, and fellow officers are experiencing. To the Mhoon family, the Members of the Illinois Senate are -- stand with and are praying for you through this unimaginable pain. Madam President, at the appropriate time, I would ask for the adoption of Senate Resolution 317 and that the 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Members of the Illinois Senate who are rising with me stand to celebrate and recognize the life and legacy of Officer Aréanah Preston and her impact on our community. May God bless and keep you during this very difficult season. God bless you and God bless the memory of Officer Aréanah Preston.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Would everybody please stand for a moment of silence? (Moment of silence) Senator -- Senator Hunter, for what reason do you rise?
To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) There is not a resolution, but if you have an announcement.
I'd like to speak to this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Please state your point, Senator.
Thank you very much, Madam President. This morning, first of all, I'd like to thank Chairman Sims for bringing this measure forth. This morning I woke up very, very sad and depressed because of the memorializing of -- of Officer Preston yesterday. And, as many of you know, for the past 20 years that I've served here, I've been talking about violence prevention, gangs, guns, us not doing enough to work with troubled individuals, because if you have a troubled individual, mostly our youth, then you have a troubled family. It's something going on and we need to look into it to find out what's going on. And I just feel like we're not doing enough. You know, I don't see why we can't get the city, county, state, federal, everybody works together. Solidarity to - 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 - to -- to -- to address this issue. You know, the state cannot do it by themselves. The city cannot do it by themselves. The county cannot do it by themselves. We're having problems with guns and violence. It's poverty, it's a number of other things, mental health, whatever you want to call it. It's a problem. And it's a shame that Officer Preston lost her life, attacked while she was in uniform, in uniform. It's like you don't have no respect for law enforcement. The people who are out here protecting us, you know, and doggone it, we got to do something about this, you all. We must figure this thing out. You know, as you all know, I've lost two nephews at the same time in 2015, and things have gotten progressively worse. So, there's a lot I need to say, but I can't say. But I'm not going to say it. But my heart is still heavy for the Preston family, Mrs. Preston and your -- your family. And you have my deepest condolences. And anything I can do to help, please let me know. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Preston, for what reason do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I rise to speak to this measure as well, and I want to thank Senator Sims for your thoughtfulness and adopting a resolution for Officer Preston. You know, I have - - I have three daughters, and my wife and I saw this come across our screen like many of you, and when I saw this beautiful young woman, who not only was a police officer sacrificing her life on a daily basis, and I've learned more about her. She was also pursuing her education. She was doing all of the things that we would want all of our daughters and our children to do. For her to be taken so violently, it is hardly words that are going to be 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 able to be put together to explain it. But then I saw SWAT teams and so many police officers in my district, five minutes in walking distance from my house, when those who are alleged to have committed this heinous crime were captured in my district young people. I know that I share your thoughts Leader Hunter, and I speak to the family that we must do more. And while I thank, again, the Senator for bringing this resolution or forthcoming resolution, I know that I will be joining with all of you all moving forward to not only support our police officers, but to protect all young people who are out here, in our State, trying to further their education, being productive members of society, sacrificing their own lives at times, so that all of us can enjoy every measure of safety that we do enjoy. And so, to the family and to all of those young girls that are watching, you do have the support of this Body. The strong support of this Body and you can, and should, be protected, especially as you sacrifice your own personal safety for us. I ask that this young lady rest in peace and thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Ladies and Gentlemen. Please prepare to be ready to go to committees. We've got the Senate Special Committee on the Chicago Elected Representative School Board upon adjournment. In addition, we also have Executive Committee at 6 p.m. in Room 212, and State Government at 6 p.m. in Room 409. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 319, offered by Senator Fine. It is substantive, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Messages from the House. 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023
Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I'm 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 5, offered by President Harmon, adopted by the House April 26th, 2023. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. After committees, the Senate will reconvene for further Floor action. The Senate stands in recess. Please everyone, go to committees. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Castro, Chair of the Committee on Executive, reports Motions to Concur - House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 58, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1352, House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1665, House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1710, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1872 Recommend Do Adopt; House Bills 579, 1119, 2493 Do Pass; Senate Amendment 4 to House Bill 2450, Senate Amendments 2 and 3 to House Bill 2858 and Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 3062 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Joyce, Chair of the Committee on State Government, reports Senate Resolutions 241, 294 and 304 Be Adopted; Motions to Concur - House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 74, House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 684, House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1235, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1555, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1629, House Amendment 2 to 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 Senate Bill 1754, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1803 and House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2039 Recommend Do Adopt; House Bill 301 Do Pass; Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1076, Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 3566 and Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 3743 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, are there any Messages from the House.
Yes, Mr. President. 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 23. Offered by Senator Ventura. Adopted by the House May 18th, 2023. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President. A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 76. Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 76. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 850, with House Amendment 1 and Senate Bill 1463, with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, May 18th, 2023. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been printed and distributed. We're going to go to the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading, starting with House Bill 301 92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 from Senator Halpin. He's contemplating and he indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 301, an Act concerning education, 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Next, President Harmon brings House Bill 579. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 579, an Act concerning regulation, 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 House Bill 2493 from Senator Peters. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2493, an Act concerning employment, 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Next on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1119, Senator Pacione-Zayas. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1119, an Act concerning state government, 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. There being no further business to come before the Senate. The Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 9 a.m. 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 53rd Legislative Day 5/18/2023 on the 19th day of May, 2023. The Senate stands adjourned. 94