PASTOR FLECK: (Invocation)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Johnson, please lead us in the Pledge.
SENATOR JOHNSON: (Pledge of Allegiance)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Due to renovations in the Capitol, the Senate will be meeting in the temporary Senate Chamber here in the Springfield Howlett Building. While the temporary Chamber does not have a gallery, members of the public can still view the Senate proceedings. There's a public viewing area in the Hall of Flags, also located on the first floor of the Howlett Building. Session will also be available to view online at www.ilga.gov. Blueroomstream seeks leave to videotape the proceedings. Is there objection? Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senator Journal of Friday, May 17th, 2024.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 114th Legislative Day 5/20/2024
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal pending arrival of the printed transcripts, there being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1000, offered by Senator Holmes and all Members. Senate Resolution 1002, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members and Senate Resolutions 1004 through 1011, offered by President Harmon and all Members. They are all celebration of life resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Resolution Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 1001, offered by Senator Hunter and Senate Resolution 1003, offered by Senator Stoller. They are both substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Mr. Secretary, Introduction and Reading of Senate Bills for the first time.
Senate Bill 3955, offered by Senator Hunter, an Act concerning government. 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President, I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles. The passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 114th Legislative Day 5/20/2024 Senate to wit: House Bill 4127. We have received a like Message on House Bill 4489. Passed the House May 17th, 2024. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 4127, offered by Senator Peters, an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 4489, offered by Senator Jones, an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 4846, offered by Senator Lightford, an Act concerning finance and House Bill 4916, offered by President Harmon, an Act concerning civil law. 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President. I just would like to -- Introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Your introduction.
Thank you, Ma'am. Today, I have with me Miss Ellie Wrage. She's the daughter of Elizabeth and Jason Wrage from Lincoln, Illinois, and she graduated from Zion Lutheran School in Lincoln, just recently, and she'll be a freshman at Lincoln Community High School this fall. Ellie is interested in history, reading, writing and society, and that has led her to consider government as a future. In addition to being on high school honors student-athlete -- a high honors student-athlete, she's participated in many essay 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 114th Legislative Day 5/20/2024 and public speaking contests, and her proudest achievement is earning third in State in the 2022 VFW Patriot's Pen Essay. Ellie currently serves as the Junior Miss Logan County Fair Queen, has enjoyed being an ambassador and an advocate for Logan County. She's grateful for this opportunity to be at the Senate, and she extends her sincere appreciation for the time and passion each Member devotes to our State and its success. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Welcome to the Senate. Senator Bennett, for what reason do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege, ma'am.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Your introduction.
Thank you. Today we have a very special couple guests within our -- from our district here. Have Kaitylyn Whitehouse, who also happens to be my -- my grandchild, my second grandchild, my second granddaughter. She and -- her sister was here last week. And so, this is Caitlin today. She's 12. She's in sixth grade and going to GCMS Falcon School and loves a lot of things and just wanted to have her come and get a chance to say hello and understand more of what's going on. And mom or actually Nana is back in the back. Actually, the same spot she was at when Kelsey was here. So, we're very glad to have her here. And thank you so very much for this moment for her, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Welcome to the Senate. Senator Johnson, for what purpose do you rise? 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 114th Legislative Day 5/20/2024
Point of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Your announcement.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Today is Senator Mary Edly-Allen's birthday. And so, I want you all to join me and wishing her a very happy birthday.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Happy birthday, Senator. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The Members of the Committee on Assignments will meet in the Senate's front room immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) WBEZ seeks leave to audio record the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Capitol News Illinois seeks leave to photograph and record the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Cunningham, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: refer to Education Committee - Committee Amendment 3 to House Bill 5057 and Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 458; refer to Executive Committee, House Bill 307, House Bill 2363, House Bill 5543 and House Bill 5561; Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 3158, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 5371 and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 5627; refer to Financial Institutions Committee - House Bill 5428; refer to Health and Human Services Committee - House Bill 4491 and Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 5000; refer to Higher Education Committee - House Bill 5024; refer to Insurance 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 114th Legislative Day 5/20/2024 Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 4367; refer to Judiciary Committee - House Bill 4594 and 5351, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 4276, Committee Amendments 1 and 3 to House Bill 4426 and Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 4660; refer to Labor Committee - House Bill 5324 and Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 5089; refer to Revenue Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4179; refer to State Government Committee - House Bill 4819, 5023{sic} (5028) and House Joint Resolution 58; refer to the Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 277. Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bill 899, House Bills 2499, 2911 and 3144. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (b-1) the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments Floor Amendment 4 to House Bill 3046, Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 4426, and Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 5057. Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, Chair. Going back really quickly to State Government. Refer to State Government Committee - House Bill 4819, House Bill 5028, and House Joint Resolution 58.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
A point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) State your announcement.
Thank you very much, Madam President, I'd like to take a moment to commemorate a landmark Supreme Court decision that forever changed the face of education in our country. Friday, this past Friday marked the 70th anniversary of Brown versus Board of 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 114th Legislative Day 5/20/2024 Education. On May 17th, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that separating children in public schools based on their race was unconstitutional. This decision dismantled the legal foundation of "separate but equal", and it -- it ignited a fight for civil rights. The Brown decision just wasn't a legal battle. It empowered families and communities of color to demand a better future for their children. This ultimately paved the way for generations to experience integrated classrooms, fostering diversity, and understanding the breaking down racial barriers. However, change happened slowly, and it wasn't until 1957, when nine brave teens were the first African Americans to enter Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. They were not welcomed with open arms, but instead faced constant harassment and threats, all because they were pursuing their education. In 2003, I led an effort to create the Illinois Commission on the 50th anniversary of Brown V. The Board of Ed (Education) to help educate the public on the importance of this case and its impact on education. In the fall of 2004, we held a reenactment of the Supreme Court decision at Chicago State University. Hundreds of students participated in this day of learning, and the event was broadcast throughout the State. Today, educational materials created by the Commission are still used in our classrooms. Thank you very much, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HOLMES) Thank you, Senator. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until 12 noon on the 21st day of May 2024. The Senate stands adjourned. 7