PASTOR STEPHEN LAWRENCE: (Invocation)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please remain standing. Senator Johnson, can you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
SENATOR JOHNSON: (Pledge of Allegiance)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Andrew Campbell from Capitol News Illinois, seeks leave -- seeks permission to record and videotape the proceedings with no -- with no objection, leave is granted. And Lisa Yuscius seeks -- from Blueroomstream seeks leave to video stream the proceedings. With no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, May 1st, 2024.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hunter.
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 AQUINO) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There be no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
Senate Resolution 966, offered by Senator Hastings and all Members. Senate Resolution 967, offered by Senator Halpin and all Members. Senate Resolution 968, offered by Senator Collins and all Members. And Senate Resolution 969 and 970, offered by Senator Fowler and all Members. There all celebration of life resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 965, offered by Senator Koehler. It is congratulatory.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Ben Scalinski from The Daily Line seeks permission to photo. Seeing no objection, so ordered. And Peter Hancock from Capitol News Illinois seeks permission to photo and record the proceedings. Seeing no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Castro, Chair of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 3412 Recommend do Adopt; House Bill 4460 Do Pass and House Bill 3046 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Joyce, Chair of the Committee on State Government, reports Senate Resolution 882 and Senate Joint Resolution 54 Be Adopted; House Bills 4719, 4813, 4844, 5287, 5513, and 5601 Do Pass. Senator Glowiak Hilton, Chair of the Committee on Licensed Activities, reports House Bills 5059, 5087, 5135, 5218, 5353, 5457 and 5530 Do Pass. Senator Sims, Chair of the Committee -- the Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety, reports Senate Resolution 897 Be Adopted. House Bills 1168, 3241, 4409 and 5465 Do Pass; House 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 Bill 2323 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Villanueva, Chair of the Committee on Revenue, reports House Bills 1377, 2232, 4125, 4636 and 5412 Do Pass. Senator Holmes, Chair of the Committee on Local Government, reports House Bills 4359, 4442, 4993 Do Pass and House Bill 5190 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Hastings, Chair of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, reports House Bills 4757, 4934 and 5640 Do Pass. Senator Stadelman, Chair of the Committee on Energy and Public Utilities, reports House Bills 4118, 4141, 4661, 4751 and 5539 Do Pass. Senator Simmons, Chair of the Committee on Human Rights, reports Senate Bill 2968 Do Pass, as Amended and Senate Resolution 883 Be Adopted. Senator Murphy, Chair of the Committee on Executive Appointments, reports Appointment Messages 1030218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 225, 227, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 246, 247, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 258, 259, 260, 262, 263, 269, 270, 273, 277, 279, 301, 302, 305, 306, 310, 311, 314, 322, 323, 327, 328, 329, 337, 348, 349, 353 and 404 Do Recommend Consent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, introduction and reading of Senate Bills for the 1st time.
Senate Bill 3942, offered by Senator Villivalam, an Act concerning appropriations. Senate Bill 3943, offered by Senator Cunningham, an Act concerning State government. 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, messages from the House.
Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President, 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 2412, together with the following amendments which are attached, and the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2412, Passed the House, as Amended, May 1st, 2024. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 4594, offered by Senator Napoleon Harris, an Act concerning civil law. House Bill 4651, offered by Senator Ellman, an Act concerning safety. House Bill 5232, offered by Senator Johnson, an Act concerning State government. House Bill 5264, offered by Senator Martwick, an Act concerning public employee benefits. House Bill 5266, offered by Senator Martwick, an Act concerning public employee benefits. And House Bill 5450, offered by Senator Halpin, an Act concerning education. 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) My colleagues can hear we are going to move today to House Bills 2nd Reading, Senate Bills 3rd Readings and Concurrences. So, if you could make your way to the Floor, we can begin the work for again, House Bills 2nd Readings, Senate Bills 3rd Readings and Concurrences. Senator Simmons, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For an announcement. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please state your announcement.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this May is Liver Disease Awareness Month in Illinois. Last year, we passed a resolution in this Body to establish May as Liver Disease Awareness Month because it is one of the leading causes of death in Illinois, often blindly running its course for years with no symptoms showing until it's too late. Chronic liver disease is shortening lives, causing great pain for many families across our State. As of 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined chronic liver disease and cirrhosis was the ninth leading cause of death in our State, with over 1776 deaths in that one year alone. These deaths don't have to happen. They are preventable, especially when you consider that early screenings and diagnoses can prevent the progression of liver disease to liver cancer, liver failure, or cirrhosis, along with its deadly complications. It's also important to note that liver disease often occurs as a result of heavy alcohol use or diabetes, which means that liver disease is only perpetuated when people do not get the behavioral health care they need to overcome these challenges. We've got to do better for these families, by bringing attention to liver disease every May, my hope is that we can encourage people to get screened. I also hope that -- that we, as a General Assembly, can advance more legislation to address the leading cause of death, similar to Senate Bill 1282 from last spring, which removes co-pays and requires insurance providers to cover preventative screenings for those at high risk, removing a barrier to care for many. Let's spread the word about liver disease 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 this May to ensure that not another life, someone's child, someone's mom, someone's dad, someone's wife or husband does not die a preventable death due to liver disease. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) We will begin with House Bills 2nd Readings, on page 7 of the printed Calendar. Towards the bottom of the page, we have House Bill 220, Senator Cunningham with House Bill 220. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 220, an Act concerning civil law. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1672, Senator Fowler with House Bill 1672. House Bill 1742, Senator Syverson, 1742. House Bill 4108, Senator Halpin. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4108, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4169, Senator Stadelman, on House Bill 4169. House Bill 4175, Senator Johnson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4175, an Act concerning education. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. On page 8, top of page 8 we will continue on with House Bill 4226, Senator Turner. Mr. Secretary, please read 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 the bill.
House Bill 4226, an Act concerning courts. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4251, Senator Ellman. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4251, an Act concerning civil law. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4264, Senator Loughran Cappel. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4264, an Act concerning civil law. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4271, Senator Stadelman. House Bill 4317, Senator Sims. House Bill 4350, Senator Rezin. House Bill 4351, Senator Martwick. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4351, an Act concerning civil law. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4365, Senator Villivalam. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4365, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4417, Senator Halpin. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4417, an Act concerning education. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4581, Senator Ventura. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4581, an Act concerning education. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4582, Senator Sims. House Bill 4589, Senator Hastings. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4589, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4653, Senator Villivalam. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4653, an Act concerning education. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4660, Senator Sims. House Bill 4711, Senator Halpin. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4711, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4789, Senator Syverson. Moving to the next page, the top of page 9 we have House Bill 4899, Senator Fine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4899, an Act concerning regulations. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4921, Senator Martwick. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4921, an Act concerning local government. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4966, Senator Lewis. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4966, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5022, Senator Feigenholtz. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5022, an Act concerning regulations. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5027, Senator Joyce. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
House Bill 5027, an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5084, Senator Hunter. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5084, an Act concerning State government. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5097, Senator Simmons. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5097, an Act concerning State government. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) House Bill -- 3rd Reading. House Bill 5104, Senator Martwick. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5104, an Act concerning public employee benefits. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5184, Senator Bennett. House Bill 5184, Senator Bennett. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5184, an Act concerning education. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5238, Senator Simmons. Mr. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5238, an Act concerning safety. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5256, Senator Faraci. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5256, an Act concerning State government. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5282, Senator Holmes. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5282, an Act -- an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5288, Senator Villivalam. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5288, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd Reading the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5295, Senator Holmes. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5295, an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 3rd Reading. House Bill 5325, Senator Villivalam. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5325, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body will continue on to the next page at the top of page 10. Doing House Bills 2nd Reading, we have House Bill 5354, Senator Fine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5354, an Act concerning employment. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5369, Senator Villivalam. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5369, an Act concerning education. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5370, Senator Villanueva. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5370, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5502, Senator Villivalam. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 House Bill 5502, an Act concerning civil law. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 5507, Senator Villivalam. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 5507, an Act concerning civil law. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we'll return back to page 7 to House Bill 1672. Senator Fowler, on House Bill 1672. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1672, an Act concerning State government. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1742, Senator Syverson. We are going to continue on the to the next page. Towards the top of page 8 we find House Bill 4271, Senator Stadelman. House Bill 40 -- excuse me. House Bill 4317, Senator Sims. House Bill 4350, Senator Rezin. House Bill 4350, Senator Rezin. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 4350, an Act concerning children. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 4582, Senator Sims. House Bill 4660, Senator Sims. House Bill 4789, Senator Syverson. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 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) Senator Koehler, in the Chair. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Aquino, back in the chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Health and Human Services Committee - Senate Bill 3723; refer to Judiciary Committee - Senate Bill 2651. Be Approved for Consideration Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2412. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) On page 2, we have Senate Bills 2nd Reading with Senate Bill 1479, Senator Fine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1479, an Act concerning regulations. 2nd Reading of the bill. Committee on Insurance adopted Amendments 1 and 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. We'll be moving to 3rd Reading on page 2, starting with Senate Bill 426, Senator Murphy. 3rd Reading on Senate Bill 426. Senator Murphy seeks leave of the Body to return 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 Senate Bill 426 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 426. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Murphy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt and approve on 3rd -- explain.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now, on 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 426, an Act concerning criminal law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy, on the -- your legislation.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen, Senate Bill 426, I think is a fabulous bill. It would create and grant IDJ an IDOC the statutory ability to enter into an agreement so that IDOC can transfer young adults, emerging adults, to a DJJ facility where 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 they would learn their high school diploma and they would be able to receive educational services from the IDJ School District. Those educational and services, of course, IEPs and any special education programs are integral to ensuring their success and ensuring that they're able to get their high school diploma equivalency. The bill is a crucial step for this emerging adult population to be able to continue their education, both in IDOC facilities when they return to their home communities, and it will provide them with a high school degree, which also receiving other developmentally appropriate and more individualized services through the IJJ that IDOC doesn't always be -- is not always able to provide. It includes case management, group and individual theory, as well as opportunities for vocational training. IDJJ and IDOC will come together to establish the criteria to determine which residents qualify for participation in the form of a formal contract created between the agencies that lays out the details of the agreement by allowing the Departments to lay out their own guidelines through an intergovernmental agreement that allows the guidelines to be adjusted as needed, and have the ability to respond more quickly to any issue that may arise with the program rather than forcing them and the young adults who need these services to wait for legislative changes. The Director of these Departments will approve each transfer in writing to ensure that each Department is appropriately chosen. IDOC does not have a separate school district within their system. Using one of the IDJJ facilities saves both time and money rather than transitioning an existing IDOC facility into one that would be suitable for teaching purposes. This will allow the Departments to be in compliance with federal law more swiftly. The Departments plan to 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 use the Harrisburg IDJJ program facility for this program. Federal regulations require IDOC and IDJJ youth to be kept totally separately. There will be no merger of adults and juveniles in this facility. The adults will all be separate. The juveniles will be separate. Therefore, the young adults currently residing in Harrisburg will be moved to other DJJ facilities so that only IDOC emerging adults will reside in Harrisburg once the program is launched. According to DJJ, they anticipate starting with 20 emerging adults when the program is initiated, it has the capacity to scale up to several approximately 50 to 60 emerging adults from DOC within the first year of operation based on current facility, staffing and budget. The program would utilize Harrisburg's current budget to fund this effort, as transferred IDOC young adults will be housed in this facility. Participants would remain in Harrisburg until their educational services are completed, as required by State and federal law. This includes again, special education programing, which Harrisburg is already equipped for and providing per their mandate with the Illinois State Board of Education. If participants engage in disruptive behavior who do not engage in the programing and do not fully participate, they may be transferred back to DOC. Many young adults are awaiting this opportunity for education and empowerment, ensuring that these young adults receive the education they are entitled to gives them the tools they need to avoid re-offending. And that is the major purpose of this is to teach them the skills they need to ensure that they can become successfully reintegrated into society. We know studies have shown that individuals in custody have a 43 percent lower chance of reoffending if they participate in educational programs. So, let's give these young adults a better 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 opportunity and I'd ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussions? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I -- I think…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President. But that's fine.
What?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President, but go right ahead.
I'd like to be President someday. But I certainly would not step on… Oh, I said, did I say, Mr. Speaker, again? Again, I did it! That's because of the -- that's because of the House and the Senate softball game yesterday of which they cheated. I would like to say again on the record, on the record. So sorry. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I'm still sorry. Mr. President, sorry. Listen, I'm going to go to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you. Because we had a lot of discussion on this bill in committee, and I believe wholeheartedly that Senator is certainly -- has a heart for what she's talking about. I think maybe in some of the reading of -- of what she just read that we've lost a little bit. So, I'd want to break down the bill just a little bit in that this is 18 to 21, sorry, 18- to 22-year-old. 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 So, it's under 21. I'm sorry. Under 22, under 22 years. So, 18 to 22, those who have actually been sentenced to the Department of Corrections, who would be transported to a DJJ facility in order to receive some special programing. In concept, great idea. However it leaves, there's a lot of things that are left unwritten in this piece of legislation. One, how do they get transported? The responsibility increases for security when you're moving those who are at adult facility to a juvenile facility. I would also add in this that even though some questions have been answered in regard to the fact that you cannot house adults with juveniles, and I think Senator did a great job of basically saying that that would not happen in this case. But there were some unanswered questions, in regard to who's footing the bill for this? So, in particular, the institution that these individuals would be moved to have a lot of deferred maintenance costs, who pays for that DOC or DJJ? Those were left un -- unanswered in committee. In the early 2000's, DOC was separated from DJJ specifically so they would have their own administrators and they would have their own budget. So, in this case, since a lot of these questions are not being answered, I would argue that DJJ is going to have to pick up the bill for basically for staffing, for the programing, for doing any of the deferred maintenance. And that's money that is supposed to be going to juveniles. And while the juvenile or DJJ budget is not being reduced to an amount that would cover this with DOC, that means that juveniles who should be getting certain programing will not be getting that programing, because it'll be -- it'll be DOC inmates, offenders who are getting those amenities. And then adding to that, this piece of legislation does not include what offenses are included. So, is it someone who's doing 50 years? Is it someone 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 who's committed a murder? Are there sex offenders that are allowed to be in it? And when we break it down to the -- to doing it by rule, then there are dangers in that as well. Because at Murphysboro, for instance, I argued for Murphysboro that it would be a safe facility because sex offenders were not allowed to be there. You can see an elementary school from the Murphysboro facility. And yet, sex offenders have been allowed at the Murphysboro facility. So, when the rules are not placed into the piece of legislation and we're leaving it up to the rule making process, there are too many questions, in -- in regard to what -- what offenders can go into this program. Is it somebody who has 50 years to go? I -- I believe the concept is good. I believe the bill is not soup and I strongly recommend a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. A question for the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor -- Sponsor indicates she’ll yield. Senator Turner.
Thank you. Senator Murphy, just a couple questions. So, I also think this is a great program and a great segway into this system. So, in Lincoln, Illinois, there is a new juvenile justice center that is being built presently. So, I guess my question is, would it be an easy, move, for those that are presently in the Logan Correctional Center, that it's about five miles from there to put them into the Lincoln Juvenile Justice Center? Or would that be something that you would entertain or an idea that you 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 would entertain because of that ease?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Thank you and thank you for the question, Senator. My understanding is that Logan is a DOC operated facility. The intent of this bill is to take young emerging adults and put them in the DJJ programing. Because it's already established, the Harrisburg facility has the school elements that are the number one need for these new emerging adults. That the goal, of course, is to prevent them from re-offending. And we already have the system set up in that system and they are not currently available in the DOC structures.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Sally Turner.
So, those are only at Harrisburg right now, those that are eligible for that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Thank you, Senator. Yes, the program is going to start with 20 juveniles, 20 -- 18- to 22-year-olds in the juvenile facility. They anticipate the first year only having 50. Now, this currently probably could serve as a pilot to expand this programing to other areas. But we're starting here in the Harrisburg Center in the DJJ environment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Sally Turner. 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I'd like to commend the sponsor for bringing this bill forth. Actually, I am the sponsor of the legislation that took the youth, the juveniles out of the Department -- the adult Department of Corrections system. And I was also the -- the sponsor of the legislation to create the Juvenile Justice Division. We knew, up front, that the dollars were not there initially. We knew that the youth needed a number of services and supports and everything else. And so, this is a -- this bill right here is a continuation of phasing in the needs of that program, as well as, the services for the juveniles. And so, it's going to take us a while to build up the dollars, as well as, the services and the personnel and -- and getting their facilities intact. And so, I strongly support this bill and I encourage everyone to vote Yes on it. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Murphy to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. It's a great bill. I asked for an Aye vote because for five years I've worked on this legislation, 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 and we have a program here that's going to help prevent people -- emerging adults from reoffending. And there -- I can't think of anything better than to help our incarcerated system and really rehabilitate people.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall Senate Bill 426 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The -- 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 voting Aye, 15 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 426, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on to page 3, we have Senate Bill 694, Senator Holmes. Senator Holmes seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 694 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 694. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Holmes, on your amendment.
Thank you so much. I'd appreciate it if we would adopt the amendment, and I'll explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Is there any -- are there any -- any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 694, an Act concerning local government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Holmes, on your bill.
Senate Bill 694 is simply a technical cleanup on an omnibus cleanup of the Recorders Act last Session, Public Act 103-400 modernized and clarified the recording statute. Unfortunately, some areas were inadvertently admitted that were vital to the operation of the office. This legislation re insists{sic} (reinserts) that omitted language.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to speak to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Actually, compliment Senator Holmes for bringing this bill. And to let our side and your side, as well as, know -- to know, as well, that this is not a fee increase. This is something that just missed before. And the recorders, this helps them with the document size and also making that unified across the board for State 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 filings. And I think it's a really important feature for our Recorder. So, thank you. We appreciate your vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any more discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall -- shall Senate Bill 694 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 694, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 726, Senator Feigenholtz. Senator Feigenholtz seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 726 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 726. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Feigenholtz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz, on your amendment.
I'd like to adopt the amendment and discuss it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the -- excuse me -- and -- and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. On the Order of 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 726, an Act concerning Health. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is an initiative of Children's Behavioral Health Transformation that many of us, in the human services, have become very familiar with. We have been moving forward on evaluating a redesign of delivery of behavioral health in Illinois. This is an initiative that came of the blueprint for transformation, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 726 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 726, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 772, Senator Joyce. Moving to the middle of page 4, we have Senate Bill 998, Senator McConchie. Senator McConchie seeks leave of the Body to, excuse me, seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 998 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 998. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator McConchie.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McConchie, on your amendment.
I wish to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor 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 AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 998, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McConchie, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid System has been experiencing major issues over this past year. Four years ago, we adopted a law that requires students to fill this out before they can graduate. Given the ongoing problems that exist at the federal level, we are suspending that requirement for one year only, with this bill, so that -- it's kids who are unable to fill out the system, are having problems with it, are not denied graduation. This does not, in any 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 way, alleviate the school responsibilities to help students who are trying to fill it out, or school counselors to assist students with their college education plans or with federal financial aid preparation. And again, it only suspends it for one year only. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 998 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 998, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Moving along to page 5, towards the top of page 5, we find Senate Bill 1722, Senator Lightford. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1722, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Lightford, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 1722 applies only to Cook County and it would allow for treasurers to be selected outside of their township. This would provide more flexibility and a greater pool of applicants. I'd be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1722 pass. All those in -- all those in favor will 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1722, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 2234, Senator Belt. Senator Belt seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2234 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2234. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 5, offered by Senator Belt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt, on your amendment.
Mr. President, I move for adoption and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor 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 AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2234, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt, on your bill. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 2234, as amended, creates the Small Business Finance Transparency Act that requires the disclosure of key financial terms, such as the amount financed, fees and an estimated annual percentage rate at the time an online or non-bank provider makes a loan offer. The measure requires non- bank lenders to register with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. And provide exemptions for most traditional financial institutions. The bill also absolves the provider from liability if the estimated APR differs from the actual APR charge. Mr. President in 1968, the federal government passed the Truth in Lending Act, and that Act basically promoted the disclosure of the terms of a -- of a loan agreement on the consumer side. There has never, ever been anything, like the Truth in Lending Act on the commercial side. And so, what this legislation looks to do is mimic the Truth in Lending Act on the commercial side. It ensures small businesses receive consistent and transparent disclosure on the cost of small business -- business financing. Now, this legislative process has been long. This legislative process has been quite laborious. And along this journey, we've made 8 amendments to try to work with our opposition and good faith effort to try to get them to move to a neutral, at least a neutral posture. We've -- we've changed the name to the Small Business Financing Transparency Act from what it initially was called. We restructured the bill to clarify that only entities required to register under the Act, non-bank, noncredit union lenders to small businesses are subject to other provisions of the Act. We removed the licensure requirement and went to a lighter registration requirement. We limited the database reporting 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 requirements to only sale-based financing products. We exempted all captive financing companies. We reduced the allowable civil monetary penalties in the bill. We inserted a safe harbor relative to the estimated APR, and we exempted financing transactions over 500,000. It was 2.5 million. We -- we lowered it back to 500,000. And so, again, Mr. President, this bill at its crux is about transparency. I mentioned the Truth in Lending Act earlier. When you -- you or I or any of us go get a credit card, when we take out a mortgage, when we get a car loan. We are afforded the -- the ability to know what our APR is because it's federal law. Right. And so, we -- we believe and we -- we encourage that businesses do the same thing relative to our small businesses. And so, this is Senate Bill 2234.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Questions of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Plummer.
So, I want to make sure I heard correctly in the -- the summary there Senator Belt. So, this is a bill that's been designed one of the major points is truth in lending to make sure that lenders are accurately relaying to borrowers the APR of their lending product. But now we've inserted into the bill a safe harbor so that if someone misleads the borrower on the APR and the APR is inaccurate. They don't really get into trouble. I'm confused as to how that helps borrowers, because it seems to me that that could 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 lead to borrowers being induced to take on an APR that's wildly inaccurate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt.
Thank you for your question, Senator Plummer. Again, throughout the legislative process, we've worked with our opposition. There was some consternation, around estimated APR and of -- of really trying to give an estimated APR. And if you were off, you could get cited or you could get in -- in -- in -- in a penalty for it. And so, to work with our oppositions, we offered a safe harbor. Understanding that and believing in -- hoping that our non-banks and online lenders would operate in good faith, operating integrity and fidelity, relative to the legislation and the truth in lending. So yes, there is a safe harbor for those making estimated APR.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
So, if -- if we're just operating in good faith and hope, what -- what's the need for the legislation? I mean, aren't we kind of operating that way today? It seems like that defeats the purpose of the legislation. And my concern is you could have borrowers here that get induced into taking on a lending product that is represented to them as one thing, but it's wildly different. And, well, now we're giving a safe harbor to the lender. So, what -- what's the point of this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt. 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
The -- the point is, in the -- the operative phrase is good faith effort. You know, you -- you just can't make a -- a estimated APR just by throwing something against the wall and hoping it stick. There has to be a good faith effort, and there is guardrails put in place with the Department to monitor and enforce these efforts -- these -- these rulings.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
Well -- I, that's -- that's the point of these types of lending products is the good faith effort piece, because not every lending product is a mortgage or maybe a car loan or something that is relatively simple in its structure and relatively easy to understand. The whole point of some of the opposition to this legislation, of which there's a tremendous amount of opposition, is that you can't put together an accurate APR for products that aren't built to -- to calculate an APR. Why -- Why? An important question I have is why, as the sponsor of the bill, did you choose to reject the true cost of capital model that was proposed by the sales-based finance industry?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt.
I didn't choose to reject it. We just put a plus symbol on there and added APR with it. We want it all.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 But is -- is it not correct that we're creating the safe harbor on APR, because a bunch of these products can't accurately generate an APR because the -- the repayment method on the -- the product is there's a lot of variables that go into it, well after the documents are signed. So, we're asking people to come up with a fake number based off theory that is going to wildly mislead borrowers. All because we're forcing this on to the -- to the lenders.
Senator Belt.
To Senator Plummers question, there -- they've been doing this in California for -- for a while. In fact, we have case law from December of 23 -- December of 2023 upholding the fact that you can, give estimates of APR. So, we have case law and the practice being done right now in California.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
Well, we'll move on. The -- the legal conclusion that you referenced is actually on appeal right now, likely lose. And I know in committee we tried to compare California to this legislation when there's wildly different portions of the legislation. We're not comparing apples to apples there. I -- one question that always bothers me in this Body sometimes is when we give preferential treatment to certain groups, when we pick winners and losers, and here we are picking winners and losers. Why is caterpillar excluded? But all of the peers to caterpillar and the really small guys out there, why are they held accountable under 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 this legislation. But we exclude the big guys.
Senator Belt.
Senator Plummer, there again, is not just caterpillar its captive financing companies, and we gave an exemption to captive financing companies because there and -- and for those who are here captive financing companies looks like GMAC and Ford and those because they -- they do their in-house lending. They -- they are parent companies subsidiary, but they're selling their own product. And because they're selling their own product, they have a much better record of operating in good faith. Because actually, with -- with those captive finance companies, you have repeat customers and they keep coming back and they keep coming back because of how they've been treated. And there's flexibility in captive finance companies. And so, we've given an exemption to all captive finance companies, not the -- not the second and third tier online -- online non-banking loan companies. So, that's why you have what you. That's the answer to your question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you, Senator Belt, for the conversation. That may be an answer to the question. It's not an accurate answer to the question. This bill does not exempt caterpillar and a bunch of 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 other companies. The sponsor is correct in saying that it -- it exempts captive finance companies of those companies that have an internal financing arm. John Deere doesn't -- it doesn't exempt John Deere. It doesn't exempt a lot of big companies. And it doesn't exempt any small and medium sized companies, the ones who are more likely to be the borrowers that this is supposedly trying to protect, because this bill was designed to go after certain companies and protect the big guys. This bill was designed, you know, it was marketed that this is going to somehow protect businesses. Ironically, who are all the opposition? It's all the small business groups. It's all the medium sized business groups, because they recognize this will, in fact, mislead borrowers that need this financing. It will shrink the marketplace in Illinois. Thereby giving fewer options to the small and medium sized companies in our districts that need to borrow money. It forces a lot of people out of the marketplace, and it gives a bigger chunk of the business to certain companies. This is a bad bill. It's well intended, but as we've seen before the amendments alone to the bill ruined the whole argument on which it was originally presented. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Senator Belt, to close.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. This is a good bill. We as -- as I stated in my opening, we are afforded an opportunity to know what our interest rates are to our credit card, our department store -- store cards, our mortgages, our car loans because of the Truth in Lending Act. We're begging -- this bill begs for transparency. We -- this bill doesn't cap APR. It doesn't mess 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 with anything like that. It just says let the consumer -- let the consumer be aware of all fees relative to the loan. And if they become a more informed consumer, if they shop around, so be it. They may come back, but if they come back, they know exactly what they're getting into. If they go and shop around and find a better deal, great for them. Competition. It works, right? In closing, I -- I said this earlier, this is a good bill, and I'm reminded of the words of the late, great civil rights icon and legislator, John Lewis. He said, when you see something that is not right, that is not fair, that is not just, you have to speak up, you have to say something. Well, this bill -- in bringing this bill forward, we're saying something. But he didn't stop there. He said, and -- and you have to do something. I would urge my colleagues to hit the green button and do something. I ask for Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2234 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 36 voting Aye, 19 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2234, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 2804, Senator Cunningham. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 2804, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Cunningham, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Back in 2016, then Governor Rauner 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 issued an Executive Order that gave CMS the authority to conduct administrative hearings for State agencies that don't have their own administrative hearing process. That structure has been in place since then. CMS would now like to formalize that in the form of administrative rules. This bill merely gives them that authority to issue administrative rules, to set up a formal structure for these administrative hearings. The amendment removed all opposition. Be happy to answer any questions and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 2804 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2804, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Supplemental Calendar has been printed and distributed -- Supplemental Calendar No. 1, and on the Secretary's, desk is Senate Bill 2412, Senator Harmon -- President Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
I move to concur with the House, the adoption of their Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2412, signed by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Harmon, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the -- the House has gifted us with an election law bill that includes several ingredients that are somewhat timely and time 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 sensitive. And therefore, I have before the Body a Motion to Concur with their amendments to Senate Bill 2412. The -- the bill includes four discrete ingredients. The first is we would propose to place three advisory referenda on the ballot for the fall election. The first question relates to election interference. The second would adopt a 3 percent surcharge on income over $1 million to provide property tax relief, and the third would ensure that health insurance policies cover access to invitro fertilization and other reproductive health care procedures, regardless of the number of treatments. The second ingredient is an adjustment of our petition filing dates. When we adopted a robust early voting schedule, we never adjusted the petition filing schedule to coordinate with that and have now developed a problem where the compression of time between the filing of petitions and the certification of the ballot makes it very difficult for the clerks to do their jobs. This ingredient is an initiative of the Clerk's Association. The third is a very narrow but important clarification that came to light with the retirement of Senator Ann Gillespie. This applies only to Senate vacancies, where more than 28 months exists before the end of the term, triggering a special election. We are aligning the reporting requirements or the appointing requirements for appointing candidates to the Senate to fill a vacancy and appointing a candidate to run in that special election so that the -- the votes are the same. And finally, the piece that is -- has arose -- arisen with some controversy is a change in the slating process. Now, I want to be clear, there are four ways for a candidate to appear on the ballot in a November election. You can run and win a primary election for a major party. You can circulate petitions and run as an independent candidate. You may establish 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 a new political party, circulate petitions and run in November. This -- none of those three are touched by this bill. The fourth, and clearly the least Democratic way to run for election in -- in November is to wait until the primary is over, and then ask the local party leaders to appoint you in the event that there is no candidate for that major party before the November election. Now, if you read Capitol Fax this morning, you may have noticed this was a favorite tactic of a former legislative leader. I think that speaks for itself. I would also point out that there is no notice and no public process involved in -- in this selection at all. For those concerned, it is also the least successful way to pursue office. At least in the Senate's history, we are not aware of a single candidate who was placed on the ballot in this capacity, who ended up sitting in the Senate. I would also say, I know that there's some concerns about the timing. We are unaware of any candidates, pursuing office for -- through a slating process, certainly none on the Democratic side. And I have no firsthand knowledge of any others. And finally, I would note that Illinois appears to be an outlier in this regard. No surprise. This may be a uniquely Illinois practice, given some of the past proponents, but we've asked NCSL for advice. This is incomplete research and only commissioned yesterday. But it seems that Illinois is an outlier, at least in the Midwest, in allowing slates to fill vacancies. So, I'm sure that some folks will have questions. I'm happy to do my best to try to answer them and look forward to the conversation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion on the motion? Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition? 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the motion.
I'm sorry. To the motion. Thank you, Mr. President. Just a couple of things I want to mention that the county clerks aren't in support of a portion of this bill. The portion is moving it, the filing dates up. And that's really important because at the last minute, they're waiting to see who gets kicked off the ballot so that they can reprint their ballots. And that's -- that's a real big problem for them. But the portion that they're not in favor of, they're going neutral on. And then, of course, there's reasons why they -- they don't have any idea of how this would work for this election, because if an individual is already filed in their office, slated, filed with their petitions, what happens to them? No one's told the clerk; this is how you handle it. And I think that creates a big problem for them. You know, they're saddled with a lot of things right now. They're doing tax extension, trying to get their bills ready to pass off to their Treasurer. And now they have to think about this situation and how they're supposed to deal with that. I've had a discussion with many of the clerks, and they -- they -- they think that this is a really interesting issue and don't understand why it doesn't affect all offices and just legislative. And lastly, I just want to mention for the clerks, the referendum, all the different referenda that's mentioned, are ideas and they're non-binding. And when you have local issues on the ballot, sometimes there's three issues on the ballot. There's different ways you have to approach it by 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 statute, of who can put so many issues on the ballot. But if you put three more on the ballot, you may have a three-page ballot. And that creates extra costs for the clerks, printing ballots and coding. And that's just a lot, a lot to put on their plate. That's all I have to say. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Erica Harriss, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to speak to the motion, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the motion.
So, this legislation reeks of everything that people hate about politics. It's a last-minute ploy to jam through this Senate Bill 2412, in 24 hours, rewriting our election laws in the very middle of an election year. And it's one more reason that voters will lose trust in our democracy. It's a power grab, and it's exactly why people will lose trust in the electoral process. We were all sent here to have thoughtful deliberations on major issues. This bill was filed yesterday. Yesterday. It's not a stretch to say that very little time for public vetting of this proposal, nor any real discussion of its significant issues, have been discussed among legislators. It's a slap in the face to the concept of democracy, and it's a shameful and blatant political power grab. Illinois deserves elected officials who are open and honest with the public, and many of the issues that come before us are not moral issues. This one is, and this one is wrong. Thank 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion, Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the motion.
Well, you kind of think you've heard it all in Springfield until you hear that we're protecting the democratic process by taking choice away from the voters. That's -- that's a new one. That's interesting. And all this fear about backroom deals when this came about by gutting and replacing a DCFS bill to protect kids and using it as a vehicle to advance an outrageous, outrageous political move. You know, let's talk about what this really impacts and this impacts the Metro East that this impacts Madison County and St. Clair County where I come from. And what this Body has done over the years to try to take away choice from the voters of the Metro East to limit their options. It's an affront to democracy. You tried to redistrict the judicial subcircuits in Madison County. Never been done before. What happened? The voters stood up, said Springfield keep your hands off our elections. Give us choice. And they elected new judges in an overwhelmingly district that all had R's after their names, not because the voters were Republican, but because the voters were offended at this sneaky backroom deals that this Body and our colleagues in the House did to subvert democracy. We did the same thing on the Metro East Sanitation District that's supposed to protect people in their 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 homes and their businesses from catastrophes like flooding. Because voting had changed a little bit, and the Republicans had gained an opportunity to appoint more people to the Metro East Sanitation District. So, what did we do? We tried in the middle of the process to subvert that process and -- and -- and make a partisan attack on the Metro East Sanitation district. Thankfully, the voters saw through it again and rejected it. But when is enough, enough? When are we going to put the R behind our name and the D behind our name off to the side and say what's right? What -- what is the right thing to do? What's appropriate? Do you really want your name attached to this thing when it's on the front page of the Chicago Tribune or the Sun-Times? You know, last night at the softball game, I saw all of my Senate Democrat friends and all my Senate Republican friends stand up. And we were outraged. We were furious because what happened in the middle of the softball game, the House tried to change the rules of the softball game. That was a charity softball game. Now here we are in the middle of the electoral process, in the middle of elections, and the House is trying to change the rules of the process. They're trying to take options away from voters. They're trying to prevent people from getting on the ballot in the middle of the election. Not for next election, not for two elections from now, this election, you guys get worked up over softball game rules getting changed. Are you going to get worked up over democracy and the electoral process rules being changed in the middle of an election? This is offensive. It's absurd. And shame on anyone that votes for this piece of legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further -- any further discussion? Senator Chesney, for 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you. Inquiry of the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) State your inquiry. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Thank you. Could you please state the time?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3:15 p.m. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Thank you, Mr. President. I think it's important to know that we do have a candidate that has filed Jay Kevin filed at 2:38, also known as the -- the Stuart Bill that we're presenting today, where she does not want competition and is -- want to inform the Senate Body that we were able to successfully file a Republican in that particular seat. So, I'd like to -- this might be news to Representative Stuart that she will have competition, in the November election, which is what we should have. We should have competition, right. This is probably the only DEI bill that the Democrats won't support, right? They don't want diversity of opinions. Right. So, you don't want any diversity. You don't want equities because we don't want fairness because we're going to change the rules in the middle of the game. And we don't want to include more people in the process. So, we are actually going to see for the first time that Democrats support a bill that is not DEI. The best thing you can do is vote for -- vote No. You want to support DEI, vote No. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion is not in this bill. It's wrong. You all know it's wrong. That's why we're all sitting here on the phones because you know it's a wrong bill. But 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 we do have competition in the Metro East. They're going to be able to vote in November. And that's the right thing to do. And everybody in this room knows it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion. Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the motion.
To the motion. Thank you. You know, it's very ironic that a motion that contains a referendum on election interference actually interferes with the pending election. That's what this bill does. And for those of us that were on the redistricting committee, we were very frustrated with the process. The voters were very frustrated with the process. Our constituents were frustrated with the process. But the end of the process resulted in the most partisan maps that we've ever had in the history of our State. In fact, they're ranked by most sources as the most gerrymandered maps in the entire country right now that were just put into law. Was that not enough? Was that not enough? You already had to pick your voters. Now you want to pick your opponents. You know, one of the interesting things about this legislation is all of us have to take our ethics training. We hear about what are or are not prohibited political activities. State employees shall not intentionally perform any prohibited political activity during any compensated time. Obviously, all of us are on the Floor getting compensated for being here for the benefit of any campaign for 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 elective office. How many campaigns are going to benefit from this legislation? This bill is an in-kind donation to the campaigns of every incumbent Senator and House Member across our State. How many millions of dollars do we save in races where there's not an opponent? Or if the person is an opponent that has to be a third- party candidate. Millions of dollars. For that reason alone, I encourage everyone in this building, I guess in this room, in this Chamber, to vote Present, and I ask for a verified roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Your request for a verified roll call is noted. For further discussion, Leader Curran, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the motion, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the motion.
Across this country we hear a lot of talk lately about elections being stolen. About a growing cynicism, really a loss of faith in the election process. Senate Bill 2412 is how you steal an election. This omnibus legislation is a prime example of the constant practice in Springfield of coupling the good with the bad, in the hope that the good portions of proposed public policy overshadow the bad. There is good here, such as aligning the start of the petition process more thoughtfully to accommodate the growing practice of early voting amongst the electorate. Allowing voters to weigh in on helping hopeful parents grow their families. But even this good cannot cover up the dangerously bad in this bill that is a direct attack on the core principles of democracy 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 itself. For as long as anyone can remember the process of slating a candidate to a ballot vacancy starts immediately after the primary has concluded. This year the slating process started on March 20th, over a month and a half ago. There are several candidates that have already been slated for legislative districts in this State and are gathering petitions now. Right now, there are men and women throughout the State that have decided they want to give back through public service. They've already rearranged their lives, their families' lives, the jobs, they're jobs to put an incredible amount of work in that it takes to run for office. They've taken time off from their jobs, they've rearranged childcare and family responsibilities. And as everyone in this room knows, giving up part of their personal life to try to become part of our democratic system, every Senator in this room knows what that is like and how much each of our families sacrifice for us to be here in this Chamber. We've gone through the slating process, been slated, are gathering petition signatures because they want to serve their communities. They've invested their time, money, blood, sweat and tears into running for office to serve the public. In over a month after that process has started and candidates have been slated. Senate Bill 2412 wants to change the rules. In doing so, you're saying these people don't matter. And the sacrifices of all these candidates, their families, friends, volunteers don't matter. You're also giving voters fewer choices about who they want to be their voice in Springfield, and what's the rush? As we just heard, we couldn't even get complete research done and what other states are doing because this has been rushed in 24 hours. Sorry about that. At the same time that many of us were outside honoring our fallen police officers, listening to 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 mothers share about the life, their life without their daughters, and saluting our heroes at the police memorial. This legislation was being rushed to the Floor, and we know why. There was only one reason to push major legislation like this through in 24 hours, and it sure isn't about good government. It's to change the rules for an election cycle that has already started in a slating process that is nearly complete, to stack the decks in favor of your favored incumbents. Illinois Democrats can say what they want, but this isn't about updating processes or cleaning up rules. It's about putting their thumb on the scales of democracy to change the outcome of our elections. And it seems pretty hypocritical to me that when it comes to filling vacancies after a Member of this Chamber retires, you call the people in charge of that appointment local officials. But as we heard yesterday, but when that process plays out after a primary, suddenly those same people, those same local officials become party bosses. Why the framing? It's also a slap in the face to voters that one of the ballot questions you've included is about election interference, when that's exactly what this legislation does. Think about that for a minute. You're saying you're afraid of competition and you do anything to gain one more seat, one more advantage in November, are Illinois Democrats so grossly, unabashedly obsessed with increasing power at all costs that you're willing to change our election system for a better chance of picking up 1 or 2 seats. Is that what we've come to? My father, God rest his soul, taught me many lessons in life. One of which was you have but one reputation in life. Guard it closely. Once it's solid, it's very difficult to recover. This Body, the Illinois Senate has gone to great lengths to be a counter on the Gross National Partisanship on display nationally. We have strived 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 to work in a more collegial manner, finding ways to work as one. I am often proud to tell audiences I talk in front of that the Illinois Senate is nothing like what you see on Fox News or MSNBC. In this Body, the majority actually reaches out to the minority party. Attempts to work collaboratively. Not perfect. We would want more outreach, more inclusion. But it's light years better than the crass power politics on display every day by the majority party in the Illinois House. The Illinois House makes no effort to include the minority party and seems to strive to be the Illinois version of Washington, DC. But that is not this Chamber. So why throw it away? All the goodwill we have worked collaboratively to build. Why abandon the incredible effort we have put in to be a better example of how a democratically elected body should operate? Are you now going to reverse course in a brazen political power play for a provision that the House Democrats need to avoid a tough election in one district? We are better than this. And on our side of the aisle, we're going to stay better than this. This is patently unfair and undemocratic. Changing the rules in the middle of the game is a blatant abuse of power. As a caucus representing the people of Illinois, we are standing together in opposition to this power grab by the Democratic majority to change our election system. We aren't willing to give up on the voters to play the majority party's games. As such, we will be standing in unison with our House Republican colleagues and voting Present on this legislation on behalf of the millions of constituents who deserve free and fair elections that are built into the bedrock of our nation. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Seeing none. President Harmon, to close. 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, thank you for the -- the spirited commentary on the bill. Leader Curran, I particularly want to thank you. I too, in many public settings, sometimes when we appear jointly have emphasized the -- the bipartisan nature of the House or the Senate in the way we do business. And I appreciate that and I want that to continue. And I think there's -- there's a parallel here. Democrats don't want to pick our opponents. We -- we want the voters to. There are still opportunities for folks who didn't choose to run in a primary election to get on the ballot, running as an independent, running as a new party candidate. Those are decisions for the voters. What we have here before us is an opportunity to end a corrosive practice where strategically, people avoid primaries to see what the lay of the land is and then pick the candidate best suited for November after the primary has been settled on the other side. It's not the -- what I do at this way at this time, if left to my druthers. No. But this is an opportunity to end a practice that has been abused. And I want to emphasize, we're not taking this away from Republicans. We're taking this away from everybody. We Democrats won't be able to slate candidates for the Senate in any districts where your members are running unopposed. There's a problem with the practice. There's a problem with the practice. People who want to run for office should face the voters before they're the nominee of a major political party. So, I appreciate the sensitivity here. I appreciate the seriousness with which you're debating this. I, for one, would like to put an end to a practice that was abused by prior practitioners and move forward in the spirit of democracy. Please vote Yes. 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Just a reminder to our Members that there was a verification of the roll to be called of the vote. And so, to please be at your desk and make sure to be -- your voting at your desk. So, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2412? 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 35 voting Yea, 3 voting Nay, 18 voting Present. Excuse me. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 2412, and the bill is declared passed. Senator McClure has requested a verification. Will all Members please be in their seats? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I withdraw my motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Motion withdrawn. Continuing with 3rd Readings on the printed Calendar on page 5, at the bottom we find Senate Bill 2978, Senator Feigenholtz. Senator Feigenholtz seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2978 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2978. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Feigenholtz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz, on your amendment.
52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 I'd like to adopt the amendment and discuss it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. On the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2978, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 2978, as amended, is an initiative of our Secretary of State. It is a, you know, we learn a lot about data collection and what goes on and the things that are happening in this office. And it -- it is the goal of this bill is to essentially reorganize existing data privacy protections that if one were to read the Illinois Vehicle Code Data Privacy Act, it sort of scattered all over the place, and the Secretary of State has chosen to create a more transparent, easy to read Vehicle Code. It adds protections to better protect personal identifying information and other data. Covers a lot of confidentiality requirements in the modern age, and I'm happy to answer questions about this. It's a very comprehensive bill on data protection. 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for some questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor indicates she’ll yield. Senator Bryant.
Thank you. Senator, you -- it is right that this is very expansive. And so, I'm first of all, I don't know if you said who this is initiative of?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz.
Alexi Giannoulias, the Secretary of State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
Thank you. And are -- do you still have any opposition to this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz.
I think that there were two entities that had concerns. I think ICER was concerned and it was -- we fixed that with an amendment. It accidentally something that we had put in a data privacy bill last year was removed inadvertently, I believe the other concerns are from the ACLU. We've been in discussions with 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 them. And I think that as this bill moves forward, there's discussion about trying to fix that problem in a trailer bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
Okay. So thank you. I -- I heard -- what I heard was the ACLU is still in opposition of the bill, but you intend to run some kind of trailer bill. So, that being said, in the description that you've given that this being rather, expansive, one issue that we came across, of course, is that there are restrictions on using information in regard to immigrant enforcement. In particular, I wonder if you could reference page 8. So, there's a section regarding immigration in the Act that states that the Secretary will not provide any facial recognition, search service or photographs from the database to any federal, State or local law enforcement agencies. So, if federal -- here's my question. If federal law enforcement highlights a person of interest who happens to be an immigrant, does this Act prohibit the Secretary of State from providing information?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz.
This is -- the -- Senator Bryant, this is what you're referring to is current law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
So, what I'm referencing is underlined. So, that would be new language then right? 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz.
That is the portion that was inadvertently taken out of law that we put back in. We passed a law last year that put that in.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
I'm a little confused about what you're saying. I mean, when I'm referencing it, it's brand new language, right? We agree that that's brand new language.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz.
In we have Public Act 103/210 last year, the Senate passed that bill prohibiting the Secretary of State from releasing a restricted personal information. So, that was a bill that was in the law in this Public Act. I'm happy to give you the citation. And then, it was inadvertently, removed in the draft of this bill and amended back in.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
So, I believe what you're -- what you're referencing is the trust Act. And this language is codifying what is in the Trust Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz.
56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 Yes, we are moving it to a new section.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
So, then I guess we're in agreement that since this codifies that the Trust Act basically prohibits federal law enforcement from enforcing immigration law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz.
We are not prohibiting. We are not providing data.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
If the data is a -- nice job, if the data is available though, and law enforcement is asking for it, we are prohibiting them from getting that data that we have, correct? Under this, under this statute.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Feigenholtz.
Yes. The Secretary of State will not provide that. They could get it from perhaps other sources but not Secretary of State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
Okay, so, to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill. 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
Much of this Act is already covered by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994. So, it begs the question, why introduced -- why reintroduce existing law? Why would that be necessary to do that unless we are making sure that we are prohibiting law enforcement from doing their job and from actually enforcing federal laws. I don't know really what else to say about it. I never thought that I would. I'm a little -- I'm a little concerned, confused that I am in agreement with the ACLU in opposition to this bill and am strongly asking for a No vote in order to allow law enforcement to do their job, especially when the first -- the first part of this was the first part of my -- my statement or questions were the fact that you could actually pull someone over, they could actually be working, in regard to someone who has violated other laws. And then we're also with this statute, not allowing them to receive data that we already have in our possession. So, we are restricting them from sharing that information. Because of those issues, I do recommend a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Feigenholtz, to close.
Thank you. Mr. President, not Mr. Speaker. Just for a further clarification for Senator Bryant. You can get this data with a lawful court order or a judicial warrant, a subpoena for individual records. So, it is available, and it provides that the Secretary of State must follow disclosing these documents and following federal law. So, to close, ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I would appreciate your support on this. The Secretary of State is 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 working very hard to protect our data. And I'd appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2978 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 Aye, 18 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2978, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on to the next page. Page 6, towards the middle of the page, we find Senate Bill 3412, Senator Ellman. Senator Ellman seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3412 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of -- of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3412. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Excuse me. Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Ellman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Ellman, on your amendment.
I move to adopt the amendment and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Are there any -- excuse me. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The -- the Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Ellman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 Senator Ellman, on your other amendment.
That too I move to adopt, and I'll explain that one on 3rd as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor 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 AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3412, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Ellman, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 3412 creates the Uniform Money Transmission Modernization Act, which modernizes regulations for money transmission in Illinois and aims to harmonize State licensing, regulation and supervision of money transmitters operating across state lines. It's based on model legislation brought forward by the Conference of State Banking Supervisors. And it's -- is a uniform set of supervisory rules. It prohibits a person from engaging in money transmission or advertising, soliciting or holding themselves out as providing money transmission services unless the person is licensed or 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 qualifies for an exemption under the Act. The bill also repeals the Transmitters of Money Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 3412 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3412, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Moving towards the bottom of page 6, we find Senate Bill 3649. Senator Peters seeks leave of a Body to return Senate Bill 3649 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3649. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Peters.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Peters, on your amendment.
I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor 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 AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
Senate Bill 20. Excuse me, Senate Bill 3649, an Act concerning employment. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Peters, on your bill.
Senate Bill 3649 establishes the Worker Freedom of Speech Act. I ask for a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Wilcox, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Question of the sponsor
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor indicates he'll yield. Senator Wilcox.
During committee, there was some discussion about 501c4, 5 and 6's. Some discussion of making changes in the House. Can you acknowledge what those changes intend to do? And could we add 501c3's to the list as well?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Peters.
Well, I don't -- I don't think we're necessarily make changes. I think some of the concerns were about, I believe religious organizations and religious companies or anything that has a religious mission. If you have a -- if you're a nonprofit with a religious, sort of mission, and that is part of your job, that is something that should be covered by this bill. 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Wilcox.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
So, the interesting aspect about this bill, despite being called the employee freedom of speech, it appears to actually target one individual type of speech. And that is when employers attempt to gather employees for the discussion to let them know what their rights are in regard to joining a union or not, something protected under the federal labor law. So, that seems to be the goal of this bill. Recommend a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Senator Villivalam, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. A question to the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Mr. President. For purposes of legislative intent, I'd like to ask Senator Peters, is it the intent of this bill to prohibit employers whose work directly concerns government or political matters, political advocacy organizations, political campaigns, legislative caucuses or legislative staff, governmental agencies, think tanks and civic organizations from holding mandatory all staff meetings to discuss their work directly or 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 indirectly related to the political advocacy, or civic arena?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Peters.
No, that is not the intent of this bill. The goal of this legislation is to protect employees from retaliation if they object to mandatory political or religious meetings that are unrelated to their work. In the hypothetical you present, the meeting would be related to the organization's work and would therefore be permissible.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I would request -- I urge an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion. Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
A question of the sponsor, please. Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Plummer.
Senator Peters, I -- I think that what Senator Villivalam just covered may -- may touch on this, but just for further verification, I know you referenced in your -- your opening 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 description of the legislation that this covered religious groups or I think you also said groups with a religious mission. I just want to make sure and -- and your intent on this, that it does not -- it does not impede advocacy groups from the right of association, including those advocacy groups who may not be religious, but some may deem the issues they're advocating might have a religious tone to them, or -- or might touch on some religious points.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Peters.
I think that if they are religious in nature, if they're not at all religious, we don't want to subject somebody to a meeting in which they might be forced to either on something pertaining to their own religion or they may not have a belief to. But if it is an organization or a company that is explicitly religious and that is part -- that is part of the duties of the job, then therefore, that is something that would be permissible to have a meeting on.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
So, what about -- what about an organization that, instead of using the term religion or religious, what about, let's call them, groups that are advocating on behalf of shared values, that are not religious groups, but they're advocating on behalf of -- of what I would call shared values.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Peters.
65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 So, if that is a 501c4, 501c5, 501c6, that they should be that -- that they should be protected here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
All right. Thank you for the clarification, Senator Peters. I appreciate your -- your -- your clarification on those points. Thank you for working on this. I do urge a No vote because of other concerns with the legislation, but I appreciate the clarification. And thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 3649 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 38 voting Aye, 18 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3649, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continued on -- to the next page, on the print -- on the printed Calendar is a refined page 7, Senate Bill 3751, Senator Simmons. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Excuse me. Senator Simmons seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 3751 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 3751. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment 1, offered by Senator Simmons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Simmons, on your amendment.
66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 3751, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Simmons, on your bill.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senate Bill 3751, as amended, creates an entity required to collect health data to promote equitable health care outcomes, decrease health care costs, and ensure quality health care for all and report it to the Department of Public Health, the General Assembly, and health care providers. This bill does not create requirements for data collection but ensures that the data is de-identified. I know of no opposition at this time and will take any and all questions. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 3751 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 The -- excuse me. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have -- have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 38 voting Aye, 18 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 3751, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We will now proceed to the Order of the Consent Calendar celebrations of life. 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 objection filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, the motion carries and the resolutions are adopted. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Joint Resolution 60, offered by Senator Belt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) On the Order of Resolutions is Senate Joint Resolution 60. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 60, resolved by the Senate of the 103rd General Assembly of the State of Illinois, the House of Representatives concurring herein, that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, or to the call of the President. And when the House of Representatives adjourns on Friday, May 3rd, 2024, it stands adjourned until Monday, May 6th, 2024, or to the call of the 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 106th Legislative Day 5/2/2024 Speaker.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 60. Those in favor will say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senate -- Senator Belt moves for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 60. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, the resolution is adopted. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President, I am directed to inform the Senate the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, and the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 4170. We have received a like Message on House Bill 5428, passed the House May 2nd, 2024. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 4170, offered by Senator Stadelman, an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 5428, offered by Senator Edly-Allen, an Act concerning regulation. 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) There being no further business to come before the Senate, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 60, the Senate stands adjourned until noon on the 7th day of May, 2024, or the call of the Senate President. The Senate stands adjourned. 69