PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The regular Session of the 104th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the gallery please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Curt Fleck from the Civil Servant Ministries of Springfield, Illinois. Pastor.
PASTOR CURT FLECK: (Invocation)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Johnson, please lead us in the Pledge.
SENATOR JOHNSON: (Pledge of Allegiance)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) We have WAND seeks leave to photograph or videotape the proceedings. Is there any objection? Seeing none, leave is granted. Capitol news also photograph video proceedings. Any objections? Seeing none, object -- leave is granted. Mike Mollsen from Lee Enterprises also seeking leave to photograph or videotape the proceedings. Seeing no objections, leave is granted. Jade Albury, Capitol News Illinois seeks leave to photograph or videotape the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Cesar from WGLT is seeking leave to photograph videotape proceedings. Seeing no objections, leave is granted. Lisa Chess-Yuscius, Blueroomstream, seeking leave to photograph or stream videotape proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. And Andrew Campbell from the Capitol News Illinois seeks leave to photograph videotape proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading of {sic} (and) Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Thursday, April 3rd, 2025. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Thank you, Madam President. Good to see you in the Chair. 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 MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending approval of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, any resolutions?
Senate Resolution 211, offered by Senator Villivalam. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
I have a Committee Report Correction. On April 3rd, 2025, the Senate Committee on Executive reported Senate Bill 1827 to the Senate with the recommendation of Do Pass. However, Senate Bill 1827 should have been reported to the Senate with a recommendation of Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Turner, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, reports Senate Resolution 124 and Senate Joint Resolution 24 Be Adopted. Senator Ventura, Chair of the Committee on Human Rights, reports Senate Resolution 118 Be Adopted. Senator Murphy, Chair of the Committee on Executive Appointments, reports Appointment Message 1030480, 481, 482, 484, 485, 486, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 514, 515, 516, 518, 520, 521, 522, 523, 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 564, 565, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577 and 579 Do Recommend Consent. Senator Preston, Chair, of the Committee on Consumer Protection, reports Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1288 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Stadelman, Chair of the Committee on Energy and Public Utilities, reports Senate Bill 2310 Do Pass; Senate Bill 2258 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1380 and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2424 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Mr. Secretary, Introduction and Reading of Senate Bills for the first time.
Senate Bill 2643, offered by Senator Villivalam, an Act concerning appropriations. 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be calling 2nd and 3rd. We ask everyone to please come to the Floor. Ladies and Gentlemen, we will move to Senate Bills on 3rd Reading, page 46. Senate Bill 2494, Senator Glowiak Hilton, do you wish to proceed? Senator Glowiak -- Glowiak Hilton seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2494 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2494. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Glowiak Hilton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Senator Glowiak Hilton.
I'd like to adopt the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? 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 MURPHY) 3rd Reading. And on that same page we will move to Senate Bill 2503. Senator Glowiak Hilton, do you wish to proceed? Senator indicates she does. Senator Glowiak Hilton seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 2503 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 2503. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Glowiak Hilton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Yes, Madam President, I would like to adopt the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be moving 2nd to 3rd Reading. We will start on page 2. The Calendar is the Order of 2nd -- bill -- bills to 2nd Reading. Senate Bill 8. Senator Ellman, do you wish to proceed? Senator indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 8, an Act concerning firearms. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 19, President Harmon. Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 19, an Act concerning criminal law. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments?
The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments for consideration?
5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 25, Senator Hastings. Senate Bill 267, Senator Curran. Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 267, an Act concerning criminal law. 2nd Reading of the Bill. No committee or Floor Amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1180, Senator Cunningham. Gentlemen indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1180, an Act concerning gaming. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1195, Senator Edly-Allen. The gentlelady {sic} (lady) indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1195, an Act concerning government. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1256, Senator McClure. Senator 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1256, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Senate -- Committee on Transportation adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1380, Senator Curran. Wishes -- the Gentleman wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, could you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1380, an Act concerning local government. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Energy and Public Utilities adopted Amendment -- Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Curran.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Is there any discussion? Senator Curran.
Madam President, seek to adopt the amendment and discuss it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 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 MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1507, Senator Feigenholtz. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1507, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Are there -- have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. 1773, Senator Morrison. Senate Bill 1793, Senator Ellman. Senator Ellman, on 1793. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1793, an Act concerning health. 2nd Reading of 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendments 1 and 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1797, Senator Walker. Senate Bill 1827, Senator Porfirio. Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1827, an Act concerning local government. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1899, Senator Sims. Senator Sims, on Senate Bill 1899. The Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1899, an Act concerning safety. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1943, Senator Loughran Cappel. Senate Bill 8 -- 1953, Senator Doris Turner. Lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1953, an Act concerning local government. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1954, Senator Doris Turner. The Senator wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1954, an Act concerning recall of countywide elected officials. 2nd Reading of the bill. Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1988, Senator Koehler. Senator 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Koehler. Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1988, an Act concerning education. 2nd Reading of the Bill. No committee or Floor Amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2012, Senator Stadelman. Senate Bill 2044, Senator Balkema. Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 2044, an Act concerning local government. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2154, Senator Castro. 2154.
Senate Bill 2154, an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Licensed Activities adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Castro. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Castro.
I ask for its adoption. I'll explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 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 MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2285, Senator Simmons. Senate Bill 2466, Senator Koehler. Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 2466, an Act concerning conservation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 2475, Senator Hunter. Senator -- Senate Bill 40. We will -- we will now be moving to Senate Bills 3rd Reading, final action. We will be going through the regular Calendar picking up bills ready for final action. We will also be adopting Floor amendments on bills that are ready, as we did yesterday. We will adopt those amendments and return the bill back 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 to 3rd Reading for action on a different day. Senator Villa, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your announcement.
Thank you. I'd like to welcome a very special guest. Come on over, Cora. This is Cora. Her grandmother is Rosa, the legislative assistant for Senator Guzmán. She's here visiting today. She is a third-grade student at Dubois Elementary. She loves art and is very good at math. Something I'm not good at. And she is three minutes younger than the next guest that will be introduced, in just a second. So, can we give a warm Springfield welcome to Cora.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Welcome to Springfield, Senator Guzmán. What purpose do you seek recognition? SENATOR GUZMÁN: Hi, there. I rise to the point of personal privilege to introduce my guest.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your introduction. SENATOR GUZMÁN: Hello, everyone. So, despite what Senator Villa just said, I believe I may have a cool twin as well. Roman is a third grader, as you just heard. But he wanted me to remind you that he is 9, almost 10, and that almost really matters. He loves spicy food, and he loves to challenge people, which is really good because he's a really fast runner. So, he would like to challenge anyone 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 in this Chamber to a sprint post the Session today. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President, for an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your announcement.
Everybody knows how much I love birthdays. I do mine the whole month. So, I want to celebrate my colleague's birthday today, Senator Rachel Ventura.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Happy Birthday, Senator. Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of something.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your point.
I believe the young man's name was Roman. Roman did not get on the TV screen. And so, if we could ask for the parliamentarian to please direct the screen to Roman so he can actually be on TV. We totally missed him in the introduction, we're clapping for someone no one could see and we need the friends back home to see Roman. If we could get Roman on TV, that would be fantastic. Come on Roman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you, Senator. Senator Villa, for what purpose do you 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 seek recognition?
An announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your announcement.
I'd like to also introduce another guest. She is here -- Page for a Day with our amazing Sergeant-At-Arms, her name is Wilhelmina Jacobs. She's in sixth grade here in Springfield and she loves art and science and she is the granddaughter to the great Lisa. So, can we give her a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Welcome to Springfield. We will now start on 3rd Reading. Senator Preston, Senate Bill 40. Do you wish to proceed, Senator Preston? Indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 40, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Preston.
Thank you, Madam President. I rise today in support of Senate Bill 40, a bill that means a great deal to me. Not just as a Senator, but as a father and someone who, in my life, struggled with a stutter. My son did not speak until he was almost 6 years old. I developed a stutter at the age of roughly 11, 12 years old, and had no access to speech therapy. I practice in the mirror alone every day trying to overcome this speech impediment, and I don't 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 want another child in Illinois to ever go through this. Senate Bill 40 expands access to speech therapy for children who stutter. It requires private and Medicaid to cover both rehabilitative and habilitative services, removing unnecessary barriers to keep kids from getting the help that they need. This bill is about making sure children have a chance to find their voice and not being left behind because of red tape or limits on coverage. I'm proud to carry this bill, and I respectfully ask for this Body to support this measure. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 40 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 51 voting Yes, 0 No, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 40, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 73, Senator Fine. Lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 73, an Act concerning health. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
Thank you, Madam President. When feeding your baby, you want to be sure your child is receiving the healthiest nutrition possible. However, parents may not realize that in some cases, the baby food they are feeding their child contains dangerous levels 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 of heavy metals. Consumer advocacy groups and a congressional subcommittee have found alarming levels of heavy metals in some commercial products, they could be a result of past agricultural practices, like the use of some pesticides with heavy metals to toxic elements, from containers to utensils that come into contact with the foods. A congressional investigation tested some products and found samples contained up to 177 times lead and 91 times the arsenic levels, and 69 times the cadmium levels allowed in bottled water. These metals have been linked to cancer, chronic disease, and nerve toxic -- neurotoxic effect. Not only that, but damage to a child's growing brain. Experts say manufacturers can reduce metals by carefully selecting suppliers who use safer techniques. Some companies are already doing this. This bill protects babies from exposure to possible harmful toxins that may be found in baby food. It requires manufacturers to test the baby food and to disclose the information to consumers. They must test for lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium once a month. This information about the levels of toxins must be available on their websites. Also on the product, there needs to be a QR code to link consumers to the site to find test results and the impact that that toxic may have on children. I ask for your support on this legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing… Oh, Senator Guzmán. SENATOR GUZMÁN: Yes. Hello. I just meant to inquire and ask I meant -- I had the intention to vote Yes on Senate Bill 40 and was requesting to add that to the record.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. The record will reflect. Any discussion on Senate 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Bill 73? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 73 pass? All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, No -- 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 Aye, 0 Nays, and 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 73, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 103, Senator Feigenholtz. The lady wishes she -- indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 103, an Act concerning civil law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine. Senator Feigenholtz.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 103 is actually an initiative of the Chicago Bar Association, and it seeks to add clarification to language with other Illinois family laws and add additional provisions on youth in care to the Standing and Petition provisions of the Adoption Act. At the request of Senator Tracy, we amended this bill to clarify who has determined that a parent is not a child's parent, in this case, a court of competent jurisdiction. I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 103 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 52 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 103, having received the constitutional majority, is declared 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 passed. Senate Bill 106, Senator Cervantes. Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 106, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Cervantes.
Is it working? Okay, there you go. Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 106 allows the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to partner with outside entities for up to two years to score and evaluate grant agreement and legislatively allows for the issuance of grants to local government agencies, nonprofits, and community-based organizations for criminal justice and public safety programs. Senate Bill also grants ICEJA rulemaking authority would also like to add that in no way does it authorize a ICEJA to enter into contracts with administration or compliance of monitoring of grants and only pertains to the evaluation of grant applications. I've had no opposition to this bill, and I ask for a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President, for the purpose of making some points to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Proceed.
19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Thank you. In regard to this bill, even though I think it's being presented as a Bill that would give money to law enforcement. It does -- it is actually an expansion. So, there are a couple of things that I think that the bill also does. Obviously, as the Senator pointed out, it does open up some scoring for outside entities, but it also permits grants for civil legal aid for citizens and non-citizens. And then, I'm concerned that it doesn't have enough safeguards and that it's ripe for fraud. For that reason, I would urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Any further discussion, Senator Tracy? What purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam Chair or Madam President, I have questions of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The Sponsor indicates he will yield.
Senator Cervantes, in the past, I had seen where ICEJA had advertised for lay volunteers to help evaluate the grants, and I see language that makes me think this might -- your bill might be allowing that as well is -- do you know if that's the case?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Cervantes.
Yes. They are able to still continue with the volunteers, but there's such a big backlog that they do need assistance with scoring these grants. So that's all it does. It just allows them to be able to get, help to grant -- to get the scoring through. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 And that's all it's for. It's just to help them with all of the applications and to help with the scoring.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
That gives me pause in -- in that likewise, that could lead to fraud if these volunteers aren't properly vetted. So, do we know what the vetting process for these volunteers and do they have to have no interest in the grants that are being awarded?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Cervantes.
So, we could get back to you on that. I don't know the exact process of ICEJA does. The only thing I could just speak about is what the bill exactly does is just to -- to help out with the backlog of scoring, but we could get that information to you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
Thank you, Senator, and I would like to speak to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) To the bill.
I certainly respect Senator Cervantes and carrying this Bill, but I think we need to do a deeper dive and be aware of the possibilities of fraud in these grants. This is just absurd that we would allow an advertisement to the public to just randomly evaluate grants, State money, federal money, going to different entities that need broader transparency and need someone who has 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 the expertise to know what they're doing. We're facing a State tight budget, we've been told, and these grants are precious and need to be used appropriately. So, for that reason, I cannot support an agency's wish to have grants reviewed by lay volunteers when we need to make sure that every penny in this State is going to the appropriate place for the appropriate purpose and being used well. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Question for the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield, proceed.
Thank you, Senator. You mentioned when you were presenting this bill that this bill provides a rulemaking authority to ICEJA. Did they have rulemaking authority in the past?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Cervantes.
So this keeps consistent with DCEO process. So, my understanding, yeah, so my understanding that we've also allowed it before as well. So, it's basically in line with what DCEO is doing right now.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Rezin.
Thank you. So, is it your testimony that you're in line with 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 -- with the other Department because they have rulemaking authority, or my question is, does this bill specifically give ICEJA rulemaking authority regarding the grant process?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Cervantes.
Yes, it does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Rezin.
Yeah. I'm sorry. Just to confirm one time you're saying that you had that ICEJA had rulemaking authority prior to this bill? Or is or does this bill allow ICEJA to have new rulemaking authority regarding this topic of grants?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Cervantes.
Understanding is that it does give a rule given authority, and it's aligned with what DCEO has done before.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Rezin.
Last question. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. -- thank you. Does -- so in this bill, you -- you would like to give ICEJA the responsibility for -- to provide grants for legal services. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Cervantes.
23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 This is something that they already do. The only thing that this bill is doing is just allowing them to grab folks -- another agency to assist them with the ruling. I mean, I'm sorry, the scoring of the -- of the grants. That's all it's doing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Rezin.
Thank you. I have one more question. Does this bill add the civil legal authority to the definition of what grants are covering?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Cervantes.
Yeah, that's beyond the scope of what this bill is doing. So, it's very straightforward in this bill. All this bill is doing is just allowing folks to be able to help with the scoring of -- of the grants. That's -- that's all that it's doing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Rezin.
Okay. Thank you. To the bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Proceed.
And I appreciate the sponsor and what you're trying to do here. As you've heard, we do have reservations about giving ICEJA more authority, the rulemaking authority. We do feel by looking at the language, the new language in this bill, that you are adding the ability to provide grants for civil legal authority. And so, 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 we have many concerns with this, especially since back in 2017, this same Department had challenges for in auditing issues and federal investigation with this particular Department. So, because of those concerns, we'll be a No. So, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Cervantes, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to also add that they are under the limits of JCAR too. So, there are -- there is some oversight as well. But again, this is a good bill and I'm hoping for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The question is, shall Senate Bill 106 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, 19 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 106, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We will now advance to page 6, Senate Bill 246, Senator Johnson. Lady indicates she is ready to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 246, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Johnson.
Thank you, Madam President. Directors of nonprofit organizations have a fiduciary responsibility to protect his assets and ensure that assets are used to further his mission. A 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 prudent way to do this is by investing a portion of the nonprofit's cash and investment vehicles, like a nonprofit investment pool. Senate Bill 246 amends the State Treasurer -- Treasurer Act to allow the State Treasurer's Office to establish a nonprofit investment pool, an electronic payment processing program, options for 501(c) organizations. Senate Bill 246 clarifies that nonprofit organizations registered as a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(5) may participate in the investment pool and electronic payment processing program. Senate Bill 246 would also require nonprofit organizations to provide the Treasurer's Office with a copy of their most recent audited financial statements or charitable organizations annual reports filed with the Illinois Attorney General's Office. So, this -- the Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 246, excludes 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) organizations from the nonprofit investment pool. There is no opposition, on this bill, and I am happy to answer any questions but I request an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. Senator McClure, for what purpose do you rise?
Questions for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The Sponsor indicates she’ll yield.
Thank you, Madam President. So, can the Treasurer exclude certain non-profits from being allowed to invest in this pool? Because the language on the bill says that the Treasurer may receive funds, may invest, et cetera.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Senator Johnson.
Thank you for the question, Senator. No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator McClure.
So, is that somewhere in the legislation that I'm missing?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Johnson.
I'm not sure if you are missing that, I don't know. So, the question is, can the Treasurer exclude any organization from participating in this nonprofit investment pool? And -- and the answer is -- is no. I mean, if the nonprofit organization follows the requirements of the investment pool, then they will not be excluded from participating.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator McClure.
But I think that's a part of the rule process that the Treasurer's Office would have to implement to figure out -- that out. So -- but I'll leave that alone for the moment. I do appreciate the amendments that you filed to try to make sure that some nonprofits can't participate, but I have a concern with the fact that this still leaves other political leaning nonprofits and gives them the ability to participate in this. Is there any -- any way that you'd be willing to ensure that this is all free from politics, as far as these nonprofits are concerned?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Senator Johnson.
Thank you for the question, Senator. I like to think that nonprofit organizations that have specific missions, you know, I started off by talking about the fiduciary responsibilities investments. They also have a responsibility to stay true to their mission. And from what I'm understanding, you're saying if these nonprofit organizations have a political PAC, I like to think they're going to keep it separate because they're going to stay laser focused on their missions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator McClure.
To the bill. Thank you, Senator, for answering my questions. So, this bill was passed in a bipartisan basis last year, and after that, there were several House amendments added to it to exclude particular groups from participating in this program and those groups happen to be conservative leaning programs and groups. And so our concern, my concern with this legislation, is not the current Treasurer, I think he's an honorable person; not the sponsor in the Senate, she's an honorable person as well. The issue here is that this will be the law. And my concern is that you're going to see groups be excluded because of politics. You may see non-for-profit, not-for-profits invest in this fund to get their money in the pool to try to curry favor with a future Treasurer. Those are real concerns. The intent of the bill is noble, and we certainly want to help, not-for-profits that are helping the homeless, et certra, raise more money. But when you've got these political actions in the House and then what we've seen in the 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 past from this State politically, for that reason, I urge a No vote on this legislation. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
Thank you, Madam President. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield, proceed.
Thank you. Senator Johnson, my comments are very similar to Senator McClure's in terms of your representation of the bill. My question would be what programs right now, if you're aware what programs right now, is the Treasurer's Office operating to manage investment pools for other types of groups?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Johnson.
Thank you, Senator, for the question. So, you said, what programs are the Treasurer running or operating for similar investment pools? Because, you know, we have the Illinois fund. So -- and that's for municipalities.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
Right. I -- I guess my question could have been asked better. What sort of investment pools does Treasurer's Office manage now for other private entities? You know, not the nonprofits that are, you know, referenced in this legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Senator Johnson.
Thank you, Senator. I can just speak to the Illinois Fund, and I would imagine we would have to have the Treasurer answer your specific question. The Illinois Fund, which, again, is open to municipalities and local units of government and with the nonprofit investment pool, this would be similar to that but for nonprofit organizations.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
So, I believe this -- this legislation or very similar legislation came to a different committee last year, and there were some concerns expressed naturally, public entities are going to be operating closely with the Treasurer's Office. I fully understand and appreciate that. But now we're opening a door here for the State Treasurer's Office to manage money for private entities. And I just think that's inappropriate for -- for the Treasurer's Office. I also would just point out that all of these not-for-profit private entities operate in all of our communities where there's local companies, there's Edward Jones Offices, there's all these different offices out there that can easily take on this responsibility. I don't know why we would create a program for the Treasurer's Office to compete with the private sector in managing the investment pools for private entities, and so I just don't know why we're expanding government in this manner. I don't think it's an appropriate use of the Treasurer's Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Johnson. 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025
Okay. So just to answer your question, so we have Secure Choice that was -- this Treasurer's run by the Treasurer's Department. But one thing that I would like to say, and I neglected to mention this in my opening remarks about the bill. A Constituent in the district, my district, the Vernon Township, is a nonprofit organization that runs a food pantry, they are the ones who initiated this the nonprofit investment pool. In Pennsylvania there is a similar program that is running exceptionally well and it's helping these nonprofit organizations that you mentioned, Senator, that's in all of our districts, that's doing great work for the residents in our district, food pantries, homeless shelters, you know, better safety -- safety net programs, various programs in our communities. And so, this gives them a way to maximize the returns on their investments so that they can carry out their mission.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
Thank you. Thank you. And I fully appreciate that and I think you and I are 100 percent aligned in our -- our passion for these organizations and their ability to get a return on their dollar and further their -- their good work in all of our communities. I just raised the issue, one -- to -- to the bill, Madam President, I'm sorry. I just raised the issue you know, one last time, we all talk about, you know, what can we do to empower small businesses? What can we do to create jobs? What can we do to keep local communities vibrant and active? And the Treasurer's Office has certain responsibilities related to public entities. He has 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 certain responsibilities on the college savings plans and all kinds of things that we see that make sense, that we've approved. And I just see this as a very large expansion of the Treasurer's Office, large expansion of government. We all want our local not-for- profits to be successful. We all want them to have investment pools. We all want that money to be invested appropriately, so that those organizations can continue to have a wonderful impact in our communities. I don't know why we want that money at the Treasurer's Office. I don't know why we think that that's a good idea. I don't know what the Treasurer's Office has done to show that they're better than the professionals that live and work in all of our communities, managing monies for private entities. I think these not-for-profits need to do this, but I think they need to work with the professionals in their communities to make sure that they're doing this. It helps our local economies. It helps to make sure we maintain local jobs. We don't need to be sending their money to the Treasurer's Office in Springfield. So, while I appreciate the Senators sponsoring this, and I think in concept, what we're trying to get is good for the communities and for the organizations. There's a better way to do it. And I think the better way to do it is by using the local resources that already exist in all of our communities. So, I urge a No vote on this. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Johnson, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. I'll start off by saying that the amendment that I talked about today will not be added to the House bill. And I do thank my colleagues on the other side of the 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 aisle for expressing your concerns. But I can assure you that if these nonprofit organizations had the ability to go to the private sector to do what we're describing that's -- they would have been doing that already. When the Vernon Township approached me, it was because they didn't have enough cash on hand for those private concerns that you were talking about the banks in the community. And this, in no way, will take away from that. These nonprofit organizations will maintain their relationships with the banks. They will continue to have savings and checking accounts and continue to -- to -- to take out loans and do other things in our respective communities. And so, I really hope that we consider that when you're making the vote. I want to thank the Treasurer and his team for working with us to -- to craft this important legislation. And I want to thank Woodstock Institute and Forefront for their efforts as well in helping us with this legislation. I want to thank the Vernon Township for initiating this, this is important. It's going to help hundreds of nonprofits in the State of Illinois. And I want to thank our amazing staffers. I want to thank Grant and McKenzie and all involved in this, helping us get this important Bill passed for nonprofit organizations that are providing these meaningful services in all of our districts throughout Illinois. And for that, I ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The question is, shall Senate Bill 246 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 33 Ayes, 17 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 246, having received the constitutional 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 majority, is declared passed. We will now proceed to page 40 in your Calendar. We have Senate Bill 1392, Senator Cervantes. Senator indicates he is ready to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1392, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Cervantes.
Thank you, Madam President. The Senate Bill 1392 provides that no provision to Illinois Insurance Code or any other law prohibits assignability rights to an insured under a policy of dental insurance. In addition, to currently provided accident and health insurance. In addition, it enrolls or an uninsured assigned claim to dental provider or facility. The insurer is required to make payments directly to the design provider or facility. Basically, this bill just says that the -- the insurer has to provide the payment directly, to the dentist because unfortunately, sometimes they were sending it to the patient. And things were getting lost. Folks were not -- not making their payments. So, now it goes directly to the dentist. There's no opposition to the bill, so I ask for a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1392 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. There are 50 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1392, having received the 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 constitutional -- required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We will now -- we're on page 41. Senator Sims, Senate Bill 1537. Senator, do you wish to proceed? Senator seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1537 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1537. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Sims.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Sims.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and debate the bill on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. 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 MURPHY) 3rd Reading. We're on Senate Bill 1607, Senator Koehler. Senator, do you wish to proceed? The Senator indicates that he seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1607 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1607. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration.
35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Koehler.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. I wish to adopt the amendment and will discuss it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. 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 MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senator Simmons, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
President, I would like the record to indicate that I intended to vote Aye on Senate Bill 1392.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. The record will reflect it. We moved to Senate Bill 1616, Senator Villivalam. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1616, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Madam President, and Members of -- of the Chamber. 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Senate Bill 1616 would require the Illinois State Board of Education to include on its website and distribute to all schools a list of days during the school year that a portion of the student body may be absent due to culture or religious reasons. I know of no opposition and would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1616 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 51 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1616, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We are now on the bottom of page 42, Senate Bill 1884, Senator Stadelman. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1884, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Stadelman.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. The intent behind Senate Bill 1884 is to help the State fill job openings, which have been difficult in some areas for a couple of years now. I think there are a number of jobs in State government that do not necessarily need college degrees. So, the bill before you, basically says that CMS, other State agencies may and I emphasize, may consider relevant work experience if the Department determines that that's equivalent to a college degree when appropriate. Again, the goal here is to increase the applicant pool for the number of 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 people that would apply for State jobs, or a college degree may not be required. Happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1884 pass? All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all those who voted who wish? Have all those voted who wish? Have all those voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1884, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We'll now move to Senate Bill 1932, Senator Glowiak Hilton. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1932, an Act concerning business. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 1932 prohibits the sale of essential goods and services at unconscionably high prices that would be within 45 days after the President of the United States or the Governor declares a disaster. There is a rebuttable presumption that a price increase of 20 percent would consist of an unconscionably high price. If the price increase is actually not attributable to additional costs that were due to supply chain issues. The action is not for private litigation. It is only through the AG's Office that this could be -- this bill could go through and I'm happy to take any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Senator McClure.
Questions for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Please proceed.
Thank you. Senator, how is disaster defined in the legislation?
Disaster is not specifically defined in the legislation. The bill is not necessarily limited to only natural disasters, but the listing of the specific items that are especially pertinent to natural disasters are actually written out in the bill. The AG's Office has the power to then prosecute for price gouging, but this clarifies and gives the AG's specificity on the particular items, and it gives a clarifying threshold at 20 percent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator McClure.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you. I have questions of the sponsor, please. Senator Glowiak Hilton, does your bill have limitation of 45 days from the date that the disaster would be declared to the date when the price gouging opportunity would end?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton. 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025
Yes. The bill is very clear that it -- it goes to 45 days from the time that the disaster is declared, through that 45 days that the AG's Office could look at going after the person who's doing the price gouging.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
And you drafted this bill and amended it with the Attorney General's Office. And it's only the Attorney General that has the opportunity to go after the person that might be price gouging or the business that might be price gouging.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
That is correct. It is only the AG's Office that could prosecute someone who is doing the price gouging.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
There is no right of private action to any citizen of the State, correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
That is correct.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Thank you. That concludes my questions. And thank you for the amendment. I think it made a much better bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
Thank you. I have questions of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The sponsor will yield.
Thank you for -- for this legislation. Just curious on a couple of things. There were some exclusions to certain types of products in the legislation. Can -- can you remind me what those exclusions were?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
I don't recall being -- anything being excluded. It's just things that are delineated so that it's more clear what items could be actionable by the AG's Office.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
Well, I -- I believe petroleum products were excluded. And maybe others. That's -- that's why I'm curious if there's a more precise list.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Petroleum products had already been in the statute about 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 price gouging that did exist already and they are excluded in this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
I think this legislation could possibly be an example of good intentions, but maybe not fully thought out. Let's talk about petroleum products, for example. And we can talk about a lot of other things if -- if you're excluding certain types of products, but those products are an input into products that are not excluded, right. How does a wholesaler, retailer, or consumer take that sort of inflation into account without being penalized?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Thank you. The petroleum products are already defined in another Act. And so, this -- that's the reason that the petroleum products are not already or they're already in another Act. That's why they're not specifically in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
Thank you for that. I'm not talking about an example where like maybe petroleum products are used in the manufacturing of -- of a jacket or something like that. I'm talking about a lot of product is shipped on trucks. And so, if we exclude petroleum products and yet there's a massive price increase on petroleum products, right? The cost of everything being delivered via 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 petroleum products is going to go through the roof, even though it's not an exact input on that product. How -- how do we protect the consumers and the retailers and the wholesalers from -- from scenarios like that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Thank you. Fuel already is protected under the law that you can't price gouge on fuel. That's something that was happening during 911, and the AG's Office actually was going after folks that were jacking up prices of fuel. So fuel is already protected from price gouging in a different Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
Okay, I'm -- I'm -- here's -- here's the way this stuff works sometimes though. I'm not worried about the cost of the fuel. What I'm saying is that price can go up right? Regardless, it's going to cost more to ship a product of Tide detergent or Cheerios or whatever, right? To a retailer. This happens all the time in emergencies. The cost to get the product goes up. We're excluding some of those costs, rightfully so, from price gouging. My problem is we're going to ding the people for trying to make what they need to make to make a profit, because they're not going to be excluded, even though they're bearing those new costs, higher costs.
So, the -- the price of fuel is already protected from price gouging. Also, if there are any other, supply chain issues that 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 cause an increase in product cost, that is also taken into consideration by the AG's Office. Also, the price at which similar goods and services were offered for sale or sold by a similarly situated person in the usual course of business immediately before the disaster declaration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
That was before the disaster, I'm talking about after the disaster, but we can move on from that. But I'm talking about after the disaster. If we're worried about going after the bad guys, which I absolutely think we need to go after the bad guys, right. Why do we take stuff out of this -- why do we -- we used to be able to -- a company, used to be able to defend itself by saying, hey, my price has gone up, but my profit margin hasn't gone up. I'm maintaining the same profit margin, which is a reasonable defense. Why did we take that out?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
The company can still defend itself as long as there's a rebuttable presumption that -- that occurred. So, if there is a disparity, not directly attributed to though -- to the increased costs by suppliers or additional costs for labor or materials, that would provide that good or service or other increased costs. So, for the purposes of the Section, we look at -- the AG's Office is going to look at whether that price is unconscionably high. And if it has to do with a retail product or a supplier of a product, then it won't be. 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Plummer.
To -- to the bill. Thank you. Look, sometimes things sound good in theory, and they cause disasters in practice. And this piece of legislation is exactly that. There's this presumption that I don't -- I don't even know how we picked 20 percent, but there's a presumption that if prices go up by 20 percent, that this is unconscionable and someone's gouging somebody, and the answer is, well, the company can go defend itself, the business can go defend itself. Well, you tell all the mom and pop businesses in your district that deal with 5 and 10 and 20 and 25 percent price swings constantly, many of which are caused by bad public policy that, hey, you might be innocent and you might just be trying to provide goods and services to the people in your district, but you've got to march up to the Attorney General's Office and defend yourself from the Attorney General and explain to them why your price went up 20 percent. You know, I would be curious if any of us have looked at putting thresholds in place for the cost of government, for taxes, for everything else, and what's unconscionable there? But we're talking about in crises and times of emergency we're going to insert the Attorney General's Office in a new way in the middle of commerce and it's going to impact the good guys, because the bad guys are going to be long gone, right? This is going to impact the good guys. It's just more burdensome. And 20 percent is not a huge number. If you look at any market, if you look at any business model, 20 percent swings in insurance, 20 percent swings in commodity products, 20 percent swings in all kinds of things happen regularly. And you're going 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 to turn the Attorney General's Office and who knows who else loose on small businesses and medium businesses around the State. It's a -- it's well intended, but this is going to be a disaster for the people who are trying to provide goods and services in all of our districts, and it's going to create a litigation nightmare for them. And I don't even know how we've determined the Attorney General's Office even has the technical know-how to adjudicate these types of situations. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton to close.
So, they already do adjudicate these situations. The AG's Office. This is just giving a little more clarity on specific items that people -- it's become a cottage industry that people come in during disasters into a disaster area and start jacking up prices on diapers and water and all kinds of things that people need. It just amends the existing Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act, so the AG's Office could already go after people. But this makes it a little clearer about the percentage and the number of days afterwards. So, this is, you know, when folks are the most vulnerable after a disaster, when their house is ruined or there's, you know, the house is flooded or whatever. I would really appreciate your support to protect those people, to provide the consumer protections when folks are at their most vulnerable. Disaster Proclamations are happening more and more as weather changes. There's flooding, tornadoes, severe storms, and this just helps the AG's Office to go after folks doing deceptive and illegal price gouging. I would appreciate your support. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Thank you. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1932 pass? All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 41 Ayes, 7 Nays and 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1932, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. President Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. Consistent with past practice, I filed a written motion. A written motion creating an Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading Agreed Bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Mr. Secretary, would you read the motion?
I move -- I move that the attached list of Senate Bills be placed on the Order of 3rd Reading Agreed Bills so that they can be acted on by one roll call of the Senate. Sincerely, Don Harmon, President of the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) President Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. I move the list of Agreed Bills be printed in the Calendar, so that the Senate can take final action on that list on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Mr. Secretary, would you please read the attached list of bills and sponsors?
Senate Bill 26, Hastings. Senate Bill 27, Hastings. Senate Bill 31, Morrison. Senate Bill 90, Porfirio. Senate Bill 104, 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Feigenholtz. Senate Bill 119, Villa. Senate Bill 128, Morrison. Senate Bill 224, DeWitte. Senate Bill 243, Porfirio. Senate Bill 1176, Halpin. Senate Bill 1230, Joyce. Senate Bill 1249, DeWitte. Senate Bill 1289, Hastings. Senate Bill 1301, Hunter. Senate Bill 1344, Halpin. Senate Bill 1376, Rose. Senate Bill 1383, Feigenholtz. Senate Bill 1418, Harris, Napoleon. Senate Bill 1443, Hastings. Senate Bill 1446, Castro. Senate Bill 1491, Edly-Allen. Senate Bill 1524, Johnson. Senate Bill 1548, Faraci. Senate Bill 1550, Murphy. Senate Bill 1563, Collins. Senate Bill 1583, Halpin. Senate Bill 1584, Feigenholtz. Senate Bill 1594, Johnson. Senate Bill 1605, Doris Turner. Senate Bill 1614, Villivalam. Senate Bill 1672, Belt. Senate Bill 1675, Belt. Senate Bill 1738, Martwick. Senate Bill 1742, Porfirio. Senate Bill 1752, Cervantes. Senate Bill 1764, Morrison. Senate Bill 1774, Fine. Senate Bill 1777, Walker. Senate Bill 1883, Stadelman. Senate Bill 1941, Murphy. Senate Bill 1983, Edly-Allen. Senate Bill 1989, Koehler. Senate Bill 1994, Koehler. Senate Bill 1999, Porfirio. Senate Bill 2102, Harriss, Erica. Senate Bill 2105, Morrison. Senate Bill 2129, Morrison. Senate Bill 2179, Morrison. Senate Bill 2201, Guzmán. Senate Bill 2220, Martwick. Senate Bill 2280, Peters. Senate Bill 2323, Morrison. Senate Bill 2351, Halpin. Senate Bill 2394, Cunningham. Senate Bill 2408, Villivalam. Senate Bill 2426, Murphy. Senate Bill 2455, Halpin. Senate Bill 2457, Walker. Senate Bill 2459, Cervantes. Senate Bill 2492, Glowiak Hilton. Senate Bill 2493, Glowiak Hilton. Senate Bill 2494, Glowiak Hilton. Senate Bill 2495, Glowiak Hilton. Senate Bill 2496, Glowiak Hilton. Senate Bill 2503, Glowiak Hilton. Senate Bill 2506, Morrison.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. President Harmon moves 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 that at the submitted list of Senate Bills to be placed on the Order of 3rd Reading Agreed Bills so that they can be acted upon by one roll call by the Senate. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion is adopted. President Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. My second motion addresses the procedure for passing bills on the Agreed Bill List. The Agreed Bill List has been circulated, and it will be printed on the Calendar. Starting today, the Secretary of the Senate's Office will have vote intention sheets available on the -- on these sheets a Senator can mark whether he or she wishes to vote Nay, Present or not vote on a particular bill on the Agreed Bill List. If you fail to do so, then the roll call for each bill on the Agreed Bill List will reflect the vote which you cast on the Agreed Bill List Order. As an example, if I do not file a vote intention sheet and then I vote Yea on the roll call for the Agreed Bill List, the roll call for each bill will reflect that I voted Yea. Senators, if you wish to file a vote intention sheet, you must file the sheet or sheets with the Secretary of the Senate no later than 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025. If you fail to file a vote intention sheet with the Secretary, and then you vote on the roll call for each Bill or on the agreed Bill list, the roll call for each Bill on the agreed Bill list will reflect the vote, which you cast on the agreed Bill list order. With leave of the Body, I request that we adopt the process I've described.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor of the President's motion regarding the Agreed Bill process will say 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 31st Legislative Day 4/4/2025 Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion is adopted. We will now proceed to the Order of Consent Calendar, celebration of life resolutions. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate pursuant to Senate (Joint) Resolution 26, the Senate stands adjourned until noon on the 8th day of April 2025, or the call of the Senate President. The Senate stands adjourned. 50