Illinois Senate Floor Debate — April 17, 2024

SENATOR JOHNSON: (Pledge of Allegiance) PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Due to {sic} revocations (renovations) in the Capitol, the Senate will be meeting in a temporary Senate Chamber here in Springfield's Howlett Building. While the temporary Chamber does not have a gallery, members of the public can still view the Senate's proceedings. There is a public viewing area in the Hall of Flags, also located on the first floor of the Howlett Building. Session will also be available to view online at www.ilga.gov. Lisa Yuscius seeks leave to photograph and video the proceedings. Is there any objection? Seeing none. Leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.

Madam President, I move -- excuse me, to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.

Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your privilege point, Senator.

So, I'm excited today to welcome one of my high schools, Curie High School. We have our Government AP class here at the Hall of Flags, and we'd love to get a warm Senate welcome to our class here at Curie High School. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois Senate, Curie High School. Awesome. Enjoy your AP course. Senator Morrison, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Madam President. I rise for a point of personal privilege. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator.

Thank you. This afternoon, I rise to recognize CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Illinois. It's a national association that supports and promotes court-appointed advocates for children who have been abused or neglected. They were formed in 1977, in Seattle. CASA's worked this way; a judge can appoint a CASA volunteer to a family who becomes part of the child welfare system to advocate for the child. The volunteers highly trained, from the child's community, and has the professional responsibility to acquaint themselves with both the child, 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 parents, family, and everyone else involved with the case. The primary responsibility for the CASA volunteer is to always advocate first for the safety and well-being of the child. Illinois CASA was founded in 1993 and is the organizing body for 31 local CASA programs in 55 of the 102 counties in Illinois. Those programs recruit, train, and manage a network of over 3,400 volunteers. Today is Illinois CASA Lobby Day at the Capitol and Friday, April 19th is their 31st annual conference. I rise in support of this incredible program and all of their selfless, dedicated volunteers. Congratulations and thank you for celebrating in Springfield this week. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Welcome and congratulations, on your day. Senator Lewis, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Madam President. Today I have… Oh, sorry. For a point of an -- an announcement. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) For point of personal privilege. Please state your point.

Today I have a special guest from Muncie, Indiana, Daniel Rivera-Mills. Daniel is a senior at Ball State University studying economics with a minor in political science. He is also the son of Aurora University's first Latina President, Dr. Susana Rivera- Mills. That's also my alma mater, in case we didn't know. Daniel also works in the Indiana General Assembly, with the Senate Republicans, with a focus on the fiscal office state finances. I am proud to welcome him to the Illinois Senate and I ask that you all give him a round of applause and a warm welcome. Thank you. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. 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 will meet in the Senate's front room immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR HUNTER) Senator {sic} Edly-Adams (Edly-Allen), what purpose do you rise? 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024

Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal privilege. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR HUNTER) State your point.

It was said, last week, that it's nice to get the flowers when you can smell them. And that's what we're going to do… And that's what we will do right now. Recently, Senator Johnson and I attended the official ceremony of Mayor Billy McKinney's jersey retirement from Northwestern. And when Mayor McKinney was here, a few months ago, we did not have the official resolution. So, I would like to read the official resolution into the record. Whereas, the Members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate Billy McKinney on the occasion of the retirement of his Northwestern University basketball jersey. And Whereas, Northwestern University Athletics and Recreation and the men's basketball program announced that Billy McKinney's jersey would be retired during the 2023-2024 basketball season at the Welsh-Ryan Arena. And Whereas, Billy McKinney scored 1,900 career points while playing for the Northwestern Wildcats, a school record that stood for 35 years, and led the team in scoring each season of his career; his total of 768 field goals still stands as the program's all-time record; he earned All-Big Ten recognition in all of his four seasons and garnered First Team All-Conference and All- American honors as a senior when he averaged 21.3 points per game; from 1975 to 1977 under Head Coach Tex Winter, he was named the first three-time team MVP in program history; he also played for the Northwestern University baseball team; and earned his degree in education in 1977 and was inducted into the Northwestern 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986. Whereas, from 1978 to 1985, Billy McKinney enjoyed eight-year playing career at the NBA with the Kansas City Kings, Utah Jazz, and Denver Nuggets, the San Diego Clippers, and the Chicago Bulls; he averaged 8 points, 1.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists per game, eclipsed 3,800 career points and 1,600 career assists; he still holds the NBA rookie record for most field goals without a miss, converting 14 straight attempts in a 30-point outburst against the Boston Celtics; due to his quickness, he was nicknamed "The Crazed Hummingbird". (Whereas), Following his professional playing career, Billy McKinney served as an executive and scout for the NBA front office for over 30 years, becoming the first African American front office executive in franchise history; while working as a Chicago Bulls scout, he was the only scout to watch Scottie Pippen play in Arkansas, guiding the team to trade for Pippen in 1987 and forming one of NBA's greatest dynasties with Michael Jordan. And (Whereas), Billy McKinney became the first general manager of the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves in 1992; he later worked as the general manager for the Detroit Pistons and the WNBA's Seattle Storm; as the director of scouting for the Milwaukee Bucks, he was instrumental in drafting Giannis, I stumbled over this last time, Antetokounmpo, in 2013. Whereas, since 2019, Billy McKinney has served as Mayor of Zion, his hometown; he remains heavily involved with the Northwestern University's men's basketball program, serving as the team's radio color and analyst alongside Dave Eanet on WGN. And (Whereas), Billy McKinney will be the first student- athlete in school history to have his jersey retired. And by the Senate - Resolved, (By The Senate of the One Hundred Third General Assembly of the State of Illinois), in the 103rd Assembly that we 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 congratulate Billy McKinney on his retirement of his basketball jersey. And please join me in a round of applause in recognizing Billy McKinney's retirement of his Northwestern jersey. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR HUNTER) Congratulations, Mr. McKinney. And welcome to the Senate. The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.

Madam President, I would like to adopt the amendment and present on 3rd. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. 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?

Thank you, Madam President. As amended, Senate Bill 462 prohibits the consideration of donor status and legacy status in admission to public universities. This is legislation that has been happening and being passed throughout different states in our country. Most recently, it passed unanimously through the Virginia legislature. And I think it's a good bill. And I thank the staff who put this together and brought this to my attention. And I am here for questions. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 462 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. No worries. The Senate will stand at ease just for a moment, please. Have all voted the… Excuse me, the question is, shall start that over -- The question is, shall Senate Bill 462 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 voting Yea, 0 voting Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 462 having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Please turn your attention and your Calendars to the bottom of page 4. We will be proceeding with Senator Syverson on Senate Bill 951, Senator Syverson. Out of the record. Okay, moving on to the order on page 5, Senate Bill 1087, Senator Tracy. Senator Tracy seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1087 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1087. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to adopt and explain on 3rd. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Absolutely, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 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?

Thank you, Madam President. Just -- just to refresh quickly, this bill is creating a task force that will emphasize services for the DD population. And this amendment, just moves it under the MAC, the - which is the Medicaid Advisory Committee per Department request. So, I don't -- I'm happy to answer any questions. I'd ask for an Aye vote. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 2655 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting -- 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2655, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Stand {sic} (Staying) on page 6, we'll move to the order of Senate 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 Bill 3130, Senator Fine. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

Thank you, Madam President. Last spring, we passed legislation that gave the Department of Insurance and HFS the authority to transition to a State-based marketplace from a federally facilitated marketplace. This will allow Illinois to expand health care access. DOI has identified some areas where there needs to be updates for us to effectively manage the State- based marketplace, as well as bring Illinois in align with various federal, State-based marketplaces on the federal based platform. Some of the changes that are included are adding pregnancy as a qualifying life event, flat dollar prescription co-pay structures, network adequacy for standalone dental plans and behavioral health providers, and notice of market withdraws and terminations. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 3130 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 the question, there are 55 voting Ayes, 0 voting Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3130, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Please turn your attention to the Order of 3rd Reading. Senate Bills, on 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 page 7 -- page 7 with Senate Bill 3592, Senator Stadelman. Then - the gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.

Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 3592 does two things. First, it creates a journalism student scholarship program to encourage more Illinois students who are attending Illinois universities and colleges to pursue a career in journalism, especially, in areas of the State where there's not a lot of news coverage. The second thing it does, it creates a plan to help keep papers and news media ownership local. It does that by requiring a local news organization from selling without giving prior notice within 120 days before the sale occurs to DCEO and the affected employees. The problem we're finding that we have private equity firms are coming in, buying newspapers, consolidating them, until they provide very local -- local news content with no local journalists. And sometimes those newsrooms are shut down, as it would happen in southern Illinois, not that long ago, by requiring this notice the hope is other local newspapers, nonprofits, other corporations will have the opportunity to step in and help keep these publishers local. Happy to answer questions. I ask for an Aye vote. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 Plummer, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you for the question, Senator. The process would be that a local news organization would have to provide notice to DCEO and employees that a sale is potentially going to happen. And within that 120-day period, once the notification is -- is made that would give an opportunity for local organizations, other local publishers to potentially organize - try to find a way to make an offer, potentially, to help keep that ownership local. A similar situation is that we ought to require companies, if they're going to shut down a plant or lay off employees, they have to provide a 60-day notice. So, it's similar to what that process - are already in place. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Plummer. 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024

Senator, I don't think this is a difficult burden for business to meet. And again, the goal here is to keep newspapers, under local ownership, local media outlets under local ownership. Far too often we see hedge funds, private equity firms coming in, buying local media organizations, laying off people, reducing the news content and sometimes shutting down those newsrooms. It's in our interest to make sure that ownership is local. So, I would argue this is an important element - factor to try to encourage 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 the sale to local ownership, so we can keep local news publishing at the community level. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Plummer.

Reduce the value of the -- of their -- of their -- of their organization. Again, this is encouraging local ownership. I think we have an interest, here, as a State, to make sure newspapers stay local. They don't have to accept the offer, it's simply a notification requirement. Let local entities, local groups, know if the sale is taking place. Give them an opportunity to make a counteroffer, to keep it local. And if they choose not to accept that offer, they have all the right in the world to continue with a sale to another organization. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Plummer.

Again, a point here. We're talking about hedge funds, private equity firms, that have, really, no interest in local news and government. It's -- our interest to make sure that ownership stays local. That's the point of this legislation. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Plummer.

I think the legislation explicitly -- explicitly states what we're trying to do. You have to give notification to local entities, organizations, conglomerates. How is it going to know about a potential sale, if there's not some type of notification -- notification process, in DCEO? Otherwise, the sale could go through and they may not be aware of it. This is simply a notification process to let all the entities know, and we're trying to keep the ownership local, that this is taking place. So, I think the legislation does, exactly, what our intent is - providing notice to local organizations that a sale is taking place and gives them an opportunity to organize and make another offer. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Plummer.

To the bill. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator. 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024

So, my district has dozens of cities, and only one of those have local newspaper. That city, is the third largest, in the State; so, to say, that we have plenty of news or that this would continue to demolish newspapers, is just incorrect. We've been on that pathway for a long time. So, many other residents are left in my district without any local news, relying on these Chicago newspapers or national newspapers. Misinformation is rampant on social media, and individuals do not have great ways to confirm, especially local news, without reporters who are on the ground reporting on the issues that matter to them and their districts. So, I encourage an Aye vote so that we can ensure local newspapers and journalism -- journalism can continue, in our State. Thank you. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Stadelman, to close.

Thank you, Madam President. I appreciate the discussion and the Senator's comments. He described a couple of scenarios that likely will not happen. Here's what likely will happen, has happened many times in the past, and it happened in southern Illinois. I think the newspaper was Southern Illinoisian and a private equity firm came in, purchased a local newspaper, no one was really aware of it. They came in, promised they were going to continue local news coverage. Did not. They laid off reporters, shut down news content and everything that the community had no more local news coverage. That's the more, likely scenario, that we're facing right now, when it comes to local journalism. That's 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 what's happening and that's what we need to try to address. I think a simple notification process, is not a terrible burden to put on a corporation, a local news organization, that may be selling. Let's give an opportunity for local entities to purchase these papers and news, media entities and keep coverage local, keep reporters on the job. I ask for an Aye vote. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall Senate Bill 3592 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, 13 vote Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3592, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, please turn your attention to Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 3606, Senator Loughran Cappel. Senator Loughran Cappel seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3606 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3606. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?

I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain it on 3rd. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 amendments approved for consideration?

Thank you, Madam President. This bill, as amended, equalizes the reimbursement rate received by public school districts from the State Board of Education, when sending high needs, special education students to private and public special education day schools. With this adjust -- adjustment, public schools would be eligible to receive a reimbursement from the State Board of Education for tuition payments for high need special education students, beyond two times per the -- per capita student tuition charge for students not receiving special education services. Further, the bill ensures that the cost and tuition for public special education day schools are regulated by the Illinois Purchased Care Review Board and that special public special education day schools have representation on the Board equal to that of private special education day schools. This is, something that I've been working on, since I came in. So, it's been three years. The -- this amendment brings opposition to neutral. I'm open to any questions, but I also ask for a Yes vote. 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 3606 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Yea, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3606, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Harriss -- E. Harriss, for what purpose do you rise?

Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Resolution 930, declares April 17th as Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta Day at the Illinois State Capitol. Members of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, incorporated, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, incorporated from around the State are here in the State 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 100th Legislative Day 4/17/2024 Capitol, today, advocating for maternal and infant health initiatives and higher education participation and affordability. You might recognize them from their -- their shades of royal blue and pure white. So, with Resolution 930, we commend the members of Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma for their commitment to community service and to recognize their collective contributions to making our communities a better place. I am not a member of -- of the fraternity, and -- and I know that we have a tradition with Members of the Senate who are recognizing their fraternities and sororities. So, at the moment, we don't have a Member of the of - - of the Senate who is a member of the sorority or fraternity. But, our own, Ashley Jenkins Jordan, is proudly wearing her blue, and I wanted to make sure that we recognized this fraternity and sorority, as well. So, please join me in voting, Yes. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you. Welcome, Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma, are D9 (Divine Nine) organizations to the General Assembly and, hats off, to our Chief of Staff. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 930 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until noon on the 18th day of April, 2024. The Senate stands adjourned. 30