PASTOR PAUL HEMENWAY: (Invocation)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Thank you, Pastor. Please remain standing for the Pledge. Senator Johnson will lead us.
SENATOR JOHNSON: (Pledge of Allegiance)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Andrew Campbell from WGEM seeks leave to record video and audio of today's proceedings. Mike Miletich from WAND seeks leave to do the same, as does, Theodora… -- as does WCIA, the Blueroomstream. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Thursday, May 18th, 2023.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Hunter.
The -- Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending the arrival of the printed transcripts.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. We ask all Senators within the sound of my voice to please come to the Chamber Floor. We are 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 preparing to go to bills on 3rd Reading. Please come to the Floor. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolutions 320 and 321, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. They are both celebration of life resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we will begin this morning's business on page 6 of your printed Calendars. House Bills 3rd Reading near the top of that page where Leader Lightford brings House Bill 342. Senator Lightford, on House Bill 342. With leave of the Body, we're now going to move down towards the bottom of page 6, where Senator Sims, brings House Bill 1015. Senator Sims, on House Bill 1015. House Bill 1076 from Senator Plummer. On House Bill 1076, he indicates he wishes to proceed. Senator Plummer seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1076 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1076. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Plummer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Plummer, on Floor Amendment 1.
I'd like to accept the amendment and discuss it on 3rds.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 1076. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1076, an Act concerning local government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Plummer.
Thank you. House Bill 1076 is a pretty common-sense piece of legislation that helps clarify approximately a third of the counties in the State, if not more, own farm ground and many of those counties lease the farm ground. House Bill 1076, clarifies the process by which those counties lease the farm ground, makes it more transparent, makes it more open to the public. It's simply a good government bill, and I urge a -- a Yes vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, I'm sorry, there is a -- a Senator seeking recognition. Senator Wilcox, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Wilcox.
3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Does this bill look to change any of the land acquisition that is there, or it appears to be transparency aspect in the leasing prospect?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Plummer.
I want to give time for the camera to adjust. Okay, there we go. No, I -- no this is mainly a transparency bill. It also does clarify that counties are not to acquire ground strictly for speculative purposes or to do business. And the bill also further, you know, there was some proponents and opponents to the legislation. We worked very hard to get this to a point where everyone agreed. I think we're there now, but this bill also does nothing to address the fact that counties and local units of government do need to make sure that whatever agreements they enter into regarding leasing farm ground abides by the Constitution, as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Wilcox.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
I appreciate you bringing this forward and working hard on it and support this bill and request an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Plummer, do you wish to close?
4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 No, it's just good government and I urge a Yes vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 1076 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 1 voting Present. House Bill 1076, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. I do want to note for the record, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, that -- that bill was called, at exactly, 9:59 Central Daylight Savings Time. With leave of the Body, we are now going to move to the middle of page 7 on your printed Calendar where Senator Cervantes brings House Bill 1367. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1367, an Act concerning health. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Cervantes.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill removes the provisions that a licensed funeral director or embalmer are not exempt from kitchen education requirements that they haven't practiced for 40 years prior to January 1st. This bill will greatly help labor shortage in the funeral industry and will be beneficial to older funeral directors who want to work part time and keep up their license without being overburdened with continuing education hours. We have no opposition and I ask for an Aye vote. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House -- I'm sorry. We do have a Senator seeking recognition. Senator Fowler, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I applaud the sponsor for bringing this legislation to the Senate. I've had several funeral directors that have reached out to me, and they're very appreciative of this measure. So, I just rise in support and want to tell the sponsor, thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Cervantes, do you wish to close?
Just want to ask for an Aye vote. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 1367 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 1367, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Leave of the Body, we're moving down to House Bill 1399. Senator Preston, on House Bill 1399. He indicates he wishes to 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1399, an Act concerning criminal law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Preston.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1399 is a measure that is seeking to confront a serious issue that many of our correctional officers, mainly women, are -- are confronting. This measure is -- a measure that we -- that took countless hours from -- through many organizations to work towards. It's a good bill. It addresses mental health. I have no opposition on this bill. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
I want to thank the sponsor for bringing this bill. I cannot believe that it took as much work as he had to do to make this happen. As someone who worked in that field and was continuously harassed in this way, I think the sponsor and -- and I'm sure that there are many other males and females who will thank you for that in the end and ask for a strong Aye vote on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Seeing no further discussion. Senator Preston, do you wish to close?
Yes, I ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 1399 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. All those opposed, Nay. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1399, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we are going to move to page 8 of the printed Calendar. Where near the top of the page, where Senator Peters brings House Bill 1612. Senator Peters, on House Bill 1612. Senator Peters indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1612, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Peters.
This is just a bill to collect data on denied applications. I ask for a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1612 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 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 question, there are 56 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 1612, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to go to page 8 of your printed Calendar near the top of that page where Senator McClure brings House Bill 2077. Senator McClure seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2077 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2077. Mr. Secretary, have there been any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator McClure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure, on Floor Amendment No. 4.
I'd ask to adopt the amendment and I'll explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the amendment be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 5, offered by Senator McClure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure, on Floor Amendment No. 5.
I move to adopt the amendment and I'll explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mr. Secretary, are there any further amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2077. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2077, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure, on House Bill 2077.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a dental cleanup bill. It also includes several important consumer protections. For example, if a dental office is going to close that -- that office needs to provide notice to their patients at least 30 days prior to the closing and give them -- give their patients a way to access their records. I know of no opposition. And I do want to clarify, on the record, that this has nothing to do with veterinarians. They did call me and they are neutral on the bill, but wanted me to clarify that for the record. I'd be happy to take any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 2077 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 2077, having received the constitutionally 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 required majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, with leave of the Body, we're going to move to page 9 of your printed Calendar, House Bills 3rd Reading, near the top of that page where Senator Martwick brings House Bill 2352. Senator Martwick seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2352 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2352. Mr. Secretary, have there been any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Martwick.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Martwick, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. Seek leave to adopt the amendment and then I will explain the bill on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Now, on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2352. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2352, an Act concerning public employee benefits. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Senator Martwick.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 2352, as amended, makes reforms to the Cook County pension system. Approximately a decade ago, President Toni Preckwinkle, recognized that the contributions that were written into the law were putting the -- the Fund on a path to insolvency. She executed an intergovernmental agreement in order to, voluntarily, add more money to secure the balances in her pension fund. Good for her retirees, good for the taxpayers, fiscally responsible. This, reform, makes that a statutory requirement. It allows -- it does a number of things. First, it puts the county on an actuarial determined contribution, a mathematically sound contribution that will continue to increase the already -- pretty well funded status of the -- of the Fund and put it on a path to fully funded - protecting the taxpayer, as I said, going forward. Secondly, it makes changes to the benefit structure in order to satisfy what is widely considered the Tier 2 problem, the Safe Harbor problem, here in Illinois. When we -- when we enacted Tier 2, we put in a benefit structure that many believe will fail social security test that's called Safe Harbor. This addresses that by taking the pensionable wage cap and tying it to the social security wage base widely accepted as the right thing to do. Third, it expands access to purchase credits for military, it makes that benefit to veterans. It allows them to purchase two years of credit, it expands the pool of those who are eligible to do that. And other than that, it makes a bunch of technical changes. This is a good government reform. There is no tax increases associated with it. The county already has the revenues in order to make the 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 good payments. This memorializes that into law. I'll be happy to answer any questions and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Stoller, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
Yeah. I rise in support of this bill. This is a bill that has been negotiated for quite some time and the county proactively put in additional funds to fortify their pension system. And over -- because of that, this -- the funding ratio has increased to nearly 70 percent. So, -- so, that is a -- a good thing. I did want to make a comment on the safe harbor provision and the sponsor, and I have had a couple of good discussions about this. And I just want to make the point that there is not 100 percent clarity on whether the funds are out of -- whether Tier 2 is out of violation or compliance with the safe harbor provision. And so, I just feel that it's important for us to recognize this is a topic that's going to be coming up again and again as we address pension issues throughout the State and the various funds. And there's been no precedent that I'm aware of -- of Social Security actually challenging a safe harbor provision. So, we don't really have any evidence or precedent on how that might play out. So, I encourage a Yes vote. This is a good bill, but I just wanted to make that point. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Seeing no further discussion, Senator Martwick to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. And -- and -- and thank you, Senator, for your comments on the bill. This is a good measure if -- if there's one thing that I would tell everybody about pensions is, is that if it's difficult today, it will be more difficult the day after that and it will just get more and more difficult. It's important that you address these things on the front end. That's what the county has done. Cook County, they are currently sitting at about a 7 percent funded ratio, which is one of the best in the State, and they're making proactive steps to address problems before they happen. Pay for them up front, protect their taxpayers. This is a good government measure. I respectfully ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 2352 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting no and 1 voting Present. House Bill 2352, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Next, we will move to House Bill 2447, Senator Loughran Cappel. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2447, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Loughran Cappel. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill allows school boards to conduct closed meetings when reviewing evidence or testimony regarding the denial of an individual's admission to school events or property. The bill also allows members of public bodies to attend a meeting virtually or via phone due to unexpected child care obligations. I'm open to any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2447 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 1 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2447, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2450, Senator Villivalam. Senator Villivalam seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2450 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2450. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villivalam, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mr. Secretary, is there any further -- are there any further amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villivalam, on Floor Amendment No. 4.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2450. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2450, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villivalam.
Thank -- Thank you, Mr. President. As amended, House Bill 2450 represents comprehensive negotiations between the Illinois State Medical Society and a -- and a coalition of 18 groups -- health care -- that represent health -- other health care 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 professionals and the coalition that has been advocating to add a hour of health care cultural competency. This legislation addresses the need for flexibility for our health care professionals as it relates to their training. It ensures that we keep sexual harassment and implicit bias training the same. It acknowledges the fact that there is a new eight-hour opioid requirement -- training requirement from the federal level, and it adds health care cultural competency, an hour of that as required training. We also continue to ensure that an hour of Alzheimer's training is included -- required. It's the strongest with this legislation we still have the strongest Alzheimer's training requirement for our health care professionals in the country. Would ask for an Aye vote and happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Questions for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator McClure.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, the last continuing medical education bill, there was an agreement that this was to be the last of these with the Illinois State Medical Society. So, I guess what has changed and why is, you know, -- so why is this new bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villivalam.
17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 So, as -- as maybe you're referencing this legislation passed unanimously in Executive Committee. The amendment that we added was our good faith attempt to further address the need for a required training on dementia and Alzheimer's. That's what we did -- what we essentially did was make sure that if you're a new health care professional you would be required to take that training in the first licensure cycle and after that it would go to every other cycle. Again, it still remains the strongest law in the nation as it relates to requiring our health care professionals to receive that training.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure.
Thank you. No, I'm not referencing the amendment. The last piece of legislation that involved CME continuing medical education. Illinois State Medical Society and the folks on that bill had the agreement that this was going to be the last piece of legislation involving this. So, why are we doing another one after that agreement? Now, I understand you were not the Senator involved with that agreement. But again, I mean, at what point can they be satisfied that we're done for a while?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villivalam.
Well -- well, one, I was the last Senator because I actually am the one that passed Senate Bill 677 that would require an hour of Alzheimer's training for every licensure cycle. We were the first in the nation to do so. It's the strongest law. Two this legislation is supported wholeheartedly by the Illinois State 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Medical Society and 17 other associations that represent health care professionals because of the flexibility that it allows them to -- to decide what training they would like to take year after year, with the understanding that there are still requirements that they have to do over a six-year period. And three, I mean, you know, we -- we -- we don't go out of business here. So, there's legislation introduced every year. Those are conversations we have to have through the License Activities Committee and other, you know, forums. And I think we'll be continuing to have those conversations. Again, this -- this legislation specifically acknowledges the fact that health care professionals need flexibility as it relates to their CME while also achieving the goal of health care cultural competency training.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure.
And then -- and then finally, can you name the proponents for this legislation, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villivalam.
Well, it's a long list, but the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Nurses Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the Illinois Physical therapy -- there's 18 health care -- there's 18 groups that represent health care professionals. In addition to that, because we are adding -- we're giving them flexibility, they're supportive. We're adding an hour of health care, cultural competency. There are groups such as Access Living and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 inequality annoy and others that are supportive as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
Thank you, Senator. And I just wanted to get some of this conversation out there because of what some of the groups have discussed with me. I do support this legislation. While they do have an additional hour of training, they don't have to take two hours of training elsewhere. So, it actually saves them an hour. And based upon all the support and the way that the sponsor has worked with these groups to come up with an agreement, I appreciate that. And because of that, I am voting Yes on the bill, and I encourage a Yes vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Seeing no one -- no other Senator seeking recognition. Senator Villivalam, do you wish to close?
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Three quick points. Number 1, we're providing flexibility for our health care professionals regarding their CME. Number 2, we're ensuring an hour of health care, cultural competency for populations that require our health care professionals to better understand them, to better provide care. Number 3, contrary to what you might believe, this is still the strongest law in the nation that requires Alzheimer's -- an hour of Alzheimer's training for our 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 health care professionals. I would ask for an Aye vote. Thank you. And I'd like to thank all of the organizations that worked together to get this agreement. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 2450 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 Senators voting Yes, 4 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2450, having receive the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Moving down towards the bottom of page 9 of your printed Calendar Senator Peters brings House Bill 2493. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read House Bill 2493.
House Bill 2493, an Act concerning employment. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Peters.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2493, updates Illinois's VESA Act. That's the Victim's Economic Security and Safety Act. This is a crime survivor led piece of legislation and I ask for a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2493 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 {sic} (43) Senators voting Yes, 12 voting 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 No, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2493, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to move to page 10 of your printed Calendar right at the top of that page where President Harmon brings House Bill 2509. President Harmon indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2509, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. Many fine lawyers in Illinois have taken the bar exam more than one time. Certified public accountants take their exam strategically to pass certain parts so they don't have to repeat those parts the second or third time they take the exam. In none of these cases, to my knowledge, is there any consequence for the law school or business school that graduated them. We have an odd situation in Illinois where if a certain percentage of nurse applicants fail the licensure exam, there are severe consequences to the nursing school that trained them. At a time when we have a dramatic nursing shortage, it seems counterproductive to limit the pathways to nursing credentials. The bill we have before us, House Bill 2509 corrects that it would adopt the national standard for review of passage rates of -- of graduates of nursing schools and set a reset button on the consequences to the nursing schools so that they can in fact, continue to produce quality graduates. I would point out importantly that there is no reduction, no 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 reduction in the threshold for becoming a licensed credentialed nurse. We are just ensuring that the pipeline is not narrowed. I would be happy to try to answer any of your questions but would appreciate your support of this measure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Bryant.
Thank you, Mr. President. And to Mr. President. In -- in this bill, there's a little bit of confusion about whether this is intended for only RNs or does it also include LPNs?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for the question, Senator. It is my understanding it applies to all candidates who have to take these licensure exams.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bryant.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for bringing this bill. I have one of the nursing schools. I believe that there were three during COVID that were not given any kind of consideration to set aside some the ability for them to continue without having red 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 flags go up like on their websites. So, this is a very important piece of legislation. Really appreciate you bringing this and for your clarification on the LPN issue. So that we have on the record what the intention is. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Seeing no further discussion, President Harmon, do you wish to close?
I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 2509 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 1 voting Present. House Bill 2509, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. We will now move to House Bill 2527, Senator Loughran Cappel. Senator Loughran Cappel seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2527 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2527. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Loughran Cappel.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Loughran Cappel, on Floor Amendment No. 1.
I'd like to adopt it and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading, Now, on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2527. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2527, an Act concerning local government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Loughran Cappel.
Thank you, Mr. President. As amended, this extends the date for when the municipal water and wastewater funding study is required to submit their findings to the General Assembly to March 1st, 2024. The original bill extended the date from January 31st, to 2023 to September 30th, 2023. The bill also extends -- adds excuse me, adds the executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority or his or her designee to the commission. And finally, it extends the repeal date of the Act from January 1st, 2024, and makes it January 1st, 2025. Happy to take any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2527 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. All those 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 voting Present. House Bill 2527, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Moving down to the middle of page 10 of your printed Calendar Senator Tracy, brings House Bill 2858. Senator Tracy seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2858 to the Order of 3rd Reading. Leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Tracy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Tracy, on your amendment.
Thank you. I would like not to approve that Amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator, you'd like to withdraw that Amendment?
Lets withdraw the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Are there any further amendments approved for consideration, Mr. Secretary?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Tracy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Tracy, on Floor Amendment No. 3.
I would like to approve the amendment and explain it on 3rd Reading, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Now, on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2858. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2858, an Act concerning aging. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Tracy.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate -- House Bill 2558 is the Adult Protective Services. What the 3rd Amendment does is it adds a provision to the bill that is a key mechanism to promote proactivity in the prevention of abuse, as well as enhance the ability to seek out the root cause analysis that will impact investigative practice and procedure in investigation of suspicious death reporting in long term care facilities. I'd be happy to answer any questions. The other part of the bill adds a technical provision that makes the ombudsman program, that is a federal program under the Department of Aging makes a change so that the reporting is in line with the federal guidelines and federal law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2858 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2858, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Moving down to the bottom of page 10, House Bill 3055 from Senator Sims. Senator Sims on House Bill 3055. Moving to page 11 of your printed Calendar to the very top of that page where Senator Holmes brings House Bill 3086. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3086, an Act concerning safety. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes, on House Bill 3086.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. Senate Bill 3086, as amended, increases the fees for various licenses and permits under the Illinois Pesticide Act and the Lawn Care Products Application and Notice Act. It also adds language encouraging the Interagency Committee on Pesticides to examine the possibility of continuing education courses to satisfy pesticide applicator competency requirements. I will say that this bill, as it is amended, has the support of many of the environmental groups and as well as it brought the chemical association neutral on the bill. And the reason we're increasing these fees is they have not been updated in over a decade and these fees are needed to examine pesticide abuse. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Is there any discussion? Senator Stoller, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
Yeah. I rise in opposition of this bill. These, as the -- the sponsor stated, these fees have not been increased in over a decade and the inflation cumulative I looked it up over that period of 10 years is about 35 percent. Most of these fees increase 100 or some even 150 percent, which is well in excess of the amount of inflation that would have taken place. And we have to remember that our farmer friends that need to get these licenses, they're price takers. They -- they can't go to the market and increase their price, although most of their inputs have been increasing dramatically with inflation. And now these fees on top of that. So, they go to the market and have to accept the price that they are -- are given in the marketplace and they have no ability to pass this along to their -- their customers. So, I would ask for a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Holmes, do you wish to close?
Yes, please, because I love when we put it in percentages and statistics because it does make it sound horribly high. But when we're talking about raising some fees from 300 to 350 one from 120 to 180, and the fact that these fees are used to examine 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 pesticide abuse, I think is very important. And also, if the farmers were in opposition, the Farm Bureau would have slipped in opposition, which they did not. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 3086 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 Senators voting Yes, 18 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3086, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to move down near the bottom of page 11 of your printed Calendar where Senator Pacione- Zayas brings House Bill 3566. Senator Pacione-Zayas seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3566 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now, on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3566. Mr. Secretary, have there been any amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment 1 {sic} (3), offered by Senator Pacione- Zayas.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Pacione-Zayas on Floor Amendment No. 1.
Yes, I'd like to adopt and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further amendments approved for consideration? 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Now, on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 3566. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3566, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Pacione-Zayas.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 3566 codifies emergency rules to be adopted by the Department of Children and Family Services regarding staffing flexibility of qualified early childhood education assistants. It allows early childhood education assistants to supervise a classroom outside of the core developmental hours of the day, not exceeding three hours of the day to be documented in the department's enhanced staffing plan. I'm happy to entertain any questions and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank -- Thank you, Mr. President. Question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Rezin.
Thank you. Senator, why do you have this bill? Why do we need this bill? 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Pacione-Zayas.
Thank you for the question. This bill actually emerged out of some of the chronic conditions that we've had in the childcare space with staffing because we have a constant revolving door, because we don't have enough people in space, we needed to have some flexibility to allow for some breathing room when we have absences, when we have vacancies. None of this compromises the provision of care or the quality of -- of what is being offered in that particular space. And this flexibility was afforded during the pandemic. And we are about to have a lapse of when this flexibility will expire at the end of the month. And so, we're just trying to make sure that we do not have the lapse because we've been able to demonstrate that it is such an effective tool to retain our staff to ensure that we have coverage and not compromise the quality of care.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Rezin.
Thank you. One last question and then I'll speak to the bill. Senator, is this something that we could do through rule?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Pacione-Zayas.
Yes, it can be done through rule but the reason why we are trying to do emergency rules is because, as I stated, the policy handbook provides this flexibility until the end of May, May 31st. Specifically, rule take 150 days to be processed. Our childcare 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 facilities will be in a position where they'll be in jeopardy with this particular flexibility that has afforded them so much, which is why we are trying to ensure that we have emergency rules in place so that there's no lapse.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Rezin.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
Thank you. I would commend Senator Pacione-Zayas on this bill and also as the -- chair of the pre-K Childcare Working group. So, I appreciate this. This is a bill that's incredibly important. We do have a accessibility problem in our childcare. This bill, it's important to pass this bill. So, we have the ability to provide and have enough staff to house the childcare providers throughout the entire State. So, I ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Seeing no further discussion. Senator Pacione-Zayas, do you wish to close?
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Leader. This is a fabulous bill. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 3566 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 Senators voting 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 3566, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Leave of the Body, we're going to move down near the bottom of page 11 of your printed Calendar where Senator Johnson brings House Bill 3592. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3592, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Johnson, on House Bill 3592.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 3592 is an initiative of Ed-RED and the bill is intended to prevent students from being retraumatized during the hearing process as a result of having to come face to face with a teacher or principal who is alleged to have committed sexual misconduct. I -- also the bill requires the hearing officer to make accommodations for witnesses to provide testimony remotely and specifies disciplinary measures for hearing officers who fail to do so. I want to thank ED-RED. I want to thank the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, the Regional Office of Education, Number five, Illinois Coalition of Domestic -- Against Domestic Violence, CPS, Chicago Alliance against Sexual Exploitation, and the Network advocating against Domestic Violence, Illinois and the Illinois Association of School Boards. I'm happy to answer any questions, but I encourage an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 3592 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 3592, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Leave of the Body, we're going to move to page 12 of your printed Calendar right at the top of that page where Senator Stadelman brings House Bill 3792. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3792, an Act concerning employment. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Stadelman, on House Bill 3792.
Thank you, Mr. President. The bill amends the Prevailing Wage Act to expand public works to include construction projects involving fixtures or permanent attachments attached to light poles that are owned by a public body. This legislation does exempt from the definition of public works construction projects that the project is performed by employees employed directly by the public body. Happy to answer questions. Ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill. 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
So, I think this is the fourth or fifth prevailing wage piece of legislation we've passed through here, and I think some of them have merit. This would be one I question. And as we're drafting legislation like this, as we're contemplating things like this, I would just ask that Members of this Body think about how legislation like this impact's places maybe you're not from. So, if you're from a big -- if you're from a large community, if you're from a large municipality, if -- if you're from Rockford or Chicago or Peoria or Bloomington or -- or towns of even 20 or 25,000 people, this really may not impact you, but we pass a lot of legislation that crushes small towns. And to put that in perspective, some of you might be surprised. The largest city in my district that is entirely within my district is like 12,000 people. And legislation like this crush's small towns. Small communities can't afford this. And so, what happens is our communities go without some of these types of things. So, if you're putting cameras on there to make communities more safe, if you're putting 5G transponders on there so that you can expand services, our communities go without it. And -- and you might think, well, this is just one bill, this is just one bill. Mind you, because of some legislation we've passed through here, we have communities now that don't have police departments because the cost of a piece of legislation after a piece of legislation after piece of legislation on small towns that can't afford it, is crushing them. They lose services. I have a police department now that has one police officer, the chief. What kind of security, what kind of presence do you think they have in these towns? This legislation might seem like a nothing burger to a lot of people in this room, 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 but I assure you it crushes small towns, it costs us jobs, and it takes away services because they simply can't afford to do everything, we mandate on them. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Stadelman to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate the previous speaker's comments. Just a couple of notes. When it comes to municipalities, they do use their own municipal workers, so they're covered by collective bargaining agreements. Also, it should be noted that Verizon is neutral on this bill. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that the quality of work and safety is there in any type of public construction projects. Ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 3792 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 41 Senators voting Yes, 14 voting No, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 3792, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to move back and return to page 6 of your printed Calendar near the top of that page where Leader Lightford has House Bill 42. I'm sorry. House Bill 342. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 342, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of the bill. 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Leader Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen, of the Senate. This bill left our Chamber unanimously as we work to confront child trauma. Creating a definition. Creating a definition for community, inclusive trauma free schools and communities. The House added an amendment that seeks to ensure that all schools in Illinois are equipped with training and resources to meet the diverse trauma and mental health needs of their students. I don't know that there's much different here. Actually, it's the identical bills. I just ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, -- Oh, I'm sorry. Senator Bennett, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, if I may, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you. I appreciate the Senator bringing this to -- to our attention today and appreciate all the work there, but I do bring some concerns to this. So, that's why I'd like to speak to the bill for just a moment. I'm concerned in a number of ways, perhaps for specifically regarding this. One has to do with the - - the required unfunded mandated training for trauma. Trauma is a big deal. I understand that there's a lot of thought in this and there's a lot to think about in this going forward. The second 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 thing has to do with concerns around the potential number of changes for the Licensor's requirements that we see going forward and also the CIA that we've talked about in here. How is that going to be relating to the evidence-based funding that there's been so much time and effort gone into? How might that be impacting that down the road? And the last concern I have, if I may, has to do with the reinstating of the whole child task force, which is redoing much of what was already done not that long ago. So, with those concerns that I have brought forward today, I do ask for consideration about this. That thought -- continue thought goes into this. And at this time, I do ask for a No vote, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Leader Lightford, do you wish to close?
I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 342 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 42 Senators voting Yes, 14 voting No and 0 voting Present. House Bill 342, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Senator Koehler, in the Chair. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) We're on page 7, we're going to go to the bottom of the page. House Bill 1595. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1595, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 of the bill. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Cunningham, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1595 amends the EMS System Act. And what this bill attempts to do is correct a problem we have right now in the disciplinary process for paramedics and other EMS workers. Right now, those first responders face what some have referred to as triple jeopardy, as when there's a disciplinary complaint brought against them the same complaint can be tried essentially in three different venues. We believe that's fundamentally unfair. We can have different decisions coming from each one of those venues that can sometimes conflict with each other. So, this is an opportunity to streamline that process. Would be happy to take any questions and I ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator Lewis.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill. I'd like to congratulate the sponsor on this excellent legislation in helping to protect our first responders and encourage an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Cunningham to close.
I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The question is, shall House Bill 1595 pass. All those in 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Yea, and none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 1595, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to go to page 12. We're going to go to towards the top of the page. We're going to go to House Bill 3808. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) House Bill 3808, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Cunningham, on your bill.
Thank you -- Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 3808 amends the cable and video competition law of 2007. This bill will effectively prevent local governments from taxing or placing fees on streaming services that all of us enjoy on the Internet or on our television. I know of no opposition to the bill. I would appreciate your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator Holmes.
Thank you, Mr. President. I actually have three questions to ask the sponsor for legislative intent. Will he yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) He indicates he'll yield.
Does the bill change existing policy? 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Cunningham.
No, it clarifies existing policy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Holmes.
Is it declarative of existing law?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Cunningham.
Yes, it is declarative of existing law. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Holmes.
Is there a fiscal impact? PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Cunningham.
No, there is no fiscal impact. No city or municipality in the State or County collects or has ever collected franchise fees for video streaming over the Internet. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no further discussion, Senator Cunningham, to close.
I ask for your Aye votes. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) So, the question is, shall House Bill 3808 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Yea, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 3808, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cunningham in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we are now going to move to page 15 of your printed Calendar under Secretary's desk concurrence motions. These will be concurrences to Senate Bills. This is final action. We're going to start at the top of that page with Senate Bill 58 from Senator Fine. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 58, signed by Senator Fine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine, on your motion.
I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The amendment's been adopted. Just need to move to concur with the House amendments.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I'd like to concur with the House amendments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition? Senator Bryant, oh, I'm sorry. Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you seek recognition? 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the motion, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. There is an Epsilyte facility in Peru, Illinois. This company put a strong emphasis on innovation, on making products that have a favorable impact on carbon emissions and energy conservation. They make a biodegradable product, which this bill wouldn't even allow State agencies to purchase now. Across the rest of the State, there are three facilities in Shanahan, Illinois, that account for 25 percent of the poly styrene production in North America. We have facilities that are actually -- and companies that are working on a biodegradable product and currently have them. I guess this would be a question for the sponsor, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) She indicates she will yield.
Thank you. Does your bill eliminate the biodegradable product as well?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine.
This bill eliminates polystyrene, but just for purchase by government agencies and biodegradable products are being produced and manufactured every day with new and exciting innovations. And all these innovations are products that we can look into.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Senator Rezin.
To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
Thank you. I commend what the sponsor is trying to achieve here. However, I would say that we also have companies who are trying to do the right thing by using and investing in the newest technology as we're trying to figure out how to dispose properly of these products. Again, there are companies who have created the biodegradable polystyrene that is being used and is being purchased by the State of Illinois. I would ask for a No vote on this bill or in the future, somebody that this company that actually has a product that would be biodegradable should be exempted out of a future bill. Until that happens, I ask for a No vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) She indicates she will. Senator Bryant.
Thank you. And thank you, Senator, for taking the questions. We had a little bit of a conversation here, so I'm going to paint a little bit of a picture for the Body first, in regard to one State agency, which would be the Department of Corrections, when 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 an institution goes on a level one lockdown, the entire institution has to be fed outside the kitchen. When that happens, sometimes it's on hard trays. But if it's not a modified level one lockdown, then they get fed on Styrofoam because there's no one to wash the dishes. Now, as previous speaker pointed out, there are some moves toward biodegradable. But until that time, does your bill have an exemption at all under any of that type of a situation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine.
There are exemptions for certain products like meat containers and egg cartons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bryant.
So, these would be divided trays that allow for an offender to be fed in a way that keeps their food hot, doesn't allow spillage, doesn't have it, get on somebody else's clothes. I would just ask you that should this receive the requisite votes to pass that there would be some consideration for situations such as that, since there aren't at this time I'll be voting No and would encourage a No vote on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Stoller, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Stoller.
46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Yeah. Thank you. Senator, first of all, I want to applaud you for your efforts. When this bill was in the Senate, it came through State government. You had negotiated this with all parties. And regardless that the fact that there was initial opposition, you got this to a point where it was agreed bill, and I was happy to vote for it in committee and then also in the Senate when we sent it over to the House. So, I just wanted to ask you about the process, because this bill got amended significantly in the House and it came back with significant opposition. And I was just going to see -- you got this bill to be a good bill when it left the Senate. Why not go back to that bill? Let's just return back to that bill. And I just ask you if you would be willing to say, hey let's go back to your bill which -- which I think we all agree in this Chamber passed almost unanimously. Let's go back to that, work on it over the summer and then pass that bill. Would you be willing to do that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine.
Well, I would say this bill is a better bill. This bill came as a subject matter hearing in front of the executive committee, and we listened to what the opposition had to say. And with the amendment, we scaled back what was in that original bill and amended that on to the House Bill. So, now we have an even environmentally friendly protective bill that's sitting in front of our Chamber right now.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Stoller.
47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 My understanding there's still significant opposition to this bill as it exists now. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine.
I believe the chemical industry and possibly IRMA opposed the bill, but there are a lot more that support the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Stoller.
Yea, to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
Yea, with all due respect, I think we did go backwards with this bill. We had it to a point where there was agreement. It was an agreed bill, now it's returned where there is significant opposition and for that reason, I don't think that this necessary that we would have to change it so much. We should go back to that, agreed bill. And I would urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Further discussion? Senator Morrison, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
I would -- I would challenge this Body to -- to -- to lead 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 by example. We have municipalities. My home county even has stepped up and is banning the purchase of single use plastics by it. The State of Illinois needs to pass this bill. I ask for an Aye vote for the Senators bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion, Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
The question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Plummer.
Senator Fine, do you know why the jobs impact study was removed from the legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine.
Yes. The department said that they did not have the information and could not put the study together.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Plummer.
So, to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
So, this is just common sense versus feel good politics. The reality is I would challenge anyone to visit the families in Shanahan, Illinois, or the families in Peru, Illinois, or the 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 families at the manufacturing facilities throughout the State and Illinois that are going to lose their jobs and lose their livelihood because of feel good politics. The reality is the way that the economy works and the way that the market works is you've got over 25 percent of this product is manufactured that's consumed in North America, is manufactured in Illinois. The companies that manufacture the product are taking the proceeds and they're reinvesting it in biodegradable products and stuff that -- that - - that we would all want. The product that you want to swap this out with now, according to studies, is almost exclusively manufactured in China. And I think that we can all agree that the manufacturing process in China and then packaging it up, shipping it across the ocean to be consumed in Illinois is far more environmentally catastrophic than manufacturing this product, so that Illinois businesses and Illinois workers can transition to making biodegradable products. We can create jobs in China, or we can keep jobs in Illinois and let those companies and let those families and let those workers transition to a cleaner economy. But pretending that manufacturing this -- this -- this replacement product in China is going to be better for the environment is absolutely ridiculous. I think we all want the same goal here. But really all we're doing is we're transferring industry from Illinois to China and we're going to end up with a more environmentally dangerous process as that occurs. So, I urge a No vote, but I commend the sponsor for what she wants to accomplish. This, unfortunately, just doesn't achieve it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Fine, to close. 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you. And Styrofoam is also produced in China. But here in Illinois we have products like corn and soy that are being used in reusable products right now. So, this is a very exciting time for this type of legislation. So, this amendment will allow Illinois to be a front runner in being environmentally friendly. If anybody has ever gone to a beach or a park and they've seen what's left of Styrofoam polluting the environment, if they see the harm that it's done to not only human life, but to aquatic life and our food chain, you would realize how important this legislation is. I'd like to add it's come to my attention that there was a drafting error on page four of this legislation regarding a title of the section. It is a technical error which we will fix in a future piece of legislation by changing the term single use plastic to polystyrene foam in the title of the section. I would appreciate your Aye vote to help our children live healthy lifestyles in a clean environment. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 58. 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 Senators voting Yes, 20 voting No and 0 voting Present. Senate Bill -- Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 58, and the bill is declared passed. The next concurrence motion is on Senate Bill 74 from Senator Peters. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion. 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 74 signed by Senator Peters.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Peters, on your motion.
I motion to concur on the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Would you like to explain the motion?
I'll -- I'll explain on the -- Yeah. This is a property tax task force bill to make sure that people -- I did a great job everybody. Property tax task force bill that would help people be able to keep their homes so that they don't get tripped up during tax sales. Again, it's a task force for Cook County. I asked for an Aye vote. And let me also add, I understand that folks on the other side had issues that the Minority party was not represented. We made sure to add them in this to make sure that they're represented. I ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the motion.
To the motion. I just want to thank the sponsor. We had a debate about this when it first came up in the Senate, and I was 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 told by the sponsor and the President that this was just a mistake that's been corrected. So, I just want to commend the sponsor and the President for making sure this was corrected. I urge a Yes vote. And I thank -- I thank the sponsor for this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Seeing no further discussion, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 74. 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 motion, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 1 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the constitutional required majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 74, and the bill is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we are going to skip to the concurrence motion on Senate Bill 183 from Senator Murphy. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I moved to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1, to Senate Bill 183, signed by Senator Murphy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. This motion I wish to adopt and explain, and I'll explain that all now. So, this amendment just ensures that if a parents miss the opportunity to have a meeting on the process of their student going to an alternate school, that an additional meeting could be scheduled. So, I know of no opposition. I'm happy to answer any questions, would ask for an 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1, to Senate Bill 183. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 183 and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 188, Senator McClure. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2, to Senate Bill 188 signed by Senator McClure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, this is a bill that came to me from a constituent who her son has Down syndrome and she had to consent to a procedure and the child received the procedure, but then she was not entitled to receive the records of that procedure for her insurance company. She had to go to court to have a judge sign an order to get her this record. To me, this is a problem because it is not allowing, No. 1, our courts to do important business. This should not tie up the courts. And No. 2, she should not have to take the day off of work to go do this. She's a single mom. And so, therefore, this bill simply clarifies that in situations like that, the parents entitled to receive this -- this 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 medical -- these medical documents. And all the House did was further clarify this. So, we're absolutely, totally 150,000,000 percent sure that this only applies to situations like this. And the ACLU helped to draft the language. And the Illinois State Medical Society supports this. So, I urge that this be adopted, and I would be happy to take any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 188. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No and 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 2, to Senate Bill 188, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 195, Senator Villanueva. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House on the adoption of their Amendment No. 1, to Senate Bill 195, signed by Senator Villanueva.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villanueva, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment simply makes some clarifying and technical changes to the Educational Planning Services Consumer Protection Act, known as the Segura Act at the request of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission with input from the Independent Educational Consultants Association. I know of no opposition, and I ask for an Aye vote on this concurrence. 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1, to Senate Bill 195. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 195, and the bill is declared passed. Andrew Adams from Capitol News, Illinois, seeks leave of the Body to take photographs of today's proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Senate Bill 380, Senator Koehler. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House and the adoption of their Amendment No. 1, to Senate Bill 380, signed by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Koehler, on your motion.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the Senate. This bill, you remember, was fertility fraud, where a young person from my -- my district found out through a DNA test that his father was actually the fertility doctor in Indianapolis and not his real father. There is an amendment put on the House which changed a little bit of -- of the how this would be enforced in terms of it gives it to a right of legal action defines some terms. It's all good changes and I'd appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion, Senator Bryant, for what purpose do 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the motion.
This -- this is a -- this is a good bill that most of us are going to support because of the underlying bill. The unfortunate thing about the bill or the motion is that this is supposed to be a victim intended fix for something that is a horrible situation. And upon going over to the House and coming back, there were changes made that are ideological issues that I don't believe the victims asked for. I think it's unfortunate as we move through a lot of these bills that really good bills have to become controversial simply because language is being changed that is offensive. I thank you for bringing the bill. I'm going to support your bill, but I wish that we could get to a place where we could just take care of the victims. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Koehler, do you wish to close?
Yes. Thank you for your concerns. I -- I understand. And I just ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 380. 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 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 question, there are 51 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 3 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 380, and the bill is declared passed. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, we're going to continue on concurrence motions to Senate Bills at the bottom of page 15, where Senator Koehler brings Senate Bill 684. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendment No. 3, to Senate Bill 684 signed by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Koehler, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the Senate. This is the McLean County Airport bill, which you'll all remember. The Amendment was actually an attempt to reach out to some of the people that were involved that were not in either Bloomington or Normal to make assurances that they had some representation on the new airport authority board. So, I think that was a good move. It seeks, I think, to help assuage some of the -- the fears that folks had there. And I'd be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Bennett, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill. Mr...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the motion. Go ahead, Senator Bennett.
58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Thank you very much. Just to -- to the bill, if I may? I appreciate all Senator Koehler's efforts on this. If I may, but I do have several concerns with the airport administration on this. I've had several conversations with them about the fliers that we are supposed to make. We've had several conversations with them about having town hall meetings to talk with the residents in the area about what all this meant, what's going to happen to their taxes, Is it going to go up? Is it going to go down? What does that mean to them? And I'm very disappointed in that none of that happened. The residents do not necessarily have a clue of what's going to happen and they're not going to know much until they get this little envelope in the mail with a bill that's going to show their cost is going to go high. So, I -- with all that in mind, I do -- I'm not going to be able to support this and I will vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill. To the motion.
I'm sorry. To the motion. Just to follow up on a little bit what Senator Bennett said and Senator Bennett and Senator Koehler and I all share parts of that district, and one of the things that's bothersome to us is that Bloomington, Normal, the two cities get four members and the rural portions of that county get three. This is the largest farming community that we have in the State of Illinois and the largest county in the State of Illinois. Although 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 we appreciate the amendment changing that to adding those rural municipalities of 5000. Something else that is very bothersome is I want to reflect on what Senator Bennett said is that the airport authority did not put anything out, didn't do any outreach. And if you're going to raise taxes or even decrease taxes, it'd be really nice if you'd go out and talk about how this is going to help the economy in your area, what this is going to do differently. The other thing that's bothersome about this as well, is that -- is it going to change any kind of tax rate the following year? McLean County does not have property tax limitation law, so that's something that's bothersome as well. So, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Halpin, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the motion Mr. .
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. As I mentioned in committee yesterday on this bill, I would just ask Members to think about what we would do if we're trying to create this airport authority today. And I believe the fairest way to do it is to share that authority to all that would reap the benefits of it. Right now, there are thousands of folks in McLean County that at the very least benefit from the indirect economic development benefits of having that airport in the area, if not benefiting directly from being able to access that airport and travel throughout the State and throughout the country and ultimately throughout the world. 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 So, it really is a fairness and equity for this area. We've done it in the past, as the sponsor has mentioned. And I think this is really a good idea for -- for our airports here in the State. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator McConchie, for what reason do you seek recognition?
Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator McConchie.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Koehler. It is -- I just want to recount, I think, the part of the debate that we had when this came through before. This -- this is possible, correct, for the locals to go to referendum and make this decision on their own without the necessity of us acting. Correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Koehler.
Yes. Yes, I believe they could.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McConchie.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
My objection to this really has to do with the fact that we 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 are taking away another opportunity of the democratic process which already exists for these people locally to be able to make their own decision, it's likely would be a foregone conclusion, given the fact that most of the population is in Bloomington Normal as to what the result would be. But this seems to me to be just another example of this Body trampling upon the rights of local people within -- to exercise their own democratic abilities to be able to determine this. This is going to raise property taxes on many people without having any kind of voice or taking away that voice. I strongly encourage a No vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Koehler, to close.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I do appreciate the discussion we've had on this. I would just ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 684. 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 Senators voting Yes, 18 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 684, and the bill is declared passed. Next, we have the Order of Concurrences, Senate Bill 1570, from Leader Lightford, concurrence motion on Senate Bill 1570. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 I move to concur with the House and the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1570, signed by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Leader Lightford, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, this is just a page and line amendment. Most of what we send over is stayed intact. What the House actually did was built out the two-phase procedure for selection of a contract for municipalities and school districts. This is an initiative of the West Central Municipal Conference. The Illinois Municipal League is neutral, and I know of no known opposition. I'd be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1570. 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 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No and 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1570, and the bill is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to move to the top of page 16. Still on concurrence motions where Senator Feigenholtz brings Senate Bill 724. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendments 4 and 5 to Senate Bill 724, signed by Senator 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Feigenholtz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Feigenholtz, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I motion to concur with these amendments. This is a further fine tuning of the efforts coming from the Office of Behavioral Health that we've been working on, and I'm happy to answer any questions and would appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur on House Amendments No. 4 and 5 to Senate Bill 724. 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 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur with House Amendments No. 4 and 5 to Senate Bill 724, and the bill is declared passed. Shanna Madison from the Chicago Tribune seeks leave of the Body to photograph today's proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Continuing on concurrence motions on page 16 of your printed Calendar, we have Senate Bill 761 from Leader Lightford. She indicates you wish to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 761, signed by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Lightford, on your motion. 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, this concurrence is an initiative of the Illinois State Ambulance Association. The goal here was to clarify some technical changes and to bring ISAA and the Department of Public Health to an agreement. That's what this amendment established. I'd be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion, Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you seek recognition.
To the Bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the motion, Senator.
To the motion. Thank you. I just want to commend the sponsor for her work on this. This is a very important issue, not only in the state of Illinois, but across the nation. So, thank you, Leader Lightford, for your work.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator -- Leader Lightford do you wish to close? The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 761. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 761, and the bill is declared 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 passed. Senate Bill 836, Senator Holmes. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 836, signed by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Committee Amendment 1 adds language to the Paint stewardship program, specifying that the fees collected under the Act shall be deposited in the Solid Waste Management Fund. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 836. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 836, and the bill is declared passed. Leave of the Body, we're going to jump to Senate Bill 896 from Senator Doris Turner. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 896, signed by Senator Doris Turner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Turner, on your motion. 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. The -- this is an initiative of ABATE and the amendment that was placed on this bill in the House made it an even better bill because it moved the Illinois State Police from neutral to support. So, I would ask for concurrence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 896. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all vote who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 896, and the bill is declared passed. Next, we have Senate Bill 1235 from Senator Martwick. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House on the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1235, signed by Senator Martwick.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Martwick, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1235 is back on a -- I move to concur with the amendment. This bill addresses pension benefits for adjunct faculty. It passed unanimously here in the Senate. There was an amendment that added some guide rails -- guardrails to help prohibit any sort of pension spiking. And it's a good measure. It's a good amendment. I ask for an Aye vote. 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1235. 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 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1235, and the bill is declared passed. Next, we have Senate Bill 1250 from Senator Doris Turner. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 2 and 4 to Senate Bill 1250, signed by Senator Doris Turner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Doris Turner, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment that -- 2 amendments that were placed on this bill in the House made it an even better bill. It -- there was a lot of collaboration and discussion with the State Fire Marshal, and they agreed to support the bill. So, I would ask for a concurrence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments No. 2 and No. 4 to Senate Bill 1250. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments No. 2 and No. 4 to Senate Bill 1250. And the bill is declared passed. Ladies and gentlemen, we're continuing on concurrence motions. We're now going to move to the top of page 17, where Majority Leader Lightford brings Senate Bill 1352. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion on Senate Bill 1352.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1352, signed by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Leader Lightford, on the motion for Senate Bill 1352.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. This is a gut and replace amendment. But basically, it was to ensure that this addressed all teachers, tenured and non-tenured teachers, which was one of the concerns that some of our colleagues had while we were in committee. We said that we would pass this over to the House, have them make that adjustment and send it back for concurrence. So, that's what this concurrence is doing. I'd be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1352. 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 Senators 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 voting Yes, 1 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1352, and the bill is declared passed. Next, we have Senate Bill 1456 from Senator Gillespie. I'm sorry. That's for -- that's Senate Bill 1476, Senator Gillespie. Senator Gillespie, on your motion -- on Senate Bill 1476. We will move now to Senate Bill 1488, Senator Bennett. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1488, signed by Senator Bennett.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bennett, on your motion.
Thank you. I do concur. This is agreed to language that was added. The changes were made to the task force as listed in the legislation. It adds members to it and will clarifies the mission. I ask for an Aye vote, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate concur in House Amendment No.2 to Senate Bill 1488. 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 55 Senators voting Yes, 2 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur and House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1488 and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1497, Senator Villa. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion. 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1497, signed by Senator Villa.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villa, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1497, House Amendment 1 makes a technical change that adds language, stating the residents guardian or authorized representative will consent on the residents behalf. If the resident themselves cannot consent, I'd be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1497. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1497, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1499, Senator Villa. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House and the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1499, signed by Senator Villa.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villa, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. As amended, Senate Bill 1499 allows 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 law enforcement officers making an arrest for an offense to lawfully take possession of some or all of the companion animals in the possession of the person arrested. This legislation replaces the language in violation with a person convicted or placed on supervision under this Act, implying that penalties will henceforth be applicable to persons convicted or under supervision if the provision of this Act, rather than the person in violation. I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Would the sponsor yield for some.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Bryant.
Senator, there were some changes in being able to take additional animals since it went from here over to the House. Can you explain what the changes were in the House?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villa.
It's not about taking more animals. It's about making sure that it -- it talks about the person convicted or placed on supervision. That's -- that's the change. Not when they're arrested.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bryant.
72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 So, it -- it -- it changes the number of -- of criminal offenses that allows them to take. The reason I'm asking is I just want to make sure if I remember right in committee on this bill, there was some concern about whether or not someone could take a veterans like a veteran's animal. And it was pretty clear that they could, you know, that -- that wouldn't happen. Are those -- did those changes become a -- is that still true? Those are very expensive. It's very expensive to train those animals.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villa.
Yeah, nothing substantive. So, it -- it's not of substance that change. It's just about talking about the person placed on supervision. It doesn't talk about the number of pets either. It's just the companion animals of the person who's been found in violation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bryant.
So, companion animals, not service dogs or service animals?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villa.
This -- this is basically to protect service dogs. So, if someone else is harming your service dog, this isn't about taking a person's service dog.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bryant.
73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
I have a question, if I may?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Rose.
So, this thing says that -- hang on a second. I just lost my page there. It actually talks about the petition for forfeiture. So, what's going on -- Mr. President, I withdraw my question. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) I'm sorry. Okay. Seeing no further questions. Senator Villa, do you wish to close?
Yes. So previously, the way it was written, it was if you were arrested, your companion animal could be removed. Now, you have to have gone through the court process and you have to have been convicted or placed on supervision before your companion animal can be removed. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1499. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 majority, the Senate does concur and House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1499 and the bill is declared passed. Next, we have Senate Bill 1555 from Senator Koehler. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1555, Signed by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Koehler, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the Senate. This original bill it creates an advisory council to look at statewide recycling needs assessment. The amendment just added a couple of members, and it also said that once the -- the process is done, the council is dissolved. So, happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1555. 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 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting -- 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received a required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1555, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1570. Chuck that. We will now move to page 18 of your printed Calendar. Continuing on Secretary's desk concurrence motions at the very top of that page Senator Martwick, brings a motion to concur on Senate Bill 1629. Motion to concur from Senator Martwick on Senate Bill 1630. Motion to Concur 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 from Senator Martwick on Senate Bill 1646. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1646, signed by Senator Martwick.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Martwick, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, 1646 is a minor pension omnibus that we passed unanimously here in the Chamber, and it was the product of a series of agreed bills in the or a compilation of agreed bills that went through the Senate committee. There was one minor amendment in the House that amendment related to record keepers of defined contribution plans for higher education, allowing them -- making sure that we allowed them to continue the practice of helping their students seek loan forgiveness. And so, it's very minor. It's otherwise unchanged from the bill that passed unanimously here. Happy to answer any questions and respectfully ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1646. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1646, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1648 from Senator Martwick. He indicates he wishes to proceed. 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1648, signed by Senator Martwick.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Martwick, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1648, as introduced, was related to a disability criteria for the Laborers Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago. I move to concur with House Amendment No. 1, which clarifies that Tier 2 members of the State Employees' Retirement System. So, this is annuity the -- the amendment affects SERS and it says that who satisfy the qualifying disability criteria like we were doing with the laborers fund here are entitled to certain annuities provided in the SERS Article of Pension Code that are not addressed in Tier 2 benefits provisions. It's a minor technical cleanup. I know of no opposition. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1648. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1648, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1665, Senator Pacione-Zayas. Senator Pacione- Zayas on your motion to Senate Bill 1665. The Senator indicates 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the concurrence motion for Senate Bill 1665.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1665. Signed by, Senator Pacione- Zayas.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Pacione-Zayas, on your concurrence motion to Senate Bill 1665.
Thank you, Mr. President. On the motion or actually, do I need to adopt and then explain? No. Okay. Fabulous. So, Senate Bill 1665, this House Floor Amendment No. 2 is a page line added amendment that changes the effective date of the bill to January 1st, 2024. As amended, that it provides that income received through the guaranteed income program must be excluded from consideration of a person's eligibility for free or discounted health care services under the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act or Benefits under the Illinois Public Code. Happy to entertain questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Fowler, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. A question of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) She indicates she will yield. Senator Fowler.
Yes, thank you. Senator, what area of the -- of the State 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 does this legislation include?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Pacione-Zayas.
Thank you for the question. The entire State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fowler.
Thank you. Well, the only -- the intent of the bill is -- is to include a guaranteed income program of course, however, the only Guaranteed Income Program that exists in Illinois is located in Cook County. So, my question is why -- why create an inclusive bill that only includes Cook County?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Pacione-Zayas.
The bill does not prevent any other county from establishing a Guaranteed Income Program or Pilot. Perhaps this may be a question of your county leadership to establish a program so that they too can partake in this provision.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fowler.
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you. I understand the intent of this legislation. However, representing the most economically depressed district in 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 the State of Illinois, I feel like it should be all inclusive to also include other parts of the State for this guaranteed income program, so therefore, I would request a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Pacione-Zayas, do you wish to close?
Yes. As stated, this is applicable to the entire State of Illinois. Should there be intent for a county to establish a pilot they have every single right to do so. You can petition your county leadership and when you do establish that pilot, you will be afforded this flexibility. So, happy to sponsor this bill, happy to make working families whole. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1665. 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 Senators voting Yes, 18 voting No, and 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1665, and the bill is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, continuing on Secretary's Desk Concurrence Motions on page 18. Senator Feigenholtz, brings a motion to concur on Senate Bill 1670. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1670, signed by Senator Feigenholtz. 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Feigenholtz, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment further defines private information to include HIPAA covered entities. The bill ultimately is making sure that patients at Cook County Health have the same HIPAA protections as patients at all private hospitals.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1670. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1670, and the bill is declared passed. Next, we have Senate Bill 1674 from Senator Fine. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House on the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1674, signed by Senator Fine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine.
Thank you. I would like to concur with this motion. It adds clarifying language under the long-term section of the provisions that relate to the participation in the long-term stabilization support program. The amendment also adds a more extensive reporting 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 requirement to the General Assembly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1674. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1674, and the bill is declared passed. We are now on the very bottom of page 18 of your printed Calendar, where Senator Villivalam brings a motion to concur on Senate Bill 1701. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1701, signed by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villivalam, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to -- I motion to concur with this motion because this essentially will have the change of allowing for the Illinois Department of Agriculture to hire people to do the soil testing reviews through subject to appropriation. So, I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1701. All those in favor will vote Aye. All those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1701, and the bill is declared passed. We are now at the top of page 19 of your printed Calendar, where Senator Simmons brings a motion to concur on Senate Bill 1710. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill or the motion.
I move to concur with the House on the adoption of their Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 1710, signed by Senators Simmons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Simmons, on your motion.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. This motion to -- I would like to move to adopt the motion. Okay. The substance of the amendment that was proposed on the House side is a very good amendment was proposed by the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Cook County Forest Preserve. It simply clarifies that the bike trails that we would like to install signage to warn pedestrians and cyclists of road crossings so that they don't get killed. It just clarifies that the bike trails in question are those that are owned by a public entity and also that the bike trails in question shall be paved trails, crushed limestone, asphalt and not primitive trails or trails that are not meant for public use. So, it's an excellent amendment and I would ask that you all support it. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Leader Curran, for what purpose do 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Leader.
I just rise in support of this legislation. I want to thank the sponsor for bringing it. You know, my district is -- has a -- a lot of bike trails, especially through the pandemic, even before then. It's a really important outdoor activity, one that many constituents take full advantage of throughout the -- the collar counties. And bicycle safety is incredibly important. So, you know, just thank the sponsor for bringing this and happy to stand in support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Simmons, do you wish to close?
Just ask for an Aye vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 1710. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 Senators voting Yes, 7 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received a required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 1710, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1716, Senator Glowiak Hilton. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1716, signed by Senator Glowiak Hilton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Glowiak Hilton, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I concur with the House. This was a sunset that was cleaned up. Some of the language was cleaned up and we amended it by including the definition of "medical (registered) surgical assistant" to include someone certified by the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1716. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1716, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1721, Senator Fine. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1721, signed by Senator Fine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine, on your motion. 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. This motion makes various changes to definitions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1721. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1721 and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1748, Senator Halpin. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1748, signed by Senator Halpin.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Halpin, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, on this motion to concur, you may remember the underlying bill gave a patient who was a plaintiff the right to have their independent medical examination recorded, video recorded. It also gave trial preference to those who are 67 or older. The amendments in the House just clarify that only the moving party and any defendants who actually answered the complaint at the beginning of the case are entitled to that preference. It also allows for a court to grant a 6-month continuous upon a showing of good cause. I'll quietly resign to answering any 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 questions and I'll ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
This is a major change in -- in current law. And the part I find problematic is having a video recording going on when you're having a examination of a patient by a doctor. No doubt this does impede that process, it's invasive, it's just an intrusion into a procedure that probably should be between the patient and the examining physician. And for those reasons, I oppose and would urge a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion, Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, please.
Thank you. And I know we had a vigorous debate about this in the video process when this was previously up, but defense attorneys have real concerns about this. And remember, as we always do, we have to have fair trials for both the plaintiff and the defendant or the defense attorney. And their -- their concerns are 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 that this law violates the discovery process, due process, and the separation of powers. And it could allow in some circumstances, only one day for a trial. That is not fair to both sides here. We're tipping the scales even more so to the plaintiff. The law also conflicts within itself, and it makes it -- this would enact language so broad that essentially any plaintiff, for nearly any reason can say there's a hardship, which then again puts another burden on the defense attorney and the defendant. So, look, we've got to be fair to both sides. This legislation is not. And for that reason, I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Halpin, to close.
And thank you, Mr. President. I would just like to add and remind my colleagues that these video recordings are already taking place, in many cases. The only difference with this statute is that under current -- basically under current law, the plaintiff has to fight this right -- fight for this right, in court and let a judge, you know, require a judge to rule over the objections of defense counsel. This bill just changes it so that that patient has the absolute right, if they want to, to record that examination. And it's important to remember that this examination is not between a patient and their own doctor. This is an examination between a patient, who is a plaintiff in a case, that is having an examination, by a doctor selected, by the defendant or the employer. So, I would strongly ask for a Yes vote. This is a strong patients' rights bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1748. 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 Senators voting Yes, 19 voting No, and 1 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1748, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1754, Senator Belt. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1754, signed by Senator Belt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Belt, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. The -- the Senate Bill 1754 the - - the House amendment actually makes the initial bill stronger. Those things that were implied with Senate Bill 1754 are now spelled out in the -- in the House language. And so, things such as it -- it's amended, it -- it allows agencies wishing to waive training for an officer. I'm sorry. Yes, who was trained in another state or for federal employment shall conduct a background check and provide verification of the officer's prior training. Those things are spelled out where before, in the bill, it was just applied. Again, this -- this House amendment strengthens the bill and I ask for Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1754. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1754, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1782, Senator Koehler. Indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House on the adoption of their Amendments 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 1782, signed by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Koehler, on your motion.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. If you remember, this is a bill that was brought to me by a young 15-year-old high school student from Normal, Illinois. Her name is Shreya Nallamothu, and she was concerned about the risks of children being used as in vlogging on the Internet, especially where it was monetized, and large sums of money were being created by their families and doing that. What this amendment does is it changes a few of the definitions and it states that the vlogger has to keep documentation on -- on these videos. And then it's -- it's ideally to set up a trust fund for the student -- for the young person if -- if their parents are receiving a lot of money on this. It's -- it's a good bill. And I'll just remind the -- the Senate that when this passes, we become the first State in the nation to cover such protections for children. 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill.
Thank you for bringing this legislation, Senator Koehler. I will say that my Youth Advisory Council, this is the bill that we use to debate for them, and they were in favor of this, and I told them, "Yes, I will be voting for it." But we've got a changing world. It's changing very, very rapidly all the time and this is legislation to adapt to a changing world. So, I urge a Yes vote, and I thank you for bringing the legislation and my -- the students that are advising me all wanted this bill to pass. So, thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you. I'd like to commend the sponsor on this bill. It's a good bill. The only thing I would suggest for in the future that this bill does not go far enough. We need to look at social media and the impacts on minors in general, and I look forward to, 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 you know, working on that topic in the future. Until then, I believe that this is a good bill and I ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Koehler, to close.
Yes. Thank you for that discussion and I agree this is an important first step but it's not the only step. And I'd ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments No. 2 and No. 3 to Senate Bill 1782. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments No. 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 1782, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1787. Senator Koehler indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1787, signed by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Koehler, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. This is a bill that establishes a Rural school (Education) Advisory Council. There was some discussions about this -- this brings 92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 everybody to neutral on the bill and I'd ask for support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Erica Harriss, for what purpose do you seek recognition.
To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you. So, we are diverse geographic State and I commend this bill for giving a voice to have thoughtful dialog for our rural communities and will be encouraging a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Koehler, to close.
Thank you for that and I'd appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1787. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does occur {sic} (concur) in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1787, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1803, Senator Murphy. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 I move to concur with the House and their amendment - in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1803, signed by Senator Murphy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment put on in the House for this bill just specifies that the Lyme Disease Awareness Fund is a special fund and that this program would be subject to appropriation. Know of no opposition and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1803. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1803, and the bill is declared passed. We are now to the very bottom of page 19 on your printed Calendar, where Senator Lightford brings a Motion to Concur to Senate Bill 1872. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1872, signed by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Leader Lightford, on your motion.
94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senate Bill 1872 has a Motion to Concur with just a page and line amendment. With that simple line, it provides that written notice of dismissal must be given to tenured teachers on or before April 15th, rather than 45 days before the end of the school term. The change already -- has already been made in other parts of the statute, but this amendment makes it confirming change in a Section that had been missed. So, it's basically a technical change. I'd be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator McConchie, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I will note that this bill is still opposed by the (Illinois Statewide) School Management Alliance, Stand for Children (Illinois), ED-RED, LUDA, as well, as others. The opposition states that they -- it is in their belief that this will actually not ease the teacher shortage, but may exacerbate it, and that the bill is premature as the State is in the midst of a $2 million evaluation of Illinois educator (Education) Evaluation Program. And so, with that, in the utmost respect for the sponsor, I do request a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Leader Lightford, do you wish to close? 95 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I would just add that there had to be a specific date in mind so that school districts can prepare their roll call for how many teachers they have and what positions are left vacant. But also, if that teacher is willing to or want to desire to go to a different school district, that they also know when they have that time that they can let and be moved around. So, it's actually a good fit. I don't know that neither side is completely happy, but it did leave the House with 85 votes. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1872. 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 46 Senators voting Yes, 9 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1872, and the bill is declared passed. We're now moving to the very top of page 22 of your printed Calendar, where Leader Lightford brings a Motion to Concur on Senate Bill 2243. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read that motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2243, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Okay, Leader Lightford, on your motion to Senate Bill 2243.
Am I adopting this motion, Mr. President? Move to adopt 96 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Amendment No. 1 and be happy to discuss it on 3rd. Okay, thank you, sir. What this amendment does when we sent this bill over to the House, it was an agreement. And I believe if we sent it over unanimously, this bill created the comprehensive literacy plan for the State. But what we had -- had not done was establish the criteria. So, in the House, they establish a seven-point criteria so that this plan will meet the required State Board to provide resources and instructions to all public-school districts in order to achieve the goals of a comprehensive literacy plan. It's due back by July 1, of 2026 with the reading test requirements for educator assessments that must be revised in order to be in -- in alignment with the comprehensive literacy plan. So, we now have a plan in place on how to achieve our comprehensive literacy goals. I'd be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2243. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2243, and the bill is declared passed. Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like the record to reflect that on Senate Bill 1872, it was my intention to vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The Senate -- the record will reflect your intention. 97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Continuing on Secretary Desk Concurrence Motion. Senator Peters, brings a Motion to Concur on Senate Bill 2260. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2260, signed by Senator Peters.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Peters, on your motion.
I -- I Motion to Concur with the House Committee Amendment No. 1. It's a bill supported by gender-based violence advocates. Vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you. So, this is one where, in Committee, Senator Bryant asked for some changes to be made. Senator Peters made the commitment to make changes in the House. And now we've got a bill that is a lot -- is -- is a very good bill and it's now supported by the State's Attorneys Association and all kinds of groups. So, I just want to say thank you to the sponsor for his work on this bill. He kept his word for Senator Bryant, and I look forward to voting Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 98 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Peters, do you wish to close?
I appreciate the kind words. Vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2260. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2260, and the bill is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're going to move to page 20 of your printed Calendar near the top of that page, we will continue on Secretary's Day -- Desk Concurrence Motions. Senator Peters brings a Motion to Concur on Senate Bill 1886. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1886, signed by Senator Peters.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Peters, on your motion.
I motion to concur on SB 1886, I ask for a Yes vote. We made some slight amendments on this, but it has -- we -- we posted before we made some slight changes, had a conversation in Committee, added some things that allow to have the courts to have a little bit more power and say on this. I vote -- I ask for a Yes 99 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, we… Senator Peters, we had to get to a bill where I disagree with, we've had some ones where we -- we agree. So, the debate initially on this, was the discussion about task probation and people that should be tested on task probation. That was corrected. That part was corrected. So, I do appreciate that, in the House. However, we're going to be in situations here where if you have any court -- a probation order anywhere in the State, it says one of the conditions of probation is to not violate any law, of any jurisdiction, So, that would include in federal law. So, to take away the ability of judges to tell people that you can't violate federal law by using cannabis, is going to make all of these things very contradictory, where defendants and people have to be on board as to what exactly I can or can't do. Now we're getting into a situation where judges can't say that you cannot violate federal law anymore, even though that's exactly what the court order says at the beginning of the document. So, that's a problem. And the other problem, too, is for a person to be able to be ordered by a court to not use cannabis or alcohol, there has to be an assessment, et cetera. I had cases, and I'm sure there's other prosecutors who had cases where I had a guy who 100 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 was stealing alcohol from stores, for years. I don't believe that I should have to go and get a assessment and clog up the court system, to make the decision that this person should not be consuming alcohol while on regular probation. And so, for those reasons, I think that this is, unfortunately, taking away valuable tools from the court and also clogging up our court system on cases that should not need to be clogged up for. So, for that, I appreciate the amendments or the changes in the House that do deal with the main issue I had before, which is with task probation. But again, there are still issues here. We have to ensure that our probation orders are consistent. This would make them inconsistent. We have to be able to allow our judges to, you know, be able to tell people not to violate federal law. This would not allow them to do that anymore. And we've got to keep these people moving if we can -- if we can do so. And in situations like I just described, this would clog up the system, I think, for no reason. So, for that, I urge a No vote. But I do appreciate the changes in the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Peters, to close.
I won't be dropping any F bombs here. Please vote Yes. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1886. 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 101 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 that question, there are 31 Senators voting Yes, 18 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1886, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1993, from Senator Loughran Cappel. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1993, signed by Senator Loughran Cappel.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Loughran Cappel.
Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment that came over on concurrence removes the requirement that a public hearing be conducted to review a district-administered assessment along with noticing requirements for the hearing. Instead, a public vote will be taken on whether or not to approve a new contract for a district -- district-administered assessment at a regularly scheduled school board meeting. The amendment also defines "district- administered assessment" and ensures that any assessment being made available to the public for review, for the vote, is subject to copyright, trademark and other intellectual property protections. I'm open to any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1993. 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 102 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1993, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 1994, from Senator Loughran Cappel. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1994, signed by Senator Loughran Cappel.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Loughran Cappel, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment that has come over on concurrence, keeps all provisions of the engrossed version of the bill with two changes. First, the amendment excludes school districts that receive federal impact aid funding. And second, the amendment requires Illinois State Board of Education to post operational funds, reserve reduction plans that it receives on its website.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1994. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1994 and the bill is declared 103 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 passed. Next, we have Senate Bill 1999 from Senator Feigenholtz. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1999, signed by Senator Feigenholtz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Feigenholtz, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment is technical in nature. It was brought to my attention by Leader Curran. Fixed in the House, and here we are concurring on it. I'd appreciate your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the motion.
I just want to commend the sponsor on this bill. I think this is important when it comes to protecting those that some people don't want, which is unfortunate. So, thank you, Senator, for this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
104 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator. To the motion.
I'm sorry, second time I've done that. I just want to say, thank you to Senator Feigenholtz. I know she's very passionate about this issue and I appreciate that, as well. There's many times that women go through struggles after they have their child and they don't know which way to turn and this helps them through that and helps them value life. And sometimes they change their mind, which is wonderful. So, thank you, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition? To the motion.
I just want to commend the sponsor. I know she worked hard on this. And, you know, it's -- it's not always that -- in this Body that we promote a culture of life. And -- and this bill will undoubtedly save lives. And thank you for your work on this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing no, Senator Feigenholtz, do you wish to close?
Thank you for all those lovely comments, friends. I'd appreciate your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1999. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted 105 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1999, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 2014 from Senator Simmons. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2014, signed by Senator Simmons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Simmons, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this is an excellent motion. Excellent amendment. All it does, is it says that in this legislation, which will now require bike and pedestrian safety improvements on State managed non-highway State routes throughout the State, that the radius of those improvements will only be 500 feet, which is about a city block. It's an excellent amendment. I ask you all to support it. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Fine, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
I would like the record to reflect that I intended to vote Yes on SB 1999. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The record will reflect your intention. Seeing no questions for Senator Simmons. The question is, shall the Senate concur in 106 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2014. All those in favor will vote Aye. All those opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2014 and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 2017 from Senator Holmes. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2017, signed by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes, on your motion.
Thank you so much. It quite simply is a clarification. The amendment retains the intent of the bill that clarifies that educational support (personnel) employees are not required to work on school holidays, but it addresses a concern that the language could inadvertently prohibit employees such as janitorial staff, from working on Saturdays. This simply clarifies that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2017. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 Senators voting Yes, 4 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House 107 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2017, and the bill is declared passed. Now at the very bottom of page 20, Leader Lightford brings a Motion to Concur on Senate Bill 2031. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to the Senate Bill 2031, signed by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Leader Lightford, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this is a line and page amendment that extends the date for ISBE to prepare the initial "Expanded High School Snapshot Report card" from October 31st, 2025, to October 31st of 2027. I'd be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2031. 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 Senators voting Yes, 1 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2031, and the bill is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're going to move to the top of page 21 of your printed Calendar. Continuing on Secretary's Desk Concurrence Motions. Senator Villa brings a Motion to Concur on Senate Bill 2034. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. 108 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2034, signed by Senator Villa.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villa, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. This motion is a page and line amendment exempting -- exempting full-time employees of the State of Illinois, except for those employees who are not otherwise eligible for family responsible (responsibility) leave or leave of absence without pay from the Act. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you seek recognition? Senator Syverson, can you move the microphone maybe a little closer? We're having a hard time hearing you.
I'm trying to give a hard… There we go. All right. Question -- to the sponsor. First one is the -- the amendment takes out the State of Illinois. I guess what was the -- the reason for doing that if this is so important and so good, why is the State of Illinois under this now being taken out of this legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villa.
Thank you for the question. Existing leaves for the State employees are more generous than what's set out in the bill. The 109 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 State already provides this level and up to much more than what is actually set out in our law, so the bill does not diminish any existing benefits.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Syverson.
Does this apply to local governments as well, or just -- just leaves only for the State employees?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villa.
Just State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Syverson.
Thank you for that answer. The concerns, you know, I would still have is the concerns we've had from before with this that we're talking about covering, I think suicide and homicide but not covering it for accidents or other deaths that a family have - has as well, which is a concern that we're just picking and choosing where this falls under. So, that is a concern but I appreciate your answer to the question or explanation on the State exclusion. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing no. Senator Villa, do you wish to close?
I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 110 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2034. 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 42 Senators voting Yes, 10 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received a required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2034, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 2030 -- 39. Senate Bill 2039, Senator Pacione-Zayas. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2039, signed by Senator Pacione- Zayas.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Pacione-Zayas, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. This House Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2039, it's a page line amendment. It basically corrects two drafting errors in the engrossed version of the bill. The first is that ISBE may work in consultation with DHS to ensure students and parents are informed about the PUNS database. And second, that DHS, in consultation with ISBE, shall develop and implement the online computer-based training program for the PUNS database training in the schools. I'm happy to entertain any questions and I ask for an Aye vote with this Motion to Concur.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2039. All 111 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2039, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 2059, Senator Belt. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2059, signed by Senator Belt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Belt, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2059 is a page and a line amendment that replaces various reference to telehealth with telemedicine, adds an expanded definition of "veterinarian specialists", and removes definitions for "teleadvice," "telehealth," "telemedicine," "telesupervision" and "teletriage". I know of no oppositions, and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2059. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House 112 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2059, and the bill is declared passed. Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Mr. President, I'd like the record to reflect to vote No on Senate Bill 2034, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The record will reflect. Continuing on the Order of Concurrences, Senate Bill 2192 from Senator Villivalam. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2192, signed by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villivalam, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a simple change that would require the applicable agency to respond back to the bidder as opposed to the chief procurement officer. I know of no opposition. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2192. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House 113 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2192, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 2197, Senator Senator Villa, on Senate Bill 2197. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senator Bill 2197, signed by Senator Villa.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villa, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. The motion amends the Unified Code of Corrections to provide that the official independent Juvenile Ombudsman shall act as Ombudsman for the secure -- and secure the rights of youth committed to "county-operated juvenile detention facilities (center)," in addition to youth committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice, it ensures that county-operated juvenile detention centers must provide necessary administrative services and space upon request inside the facility of the Office of the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman to meet confidentially with youth. Finally, it ensures that the Ombudsman shall have access to the master records and any other files of the youth in custody on these centers. I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2197. 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 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the 114 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2197, and the bill is declared passed. Senate Bill 2227, Senator Holmes. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2227, signed by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes, on your motion.
Hello. Oh, there we go. Thank you, Mr. President. This is purely a technical amendment. It reinserts existing statutory language that was accidentally left out during drafting when the two fee schedules were merged into one and it reverts a single word change back to existing law. To clarify that a recorded document is time stamped when it's received rather than when it's accepted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate consent with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2227. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2227, and the bill is declared passed. Moving now to the very bottom of page 21 of your printed Calendar. Oh, I'm sorry. Not to the very bottom, the second to last bill from the very bottom, Senator Holmes brings Senate Bill 115 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 2228. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2228, signed by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Holmes, on your motion.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. The amendment kept most of the engrossed bill, but what it did was it added some language requiring CMS to post all exempt positions, including the number of exempt employees from merit selection and nonexempt employees from merit selection in each department. The amendment also reinserted language that was struck in the engrossed bill that explicitly defines what a flexible hour position is. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur with House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2228. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The -- the… I'm sorry. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2228, and the bill is declared passed. Now we are moving to the very bottom of page 21 of your printed Calendar where Senator Johnson brings Senate Bill 2240. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion. 116 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2240, signed by Senator Johnson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Johnson, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 2240, as amended in the House, allows school districts to request individualized disaggregated data on the enrollment of students and community college remediation courses from the most recently completed academic year. You all may recall that the underlying bill required data to be shared with the school districts on a yearly basis. Also, the bill requires that assigned remediation data sharing agreement between the school district and the community college district must be entered into before sharing remediation data. And finally, the bill requires ICCB and ISBE to develop a model remediation data sharing agreement that school districts and community colleges -- college districts may use if an agreement cannot be reached within 90 calendar days.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate concur with House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2240. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2240 and the bill is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're going to move back in 117 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 the Order of Concurrences to pick up some of the bills we missed the first time around. We're going to go to page 17, near the top of the page where Senator Gillespie brings Senate Bill 1476. Mr. Secretary, the Senator indicates she wishes to proceed. Could you please read the motion?
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1476, signed by Senator Gillespie.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Gillespie, on your motion.
Thank you. On this motion to concur there were a plethora of minor changes that were made, but the bottom line is it basic -- the changes that were made remove the objections from the Illinois Municipal League. So, we are now all in agreement and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to speak to the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
The change in this bill was -- the major change was that this will apply to villages or cities from 2500 population to 1000. And certainly, I agree with the goal of providing affordable housing plans and in every local village and town throughout 118 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Illinois. The problem is, I -- I look at it as a holistic approach to providing housing. Many rural communities would very much like to provide safe, affordable housing within their communities because it would help them develop. The problem is, they don't -- they lack the infrastructure, the water and sewer, the broadband access. They have potholes in their streets. So, most of the villages and cities of 1000 or less in this State are going to have a very difficult time meeting these goals. They're the rural towns that we drive by all the time that, as I say, don't have adequate -- don't have adequate water and sewer. They are under EPA mandates to try to upgrade those systems. They don't have that broadband access. They have potholes. Many other infrastructure is lacking. They're going to look at this bill and say -- they don't even have regular full-time mayors or treasurers or city clerks. They don't have anybody answering the phone in their city hall. They're going to look at this and say, how am I supposed to comply with this? And the Attorney General even has authority over the oversight if they don't comply and meet those goals. So, it's -- I mean, they're just going to look at this and say, "What were we as a legislative Body thinking?" They would love to meet these goals. They would love to have these plans. But it's totally out of their accessibility because of the situation they're in. They would rather us, lift them up, and support them with infrastructure first, so that they could meet these goals. So, for that reason, I urge a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition.
119 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
So, I -- I second everything the last speaker said. I think putting these requirements in -- in this bill speaks to the complete lack of understanding of what our small communities are facing. I spoke to this point on a piece of legislation earlier today, and the response was, "Well, you can just have the municipal staff do it and they can avoid the costs." These towns don't have that type of staff. As the last speaker said, these towns don't have full time mayors. These towns are operating on shoestring budgets at best without people. And to put something like this in front of them that they undoubtedly would like to have affordable housing and they'd like to have the development, but to put requirements on them that make it completely unachievable. Frankly, I think it shows how out of touch this Body is with a huge chunk of this State and the problems that they're facing. If we want to help these communities, let's help them. Let's not take their dreams and put them out of their reach. That's just teasing them. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Gillespie, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm -- I'm a little flummoxed by those changes -- those comments because the IML, I'm assuming, is in touch with all the municipalities it represents across the State. And we did reach agreement with them. This is not a 120 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 proliferation of new requirements. In fact, the existing statute is already set at 1000. So that is not a change. We were going to change it and we went back to 1000, which is just the existing law. So, I really urge an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall the Senate concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1476. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 39 Senators voting Yes, 17 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1476, and the bill is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we are now going to move to near the bottom of page 17 of your printed Calendar where Senator Senator Villa… I'm sorry, out of the record. Senator Koehler, in the Chair. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Sorry, Mr. President. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Preston, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of announcement. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your announcement.
Thank you, Mr. President. "I believe in the brotherhood of all men, but I don't believe in wasting brotherhood on anyone who 121 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 doesn't want to practice it with me. Brotherhood is a two way street". This was a quote from none other than the most fearless intellectual giant and leader of the civil rights movement, Malcolm X. Today, Malcolm X would have been 98 years old, born into humble beginnings, he ultimately became one of the most prominent voices in the fight for racial equity. I stand today to celebrate, Leader Malcolm X's birthday, because this intellectual giant fought for many of the things that this Body has fought for and continues to fight for today. On this special day, I ask every colleague, if you are indeed my brother, if you happen to be my sister, or would like to be either, support me today and many days, as I enter this Chamber, continuing to fight for the legacy of Malcolm X. Happy Birthday, Malcolm X, your legacy lives on, through many of us in this room today. Thank you, Mr. President. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Villanueva, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For the purpose of an announcement. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your announcement.
Thank you, Mr. President. In celebration of International Hamburger Day and because we're all about vibes on the Floor of the Senate, as we head towards the end of Session, which we all have questions about. Our good friends at McDonald's Corporation in the Illinois McDonald's franchises want you -- want all of us to know the following: that International Hamburger Day is celebrated around the world on May 28th. And hopefully, we will 122 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 not be here on May 28th and enjoying a hamburger on that day, as well. The hamburger is named after the German city, Hamburg and McDonald's purchases about 850,000 pounds of beef, annually, from local Illinois farmers and suppliers. They've also created about 39,000 jobs across the State for the nearly 650 McDonald's restaurants. And again, 604 of the 650 McDonald's, in Illinois, are independently owned and operated by small business owners, in a district near you. So, for those of us here on the Floor, if we go back to our offices, which I don't know when that's going to happen, you're going to find a special treat and hopefully enjoy a hamburger or any sandwich. And Happy Hamburger -- International Hamburger Day on the 28th to us all. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Villa, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of privilege. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) State your announcement.
I would like to wish my very good friend, General Assembly sister, fellow Senator, Mary Edly-Allen an early birthday. She will be celebrating this weekend, hopefully without us. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Happy birthday, Senator. Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank -- Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to thank Senator Villanueva on behalf of all of the descendants of German immigrants for hamburgers. 123 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Ventura, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For an announcement. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your announcement.
I just wanted to wish Senator Emil Jones a happy belated birthday. His birthday was on the 16th. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Happy birthday, Senator Jones. Now back to some more mundane business. Senator Cunningham brings a Senate Bills 7 -- 1875 for a motion to concur. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1875, signed by Senator Cunningham. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Cunningham, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. The House amendment, that I move we concur with, merely expands the intent of the underlying bill, which is to make it easier for individuals to provide comment on the rule making process, electronically. I would appreciate everyone's support. Which certainly, I am open to taking any questions. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no discussion. The question is, shall House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1875 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have 124 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Yea, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1875, and the bill is declared passed. Senator Cunningham, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advise and Consent. Senator Murphy.
Mr. President. I move the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointment Messages 405, 430, 450 of the 102nd General Assembly and Appointment Message 32, 84, 88, 93, 100, 108, 109, 115, 116, 117, 118, 151, 153, 154, 160, 161, 162, 163, 174, 195, 199, 211, 212, 213, 214, and 215 of the 103rd General Assembly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020405.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a Member of the Illinois Labor Relations Board, Jeffrey Mears. 125 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020430.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following non-salaried appointment, to be a Member of the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Sara Salger.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 126 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1020450.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a Member of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, Michelle Ishmael.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030032.
Mr. President, the Committee on…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) I'm sorry, Mr. Secretary, can you take this out of the record? Thank you. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030084. 127 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Illinois Labor Relations Board, Frances Ann Hurley.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030088.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be the Director and Chair of the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, Arnaldo Rivera.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 128 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030093.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be the Executive Inspector General for the Office of the Attorney General, Diane Saltoun.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. A 3/5 majority of the Senate concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030100.
129 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mr. President, the Committee on -- Excuse me, Mr. President. The Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following non-salaried appointment, to be a Member of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees, Derek Wise.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, does -- does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030108.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Donald Shelton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Senators voting Yes, 0 130 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030109.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Kenneth Tupy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030115.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Commissioner on the Workers Compensation Commission, Michael Joseph Brennan.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 131 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030116.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Commissioner on the Workers Compensation Commission, Kathryn Doerries.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected 132 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030117.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Commissioner on the Workers Compensation Commission, Marc Parker.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you seek recognition? Seeing no discussion, the question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 1 voting No, 1 voting -- 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030118.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Commissioner on the Workers Compensation Commission, Maria Elena Portela.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 133 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030151.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be the Executive Inspector General for the State Treasurer's Office, Heather Stone.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Pursuant to Section 20-5 of the State Officials and Employee Ethics Act -- Act, a 3/5 vote is required -- required for confirmation. The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted 134 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A 3/5 majority of the Senate concurring by a record vote. The Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030153.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a Member of the Illinois State Board of Elections, Laura Kent Donahue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Pursuant to Section 51 (4-a) of the Election Code a 2/3 vote is required for confirmation. The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. 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 55 {sic} (56) Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A 2/3 vote of the Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030154.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried 135 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 appointment, To be a Member of the Illinois State Board of Elections, Tonya Genovese.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Pursuant to Section {sic} 51 (4-a) of the Election Code, a 2/3 vote is required for confirmation. The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A 2/3 vote of the Senators elected concurring by a record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the appointment just read. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030160.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following non-salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Southern Illinois -- Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees, John Simmons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, {sic} 136 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 (does) the Senate consent to the nomination just made? All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030161.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments, recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following non-salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Roger Tedrick.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030162.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments 137 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following non-salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees, Kirk Dillard.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On the question, there are 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030163.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following non-salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees, Carin Stutz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, (does) {sic} did the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those 138 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030174.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Human Rights Commission, Jacqueline Collins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate -- I'm sorry. Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I enthusiastically move that the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030195.
139 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission, Amylee Hogan Simonvich.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030199.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the State Board of Elections, Cristina Cray.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Pursuant to Section 140 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 5/1A-4) of the Election Code, a 2/3 vote is required for confirmation. The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the Appointment Message just read. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A 2/3 vote of the Senators elected by -- Senators elected, concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination just read. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030211.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, James Connolly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Oh, I'm sorry. Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 48 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030212. 141 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Jacqueline Gomez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030213.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, James Sweeney.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 142 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030214.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Darryldean Goff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Senators voting Yes, 1 voting No, and 1 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030215.
143 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Krystal Tison.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, oh, hold on. Senator Murphy.
Mr. President. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I move that the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy moves that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate has arisen from Executive Session. Senator Jones, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Purpose of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 144 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Please state your announcement.
Even though we won't be here on Monday, one of our colleagues is celebrating a birthday, my seatmate. Please join me and wish the -- Senator Villanueva a happy birthday on Monday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Happy birthday, Senator Villanueva. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. With leave of the Body, we are going to move to House Bills on 3rd Reading. We're going to go to page 8 of your printed Calendar, right in the middle of the page where Senator Sims brings House Bill 2098. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2098, an Act concerning civil law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Sims.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 2098 amends the definition of "Seller" and the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act so that only those who occupied or had any management responsibility for the property will be required to disclose defects during the sale of residential property. I know of no opposition, will answer any questions, ask for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2098 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted 145 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2098, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we are going to continue on the Order of Sims. This time we're going to move to near the bottom of page 10 of your printed Calendar where Senator Sims brings House Bill 3055. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3055, an Act concerning criminal law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Sims.
Thank you, Mr. President, and for your indulgence on the Order of Sims. House Bill 3055 creates the Faith Behind Bars Act. It declares that those committed to Institutions or facilities related to the Illinois Department of Corrections have a right to practice their faith and that they need to have access to pastoral services. I know of no opposition, will answer any questions and ask for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 3055 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Having received the constitutionally required majority, House Bill 3055, is declared passed. Mr. Secretary, Messages from 146 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 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 concurred with the Senate in the passage of the bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 64. 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 1 to Senate Bill 64. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 90, with House Amendment 2. Passed the House, as amended, May 19th, 2023. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 322, offered by Senator Simmons. It is congratulatory. Senate Resolution 323, offered by Senator Preston. It is substantive. And Senate Resolution 324, offered by Senator McClure and all Members. It is a celebration of life resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we are now going to move to the Secretary's Desk Senate Resolutions that appears on page 12 of your printed Calendar near the bottom of page 12. We're going to start with Senator Fine, who brings Senate Resolution No. 7. She indicates that she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 7, offered by Senator Fine. 147 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution urges the federal government to repeal the government pension offset, or GPO. The GPO can reduce State pension or Social Security survivor benefits by up to two thirds of the full benefit. I ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 7 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 11, Senator Anderson. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 11, offered by Senator Anderson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Anderson, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is just a resolution where we are looking for more and more support for out-of-school programs to make sure that we are keeping kids engaged and, frankly, out of trouble. So, I would ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution No. 11 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next, we have Senate Resolution 18 from Senator Johnson. Senator Johnson, on Senate Resolution No. 18. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution. 148 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Senate Resolution 18, offered by Senator Johnson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Johnson, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, as we know, we have a serious crisis -- the opioid crisis, and we just want to make sure in Illinois we've had a high rate of overdoses and overdose related fatalities. So, just bringing about an awareness of this. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 18 pass? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 19 from Senator Johnson. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 19, offered by Senator Johnson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Johnson, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Pancreatic cancer is, I think, the third leading cause of cancer in the country. And I believe all of us know someone who has succumbed to this deadly disease. And we just want to create an awareness and we won't be here in November, I don't think so, November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. I just wanted to bring that to everyone's attention.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question -- is there any discussion? Seeing none. The 149 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 question is, shall Senate Resolution 19 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 22, Senator Villa. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 22, offered by Senator Villa.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villa, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 22 declares March 2023 as Social Work Month. Social workers are the largest group of mental health care professionals in the United States, with over 22,000 social workers in Illinois. These individuals are the frontline workers to our nation's opioid crisis. They help people cope through death and grief, building up communities and advocating for equal rights for all people. As a former school social worker, I have seen firsthand the positive impact of social workers and what they provide to individuals and communities, empowering society to overcome hurdles that prevent them from achieving their potential.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 22 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now move to the top of page 13 on your printed Calendar where Senator Feigenholtz brings Senate Resolution 28. We'll take that out of the record. Senate Resolution 36 from Senator Doris Turner. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution. 150 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Senator Resolution 36, offered by Senator Doris Turner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Doris Turner.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 36 recognizes the impact of the opioid crisis on the children and families of Illinois and affirms the General Assembly's support for home visiting and early intervention programs as essential components of Illinois's multifaceted approach to combating the opioid crisis. This resolution seeks to shine a light on the crisis effect on children and families and support programs that bring solutions to these problems.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 36 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. With leave of the Body, we're going to skip to Senate Resolution 50 from Senator Stoller. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 50, offered by Senator Stoller.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Stoller, on your resolution.
Thank you. In the United States, we have an incredible 6800- mile American Discovery Trail. In Illinois, we have a 535-mile Grand Illinois Trail. The problem with both of these trails is there is a gap, a 15.7-mile gap between the City of LaSalle and 151 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 the Village of Bureau in central Illinois. In this bill, urges support for the completion of that, there is an existing rail line where we have the ability to convert that to a trail so that Illinoisans and Americans can enjoy walking, running, hiking and cycling in the great outdoors here in our State. And I urge support for this resolution. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 50 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. With leave of the Body, we're going to skip -- we're going to skip to Senate Resolution 64 from Senator Ellman. Senator Ellman, Senate Resolution 64. Senate Resolution 66, Senator Bennett. Senator Bennett. Senator Bennett, on Senate Resolution 66. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read Senate Resolution 66.
Senate Resolution 66, offered by Senator Bennett.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bennett, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. The resolution here deals with the number of United States situations that are conducted, approximately 200 atmospheric nuclear tests, more than all other nuclear states combined at that time, this is from 1946 to 62. Approximately 400,000 servicemen in the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marines were present during these atmospheric tests, whether as witnesses to the tests themselves or as post-test cleanup crews. The Manhattan Project was the code name for the American-led effort 152 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 to develop a functional atomic weapon during World War II. Two types of atomic bombs were developed concurrently during the war, a relatively simple gun-type fission weapon and a more complex implosion-type. And if I may, along those lines, there's a number of things that have happened and what we're trying to do is to recognize these individuals for their service and the dangers that they encountered during that period of time. And so, we'd like to declare -- Pardon me. Sorry. Pardon me, I've not had that happen before.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bennett, if the Sergeant-at-Arms -- is required, please let us know.
Mr. President, I'm -- I'm we're fine. But thank you for the offer but we're -- we're good to go. But if we may, we would like to declare July 16th, 2023, as Atomic Veterans Day in the State of Illinois. And I do ask for the support from the Senate, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 66 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next, we have Senate Resolution 93 from Senator Johnson. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 93, offered by Senator Johnson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Johnson, on your resolution.
153 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Resolution 93 is naming the Whole Child Month. The demands of the 21st century requires a new -- requires a new approach to education to fully prepare our state's youth for college, careers, and citizenship. A whole child approach to education addresses students' comprehensive needs through the shared responsibilities of students, families, schools, and community. The goal of an approach is to ensure that each child is challenged, supported, healthy, safe, and engaged. Each student in Illinois deserves to be supported by qualified, caring adults and to receive access to personalized learning. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 93 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 129, Senator Bennett. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 129, offered by Senator Bennett.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Bennett, on Senate Resolution 129.
Thank you, Mr. President. We're talking about the Prairie Week and basically what we would like to do is to declare the third week of September 2023 as "Prairie Week" in the State of Illinois, Prairie Grass and Prairie Week as part of our heritage across the State of Illinois. And this recognizes that and helps to inform others about the importance of that and as well as our history. So, I do ask for an Aye vote. 154 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill -- I'm sorry, Senate Resolution 129 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 136, Senator Feigenholtz. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 136, offered by Senator Feigenholtz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Feigenholtz.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 136 calls on the Center for Disease Control once their Advisory Committee considers adding the monoclonal antibodies to prevent RSV to the Illinois - - put it on their pediatric immunization schedule. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants, and the Medicaid population bears the greatest risk of RSV, therefore carrying the largest burden of the disease. If the vaccine is recommended by the CDC and we fail to put it on our schedule, we're going to be on the hook to pay for the costs. So, we should probably consider doing it. I'd appreciate your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 136 pass. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 142, Senator Murphy. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
155 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Senate Resolution 142, offered by Senator Murphy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Murphy.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen, this resolution urges the U.S. Department of Transportation to address some train issues. And specifically, it requires that when large volumes of crude oil and other petroleum products are present in trains and are passing through schools and other communities, that the school is notified of the potential hazardous materials. Because we've seen so many train derailments lately that it's really important that they can have some time to prepare. So, it will urge local -- we urge local emergency response planning officials to include school districts in their region in the development and implementation of all spill response plans. I know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 142 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 147, Senator Halpin. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 147, offered by Senator Halpin.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Halpin.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 147 urges the Governor and the Department of Transportation to encourage or to 156 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 ask the Service Transportation Board to approve or work with Iowa Interstate Railroad to have an agreement for Amtrak to the Quad Cities for passenger rail. This is a project that's been supported by Democratic and Republican governors. The last three presidential administrations, U.S. Congress, the Illinois General Assembly and local officials for many years. But even after the State and federal governments have put close to half a billion dollars into the project, the Iowa Interstate Railroad is -- refuses to sign on the dotted line to make this happen. So, this resolution again, urges the Governor and Department of Transportation to work with the federal National Surface Transportation Board to try to get this project to completion. I'd ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 147 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 152, Senator Halpin. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 152, offered by Senator Halpin.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Halpin.
Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution indicates that the General Assembly supports a strong inner city passenger rail network and urges our congressional delegation to support the passage of legislation to provide Amtrak with the ability to enforce its preference rights to avoid delays and get more timely 157 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 transportation for passengers between our great cities and rural parts of the State. We're asking that they -- the U.S. Congress, pass legislation that was previously titled the Rail Passenger Fairness Act. I would ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 152 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 161, Senator Faraci. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 161, offered by Senator Faraci.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Faraci, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Sorry. Senate Resolution 161 would make March healthy. Healthy -- I lost my page. {sic} Healthy Nutrition Month. Thank you. And it would encourage everyone to live a healthy and nutritious lifestyle. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Joyce, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the resolution, Senator.
I'm -- I'm looking at Senator Faraci's desk and he's got a cup of coffee, some corn chips, and a candy bar. And -- and you 158 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 know, I understand it's going to be March, so I'm hoping he takes heed in March because it looks like the {sic} Senate (Senator) is kind of a little confused on what he's eating.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Faraci, do you wish to close?
Yes, I do. So, this is what was referred to as a candy bar. It is a piece of chocolate, so I feel like we should all vote Aye on this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator, that's just a very small candy bar. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 161 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next, we have Senate Resolution 172 from Senator Fine. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 172, offered by Senator Fine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution is about personal hygiene. It urges that all institutions in the Department of Corrections provide people access to bathing once a day. And in the case of a lockdown, once every two days.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate -- I'm sorry, we do have a light. Senator Bryant, for what 159 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 purpose do you seek recognition?
I withdraw my request.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Seeing no further questions, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 172 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 193, Senator Villivalam. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 193, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villivalam, on your resolution.
Thank you, Madam -- Mr. -- Mr. President. Senate Resolution 193 commemorates March 25th, 2023 as Greek Independence Day in the State of Illinois. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 193 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next, we have Senate Resolution 212 from Senator Lewis. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 212, offered by Senator Lewis.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Lewis, on your resolution.
160 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of my corporate constituent, the National Safety Council, Senate Resolution 212 declares the month of June National Safety Month. I urge an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 212 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the next resolution we have up in the order is a celebration of life resolution. So, if we can have your attention, please. President Harmon is offering this resolution. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 2 -- 217, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you all for your attention. I'm proud to co-sponsor this resolution with Senator McClure. Many of you knew Laurence Msall as the stayed sober fiscal watchdog who as head of the Civic Federation, was a constant reminder to us, sometimes a scold, but a giant in the field. Someone who knew what he was talking about, spoke it with authority, but also kindness. I knew Laurence so long I can't remember when I met him. My first vivid memory of him is from a high school graduation party at my cousin's house. Leo and Larry were classmates at Saint Ignatius, and it might have been my first instruction on how to tap a keg. Laurence joined the Harmon family at some point he would show up at holidays or in my mother's 161 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 kitchen and just became a part of our extended crew. Reading the resolution, I -- I recognize how much I followed him through life. I followed him through Saint Ignatius. I followed him to Knox College. I followed him into the practice of law and into State government. We both moved home to Oak Park, where he cajoled me to join the Tuesday night hoops basketball league and to bring our family to the Saint Giles family Mass. He was like a brother. And for all of you who only knew him in that role as fiscal watchdog, you missed a gregarious, incredibly humorous and loving human being. So, I am proud to present this resolution on behalf of the Senate and the State of Illinois and would certainly welcome remarks from Senator McClure if he were so inclined.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition? To the resolution.
Thank you. So, as President Harmon -- said Laurence was a very proud Knox graduate. My father was a very proud -- is a very proud Knox graduate, as is President Harmon. And when my father was working for Governor Thompson at the Department of Commerce in Legislative Affairs, he called up his professor at Knox College, and he said, do you have anybody that could -- that could help me in -- in this department because we really need it right now. He said, one name, Laurence Msall. And so, my dad hired him and that gave Lawrence his start in all of this. Now, Governor Thompson was inundated with people from Knox College, and in fact, he gave them a nickname. It was called the Knox College Mafia. My father was a part of that, as was Senator Morrison, a very proud part of that. So, Laurence was a part of the second wave of the Knox College 162 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mafia. And after this Laurence was involved in so many great and -- and big projects that have been such a benefit to our State, whether it's Build Illinois or enterprise zones. He -- he was very helpful with projects involving Mitsubishi, Diamond Star, Sears, and he could talk to a Governor or a CEO and give them the same attention and the same careful consideration of what they said as he would give to me or somebody else, a random person on the street. He was just a very kind and thoughtful person who gave advice to anyone who asked and a very thoughtful way. And he'll be missed. And I've -- I've known Laurence since I was a little kid and just a wonderful person. I appreciate the wonderful tribute and he will be missed. So, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator Feigenholtz, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I too, want to say a few things about Laurence Msall. It's very rare that somebody who is identified as a lakefront liberal would get up maybe and speak to and provide accolades about a fiscal watchdog. But I have to say that when I met Laurence, I was very taken by his honesty and no nonsense. He was able to laugh at himself because he was kind of a nerd. And -- but he and I got to know each other when he was invited to join the Kennedy Forum and became one of the founding board members, where he worked very hard at destigmatizing the issue of mental health and was very transparent about some of the challenges that he and his family have -- had experienced. And he was -- he's very, very missed by the Kennedy Forum and those of us who remain very active, reducing stigma. I had never been to Saint 163 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Giles before, and I shared my thoughts with the Senate President about the memorial for him. I'd never experienced a wall-to-wall memorial with so many priests who knew this man and loved him and really struggled along with the rest of us and helped us get through this shocking departure. But I -- I know one thing that he was loved, and he loved his daughters and his wife. And he was a great friend to many people. And he also really loved Bruce Springsteen. And for that, thank you, Mr. President, for bringing this. I was wondering when we were going to do it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please remain standing for a moment of silence in honor of Laurence Msall. (Moment of silence observed) The question is, shall Senate Resolution 217 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Continuing on the Order of Senate resolutions, we have Senate Resolution 241 from Senator Halpin. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 241, offered by Senator Halpin.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator -- Senator Halpin, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 241 resolves that the General Assembly urge the Illinois Department of Public Transportation, the High-Speed Railroad Commission to move expeditiously in preparing a Statewide Integrated Network Plan for high-speed passenger rail in the State. And I know this is my third train resolution today, but I am going to mix metaphors and ask 164 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 you all to help me land this plane.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 241 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 244, Senator Feigenholtz. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 244, offered by Senator Feigenholtz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Feigenholtz, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. May is not only a month we're hoping to adjourn but is also National Foster Care Month. And this particular year's campaign highlights the role of people involved in the child welfare community and the role they play with kids. And this -- the theme this year is strengthening minds and uplifting families and focus on supporting the mental health needs of those involved with child welfare. I would love your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 244 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next, at the bottom of page 13 of your printed Calendar is Senate Resolution 245 from Senator Lightford. Senator Lightford, on Senate Resolution 245. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're going to move to page 14 of your printed Calendar remaining on the Order of Senate Resolutions at the top of the page. Senator Rezin brings Senate Resolution 249. She indicates she wishes to proceed. 165 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 249, offered by Senator Rezin.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Rezin, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 249 recommends that the federal government to uphold its duty to create regulations that promote the well-being of minors and to protect them from negative and harmful social media algorithms. The federal government has an obligation to protect the State's children from online bad actors, and too often, minors suffer grave consequences from deceptive marketing practices found in social media. Social media algorithms have been revealed to prioritize prolonged engagement and attention in order to generate profits. This prioritization often encourages users to engage in harmful, addictive, controversial, and negative content. Research has revealed that excessive social media use can result in negative effects on mental health, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Children or minors are most susceptible to these negative effects due to their limited life experiences and developing brains. Children may not fully understand the consequences of their interaction with social media platforms, and companies should not be enabled to take advantage of a children's lack of understanding for potential profit. The federal government has a duty to ensure that minors are protected from deceptive and harmful algorithms that are deliberately designed to incite negative reactions and build addictive behavior. The federal government has ample historical legal precedent that has 166 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 established it is a company's responsibility to protect children from known deceptive and harmful advertising. And social media companies should be held to the same standard as other companies regarding the utilization of harmful advertising and tactics that target minors. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 249 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next, we have Senate Resolution 250 from Senator Hunter. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 250, offered by Senator Hunter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 250 declares May 2023 as Asthma Awareness Month in Illinois. Senate Resolution 250 also supports the 2021 to 2026 Illinois Asthma State Plan, which strives to improve and expand asthma care. This initiative is of the American Lung Association and asthma is a chronic disease that impacts 25.2 million people in the United States, including 4.2 million -- million children. And I would ask for the support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 250 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 266, Senator Doris Turner. She indicates she 167 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 266, offered by Senator Doris Turner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Doris Turner, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. According to the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, socially disadvantaged farmers, especially farmers of color, have historically faced discriminatory and unfair treatment by local, State and United States agencies, including land dispossession, loan refusal and denial of access to resources. These inequities have resulted in extreme barriers to entry for current farmers of color who are beginning or looking to scale their farming operations. Of the 70,000 farms in the State of Illinois today, only 188 are owned by black farmers. Senate Resolution 266 urges the Illinois Department of Agriculture to study the effects and types of land loss to Black farmers from post slavery until now and calls for the State support for Black farmers in Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 266 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 268, Senator Tracy. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 268, offered by Senator Tracy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Tracy. 168 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 268 recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, also known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act. A few of us remember what Title IX actually accomplished. It was signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1972, and so many things have been accomplished by women in sports since that time. It has increased educational opportunities for women and girls resulting in improved graduation rates, increased access to professional schools, and nontraditional fields of study, and improved employment opportunities. It's also increased opportunities for women and girls in sports, leading to greater access to competitive sports and has helped build strong values such as teamwork, leadership, discipline, work ethic, self-sacrifice, pride and accomplishment, and strength and character. I urge everyone to celebrate and share with women and girls the importance of Title IX to the lives of all of us, and I urge the support of the resolution. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I stand in support of this resolution. I appreciate Senator Tracy bringing this forward. Many of young women who come from the same age group that I do fought very hard to make sure that we got equal treatment with the young men that were participating in sports. In fact, I shared with Senator Tracy, at one point, that the girls' basketball team that I played on was the first year that the girls even got to have 169 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 that. And we were forced, at first, to take the leftover uniforms from the boys' team because they got new uniforms. So, we fought very hard to be recognized as female athletes. And I think this is a great resolution. I appreciate her bringing it, I stand in support of it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there further discussion? Senator Turner, Doris Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to support Senator Tracy and this resolution. I think that too often -- Title IX allowed women and girls to become more active in the sports arena. But as the resolution speaks, being active in the sports arena leads to so many other accomplishments throughout your entire life and that cannot be understated. And so, having girls and women to have those same opportunities as boys and men, I think is tremendously important and really speaks to a better community for all of us.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any further discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition? Seeing no further discussion. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 268 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 278, Senator Villivalam. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 278, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Villivalam, on your resolution. 170 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 278 declares May of 2023 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in honor of the contributions made by the Asian Americans and Pacific Islander residents and communities across the State of Illinois. The month of May was chosen to commemorate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month to mark the first arrival of Japanese immigrants on May 7th, 1843, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10th, 1869. This resolution also notes that there are more than 870,000 Asian American and Pacific Islanders, according to the most recent American Community Survey data in the State of Illinois. Just want to thank everybody for welcoming Asian American residents across the State for Asian American Action Day on May 9th and would ask for an Aye vote and thank you for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the resolution.
I just want to thank the sponsor for bringing this resolution. A good friend of mine lives in Los Angeles, and coincidentally, we were just texting earlier today about AAPI, the AAPI population and the increase in violence and -- and -- and issues that they're facing and -- and a lot of areas right now. And so, this resolution is important because this community has 171 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 brought a lot of value to our State. It's brought a lot of value to our country. And I find the increases in violence against them right now very troubling. So, I thoroughly support this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall Senate Resolution 278 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next, we have Senate Resolution 294 from Senator Simmons. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 294, offered by Senator Simmons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Simmons.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this resolution would commemorate May as "Liver Disease Awareness Month." We know that liver disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States, and that last year roughly 50,000 people passed away from this disease. And that liver disease is a condition that often presents itself with very few symptoms until, unfortunately, it's too late. And so, this resolution is an attempt to help educate the public about the presence of liver disease that can be the result of so many different factors, including excessive alcohol use, Type 2 diabetes, and unfortunately, if left {sic} treated (untreated), liver disease can lead to liver cancer, liver failure, and cirrhosis. So, this is an effort to educate the public on the importance of early diagnosis. This is a disease that, if it's caught early, can oftentimes be treated so that our neighbors can survive. We also 172 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 know that oftentimes cirrhosis presents itself in a way where people often die 20 and 30 years sooner than -- than they need to because the disease was not caught and it progresses to the late stages. So, we can do this, we can educate our medical establishment, we can educate doctors and nurses, we can educate the public, we can educate those that oftentimes are struggling with mental health conditions that may lead them to drink or -- or to -- to abuse prescription drugs that can cause cirrhosis and can cause liver disease. So that the family members of those that are struggling with this disease can -- can have them around for -- for a full -- a full lifespan. So, I'm honored to bring this resolution forward. I also want to thank my colleagues that voted for SB 1282 earlier this Session, which will help reduce the cost of -- of detecting or a detection and screening, such as ultrasounds that can detect liver disease in the early stages. And I believe if we if we do this resolution, we can build on this work and -- and the months and years ahead to, you know, maybe in 5 or 10 years, this is a disease that is -- is -- is more well- known like some of the -- the other you know, more well-known diseases like cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and -- and some of the other big killers. So, thank you so much. And I appreciate everyone's time and attention on this resolution. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 294 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Next, we have Senate Resolution 3-0-4 from Senator Aquino. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution. 173 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Senate Resolution 3-0-4, offered by Senator Aquino.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Aquino, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 3-0-4 declares the Labor Day weekend 2023 as "Puerto Rican Cultural Center Weekend". The PRCC is an organization that has been working in the Humboldt Park community for over 50 years and for the last 30 years on the weekend of Labor Day, they have had a celebration on -- on what we call LA Division-Division Street, where it is a get back to school celebration. It is encouraging students to get bookbags and -- and -- and families to know that they have to, you know, enroll their students and get their kids into school. And so, it's also a celebration of our culture and -- and our people. And so, this organization, like I said, has been around for 50 years doing amazing work, not only for the Puerto Rican community in -- in Humboldt Park, in the city, but throughout the diaspora and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall this -- shall Senate -- Okay, Shall Senate Resolution 304 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Leave of the Body, we're going to move to the middle of page 14 of the printed Calendar where Senator Rose brings Senate Joint Resolution 39. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution, excuse me, Senate Joint Resolution 39, 174 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 offered by Senator Rose.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Rose.
Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate the courtesy. Congressman Tim Johnson represented East Central Illinois in various forms as a State Representative for 27 years, followed by a distinguished period of over a decade in the United States Congress. Tim, as he was known to everyone, was an amazing individual. He was Bronze Tablet at the University of Illinois, which is a top 2 percent of graduates. He was also Order of the Coif at the University Law School, which I believe is the top 1 percent of graduates or some such. Tim Johnson I am lucky enough now to represent quite a bit of his not just the congressional district, but also his former House of Representatives district when it was in the Illinois General Assembly. Tim was everywhere. There was no one that was everywhere like Tim Johnson. I hear stories to this day about how Tim one day walked halfway through a bean field in the mud. Just to shake a farmer's hand while he was out there planting. Everywhere you went, there was no harder worker than Tim Johnson. He had a -- he took the phone book, and he called 100 people a day, a 100 people a day from his district. Didn't matter if they were Republicans or Democrats. When he was in Congress, he continued that tradition and called 100 -- I mean, he must have called 100 hundreds of thousands of people over a four-decade career. On September 11th, he was in the Speaker's Chair conducting the -- the debate in the United States House of Representatives when our nation was attacked. Think about the historic significance of that moment in time. And Tim Johnson was 175 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 in the speaker's -- had the speaker's gavel conducting debate. He was my friend. He was my mentor. You -- you always -- every time I went walking with Tim and that's what you did. And I didn't -- I couldn't always keep up for obvious reason. But you had to walk if you wanted to talk to Tim. And so, we'd walk. And every time I walked; I always came away knowing something I didn't know before. And always going, wow, that's one of the most bizarre things I've ever heard in my life. But -- but Tim was -- Tim was truly one of a kind. After he retired from Congress, he went to our -- our local community college and was elected to the Parkland Board, I'm fairly sure - top vote getter and just had an amazing career. Sadly, he was killed last year. Well, succumbed to injuries from a car accident just under about a year ago. Anyway, I would ask that we rename a portion of I-57, a portion that he represented both in the United States Congress, but also, I think, during his years and years and years in the Illinois General Assembly as a fitting memorial. So, with that, I'd ask for favorable consideration. Thank you, everyone, for your indulgence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Bennett, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
I would like to -- thank you, Mr. President. I would like to echo Senator Chapin Rose comments regarding Tim Johnson. He really was one of a kind. He was part of my district was what he had at the time as well. He was my congressman at one point, but he was truly one of a kind where he was out and around with the phone books, as -- as Chapin was talking about, but he never knew a -- never knew a stranger who was there. The phone books that he would 176 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 use, he would reach out to people talking about issues and he would ask each one, what can I do for you today? Or what's the issue in your area? And he would make notes and he would get back to his - - his office to make sure they would follow up with these issues. When he was on vacation, he would continue to make phone calls to residents in the area over and over again. I've heard a number of stories in my district how people would -- would reach out to him, but he would be reaching out to them. Truly remarkable in a number of ways. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Seeing no further discussion. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, as this resolution will require the expenditure of State funds a roll call vote will be required. The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 39 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. With 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Senate Joint Resolution 39, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to move back up to Senate Joint Resolution No. 4 from Senator Anderson. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 4, offered by Senator Anderson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Anderson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today, I bring Senate Joint Resolution 4. It's highly fitting that this Body that we honor and 177 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 respect those that are truly great individuals that have served this State and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice. Two weeks ago, we honored this fallen deputy at the -- on the Capitol lawn for the fallen police officer's memorial service and it is my great honor to bring this resolution to the Floor today. Knox County Sheriff Deputy Nicholas Donald "Nick" Weist gave his life in the line of duty on April 29th, 2022. Deputy Weist was out laying spike strips on US 150 at North 150th Avenue in Henry County, trying to stop an armed suspect fleeing from local police when he was tragically hit and killed. From a young age Deputy Weist knew he wanted to be a police officer. He went on to earn his degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University. In 2009, following an internship with the Rock Island County Police Department, he worked as a security guard at Trinity Hospital in the Quad Cities, and in 2012, he was hired by the Mercer County Sheriff's Department as a 911 dispatcher and then as a correctional officer. Deputy Weist was -- was sworn in -- into the Aledo Police Department June 26th, 2015. And began his career on the road; working as a deputy sheriff for the Knox County Sheriff's Department in 2018, where he served until his passing. He served as union president, a taser instructor, a leader of a number of different organizations within the Knox County Sheriff's Office. He organized the Explorers Program for kids interested in law enforcement at Aledo High School. He headed up the recruiting for the department, and he raised funds and participated in the Shop with a Cop throughout his career. And he also served as a volunteer fire -- firefighter at the Viola Fire Department. Deputy Weist among everything was a family man first. He was born to Kevin Weist and Robin Monson in Platteville, 178 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Wisconsin on July 28th, 1987, and would marry his wife, Jessica, on January 11th, 2012, where they later had two kids, Ava and Emery. Through this resolution, we honor Deputy Weist and his unrelenting dedication, kindness, and selflessness to the citizens of Knox County and the State of Illinois. And by doing so today, we are going to be designating U.S. Route 150 from Galesburg Main Street to the intersection of U.S. 150 and Illinois Route 17 in Alpha. And it will be named "Deputy Sheriff Nick Weist Memorial Highway". I would ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator Halpin, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the resolution.
So, the Senator from Andalusia did a great job of summarizing Deputy Weist life. And I just want to add that, you know, the deputy was nearing the end of his shift and wasn't -- he was not involved in the initial -- the initial pursuit of the -- of the suspect. And on any other day, he would have been able to -- to go home and greet his -- his beautiful family. But he knew and accepted his duty and took those steps that, at least in part, ultimately resulted in -- in the -- the suspect being apprehended. And so, this is the -- the perfect example of the -- the kind of thing that we ask our officers to do. And I think that -- that honoring his life with this resolution and this naming of the highway is going to serve as a constant reminder of the 179 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 selflessness that our officers demonstrate and how we value the sacrifice of those that are serving and protecting our community. So, I certainly ask for your support in this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Anderson, to close. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall {sic} (Senate) Joint Resolution 4 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Senate Joint Resolution No. 4, having received the constitutional required majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please remain standing for a moment of silence in honor of Deputy Weist. (Moment of silence observed) Leave of the Body, we're now going to move to House Joint Resolution 17 from Senator Halpin. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 17, offered by Senator Halpin.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Halpin.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I want to thank the Body for the support of the previous Senators resolution. This is the House version of the honoring and designation of the Memorial Highway for Deputy Weist, sponsored by Representative Swanson, over on the House side, I would ask for its favorable consideration. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 180 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 As this resolution requires the -- I'm sorry. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, as this resolution requires expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 17 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 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 17, having received the constitutional required majority, is declared passed. Leave of the Body, we'll move back up to Senate Joint Resolution 28 from Senator McClure. He indicates he wish to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 28, offered by Senator McClure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure.
Thank you, Mr. President. Todd Hanneken was born in Decatur on December 3rd, 1975. He was a graduate of Mt. Zion High School and received a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Sciences from Illinois State University in 1999. But he achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a second generation Illinois State Police Trooper in December of 2000 as part of a Cadet Class 100. He was assigned first to State Police District 15 in Downers Grove and then he went to State Police District 10, in Pesotum, where he received several professional honors. He was dedicated to his family and his friends and is serving his community and our State. On March 25th, 2001, while on duty, he died in a car accident. And if you look at any of the stories about Todd after he passed away, all of 181 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 them talk about his selflessness and how much he loved serving his community and how good of a neighbor and friend he was. His wife, Shelley, of 20 years and his son(s), Benjamin, Anthony, and Nicholas William are in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope they're in all of our thoughts and prayers. And I know that the three of them are very, very honored and excited about the possibility of this resolution passing both houses and becoming law. This would designate Illinois Route 121 as it runs from the Macon/Moultrie County line to the intersection of Route 121 and Route 36 in Decatur as the "Trooper Todd Hanneken Memorial Highway". And I would ask that all of us honor Trooper Hanneken and his family by passing this into law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 28 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Senate Joint Resolution 28, having received the constitutional required majority, is declared passed. Next, we'll go to Senate Joint Resolution 31. I'm sorry, I missed one of the resolutions in the order. Senate Joint Resolution 29 from Senator McClure. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 29, offered by Senator McClure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure, on your resolution. 182 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. On the morning of July 12th, 2022, Conner Rowcliff and Keegan -- and Keegan Virden were involved in a car accident in the city of Assumption while on their way to weight-lifting for Central A&M. And both of them unfortunately passed away. Conner was a 16-year-old junior at Central A&M, where he participated in football, basketball, and track for the school. He was a summer worker for Assumption during 2022 and enjoyed riding four wheelers, going to the beach, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a great, all-American kid who was known as a hard worker and loved his community as much as he loved his friends and family. Keegan was 15 years-old and he was a sophomore where he played football and was a member of the Shelby County 4H. He enjoyed basketball, hunting, fishing and spending time with his friends, and he was a member of Mt. Pleasant Church of God. Both of these young people are deeply missed by their community and the site of the accident now is being worked on by IDOT. And so, this horrible, horrible tragedy is going to hopefully never happen again once IDOT makes improvements to this intersection. But I do think that it's fitting at the -- in this area, on this road on us U.S. (Route) 51 starting at N2600 East Road in Assumption north to the Shelby-Macon County Line. It's fitting to rename this the "Conner-Keegan Memorial Highway". And we need to remember these two young people and their families and the work of their families. And this incident is hopefully going to cause this area to be fixed so this can never happen again. And when people drive on this road, I like for them to remember these two wonderful young people who we still mourn today and will always mourn. 183 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 29 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Senate Joint Resolution 29, having received its constitutional required majority, is declared passed. Next, we have Senate Joint Resolution 31 from Senator Fowler. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate -- Senate Joint Resolution 31, offered by Senator Fowler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fowler, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the Senate. I rise for you today as we honor and celebrate the young life of Brian Pierce Jr. on August the 4th, 2021 Brooklyn Officer Brian Pierce Junior who was tragically killed while deploying stop sticks to stop a vehicle fleeing from police. From a young age, Officer Brian Pierce looked to serve his community, including with a Raymond/Harvel Fire Explorer program, the Illinois State Police Junior Police Academy, the Christian County Drug and Alcohol Task Force, and the Elkville Fire Department. After graduating from Elkville High School, Officer Pierce became the trainer and treasurer of the Elkville Fire Department as well as a correctional officer with 184 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 the Menard Correctional Facility. Officer Pierce moved to Makanda, where he joined the Makanda Township Fire Department. While there, he spent every Monday night training young firefighters. In 2019, Officer Pierce assisted the mayor of Spillertown in constructing a police department that they had not -- that had not existed for over ten years. Officer Pierce made a tremendous impact on his community at just 24 years of age. At the time of his death, Officer Pierce was survived by his parents, a sister, and a niece and nephew. Because of Officer Pierce's public service, the positive impact he had on serving Southern Illinois communities, I feel it is only fitting that we designate the section of Illinois Route 37 from Longstreet Road to Prosperity Road as it passes Spillertown as the "Officer Brian Pierce Jr. Memorial Highway". Mr. President, and Members of the Senate, this adoption of this resolution will mean more to this family than any of us will ever know. Thank you so much.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. As this resolution requires expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 31 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 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. Senate Joint Resolution 31, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we will move to House Joint Resolution 15 from Senator Joyce. Senator Joyce indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
185 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 House Joint Resolution 15, offered by Senator Joyce.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Joyce, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. This resolution pays honor and respect to a truly great individual who served the 40th District in our community and in doing so made the ultimate -- ultimate sacrifice. This resolution sets to honor and designate the 315 Overpass on U.S. Route 57 as the "Sergeant Marlene R. Rittmanic Memorial Highway". Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic of the Bradley Police Department, gave her life in the line of duty on December 30th, 2021. Her and her partner, Officer Tyler Bailey, who was seriously wounded by gunshot wound and still works to recover to this day, were responding to a nuisance call for a dog barking at a local hotel, when they were brutally attacked and shot. Sergeant Rittmanic did not survive. Sergeant Rittmanic was a 21-year law enforcement veteran. She became -- began her career as a deputy in the Iroquois County Sheriff's Department. She joined the Bradley Police Department in 2007 and was promoted to sergeant in 2019 {sic} (2014). Sergeant Rittmanic was widely recognized as a leader in the community of policing. She was known for her ability to speak to members of the community with respect while meeting them where they live and understanding their true needs. Sergeant Rittmanic was awarded the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2020 in recognition of her commitment to Bradley and Kankakee (County) communities. Therefore, it seems fitting that this site on 315 Overpass and U.S. Route 57 be designated as the "Sergeant Marlene R. Rittmanic Memorial Highway". I respectfully ask for your support. 186 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 15 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 55 Senators vote -- 56 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 15, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, can you please remain standing? We'll have a moment of silence for the officers we just honored with the preceding resolutions. (Moment of Silence Observed) With leave of the Body, we're going to move back up to House Joint Resolution 6 from Senator Doris Turner. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 6, offered by Senator Doris Turner.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Turner, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. The US Department of Agriculture defines Heirs' property as land that has been passed down informally from generation to generation without clear title or documented legal ownership. Every heir has rights to this property, but the lack of a clear title creates confusion regarding taxes, the use of the land, and the ability to sell the land. Heirs' property owners can face disagreements over which heirs have the right to occupy the land and how the land may be used, difficulty 187 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 selling the property due to a lack of a clear title, the exclusion from some governmental support programs, including disaster relief funds, inability to claim the land as an asset to obtain a mortgage or other loan, and the loss of land due to disagreements over responsibilities for the payment of taxes. This issue disproportionately affects the African American community because many of the African American farmers who purchased or were deeded land after the Civil War died without a will, and their property was passed down informally; each successive generation of heirs further divided the title to the property and complicated the heir's ability to determine the legal owners of the property. Heirs' property is the leading cause of involuntary land loss among African Americans. The United States Department of Agriculture reported heirs' property was the loss of 80 percent of the land owned by African American farmers since 1910. House Joint Resolution 6 creates the Heirs Property Study Task Force to examine current and prospective methods to address heirs' property issues in our State. The Task Force will be comprised of 11 members who shall serve without compensation, and the resolution requires the Department of Agriculture to provide administrative support for the task force. And the Task Force will submit its final report to the General Assembly no later than December 31st, 2024, and will be dissolved upon filing of its final report and I ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds a roll call will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 6 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. 188 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 46 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 6, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Next, we have House Joint Resolution 13 from Senator Stadelman. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 13, offered by Senator Stadelman.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Stadelman.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Joint Resolution 13 creates a Statewide Task Force to improve the quality of interpreting services in the medical community. There are more than a million Illinois residents that are not proficient in English. The task force will look at a number of items, including the couple I'm going to mention right now. Barriers preventing these patients from accessing quality interpreting services, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic relating to its effects on access to these quality interpreter services and effective communication of the law to health care providers. I'm asking for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 13 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 Senators 189 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 13, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. We will now move to House Joint Resolution 18 from Senator Hunter. Senator Hunter, on House Joint Resolution 18. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 18, offered by Senator Hunter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Hunter, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Joint Resolution creates the Task Force on Black Immigrants to study the state of Black immigrants in Illinois and provide recommendations on how to assist them. The Task Force shall consist of 16 members serving without compensation with the Department of Human -- Human Rights providing administrative support. A report to (General Assembly)-- of the Task Force findings is due no later than December 31st, 2024. Upon the filing of the report, the Task Force is dissolved. This is a Member of my House Member -- this is an initiative of my House Member, and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 18 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 46 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 190 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 18, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. Next, we have House Joint Resolution 20 from Senator Fine. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 20, offered by Senator Fine.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Fine, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Joint -- House Joint Resolution 20 is a resolution urging the Biden administration to certify and for Congress to affirm the Equal Rights Amendment. This would be the 28th Amendment to the Constitution.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 20 pass. All those -- all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. Opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. At the bottom of page 14, we have House Joint Resolution 22 from Senator Doris Turner. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 22, offered by Senator Doris Turner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Turner.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Joint Resolution 22 designates the Illinois Department of Transportation, District 6 Headquarters in Springfield, as the "James L. Easterly Building". 191 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mr. Easterly began working for the Department of Transportation after high school and continued until his retirement in May, of 2003. During his time at IDOT, he served in a variety of capacities, including its resident engineer, statewide construction engineer, and district engineer in Springfield and Collinsville, and culminated his career as the (IDOT) Director of Highways. He was very well respected by those within IDOT and the private sector for the example he set, the fairness he displayed, and the leadership he provided. One of the greatest gifts to his staff, future generations of IDOT employees, and to the public was his ability to value and build partnerships that found common ground within the communities and the State of Illinois. He helped IDOT become one of the best and most respected departments of transportation in the country. And this is a fitting recognition of his contributions to the success of the work of the Department of Transportation and I ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 22 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 55 Senators voting Yes, 0 voting No, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 22, having received the constitutionally required majority, is declared passed. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The Members of the Committee on Assignments shall assemble in the front room immediately. Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee 192 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Energy and Public Utilities Committee - Senate Bill 1587; refer to Executive Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 76, Motion to Concur with House -- with Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 90, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1463, Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 1675, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1199, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2089, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2507, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2518, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 2878, Floor Amendments 2 and 3 to House Bill 3811, and Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3903; refer to State Government Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 850, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1291. Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 376, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 1119, Floor Amendment 6 to House Bill 1497, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 3062, Senate Bill 2357, Senate Resolutions 291, 319 and Senate Joint Resolution 40. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (b-1) the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2875. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolutions 325 and 326, offered by Senator McClure and all Members. They are celebration of life resolutions, Mr. 193 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 President.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Resolution Consent Calendar. Senator Aquino, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President, for an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) State your announcement.
The Senate Democrats will be caucusing in the Senate President's office at 4:15 for approximately an hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Please state your announcement.
Senate Republicans will be caucusing in Room 400 in the Capitol at 4:15 for approximately an hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please move forward to your caucuses, which will start at 4:15. The Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. After committee(s), the Senate will reconvene for further Floor action. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER) The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, reports. 194 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Committee Reports.
Senator Joyce, Chair of the Committee on State Government, reports Motions to Concur - House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 850 and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1291 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Castro, Chair of the Committee on Executive - reports Motions to Concur - House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 76, House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 90, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1463, and House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 1675, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2089, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2507, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 2878, and Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3903 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER) State Journal-Register seeks leave of the Body to record and video. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 2585, offered by Senator Porfirio, an Act concerning criminal law. 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER) We're going to go to House Bills 3rd Reading. We're going to go to House Bill 1119. Senator Pacione-Zayas, House Bill 1119. Mr. Secretary, read the bill. Senator Pacione-Zayas seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1119 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1119. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Pacione-Zayas. 195 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Pacione-Zayas, on your amendment.
I'd like to adopt and explain on 3rd, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 1119. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1119, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
Senator Pacione-Zayas, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Floor Amendment 1 is a page and line amendment that simply changes the number of individuals who must be appointed to the board, that is the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, who have reported being incarcerated. The number would change from 3 to 2, which then brings the total number of public members appointed to the board up to four. So, essentially, overall, what this bill is trying to do, it requires that two members of the Criminal Justice Information Authority be individuals who have reported being incarcerated. It doesn't increase the number or the size of the 196 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 board. It just reduces the number of public members from 6 to 4 to accommodate for that change so that we can have folks with lived experience, people closest to the problems who usually have very poignant solutions to be able to effectively govern our board. I'm happy to answer any questions and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator McClure.
Questions for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Indicates she’ll yield.
So, Senator, the Governor can do this already right now, is that not correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Pacione-Zayas.
Yes, any Governor can. But the reason why we're trying to do this is we want to transcend leadership changes and we want to ensure that people who actually have gone through the system can be there. And sometimes you have to be very deliberate and spell that out.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator McClure.
So, have you had any conversations with the Governor or his office to say, hey, why don't you put two people that were formerly incarcerated on this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 197 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Senator Pacione-Zayas.
No, I have not had any conversations about that. And I think once again, this is about transcending leadership. We cannot govern where there's just a relationship between one legislator and one Governor and hope that it sticks. And that's why this particular piece of legislation is presented for the Body.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator McClure.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
So, this can already be done in State law and the governor has the ability to do this. And we've now heard that the Senate has not reached out to the Governor or anyone else in order to have this change made. So, this bill doesn't do anything. And the efforts to change the people that are appointed to this have not been made. So, there's no reason to vote for this because it doesn't do anything.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no further discussion, Senator Pacione-Zayas to close.
Essentially, sometimes you have to spell things out to ensure that they happen. And as I've mentioned before, just because I have a conversation with somebody who happens to be in leadership at that particular moment, who happens to have the ability to make 198 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 those changes does not mean that those changes actually transcend the leadership. And what we're trying to do is codify and ensure that the voices of those who have experience interacting with the criminal justice system, that their invaluable perspective in ICJIA is present. And not only that they can -- they can provide an understanding of how current policies affect incarcerated individuals, but they can also speak to the types of challenges and supports that are needed for successful reentry, thus reaffirming the purpose of this particular board, we are ensuring effectiveness in government. I ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) So, the question is, shall House Bill 1119 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. 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 voting Yea, 18 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 1119, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're going to drop down to the bottom of the page. Senate -- House Bill 1497, Senator Belt. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Belt seeks leave of the Body -- to take House Bill 1497 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1497. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 6, offered by Senator Belt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Belt, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to adopt and explain on 199 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 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 KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 1497. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1497, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Belt, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. As amended, House Bill 1497 amends the Automobile Renting Occupation and Use Tax Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. It excludes peer to peer car sharing business. Businesses in which someone other than the vehicle owner drives the car. Under the Act, if they paid applicable taxes under the retailer -- Retailers Occupation Tax Act or the Use Tax Act upon the purchase of the vehicle or when the vehicle was brought into Illinois. Lastly, it requires car rental companies and people who rent cars to others to provide a notice posted in a conspicuous unobscured place alerting them of the requirements under House Bill 1497 for six months after the effective date of this Act. Mr. President, I know of no opposition. A lot of work went into this, as evident by the six amendments. And I ask for an Aye vote. 200 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator Harris.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
I would like to just commend Senator Belt on this fine piece of legislation. This -- Senator Belt was able to bring all parties to the table to get this to an agreed bill and it's to codify a bill that I once passed in the last General Assembly that gives the Department of Revenue some clear guidelines of how to separate the peer-to-peer car sharing versus rental car industry. And it brought all the insurers in line as well. So, thank you, Senator Belt and vote Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no further discussion. The question is, shall House Bill 1497 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Yea, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 1497, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we'll go to page 8. We're going to go to the middle of the page. House Bill 2089, Senator Napoleon Harris. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Harris seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2089 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2089. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor Amendments approved for consideration? 201 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Napoleon Harris.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Harris, on your amendment.
I'd like to adopt it and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 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 KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2089. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2089, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Harris, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Floor Amendment 1 is a page line and amendment. Requires insurance companies in Illinois with assets above 50 million to do a yearly report with the Department of Insurance on the Supplier Diversity program and also makes some small technical changes. There's no opposition and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no discussion. The question is, shall House Bill 2089 202 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Yea, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 2089, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're going to go to page 10 towards the top of the page is House Bill 2518. There's been a change of sponsorship to -- from Senator Cunningham to Senator Doris Turner. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Oh its recalls Senator Turner seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2518 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2518. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2 has been approved pursuant to Senate rule 3-8 d-10.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Turner, on your amendment.
I would like to pass it and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 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. 3 has been approved pursuant to Senate rule 3-8 d-10.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Turner, on your amendment. 203 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
I would like to pass it and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2518. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2518, an Act concerning revenue. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Turner, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2518, as amended, extends the completion date by 12 years for seven TIFs located in the following municipalities. The City of Chicago, City of Peoria, City of Champaign, City of Rock Island, City of Sparta, Village of Evergreen Park and village of Channahon. The bill also allows a tourism preservation and sustainability district adopted by ordinance between July 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, by the Sangamon County Board of -- for improvements to the Bank of Springfield Center and initial term of up to 20 years.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Leader Curran. 204 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. Question of sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Indicates she'll yield.
Thank you. Senator, I -- I just want to confirm for our side. At one point there was some language out there in a potential amendment that was specific only to the village of Arlington Heights, I was told that that amendment is not -- that language is not on this proposal. I just want to confirm that if you'd be so kind.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Turner.
That amendment was not adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Leader Curran.
Thank you, Senator, for that clarification. And with that, I -- I stand in support of your proposal.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Turner, to close.
Thank you for your support and I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) And so, the question is, shall House Bill 2518 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Yea, 205 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 1 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 2518, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're now going to go down the page a little ways to House Bill 2878. The sponsorship has been changed to Senator Castro. Senator Castro seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2878 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2878. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Castro.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Castro, on your amendment.
I ask for its adoption. I'll explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 3 has been approved pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 d-10.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Castro, on your amendment.
I asked for its adoption, I'll explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Any 206 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2878. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2878, an Act concerning finance. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Castro, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2878 is the procurement omnibus for 2023. Makes a number of changes to streamline the procurement process and address various agencies and vendor concerns. The bill includes the following provisions: expands of the -- expands of the Public Private Partnership for the Transportation Act for just transportation agencies, from just transportation agencies to include all State agencies, counties, municipalities and units of local government. Also removes the current limitations of transportation construction. Requires vendors seeking a waiver under the BEP Act to provide additional reasoning when they are seeking an aspirational goal waiver. Requires corporations of the State contract to annually report to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion a list of professional services supplier by category and percentage of owners and employees in each category that are women or members of a minority group. Eliminates the sunset of single prime procurement for the Capital Development Board and eliminates the limitation on the 207 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 usage of single prior for construction projects under 5 million. Amends the Governmental Joint Purchasing Act to provide that the State can use joint purchase master contracts to contract with not-for-profit agencies for persons with disabilities under the State Use Program. Requires each Chief Procurement Officer and the BE -- Business Enterprise Council to make available the annual Small Business annual report on their official websites and issue a press release that includes an executive summary of the report and link to the annual report. Allows universities to issue certificates of participation contracts in excess of 10 years, but not to exceed 35 years. Increases what is considered a veterans owned small business to be any business with an annual gross sale of less than 150 million. The threshold is currently 75 million. Clarifies the universities follow the Public University Conservation Act rather than the procurement code when contracting for energy conservation contracts. Raises the minimum value of a general public works contract that requires a surety bond from 50,000 to 150,000 until January 1st, 2029, for IDOT and tollway projects, over 500,000 must have a surety bond after January 1st, 2029, all bonds revert to 50,000. Allows units of local government to require a bond for projects under 150,000 by ordinance or resolution. Prohibits local government units, contractors, and their representative subcontractors from withholding retainage of more than 10 percent from any payment to a contractor who furnishes a bond, or a bond substitute made prior to the completion of 50 percent of a contract for public works. Once a contract for public works is 50 percent complete, the local government unit, contractor or subcontractor must reduce the retainage so that no more than 5 percent is held. Render a - for vendor registration the State Board 208 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 of Elections prohibited contracts it changes the value to total value rather than total annual value. Provides a procurement preference which actually take that back. Prohibit contracts where the State is prohibited from using software applications from other vendors, removes a provision in the Civil Administrative Code that requires Central Management Services to get a certification from the Capital Development Board when leasing a space that's more than 10,000 square feet. Exempts from the procurement code artistic or music services performances, events or productions at the Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair. And finally, exempts from the Illinois Procurement Code contracts that provide public education programing, noncommercial sustaining announcements, public service announcements, and public awareness and education messaging, where a nonprofit trade association provides those services to the public on immediate and ongoing health and safety risks and hazards. In Executive, I mentioned that there was going to be some technical cleanup and we removed the coal miners' provision from the bill. I am open for questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Leader Curran.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
I just want to we -- we voiced a -- a concern in Executive. I want to thank the sponsor, she's addressed it with Amendment 3, addressed it very quickly, with some clarifying language. And with that, I stand in support of this bill. Thank you, Senator, for 209 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 your addition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) So, the question is, shall House Bill 2850 -- I'm sorry, 2878 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Yea, none voting Nay, none voting -- and 2 voting Present. And House Bill 2878, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Down at the bottom of the page we have House Bill 3062. Senator Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3062 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3062. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon, on the amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment becomes the bill. I move for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 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?
Amendment No. 3, offered by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon, on your amendment. 210 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I meant for the record, Amendment 3 is the amendment we discussed in committee but had not yet arrived in committee. It has been sent straight to the Floor. It is a page and line amendment that assures the collective bargaining disputes are not included in the bill. I'm happy to incorporate that into my discussion on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 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 KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 3062. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3062, an Act concerning civil law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon, on the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlmen of the Senate. House Bill 3062 is a very simple amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure. It directs that any action brought against the State or its officers seeking declaratory or injunctive relief against any State statute rule or executive order based on an alleged violation of the Constitution of the State or the Constitution of the United 211 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 States, shall be brought either in Sangamon County or in Cook County. I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator Tracy.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to speak to the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
Actually, I would like to ask…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Indicates he will yield.
Mr. President, I'm just wondering why you chose two counties. I get why you choose Sangamon County. But I'm wondering why you think Cook is more important than all of the other 100 other counties besides Sangamon County.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you for the question. It's one I asked as well. The statutes are actually replete with jurisdictional references to Cook and Sangamon as the two primary jurisdictions. I -- I think it's the same reason that I have an office in Springfield and an office in Chicago. Leader Curran has an office in Springfield and an office in Chicago. The Governor, the Attorney General, all the constitutional officers have an office in Springfield and an office in Chicago. It is essentially 212 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 an alternative place of government.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Tracy.
Well, Kaskaskia was the original capitol of Illinois. Maybe we should include that county as well. I -- I -- I just take offense that every county in this State is an equal for the Illinois constitutional questions to be brought in every county of this State for any Illinoisian where they want to bring an action.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Was that a question?
It was.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I -- I -- I confess I missed the question in -- in the remarks as well. Maybe Senator Tracy could just reframe the question itself.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Tracy.
Thank you. I -- I will try to do better. Why aren't every county in this State as important to every citizen in Illinois? They are part of the Illinois Constitution and why would they not be able to bring a cause of action, under the Constitution of Illinois, in any county in this State?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon. 213 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. They -- they can bring a great variety of causes of action, including those relating to the Constitution in any county. This is a very limited case. It's where the -- the Cause of Action is against the State itself or one of our officers seeking declaratory or injunctive relief against a State statute on the basis that it's in violation of the Constitution. These cases are almost inevitably on their way to the Supreme Court. They are typically consolidated. And what we have seen recently is similar cases being filed in scores of counties, causing the Attorney General to have to defend the same action in multiple counties with forum shopping. This is a simple effort to make sure that all important, critical constitutional questions end up in the right venue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Tracy.
Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate that answer. But more importantly, even beyond the previous questions we've talked about, why would we take a question of venue out of the purview of the courts where it's properly before the courts and they determine what is proper venue?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, I'm -- I'm not sure how to answer that. These are cases brought against the State or its officers. The State's location is certainly in Springfield, as are its officers. The -- the -- the officers all have alternative 214 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 locations in Chicago in the county of Cook. It seems like a very reasonable way to handle these. And I -- I want to emphasize; we did not originate this idea. The statutes are replete with limitations on jurisdiction to Sangamon and Cook.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Tracy.
Thank you. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
I appreciate the sponsors answers, but I -- I think it's important to note that we do have 102 counties and many downstate counties resent the fact that Cook is even part of this equation because all counties in Illinois are equally important under the Constitution of Illinois. And as I said, even more importantly, I think the courts get tired of us messing in their branch, and I don't like them messing in our branch. And I -- I think we need to give deference to the proper meaning of venue. And -- and that's for a court's decision. When we have a criminal case that deals with a constitutional issue, they can bring that in any case where that cause originated. And likewise, it's important that we just allow cases originate wherever citizens feel they originate. That's their right as Illinoisans to bring causes wherever they are located. And -- and then if the judge determines that venue is not appropriate, then so be it. So, I would urge a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Further discussion, Senator Bryant. 215 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
Thank you. I wish -- I know everybody in here is tired, but I wish they would pay attention to this bill because this bill is a particularly egregious bill to every one of us sitting in here. There was a comment made just a minute ago about where particular offices are. They happen to be in Springfield, or they happen to be in Chicago. I have one in Mount Vernon, one in Murphysboro, one in Springfield, one in Red Bud specifically because the constituents that I represent have a right to have access to me and have a -- have a right to have access to bring their grievances before this State. What's happening with this bill is anyone who brings a suit against a constitutional officer has to come to Springfield or go to Chicago. That is absolutely absurd for citizens who live in Cairo, in Alexander County, for people who live in Carbondale, who live in Jackson County, for people who live in East St Louis who are in St Clair County, every freaking time that I have to go to Chicago for a hearing simply because it's inconvenient for someone to come from Chicago to Springfield gripes me. Imagine what is going to happen or how the feeling of the citizens of this State are going to be whenever they have circuit courts that they can go to so that their cases can be heard, only to be told that we don't want constitutional officers or officers who right now are actually being sued to have to be inconvenienced so they're able to go to Springfield in Chicago. But the citizens of this State have to be inconvenienced to go 216 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 wherever they want that to go. This is a terrible bill. We have circuit courts in this State for specific reason, and that is so that people are able to go to their courts and have their grievances heard, not so that we can make it more convenient for the person that was mentioned previously, which is the Attorney General. This is a very bad bill and every single one of you should be paying attention to this because you have a responsibility. I have a responsibility. The sponsor has a responsibility. Even the Attorney General has an office in Carbondale. Why? Because he wants to be close to the people that he's serving. This is a terrible bill. Vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Further discussion, Senator Sally Turner.
Thank you, Mr. President. A question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Indicates he'll yield.
Thank you, Mr. President. Recently, the Committee on the Supreme Court and the OIC had a study that showed that the 4th District Appellate Court had so much more of a burden that they had to have more Justices on that court. So, with doing this then require -- would it be more of a burden on the 4th District since it goes from Springfield as part of the 4th District? Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, thank you for the question. I -- I don't believe it would be a material change in 217 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 the burden. These cases are often filed in Sangamon County already and -- and they often end up in a consolidated docket in Sangamon County. So, I don't believe it would dramatically change the workload.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Turner.
So, just to help me think this through, so in the -- if it was an appeal and it's a 4th district, it gets appealed in the 4th District. If it's from any other county, does it originate from - - they all come to Springfield but you're from another county. It still is a 4th?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Again, I -- I it's -- it's hard for me to answer with -- with some of the misunderstanding. And - - and the -- the last speaker was very forceful, but I -- I think misplaced. This is not affecting all actions against officers of the State. It is in the very limited circumstances where an action is brought against the State allege seeking certain relief, declaratory judgments or injunctive relief, that on the basis that a law is in -- in violation of the Constitution. This is a small subset of cases typically brought. It is not the routine cases and controversies most people would -- would bring. It is a relatively extraordinary action. They all -- they all eventually end up in the Supreme Court, which, by the way, sits in Sangamon County and Cook County. So, it makes sense. And again, it is not new. There are a variety of statutes today that say venue is proper in 218 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Sangamon or in Cook.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Turner.
And just one more last thing. And again, I'm trying to wrap my head around this. So, with collective bargaining, would that be still filed at each individual county?
President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, collective bargaining disputes would be filed in individual counties. Petitions for post- conviction relief would be filed in the individual counties. It's only this limited subset where someone is seeking to declare a state statute unconstitutional.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Turner.
Thank you. And so, only constitutional issues would come to Springfield or Cook. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
Thank you. And again, I -- I want to be very clear. I'm going to read the statute again, so I don't mischaracterize it. Actions against the State or any of its officers seeking declaratory or injunctive relief against any state statute rule or executive order based on an alleged violation of either the State Constitution or the United States Constitution. 219 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Turner.
Does this cover civil and criminal cases?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
That's a fine question. I -- I'm -- I'm having trouble thinking of a criminal case. I don't think it does because this is a -- it would be an action filed to seeking the relief. The -- the criminal cases are brought by the State's attorney unless they're alleging that someone was picked up for violating the Constitution. I don't -- I don't recall that being a standalone criminal offense.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Turner.
Thank you, Mr. President, for your answers. And thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Further discussion? Senator Plummer.
Question of the Sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Indicates he’ll yield.
Thank you. Well, first, Mr. President, let me say I was very pleased to hear you have concern about forum shopping in the State of Illinois. I wish we could talk about that when it comes to a tremendous amount of litigation that takes place in the State. But 220 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 for clarification purposes, I know last year you sponsored a bill that brought redistricting challenges in Madison County and Lake County. And I'm just curious, the constitutionality of those cases was called into question. Would -- would -- would those cases have been forced to go to Sangamon and Cook or could those have been heard locally under this -- under this piece of legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator. A good question I cannot answer without the complaint in front of me. I don't know what relief they were seeking nor the -- the basis of the claim.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Plummer.
I think the Attorney General and the Governor were both named in those cases, and I think the basis of the claim was that your redistricting legislation was unconstitutional.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
Thank you. Again, I don't know what relief was being sought, and I -- I -- I recognize you would like me to answer the question, but without the complaint in front of me, I'm not sure that I can do it with -- with confidence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Plummer.
No, I appreciate that. I just echo the concerns of some of 221 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 the other folks who have talked today. And I just -- I know the Secretary of State has offices throughout the State of Illinois. We have offices throughout the State of Illinois. Someone like me that represents all or part of 11 counties. We have offices, we have traveling office hours, we do all these things. I guess, in -- in -- in your opinion, do the constitutional officers of the State work for the people of Illinois, or do the people of Illinois work for the constitutional officers of the State?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Obviously, we all work for the people of the State of Illinois, but that doesn't in any way obviate the -- the fairly obvious practical concerns. The Supreme Court sits in Springfield and in Chicago. That's not in dispute. We make decisions based on these very practical geographies. These cases will all end up with the Supreme Court. It does not seem at all unreasonable that we follow standard precedent and limiting venue in certain circumstances to those two courts.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Plummer.
Well, what doesn't work for the people of Illinois is legislation like this where you force people to travel 4 or 5 hours to spend a tremendous amount of money to hire attorneys if they - - if they can't travel to litigate cases, that could very well be heard right down the street at their courthouses. You -- you claim that you -- you want to stop forum shopping that has taken place. But what you're effectively doing is you're legislating forum 222 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 shopping into venues that where you want the cases to be heard. And I think what we should be focused on is not where do you want cases heard; not where do we want the constitutional officers to have their cases heard? I think we should care about where the people of Illinois want their -- their cases heard? All 102 counties elect their judges. I think people have a right to have their cases heard amongst their -- their -- their peers and their neighbors. Right now, we talk about the three branches of government a lot. And I just want to understand this, because I'm not an attorney like you are, Mr. President, but the rules are in place right now for the Supreme Court under the current code of civil procedure. And -- and there's broad discretion for the -- for the Supreme Court to make their own rules in terms of a lot of things, but especially venues. Does this bill take those powers away from the Supreme Court? And what you're claiming is a narrowly defined group of cases.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for that question, Senator. I was going to address it in my closing. I have immense respect for the judiciary. I give broad deference to the court in administering its own affairs. I would point out that the code of Civil Procedure is a creation of the General Assembly. The laws governing the court are determined by the General Assembly, the Supreme Court, the appellate court, the circuit court. None of them can amend the code of civil procedure. Only we can. That is a part of the separation of powers that you've just argued. But I think it cuts against you. 223 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Plummer.
So, you -- you have all these arguments about why this is fair and just and this process that's been set up treats people equitably. But why is it that if you're not a member of a labor union bringing a case like that, you have to go to Sangamon County or Cook County. But if you're a member of a labor union, you can file these cases locally?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon.
That -- that is not true, Senator. If you're a member of a labor union and you're bringing a cause of action against an officer based on a constitution seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, you would need to go to these courts. We, as in an abundance of caution, belts and suspenders, we made sure that collective bargaining disputes between the State and its employees were not mischaracterized as such.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Plummer.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
I appreciate the president's time and answering the questions. The reality is we're trying to legislate venue shopping because certain constitutional officers of the State, frankly, are 224 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 having a lot of their decisions challenged by the people that they're supposed to serve. And instead of letting the people have their voice heard and instead of letting the people do what we would think people should be allowed to do in a democracy and go to their local courthouse and have judges adjudicate their rights and make decisions. The legislature wants to jump in to protect certain constitutional officers and take away the right of people to have their concerns heard. And you might say, well, it doesn't take it away. They have to go to Sangamon County. Do you know how far away Alexander County or Pulaski County or Hardin County or Jo Daviess County is from Cook County or Sangamon County? People that can't -- people that can't afford fancy lawyers and expensive lawyers. People that might struggle to be able to pay filing fees have to go to Sangamon County and Cook County to hear their concerns or have their concerns heard. This is offensive to the people of Illinois. And -- and with all due respect to the president, I think some people in this Body are starting to forget who works for who. The judiciary does not work for the legislature. The legislature does not work for the constitutional officers and the judiciary and the legislature and the constitutional officers work for the people of Illinois. And it's time that you start showing some respect to the people of Illinois. Quit limiting their rights, quit taking their rights away. And frankly, when we take their rights away, at least give them the decency and the respect to allow their concerns about their rights being taken away, be heard in a local courthouse. This is an affront to democracy. I urge a No, vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no further discussion. President Harmon, to close. 225 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you all for the robust debate. I appreciate this is a delicate issue for some, but I don't think it's as radical a proposition as some of you have made it seem. Again, if you're trying to solve a local dispute, you can go to your local courthouse and file a claim and -- and have your case addressed by a local judge. We're not proposing to take that away. If you're raising a question of the fundamental constitutional rights, you are inevitably heading to the Supreme Court. You are inevitably heading to Springfield or to Chicago. And if you were to prevail in your local courthouse and it was appealed up through the appellate court, if you don't come to Springfield to argue your case before the Supreme Court, you will lose. These cases are all going to end up in Springfield or Chicago. It's our judgment that it is best to simply streamline that process and make sure these cases are all heard in an organized fashion. I ask you for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The question is, shall House Bill 3862 {sic} (3062) pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 37 voting Yea, 16 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 3062, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're going to turn the page to page 11. Towards the top is House Bill 3326, Senator Feigenholtz. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3326, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd 226 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Feigenholtz, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 3326 is an initiative of Secretary of State Giannoulias -- it has been written and rewritten and has no opposition. This bill will prohibit out of State law enforcement from utilizing automatic license plate data gathered in Illinois to prosecute people seeking legal reproductive health in Illinois or to detain people based on their immigration status. I'm sure many of us know that the utilization of ALPRs has been proliferated and this is an effort to protect that data. I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator Tracy.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have questions of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Indicates she'll yield.
Senator Feigenholtz, is there a place in State -- Illinois State law where the use of Illinois license plate readers is regulated?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Feigenholtz.
This is -- this is our first effort to regulate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Tracy. 227 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you for that. I believe there's actually a bill, Senate Bill 1459, that attempts to regulate and create a framework for the use of the technology. Why wouldn't we create one law that regulates the use of license plate readers and the technology that goes with it so that we can interact with law enforcement?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Feigenholtz.
Actually, Senator Tracy, we already are interacting with law enforcement. We are sharing data and there are written agreements between in-state -- some of our in-state law enforcement agencies. I know the State police is -- has a user agreement and share data with the City of Chicago.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Tracy.
Well -- well wouldn't this bill then prohibit law enforcement from using that technology?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Feigenholtz.
If you read the amendment that was added Senator, this is specific. This bill gets a lot more specific about having to have an attestation or a written agreement for in particular Section B, if you read Section B of this bill that it is prohibited to use this data and information to deny or interfere with a person's right to choose or to obtain reproductive health care services, or any lawful health care services as defined by the Lawful Health 228 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Care Activity Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Tracy.
Thank you for that. Then following that answer and the specificity that this bill goes to, if we have a minor girl that was brought to Illinois from Missouri by someone who had sexually abused her to undergo an abortion, would this law stop the license plate data from being used to bring the abuser to justice?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Feigenholtz.
It would not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Tracy.
I beg to differ. If we're not -- if the girl is transported in a car and we're saying that the license plate information could not be used, how would that prevent the abuser from having that information used with the -- the technology of the license plate reader?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Feigenholtz.
The prosecution for trafficking or sexual abuse is able to be accessed, but the reproductive health care data is not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Tracy.
229 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Thank you for that answer. But I -- I think in reality, the -- the problem is that data would not be retrieved and could not be used. But going to the bill itself, if I May.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
To begin with, it makes a lot more sense to pass one law which would regulate, first of all the use of license plate readers rather than continue to pass bills and piecemeal fashion that says it can't be used for this or it can't be used for that. Let's begin with addressing the technology as a whole. And for instance, when we did away with the parental notification last year, I myself had very serious concerns what that would mean for minors that had been sexually abused. And I continue to have these serious concerns because this bill, as I just gave in my scenario, would prohibit the use of these data readers from bringing an abuser, perpetrator to justice. The victim would not be able to be protected and her abuser would not be able to be stopped from his abusing. Under this law, a minor girl from Missouri could be brought to Illinois by her abuser to undergo an abortion, and that license plate data couldn't be used to bring him to justice. And for these reasons, I think we first need to address the technology in a whole bill and, as I said, not in piecemeal fashion. And I urge a No vote because we're going to perhaps make this too broad and allow a true perpetrator and abuser to go free and avoid persecution -- prosecution. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no further discussion, Senator Feigenholtz to close.
230 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 With all due respect to the previous speaker, it's very clear by the way this is spelled out in B that what her concerns are have been alleviated. I'm more than glad to work with her in the future on other license plate reader privacy issues. However, right now we are reading stories about women and persons being stalked at health care centers, at protests and at immigration clinics. So, the Secretary of State feels very strongly about protecting these people. And I -- I feel the same. And I'm hoping we could pass this bill and take one more worry off our plates. I encourage an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) So, the question is, shall House Bill 3326 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 39 voting Yea, 15 voting Nay, and none voting Present. And House Bill 3326, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're going to go to the bottom of page 11. We're going to go to House Bill 3743. Senator Hastings seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3743 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3743. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Hastings.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Hastings, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd ask that you adopt the amendment and I explain it on 3rd Reading. Thank you. 231 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 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 KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 3743. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3743, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Hastings, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Illinois Senate. House Bill 3743 just to give a precursor to why I'm bringing this bill. In 1958, the State of Illinois constructed the Tinley Park Mental Health Center. In 2012, we closed it. It used to be one of the State of Illinois's largest mental health treatment facilities in the State. It provided inpatient and outpatient services to our residents. But since its closure, the people that it used to treat were dispersed into our community and those that have inhabited it since have been trees, animals and the homeless. The internal infrastructure has degraded to a point where it's truly unacceptable. This bill transfers the Tinley Park Mental Health Center to the Tinley Park Park District for a nominal fee of $1, and it also puts two restrictive covenants on the property. The first is, if the Tinley Park Park District chooses to sell or 232 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 donate the land, the property reverts back to the State. The second provision is if the Tinley Park Park District chooses to use that land for a racino, the land will revert back to the State of Illinois. Mr. President, I'd be happy to answer any questions, and I'd like to urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Leader Curran. Senator Sally Turner.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just would thank the Senator for bringing this bill. We had a great conversation in our committee. Many of us that were sitting on the committee have this same circumstance that -- that you do in your -- in your county. We have a facility in Logan County that has been there since the early 1950s that's been closed. It's been sitting there for four administrations. And we've asked over and over and over again, can we buy it? What can we do with it? Finally, we're having some action on a portion of it, which is the good portion. And the bad portion still sits there with all the dilapidated buildings. It's time that the State sets -- steps up and cleans up and offers those things back to our communities. So, thank you, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Further discussion, Leader Curran.
Thank you, Mr. President. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Indicates he'll yield.
Well, first, I appreciate my colleague's comments and I know 233 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 she has a similar issue in her district. But Senator, I -- I would ask you have -- I've heard from the village of Tinley Park, and I think you have opposition on this with regard to their efforts in acquiring this property. Maybe just give us some context on why you -- you believe the Park District is the right way to go and - - and not the -- the local municipality.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Hastings.
Senator Curran, as you know, I have a great deal of respect for you, and I really appreciate your question. I want to elaborate on why we brought this piece of legislation today to transfer the land to the Tinley Park Park District. Since the closure in 2012 and for the last decade, the village of Tinley Park has endured what I consider political turmoil. In 10 years, the village of Tinley Park has had four mayors, four mayors think amongst your districts and think about that in terms of village trustees. It's been a political -- a political -- it's pretty -- it's pretty sad situation, to be honest with you. With all the trustees that have come and gone in the last decade. I have had conversations with each and every mayor since I've taken office in 2013, all four of them, as you all know, Senators CMS has a procedure for how we transfer State surplus property. First, the State has to deem it as State surplus property. Second, it has to offer it to State agencies across the State of Illinois to see if they express their interest. Interest was expressed by 1 or 2 State agencies, I should say. One in particular wanted to turn it into an urban park. The National Guard actually considered turning it into a National Guard location, but they later declined that. DNR still holds the opinion 234 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 that it could be an excellent urban park in the northeast part of Illinois. But when State agencies choose not to use the property, it then goes to the third tier that being offering it to the government entities that encompass that property itself. The CMS senior leaders have discussed with every mayor, every administrator for the last decade the State's intent to want to sell and to want to transfer the property. They have been provided ample notice, ample written notice, ample verbal notice. CMS, the last two years has been in communications with the village of Tinley Park, and they set out an established requirements for the -- the successful transfer of the property. They asked for the scope of projects. They asked for timelines, budgets. But I want to hone in on timelines, timelines. After 10 years of discussions, CMS asked to turn a specific comprehensive site plan in the village of Tinley Park's administration has failed, failed to submit it in a timely manner. The Park District, on a brighter note, has a very efficient, a very professional form of government who understands what it means to follow the rules and to follow the timelines. They don't have hairy, audacious goals to put a racino on the property. CMS took no position on this. They left it up to the legislators and what the transfer to property and I'm happy to support it. If you were to talk Senator Curran, if you were to talk to the Board of Commissioners, they stated that we are excited to hear about legislation supporting the Park District's vision for the vacant land and hope for the General Assembly support of our plan to finally move forward with the vacant property, clean up and redevelop this site. After years of inaction, after years of inaction, we are thrilled with the prospect of turning this site into a recreation athletic hub for the entire Southland region 235 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 to enjoy. And let me point to this letter Mr. President and Senator Curran. This letter has been signed and written by all of the State representatives that abut the property itself. All of them. I submitted this to the committee which helped garner the unanimous support of the property transfer. They're thrilled. The Park District is thrilled. The community is thrilled. They have a comprehensive plan that was submitted in a timely manner. And the south suburbs deserves nothing but the best on that property. I hope that answers your question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Leader Curran.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill. I know…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
Has worked on this property issue probably your entire time in office. You know, I think I just have a fundamental disagreement when it comes to land use locally. I think there's a reason that we invest municipalities with -- with the authority over zoning and that -- and in this instance, the local municipality has different intent on the future use and development of this property. And for that reason, I will be casting a No vote. But I do appreciate and respect the Senator's efforts, consistent efforts over many, many years with regards to this site. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no further discussion, Senator Hastings, to close.
236 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mr. President and Members of the Senate, first and foremost, I want to thank each and every one of you for allowing me to have a conversation with you regarding this bill. This bill has to deal with my back yard. It has to deal with where I grew up. I grew up in the south suburbs and in Tinley Park in the 90s. I filled sandbags to help save the town from flooding. I played on almost a state championship football team. When I came home from war, I decided to come back to the south suburbs. This property has been dilapidated since the time I came back. It's a shame that people cannot follow the rules and follow the timelines given to them in order to transfer this property effectively. I ask for the people of Tinley Park to pay particular close attention to this and the wording that's used in my speech. Timelines are timelines, requirements are requirements, and when they ask you to do a job, do your job. The village didn't do theirs. The Park district did theirs. And Mr. President, I ask for an Aye vote and I look forward to the use and enjoyment of this wonderful recreation site. Thank you, Mr. President.
The question is, shall House Bill 3743 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 43 voting Yea, 10 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 33 -- 3743, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're going to go to page 12. Go to House Bill 3902. Sponsorship has been changed to Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3902 to the Order of 2nd Reading. One second. There's a correction to be made. We're on -- all right, 237 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 correction. We're going to be on House Bill 3903, Senator Murphy. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Murphy seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3903 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3903. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Murphy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Murphy, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. As amended, 3903...
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) You want to approve the amendment? 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 KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the order -- Mr. Secretary, now on the Order of 3rd Reading, please read the bill.
House Bill 3903, an Act concerning government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Murphy, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. As adopted, 3903 seeks to address 238 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 some ongoing concerns pertaining to the automated law enforcement systems, including red light and speed cameras. This bill will establish ethical parameters and guidelines to protect and provide direction to both automated traffic enforcement companies and State and local elected officials. So, specifically, there are several provisions in this bill, and it will prohibit contractors who provide equipment and services for automated law enforcement, automated speed enforcement or automated railroad grade crossing enforcement systems to municipalities or counties, or any political action committee created by such a contractor and their affiliates for making campaign contributions. It requires that determination to issue a citation be vested solely within the municipality or the county, and that that authority may not be delegated to any contractor. Provides that any contractor agreement violating such a provision in the ordinance would be null and void. It requires signage to inform drivers following a stop. A right turn on an intersection is permitted or not, and where an automated traffic law enforcement system is present. Prohibits a county or municipality from changing the interval of yellow light in the six months before installing an automated system. Requires safety studies to be conducted within one year after passage of this Act and every two years thereafter. Provides that no Member of the General Assembly and no officer or employee of a municipality or county shall knowingly accept employment or receive compensation or fees for services from a contractor that provides automated enforcement system equipment or services to municipalities or counties within two years, immediately after the termination of a municipal or county employment. It requires that when a municipality or county who selects a new automated traffic 239 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 law enforcement system vendor and applies to IDOT, that IDOT must approve or deny the application within 90 days of receiving, the application. Provides the Department the authority to revoke any permit, approval or other authorization to -- to a county or municipality if any official or employee who serves that county or municipality is charged with bribery, official misconduct, or a similar crime related to the placement, installation or operation of an automated traffic law enforcement system. It provides that if an automated traffic law enforcement system is removed or rendered inoperable due to construction, that it's restored within 30 days thereafter, the construction is complete and that provides the department with rulemaking authority to revocation. There is still nothing in this bill that mandates any municipality to install a red-light camera, and I'm unaware of any opposition. And I would ask -- entertain any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion, Senator Tracy.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
Thank you, Leader Murphy for answering the question I was going to ask because in committee I wanted to make sure that there is nothing in this bill that mandates any municipality or any city to install or have red light cameras. And you answered that and I appreciate that. And I believe with your explanation, you made it clear that this bill only addresses possible issues of corruption with red light cameras. And -- and I applaud you for doing that. 240 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 We've had issues with this, and I think your bill is a great first step to address the possible areas of corruption that can occur with public officials and the use of red-light cameras. I also want to note that I wish, and I urge that we as a General Assembly would go a step further. We have a lot of issues of corruption and needed ethics reforms and other areas that have led to abuses of -- of public official power and have created ethics issues and criminal violations as well. I know that our Ethics Commission and our Legislative Inspector General have sent the leaders of the legislature several areas that they think need to be addressed. And I'm hopeful that with us going into next week, we still have time to bring a better ethics reform package and to make the changes that are needed and recognized as glaring conflicts within our ethics laws that are apparent to our Legislative Ethics Commission and our Inspector General and have been brought to the attention and have urged the leaders to address. And I urge the Body to talk with their leaders and continue asking them to make these reforms so we can address the issues as we've done with this legislation. There are many that still need to be addressed and let's keep trying to be a better legislator and rid this State of corruption that has hindered us and taken us down for too long. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Murphy, to close.
Mr. President, I'd like to thank Senator Hunter and Aquino for their support in this bill. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 241 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 And so, the question is, shall House Bill 3903 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all -- have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Yea, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 3903, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're going to go back to page 9. We're going to go to House Bill 2507. There's a change of sponsor to Senator Villanueva. Mr. Secretary. Senator Villanueva seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2507 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is 2507. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Villanueva.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Villanueva, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of this amendment, and I'll explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 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 KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2507. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
242 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 House Bill 2507, an Act concerning revenue. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Villanueva, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I apologize to the Body because this is going to be a little bit long because I want to be thorough and explain the amendment of the bill. This bill is our property tax omnibus for this Session that incorporates a wide range of legislative proposals which include the following. It includes expanding the disabled veterans homestead exemption to include veterans of World War II, regardless of their level of disability. These veterans would receive 100 percent reduction in their property's assessed values and would not be required to reapply for the exemption each year. Additionally, it removes the requirement that a veteran has to receive an honorable discharge, in order, to qualify for the homestead exemption. Rather, it only requires the veteran to have a service-connected disability and receive disability compensation. Lastly, it clarifies that the Veterans with Disabilities homestead exemption for veteran with a service-connected disability of 70 percent or more, or surviving spouse of a veteran whose death was service-connected exempts the first $250,000 of a property's equalized assessed value from property taxation, while the rest of the property's value is subject to taxation. Additionally, it establishes a new -- it establishes a new homestead exemption for surviving spouses of fallen police officers and rescue workers in an amount equal to 50 percent of the equalized, assessed value of the property so long as the surviving spouse continues to reside at the qualified 243 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 residence and does not remarry. Additionally, it adds valuing nonprofit wastewater facilities at 1/3 of their fair cash value. This applies only to the facilities themselves and not to the land on which those facilities are located. In calculating fair cash value, the Department of Revenue must take into consideration the probable net value of the facility if they were sold at a fair voluntary sale giving due account to the expenses incurred for the removal site restoration and transportation. We are also adding that we're giving grant and granting municipalities the authority to tax aquariums and museums under the Park District Aquarium and Museum Act, which the proposal renames the Park District, Municipal Aquarium and Museum Act. This proposal provides that a municipality may levy a tax on an aquarium or museum if it has control over the public park in which an aquarium or museum is located and maintained. Additionally, it provides that extensions for levies made under the Act are special purpose extensions and are not included in the park districts or municipalities aggregate extension. It also adds that amending the historic residence Assessment freeze law to clarify that the fair cash value of a historic building equals the value of the property prior to the commencement of any rehabilitation work and excludes any reduction in value during the rehabilitation work is finally determined for the year by the Assessment Officer Board of Review Property Tax Appeal Board or Court. The proposal also provides that if the current fair cash value is less than the adjusted base year value after the expiration of the eight-year valuation period that follows the issuance of a certificate of rehabilitation, then the assessment shall be based on the current fair cash values. It also adds that expanding the eligible size of townships to elect multi 244 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 township assessors by 2030 qualified townships with up to 3000 residents instead of currently -- the current 1000 residents shall elect one multi township assessor to assess all of the property in contiguous townships. Additionally, it allows for petroleum refineries to negotiate settlement agreements for real property tax assessments with the taxing districts in which the refinery is located and clarifying the Department of Revenue's current practice of valuing a pollution control facility at 1/3 of its fair cash value. It also adds that providing the tax districts subject to the property tax extension limitation law may seek a referendum to increase the aggregate extension applicable to the taxing district for a specific dollar increase. And it adds that establishing a new homestead exemption for single family homes sold by municipalities that are located on land which was exempt from property taxes prior to the construction of the home or on the land for which the municipality conducted environmental remediation pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act. The homestead exemption lasts for a ten-year period and provides for 50 percent of the home's equalized assessed value for the first eight-years and a 33 percent reduction for the next two years, and finally provides that nursing homes and specialized mental health facilities in Cook County shall not be assessed at a higher level of assessment than residential property in the county in which the nursing home or mental health facilities is located. I am open to questions. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sally Turner.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just to the bill. 245 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
I just want to thank the Senator. This is a great bill that there's one error I think is in here, and that has to do with the property tax extension law part. And instead of 'and' it should be 'or' and I think the -- it's on page 140 and I -- I think that the Department of Revenue can iron that out. The county clerks I talked to and some of the tax extensionists had a little problem with that. But I think that can get worked out and no way we want to influence this bill. So, it's great. So, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Leader Curran.
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
I just wanted to rise and thank the sponsor and committee, the Illinois Municipal League on behalf of Mayor Alice Gallagher, who unfortunately passed away. One of my Mayors in -- actually, village, President in Western Springs, had just a technical change that they were seeking, and she has kept that in the bill, and I greatly appreciate that. And I rise in support of this bill and want to thank the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Villanueva, to briefly close.
Thank you. I love it when we can work together as a Body and 246 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 pass good bills. I asked for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The question is, shall House Bill 2507 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there 55 voting Yea, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 2507, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been printed and distributed. We're going to go to the Secretary's Desk of Concurrences on Senate Bills. We have Senate Bill 76, Senator Rezin. Mr. Secretary, please read the -- the motion.
I Move to Concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 76, Signed by Senator Rezin.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Rezin, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, to the motion. This bill was amended in the House to apply to advanced reactors only. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no discussion. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments No. 1 to Senate Bill 76. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 36 voting Yea, 14 voting Nay, none voting Present. And having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House 247 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Amendments No. 1 to Senate Bill 76 and the bill is declared passed. Senator Wilcox, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Would like to express my intent to be a Yes on that last bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The record will so reflect. We're going to go up to the top of the -- I'm sorry, we're going to go to the Secretary's Desk Resolutions. We're going to go to President Harmon on Senate Resolution 291. President Harmon on -- Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 291, offered by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Resolution 291 celebrates the life of Tim Degnan. I imagine many of you do not know Tim, he served in this Body from 1980 to 1989. He actually succeeded Richard Daley when he was elected Cook County State's Attorney. He was a larger-than-life figure in the Senate. I know that he sometimes gave fits to Senate President Phil Rock. I think Senator Pat Joyce might be able to tell you some stories, after school, about Senator Degnan. I did not know him well, I knew his family, I attended his wake on behalf of the Senate. But I just believe anyone who has served in this Body and left a mark deserves our recognition, however briefly, on the Senate Floor. So, thank you for rising in memory of Senator Tim Degnan. 248 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Will Members please observe a moment of silence. (Moment of silence observed) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We're going to go to Senate Resolution 319, Senator Fine. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 319, offered by Senator Fine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Fine, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a resolution we can all appreciate. Saturday, July 15th, people across the State of Illinois will unplug or take a break from using electronic devices to enjoy everything that their local parks, recreation sites, and conservation areas have to offer. Unplug Illinois Day is a public service campaign by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, and it's designed to communicate the value of unplugging and for us all to enjoy our parks across the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator Pacione-Zayas. Seeing no discussion. The question is, shall Joint {sic} (Senate) Resolution 319 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We're going to go to Senate Joint Resolution 40. Senator Morris {sic} (Morrison) and Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 40, offered by Senator Morrison. 249 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Morrison, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution is presented to remember and honor the lives of the seven victims who lost their lives in the Highland Park 4th of July gun violence and to remember and honor the Chicago police officer, Aréanah Preston, and several other victims of gun violence across the State. This resolution honors the law enforcement officer, first responders, community leaders of Highland Park and the City of Chicago for their service. This resolution designates the 2nd of July 2023 through the 8th of July 2023, as the Gun Violence Memorial and Prevention Week.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator Hunter.
I like to thank Senator Morrison for adding information that was in terms of the deaths and all the violence that has been going on -- on the South and West sides of Chicago. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Members -- Members will please observe a moment of silence. (Moment of silence observed) The question is, shall {sic}(Senate) Joint Resolution 40 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. President Harmon, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) State your point. 250 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
Thank you, Mr. President. On our Consent Calendar, that we'll adopt in a moment, is a resolution celebrating the life of Newton Minow. With the indulgence of the Body, I'd like to just share a few thoughts about Mr. Minow. Mr. Minow - it was appointed by President Kennedy as the first Chair of the Federal Communication Commission, and he passed away at the age of 97 earlier this month. Mr. Minow is perhaps best known for uttering two words: vast wasteland. He used them to describe television in the early 1960s. I learned reading one of his obituaries that he considered using the phrase vast wasteland of junk but found it repetitive. As a lover of brevity, I appreciate that. He was a fan of television and strongly motivated by a desire to improve what television could be for children. He was a huge driver in the creation of public television, as we know it, today. Mr. Minow was the quintessential Illinoisan, my family knew him for decades. He was a quiet giant who stomped terra firma, leaving big footprints but very little noise. Although, he was seemingly omnipresent, and impacted so many, he never sought the spotlight. He was an important civic and business leader in Chicago who, through his vision, helped build one of the largest law firms in the world. Mr. Minow was an extraordinary lawyer committed to the success of a younger generation of lawyers, and he and his wife, raised three wonderful daughters who were all doing important work themselves. He leaves a rich and lasting legacy, and he will be missed.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) This is on the Consent Calendar, so we don't need to vote. But if we all observe a moment of silence, please. (Moment of silence observed) Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you seek 251 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 recognition?
For the record, I was -- want to be recorded on Senate Bill 76 that being Senator Rezin's bill. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The record will reflect your intention. How do you wish to record your…
An Aye vote, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Your -- your intention will be reflected. Senator Pacione- Zayas, what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. On the Motion to Concur on Senate Bill 76, my intention was to be recorded as a No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The record will reflect your intention. We're going to go to page 13 on the regular Calendar, Senate Resolution 64, Senator Ellman. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 64, offered by Senator Ellman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Ellman, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. It's fitting that the International Dark Sky resolution is being heard right now. This merely encourages local governments to abide by the International Dark Sky Association guidelines for mitigating light pollution produced by outdoor lighting. Thank you. 252 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 64 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We're going to go back to the Supplemental Calendar No. 1. We're going to go to House Bill 2357. Senator Ventura, do you seek to move the bill to 3rd? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. I'm sorry. It's -- I'm sorry. Let's correct that it's Senate Bill 2357. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2357, an Act concerning conservation. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Environment and Conservation adopted Amendments 1 and 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. President Harmon, for what purposes do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, it is the hour of 9:15 on the 19th day of May. We are approaching the end of our legislative work for the week. I want to thank you all for the work you have done. I hoped that I would be sending you all home for the season, but we will be returning next week at the call of the President likely midweek. We have just a few issues left to resolve, including passing a budget, but I am encouraged 253 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 by where we are. And for all of you who are disappointed that we are not adjourning on the 19th, I asked the Secretary's office if he could provide me the Calendar from 2019, our last regular Session before a series of several irregular Sessions marred by COVID and truncated spring Sessions. On the 19th day of May 2019, it was a Sunday. We were still five days away from our 3rd Reading deadline for House Bills and 10 legislative days away from our adjournment, which, by the way, drifted into June 1st. For those of you who remember back to the Dark Ages. Our work is almost done. I appreciate all the good work everyone has done. We will return in the middle of next week to complete our business for the year, and I am optimistic we will be able to bring all the planes in for a landing. So, travel safely home for the weekend. Be on the lookout for the call to return to Springfield midweek, and we'll see you then. Thank you
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President, I'm directed to inform the Senate the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate to pass the bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 89, together with the following amendment which is attached to the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendments 1, 2, and 3 to Senate Bill 89. We received like Messages on Senate Bill 423 with House Amendment 1, Senate Bill 1561 with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, May 19th, 2023. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 254 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 41, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) On the Order of Resolutions is Senate Joint Resolution No. 41. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 41, RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, and when the two Houses adjourn on Friday, May 19th, 2023, the Senate stands adjourned until the call of the President and the House of Representatives stands adjourned to the call of the Speaker.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Leader Lightford moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 41. All those in favor will say, Aye. Opposed say, Nay. The Ayes have it, the rules are suspended. Senator Lightford moves to adopt Senate Joint Resolution No. 41. All in favor say, Aye. Opposed say, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We'll now proceed to the Order of Celebration of Life Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the 255 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/19/2023 resolution on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. And the resolutions are adopted. There being no further business to come before the Senate pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 41 or the call of the President, the Senate stands adjourned. 256