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 galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Curt Fleck from the Civil Servant Ministries, Springfield, Illinois.
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 and Blueroomstream requesting leave to photograph and videotape the proceedings. Is there no objection? Seeing none, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senator Journal of Tuesday, April 29th, 2025.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Thank you, Madam President. I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcripts.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. Senator Glowiak Hilton moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
Senate Resolutions 260 through 262, offered by Senator McClure and all Members. And Senate Resolution 264, offered by Senator Preston and all Members. They are all celebration of life resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 266, offered by Senator Hunter. It is congratulatory. Senate Resolution 265, offered by Senator Hunter. And -- excuse me. Senate Resolution 263, offered by Senator Hunter. And Senate Resolution 265, offered by Senators Villivalam, Loughran Cappel, Ventura and Ellman. They are substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Loughran Cappel, Chair of the Committee on Education, report Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 405 and Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 851 Recommend Do Adopt; and House Bills 1366, 1368, 1861, 2537, 2574, 2966, 3000, and 3026 Do Pass; and House Bill 2986 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Simmons, Chair of the Committee on Public Health, reports House Bills 1910, 2179, 2589 and 2874 Do Pass; Senator Villivalam, Chair of the Committee on Transportation, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 191, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1158, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1160 Recommend Do Adopt; and House Bills 2359, 2386, 2394, 2442 and 2675 Do Pass. Senator Villa, Chair of the Committee on Health and Human Services, reports Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1274 Recommend Do Adopt; House Bills 57, 1168, 1287, 1332, 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 1431, 1597, 3214, 3428, and 3444 Do Pass. Senator Collins, Chair of the Committee on Child Welfare, reports House Bills 3227 {sic} (3327) and 3439 Do Pass. Senator Martwick, Chair of the Committee on Pensions, reports House Bill 79 Do Pass. Senator Edly-Allen, Chair of the Committee on Higher Education, reports House Bills 1073, 1149, 3011, 3528 Do Pass; and House Bill 3300 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Walker, Chair of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports House Bill 3467 Do Pass. Senator Morrison, Chair of the Committee on Insurance, reports House Bills 1141, 1331, 1577, 1865 Do pass. Senator Peters, Chair of the Committee on Labor, reports House Bill 1189, 1278, 1362, 3046 and 3094 Do Pass.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 2547, offered by Senator Arellano, an Act concerning Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. House Bill 2976, offered by Senator Ventura, an Act concerning education. And House Bill 3441, offered by Senator Ventura, an Act concerning criminal law. 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Morrison, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For the point of personal privilege times two.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your point.
Thank you. Today we have students from McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois here for a private colleges' student lobbying 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 day. McKendree has a fantastic wrestling program, and we're fortunate enough that they brought two of their esteemed wrestlers with us. Zane Phillips is from Chambersburg, Illinois. He is a Men's Wrestling 4x Academic All American. And he's going to graduate next Friday with Honors before moving to Tokyo, Japan to work as a teaching assistant. We also have with us Gunnar Le Grand here with us. Gunnar is the younger brother of Kelsey Wilson, one of our legal counsels. We are happy Gunnar followed his sister to Illinois from Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He's a sophomore majoring in political science and a 2025 Men's Wrestling Academic All American. Please welcome him to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Welcome to Springfield. Best of luck. Senator Martwick, for what purpose -- oh, one more Senator Morrison.
Madam President, I'm also proud to announce that today is the American Lung Association's Advocacy Day! Founded over 120 years ago, the Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. More than 1.5 million people in our State live with chronic lung disease. The Lung Association's mission is crucial to improving the lives of these individuals, their families, and preventing others from having to face the challenges of respiratory disease. Advocates, such as Tom Anderson, the President of the Association who is a constituent of mine, will be meeting with many of you today to urge this Body to support increasing the cost of tobacco products, including e- cigarettes which are addicting our youth, and to continue vital State funding for asthma management, tobacco prevention and 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 control programs and lung cancer screening access and awareness. Please join me in welcoming them, the American Lung Association to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Martwick, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President. For purposes of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Please state your announcement.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I just wanted to announce that I have some special guests with me here on the Floor today. One of the things that I've been doing in my district has been an honorary Senate -- Senator for the Day, where I -- with -- in conjunction with local schools, we afford an opportunity for young students to come participate, see firsthand how government works. Today, I am really honored to be joined by this young Senator to my right, Makai Crowell. Makai is a fifth grader at O.A. Thorp (Scholastic Academy), which happens to be the same elementary school that my young boys go to. He is a member of Scouts, recently crossed over into scouting and he is an avid reader. And we had a great dinner last night. He's going to be -- part of his heritage is, Native Hawaiian, and he is going to be spending time at a summer camp learning about his Hawaiian heritage this summer. But here -- he's here today and he's joined with his mother, Rachelle Bowden, who is here, and his grandfather, Rick Bowden, who came from Wisconsin to watch Makai serve as the Senator for a Day. So, would you please welcome my Senator for the Day, 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Senator Makai Crowell.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Ventura, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your point.
Thank you. I would like to announce, my Page for the Day, is Lily Chan. And she is a 16-year old junior at Bolingbrook High School where she is involved in various activities including the music program where she plays first chair flute and serves as a Student Board Ambassador for the Board of Elections. I'm sorry, Board of Education there, along with the long list of other extracurricular activities. Outside of school, she works with students with special needs. She serves as a student election judge and has a love for architecture, both of which sparked her interest in being here today. Lillian has plans to pursue something along the lines of law, International relations, or political science when she goes to college. I ask that you please give her a warm welcome. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President, if I may, this is a memorial, and I'd ask that the Chamber -- Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm saddened today to -- to be here with Senator Faraci and the family of 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Illinois State Trooper Corey Stephen Thompsen of rural Saint Joseph. He was killed in the line of duty on October 18th, 2024. Trooper Thompsen was born to Steve and Susan in Urbana in 1996. He was raised in St. Joe {sic} (St. Joseph), which is in my district, but, right next to Senator Faraci district. He graduated from St. Joe {sic} (Joseph) Ogden High School in 2014. He was a four-year letter winner in cross country and track. He graduated from the criminal justice program at Danville Area Community College and then attended Western Illinois University. He ran cross country at both institutions. He earn -- He earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Indiana State in 2018, and he married Chelsea, his wife, in -- in Tennessee, where she was a standout track athlete for the University of Tennessee in ICC. Trooper Thompsen began his career in law enforcement after graduating from Southwestern Police Academy, a part of -- as part of session 137. He initially worked at the Vermillion County MEG (Metropolitan Enforcement) Group. He then attended the Illinois State Police Academy as a Cadet Class 130 from 2019 to 2020, he was assigned to the Illinois State Police District 10, in Pesotum. He joined the Illinois State Police Motorcycle Enforcement Bureau in 2022. And -- interesting note, I did not know this, before this unfortunate incident -- but the entire Illinois State Police actually started as a motorcycle patrol, and I -- I never knew that. But Corey was a proud member of the motorcycle division of the Illinois State Police. He was assigned to the special -- excuse me, the Central Special Operations Group. He served, in Troop 7, which is also in Pesotum. He was a proud member of the Illinois State Police. He was especially proud, as he mentioned, being part of the motor unit. He was -- his colleagues he felt as a second family, a tight 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 knit group of friends. During his service, he participated in several escort details across the State that included for the President, the Vice President, memorial services and various charity bike rides. Trooper Thompson was a member of the Fraternal Lodge 41, Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Society, Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Outside of his work, he loved vehicles and was very particular about those that he owned. He took meticulous care of them. He loved attending -- attending family gatherings, and his favorite activity involved teasing and joking family members. Trooper Thompsen was a family man who was always there when needed. A respected member of the Illinois State Police and his community. A friend to many. He is survived by his wife, Chelsea, who's here with me today. His parents, Susan and Steve, who are also directly behind me in the gallery above. We have John and Donna Thompsen, his grandparents, Lisa Palmer, his aunt, Ryan and Mitchell, his brothers, and Laura Wilson, another aunt. I would also note that he is the great grandson of Senator Everett Peters, who served in this Body for over 30 years in the Illinois House of Representatives for 10 years before that. Ladies and Gentlemen, I -- I -- I don't know what else to say in these circumstances other than on behalf of the State of Illinois we convey our deepest sympathy to this family who asked me to -- ask me to let you all know how deeply they miss him. But I would ask for a moment of silence, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Will Members rise for a moment of silence. (moment of silence observed)
Thank you all. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Halpin, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. I would like to welcome a group of students from the 36th District out of Monmouth College. As we go into this hopefully final month of Session, and talk about how and how much will be funding higher education and things like MAP grants. I'm proud to say and I'm glad to say that these students have joined us today and have chosen a wonderful university in the great State of Illinois. So, please welcome all to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Balkema, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam President, for two points of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your points.
My first point is that I wanted to address all of my colleagues. I feel like I've been giving you only 50 percent because I had another job. I'm actually retiring from caterpillar today. Today is my last day at Cat, and so now I'll be able to focus on everybody here 100 percent. So, I hope that I can give all of you more time. Secondly, tomorrow morning at 7:30, for anybody that's interested, it's the National Day of Prayer. There's a group of folks that are gathering in the Rotunda at 7:30 a.m. to pray. So, all are welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Congratulations on your retirement, Senator. Senator 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Villivalam, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. For purposes of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your announcement.
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Body. Today is Asian American Action Day in the Capitol with over 500 Asian Americans and allies coming to the Capitol to advocate on behalf of issues that are important to the community. I did want to announce that in addition to that, the Illinois Asian American Legislative Caucus Foundation and the Illinois Asian American State Employees Association invites everyone to an Asian American Heritage Month reception this evening from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Treasurer's Office Building. So, hopefully everyone can join. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be moving to page 13 of your Calendars. Senate Resolution -- we'll take up Senate Resolution 256. President Harmon. Mr. Secretary, would you read the resolution?
Senate Resolution 256, offered by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) President Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Resolution 256, declares today, April 30th, 2025, 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 as Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta Day in the State of Illinois, and I move for its immediate adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you, Mr. President. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall joint resolution -- Senate Joint Resolution 256 pass. Senate -- Senate Resolution 256, pass? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Mr. President.
Thank you, Madam President. Purposes of an introduction, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your introduction.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Good afternoon. Today we welcome the extraordinary women of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and along with their brother fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., to the Illinois Senate. Zeta Phi Beta stands as a powerful example of scholarship, service, and sisterhood. These are women who lead with compassion, educate with purpose, and serve with humility. Zeta women are defined -- have defined what it means to uplift across neighborhoods, nations, and generations. Together with the men of Phi Beta Sigma they form a bond rooted in shared purpose and enduring action. These two organizations were built for impact. They represent what is possible when intellect and empathy guide leadership. We are -- I'm going to welcome folks in the Senate. You will know them by their royal blue and white. And you might notice that our Chief of Staff is also resplendent in her blue and white today. Ashley Jenkins Jordan, a proud member. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 But please join me in welcoming our guests in the gallery from Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma to the Illinois Senate, led by directors Karyn Quick and Malcolm Whiteside (Jr).
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Ladies and Gentlemen, the Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The Members of the Committee -- Committee on Assignments will meet in the Senate front room immediately. The Senate will stand at ease and Senator Koehler, in the Chair. (at ease) PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Child Welfare Committee - House Bill 1715; refer to Consumer Protection Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 314, refer to Education Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 2994 and Senate Joint Resolution 33; refer to Health and Human Services Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3718; refer to Higher Education Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to House Bill 3522, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 409; refer to Judiciary Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2253; refer to License Activities Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 711; refer to Local Government Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 637 and House Bill 1908; refer to Veterans Affairs Committee - House Bill 2547. And Be Approved for Consideration: Senate Resolutions 252, 263, and 265. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Murphy, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Ladies and Gentlemen, the Senate will come to order. The Supplemental Calendar has been printed and distributed. We will now go to Senate Resolutions. We will start with Senate Resolution 252, Senator Sims. Mr. Secretary, would you read the resolution?
Senate Resolution 252, offered by Senator Sims.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Sims.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill -- Senate Resolution 252 recognizes today as Alpha Phi Alpha Day in the State of Illinois. Let that -- that cold front that you feel coming through and sweeping through the Capitol that is the men of Alpha Phi Alpha being here in the Capitol building. Since 1906, founded by seven visionary men on the campus of Cornell University, Alpha Phi Alpha has stood for service, advocacy and the uplift of our communities. We are as -- being that first of all, we are servants of all, and we have transcended all. Madam President, we are joined here by some distinguished guests there in the gallery with me. We are joined by our District Director Brother (Dr.) Leonard (C.) McKinnis, (II). We are joined by the Mid-Western Regional Executive Director, Brother Quincy Banks. We are also -- who are -- who are both representing our 37th General President or 37th General President, Brother Lucius Metellus and our 29th Regional Vice President, Brother Franklin Stacy, (Jr.) I -- Madam President and Members, I have had the honor and privilege of serving Alpha Phi 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Alpha in a number of -- number of capacities from the Chapter President Level, all the way up to being our 26th Regional Vice President of the Midwestern Region. And the reason that the men of Alpha Phi Alpha are coming here today is not to take a photo, not to celebrate network with each other, but the reason the men of Alpha Phi Alpha are here is to uplift our communities. In keeping with one of our jewels, in 1931, Jewel Charles Henry Chapman said, "We must never lose sight of our obligation and our responsibility not only to ourselves but to all mankind." That is why the men of Alpha Phi Alpha are here. And today's resolution recognizes that and recognizes our -- our continued commitment to the uplift of our communities. And Madam President, I would also add, this is a very special Alpha Day Resolution for me. Recently, my older brother joined me not only as my blood brother, he now is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. So, that is -- that is a tremendous blessing for me. And this -- this makes this Alpha -- Alpha Day Resolution even more special for me. So, Madam President, I would like to recognize our guests in the gallery and offer -- and ask for the resolution to be adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 252 pass. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Welcome to Springfield, gentlemen. We have a letter on file where Senators Hunter is transferred Senate Resolution 263 to Senator Sims. Mr. President, would you -- Mr. Secretary, would you read the resolution?
Senate Resolution 263, offered by Senator Hunter. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Sims.
Thank you, Madam President. I -- I -- I rise to offer Senate Resolution 2 -- Senate Resolution 268 -- 6 -- 263 on behalf of my friend and colleague, Senator Mattie Hunter, who is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the sister organization to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. It's been since 1908, founded on the campus of Howard University, has been focusing on -- focused on the uplift of community as well. They've been partners. They have -- they've focused on sisterhood, academic excellence, and community service. This -- this organization has been -- they have -- they have what's called the 20 -- the 20 pearls which recognizes their founders and the incorporators of their organization. Now, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge some of the most fabulous Alpha Kappa Alpha members that I know. First, because I couldn't go home if I didn't talk about the one -- the -- the one who is the -- the one who is my number one constituent, my wife. My wife is a long, a longtime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. And this is also a special day for me, because my daughter just became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha on Sunday. So, this is -- this is another special day. Absolutely. Thank you, thank you. So, this is a special -- this is a special resolution for us as we recognize the work that the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha do across -- in communities across the State. But I would be remiss if I did not recognize several of their leaders who are with us, who have joined us. Sherri Hale, who is a State court -- court Connections Coordinator, Former Regional Director -- Directors 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Peggy Lewis LeCompte and Sonya Bowen, and also the -- the spear header of the -- the Alpha and -- AKA Day at the Capitol, Erica Austin, who is also working diligently on behalf of the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha. So, with that, Madam President, I would offer that -- I would offer the resolution and ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate Resolution 263 pass. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Congratulations. Senator Sims?
A point of personal privilege. In my -- my haste, I missed a couple of names that I should have recognized in terms of our leadership for the leadership of Alpha Phi Alpha and Alpha Phi Alpha, we have -- we have college members who walk the -- the -- the leadership walk alongside the alumni members of the organization. We have been joined by one of our dynamic college men, the Assistant District Director of the State of Illinois, Alexander Williams, who is in the -- in the gallery with us. We've also been joined by Don Proffit, Elijah Jenkins and Donovan Robinson. So, I want to recognize them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you, Senator. Welcome to Springfield. Senator next we will go to Senate Resolution 265, Senator Villivalam. Mr. Secretary, would you read the resolution?
Senate Resolution 265, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Ladies and Gentlemen, we will hold that momentarily and turn 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 to page 11 of your Calendar for House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bill 1447, Senator Porfirio. Gentlemen indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
House Bill 1447, an Act concerning State government. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Senator Koehler, House Bill 1538. Senate Bill 20, or I'm sorry, House Bill 2397, Senator Johnson. Lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
House Bill 2397, an Act concerning criminal law. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3078, Senator Hunter. House Bill 3176, Senator Stadelman. Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
House Bill 3176, an Act concerning State government. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3678, Senator Halpin. House Bill 3744, Senator Murphy will delay the -- House Bill 3756, Senator Morrison. Lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
House Bill 3756, offered by Senator -- excuse me. An Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported. 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, we will now proceed to 3rd Reading. We are -- if you would like to turn your Calendars to page 2, at the bottom of page 2, we have Senator Morrison with Senate Bill 191. Senator indicates she would like to proceed. Senator Morrison seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 191 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 199{sic} (191). Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor Amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Morrison.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Morrison.
I'd like to adopt and discuss on 3rd, please.
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. Senator Morrison, on Senate Bill 199. Mr. Secretary, would you read 191. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 191, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Senator Morrison.
Thank you, Madam President. This legislation would require that by 2031, July 1st, sitting designations on any newly purchased school busses would have a combination pelvic upper torso safety seatbelt system. This is a bill that I've been working on for about two years. A constituent came after their child had been involved in an accident where they were a passenger of a school bus. We have had numerous hearings, a lot of discussion. Like any good bill, if you work long enough on it, you usually will figure out a way to bring everyone to neutral or most people to neutral. So, there are right now no opponents to this legislation. I would be happy to answer any questions or discuss things that you may not have been able to hear in Transportation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator DeWitte.
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) To the bill.
Thank you, Madam President. Senator Morrison, thank you very much for this legislation. I know how committed you've been to moving this. And yes, we've seen it repeatedly over the last several years. But I must rise in opposition to this legislation this afternoon for just a couple of reasons, but they are significant. Number one, it's come to our attention that in seatbelt legislation that's been passed in several other states across the country, there are specific rules and regulations 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 regarding the operations of those seatbelts. One is to make sure that every single child contained in these busses, or riding on these busses is absolutely belted into their seats. Number two, there's specific legislation that requires who exactly is responsible for making sure that each child is appropriately belted into their seats? And this legislation does not contain that. Most importantly is the issue of liability. I know there's been a lot of discussion by bill proponents regarding tort immunity and the fact that government entities are protected from specific liability issues pertaining to unfortunate incidents -- incidents that may occur with regards to these seat belts in busses that may be involved in an accident. But I have to share that, given the propensity of our legal community, all lawyers in the crowd excluded, that in the unfortunate incident of an accident where someone is hurt or God forbid, someone is -- is killed in an accident, our fear is that the lawyers will be lining up in droves to go after each and every deep pocket that may be involved in these children being put onto busses in Illinois, where there is no responsibility to anyone for making sure they're belted. No responsibility issued to anybody to make sure they are belted appropriately, and most importantly, no responsibility in the event of an accident that anyone is in charge to make sure they are able to release themselves from their seatbelts and find their way out of a bus safely. So, those two issues alone, leave me with grave concern about this legislation. Again, I know you've been passionate about this issue, but unfortunately, I cannot support this legislation. And I would urge a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to speak to the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) To the bill.
I would like to thank Senator Morrison. I can only imagine how many hours she spent on this. I remember years ago when I started in the House, there was a gentleman, I think his name was Rob Murray O'Hare. He would bring a -- a bus seat into Committee, Transportation Committee and -- and we talked about this issue for quite a bit. So, I can only imagine. And it has been an ongoing discussion. First of all, I think that the Federal Safety Commission would mandate seatbelts on busses if it was truly decided that a school bus was in need of that. Certainly seatbelts, as a rule, have saved lives. However, bus construction is very much different than a automobile. They're designed in a circular manner. They're padded to protect students in rollover situations. And in a situation I had in my District, 2 years ago, a terrible, terrible bus tragedy. A school bus driver lost consciousness, a medical condition. She swerved over into the other lane of a two- lane road, hit a semi-truck. Semi-truck driver and the school bus driver were killed immediately. There were preschool children, 2, three-year-old's and a four-year-old. Those children are incapable of unbelting themselves. Sadly, the bus caught fire so quick the firefighters could not get the children out. But do you see? We're creating situations where children are not going to be able to get out if the school bus driver is dead. You know, we want safety, but we need to think of every possible scenario. And a constituent 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 bringing a case where a child should have been belted or they felt like it would be belted. I mean, if you -- I wasn't in Committee in Transportation, but everything I read today is that school busses are designed to be used without seatbelts -- seatbelts. That the safety is in the padding and the seats and all that. They're designed for rollovers, which is the most common. But let's not forget what happens in the situation where you have a medical condition where the bus driver is dead, who is going to get the children out? Preschoolers ride busses regularly now with all the programs that we have for pre-k and those children are not capable of operating school seatbelts. It's just a fact. So, I can't support the legislation. I oppose the legislation. And I can't ignore the fact that a metal seatbelt in a bus can also be used as a weapon against another child. And that might be more frequent occurrence on a bus than actually an incident where a bus is in an accident. Busses are large, and that's a lot of supervision for one bus driver. And I just think this is -- is not a time to pass this legislation. Let the federal government handle the safety of our busses. And with that, I encourage a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Seeing no further discussion, Senator Morrison, to close.
Thank you. I want to thank my colleagues on the other side who have made comments, because it helped me remember some of the points that I wanted to make. First of all, the new busses that will be coming with seat belts. They are not the kind of seat belt that you have on an airplane. They are retractable like you have in your car. They are not going to be used as weapons. The new busses will have airbags for the driver, for the driver of the 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 bus. I think this does help to keep the driver, should the unfortunate event happen, that they need to go to the back of the bus and assist. When we talk about safety for children, does a two-year-old have trouble unbuckling? Maybe. But so does the baby getting out of a car seat and that is mandated. The liability question was something we talked about quite a bit. And this legislation does not change the liability from the way the law is now. And in fact, it explicitly states so -- and the NTSB did come to Committee and supported this legislation. The 625 ILCS 5-12 603.1, which I'm happy to share with you guys, is something that I referred back to in terms of the liability concern. And it says "failure to wear a safety seatbelt in violation of this section shall not be considered evidence of negligence, shall not limit the liability of an insurer, and shall not diminish any recovery for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance or operation of a motor vehicle". And one of the things that I like about this bill is that it does not prescribe what each school district has to do, whether they have to have an attendant, whether they have to have the bus driver walk back and forth. It's local control for each district to decide which policy they would like to assume, and that does not begin until they have their first school bus that has seat belts. I think this will keep more kids safe and I would appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The question is, shall Senate Bill 191 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. Oh. We'll -- On that question, there are 39 voting Aye, 13 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 191, having received the required 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 constitutional majority, is declared passed. We are now on the top of page 4, Senate Bill 405. Senator Johnson, you wish to proceed. Senator Johnson seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 405 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 405. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Johnson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Johnson.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 405. Oh, sorry. I would like to adopt the amendment and explain 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. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 405, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Johnson.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 405 is an initiative of the Illinois School Counselors Association. And as amended, it 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 simply clarifies that school counselors may work to address the needs of all students, regardless of their citizenship status. I know of no opposition, and I request an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 405 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 38 Ayes, 18 Nays, and 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 405, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We are now on the top of page 9. Senator Anderson has Senate Bill 1158. Senator, do you wish to proceed? Senator Anderson seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1158 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1158. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Anderson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Anderson.
I would like to adopt amendment and 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) 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, Senator Anderson will ask the Secretary to read the bill.
Senate Bill 1158, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Anderson.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 1158 adds MABAS Fire Chiefs to -- to allow them to have a special -- specialized plate. This has been something we've been trying to do for several years, and appreciate everybody's help on it. I know of no opposition. I would ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1158 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 55 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1158, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're on 1160, Senator Rose. Senator seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1160 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1160. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Rose.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Senator. 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
At it and -- discuss on 3rd please.
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) On 3rd Reading. Senate Bill 1160, Senator Rose. Mr. Secretary, would you please read the bill?
Senate Bill 1160, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Rose, would you like to explain your bill?
Thank you. This is only three words, but it's an important three words. We are adding veterans of Somalia, Panama, and Grenada to the opportunity to receive a United Nations Protection Force license plate. So, on behalf of those veterans, I'd ask that we - - we go ahead and adopt this bill and send it to the House. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1160 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 56 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 1160, having received the constitutional required majority, is declared passed. Moving down that page we are on Senate Bill 1456, Senator Martwick. We are on Senate Bill 1456. Senator Martwick did you wish to proceed? Senator Martwick, we're wishing to know if you want to proceed on Senate Bill 1456. With leave of the Body, we will go back to page -- top of page 3. Senator Johnson, Senate Bill 248. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 248, an Act concerning criminal law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Johnson, would you like to explain your bill?
Yes. Thank -- Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 248 is an initiative of Restore Justice and is identical to House Bill 3375 of the 103rd General Assembly, which passed the House with a supermajority vote in the last General Assembly. This bill is important because, unless it is enacted into law, there are people incarcerated in Illinois as children or young adults for conviction decades ago who will die in prison, without ever having a constitutional sentencing hearing. How is that possible given the changing legal landscape in the courts, and the reforms of the General -- General Assembly adopted. It is possible because the "cause" provision in our Post-Conviction Hearing Act is preventing people from filing a second, or successive petition, claiming that the judge in their case imposed a life sentence without considering the factors that lessen the culpability of children and young people. The United States Supreme Court first identified these factors in Miller versus Alabama in 2012 as being constitutionally 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 required to be considered at sentencing, and this Body codified them with a bipartisan support in 2015. So, in order for it to file a successful petition, the Post-Conviction Hearing Act requires a person to establish "cause" for not raising the issue in their first petition, and "prejudice resulting from their constitutional claim. Because Illinois law has always recognized that juvenile -- juveniles must be given "special consideration," our court is holding that people who are incarcerated could have raised their "youth-based" sentencing claim in their first petition with -- regardless of how long those petitions were filed. And so, this bill is needed because the application of "cause" requirement is specific -- specific context doesn't square with what's constitutionally is required. And Senate Bill 248 is -- is very narrow, it would simply remove one or two procedural hurdles that prevent the filing of a successive post-conviction petition. This bill does not eliminate the petitioner's burden to establish "prejudice." This bill would not require a counsel to be appointed. It does not guarantee a new sentence, hearing, or trial. Senate Bill 248 would merely allow people who have had the Miller factors applied to their case, despite the Supreme Court's mandate that these factors must be considered in sentencing, to file a successive post-conviction petition and receive a constitutional review. That's it. And it's very simple. And I -- we would like to - I'd be happy to answer any questions. And I request an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. Senator McClure.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to speak to the bill. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) To the bill.
So, first of all, I want to commend Senator Johnson, she's a very passionate advocate and this is just a situation where we disagree about it. First of all, the statement was made that this is to correct something that is currently happening where these people are being held in our State after being sentenced, and it's unconstitutional. That is not the case. The -- the case that has been cited by the advocates and by people supporting this bill is a case, Miller v. Alabama. All that says is that if someone is convicted when they're juvenile for a crime that they are charged with as an adult, they cannot go for a sentence of life in prison that is mandatory. They can still get life in prison, but there has to be a sentencing hearing. So that case, is not applicable to any of the cases, in Illinois. None of these people that are in prison right now, after being convicted under the age of 21, are there because of a mandatory life sentence that occurred while they were a juvenile. So, that's just -- so these people are they're -- justly, they're there because their crimes were so bad, so horrific, that either as juveniles or under the age of 21, that the judge after hearing the victim's statements, after sifting through a sentencing hearing, decided that you did something so horrible you should spend decades or more in prison. That's it. So, the question for all of us is not whether or not these people are being held against their constitutional rights. The question is -- is do you want to release murderers, rapists, people that did stuff so bad that they were charged as adults and given massive sentences by judges who heard the evidence, who saw what they did, 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 and who listened to the relevant testimony. There are already avenues to do this. The Governor has incredible powers when it comes to clemency and they can -- he can lessen sentences, he can pardon people, that sort of a thing. But at a time when we're seeing Chicago, yet, again, the number one murder capital of our country, unfortunately. Is this the message that we want to send? That the issue is, we've got too many people that have committed horrendous crimes that are actually being held accountable, or do we want to say no, if you do these horrendous crimes, you should be held accountable, and I think every once in a while, this Chamber should stick up for the victims and their families. Why would we want them to go through another sentencing hearing? Potentially, after they already had to go through one or in some cases, multiple sentencing hearings. At what point do you not give the victims peace? Do you not give the victims justice? Opening these old wounds to let more murderers and rapists out of prison is not the answer. And, I do have to say, as well, this is on the heels of what the Department of Corrections has been doing for the last few years, which is releasing people extremely early with no explanation as to why these people are being released. That's got to be corrected, as well. So, look, the question is -- is do you want murderers and rapists to get out of prison or do you think that they should be serving their sentence given to them by a judge who heard the evidence, heard the testimony, and decided that they need to go for a long time? I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Seeing no further discussion. Senator Johnson, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. And I want to thank the Senator 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 for your comments, I do appreciate your insight on that. But -- I just want to -- to note that it really is critically important that we support this legislative priority. And as I noted in my remarks, Miller versus Alabama, it provided this pathway. And then in 2016, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Miller versus Alabama does apply retroactively in the Montgomery versus Louisiana case. And the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that this applies to individuals who are 18 to 21. I just want to move on by thanking James Wendell Lindsay and the entire Restore Justice team for entrusting me with this important legislative measure and all that they do to reform our criminal justice system. Thank you to all of the criminal justice reform advocates for your hard work and your fierce advocacy. Thank you to Chick Hoffman for his brilliant legal mind and expertise. I want to also thank all of the co-sponsors and all of my colleagues for your support, and I hope your favorable votes. Thank you to Lilly and Gio, really appreciate your top-notch legal expertise and support, and I appreciate your assistance on Senate Bill 248. Thank you to McKenzie, my LA, for keeping all of the moving pieces together in all of this. And finally, I want to thank President Harmon for your leadership and your unwavering support. And with that, I ask for a favorable vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The question is, shall Senate Bill 248 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 34 Ayes, 17 Nays, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 248, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hastings, for 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your point.
Madam President, and Members of the Illinois Senate. I'm very honored to welcome, Julianna, from one of our local establishments called Ballet 5:8. I am a dance dad, in the south suburbs, those of you who may not know that. But Ballet 5:8, is a school where passionate students from across the State of Illinois come together to pursue their dance dreams, and it's guided by talented instructor -- instructors in a nurturing environment. And they offer various programs. But they have two awesome things coming up here. They're part of the American Youth Ballet Festival and in most recently here in May, on May 24th of 2025, Julianna we got our Cinderella show taking place. I want to give Julianna and Ballet 5:8, a dance dad, and a Springfield warm welcome. Thank you very much for coming to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Welcome to Springfield. Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be moving to the top of page 10. Senate Bill 1773, Senator Morrison. Mr. Secretary, are there any amendments? Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1773, an Act concerning criminal law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Morrison. 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
Thank you, Madam President. This bill, as amended, makes Xylazine a Class III Controlled Substance. And notwithstanding the scheduling of Xylazine as a Schedule III Controlled Substance, Xylazine shall not be considered a controlled substance when -- and it's basically several different opportunities to be used by veterinarians, licensed certified euthanasia technicians, wildlife biologists, et cetera. This bill also makes various chemical and organizational cleanup changes, including alignment to federal law, 1773 is clear compliant -- it criminalizes an animal tranquilizer that is currently not criminalized for human use. The human use is literally killing people. It is being put with other drugs, ingested, or somehow taken by different people across our State, maybe in your own community and having disastrous effects. It's time that we acted to make this a Schedule III Drug and used for its own intent, which is for animal tranquilizer. Happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Senator Turner. Sally Turner.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Question for the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The sponsor indicates she will yield. State your question.
Senator, actually, this is kind of a statement for you. I just want to say thank you. Thank you for your, camaraderie and your work on both sides of the aisle. Because this is so important. This Xylazine is now mixed with fentanyl. And some of the people that die from this can't be revived with Narcan. It -- they 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 overdose, and they die. So, we need to get this scheduled drug off the market. You can buy it right now online from $10 to $20. This is so important. We are saving lives and getting this crap off the street. And I thank you, Senator Morrison. I urge a Yes vote on our side. Thanks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator McClure.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) To the bill.
Thank you, Madam President. I want to commend the sponsor for this bill. We have a real nationwide drug problem and overdose problem, and we're not just seeing it in adults. We're seeing it kids. I mean, I had an overdose issue at several of my high schools where these kids are using one drug that has something else mixed into it. And from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Xylazine was detected in 45 Illinois overdose deaths in 2020. And then, by 2022, 200 different overdose deaths. They found this substance in it. So, this is getting worse and worse and worse. So, for Senator Morrison to present this bill now, to try to stop this as quickly as possible, it's very admirable. And we've got to do what we can to stop the growing overdose problem that we have. We've got to help these people. We've got to save these people, but we've got to stop them from getting poisoned. And this is a step in the direction to stop some of the poison from going into the systems of our citizens. So, I -- I urge a Yes vote. And I thank the Senator for the bill. 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Seeing no further discussion. Senator Morrison, to close.
I'd like to just follow up on my colleague's remarks on the various numbers. I'm sure those numbers are low because since it's not a scheduled drug, it is -- is not often looked for or reported. So, I'm sure those numbers are grossly, under -- underreported. I would appreciate an Aye vote. Regardless of where you live, the age you are, your demographic, your party affiliation. This is something we need to do, in the State of Illinois, now. And I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The question is, shall Senate Bill 1773 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 49 Ayes, 1 Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1773, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen, please follow your Calendar back to page 9 where we will hear 1531, Senator Fine. Mr. Secretary, would you read the bill?
Senate Bill 1531, an Act concerning safety. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator -- Senator Fine.
Thank you, Madam President. This legislation is about protecting the environment and human health for future generations. Polystyrene, especially in the form of Styrofoam, 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 poses significant environmental problems. It decomposes slowly and has a tendency to fragment into microplastics. You may use it for 60 seconds and it can last in the environment for 600 years. Also, styrene can leach into the environment, harming wildlife and water sources. It has also been identified as a human carcinogen and can leak into food and drinks. This legislation prohibits the sale and use of Styrofoam food containers in five years, giving companies a long ramp to prepare. This is not a new idea. It is already banned throughout the European Union and dozens of other countries, plus 11 states, the District of Columbia, and it recently just passed the legislature, in Montana. I would appreciate your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. Seeing no discussion? Oh, late button Senator Balkema.
Apologies for the lateness. To the -- to the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Do you have a question for the sponsor?
So…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Sponsor indicates that she will yield. Go ahead with your question.
Thank you, Senator, for bringing this up. Would these -- this banning include takeout restaurants, food bags -- the -- that you get at the grocery stores, the clamshells, type of items, that we're currently used to? 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
Thank you. This legislation is for single use, food products like cups, plates, takeout containers.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Balkema.
So, this would include foam cups, coffee cups, foam plates?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Balkema.
And -- and last question and then I have comments to the bill. But I think the FDA currently has deemed this to be a -- a safe use for the last 50 years or so.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
What I do know is there's nearly 11 million pounds of plastic waste that enters Lake Michigan every year, making it one of the most polluted lakes of the Great Lakes. And this is a big concern because millions of people rely upon the Great Lakes for their drinking water. And the concentration of microplastics in the surface waters of the Great Lakes exceed that of the widely publicized Great Pacific Garbage Patch. 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Balkema.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) To the bill.
So, overall, it's -- we all want a healthy environment. We all want healthy state of -- of life. The -- the current situation, I believe in -- in -- the data shows that we don't have enough information yet to show from a federal level the -- the absolute damage that this could do in terms of health. So, if we were further along in the process and we knew that, in fact, this absolutely would cause a problem with people's health, I think it would be different. But there's over a thousand jobs that are currently going to be impacted by Senate Bill 1531. And the -- the food containers employ's hundreds of individuals, while companies supplying these jobs are going to be impacted. So, one particular food service container production facility in Aurora, Illinois, - - employs 165 people, a majority of which are -- are minority employees. So, Senate Bill 1531 purposefully reduces possible customers for impacting these needs and therefore impacting a whole lot of jobs. And I think from a research perspective, we have not determined that these are absolutely harmful to the health at the -- right now, at the detriment and the expense of all the jobs that this is going to cost.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Thank you, Madam President. I have some questions for the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The sponsor indicates she’ll yield.
Senator Fine, does this apply to all size of restaurants and -- and those that dispense food?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
Yes. This is why we agreed to a five year ramp. So restaurants or stores that currently have polystyrene or Styrofoam containers in stock would be able to use what they do have in stock.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
Would it also apply to churches who have an annual soup supper or an annual turkey dinner, or that type of thing? Are they going to be subject to this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
Yes. Those polystyrene containers will not be sold in Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
So, anybody that dispenses any type of food in five years 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 are going to be banned from using Styrofoam? If I'm understanding correctly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
There are certain exceptions that are written into the legislation, like egg cartons, ice containers. And it's also important to note that it doesn't say that these companies can no longer pollute -- or produce polystyrene. It just says they cannot sell it here in Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
I wanted to ask about the penalties. As I'm seeing it, the penalty is $1,000 dollars. Is that per container, per time that they would dispense food in Styrofoam, how often is that $1,000 dollar penalty to be applied?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
Well, the first penalty is a warning and then the second penalty after that is when there would be a charge. If you give me one second, let me look up in the legislation what that might be. It says any subsequent offense. So, it's -- it's not per container, it's per offense. So, if it is being used.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
So, if a -- in -- in my area, would be a Tasty Treat. If 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 they dispensed on a daily basis, 50 customer orders, would they be subject to a $50,000 fine, if they had met that maximum amount?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
This is something I'm going to have to look further into.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
And likewise, my Friendship Baptist Church that would dispense to 500 people during that turkey dinner, are they going to be subject to these fines in that kind of duplication?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
Again, it's first a warning, but after five years, you're not going to be able to purchase the product in Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Tracy.
That concludes my remarks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Bryant.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield for some questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Sponsor indicates she will yield.
42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Thank you. Senator, do you have a cost analysis, or has there been one conducted on the financial burden that this is going to place on businesses when they switch over to an alternative?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
Right now, the analysis I have is it's 0.5 cents per cup, but in five years, more products are going to be on the market. And so, it's very hard to predict what the cost differential might be.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Bryant.
Thank you. So, in the idea that there would be alternatives in five years or -- or -- first, are you aware of any of what those alternatives might be? And secondly, in looking at -- if you do know what those alternatives might be, do we have any data that shows that they would be safer than the polystyrene? And if so, how so?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
So, there are already quite a few products on the market in a lot of the big chains. So, if you were to go into one of the larger fast-food restaurants, they are no longer using these styrene products. And very interestingly enough, there are some hotel chains now that have in their contracts that if somebody is going to purchase that hotel chain, they cannot use those styrene products. 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Bryant.
Yeah, but I don't think that answered my question. So, the question is if there are alternatives to those, do we have… or maybe I didn't ask it right. Are there -- in those alternatives - - do we know not only about the cost part of that. But do we know that those are safer products? And -- and if so, where's the -- where's actually the study that shows that that isn't going to create some of the same problems that the polystyrene does or an issue that is equally as bad, if not the same?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
Thank you. Many of the issues with these polystyrene products is they do not break down. And many of the food products, I think only 1 percent of them are recyclable. And even if they are recyclable, there's no product or no market to purchase those products. And so that's where we're running into a lot of problems, and we're seeing it on our beaches in our waters, and we are having a hard time getting rid of it. When it comes to safer products, there are many creative products out there that are disposable, they are biodegradable, and they are many paper products that have been used very safely in years past that have no concerns about health risks or effects.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Bryant.
So, with your indulgence, just a couple more questions. Okay. 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 So, under your bill, right now, you can still produce polystyrene in Illinois. You can't sell it in Illinois. You can sell at other places. Can you buy at other places and use it in Illinois?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
No, you cannot use it here in the State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Bryant.
Thank you. So, this -- this bill actually, overrides Home Rule Authority for municipalities. My question is, does this bill exempt Cook County from the provisions of the Act?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
Nobody is exempt from this Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Bryant.
Okay, I'm not sure that that's exactly right. But thank you for answering the questions. I think we have -- I'm actually trying to show an example of the fact that we can't be sure that whatever the alternative is, that it's any safer than this particular product, at this time. And obviously, having Illinois not be able to use them but all of the other states around us is going to be a continued issue. So, I'm sorry, did you want to change that answer -- I see staff talking to you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Senator Fine.
Yes, it was my mistake. It does allow for municipalities with Home Rule to be stricter than the law, but they have to at least abide by the law. They can go above it, but not below it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Bryant.
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Thank you. Senator Arellano.
Questions for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The sponsor indicates she'll yield.
Thank you. I'm going to try to keep this brief because I think some of the questions were already asked. But following up on that, have we identified or studied ways to eliminate or mitigate the costs to businesses, especially small businesses, which are disproportionately affected by these kind of mandates?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
There is money in CEJA to retrain, and we can look at whether or not those dollars can be used to retrain those employees.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Arellano.
46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Thank you. Have we identified or studied at all specific recommendations or avenues that we want to take? In other words, and I'll preface this by saying, I agree, microplastics are something we need to be looking at and studying for what the next generation is inheriting and trying to leave a better earth than we have right now. But this bill seems to be starting with the punishment side of it, the mandate side of it. And as I mentioned, coming as a small business owner leading with that impacts the smallest businesses the hardest, which is the context for my question of have we done the work of saying, here is what we want to do, here is what we want to incentivize. Here is the alternative paths we're trying to promote. In other words, where is the solar or wind equivalent, in this particular arena, of the mandate side of what your bill is doing?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
So, in Illinois, we passed legislation a couple of years ago that makes the -- the government sort of the experimental when it comes to polystyrene and Styrofoam. And we passed a bill that bans the use of Styrofoam in government agencies, including universities. And this has gone quite well. And so, now we're saying let's take the next step, and let's also give businesses five years to really be creative and come up with those other products that we'll be able to use. And right now, if you were to go online, you would see tens and hundreds of different products that are actually already out there. And this will give us the opportunity to find those safer products that are cost effective, that we can start using in our State. 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Arellano.
My last question, and this was, I think, alluded to earlier. Was there any discussion in the process of this bill, and you mentioned some of the carve outs, egg cartons, things of that nature; certainly the price of eggs has been a sensitive topic of late, so that was good timing. Were there any similar discussions based around business size or small businesses, micro businesses? In other words, the ones that are struggling for market share and oxygen in our economy and giving them a little more time. I'll note that your deadline was extended, that's appreciated. I think that's wise, but even giving that that allows us a number of years to look at what's actually happening, maybe just fire - to use a military term, if it's not going the way we think it is. In the course of this bill did we specifically consider removing those microbusinesses so that the opposite was true, that later, if it was going super well we could always add them but they weren't, de facto, mandated by this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
There was, I want to say, intense negotiations in this bill, and part of the reason we opted with the five-year deadline was it made it cleaner. It made it easier for everybody to understand how this is going to work. And if you look at who is neutral on the bill, we have the Restaurant Association and the Retail Merchants Association are neutral on the bill. They worked with me to make sure we can get to a place that we were comfortable. 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Arellano.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) To the bill.
First, I'd like to thank the attention to microplastics and those environmental concerns. I think that is an important issue. And as someone who's trying to take a long-term approach to the State, both fiscally and environmentally, and those topics are certainly intertwined, I think this is an area that needs discussion. That being said, I think this particular bill is starting a little bit too much from the mandate side. And I use start loosely because I understand work has been done, as you alluded to. But when we lead with the mandate and fine side, even given the number of years that was built into this, which again, I appreciate. I think we need to understand that regulations and mandates have different impacts in different rungs of society, and where they hit the hardest is on those without legal departments, on those without the kind of resources it takes to resource their product lines. And I would love to see in future conversations of this nature we start with exceptions for small businesses and micro businesses. Unfortunately for that reason, I urge a No vote on this. However, I do again want to say my respect for the conversation around plastics, and the environmental future of our State. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator McClure. 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
Questions for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The sponsor indicates she will yield.
Thank you, Madam President. So, something that you said Senator caught my attention. You said that products in Illinois would be able to be -- products would be able to be produced here but not sold here. So, let's just say you've got some person in Indiana who wants to buy one of these products that would be banned as far as being sold in the State, and calls an Illinois company who's producing these products. And over that phone call, they make a sale. Where is the point of sale? Is it in Illinois or is it in Indiana?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
I would assume it would be Illinois. But again, we are not banning the sale of the product to other States. We are just banning the sale of the product in our State. And if you look at the number of states that have already banned it, the number of countries and the European Union, this is really a direction that we are moving in.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator McClure.
Okay. Well, let's take an example where someone lives in the State of Wisconsin. They go onto a website that is hosted by an Illinois company, and they purchased the product. The company in 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Illinois who receives the money, it's their website, they produce the product, and the sale is completed there when they send the product over to the other State. Where is the actual purchase location, because it's all Illinois where the purchase seems to occur. So, would that be illegal under this legislation? And is Illinois the point of sale there, or is that Wisconsin?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
I guess -- I guess, I'm a little confused by your question. Because, again, it doesn't ban the sale or distribution out-of- state. It just says they cannot sell the product in-State, so they are selling the product from their company here and shipping it elsewhere. The goal would be, since we are seeing it -- this being, eliminated in so many states that they're not going to be selling it out-of-state anymore because more and more states like recently, I mentioned Montana are going to have similar legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator McClure.
But even your response to my question was that they were selling the product in the State. So, I'm -- I'm confused as to where the -- where the location of the sale is. Because if the website is located in our State, if the company is located in our State, and that's where the sale is occurring, just because after the after the sale is made, that product is moving from this State to the next state. To me, the sale is still in the State of Illinois. And so, I'm just really confused as to how this is all going to work, because you can -- you can still sell it, 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 apparently, but it's very confusing as to where the actual state location is at the point that the sale is made. And it seems to me that that's a big hole in the legislation. But I'll speak to the bill, because I think we've gone back and forth about this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) To the bill.
Thank you. And, Senator Fine, I appreciate all your hard work on environmental issues and your passion on these issues and the fact that you're willing to take so many questions, so very much appreciated. But there's some real issue that that needs to be clarified in the legislation, because apparently you can sell the product from Illinois. You just have to do it over the internet or over the phone, or even just have to be a resident of the other -- of another state who drives over to the factory, who shakes your hand at the purchase time. And then they -- they -- they take the products away, but you can't buy it in a retail brick and mortar store. Well, to me, that also brings up a severe issue that we've got right now in our State, which is a lot of people are not shopping at brick and mortar locations, which are so important to all of us in our communities. And so, this just has some issues with it that are separate from the original reason for the -- for the bill to be filed in the first place. And, you know, it -- it seems to me like there's a lot of workarounds that are unfair to the mom-and-pop shops around our State, the brick-and-mortar shops around our state that really need support and help. And that's a real problem for me. In addition to the points that have been made about the fact that we're going to potentially lose jobs and lose resources in our State that we need right now, we've got people 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 leaving our State and we need to keep those people here. So, for those reasons, while I respect the sponsor and I appreciate her good intentions with the bill, I do urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Rezin.
Thank you, Madam President. Question for the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The sponsor indicates she will yield.
Thank you. Senator Fine, I -- I'm not going to rehash a lot of the questions that have been asked of you. So, I do commend you for working on this issue for quite a while. My question for you is, and it has to go in line with the amount of jobs that come with producing, this product. Do -- does AFL do they support or oppose this legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
I believe they're opposed to the legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Rezin.
Do the steelworkers, pipe trades, and sheet metal unions also oppose this legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine.
53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 I saw them listed on a sheet, but nobody had reached out to me.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Rezin.
Thank you. To the bill, and I appreciate that as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) To the bill.
My concern is we have numerous concerns on this side. We do appreciate all of the work that you've done on this topic. Concern not only with the implementation of the bill, but the loss of jobs that we just discussed and the opposition by most of the unions. So, because of that, we'll be a No. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) And our last speaker, President Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President, to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) To the bill.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Looking around the Chamber, I am struck by how many of us have on our desks reusable water cups. Hold them up if you'd like. Both sides of the aisle. 30 years ago in this Chamber, if you looked around and you could see through the smoke, you would have seen countless 8 ounce white Styrofoam coffee cups. The world is changing. We are moving beyond that and looking for something better. And many of us have made this decision in our own lives, and we try to abide by it. We're 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 not perfect, but we're moving toward something new. So, I'm -- I applaud Senator Fine. This is a pro-business bill with the support of the -- the restaurants and the -- the -- the retail merchants who are the most directly impacted. It's a five-year phase in. I've not seen anything that generous in legislative history that I can think of. This creates an incentive to be the builder of the next product. Some of the arguments have been dizzying, but I could assure you that if we've gotten something wrong, the intent is in five years to prohibit the sale in Illinois of polystyrene for use in Illinois. If we've gotten that wrong, we're not going out of business. We can fix these problems, but I'm proud to be a co- sponsor. I'm very appreciative to the chief sponsor, and I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Fine, to close.
Thank you. I -- I appreciate the conversation, because these are questions that have come up in the negotiations process. And I thank the Senate President, for your support of this legislation and its importance. We have five years. If there are some issues we need to tweak, we can tweak those in those five years. But what I think we need to focus on right now is the health of our children and the health of our environment. We get one chance. If we destroy our clean water because we want to use a product for 60 seconds and then do damage to our aquatic life and human life for the next hundreds and hundreds of years, that is us being selfish. This is our time to stand up, to make sure that we have a cleaner, safer place for our children and our grandchildren to grow, live, and thrive. So, I would appreciate your support on this legislation. 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The question is, shall Senate Bill 1531 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, 22 Nays, and 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1531, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Doris Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President, for an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) State your introduction.
We have in the gallery today, Jackie Newman. She is the Executive Director of the Springfield Housing Authority. She has been all of her adult life a fierce housing advocate, and she is -- plays a vital role with the Illinois Housing Council. And that's who she's here with today. So, if you would join me for welcoming Jackie Newman to the Illinois State Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Madam President. Would you please have the record reflect my intention to vote Aye, on Senate Bill 1-7-7-3, please. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The record will reflect. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025
Senate Joint Resolution 267, offered by Senator Castro. It is congratulatory, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Ladies and Gentlemen, we are returning to Supplemental Calendar No. 1, where we will have Senate Resolution 265. Mr. Secretary, would you read the resolution?
Senate Resolution 265, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Madam President, to the resolution. Thank you, Madam President and Members of this Body. As a father of two young boys, you never want to think about losing a child. Yet this painful experience continues to plague our communities and affect those close to us. Almost two and a half years ago, on October 14th, 2023, Wadee Alfayoumi, a six-year-old Palestinian Muslim- American boy from Plainfield, lost his life after being brutally stabbed in a hate-driven act. These actions are unacceptable. Our communities, our home, deserve to be free of hate and violence. A parent should wake up and not have to worry that they may go to bed that night without their child. But this was not the experience for Wadee's parents. Fueled by hate, they experienced their worst nightmare. Wadee Alfayoumi was born to Odai Alfayoumi and Hanan Shaheen and shared a heritage, history, love, culture, and tradition belonging to the Palestinian people. A radiant light in the lives of his parents, he was a beloved son whose presence was nothing short of angelic; his heart was full of love, spirit was 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 bright, and his kindness had no bounds. Bringing sunshine and love to the -- to those around him. He enjoyed coloring, running outside, playing with Legos and any games involving a ball, especially basketball and soccer. He found joy in joining his parents in prayer and carried a deep care for the world around him and all those he encountered. Wadee's memory will forever be a guiding force, serving as a reminder of innocence, compassion, and the enduring power of a responsibility toward justice that our world needs. Though his time with us was far too brief, his love and light continue to touch our hearts every day. Senate Resolution 265 recognizes September 21st, 2025, the International Day of Peace as Wadee Day in the State of Illinois. Inspiring individuals to work together to make the world a more peaceful place, as all children deserve to live free from violence and discrimination. As we remember and honor the life of Wadee Alfayoumi, I would like to thank the Muslim Civic Coalition and their advocates who are here with us today, in the gallery, and my chief co-sponsors, Senators Cappel, Villa, and Ventura, for joining me in conversations with -- with the community to carry on Wadee's story. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Is there any discussion? Senator Loughran Cappel.
To the resolution. On October 14th, 2023, a six-year-old American Palestinian boy, Wadee Alfayoumi, was brutally stabbed by a hate driven perpetrator in his own home with his mother present. Wadee was a bright, energetic, and loving child who brought sunshine to all of his loved ones and classmates. He was full of life and hope, but his life was cut short. A major tragedy born of ignorance, fear, and violence. And we mourn his loss. There is no 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 room for this kind of hatred in Illinois. Not in our communities, our homes, or our hearts. This was a terrible act of violence against a child, and no child should ever be made a target because of who they are, where they come from, or how they pray. To Wadee's mother, Hanan, who was also severely injured in this attack. We continue to extend to you our deepest sympathies. Your grief is shared with people across Illinois and -- and of course, across the entire country. May the memory of Wadee be a blessing and a reminder we must rise against hate and continue the work of building a better and safer Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Ventura.
To the resolution. As we've seen in our world, more and more hate and war. This is a good reminder that the only thing that can fight that hate is when we stand up for peace. And how dangerous it is to use hateful rhetoric in painting what maybe terrorists or individuals have done -- it painting large communities with that. This is a direct result of that type of hatred and how it impacts our communities, people who are innocent, and it is so important that we stand in solidarity with communities who have been harmed but also call out hate. So, I stand with my colleagues and rise to ask for peace, and I'm honored that we will now be calling the International Day of Peace after Wadee. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) Senator Villivalam, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. Obviously, very emotional and I appreciate the support of our colleagues. I would ask for the 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 40th Legislative Day 4/30/2025 resolution's adoption and a moment of silence after that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) The question is, shall Senate Resolution 265 pass. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Will join me in a moment of silence. (Moment of silence observed) Mr. Secretary, a correction on the record.
Senate Joint Resolution 34, offered by Senator Castro. It is congratulatory. This resolution was inadvertently and incorrectly read in earlier as Senate Joint Resolution 267. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MURPHY) There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until 12:30 p.m. on the first day of May, 2025. The Senate stands adjourned so you can go to committee. 60