Illinois Senate Floor Debate — January 29, 2025

Senate Journal of Tuesday, January 28th, 2025.

Senate Resolution 62, offered by Senator Porfirio. It is congratulatory.

Senate Bill 1360, offered by Senator Joyce, an Act concerning state government. Senate Bill 1361, offered by Senator Cunningham, an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 1362, offered by Senator Sally Turner, an Act concerning government. Senate Bill 1363, offered by Senator Sally Turner, an Act concerning government. Senate Bill 1364, offered by Senator Sally Turner, an Act concerning civil law. Senate Bill 1365, offered by Senator Sally Turner, an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 1366, offered by Senator Sally Turner, an Act concerning state government. Senate Bill 1367, offered by Senator Sally Turner, an Act concerning state government. Senate Bill 1368, offered by Senator Tracy, an Act concerning military service. Senate Bill 1369, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1370, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1371, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1372, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1373, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1374, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning public employee benefits. Senate Bill 1375, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1376, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning education. Senate 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 Bill 1377, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1378, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1379, offered by Senator Rose, an Act concerning state government. Senate Bill 1380, offered by Senator Curran, an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 1381, offered by Senator Curran, an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 1382, offered by Senator Feigenholtz, an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 1383, offered by Senator Feigenholtz, an Act concerning civil law. Senate Bill 1384, offered by Senator Feigenholtz, an Act concerning state government. Senate Bill 1385, offered by -- Senate Bill 1385, offered by Senator Feigenholtz, an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 1386, offered by Senator Wilcox, an Act concerning state government. Senate Bill 1387, offered by Senator Simmons, an Act concerning state government. Senate Bill 1388, offered by Senator Simmons, an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 1389, offered by Senator Simmons, an Act concerning aging. 1st Reading of the bills.

For, the, Introduction of a Resolution.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Very pleased to have a very special guest on the Floor with me this afternoon, this morning. My lovely bride, Diane, of 40 years, soon to be 41, joins me on the Floor today. She does make it down here once in a while when there are 3  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 special events taking place, which, will occur later on in our Sessions. So, I would ask all of you to join me in a warm Senate welcome for my lovely bride, Diane DeWitte.

Point of personal privilege.

Well, it's almost Groundhog Day, again. And that's not an indication of back in Session. But this weekend, the City of Woodstock will be celebrating Groundhog Day. It has been the Bill Murray movie that was directed by Harold Ramis and was filmed in the City of Woodstock in 1992, and ever since then, the community has reenacted the filming of the Groundhog. Special guest this year Stephen Tobolowsky or Needlenose Ned. Watch out for that first step, it's a doozy. We'll be back to help with the celebrity and the celebration. The live groundhog Woodstock Willie makes his prognostication at 7 a.m. on Sunday in the park on the town square. Visitors from across the country and around the world will be in attendance. Woodstock Willie is the prognosticator of all prognosticators. If you remember, last year he predicted an early spring, and up north we had 50 degrees and sun the very next day. Now the challenge when he predicts six more weeks of winter, he never tells us which six weeks. And if you remember, last year, the famous Chicago weatherman, Tom Skilling, had come out and Mother Nature, over the course of 3 or 4 weeks, gave him one hell 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 of a sendoff with some crazy weather all around the country. But if you'd like to come join us, we'll be celebrating Woodstock Willie in the movie Thursday through Sunday this year. So come on out to Woodstock. Thank you.

Senate Resolution 6, offered by Senator Ellman. Senator Ellman.

Thank you, Madam Chair. If this would be the appropriate time, I would ask that all Members be added as sponsors of this resolution.

Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen, each of us in this Chamber know our days in the Illinois General Assembly are finite. The day will come when we all will no longer sit in this esteemed Chamber, making decisions on behalf of our constituents. From time to time, we have to say goodbye to colleagues who are moving on. For me, this one's difficult. Today we bid farewell to one of the finest public servants I have ever known. Senator Dan McConchie is not just a colleague, he's been a mentor, and is and will remain a cherished friend. He is the embodiment of what a public servant should be. We come to this General Assembly for a number of reasons. For some, it's a political goal or simply the next step up a ladder of public service. But Senator McConchie never sought elected office. He never set his eyes on the Senate. He never had dreams of political power or spotlights. He worked in the not-for-profit sector for nearly 20, excuse me, nearly two decades. And it was the Senate that sought out Dan McConchie. While Dan took office in 2016, I first met him when I was appointed to the Senate in 2018. I did not take long to realize that Senator McConchie was a rare political talent, someone from whom I could 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 learn a great deal about statesmanship, bipartisanship, and how to get things done when working from a position within a super minority. We served together as budget negotiators, and we realized we shared similar legislative interests, always looking out for taxpayers, ways to reduce government intrusion into people's lives, and opportunities to promote job growth in our districts and across the State. When Senator McConchie was elevated to the position of Senate Republican Leader, I had the honor and the privilege of serving on his leadership team. And it was during this time I really came to appreciate his collaborative leadership style and the faith he placed in his team so we could all grow personally, politically, and professionally. I also got to know what a strategic thinker he was. Always looking at the big picture, always thinking, three moves ahead. We saw new levels of creativity and vision in the Senate Republican Caucus under his leadership. There was not another caucus under this dome, in my humble opinion, that does communications and community outreach better than Senate Republicans. And these enhanced processes were put in place under Senator McConchie's leadership. With regards to his legislative compliments -- accomplishments -- pardon me. His list is comprehensive and impressive. As a freshman legislator, he was part of the K-12 education Formula Working Group. He helped lead negotiations that resulted in hallmark bipartisan legislation that established a more equitable and fair funding formula for Illinois's public schools. He pushed successfully for the creation of the Investing Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program; an incredibly successful program that allowed thousands of children from low- income families leave their public schools that were failing them. And moved to a different educational setting that better suited 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 their needs, giving them all better educational opportunities for the future. He was instrumental in shining a light on ongoing issues regarding appointments and decisions by individuals serving on the Prisoner Review Board, by people who had not been properly vetted by this Body. And most recently, he addressed a few important issues that removed barriers for individuals with disabilities. EV charging stations being sized to accommodate disabled Illinoisans. Condominium Associations being required to provide accessible parking for disabled drivers. He also authored the legislation that helps Illinoisans minimize their interactions with State government eight-year driver's licenses, cutting in half the number of interactions people must have with the Secretary of State and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Senator, from the day you took your initial oath of office. You have made a difference. Your professionalism and expertise were apparent right from the start, and it didn't take long for everyone to see how much you brought to the table. I will always remember with respect your ability to make others feel valued. You didn't just focus on your own successes; you took the time to encourage those around you, Members and staff. You shared your knowledge to lift others up. That sense of camaraderie and the genuine care you showed made working with you something special. Your positive attitude and your commitment to excellence made a lasting impact, and it is something that I know we will all carry forward. I have no doubt you will continue to thrive in your new role as you turn your focus towards advocacy for expanded accessibility for disabled people across Illinois and our nation. I know it will be with the same passion, dedication, and integrity that you've shown right here in the Illinois Senate. My best wishes to you, your lovely wife, 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 Milena, who I hope is watching this morning. And I thank you for being the truest of friends and most trusted of colleagues. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to speak to the resolution, please.

I rise in support of the resolution. I echo the comments made by my colleague, Senator DeWitte. Senator McConchie has been the ultimate professional in all that he has done in his public service, in his private life and all of his endeavors, his work, career, endeavors. He has the warmest smile. He has such a love 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 for family that shines through all that he does is his picture is peppered with pictures of his sweet daughters and wife, and his commitment to family is one of his strengths and showing others how to lead. It's been a joy to serve beside him. I've known -- grown to know so much about disabilities and the challenges that those Americans and anyone with a disability faces. And I know he will use all the skills that he has honed and the challenges he himself has endeavored to use those to serve others in his new policy role in a new, not-for-profit -- not-for-profit corporation. And we'll miss him terribly on this side of the aisle. We're office mates, and it was a great privilege to be able to talk about policy and bills with him, and he will be very missed by all of us. And thank you for your service to the State of Illinois and the future of what you do. Thank you.

To two points, and first being a point of parliamentary privilege, I believe Senator DeWitte motion to add all Members. Could -- could the Chair explain what that procedure is to be to make sure that occurs for Senator McConchie before the resolution is over?

You will get back to it. Thank you. To the resolution, if I may. Senator McConchie came here, and -- and he's got kind of that steely, cold stare sometimes you're like, who is this dude? And we then go to committee I think it was education committee he starts 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 asking some really good questions, and it was pretty quick I realized this guy's pretty darn smart. Whip smart, in fact. He's also one the coolest cucumbers under pressure I've ever seen. Perhaps too cool for an Irishman, but, nonetheless, I had an enormous amount of respect for his intellect, his ability to present an argument, make points without being offensive or angry or yelling, some of the things that I should probably learn to do. Then came the education funding, and it was mentioned a couple times now, but I don't know how many people really realize, Senator McConchie, Senator Rezin, Jason Barickman who is -- who is now left the Senate. Really work with your side of the aisle on the education funding reform over years. I mean, that did not happen overnight. It was over years. Ultimately, when -- when the -- when the time came to make the final deal, these guys had to go tell Rauner this was the deal. Now you guys have arguments over there imagine them having to go tell Rauner that, right? So, they said this is the this is the bill we've agreed to this is the handshake we have with our Democratic colleagues, and this is the bill that's going to go to you, Governor Rauner. And, you know, it did the education funding reforms continues to serve our kids today. It had invested in kids in it, which does not, unfortunately. But at the end of the day, he's made an amazing impact, on the State of Illinois in a short amount of time. That's all well and good, but the next part is the McConchie I want to tell you about. Dan who's got a daughter that went to Purdue, would regularly stop by the University of Illinois on his way to Springfield and visit with the kids the wheelchair bound athletes at the U of I. He would make time out of his day to stop and talk to students, disabled students at the University of Illinois at Urbana on his way down. 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 Multiple times, he'd call me up and say, hey, what are you doing tomorrow? I'd say nothing. He's like, come meet me at skeleton. What's skeleton? That's the area and University has an amazing tradition in history. It was really in the entire United States of America in the 50s and 60s became the first inclusive campus for wheelchair disabled individuals. And it developed a reputation over time. And invented many, many, many pieces of adaptive equipment, including refining wheelchairs and making them better, making them easier to use, making them more adaptive for the people who are using them. A year or so ago, he had us down and we all went, and we took -- took a tour of their wheelchair lab. It's amazingly cool stuff they're doing there. And, as an aside, some of you know, my wife works at Development Disabled. So, you know, I pay a lot of attention to this because, these people are wonderful people, and we need to do better for them. But what's amazing about Dan is he always would stop if he had time and say hi to the students and let them know, hey, whatever you're doing, whatever, wherever you came from, you could be a State Senator, you could be a caucus leader, you could be whatever you want to be in the United States of America. Even this past fall, in October, Dan organized for Senator Faraci and I to come down and visit the University of Illinois Olympians, Olympians. And there's almost a dozen of them, just under just under a dozen of them from University of Illinois wheelchair basketball, track, the whole nine yards. And we went out and they and Dan did a resolution for them celebrating their Olympics, commemorating we got to hold gold medals. I mean, that was pretty cool. I'll never forget the one gals put a what -- what is that thing you track my iPhone? She put a tracker on her old gold medal in case she loses it. I thought, 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 oh my God, is she going to lose a gold medal? But, at the end of the day, Dan, you've had an enormous influence on this State. But honestly, given your passion, I'm more excited about your next chapter. You're going to have an enormous influence on everybody that that needs adaptive equipment, that needs adaptive support. What you're going to do next is going to be an even greater chapter. I know. And to that end, I know you're a, a man of God. And I would just want to read Joshua one nine to you. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. And with that, Godspeed, my friend.

Thank you, Madam President. To the resolution.

Senator McConchie, you know, has overcome some of life's most arduous challenges to serve the people of Illinois. Dan has been a staunch advocate for people with disabilities, veterans, and improving our education system. He's been a part of passing some major legislation in this Chamber, including, as Senator Rose highlighted, part of our negotiating team on the bipartisan school funding formula reform, which still, is something that we every year in the budget talk about and make sure that we're meeting those goals. His accomplishments in the Senate are going to live on. I have no doubt you're going to find new ways to use your skills and ability to advocate for your beliefs and those you want 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 to lift -- lift up and serve. So, Dan, I want to wish you and your family Godspeed and your retirement. And I certainly want to wish you best of luck in your next chapter of advocacy. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you to all of my colleagues who didn't need to stay today, but did, to do this resolution. It really means a lot. I want to thank the staff Members who are behind me, some from my district office. One in particular, who's been with me since the very beginning, Deb Ackerson. One of the very first things I did, after getting into office, is I needed to have somebody who could help me answer the phone. And I learned about this young lady, Deb, and -- and we had met sometimes before, and we ended up, I think, really starting my office at the table, dining room table. And you've stayed the whole time, and, I couldn't have done this job without you. Thank you. As was mentioned during the resolution, Thank you, Senator DeWitte, for -- for your comments. I never did expect to run for public office. I would jokingly say, and I've said this publicly before, that when people came and asked me to run for office, I would say I really like being married. No thank you. And -- and when they would keep asking. At one point they wore me down and I said, well, maybe she won't notice, but I want to thank my wife because this was not something she wanted me to really do either. She is not somebody who welcomes the spotlight. And as all of you know, that who -- 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 who here who have had to run for contested office, the spotlight is inevitable, and your family is a part of that spotlight. Your children are a part of that spotlight. And my wife, was willing to step up and help me to get into the position so that I could represent the people of the 26th District. In -- in my time in the Senate has really been wonderful. I've had so many fantastic relationships, been able to pass some cool legislation, and that -- that has really been just an experience that -- that so few people are able to have is to be able to do -- to have the opportunity that we have all done. Sometimes and I've had people ask me since this announcement has become public, like, why? Why would you leave? Why is it that you're going on to do something else? And I have a couple of responses to that. One is that I believe that there is a season in our lives for everything, and sometimes to know when it is -- is necessary, or the time to take the next step to do a different season is to pay attention to the doors that are beginning to open in front of you, and also paying attention to that little push on your tush to -- to -- to kind of move you in that direction. And that has become clear over the past year, as I have been considering how best to make a difference now in my life. In the last year or two, I -- I really decided I was going to going to begin championing legislation having to do with people with disabilities. Obviously, having a disability myself, I run into obstacles every day that many people don't recognize exists because of, you know, when you're able bodied, you just doesn't come to mind. And so, I began to -- to try to take up some of these challenges. And what I realized is that there is some good work being done at the federal level, trying to help update the Americans with Disabilities Act to keep up with new 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 technologies and things of that sort. But it's a very slow, arduous process, and anything done at the federal level is somewhat limited in its impact because it requires enforcement by the federal government. You have to wait for the Department of Justice. You have to wait for the Federal Transit Transportation Administration to come in and do enforcement of federal law, because states and localities don't enforce federal law. And that -- there is a lot of good ideas out there, but there's nobody cataloging what those are and helping promote those to other states where those problems exist. But people haven't realized how to solve them yet. And so, I decided to take the lessons from my history and my background in the nonprofit movement and apply it to this area, because 24 percent -- according to the CDC, 24 percent of people in America have a disability of some sort. I had a member come up to me today and talk about her husband having a disability, and I didn't even realize, but there are many people in our lives who have them, and it's a significant population. And so many people who have a disability do not have access to housing, or do not have access to transportation or don't have access to employment, and you have to have access to all three to be able to really be able to live your life on the same level as able-bodied people are able to. And so, my goal is to work across the country to help ensure that any disabled person who wants to have a house on their own have transportation, have employment, has that opportunity. And, so that they can step up, and become a tax payer, and have that fulfillment that comes from being able to run your own life as you will. I will, I want to thank each and every one of you for your friendship, your commitment to the State of Illinois. It has been an honor to work with you, to work occasionally against you. But 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 all we all know we all have that purpose of wanting to help make the State of Illinois a better place. My life is forever changed because of you. I hope I had a little bit of impact in your lives. Thank you.

No objections filed, Madam President.

Senate Bill 1390, offered by Senator Koehler, an Act concerning public aid. Senate Bill 1391, offered by Senator Lightford, an Act concerning public aid. Senate Bill 1392, offered by Senator Cervantes, an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 1393, offered by Senator Cervantes, an Act concerning public aid. Senate Bill 1394, offered by Senator Koehler, an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 1395, offered by Senator Johnson, an Act concerning incarcerated individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Senate Bill 1396, offered by Senator Johnson, an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 1397, offered by Senator Johnson, an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 1398, offered by Senator Johnson, an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 1399, offered by Senator Johnson, an Act concerning local government. 1st Reading of the bills.

21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 8th Legislative Day 1/29/2025 Senate Joint Resolution 14, offered by Senator Edly-Allen.

Senate Joint Resolution 14, Resolved by the Senate of the 104th General Assembly. The State of Illinois. The House of Representatives concurring herein that when the two Houses adjourn, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, or until the call of the President and the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, or until the call of the Speaker.