PASTOR SCOTT MARSH: (Invocation)
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Johnson, will you please lead us in the -- in the pledge?
SENATOR JOHNSON: (Pledge of Allegiance)
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Lisa Yuscious Blueroomstream.com request permission to video stream. Is there any objection? Seeing none. The objection is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Sunday, January 5th, 2025.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Thank you. Madam President, I move to postpone the Reading and Approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcripts.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Glowiak Hilton moves to approve the Journal just read by the Secretary, there being no objection so ordered. 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. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2840. Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 297, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 4410, and Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4828. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Aquino, what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. For an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) State your announcement.
The Senate Democrats will caucus upon recess in the Senate President's Office for approximately one hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Thank you, Senator Aquino. Senator McClure, what purpose do you rise?
For an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) State your announcement.
Thank you, Madam President. The Senate Republicans will caucus upon recess in Room 400 in the Capitol for approximately one hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Thank you very much, Senator McClure. The Senate will stand 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 in recess to the call of the Chair. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The Senate will come to order. Ben Szalinski, Capitol News, Illinois. Photo, audio seeks leave to photograph, videotape the proceedings. Is there any objection? Seeing none. The objection is -- the leave is granted. Dave Dahl, WTAX photo -- seeks leave to photograph. Is there any objection? Seeing none. Leave is granted -- is granted. We're going to House Bills 3rd Reading on page 3, starting with Senator Villa, 4410, House Bill 4410. Senator Villa seeks leave of the Body to return the House Bill 4410 to Order the 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is the House Bill 4410. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Villa.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to adopt the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Villa.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 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. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4410, an Act concerning criminal law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Villa.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 4410 will do essentially three things. It will require all law enforcement agencies to create policies prohibiting officers from having sex with suspects while investigating prostitution. Prostitution has not been a felony in Illinois for over ten years. So, the second thing it will do is that the bill will require ISP local law enforcement and the circuit court clerks to automatically seal all prior arrests and court records related to the prostitution. And third, this bill will change references to sex work related offenses throughout State statute. This bill has been negotiated to have major law enforcement groups to neutral, and I am happy to report that this bill passed with bipartisan support in Committee. I know of no opposition. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 4410 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 to{sic} (who) wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 43 Ayes, 10 Nays and 6 voting Present. House Bill -- none voting Present, correction. House Bill 4410, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Next up is House Bill 4828, Peters. Senator Peters seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 4828 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 4828. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Peters.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Peters.
I'll explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? All -- all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4828, an Act concerning criminal law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Peters.
Thank you. This is a Restrictive Housing Data transparency bill. DOC is neutral, the sheriffs are neutral, and AFSCME supported. I ask for a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the Speaker{sic} (sponsor) yield for a question?
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) He -- yes, he does.
Thank you. Just a quick question. There's going to be a cost incurred in doing this study. Can you tell us what that cost is estimated to be?
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Peters.
I don't have the estimation, but I -- I don't think it will be a particularly burdensome cost.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Bryant.
Just for the Body, our notes indicate that this study will cost somewhere around three million dollars because every data point will have to be entered individually by a person. So, even though the data might be important to us, the question is -- begs the question of whether we need to spend three million dollars on gathering that data at this time. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Any further questions? Senator Peters, to close.
Thank you so much, Madam -- Madam President. I just want to say this is an important bill for transparency. I ask for an Aye 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 vote and thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, shall House Bill 4828 pass. All those -- all those in favor will vote -- vote Aye. Opposed, Nays. 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 44 Ayes, 12 Nays, 0 voting Present. House Bill 4828, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The Members of the Committee on Assignments will please meet in the Senate's front room immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. Senator Jones, what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President. The purpose of introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) State your introduction, sir.
Today I have an honored guest. I have a page with me today. His name is Esaias, Prince Akinbola, and he's now with us in Springfield today. Can you please join me in giving him a warm Senate welcoming.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Welcome to the Senate, Prince. The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 587, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 817, and Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4907. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advice and Consent. Senator Murphy.
Thank you, Madam President. I move the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on Appointments set forth in Appointment Messages 264 through 268, 271, 272, 274, 275, 276, 278, 280 through 295, 297, 298, 300, 303, 304, 307 309, 312, 313, 315 through 321, 325, 330, 331, 333 through 336, 340 through 341, 343, 344, 345, 354 through 361, 363, 365, 367, 368, 370, 371, 374, 377 through 388, 391 through 398 and 588 of the 103rd General Assembly.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Mr. President, Senator Murphy moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointment Messages just read. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. Please hold your voices down. Mr. Secretary, are there any motions in writing?
I have a motion in writing from Senator Murphy, Chair of the Committee on Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Mr. Secretary, print the motion on the Calendar. Mr. Secretary, please read the Appointment Messages 103 to 280{sic} (1030280). 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Melissa Neddermeyer.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes -- Nays -- Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concerning - - concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. A majority of the Senators elected -- Mr. Secretary, please read the Appointment Messages 103 to 281{sic} (1030281).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Mark S. Wright.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senate electing concurring the record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, read the Appointment for Messages 103 to 286{sic} (1030286).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Pollution Control Board, Michael D. Mankowski.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read the Appointment Messages for 103 to 287{sic} (1030287).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 appointment, to be an Arbitrator in the Workers Compensation Commission, Jeanne L. AuBuchon.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103 to 288{sic} (1030288).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be an Arbitrator on the Workers Compensation Commission, Jennifer Bae.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made? All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 56 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary -- Mr. Secretary, please read the Appointment Messages 103 to 286{sic} -- 289 (1030289).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be an Arbitrator on the Workers Compensation Commission, James M. Byrnes.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor of will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103 to 290{sic} (1030290).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be an Arbitrator for the Workers Compensation Commission, Linda Jean Cantrell.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made? All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Messages 103 to 291{sic} (1030291).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be an Arbitrator on the Workers Compensation Commission, Bradley Duane Gillespie.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103 to 292{sic} (1030292). 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be an Arbitrator on the Workers Compensation Commission, Gerald William Napleton.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made? All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Messages 103 to 293{sic} (1030293).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be an Arbitrator on the Workers Compensation Commission, Paul Seal.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? who -- Have all voted who wish? Take the record. There are 56 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103 to 294{sic} (1030294).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be an Arbitrator on the Workers Compensation Commission, Rachael Jay Sinnen.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made? All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nays. 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 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by vote -- record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Messages 103 to 295{sic} (1030295).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be an Arbitrator on the Workers Compensation 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Commission, Charles M. Watts.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made? All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 0 Nays, and the 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read the Appointment Message 103 to 307{sic} (1030307).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a Member of the Executive Ethics Commission, David Allen Welter.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? Pursuant to Section 0-5 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, a 3/5 vote is required for confirmation. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Yeas, 0 Nays and 0 voting Present. A 3/5 majority of the Senate concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103 to 318{sic} (1030318).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Illinois Racing Board, Michael Schmidt.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yea, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read the Appointment Messages 103 to 320{sic} (1030320).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Executive Ethics Commission, Cynthia Irene Ervin.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Pursuant to Section 5-20 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, a 3/5 vote is required for confirmation. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. There are 55 voting Aye, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A 3/5 majority of the Senate concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103 to 321{sic} (1030321).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Executive Ethics Commission, Patricia Yadgir.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Pursuant to Section 5-20 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, a 3/5 vote is required for confirmation. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Ayes, 0 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A 3/5 majority of the Senate concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030355.
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a Member of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion, Ovelia Ms.{sic} Smith-Barton.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 Ayes, 3 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does concur to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103 to 356{sic} (1030356).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Illinois Racing Board, Marc Laino.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate Does Consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030365.
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be the Director of the Veterans Accountability Unit for the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Renysha Brown.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Nays -- Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A 3/5 majority of the Senate concurring by record vote, does -- the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103-367 (1030367.) 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Illinois Gaming Board, Dionne Hayden.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103 to 370 (1030370).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments, recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be the Director of Human Resources for the Illinois Office of the Comptroller, Rebecca Shuster.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 is open. Pull it back. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made? All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103-371 (1030371).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Human Rights Commission, Demoya Gordon.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 Yeas, 2 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103-378 (1030378).
22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Court of Claims, Robert J. Sprague.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yea, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103-391 (1030391).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, Steven M. Powell.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 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 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103-392 (1030392).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent the following salaried appointment, to be a member of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, Brian Sullivan.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 103-588 (1030588).
Madam President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, to be the Inspector General for the Illinois Department of Human Services, Charles Wright. 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Madam President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the -- Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, Motions in Writing. Appointment Messages.
I have a motion in writing from Senator Murphy, Chair of the Executive Appointments Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 10-1(c), as the Chair of the Executive Appointments Committee, I move to compile the following Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate: Appointment Message 1030274, Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Calhoun County; Appointment Message 1030359 and 1030330, Charitable Trust Stabilization Committee; Appointment Message 1030275, Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Christian County; Appointment Messages 1030331, 1030379, and 1030380, Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund; Appointments 1030388, Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes; Appointment Messages 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 3 -- 1030344 and 1030377, Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees; Appointment Message 1030317, Energy Transition Workforce Commission; Appointment Messages 1030264 and 1030333, Energy Workforce and Advisory Council; Appointment Message 1030297, Enterprise Zone Board; Appointment Messages 1030357 and 1030381, Governor State University Board of Trustees; Appointment Messages 1030265, 1030266, and 1030336, Health Facilities and Services Review Board; Appointment Messages 1030334 and 1030345, Illinois Board of Higher Education; Appointment Message 1030340, Illinois Community College Board; Appointment Messages 1030309, 1030341, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority; Appointment Messages 1030374 and 1030382, Illinois Finance Authority; Appointment Messages 1030393, 1030394, and 1030395, Illinois Housing Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee; Appointment Messages 1030363, 1030383, and 1030384, Illinois Housing Development Authority; Appointment Message 1030385, Illinois Sports Facilities Authority; Appointment Messages 1030268, 1030285, Illinois State Board of Education; Appointment Message 1030282, Illinois State Board of Investment; Appointment Message 1030298, Illinois State Medical Board; Appointment Messages 1030300 and 1030396, Illinois State Museum Board; Appointment Message 1030267, Illinois State University Board of Trustees; Appointment Message 1030387, Illinois Workforce Innovation Board; Appointment Message 1030325, Illinois Lottery Board; Appointment Message 1030276, Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Menard County; Appointment Messages 1030272 and 1030343, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority; Appointment Message 1030303, Mid Illinois Medical District; Appointment Message 1030397, Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Moultrie County; Appointment Message 1030313, 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Northeastern Illinois University Board of Trustees Appointment Message 1030354, Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees; Appointment Message 1030315, Public Administration and Public Guardian of DeWitt County; Appointment Message 1030316, Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Macon County; Appointment Message 1030319, Public Administrator and Public Guardian of DeKalb County; Appointment Message 1030283, Quality Care Board; Appointment Message 1030398, Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Sangamon County; Appointment Message 1030335, Secure Choice Savings Board; Appointment Message 1030358, State Board of Health; Appointment Message 1030386, State Employee Retirement System Board of Trustees; Appointment Message 1030368, Treasurer's Personnel Review Board; Appointment Messages 1030360 and 1030361, University of Illinois Board of Trustees; Appointment Message 1030284, Waukegan Park District; Appointment Message 1030304, Will Kankakee Regional Development Authority; Appointment Message 1030312, Workers Compensation Advisory Board; Appointment Messages 1030271 and 1030278, Workers Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board. Dated January 6th, 2025. And Signed, Senator Laura Murphy, Assistant Majority Leader and Chair of the Executive Appointments Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Mr. President. No. Is there any discussion? Senator Murphy moves to compile the Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. Mr. Secretary, print a motion. Print a motion on the Calendar. Supplemental Calendar has been printed and distributed. Supplemental Calendar 1 has been printed and distributed. Mr. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Secretary, please read the compiled appointments.
To be the Public Administrator and Public Guardian for Calhoun County, Michelle Coady-Carter, Appointment Message 1030274; To be Members of the Charitable Trust Stabilization Committee, Ronald Budzinski, Appointment Message 1030359; and Andreason Brown, Appointment Message 1030330; To be the Public Administrator and Public Guardian for Christian County, Michelle Coady-Carter, Appointment Message 1030275; To be Members of the Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund, Karen Weigert, Appointment Message 1030331; Monique Green Appointment Message 1030379, and Daniel Robles, Appointment Message 1030380; To be a Member of the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, Grace Pai, Appointment Message 1030388; To be Members of the Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees Bernie Charles Ranchero, Appointment Message 1030344; and Timi Ngoboh, Appointment Message 1030377; To be a Member of the Energy Transition Workforce Commission, Shad Etchason, Appointment Message 1030317; To be Members of the Energy Workforce Advisory Council, Jonathan Carson, Appointment Message 1030264; and John Freitag, Appointment Message 1030333; To be a Member of the Enterprise Zone Board, Douglas R. Pryor, Appointment Message 1030297; To be Members of the Governor's State University Board of Trustees, Karen Nunn; Appointment Message 1030381, and Stacy Crook, Appointment Message 1030357; To be Members of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board, Monica Hendrickson, Appointment Message 1030265; David Katz, Appointment Message 1030266; and Kenneth Burnett, Appointment Message 1030336; To be Members of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Garth Walker, Appointment Message 1030334; and Sharon Bush, Appointment Message 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 1030345; To be a Member of the Illinois Community College Board, George Evans, Appointment Message 1030340; To be Members of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Ahmadou Dramé, Appointment Message 1030309, and Kendal Parker, Appointment Message 1030341; To be Members of the Illinois Finance Authority, Roxanne Nava, Appointment Message 1030374; and Roger Poole, Appointment Message 1030382; To be a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee, Patrick Besler, Appointment Message 1030393; Lance Kovacs, Appointment Message 1030394; and Laura Beth Minzer, Appointment Message 1030395; To be Members of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Erika Poethig, Appointment Message 1030363; Monica -- Sonia Berg, Appointment Message 1030383; and King Harris, Appointment Message 1030384; To be a Member of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, Roderick Hawkins, Appointment Message 1030385; To be Members of the Illinois State Board of Education, Sherly Chavarria, Appointment Message 1030268; and Laura Gonzalez Appointment Message 1030285, To be a Member of the Illinois State Board of Investment, Elizabeth Sanders, Appointment Message 1030282; To be a Member of the Illinois State Medical Board, Radhika Lohia, Appointment Message 1030298; To be Members of the Illinois State Museum Board, John Barker, Appointment Message 1030300; and Jonah Rice, Appointment Message 1030396; To be a Member of the Illinois State University Board of Trustees, Darren Tillis, Appointment Message 1030267; To be a Member of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board, Luis Galindo, Appointment Message 1030387; To be a Member of the Lottery Control Board, Diana Leza Sheehan, Appointment Message 1030325; To be the Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Menard County, Michelle Coady Carter, Appointment Message 1030276; To be Members 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, Nina Grondin, Appointment Message 1030272; and Terrance McGann, Appointment Message 1030343; To be a Member of the Illinois Medical District, Tessica Dooley, Appointment Message 1030303; To be the Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Moultrie County, Andrew Weatherford, Appointment Message 1030397; To be a Member of the Northeastern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Anna Meresidis, Appointment Message 1030313; To be a Member of the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Leland Anders Strom, Appointment Message 1030354; To be the Public Administrator and Public Guardian for DeWitt County, Andrew Weatherford, Appointment Message 1030315; To be the Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Macon County, Andrew Weatherford, Appointment Message 1030316; To be the Public Administrator and Public Guardian for DeKalb County, Jeffrey Lewis, Appointment Message 1030319; To be a Member of the Quality Care Board, Gregory Walkington, Appointment Message 1030283; To be the Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Sangamon County, Michelle Coady Carter, Appointment Message 1030398; To be a Member of the Secure Choice Savings Board, Staci Lynn Mayall, Appointment Message 1030335; To be a Member of the State Board of Health, Dawn Brown, Appointment Message 1030358; To be a Member of the State Employee Retirement System Board of Trustees, Mona Naser, Appointment Message 1030386; To be a Member of the Treasurer's Personal Review Board, Susan Georgelos, Appointment Message 1030368; To be a Member of the Illinois Board -- University of Illinois Board of Trustees, Jungnim Blackwell, Appointment Message 1030360, and Jesse Ruiz, Appointment Message 1030361; To be a Member of the Waukegan Port District Board, Ben Veal, Appointment Message 1030284; To be a 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 member of the Will Kankakee Regional Development Authority, Janet Elizabeth Blue, Appointment Message 1030304; To be a Member of the Workers Compensation Advisory Board, Louise Medina, Appointment Message 1030312; To be Members of the Workers Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board, Preston Wolin, Appointment Message 1030271; and Michael Macellaio, Appointment Message 1030278.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy.
Thank you, Madam President. And I move that the Senate Do Consent to the compiled nominations just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the compiled nominations. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nays. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, and 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the compiled nomination. Senator Murphy.
Madam President, thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, I move that the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Murphy moves that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate has arisen from Executive Session. Senator Johnson, for what purpose do you rise? We will now return to the written Calendar on page 2. House Bills 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 3rd Reading. House Bill 297, Preston. Senator Preston seeks leave for the Body to return to House Bill 297 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 297. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Preston.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Preston.
Then I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on -- on 3rd
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 297, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Preston.
Thank you, Madam President. Currently, principals in Chicago Public Schools have collected collective bargaining rights, but they are prohibited from engaging in a strike. As amended, House 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Bill 297 creates a mandatory interest arbitration procedure for educational supervisors in Chicago public schools when a collective bargaining impasse occurs in order to reach an agreement. Under House Bill 297, the parties must attempt to mediate their disputes or use the fact-finding process outlined in the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act for educational employees and CPS for educational supervisors who are prohibited from striking. The fact-finding process includes a comparison to comparable communities to Chicago. I ask that we move to pass this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? Senator McClure. Senator DeWitte.
Thank you, Madam President. A question of sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Please proceed with your question.
Thank you, Madam President. One quick question, Senator. I understand there was no strike language contained in this legislation. Can you confirm that, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Preston.
Yes I can. There is a no strike clause.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator DeWitte.
Senator. Thank you, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Is there any further questions? Hearing none. The question is, shall House Bill 297 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 43 Ayes, 11 Nays, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 297, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The Members of Committee on Assignments will meet in the Senate front room immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4144. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. Executive Committee will meet at 4 o'clock in Room 212. After Executive Committee Floor action, return to the Floor for Floor action. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
The Senate will be in order. We have a request from WBEZ to record audio of the proceedings today. Seeing no objection, permission is granted. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Castro, Chair of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 587, Senate Amendment 3 to House 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Bill 817, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2840, Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 4144 and Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 4907 Recommend Do Adopt.
Senator Hunter, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) We're going to House Bills 3rd Reading. Starting on page 2 of your Calendar. Senator Villa, what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you so much, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, today alongside me, I have my amazing Chief of Staff, Kate Peterson. Kate has been with me since my days as a State Representative. When she first started off as a social work intern in my office, and she went on to become my Legislative Assistant here in Springfield during the height of the pandemic. And ultimately, she is now serving as my Chief of Staff. Kate has always been more than just a staffer. She is one of the most impactful human beings I've ever had the pleasure to work alongside with. Over the years in her various roles, she has cemented equitable policies in our office that have prepared our team to be ready to assist anyone and I mean anyone who walks through our doors or gives us a ring. Kate has led countless community centered events, mentored over four cohorts of college interns in our office, connected thousands of constituents with critical resources and, more importantly, has been an incredible support system for me. As someone that I have leaned on and turned to when this work has gotten really tough. Kate's commitment to the office is the result of her personal grit and perseverance, and 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 ultimately, her love for the social work profession. I am happy to announce to the good people of Illinois that Kate is now officially a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and will be continuing her career in the macro field in the new year. So, while it is with heavy heart that I am sad to see Kate go, I know she will continue leading and uplifting our most vulnerable communities across the State of Illinois. Kate, thank you for your service to the people of the 25th District and for your humor and immeasurable contributions to our office. I ask that my colleagues in the Senate help celebrate by giving her a big round of applause. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Congratulations, Kate. We wish you the best. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President, I'm directed to inform the Senate the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 2655, together with the following amendment, which is attached in the adoption of which I am instructed as the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2655. Passed the House, as amended, January 6th, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) We will go to House Bill 817 with the sponsor change Halpin. Senator Halpin seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 817 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 817. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Harmon, your amendment please.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor to say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Halpin.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Halpin, present your bill please.
Thank you, Madam President. I would like to adopt Senate Amendment 3, and debate on 3rd Reading, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 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 HUNTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 817, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Senator Halpin.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 817, as amended, covers two topics. One is to address an issue with real property related to what's known as the Marine Bank building, which is controlled by the State Treasurer's Office. This would allow the treasurer to be able to take control of property necessary to repair and maintain the building. I know of no objection to that portion of the -- of the bill. The second part of the bill makes some amendments to the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act to try to ease the administrative burden on our nonprofit sector and community partners that receive State and federal grants. It was on the Agreed Bill List in the in the Senate committee. But I want to identify a couple of things that it does. The first thing is that it updates references in the statute with current federal definitions and regulations. It also requires the Gaddi unit to adopt best practices for disseminating information about grants, particularly emphasizing making sure that underserved communities have access to information about grants. It also standardizes some reporting requirements between the federal and State regulations to try to reduce the duplication of effort for our nonprofits that are reporting on these grants. And then it does make a change, and there may or may not be, may or may not be questions about this, but it does make a change to eliminate the requirement for having a separate account for grant funds. In the situation, where the recipient is only receiving funds as a reimbursement. Again, it's to ease administrative burden and to make sure our nonprofits can effectively and efficiently administer their grants. My responses to questions will be firm but fair, and I'd ask for a Yes vote. 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? Senator Anderson.
Thank you, Madam President. A question to the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) He says it's okay.
Senator Halpin, as we discussed, I'm not sure if you -- I think you kind of addressed one of them with the not-for-profit and the account that they have to have. We discussed prior to committee that we didn't, we wanted to make sure there wasn't some kind of transparency issue with the account that that grant money goes into, and that they pay out of isn't the same one. Can you clarify that for me?
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Halpin.
Absolutely. Thank you, Senator. So, there are -- there are two different ways that the state agency can award grants and contracts. The first is an advance payment where the community partner, the grant recipient, will then have to do an accounting for how those funds are spent. There are other grants that are purely reimbursement. And so, the -- the current law requires any grant recipient to maintain a separate bank account for every grant, regardless of whether it's paid by advance payment or reimbursement. So, this section only limits that requirement to cases where there's an advance payment and the recipient needs to make sure to have an accounting for that. In a grant, that is only reimbursement based. There's less risk to the state, because when 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 you apply as a recipient for that reimbursement, you have to justify what that expense was at that time. So, the change is really intended to just reduce the administrative burden and the administrative -- administrative expenses for the community partner. They still do have the option of maintaining a separate account for those reimbursement grants. They would just no longer be required to.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Anderson, you're done. Thank you. Senator Halpin, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. I would just ask for your Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, shall House Bill 817 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 817, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Now we will hear House Bill 2840, Faraci. Mr. Secretary, Senator Faraci seeks leave for the Body to return House Bill 2840 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2840. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Faraci.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Faraci. 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
Thank you, Madam President. This is a trailer bill. Oh, sorry, we need to adopt and discuss on 3rd. Sorry.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 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 HUNTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2840, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Faraci.
Thank you, Madam President. Try this again. This is a trailer bill, to two Public Acts, that passed in the spring Session. One resolving park district issues with child labor and one dealing with covenants of not to compete for service -- services provided to first responders.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 2840 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 Present. House Bill 2840, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Senator Jones, what purpose do you seek recognition?
Yes, Madam President, can I be recorded as a Yes vote on House Bill 817.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) So be it, Senator. We will now go to House Bill 4144, Villanueva. Senators -- Senator Villanueva seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 4144 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 4144. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration.
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Villanueva.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Villanueva.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 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 HUNTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4144, an Act concerning safety. 3rd Reading of the bill. 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Villanueva.
Thank you, Madam President. As amended, House Bill 4144, known as Karina's Law, strengthens gun violence protections for victims and survivors of domestic violence. The bill expands the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Illinois Domestic Violence Act to allow a court to order the surrender and the seizure of firearms and firearms parts that could be assembled into a firearm and FOID cards upon the issuance of an ex-parte interim and final protection -- order of protection. I am available for questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Anderson.
To the bill, Madam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) To the bill.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I first want to say to the sponsor, "Thank you for the work". I know this is hard, and this is a tough issue, but I would be remiss if I did not express the concerns that we -- we touched on a little bit in Committee, but the due process problems or potential problems in this bill is noteworthy. We -- we on this side of the aisle, we don't want this as much as you don't want this problem. And that's why I'm a -- I'm a proponent of bringing back the death penalty, because I think rapists and murderers should be put to death. Right. We don't -- we don't want this issue. But like I said, the due process issue has got to be addressed, and it is of concern. We have to be very careful, very 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 careful in this Body when we pass legislation to make sure that we are not infringing on people's rights and there is not another amendment in our bill of rights that you have to petition the court to get your right back before you're convicted of something. And except here, what we're talking about with --= with the Second Amendment, the intention is good. I understand the intention, but protecting public safety is paramount. We must carefully consider all the potential consequences and ensure that they don't erode our constitutional rights. And that is the concern for myself and some of the other Members on this side of the aisle. It is essential that we balance security with the protection of those fundamental freedoms. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Thank you. Senator Rose.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill, if I may.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) To the bill.
Let me start by expressing my personal sorrow over the situation that led to this bill. There's absolutely no doubt that if anyone in this room could just wave a magic wand and undo it, everyone here would do that, but it can't be. It can't be. And so, we're here, and we have to balance, and we have to weigh where we're going to go from here. And I want to talk a little bit about the due process and the constitutional arguments. But then I really want to talk about how this works in practicality, and I have to rise and just put this on the record on behalf of the folks I represent because there are real practical problems with this but 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 first and foremost, let's not forget that the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution is there for a reason. The Second Amendment is there for a reason. Search and seizures were taken are not to be taken lightly. The Constitution specifically provided all of these protections. The Bill of Rights anyway. Specifically, so that innocent individuals who did no harm would not have these things happen to them. You're talking about a hearing for warrant issued on probable cause with no due process right at the time it's issued for the accused party to have any say in it. Now, I know later on they might have a say, but not at that time. But I got to tell you, folks, as somebody who's prosecuted cases, I always would stand there and just wonder sometimes, you know, about what Springfield was doing when it passed laws and if and when the impact and how this would actually work in reality comes into play. And so let me describe the reality from the 51st District for most of the counties I represent. The reality is in Edgar County, there may only be one deputy sheriff on duty at any given time. Pesotum State police, well that's forty-five minutes away. And yeah, there might be a half dozen brave men and women trooper's at Pesotum covering, I don't know, ten counties. I don't know what it is; eight, nine, ten counties there on 57 here, 74 there, 72 over here. Maybe Effingham can back them up off of I-70. Well, that's 35 minutes away. How about Atwood is the part time chief and that's it. There ain't anybody else is the part time chief. Is that guy supposed to get this done in forty-eight hours? Call the state police. Oh, wait. Pesotum, there's only six over there. Call the state police down in Robinson. Okay, there is a real disconnect. As well intentioned as this is, between what people believe is doable and what is actually doable and setting aside all the 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 constitutional concerns for a minute, I have many. Setting aside all those concerns for a minute, what in reality is going to happen is the part time chief who's on vacation that week is going to call the sheriff's deputy who's up in Chrisman rather than in Brockton. And then they're going to call the state police, who are in Pontiac and nobody's going to get to this into the forty-eight or seventy-two hours or whatever it is. And when someone does get hurt, everybody gets sued. Oh, wait a minute. Not only do they get sued, maybe they lose their entire license to be a police officer in the first place because they didn't get it done. This isn't like. I mean, I say this not to just stand up and say it, it's reality. I mean, downstate Illinois cannot comply with half the stuff this place passes in the first place. And I just don't. I mean, folks, if I could just wave a magic wand, snap my fingers and undo everything that happened, the pain that this family has been caused, not only would I do that, everybody would do that in this building, but we can't. But now we're creating a whole new thing here that is just from a practical perspective. And yeah, you know what Champaign County -- Champaign County might get around to this. I got ten more, they got one guy or one gal on duty and what are they taking their time away from at that point? There's the traffic stop that would have saved somebody's life. Is it the fentanyl stop that would have taken fentanyl off the streets? I don't know. Maybe they're backing up the fire department on a barn shed fire. Just, it just isn't -- we don't have the people to do these things that everybody thinks can just happen like that. We can't and no amount of regulating us into telling us you have to do it will raise the money to pay for it. You know, Metcalf, Illinois, you could triple the assessed value of the houses, double 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 the property taxes, and still not afford a full-time police officer 24/7, 365. It's impossible. So, I mean, look, I'm a realist I know what's going to happen here. This bill is going to pass, it's going to fly out of here. But I just got to put it on the record, it's, it's -- it's just not going to work and it's not going to work in downstate Illinois. So, with that thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Thank you for that correction. Senator McClure.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill. You know, this is a very serious topic, and I first want to say thank you to the family who brought forward these ideas and has been so brave in coming to the Capitol and advocating to try to fight domestic violence and to try to save lives. Senator Anderson brought up the constitutional issues, which are a major problem with this legislation. And certainly, Senator Rose brought up the implementation of it, but we do have to point out that over the past year, domestic violence deaths have doubled in our state. And the policies that have been in place that have allowed this to happen were not policies that our side of the aisle championed. Over the course of this Session, we have filed quite a few bills that deal with domestic violence cases and in my view, would save lives and we've yet to get a single hearing on any of those pieces of legislation. This bill deals with orders of protection. I filed a bill that would make it a felony to violate an order of protection. Do all of you know that right now in the State of Illinois, if you violate an order of protection, it's a misdemeanor. Do you know what else is a misdemeanor? If you walk into a store and you take a candy bar and you leave, that's a 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 misdemeanor. Do you know how tough it is for these domestic violence victims to go before their abusers in court? And what it puts them through, the fear they have, the torture that is. Only to know that their abuser is not going to go to jail, not be taken away. Who would want to put themselves through that for -- for no punishment or little to no punishment? And so, we have quite a few bills from the caucus for criminal aggravated domestic battery, for criminal domestic assault, for order of protection penalty enhancement, which I just spoke about for domestic violence penalties. There's a put victims first bill that was never even heard. We want to we want to fight this problem, and we want to help our victims and most importantly, protect our victims and make them feel safe and make them feel like they can come to court because if they have the bravery to come to court and to testify and to state their case, that our State will do something to protect them, because right now they don't have that feeling. Unfortunately, this bill does not deliver for our victims, and it will not protect the people of this State the way that it should. And the constitutionality is a major problem, because it may not even be at the end of the day, law in a couple of years, we'll see what happens if this gets passed and the courts have to make their judgment calls but it's important for us in this Chamber to be willing to actually lock up got people that are going to pull that trigger instead of locking up the guns, because guess what? People get killed in this State every day all over the place, and people find guns and people find different weapons, and people do horrific things, and they're going to continue to do those things if they feel like they can get away with it. And we've got to do better for our victims and for our State. And for that reason, I do ask 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 for a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Faraci, to close. Villanueva, I'm sorry, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. I have not changed my name yet, but I am still Villanueva. I want to say a couple of things in response. There is a motion to extend the warrant in this bill, and one of -- some of the major sticking points and the questions that Members have brought up, again, we've paid attention to the Supreme Court decision and included that language in this bill. The substantive portions of these -- of this bill is already State law. We already have those on the books. So, when we're asking these questions, I would be remiss to say that most of this is in the books right now. The reality is there's a lot of questions. There's a lot of lack of clarity. What we are doing is strengthening these laws. What we are doing is providing clarity for judges in these very, very vulnerable and sensitive situations. I want to talk about a couple of things, and I really want to give this a very important moment. If you really care about victims, then listen to the victim rights advocates, the ones who have been working on this bill for years. Listen to the victims that are telling you that change needs to happen, because it's wonderful when we're only concerned with some individual's rights but not concerned with others. It's not okay that we are concerned that some people are concerned more so with the rights to bear arms, the rights to have access to guns. These are abusers we are talking about people that are abusing the people that they claim to love, that are threatening them with harm, that are shooting them and killing them. That is what we are talking about and if it seems 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 like I'm passionate about this, it is. Karina Gonzalez was a constituent of mine who lived three blocks away from my district office with her daughter Daniela, with her son Manny. Daniela and Karina were killed during the 4th of July weekend in 2023. I want you all to think about that because while all of you -- all -- most of you all were out walking parades that weekend in our districts, waving the good old red, white and blue. This woman, this brave woman, was trying to climb out of a situation, a dangerous situation for her and her children and ended up being killed. Most of the time we pass laws, and we think, yes, we know the people, but you don't know the people until you go to their grave site like I've done. You don't know what you're fighting for until you're there and you see those tears of the loved ones that remember them and hold them up. Over the past year, I have gotten the incredible opportunity to know Manny, Karina and Karina's son and Daniela's brother, very well. He's an extraordinary young man, and in the face of the worst thing of losing, literally every person of his immediate family still finds joy. He still finds the ability to smile, still finds the ability to wake up every single day and fight for his mother and his sister, and their right to have their names known and fight to prevent what happened to them to -- from happening to anybody else. Listen to the victims and listen to their advocates because they're one and the same. Listen to them when they're telling you, we need to change these laws and that's what I'm concerned with when I come down here. I took the same oath that each and every one of you took in order to defend the Constitution of these United States and the State of Illinois and I also made a promise to represent my constituency and those of the people of the State of Illinois and that's what we're doing 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 with bills like this. These are guns in the hands of abusers, abusers, abusers, these are people that are inflicting harm and damage. They are using fear and isolation in order to have power and control over the people that they claim to love. We are trying to get guns out of the hands of abusers. You can make any claims you want. You can go on and on and on and you can say whatever you want to say, but I am fighting like hell to make sure that what happened in Little Village on July 4th weekend in Little Village of 2023 doesn't happen again. Because oftentimes people think that we as elected officials, we in these positions are robots, that we don't have hearts. I have shed tears for Daniela and Karina. I have shed tears for the future that Manny should have had with his mother and his sister in his life. I have shed tears for the potential of so many children that have found themselves in the same situation, the loved ones and the family members of Maria Roque, of Maria Lazaro-Castillo, of Adrianna Lopez, of China Mitchell, of so many others who have been victim, who have been killed by the hands of the people that claim to love them by their abusers with a gun. This is one of those bills that kept me up at night. It is personal, it is emotional, but it doesn't make it wrong, and it doesn't make it any less important. It has been thought out, it has been looked over by endless eyes, by countless numbers of people, by law enforcement, by state attorneys, by victims' advocates, by victims themselves who have been participating in the conversations through the advocates. This is not a bill that was thought of yesterday. This is not a bill that was thought of twenty-four hours ago, forty-eight hours ago. This is a bill that we have painstakingly been working on for years and it's time. It's time to look at these issues and stop thinking 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 that things are black and white when they are not. If we are aware that we need to treat different situations in different manners, we need to do away with thinking that it's okay to say this is gray area and we really shouldn't touch it. That's our job. Our job is to fight and protect the people of this State. I want to give thanks to the incredible advocates, to all the stakeholders that participated in the conversations to help make this bill happen. I want to give thanks and acknowledge Ashley Jenkins, for her incredible and tireless effort to help get this done and get this to the finish line. To the Senate President for putting the trust and the confidence in me to be able to help get this done and for his support. But most of all, I want to thank Manny, Cardenas son, who gave life to him, for having the courage to be able to stand up and not be afraid, for having the courage to face his abuser and continue to fight for his mother and for his sister, and continue to have the courage to fight every single day. It's in her name; it's in Daniela's name. It's in the names of the countless women, of the countless people who have lost their lives to gun violence at the hands of their abuser. I want to honor them and take the space for them, and I want their loved ones to know that their lives were not in vain. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Please wake up your computers if needed, please. The question is shall House Bill 4144 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 43 Ayes, 10 Nays, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 4144, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On page 3, House Bill 4907, Aquino. 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Senator Aquino seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 4907 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 4907. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Aquino.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Aquino.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 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 HUNTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 4907, an Act concerning health. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Aquino.
Thank you, Madam President. This bill does three things. It makes changes to the formula used for calculations in nursing homes per diem add on payments for -- for staffing; it increases the maximum size of contiguous counties in which hospitals can apply 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 to operate under one single license, and it removes -- it makes a -- a -- a -- a change to the Behavioral Health Administrative Burden Task Force, as well. I'm -- happy to answer any questions but would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any further discussion? Senator, the question is, shall House Bill 4907 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 Present. House Bill 4907 receive --, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow Committee on Assignments to meet. The Members of Committee on Assignments will meet in the Senate front room immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. Senator Koehler, in the Chair. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 587, Floor Amendments 2 and 3 to House Bill 3288, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2655. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): We're going to go back to House Bills 3rd Reading. We're going to go to page 2. We're going to go to House Bill 587, Senator Cunningham. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Cunningham seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill to 587 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 587. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Cunningham. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Cunningham, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I believe this amendment adds some clarifying language to ensure that municipally operated power agencies are -- oh that's -- okay. So, I'm -- I'm sorry, strike that. This amendment is a gut and replace amendment that becomes the bill. I'd like to discuss it on 3rd. I move for its adoption. PRESIDING OFFICER: SENATOR KOEHLER: Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Cunningham. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Cunningham, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President, as I started to explain before, this amendment ensures that municipally operated energy agencies are exempt from certain provisions of the bill, I move for its adoption. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 587. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 587, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Cunningham, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 587, as Amended, is effectively an energy omnibus bill. I'll highlight some, but certainly not all the provisions of the bill. It makes a number of highly technical changes to the Illinois Power Agency's process for procuring renewable energy, including updates to IEPA contract language that will ensure long term renewable contracts get paid. The intent of that is to guarantee long term finance on -- of clean energy procurements. It also creates flexibility in the current fifty-five to forty-five percent ratio for solar and wind procurement. The IEPA will be able to modify that ratio and its long-term procurement plan. Additionally, it updates the solar for all income eligibility and makes sure that is done on an annual basis rather than every five years. It makes energy storage facilities and high voltage converter stations eligible for high impact business classification. The bill also creates a training safety requirement for anyone who works on high voltage 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 transmission lines in the State. And finally, the bill requires the ICC to conduct a workshop to help form a proposed procurement process to incentivize the development of energy storage in Illinois. Then it would be up to us here in the General Assembly to come back in the Spring and approve a procurement process. This part of the bill is, I think, a pretty important first step in energy policy and in Illinois related to the development of storage. That's something that is going to be very important, something we're going to need if we're going to meet the increased electricity demands we are facing. I would be happy to entertain any questions. And I ask for the Chamber's support. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant.
Thank you. Would the sponsor yield, for a question? PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Indicates he'll yield.
Leader Cunningham, this question came up in Committee, but I would just like to ask it in here again. So, there is some question about in -- in original legislation in regard to wind turbines, there is a set aside, a -- a setback, I believe it's a half of an acre. And so, in a portion of your bill, the -- when the -- when the windmills are repurposed, they could be taller and the -- the blades themselves could be longer and that could actually exceed what that setback was. Right? So, could you explain what would happen in that case? PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Cunningham. 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
Thank you, Senator. Yes, a good question. Yes, that could happen when a project is repowered. But the bill does nothing to change the existing setback requirements or any other zoning requirements applied to wind projects, so they would still have to comply with those setbacks with the repowered windmills. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Bryant.
So just for clarification, then, should they go and apply to repurpose or rebuild whatever the terminology is? They would not be able to do that unless they met the requirements as presently written. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Cunningham.
That is absolutely correct. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Further discussion? Senator Preston.
Yes, to the sponsor. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Indicates he will yield.
Thank you. Leader Cunningham, is it your intention that the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Illinois Power Agency include broad and diverse stakeholder input, for example, including important economic groups such as organized labor, the Illinois Manufacturers Association, and the Illinois Industrial Energy 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Consumers? PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Cunningham.
Thank you, Senator. Yes, absolutely. The whole idea behind the ICC workshop, which is what I think you're referring to, is that it is an open process where any stakeholder group at all, including some of the ones you mentioned, can participate and give their input. We want that to be a real robust process that then will result in the ICC presenting a -- a recommendation to us. And yes, it is open to anyone who is interested in it. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Preston.
One more question. Leader Cunningham, after May 1st, 2025, before there can be any procurement under this legislation, there will need to be further action taken by this Body and is that the intent of this bill's language? PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Cunningham.
Yes, Senator Preston that too is correct. Nothing in this legislation empowers the IPA to do a procurement. We would have to authorize that by State law. The intent is to come back in the Spring and do that. This bill does not allow that process to go forward only the General Assembly can do it. The IEPA cannot do it on their own.
Thank you. That's all. Thank you. 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): Seeing no further discussion. Senator Cunningham, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate the questions and the debate we had in -- in Committee. This bill is a very small step forward, it does some important things I think that will speed up the pace of renewable development. But it also does something, as I mentioned, that is really important and that's to start our focus on the deployment of a storage strategy here in the State. The price of electricity is going up because of the higher demands, and we have to have a strategy in place to deal with that what other states have done and what we should do to as employ battery storage to charge up at a time when demand is low and the prices are low, and then dispatch when demand is high and the prices were high, that will undercut the cost of energy in our State. It's a very important route that we need to focus on, and this will be our first steps in that direction. I ask for your Aye votes. PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR KOEHLER): And, so, the question is, shall House Bill 587 pass. All those in favor vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 39 voting Aye, 16 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 587, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cunningham. Senator Hunter, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) We're now going to President Harmon for House Bill 3288. Senator Harmon seeks leave for the Body to return House Bill 3288 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 Reading is House Bill 3288. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments adopted for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) President Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. The second amendment is the substantive amendment. I move for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. The third amendment is a page and line amendment. I move for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 House Bill 3288, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. For several years now, we have been attempting in this Chamber to enact legislation modernizing and professionalizing the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Last spring, we came together on a bipartisan proposal which ran into complications negotiating with the governor. This bill is different. In fact, I want to emphasize it is quite different than the bill we entertained last spring, but its goal is very much the same to professionalize the -- the PRB. I do want to thank several colleagues who helped with it. Senator Ventura and Senator Peters in particular, were instrumental in advocating for positions important to -- to them and to Members of our caucus. But we also had the full engagement of the governor and -- and his team. He recently -- the governor recently appointed an executive director to the PRB, an important move forward. The remaining legislative initiatives do, though, require us to act. The effort to provide professionalism in the PRB, in this bill comes down to five particular things I want to highlight. Much better training, including specific training on domestic violence, requirements for the balance of experience on the appointed PRB so that, law enforcement and veterans of the criminal justice system are included but do not dominate. The addition of commissioners, essentially, administrative law judges, as we have used successfully in places like the Court of Claims and the ICC. There are new transparency requirements to make sure 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 the public is engaged and can view the activities of the PRB. And finally, I do want to make sure you understand that there is a proposed salary increase for the newly appointed members of the PRB. Their compensation is tied to the compensation of the Human Rights Commission and is commiserate with other agencies of similar complexity. Again, I want to emphasize, I know that this is not the bipartisan bill we had advanced in the spring, but its goals are the same, and I'm happy to try to answer questions colleagues may have.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, what purpose do you rise?
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Question.
Yes, a question to the sponsor, please. Well, first, just a statement and then a question, please. So, I have some concerns about the bill in regard to what looks like that these PRB members are going from six year terms to eight year terms. Uh, and that, actually puts individuals in a place where I think we actually should have shorter terms than longer terms so that we have the ability to change them out when they're not doing what they're supposed to do, or if we have problems like we've seen recently. But my question actually goes to a portion of the bill, that increases the pay for the chairman and also for some members. But then also in regard to some at will attorneys that I believe will be allowed to be hired by the members. I'm curious to know how 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 many attorneys can be hired if there's a limit, what the pay is for them, how the budget works for how those at large attorneys will be handled and I'll wait for your answer.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) President Harmon -- Senator Harmon.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator for the question and you really have gotten to the heart of much of the bill. Our effort is to professionalize and to take the politics out of the Prisoner Review Board. The longer terms should insulate commissioners from the political winds and allow them to make the best decision based on the law. The increase in salary is similar to help attract people who would still be taking a pay cut to do this work but would not be taking such a pay cut. And finally, the appointment of commissioners is not specific in terms of numbers, and that would all be subject to budgeting, which we will have an active role in appropriating funds for that.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Bryant.
So just to be clear now that there is no set number of how many they can hire, it's going to be subject to appropriations and -- and there's no budget set at this point? Correct. And then that'll be my last question.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) President -- Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator. Yes. I presume it would be determined going into this spring with a new 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 budget, whether the PRB has any funds available now. I don't want to speak with authority. They may have some capacity within their existing budget, but I would presume this is something we address in the budget for the next fiscal year.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Are there any further questions? Senator McClure.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) To the bill.
First of all, I do want to commend the Senate President on the original bill that passed the Senate, and I think I shook his hand afterwards and I thanked him for that. Now, I understand we're operating in a State where you've got to have the House to be on board, the governor to be on board as well so we're back here because that bill, which I think was an excellent bill, and I think it really would have addressed the concerns that both sides of the aisle had about the Prison Review Board apparently could not pass the House or the governor didn't like it or whatever the situation is. We're back here. I do appreciate also the fact that Senator - - President Harmon did take some of our suggestions and put them in this bill. My concern, however, is that this does not solve the problem. And if we're not going to have a bill that solves the problem of the Prisoner Review Board, what's the point of having a bill? Senator Bryant talked about the eight years now of terms in this bill. Well, if all of you can recall, the issue was not that the PRB was going before committees and being very political, the issue was the fact that the PRB was not appearing before 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 committees. And effectively, the governor was appointing a person, letting them vote for a long period of time, withdrawing their appointment right before their expiration, before they had to be confirmed, and then reappointing them. So, they were serving in perpetuity and making horrible decisions. And the reason why they seem to be making horrible decisions is not because politics were not involved, but because the Senate was not performing its duty of oversight. I do believe when the Senate did finally jump in and have some oversight, a lot of people that should not have been on that board were voted off in a bipartisan manner, I might say. But here we are again, just trying to fix the problem and one of the main issues is, well, I have to say that started all of this was an issue with transparency and our side of the aisle did want to have video of these hearings so that everybody could understand what was happening and everybody could -- could see exactly what the PRB was doing at any given time, which would make sense for such a public and important group. Unfortunately, we don't have the videoing in here so now this happens behind closed doors. I think there's a task force in here to look into that at some point. But, you know, we've been looking into this for a few years and seeing what's been happening. I think, we all should agree, that these hearings should be -- should be recorded and broadcast in a way that people can see what's going on there. Another concern that we've got is the fact that under the current law, there is a few things that are required for a person to be released. And if a person doesn't meet these requirements, then they can't be released. That's been replaced by a very long list of things to be taken into account here and what is it, fifteen. It looks like factors. That's going to make it really hard to detain people that 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 should be detained and -- and that's a problem. And in light of what has been happening with the PRB and there's been bipartisan outrage, I don't think it sends the right message to our State that we're giving these people pay increases, but I do -- I do know that President Harmon sincerely -- the sponsor sincerely wants to change the PRB. If the hang up is with the governor's office and that's why we're back here. I would suggest that this problem was created by the governor's office, and maybe that's not who we should be listening to make these changes. And for that reason, while I really respect President Harmon's diligence here and the fact that some of our ideas were implemented, unfortunately this falls well short of the bipartisan bill that was passed earlier in the Session. And, I, unfortunately have to urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Plummer.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) To the bill.
I want to thank President Harmon for his work earlier in the year on the bipartisan bill that I think did make great strides in resolving this issue, that everyone in this Chamber knows has been an issue for a long time. And I appreciate all of his comments, except I do want to highlight one thing that the comment was made that for several years we've been trying to fix this issue, and that's false. You know, under Governor Blagojevich, under Governor Quinn, under Governor Rauner, Democratic Administrations, Republican Administrations, the Prisoner Review Board acted 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 relatively consistently. You didn't see politics at the PRB and thank God you didn't see politics at the PRB, because those people are making life and death decisions. Then this governor shows up and he starts playing games with the PRB, he starts stacking the PRB. He completely disrespects everyone in this Chamber by ignoring the Senate's Advice and Consent role in this process. This governor, we saw violent votes to release rapists, murderers, child molesters go from what had been consistently under Republican and Democrat Administrations in that fourteen, fifteen, sixteen percent range to nearly fifty percent under this governor, because he was playing games. In the Senate, we raised the alarm numerous times on this, we raised the alarm numerous times on this, and many people in this Chamber just stared at their shoelaces because they're afraid of the governor. And we warned what would happen on this Floor. I specifically called out one of the people on the PRB who was not qualified to be on the PRB. And we stared at our shoelaces, and that person made decisions that led to the death of Jayden Perkins. Other people have been harmed by this process, and so I go back to President Harmon, and earlier this year we had a bipartisan solution. It didn't have everything we wanted in it. And I'm sure it didn't have everything you wanted in it, but it was a solution we worked together on. And I just stood here or sat here and listened a little while ago about who has a heart and who cares about victims and all these different things. I think everyone in this Chamber cares about victims. I think everyone in this Chamber would like to see less crime. I'd like to think everyone in this Chamber has a good hearted nature. So, I don't assume ill will on anyone's behalf. But what does it say to you when we have a bipartisan solution? And then, because the governor 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 who created this problem, no one in this Chamber created it. He created this problem, doesn't like the bipartisan solution. We have to listen to a watered down pretend solution. We're more concerned about the bad actors than we are the victims. We have a soft on crime governor who doesn't see a who doesn't want us to fix this. We extend the term of these people from six years to eight years. Well, that -- that doesn't lead to professionalism, that leads to less transparency, that leads to less oversight by this Body. We're taking powers away from the Senate, elected by the people, to oversee these people. If it wasn't for this Chamber, we would still have huge problems on the PRB. A bipartisan group of Senators fixed this a couple of years ago, and we changed the dynamics of the PRB. But the long term fix, we're on the cusp of the long term fix, bipartisan, and at the last minute, we caved to the same governor who had us staring at our shoelaces for two or three years, while violent criminals were released on the streets and caused havoc in our communities and led to the death and the harm to people in our district's, demonstrable death and harm. This governor because we didn't stand up to him, we stood up to him. We passed something bipartisan and at the last minute we cave. And that's only going to lead to more problems at the PRB. I think President Harmon believed in that bipartisan solution. I appreciate that, and I don't know what happened at the House, and I can imagine what happened with the governor's office but I'm ashamed to say the Senate is back to neglecting its duty when it comes to the PRB. If we pass a pretend, watered down solution to something that we all know is a real problem, I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Harmon, to close. 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Members of the Senate for the debate. I would not want to be a commissioner on the Prisoner Review Board. This is among the most difficult jobs in government. The decisions that we are asking them to make are life and death decisions and I have trouble imagining that there's ever a right answer. There's a better answer and a worse answer. But to politicize that, as the process has done is not going to lead to a better outcome. I appreciate that we are on the cusp of a bipartisan solution, I reject some of the claims made that this is inferior or watered down. It has profound respect for victims and new provisions to allow victims to be involved. It has significant increases in transparency, including the video broadcast of some of the hearings. It is a significant step to professionalizing and modernizing the Prisoner Review Board. If we need to do more later, we'll be in Session in the new General Assembly in two days. We're not going out of business. I urge you to pass this bill. Let the governor and the PRB implement the changes we are demanding and evaluate it for yourselves. Please vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) The question is, shall House Bill 3288 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 32 Ayes, 21 No's, and 0 voting Present. House Bill 3288, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Supplemental Calendar No. 1. Senate Bill 2655. It has been printed and distributed. I'm sorry, Supplemental Calendar No. 2. Supplemental Calendar No. 2, Motion to Concur Senate Bill 2655, Senator Sims. Mr. Secretary, 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2655. Filed by Senator Sims.
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Sims.
Thank you, Madam President. The Motion to Concur with House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2655 is before us. The amendment includes three components that have been brought to us to address, clarify and clean up issues brought to us by the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Attorney General's Office. The first amends the Illinois State Police Act regarding the use of cameras in patrol vehicles and addresses inconsistencies and conflicts between the Illinois State Police Act and the Body Worn Camera Act. It makes changes to the Law Enforcement Camera Grant Act. Then there's another provision brought to us by the Attorney General's Office, which clarifies and closes a loophole passed -- that was created by law that we passed here in the spring. This bill has no opposition, passed out of both -- both components passed out of the House, unanimously and I ask for an Aye vote. Will answer any…
PRESIDING OFFICER:(SENATOR HUNTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate -- shall the Senate concur in House Bill -- in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2655. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 Present. Having received the required 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 131st Legislative Day 1/6/2025 constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 30 -- 2655, and the bill is declared passed. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands to adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on the 7th of January, 2025. The Senate stands adjourned. 72