PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The regular Session of the 104th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please -- please rise. The invocation today will be given by Reverend Jonathan Sharp from Trinity -- Trinity -- Trinity Lutheran Church, from Springfield, Illinois.
REVEREND JOHN SHARP: (Invocation)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please remain standing. Will Senator Johnson, please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?
SENATOR JOHNSON: (Pledge of Allegiance)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Cameron Maine from WAND seeks permission to record, videotape, and audio record the proceedings. Seeing no objection, so ordered. Cesar Toscano from WGLT request permission to record, audio, and take photos of the proceedings. Seeing no objection, so ordered. And Lisa Chess-Yuscius from Blueroomstream seeks permission to video stream the proceedings. Seeing no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of March 4th and 5th, 2025.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Mr. President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved unless some Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Glowiak Hilton moves to approve the Journals just 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 read by the Secretary. There be no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, May 28th, 2025.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Thank you, Mr. 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 AQUINO) Senator Glowiak Hilton moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal pending arrival of the printed transcript. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 353, offered by Senator Faraci and all Members. It is a celebration of life resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 351, offered by Senator Preston. It is congratulatory. And Senate Resolution 352, offered by Senator Belt. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Turner, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture reports - Motions to Concur House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2455 and House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2459 Recommend Do Adopt. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Senator Stadelman, Chair of the Committee on Energy and Public Utilities reports - Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 2435 Recommend Do Adopt. And Senator Ellman, Chair of the Committee on Environment and Conservation reports - Motions to Concur House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1859 and House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2466 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Andrew Campbell from Capitol News Illinois, seeks permission to record and videotape the proceedings. Seeing no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 111. We have received a Like Message on House Bill 1582. Passed the House May 29th, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 111, offered by President Harmon, an Act making appropriations. House Bill 1582, offered by Senator Martwick, an Act concerning finance. 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Peter Hancock from Capitol News Illinois seeks permission to photograph and record the proceedings. Seeing no objection, so ordered. Senator Johnson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Thank you, Mr. President. Point of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please make your announcement.
Mr. President, I rise to introduce three of my team's outstanding interns. Our future is so bright to know that we have smart, engaged, and kind young leaders. So, the first is Ananya Krishnan, and she's a rising senior at Stevenson High School, she is a team lead of our youth interns in my office. And -- Ananya has organized our first youth billathon event, in which youth could develop bills and present it to me and my Chief of Staff, Shanale. She's a parliamentarian of the Illinois HOSA State Executive Council and HOSA International Qualifiers. Also today is, Shrikar Bhatta, he's a rising senior at Stevenson High School, he also facilitated the youth billathon. He has conducted research and legislation on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, research at UIUC for computer human interaction, and sign language translation technologies. He is the founder and CEO of XYLO Smart Wait Scale Startup. And then finally with us, the intern, Jerry Wang, he is a rising sophomore at Stevenson High School. Jerry helped connect with local politicians on anti-drug policies, and he helped advocate for preventing substance use in youth. And unable to attend today is Colby Nixon. He's a rising senior from Stevenson High School, and Colby led and designed community building policy around substance abuse prevention, environmental protection, and urban design. And also with -- Ananya, she actually helped write the bill, the Pet Scan bill. It did not advance, but we're going to try again. So, just wanted you to know that and also with them is my amazing Chief of Staff, Shanale Mason. Mason, 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 please give them a warm welcome to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President, for point of introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please make your introduction.
With me today as a Page for the Day, is Liam Hamilton. He's a senior at Peoria Notre Dame High School. His hobbies are scholastic bowl, speech team, drama club, student ambassadors, social events, and a volunteer at Sophia's Kitchen, which is a great place in the south side of Peoria that feeds a lot of people, plays electric guitar, and studies paleontology. His future plans are to attend a four-year university to study international relations, and eventually work in the State Department. So, would you please help me welcome Liam!
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Curran, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please make your announcement.
Mr. President, Members of the -- of the Senate, I rise today to -- recognize -- truly -- recognize a truly remarkable individual whose legacy and impact on the Senate Republican Caucus is 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 unmatched. Lisa Brackenhoff standing right here to my right, is preparing to retire after more than 40 years working for the Senate Republicans, an incredible amount of years of service and dedication. She has had the extraordinary career that began March 25, 1985, a great year for super -- or for Chicago Bears fans, and has spanned the tenure of 7 Governors, 6 Republican Leaders, 8 Chiefs-of-Staff, and countless Senators and staff. Lisa has been a constant through decades of change working with 33 Senators, personally, and under seven different Senate Republican Communication Directors. She helped guide the Department through the evolution of Communications, from the clack of typewriters to the instant pace of digital media. And yes, despite what some might say, she did not write the press releases on parchment paper. I appreciate the feedback. Times have definitely changed over the years and our office has moved countless times, but her elephant collection has grown and she remains constantly upbeat and positive. She's the glue that holds the staff together with a journalist's eye for detail, a writer's instinct for clarity, and a wit that has kept all of us grounded through long hours and tight deadlines. So, think this week -- everyone knows that when she sends a Senate -- everyone email, laughs are to follow. Lisa's journey, here, began in Rhode Island, but her heart and roots are here in Illinois. From Freeport High School to Highland Community College to Western Illinois University and finally earning her Master's in Communication at UIS. Her path has always been one of curiosity and lifelong learning. Before joining the Senate staff, Lisa made a name for herself as a journalist, winning both State and national awards. Whether she was writing releases, proofing the most recent Week in Review, taking interns out to lunch for 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 good mentoring sessions, or offering perspective only decades of experience can bring. Lisa has made everyone around her better. Lisa often says that work in this building has been the best job you'll ever hate, and the worst job you'll ever love. But the truth is, for 40 years she has given this institution her all and it really does show. Lisa your friendship, your humor, and your commitment to the Illinois Senate Republicans will be deeply missed. On behalf of our entire caucus, our staff behind me, our staff in the gallery, I want to thank you for your exceptional service, your invaluable contributions, and your expertise. You've left your mark on all of us, and you will always be a part of the Senate Republican family. So, we wish you every happiness in retirement -- you've earned, you've more than earned it, know that you'll be missed. But we're wishing you all the best in all your future endeavors. So, Congratulations, Lisa!
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Congratulations and thank you to your service to our institution. Senator Fowler, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you -- Thank you, Mr. President. I would also like to pay tribute to Lisa, as personal privilege please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please state your -- your -- your point.
Thank you, Mr. President, and Members of the Senate, I'd also like to pay tribute to Lisa. Lisa has been a pillar of professionalism, knowledge, and dedication throughout her service. She graciously stepped in to help my team while my communication 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 specialist was on maternity leave, taking on every challenge without hesitation and delivering work that was always exceptional. Her deep understanding of the Senate and her unwavering commitment set her apart in every way. Lisa, thank you for your outstanding contributions. My team and I are deeply grateful and wish you all the best in this exciting chapter. Congratulations, on a well-deserved retirement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you. I'd like to join in with others on the -- the…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please state your point.
Thank you very much. Lisa was one that also does a press work for me, and I just want to change a little bit and put in perspective that when she got started, press releases were done on typewriters and mailed out. In her first few years, fax machines just started to come into play, Senator Koehler could appreciate that. We're talking about fax machines back in our earlier days. Interesting enough, it was the year she started as Microsoft came out with Windows 1 and IBM came up with a new product called DOS. Good news is Illinois still uses that in most of our agencies. So, some things haven't -- some things haven't changed. But, so, she's had a long history of going from there to today's technology. She was also here on the Floor when we went to computers for the first time for the staff. That was and I think, let's see, Scott was probably here at the time Elgie, I think was on staff, but it's one of the few times we actually closed the Chambers and banned 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 the press from being here, as we tried to teach legislators at the time how to use computers. So, until then, everything was done with paper. So, every day we would get stacks of -- of bills, literally 2 or 3ft high because every bill had to be printed out on every bill being discussed. And so, when we went to computers, she was here for the first time for that. So, you've had a long legacy of doing it the hard way in the earlier years. And I've had the opportunity to be part of that with you for 33 years, not as quite as long as you, but thank you for your years of service. And I hope you have a great retirement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Continuing with -- with the well wishes, the Chair recognize(s) Senator Tracy.
Thank you, Mr. President. I too, would like to congratulate Lisa and her husband, Kurt has joined us here on the Floor. Lisa's a legend, a legend, and I'm so happy for her that she's going to have many years of retirement. Forty years, can we imagine? But we are so fortunate that she's used her skills and expertise, starting out as a reporter in Macomb, and then finding a job here in Springfield due to some common friends that we have and still share today. I've had the privilege of having Lisa help me, and I mean really help me do press releases, newsletters for several years. And I was just always amazed at her professionalism, her ability to strategize and put up with me. It's incredible. She's a great sounding board and she's a positive influence on everyone around her. If you can see all the staff and friends that she has that want to share in her celebration of her career, it's a testament to our Lisa. Things get hectic, but she always turned things around 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 and got her job done. Late hours, weekends, whenever Lisa was there, and she deserves nothing but the best in her retirement. Kurt and she like to travel, and I hope she continues to travel, and we wish nothing but the best. And I thank you most of all for your friendship and by the powers invested in me I declare this to be "Lisa Sims Day."
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Thank you for your four decades of service to -- to our -- to the Senate. Thank you. Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. This for a moment of introduction, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please make your introduction.
In the gallery, we have former Senator John Millner. Senator, there he is and he brought with him, today, some guests; Jennifer Lockenvitz. Jennifer is here, she works with John. But also, her son is here, and his name is Jackson. Jackson, can you wave up here? I know you're up there somewhere. Jackson did -- he's a student in Bloomington at Metcalf School, and he recently did a project and he had to pick somewhere out in -- in the State of Illinois, and he picked the Illinois State Capitol. He wrote a book that he has with him today. And in that book, he describes everything about the Illinois State Capitol and all that's in it. He also is part of the STEM program and makerspace, and he helped design a school playground there at the grade school at Metcalf. Today, I'd like to welcome Jennifer and her son, Jackson, to the 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 State Senate. If you'll help me give a warm welcome, I'd appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Hunter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please -- please make your point.
In the balcony, we have a group of youth leaders here with the Chicago Area Project of Chicago, and they've come down to learn the legislative process and to -- have an opportunity to meet with other legislators, such as yourself. And so, let's welcome these fine young people from the Chicago Area Project.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Stand on up. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Fowler, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. The purpose of an announcement please or…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please make your announcement.
Mr. President, Members of the Senate, I'm extremely excited today to have my Page for a Day with me, today. This is Claire Grindley, an energetic 11-year-old who just wrapped up her sixth grade at Carterville Intermediate School. Claire keeps busy playing trumpet in the school band and bringing the heat to the 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 softball field with both the Carterville Junior High softball team and her 12 under Crush travel team. She lives in Carterville with her parents, Carol and Sean, and her brother Luke. Carol, her mother, is up in the gallery with us. When she's not hitting home runs or making music Claire loves swimming, hanging out with friends, and hitting the stores with a little shopping. This is Claire's very first trip to Springfield. Will you please join me in welcoming Claire to the Illinois State Senate?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Senator Edly-Allen, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President, purpose for an announcement please -- or…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please make your announcement.
Mr. President, I rise to bring awareness to the fact that we're coming to the end of May, and it is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and 1 in 5 people will struggle with mental wellness. I would like to reassure all Illinoisans or tell them that their mental health is as important, if not more important, than their physical health. Our society has been programed to believe a myth; that a personality weakness or character flaw causes mental health unwellness, and that people with mental health struggles can simply, snap out of it, if they just try hard enough. There is a stigma that seeking help for mental wellness is a moral failing or character flaw, and not fixing your own problems is 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 viewed as weak. I rise to challenge this stigma. The fact is, mental health issues have nothing to do with being lazy or weak. In fact, many factors contribute to mental health problems, including biological factors such as genes, physical illness, injury or brain chemistry, adverse life experiences such as trauma, or a history of abuse, including physical, sexual, and emotional. I bring attention to the following list of people you might have heard of, who come forward to share their own stories of struggle, and the importance of seeking help from a therapist - Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps; singer, Katy Perry; tennis great, Serena Williams; actor, Jennifer Aniston; gold medalist, Simone Biles; and lead singer of my favorite band, Imagine Dragons, Dan Reynolds. And I add my name to the list, for I would not be here today if it had not been for my own therapists, Lynn and Deborah Ann, who helped me work through my own experience of trauma and abuse. I know I have become stronger from the work I have done on my mental health with a therapist. Mental health is a bipartisan issue. I challenge this Chamber and those who are listening, to continue the important work of removing the stigma around mental health, bring this important discussion into the light, and commit to making mental health issues a priority. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Holmes, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please state your announcement.
The Senate Democrats will caucus upon recess for 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 approximately one hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition.
For an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please make your announcement.
Thank you. The Senate Republicans will caucus at the same time in Room 400 of the Capitol for approximately one hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. The Senate will reconvene to the call of the Chair. Stand -- stands at recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senate will come to order. Will the Members please make their way to the Senate Floor? We are taking up some action. Will the Senate Members please make your way to the Senate Floor. We will be taking up action. Thank you. We're going to go to our printed Calendar on page 2 towards the top we have Senate Bill's 2nd Reading. Beginning with Senate Bill 1473, Senator Joyce. Senator Joyce, with Senate Bill 1473. Senator Feigenholtz, with Senate Bill 1844. And rounding off with Senate Bill 1855, Senator Belt. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1855, an Act concerning local government. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we will go to page 15 of the printed Calendar, towards the bottom we have House Bills 2nd Reading. Beginning with House Bill 46 -- 460, Senator Villanueva. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 460, an Act concerning education. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. At the top of page 16, we have Senator Preston with House Bill 1224. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1224, an Act concerning government. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Have there been -- have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2155, Senator Erica Harriss. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2155, an Act concerning education. 2nd Reading of 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3339, Senator Murphy. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3339, an Act concerning transportation. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Jade Aubrey from Capitol News Illinois seeks permission to record and audio tape and -- and -- and take pictures of the preceding. Seeing no objections, so ordered. If Members of the Senate can please make their way to the Floor, we will be moving to final action on House Bills 3rd Reading soon. Please make your way to the Floor so we can pass some bills. House Bills 3rd Reading. With leave of the Body, we're returning back to page 2 with Senate Bill 2nd Reading. Senator Joyce, on Senate Bill 1473. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1473, an Act concerning gaming. 2nd Reading of the bill. Committee on Executive adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Committee on Assignments, please meet in the Senate front room, immediately. Committee on Assignments, please meet in the back room -- President's Room, immediately. Senator Holmes, in the Chair. PRESIDNG OFFICER (SENATOR HOLMES): Senator Aquino, back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Cunningham, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - House Bill 850, House Bill 3247, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1994, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 2771, Committee Amendment 3 to House Bill 3363, and Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 2785; refer to Licensed Activities Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2431; refer to State Government Committee - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 314. Be Approved for Consideration - House Joint Resolution 13, Floor Amendments 3 and 4 to House Bill 1697, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 2967, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 3019, Floor Amendment 4 to House Bill 3193. Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Addison Wright from the Tribune, will -- is seeking permission to take photos and to record the proceeding. Seeing no 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 objection, so ordered. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are going to House Bills 3rd Reading -- 3rd Reading, excuse me, final action. On the printed Calendar we are at the bottom of page 8, we find ourselves with House Bill 22. Senator Johnson with House Bill 22. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 22, an Act concerning government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 22 amends the Illinois Municipal Code and allows developer donations and impact fees as provided in the implementing ordinances, to include amounts for construction of a new school. House Bill 22 states that the new school building must be specifically and uniquely necessitated by the development or subdivision, and the affected school district must certify that the necessity and associated costs, and it goes into effect immediately. And this is a sponsor initiative in collaboration with Senator Edly-Allen, Representative Didech, and Representative Faver Dias. And I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. A question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates she would yield. Senator Plummer. 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
Thank you. Senator, sorry we couldn't have a longer conversation earlier. Real quickly on this, if -- if -- if a new project is deemed to have an impact on -- on the municipality or, I'm sorry, on the school district, who is it that determines that -- that impact. That it has an impact and -- and the degree of the impact.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
Thank you Senator. That should be a decision made in collaboration with the municipality and the school district.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
So, we don't necessarily empower a -- the municipality or the school district or a specific governing body of any type to make the decision. I'm just trying to understand, if this can be kind of implemented in an even-handed way across the State. I know we've had instances, especially in the Chicago suburb, where there might be a development of some sort and different municipalities might get into a fight over who gets to annex that development. And, if -- if each municipality gets to say, "Well, it's going to impact it to this degree or to that degree." You really could have a race to the bottom in -- in -- in a way, if we don't have some sort of standards of how this is determined and who determines it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson?
19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Well, thank you if I believe I understand what you're saying. There are some standards. But just to really refocus on House Bill 22, this is just allowing municipalities, may, if they want, and not that they have to, when it comes to impact fees making sure that those are decided the impact on school districts and again, just giving municipalities the tools that they need. In the example that you gave, I think that's a separate issue with what House Bill 22 is addressing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
Well, I don't think it's a separate issue, but that's okay. But they already have these tools, right? I mean, there's impact fees, there's development contributions and stuff happening all over the State. So, I guess they -- they can't already do this. So, I'm trying to understand the purpose of the bill. Outside of kind of creating this somewhat hazy description of determining the impact on school districts. I mean, municipalities already do this in the State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
Thank you, Senator. Again, just for municipalities who may not feel that they have the authority, we're giving them an option, this is a tool. Just to clarify.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
To -- to the bill. 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I -- I appreciate the sponsor's work on this. We -- we tried to discuss it earlier but got cut off there. municipalities can already do this is extraordinarily clear, millions of dollars across State of Illinois are levied every year in impact fees, if they can already do this, why is this legislation exist? Well, this legislation exists because it broadens their powers, to do so. It also creates this new nebulous determination of the impact on school districts. For those of you that maybe aren't in residential construction or aren't tracking population trends or development trends, we are lagging behind all of our neighbors and new home construction. The costs for houses in Illinois are dramatically higher than in our -- our -- our neighboring states. Everything we do in this building that makes it more expensive for families and the State of Illinois to be able to invest in a home. Everything we do in this State, to make it more expensive for people to stay in this State, to plant their roots in the State, is a bad thing for the State. We are an extremely expensive place to do business. We're an extremely expensive place to live. We're an extremely expensive place to own a house. This legislation does not give any municipalities a tool that they don't already have. What it does do is it opens the door for these municipalities to create these nebulous rules on school district impacts. By the way, enrollment is down and most all of our school districts and it's if it's not down, it's flat. This legislation just puts more red tape and more expense on hard working families in Illinois. If you're paying attention to the trends of this State, we need to 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 reverse that. I would I would encourage everyone to keep housing expenses as low as possible for Illinois families, so our communities and school districts can grow. And I ask for a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Senator DeWitte, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor indicates she will yield Senator DeWitte.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator. How does this legislation affect mandated State required land cash contributions based on forecasts of bedrooms, population, and school children being added to the school districts burden?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
Thank you, Senator. It doesn't add -- add to that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
So, municipalities would still be able to use even if the need for additional facilities were not substantiated. Municipalities would still be able to use the land cash, or I should say school districts and park districts would still be able to use those land cash contributions how they saw fit?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson. 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
This legislation will only limit any impact fees or contributions in addition to required land cash contributions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte. Any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Johnson, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall House Bill 22 pass? All those in favor vote, Aye. All those opposed vote, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 33 voting Aye, 21 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. House Bill 22, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Fine, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Yes. Thank you. I intended to vote Yes on, I believe it was House Bill 22, but my button was not working.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The record will reflect that, thank you. Continuing on the 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Order of Senator Johnson, we have House Bill 32. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 32, an Act concerning local government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 32 does two things. It clarifies that the ministerial duties of a temporary deputy township supervisor when the office of the township supervisor is vacant, include the authority to administer the Township General Assistance Program. And this is important because the General Assistance Program includes the provision of emergency assistance, which is intended to alleviate life threatening circumstances. A lack of clarity regarding the authority to provide emergency assistance could potentially result in loss of life. The bill also clarifies that a meeting to appoint a temporary deputy township supervisor qualifies -- qualifies as a Bonafede emergency and is therefore exempt from the Open Meetings Act -- Acts 48-hour notice requirements for regular and special meetings, and this exemption is important as 48-hour delay in providing emergency assistance could lead to a loss of life. And the second thing is that it adds township, park, and recreation departments to the list of agencies exempt from certain provisions of the child labor law. Generally, youth employees must be supervised by an adult over 21 years of older. And I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there -- any discussion. Any discussion? Seeing none. The 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 question is, shall House Bill 32 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 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 32, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we move towards page 9 towards the top we have House Bill 1082, Senator Sally Turner. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1082, an Act concerning local government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Turner, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1082 is from the Illinois Municipal League. It's an initiative aimed at providing relief to our smaller municipalities. What it does is it changes the audit requirement starting in fiscal year 2027. This legislation is only for municipalities in the population of 1000 or less. They would be exempt from the costly requirement for an every year audit. And also, it would not allow them to have a tax extension on the audit. So, they won't have a levy for audit either. This change is designed to ease the financial administrative burdens on small towns, which often struggle with high costs of an audit itself. Also, they will be, the Comptroller they'll be sending in the financial report to the Comptroller's office, and they have to have a clean audit with no material findings in the previous three years. I'd ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 1082 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 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1082, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. John Kim from the Chicago Tribune seeks permission to photograph the proceedings. Seeing no objection, so ordered. We're moving down to -- down the page of page 9. We have House Bill 1576, Senator Halpin. On 1576, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1576, an Act concerning government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Halpin, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, this bill is an initiative of the Secretary of State's office to modernize the Court of Claims Act and provide a little bit of consistency. It permits the court to hold official Sessions and take evidence remotely. Authorizes the court to adopt administrative rules for electronic filing and remote participation, and allows the court to determine filing fees for electronic payment. Extends the statute of limitations for filing a claim under the Crime Victims Compensation Act of 5 years from 1 year, in order to make it consistent with the Crime Victims Compensation Act. I will take rhetorical questions only and would ask for your Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? No rhetorical questions. So, the question is, shall House Bill 1576 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 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1576, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Moving back up to the order on the page of page 9 is House Bill 1302, Senator Peters. Senator Peters. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1302, an Act concerning victim rights. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Peters, on your bill.
This is a bill that was strongly supported by domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and had negotiations with IRMA who have taken no position. And I asked for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 1302 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? Senator Cunningham, would you like to vote on this bill? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1302, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 1616, Senator Belt. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
House Bill 1616, an Act concerning employment. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise today, not just as a legislator, but as someone whose life was saved by the generosity of another person. A kidney donor who gave me a second chance. House Bill 1616 is personal to me. Without that donation, I would not be standing here today. I know firsthand the power of organ donation, not just the physical healing, but the emotional weight of knowing someone cared enough to give. This bill makes a simple but important change. It ensures that part time workers, the people who stock shelves, care for our loved ones, serve our communities can take up to ten days of leave in a year to donate an organ without risking their job or financial stability. And if they're being compensated for the donation, their employer must pay them based on the average daily wage over the past two months. Right now. Part time workers often don't have access to these protections, and they can -- and that can be the difference between saying yes to saving a life or walking away because they can't afford the time off. This legislation says if you are willing to save a life, your livelihood shouldn’t be on the line. It's about fairness, it's about compassion, and it's about expanding access to something that can only happen when ordinary people make an extraordinary decision to give. Listen, organs save lives, I'm living proof of what that means. I respectfully ask for your support of House Bill 1616, and together let's vote to save lives. 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you. Questions of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Tracy.
Senator Belt, I certainly support your bill about the organ donation aspect, but does this also give a part-time employee paid leave to donate blood?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt.
Senator Tracy, this -- House Bill 1616 only deals with organ donation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Tracy.
All right, I'll take it at that. I just was reading what was on my computer, and it indicated it included blood donation. And so that was why I asked. But thank you for that clarification.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any further discussion? Senator Arellano, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Questions of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Arellano. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
Thank you. Thank you. And first, I offer my respect for your journey and for that went down. I'm glad you're with us and I'm glad that was successful. And I certainly understand the intentions of this bill. My first question is you mentioned if the employer chooses to pay them. My understanding is that this bill will mandate an employer to change to pay them. Pending approval, what happens if a small employer with a part-time employee says no? Do they have the power to say no?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt.
Senator as long as it's by the procedures established by the Department of Labor, then it's -- it's fine. Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
So, the employer has to approve it as long as they the employee has met the criteria.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt.
Would be correct.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
Is nonpaid leave already covered under State statute?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt. 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
None paid leave. Senator, let me answer it like this. What this bill looks to do is give part-time employee -- employees the same rights and privileges as full-time employees have right now, relative to organ donations.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
So, a full-time employee, which is guaranteed leave, they're already guaranteed paid leave?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt.
They may be entitled to paid leave.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
Okay. Okay. And that's what I'm trying to understand. So, this -- I'm fully on board with mandating leave for this opportunity. If it's unpaid leave. I think that should go without saying. I think most employers already would do that. And if it's not in State statute, it needs to be in State statute. What I'm trying to understand, if this is mandating that an employer of any size also be required to pay that employee while on leave.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt.
The legislation states or private employer with 51 or more employees. So, it does designate, you know, the -- the size in -- 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 in the legislation and as it relates to mandated pay. I don't see where it says mandated -- mandated pay. It says, if, let me find it. The employee of such employer. Where is it at? Or potentially even an employee shall. It says "a participating employee subject to this Act may be entitled to leave with pay -- to donate an organ", so it's may.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
Thank you. Thank you. So -- So, my understanding is this applies to employers of 51 employers {sic} (employees) and over, as you mentioned. And then the -- the employer may also choose to pay them. And if they choose to pay them there is a formula for that payment. But they are not mandated under this statute to pay them no matter what, so the pay part is optional.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt.
Senator I would, I really would refer to the language of the statute. There's nothing in there that mandates a pay. It's may.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
Okay. Because my reading of the -- of the statute is that it requires -- because it says the employer shall calculate the daily average pay.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt.
32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 That's if they agree to make the payment, then it spells out the subsequent move. If you agree to pay your part-time employer -- employee, then you should average calculate the last two months of payment. That's if you're in agreement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
Thank you. So, this is only for the agreeing employer. Okay, well to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
First, I appreciate that this is focusing on -- on larger employers who have the better ability to go through these processes. As we just saw here, it's a bit confusing for anyone, especially a small employer, to interpret some of these laws and understand intent. So, my first is a thanks for carving them out because they don't have the time or the money for that. Secondly, my understanding is this provides that as an option to employers and with that understanding, I will be supporting the bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Senator Belt, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for Aye votes. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall House Bill 1616 pass. All those in favor will vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Take the record. On that question, there are 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1616, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we will -- we will move towards page 10 towards the bottom. We have House Bill 2327, Senator Bryant. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2327, an Act concerning employment. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2327 is a narrowly tailored common-sense amendment to the Child Labor Law of 2024. I want to thank, Senator Peters for helping me make sure that the Department of Labor really framed this very narrowly. What it allows is for 14- and 15-year-olds to once again be able to keep score at two very important trap shooting events at the Sparta World Shooting Complex. It's the U.S. Open and the Grand American. This passed unanimously in the House, passed through committee unanimously. And I would appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 2327 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2327, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we will be moving on 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 to page 11 towards the top of the page we have House Bill 2371, Senator Koehler. Senator Koehler seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2371 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2371. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move towards adoption and I'll speak on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say -- will say, Aye. Opposed, Nay -- 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 AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2371, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment creates the Patient 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Access to Pharmacy Protection Act which prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturers from imposing restrictions on the ability of a 340B covered entity to contract with or designate a 340B contract pharmacy, including restrictions related to the number, location, ownership or type of 340B contract pharmacy. The amendment also requires a covered entity to dispense or administer 340B drugs only in connection with the outpatient health care service received by the patient within the last 18 months. Additionally, the Medicaid -- Medicaid study must be conducted by the Department of Health Care and Family Services to conduct a study on the impact of the 340B program in connection with Medical Assistance program. And lastly, the bill requires both covered entities to report pertinent 340B information to the General Assembly on an annual basis but exempts FQHCs safety nets and critical access hospitals with fewer than 100 beds and 340B grantees from the reporting requirements until January 1st of 2029. This is a bill that a lot of people have struggled to understand. I -- I know that because not a lot of people are aware of the 340B program. But let me just give you a little bit of history. In 1992, Congress passed and -- and -- and President George H.W. Bush signed into place the 340B program as a part of a larger veteran's bill that was enacted at that point. What it said was that there -- the government would set prices on manufactured drugs, and it would allow 340B entities, which are mostly hospitals, to be able to buy it at that price. As the patient comes into a pharmacy, they probably won't know that there are 340B patient. The pharmacy may not even know that they have 340B pricing. But that profit, if you will, goes to the hospital then to be used to expand charity care, to cover the uninsured, to do all the things that take care of our communities. 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 The reason this is important is that if we don't have a robust 340B program, which was designed again by the federal government to be able to have hospitals help to care for the poor, then what we would see is that -- poor people get sick. When they do, they go to the emergency room and if -- if there's not a program like this to cover it, what it means is that all of our insurance plans would have to be absorbing that cost. So, this is a good program, we met with pharmaceutical manufacturers, we met with hospitals, and FQHCs. We tried to be as fair as we could, we took suggestions from all parties. A suggestion like the lookback period of 18 months was a suggestion of pharmacy, transparency was a suggestion of the pharmaceutical industry. We put that into the bill so that all 340B entities have to report on an annual basis what they're using these funds for. So, that's just a little bit of history of it. I'm happy to answer any questions. I think this is an essential program. If you have hospitals in your -- in your district that are 340B hospitals, then I'm sure you've heard from them and this is very important to them. I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Senator, I appreciate your work on this. This is a -- is an important program and I was glad you were able to get -- as much consensus as you could to get this done. It is unfortunate that 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 because we underpay Medicaid so much that we have to put a tax on -- on pharmaceutical companies to make up for that underfunding, but that's a program that has been in place. So, I think based on, again, you know, what's been done so far and with some of the improvements that you've -- you've added to this, I think this is probably the best that we're going to -- to get. So, I appreciate your work and -- and urge the Members on our side to support your legislation. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any further discussion? Senator Fowler, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Question of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Fowler.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Koehler, I really appreciate your work on this. We've had a lot of conversation about it. I just had a couple questions. What impact will this have on our FQHCs?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
It'll basically save their life, because -- and I was on an FQHC Board in Peoria when it was first formed. And when you get the designation from the federal government to be an FQHC, which is a Federal Qualified Health Center, then part of the -- the mixture that you have to have of revenues to be able to carry out your mission of caring for the poor in your community is to take 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Medicaid, some Medicare, and then use the 340B program to supplement that. That is part of the equation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fowler.
Thank you, and you know I just want to I -- I -- I really appreciate this. And I guess, you know, obviously this will benefit the hospitals around my district and -- and all-over southern Illinois, correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
If there are 340B entity, it certainly will.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fowler.
Rise in strong support of this legislation. I know you've worked really hard on this. I know we've had a lot of great conversations, and I just wish for -- hope everyone pushes the green button on this legislation. Thank you so much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 2371 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 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2371, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2387, Senator Fine. Senator Fine seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2387 to the Order of 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2387. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Fine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? 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 AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2387, an Act concerning health. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine, on your bill.
Thank you. This legislation is an initiative of Mental Health America of Illinois. It clarifies provisions on outpatient mental health commitment. 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Some questions to the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Syverson.
Thank you very much, Senator. Just a few questions, I think, have some clarification, if you can help me on this. So, this is going to expand what we've already passed in -- the -- previously for inpatient coverage where they don't have to do the preauthorization and this will expand that to outpatient services. How does this work if a person were to go to a residential facility as opposed to a hospital? Is that covered under the same rules?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
I'm sorry, Senator, but I think you're confusing this with a different piece of legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Excuse me. It's the wrong bill, so thank you, I appreciate that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 2387 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2387, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2425, Senator Johnson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2425, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2425 provides that with respect to life insurance final expense policies, no life insurance company authorized to issue those policies in the State shall refuse to insure an individual, refuse to continue to insure an individual, limit the amount, extent or kind of coverage available to an individual, or charge an individual a different rate for the same coverage, solely on the basis that an insured applicant has a -- has been a convicted felon, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you. A couple of questions of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Syverson.
So, Senator under this legislation, we're -- I guess the 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 first question would be, do policies specifically exclude individuals that have had felonies, or are they required to just -- do they answer -- if they answer yes to that, that they have to disclose more information to be reviewed as underwriting?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
Thank you for the question, Senator. There is considerable evidence that many of them discriminate -- discriminate against individuals with a felony. The rates -- the rates are astronomical and therefore, in essence, that's a denial.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
So, in underwriting that, do they take into consideration what type of felony or history that person had, is that part of that decision process?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
Thank you. Senator. I believe the question is, do they consider the type of felony? And, you know, you're in the insurance business and I guess you would know the answer to that question. I just want to focus back on what this bill is doing, is just making sure that individuals who are formerly system impacted are able to get final life expense policies at a reasonable rate that is charged for others and -- and not denied for those policies.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson. 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
Thank you. So, here's our concern. I mean, life insurance, the rates are always based on averaging the risk out. They look at the individual. If a person is older, if the person has poor health -- if a person has poor health, if a person is a skydiver, hang glider, scuba diver those all are taken into consideration because they actually look at what are the likelihood of -- of -- of a death is going to occur. Under this, we're -- we're saying to one -- one group of individuals that actuarially are a higher risk, that -- that should be set aside, and we should make everybody else have to pay higher rates to be able to protect that individual. Under this scenario, an individual who was convicted of multiple drug crimes before they go to prison, then could purchase a policy and under this, clearly there's an increased risk of that potential person dying and the idea that they can't charge a rate for that. Yet we do a rate for individuals that have dangerous jobs or have dangerous hobbies. They get charged a risk. We're doing something special we've never done for anyone else before. So, I guess my concern is that this, again, is going to raise -- this is going to raise the cost for families that need to purchase coverage for protecting their families and they follow the rules. They're going to end up having to subsidize individuals that we're banning this -- this from being taken into consideration. So, currently, the carriers when I talk with them, they say we take all that in consideration. A person who was convicted of a felony years ago and is not a problem. There is no additional charges or risk. But clearly, someone that has a long criminal history is a bigger risk and should pay a higher rate for that. So, I --- I guess my last question would be is, how do we 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 justify giving one group of people a better rate and then making everyone else have to pay for that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
Thank -- Thank you, Senator, and thank you for expressing your concerns about the rates. And let me unpack what -- what you said. I think we're presuming there's -- there's presumption that these individuals are drug dealers and -- and most of them are not. And so that's -- that's problematic, but I would say that charging a higher rate for the individuals who are formerly system impacted with a felony; and so, doing so, really just perpetuates the cycle of marginalization and economic hardship. So therefore, we should not charge individuals just on the basis of having a felony, a higher rate and consider that a risk based on the scenario -- scenario that you provided and -- and -- and the generalization of those individuals. And so, I don't see an issue with this. And again, we do not want to continue to perpetuate these cycles of marginalization and again, economic hardship.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Thank you, just to respond to that. No, I was giving that as an example and -- and I think you helped make that point. If it's not a serious felony, the policies are going to be written as they're going to write them anyways. But we're saying that the worst of the felons, you want them treated the same as everybody else, and so that's where my concern is. Clearly those who are convicted of minor felonies are not an actuarial risk. And so, 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 we're saying those people, currently, are not charged extra because they're not at risk. But this bill says anybody, regardless of how serious of a felony they've committed or series of felonies they've committed, they get the same rates as everybody else. And that's where it's a concern. So, I just want to make that -- I want to clarify that, as well. So, thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I -- I hope on this issue people can put their political affiliation to the side and just listen to the context of the argument, because the sponsor and I have had several -- very good conversations about this and I think she and I want to get to the same place on this legislation, we just have a difference of opinion on -- on the impact of the legislation. My uncle runs a funeral home in Litchfield, Illinois and I hear horror stories all the time about people from -- from all walks in life that have these issues at -- at when a loved one passes, paying for expenses, getting the benefits that they need and, so on and so forth, what this legislation does is it puts the insurance companies that offer this product in a really weird spot. And that spot is basically if -- if this bill just said, hey they can't use the fact that they have a felony against them and offering things. I'd fully support it. But it gets into playing with rates that insurance companies 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 can charge. And I don't know if you follow the news lately on California but, you know, State government got involved in California, played with rates and things on home insurance and now houses that are near areas more prone to forest fires, those homeowners struggle to get insurance. There're huge swaths of California that can't get insurance because of State policy. What this bill does is it tells insurance companies you can't take the full background of a person into consideration when setting rates. If someone was convicted of a felony, they should absolutely be able to get insurance. However, if insurance companies aren't allowed to rate them according to risk, it's not that they're just going to go ahead and offer them the policy. They're going to step away from the market. And so if we really care about these people, and if we really want to make sure them and their families can be taken care of at this terrible moment in their life, we have to oppose this bill because what this bill will do, it will actually force the insurance companies out of the market of offering this service. Just like people can't get home insurance and huge swaths of California people with a felony conviction will struggle to find a provider for this insurance package because the insurance companies will not be able to market according to the appropriate risk. They're not going to be able to get the coverage. I want these people to be able to get the coverage. I don't want to hear more horror stories of -- of what's occurred. So, I respect what the sponsor is trying to do. I just think the way we're getting there actually is -- is somewhat counterproductive. And -- and I hope that we could get a No vote and maybe work together on -- on a package that could solve the issue without forcing insurance companies out of the marketplace. Thank you. 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Johnson, to close. Sorry, Senator apologies, apologies. Senator Belt, for what purpose do you seek recognition? All right, then, Senator Johnson, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. Actually, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill. This is a small subset of individuals, and it's only for final expenses, funeral and burial expenses. This isn't the type of insurance that my colleague is talking about -- about flooding and fires and that. And when an individual serves their time, they're in prison, and we are to make sure that they we're focusing on rehabilitation. When they re-enter society, they face significant barriers already to re- entry, and increased life insurance costs can further limit their ability to secure stable employment and build a secure future. So, let's make sure we remove the invisible handcuffs and remove the invisible prison cells, and allow these individuals to purchase final expense policies so that they, their family, are not burdened with any financial difficulties and they're able to die with dignity and pay for those final expenses. And thank you very much. I encourage an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall House Bill 2425 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 36 voting Yea, 18 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. House Bill 2425, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed. Jennifer Bamberg from 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Investigate Midwest seeks permission to record and photograph the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Continuing down the page -- down the page of page 11 on the printed Calendar, we find House Bill 2516, Senator Morrison. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2516, an Act concerning safety. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Morrison, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2516 amends the PFAS Reduction Act. PFAS is Per And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances called forever chemicals. This Act -- this will ban the sale or distribution of certain consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS starting January 1st, 2032. The items will include cosmetics, dental floss, juvenile products, menstrual products and intimate apparel. This bill has been carefully negotiated to the point where IEC, EPA, the IMA and the chemical industry are -- are all either in support or neutral. I'm happy to answer questions. One thing the amendment does do is adds a requirement for EPA to submit an assessment report on the risk and potential regulations of PFAS products to the General Assembly by August 2027. Happy to answer your questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 2516 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 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 the record. On that question, there are 45 voting Yea, 9 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2516, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Arellano, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
I'd like the record to reflect, I intended to vote against HB 2387.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The record will reflect that -- will reflect your intentions. With leave of the Body, we will be moving to page 12 towards the middle of the page with House Bill 2772, Senator Villanueva. Senator Villanueva seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2772 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2772. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Villanueva.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villanueva, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to move the amendment and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 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 AQUINO) 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2772, an Act concerning local government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villanueva, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2772 amends the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act by expanding the definition facility to include stadiums and arenas for other professional sports, not just football and basketball. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination with respect to activities and programs offered at facilities under the Act. And we also clarified that the Human Rights Act provisions apply to employees of and those acting on behalf of Illinois Sports -- Sports Facilities Authority. Essentially, this is the beginning of the work to make sure that women's sports are given their just due in the State of Illinois. And if you are a fan of women's sports, vote Yes, for this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 2772 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2772, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're moving down -- With leave of the Body, we moved down the page 12 towards the bottom. We have House Bill 2967. There is a sponsorship change. 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Senator Castro, on House Bill 2967. Senator Castro seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2967 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2967. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Castro.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Castro, on your amendment.
I ask for its adoption. I'll explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 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 AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2967, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Castro, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just for clarification, for those of you who are in Higher Ed, this was on Senate Bill 404. We've changed the vehicle to a House vehicle. So, for those of you who 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 are in Higher Ed, just to clarify that. So, this amends the Dual Credit Quality Act, requiring school districts to seek agreements with local community colleges to facilitate the offering of dual credit courses to students, sets forth provisions concerning the dual credit courses that may be offered, including instructor qualifications, class sizes, and course length. Mandates the creation of a standing dual credit committee involving ICCB and I- S-B-E, ISBE, with input from IBHE, which will maintain the equity, quality of the dual credit offerings, update the existing model partnership agreement if needed, and ensure adequate standards for student success. Creates an appeals process for community colleges, disputing partnership agreements, and sets forth provisions under which school districts may partner with alternative community college districts, out-of-state institution or private institutions. Requires ICCB to publish details on out- of-state partnerships to their website and create a five-year study on the impacts of dual credit, which shall be shared with the General Assembly, Governor's Office and posted to their website by October 1st, 2030. This bill was heavily negotiated. It is in full support of all entities, including our friends in labor. I have known of no opposition. I asked for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Erica -- Erica Harriss, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Thank you. I rise in support of this bill. I have a student, my own daughter, who has participated in a dual credit program. I think it helps reduce college costs, speeds up the time that our students need to complete their degree and improves curriculum between college and workplace expectations, and then it also facilitates the transition between high school and college. And I would -- I'm in strong support of this bill. And thank you for bringing it to us.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 2967 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting, Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2967, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Leave of the Body. We will be moving towards page 13 towards the top of page 13 of the printed Calendar with Senator Belts House Bill 2987, Senator Belt. Continuing on, further down the page of 13 -- page 13 is House Bill 3019, Senator Fine. Senator Fine seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3019 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading, is House Bill 3019. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Fine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine, on your amendment.
Thank you. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 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 AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now, on the Order of 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3019, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is the Health Care Protection Act Expansion Bill. It brings great strides for mental health. The bill does the following - first, it prohibits prior authorization for medically necessary outpatient and partial hospitalization mental health treatment services under Medicaid, State group health plans, and all private insurance plans. It requires private insurers to reimburse for travel costs, including food, lodging, and mileage at the federal reimbursement rate. If a patient must travel outside of network adequacy -- adequacy, time and distance standards to receive treatment. Those standards are 30 miles or 30 minutes in more urban areas and 60 miles or 60 minutes in more rural areas. And when it comes to the required 80:20 or 85:15 medical loss ratio for transparency of how those dollars are being 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 spent. It says that insurers must submit a report to the Department of Insurance that includes the percentage of total premium revenue. After all accounting for collections or receipts, for risk adjustments and payments of reinsurance that is focused on patient care and other essential non-claims costs. This prohibits including executive compensation beyond base salary, accumulated profit, or costs outside of the scope of relevant federal regulation. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Okay. Thank you, Mr. President. This is one we were originally talking about, so just to…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill or questions to the sponsor?
The sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Syverson.
Thank you. Senator, so, the first question was about residential facilities. How does this work if a person goes to a residential facility as opposed to an emergency room?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
If it is a mental health facility, it will be covered, without the -- compensation. 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Okay. All right. So, it will be covered if -- if a person presents at a hospital or a residential facility that is a non- in-network facility -- do they have to be transferred, or can they be transferred, or still required to be transferred to an in- network facility?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
The way the bill is outlined is the facility has depending on if it's a Medicaid patient or a private insurance patient. Forty-eight hours if it is a private insurance patient in 24 hours, if it is a Medicaid patient to contact the insurance company. And then they could decide what the process of care is after that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Okay. In the case, if it -- on the -- on the private insurance side, if -- if there is an in-network facility that's within the service area, then would they be required then to go to that inpatient or that in-network facility?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
I believe that would be determined based on the treatment process and what is necessary for the patient. And if that in- network facility could care for that particular patient. 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Okay, I guess just to clarify, if an inpatient facility is available and a person chooses to stay in the non-network facility, does this legislation then -- do the rules of this legislation apply to that individual?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
After the notification period, then the insurance company can decide.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Then the next question, on the -- on -- on the distance coverage. If you're looking at subspecialty care for an individual and, as you know, we only have certain areas where we have areas of -- of -- of subspecialty, for example, like children's facilities. If an -- if a facility is further than that distance that you mentioned, then it says that transportation has been covered. Is that transportation for that -- for the -- for the parents, then? Does it pay the parents to daily go to that facility?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
It is the mileage to get to that facility with your child.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Senator Syverson.
Ok. And that would include if the child is with them, not the parents visiting a child. So, if a child had been transferred to a facility that was further than that distance away. Does this require that the reimbursement get paid to the parent?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
If the parent is going to visit the child, I believe, yes, it would cover that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
And there's no length of time on this, so, if a child was an inpatient at a specialty facility that was 100 miles away and they were there for 90 days or -- or more, this would require the policy to pay for that transportation and a hotel cost for the entire period of time for the parent or parents.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
The goal here is to increase network adequacy, so that this would not have to be an issue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Well, that would be true. And again, our goal is to hopefully have that. But when you're talking about subspecialty care or 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 specialty care like we do with liver centers or cancer centers or heart centers, there's -- there's not the ability to have those, you know, in every -- every community and so, there's the economy of scale. We try to have areas of specialty where we can have the best possible treatment available, but we can't have that in every single community. So, that's why in some of those subspecialties, that's the concern. So, and -- and that's why we look at this and how it's going to affect every situation. And I guess that was the -- that was the question, if it's subspecialty. Well, what the impact is going to be? Let me ask a question on the cost. The phase one of this that's already been passed. The Department said that this is going to increase starting January 1, the Medicaid budget, it's got a $30 million price tag with expanding this outpatient rules. Is there an estimate of what the cost is going to be to -- to the Medicaid budget for implementing this portion of the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
I do not believe that there is an estimated cost because these services are currently covered for mental health, besides the travel. The difference would be that the patient does not need that prior authorization. But again, under private insurance that's reviewed after 48 hours and after Medicaid 24 hours.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Just a couple more questions. I guess if there's not a cost to it, the phase one, by changing the preauthorization and a couple of those, the Department says it's got a $30 million price tag, so 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 it didn't really change anything except for adding the -- eliminating the preauthorization and that's why that ended up having a $30 million cost. So, that's why I'm asking if we know on the outpatient portion of it there's got to be some cost. I don't know if has the Department given an estimate for that? And the second question would be, has there been an estimate of what it's going to cost private health insurance, or how much that cost is going to go up for individuals' private health insurance?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
The travel does not apply to Medicaid. And the reason we worked on the expansion is because the outpatient treatment is less expensive than the inpatient treatment, and so we wanted to give people this opportunity.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Okay. Thank you. I appreciate you answering some of those questions. Again, the -- the concern is that both, we think this is going to have a potential impact on both the Medicaid budget and having impact of raising the cost of private insurance, which is already so expensive for families that we're getting to a point where insurance is going to be so expensive that people are dropping it so they won't even have coverage available to even help with these -- covering these children. So, I'm just concerned again by the cost factor of this but appreciate your time. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Any further discussion? Ladies and Gentlemen, if we can just keep our conversation a little bit lower, we're in final action - in debate. We can just lower down our -- our -- our -- our conversations with each other. Be much appreciated. Thank you. With further discussion Senator McClure. For what purpose do you seek recognition?
Questions for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator McClure.
Thank you. Senator, just as it relates to mental health treatment. So, if someone is seeking mental health treatment outside of their area and they've got to travel to get that treatment, what would be reimbursed if this bill passes?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
A lot depends on your insurance policy. Your stay would be reimbursed under your insurance and the difference with this legislation is we would be saying that your travel costs would also be covered. What we're finding in many rural areas is people go without their mental health treatment, because there is nothing in proximity to provide for them that treatment and that travel could be costly for that family and we want to make mental health treatment as accessible as possible in the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 So, you said that the hotel would be reimbursed. You said travel costs. So, I assume travel costs would be food, mileage -- mileage, and any other expenses that might happen over the course of the trip to get that treatment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
It includes mileage, lodging, and food, and you do need the approval of your insurance company.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
And, also, the same is reimbursed for people that are going to seek drug addiction treatment. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
Okay. So outside of mental health treatment, with this law taking effect, if it takes effect and drug addiction treatment if this takes effect. Are there any other areas that the State mandates that you have to reimburse for these same travel expenses for hotel, for mileage, for food?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine.
63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
Thank you. I'll speak to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you very much, Senator Fine for addressing my questions. But, you know, here's the issue. You allow for all of these expanded services for people with drug addictions and people with mental health issues that are very serious and that need treatment, and it causes the rates for everyone to go up, including people who are battling cancer that are going to travel for their treatments, travel to see specialists. And it just strikes me as -- as wrong to prioritize people with drug addictions over people that are battling cancer. And if you go through these -- these types of -- if you go through the ten most common forms of health issues, the No. 1 cause of death in our country right now, is heart disease. No. 2 is cancer. No. 3 is accidents. No. 4 is chronic lower respiratory diseases. And so, these people have to go seek treatment elsewhere. In many cases, to try to save their lives. And that's not covered and you're going to force them to pay higher insurance costs to pay for people with drug addictions to go travel out of the area for treatment? That, on its face, is very much a priority issue and the State seems to have, in many instances, misplaced priorities. This would be one of them. And drug addictions are very serious, and people need treatment, as are mental health issues. But my goodness, we've got to make sure that 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 people with cancer are not paying higher premiums to pay for other people to travel, and those very expenses for their cases, for their very serious life-threatening cases are not covered. That's not right. And for that reason, I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Fine, to close.
Thank you. And thank you for the conversation. I think it's really important that we discuss in this Body and remember that mental health and physical health are one and the same. And for years and years and years, we've been willing to sweep mental health under the rug and not discuss it. And this is an illness, it is a disease that destroys individuals, it destroys families, it destroys communities. And it's about time that we put mental health front and center and make sure people get the care they need. I would ask for your support on this legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall House Bill 3019 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 45 voting Yea, 11 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3019, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Andrew Adams from CNZ seeks permission to photograph the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. With leave of the Body, we will be moving back on the Calendar to page 8 with Senate Bill's 3rd Reading, with Senate Bill -- 2510. Senate Bill 2510, President Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Senate Bill 2510, an Act concerning appropriations. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, earlier today we received from the House a House bill with an appropriations title, a candidate for use in a budget for the end of the -- the Session. Here we are reciprocating today by sending an appropriation title back to the House, and we'll negotiate with the House on passage of a final budget. So, this is a vehicle bill. There is no content. And I'd ask Members who are able to support the bill going over to the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Briefly to the bill, if I may?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
For those Members on our side of the aisle, I would recommend a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Seeing no further discussion. The question is -- the question is, shall Senate Bill 2510 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The I -- I'm sorry. I see a late light. Senator Arellano, would you -- for what purpose do you seek recognition?
66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Sorry for shocking my colleagues over here, but as -- as a freshman I just wanted to offer a real quick statement that transparency was always been very important to me coming out of where I came out of. I've been championing it for a long time. I'd note that the Governor -- the Governor's proposal, has been known for months. And so, I just want to offer a little tidbit. I know it's probably not going to be well received, but for a Body, sometimes somebody brand new to it can offer a new lens. Transparency is important. We're days away. We have no language to look at. I am not speaking as a Member of the minority party. I'm speaking as a concerned citizen who wants to know what's getting discussed, to seeing the discussions and have input. It's impossible -- impossible to have input, if there is this short of notice. This would not be legally acceptable at a municipality. And so, my critique is going forward. We have to find a way where transparency is, again, part of the process. That is not a criticism of this General Assembly. That is a criticism of the entire process going back years, decades in a bipartisan manner. Thank you for graciously allowing this poor freshman his input.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. President Harmon, to close. The question is, shall Senate Bill 2510 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 31 voting Yea, 19 voting 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 2510, having received the required constitutional majority, has passed. Connor Igielski from WCIA 3 seeks permission to video record the Session. Seeing no objection, so ordered. With leave of the Body, we will be returning back to House Bills 3rd Reading. On page 13 towards the top of page 13 we have House Bill 2987, Senator Belt. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2987, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Belt, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today to present House Bill 2987, the Warehouse Tornado Preparedness Act. This bill is born from tragedy. In December 2021, an EF3 tornado tore through an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville. Six workers lost their lives. Their families and our entire Metro East community were left devastated. Those men and women were doing what thousands of Illinoisans do every single day, showing up for work. They deserve better protection, and their families deserve to know we're doing something about it. House Bill 2987 requires warehouses to have the following site-specific tornado safety plans in place, updated annually, filed with local fire departments and clearly communicated to workers. It also raises the bar for emergency shelters, supplies and construction standards in new facilities. This is about learning from the past and being accountable to the people we represent. It's about honoring those that lost their lives by making sure no other family has to endure the same kind 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 of loss. I respectfully ask for your support on this important bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 2987 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 51 voting Yea, 2 voting Nay, 2 voting Present. House Bill 2907, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we're returning back to the top of page 12 with House Bill 2568 with President Harmon. President Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2568 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading, is House Bill 2568. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to adopt the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 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 AQUINO) 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, can you please read the bill?
House Bill 2568, an Act concerning civil law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, House Bill 2568 is a modernization of Illinois's parentage laws amending the Illinois Parentage Act and the Gestational Surrogacy Act. This is based largely on the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. Illinois is a bit out of date. The changes are required for a variety of reasons, but principally because of emerging -- emerging medical technologies in the field of reproductive health care. The underlying goal of the bill is to secure durable, permanent parent child relationships and to firmly establish the rights and responsibilities of parents. Happy to answer any questions but certainly would appreciate your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Questions of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Tracy.
President Harmon, I believe when we were hearing this bill yesterday in committee, I asked the witnesses supporting the bill 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 if there had been any occasions of -- of child being placed in an adoptive setting or in a situation where a family used a sperm donor. I asked if there had been any occasions when the child had been taken away from the family by a sperm donor, and I -- I never really got an answer. But I believe the answer is no. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm sorry, Senator, if you -- you weren't satisfied with the answers, those were the experts that we had in committee. I -- I took it to mean that they didn't have an easily identifiable case in Illinois, but that there have been cases where disputes over parentage have resulted in questions. And -- again, with the current state of technology, there are far more circumstances where the biology and parentage are not aligned.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Tracy.
Okay. Thank you for that. And then, well, disputes are not that a child was taken away from the family and certainly not in Illinois. And I mean that respectfully, but I'm just -- I don't understand why we want to take terminology like father and mother out of statutes. We want to -- can you explain why that's so important.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator again, the language is 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 more inclusive. It covers more circumstances than may have been contemplated when our first rounds of parentage laws were drafted. There are certainly circumstances, especially with surrogacy and -- and donation, where again, you have the biology, and you have parentage. And we're trying to establish from day one that these are your parents and -- and the biology doesn't matter as much as it once did. It's establishing those firm, stable, permanent parent child relationships, as soon upon birth as possible.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Tracy.
Thank you. I understand that, but I still don't understand why the terminology of a woman having given birth is better than calling the woman who gave birth a biological mother.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon.
There are so many avenues to go down, but let's just imagine a surrogate carrying a donated egg. She is the person who gave birth, but not the biological mother. So, again, we're trying to use the most inclusive language to account for all different scenarios, but again, to create permanent, stable parentage relationships upon the birth of a child.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Tracy.
The final question I have is, why is the burden of proof changed from preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence? Or I -- I -- I said that backwards. Why is the burden of 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 proof changed from clear and convincing evidence to a preponderance of the evidence?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, could you elaborate in - - in -- in which -- what decision are we referring to?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Tracy.
In regards to the genetic testing.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon.
Our fine counsel tells me we don't know why they changed it, but all that -- all the parties negotiating agreed to it. So, not -- not a point of controversy until this very moment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Tracy.
Thank you, but inquiring minds wanted to know. Thank you, for that. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I understand in Illinois now we have different forms of families. I totally agree. Some of these terminologies make sense to me, because there are situations where you have a surrogate receiving a sperm donor or an egg from a female, but at some point, 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 as I mentioned yesterday in committee, we're going to make these children of these new types of families feel like they're a scientific experiment rather than a child. And I realized they're wanted, and that's why these families exist. But they're going to -- they need to know that they have a father, maybe two fathers or a mother, two mothers. And I don't understand, if we want to create a family, a family has mothers and it has fathers, and those have a special traditional place in our culture. And just dropping them from all these bills seems like we're taking away from that nurturing idea of -- of family concept. And -- and I just have to say that, I mean, I'm a mother. I'm proud of it. I'm sure you're a father and you're very proud of it. I know you're a father. Changing all this terminology is, I think it will have effect on children in the future. Not -- not understanding what really family means. It's a nurturing family concept with mothers and fathers, and we keep kicking it away, calling it a person who gives birth, or an individual who gives a sperm that takes away from the whole concept of nurturing, but that's my opinion. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Senator Chesney, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
You know, it was reported, a few weeks ago that the Democrat Party nationally is spending about $20 million to understand how to talk to the youth. And I wanted to save this Body and -- and 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 your side of the aisle a lot of money by first acknowledging that there's only two genders. I was going to ask the question how many genders there were, and I don't think I could get the answer by the majority over on the other side of the aisle. But this is precisely why President Trump won all seven swing states and won the popular vote, the first time that that's happened in the Republican Party for over 20 years, because of the insanity that is happening on the other side of the aisle, and how out of touch the other side of the aisle is. And when I speak to what that out of touch looks like, the language is the Equality for Every Family Act that removes the reference of father and changes it with an acknowledged parent. I as a father that's offensive. For women it replaces the reference of mother with a woman or person who gave birth to a child. For all the women, I can't imagine that's not equally offensive to you. Gender is binary. It's not certainly on a spectrum. There are only two genders. But, Mr. President, this kind of plays into why we've seen this, this greater debate, both in the State and nationally as it relates to this, because the group that's supporting this is, of course, Equality Illinois. So, this is not some benign group and some instant change of language. But if you take a look at the Act, this Act was last revised in in 2015. So, in ten years this is how far your majority party has gone on the issue of gender and stripping out father and stripping out mother in -- in all of these Acts. And it leads into the greater problem that we've had, Mr. President, on so many other issues, why biological males are participating in women's sports, why they're entering into women's locker rooms. And this will continue to be why the other side of the aisle is going to struggle connecting with the next generation of not only voters, but more 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 importantly, the next generation of constituents. Because if this Chamber cannot even acknowledge there are only two genders, only two genders, and that it's not on a spectrum, and there's mothers and fathers, I can understand why we're going to struggle, passing a $55 billion budget. You can understand why this is going to happen in the middle of the night. So, Mr. President, we need to be opposed this bill but fight for everybody and all the moms and dads that are in this room that are literally going to take a vote to strip what you have all earned. Please vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. President Harmon, to close.
Well, I appreciate the comments. I think both speakers indicated the need for this bill. One by demonstrating the archaic thinking that is hostile to so many Illinois families. But I'm going to turn to Senator Tracy, because I really do appreciate the point you made. The language in this bill is inclusive. It contemplates how many more people might be involved in bringing a child into a loving family. I'm a father, the joy of one of my kids bounding down the stairs and screaming, "Daddy," when I got home, no child is ever going to bound down the stairs and say "Person"! We are creating a world where from birth, a child has parents and that child knows that the parents love the child. Please vote Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall House Bill 2568 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 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 the record. On that question, there are 36 voting Yea, 19 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2568, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we will be going to page 13 towards the bottom with House Bill 3177, Senator Villivalam. We will continue on with House Bill 3193, Senator Martwick. Senator Martwick seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3193 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave excuse me -- Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3193. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment 2, offered by Senator Martwick.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Martwick, on your amendment. On your amendment.
Yes, I seek to adopt Amendment No. 2.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Martwick.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Martwick, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I seek to adopt the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Martwick.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Martwick, on this amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I seek once again to adopt the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there -- are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3193, an Act concerning public employee benefits. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Martwick, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Following on the heels of that passionate debate, I bring you the technical Pension Omnibus bill. House Bill 3193, as Amended, makes changes to multiple articles of the Illinois Pension Code, open service credit transfers between various systems and funds and includes technical cleanup language 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 requested by different systems. Includes initiatives from ten different Members of the General Assembly, cleanup language from six different retirement systems, and a request from at least seven different labor organizations. It consolidates provisions from over a dozen separate bills and additional stakeholder requests from retirement systems. It includes targeted reforms, addressing issues such as service credit calculations, disability definitions, benefit timing and technical clarifications, response to equity concerns, brings -- provides relief to Eastern Illinois University and expands member options for service credit transfers and union related deductions. Makes administrative improvements, including modernizing election procedures and for Pension Board Trustees and extending payment deadlines for employer contributions triggered by salary spikes. Most provisions in this bill are de minimis cost, and there is -- there is opposition to one of the provisions in the bill, but otherwise it is unopposed. I'm happy to answer any questions. Ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I just want to say thank you to the sponsor. This is -- this is a great example of how legislation should be done in this -- in this Chamber. There was thoughts and ideas taken from our side and from all interested parties to try to make this the best it can 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 be. And, this is again, a great example of how it should be done. So, thank you, Senator, for this legislation and thanks for allowing us to be a part of it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any further discussion. Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the -- to the bill, as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I also want to say thank you to the sponsor, Senator Martwick. There's correcting what is a ridiculous injustice to Eastern University in here that would just fall on the backs of the student tuition payers. And I want to say thank you to him personally. I also want to say thank you to the real President, who is deep in thought on the other side. But thank you, Mr. President, as well. EIU thanks you and their student body. So, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Senator Martwick, to close.
Thank you, to my colleagues for those kind remarks. This was a product of -- of a series of hearings that we had in the Pension Committee, and I appreciate everyone's participation and their attention to this matter. I do want to thank our staff. This is also a bicameral I expect there will be no problem with this going through the House as we work together with them. But this involved 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 a lot of hard work from our staff, Jose Spence, who has worked very hard on this and -- and also Republican staff, as well. We had a very collaborative working arrangement. So, thank you, everyone. And I respectfully ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall House Bill 3093 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nays, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3193, having received a constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we'll be returning back to page 9 at the bottom with Senator Koehler and House Bill 1697. Senator Koehler seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1697 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1697. Mr. Secretary, is -- are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I wish not to adopt that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Are there any further Floor amendments for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, can we return to Floor Amendment No. 2 on 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 this bill.
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, on this amendment.
I was wrong, I wish to adopt this amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have I, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, on Floor Amendment No. 3.
This amendment I wish not to adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, on this amendment.
Move to adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 5, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, on this last amendment, I believe.
For its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 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 AQUINO) 3rd Reading. Now, on the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1697, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. These amendments create the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, which includes a number of initiatives to regulate and prohibit pharmacy benefit managers or PBMs from partaking of certain practices, including spread pricing and steering. The amendment also imposes a $15 fee per covered individual on PBMs in the State. Twenty-five million dollars fund will be set up to go to DCEO for qualified Illinois pharmacies. It 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 also exempts Taft-Hartley ERISA plans from the requirements of the bill and requires the Department of Insurance to submit all reported information received from PBMs as mandated under the bill to a State university to compile and to report to the General Assembly. Let me just give you a little background on this. So, it's -- it's no secret that PBMs basically are a middleman position in the whole prescription drug chain. This really curtails some of the profit making that they've been engaged in for -- for many years, which is one of the reasons why we have such high pharmacy prices. It bans spread pricing. In other words, this is a practice where a pharmacy benefit manager charges a health plan or insurer a higher price for prescription drug than what the PBM would actually pay the pharmacy to dispense it. They keep the difference as a profit. It requires a PBM or a rebate aggregator to pay no less than 100 percent of any amounts paid by pharmaceutical manufacturers or wholesalers, including rebates to the health benefit plan sponsor, the covered individual, or the employer. And if you know anything about the pharmacy business, you'll know that rebates are a million dollar business, there's a lot of money in rebates. It also prohibits PBM from limiting individuals access to a drug from a pharmacy by classifying the drug as a specialty drug. If you have small independent pharmacies in your district, you'll know the struggle that they are having. The -- the fund that's been set up for this is to help those so they can survive. What we really want to do is not create pharmacy deserts. This is very important to just the whole, you know, circle of healthcare needs that people have in our community. So, with that, I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 President Harmon, in the Chair. PRESIDING OFFICER (PRESIDENT HARMON): Is there any discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Questions of the sponsor. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR HARMON): Sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Syverson.
Senator thank you so much. I appreciate your -- your work on this and you're -- the sincerity, I think, that you're trying to approach this issue. Just have a few a -- a few questions. Is the goal of this, and you're talking about -- is the goal of this to reduce the -- the cost of prescriptions for the end consumer or the employees of health plans? Is that the -- the goal of what's going to happen with this legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (PRESIDENT HARMON) Senator Koehler.
That would certainly be one of the one of the aims of this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (PRESIDENT HARMON) Senator Syverson.
And I'm trying to figure out why we had all of the -- the - - the labor groups, their welfare funds, and these are the top actuarial healthcare people in the in the nation. Why they were uniformly opposed to this bill and then eventually were taken out if…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (PRESIDENT HARMON) 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Senator Koehler.
First of all, these are Taft-Hartley groups, which are building trades groups. And so, they have multiple employers. And so, they negotiate on behalf of the Members of the union. So, I think that they were maybe a little misguided, but they -- they wanted to be excluded from this. I think at some point, not -- not all of them were against this, some were against it, some were for it. But I think eventually they'll -- they'll see that there's a benefit to being involved in this. But they wanted to be excluded. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR HARMON): Senator Syverson.
Thank you. So again, there -- these who are -- these welfare funds these are the -- the experts who -- who purchase and deal with health care on a big number and obviously negotiate with not only pharmaceutical companies, but insurance companies. And they were adamantly opposed because of the concern of increasing the cost, which is why they eventually were taking out. But so, under this, we -- we remove Taft-Hartley ERISA plans, but we keep all other ERISA plans in. Can you give me the -- the reasoning why we would take out some ERISA but then keep other ERISA plans in?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (PRESIDENT HARMON) Senator Koehler.
Again, it was at the request of some of the Taft-Hartley trust funds. Not all of them were opposed to this. Some were very much in favor of it, some were not. So rather than -- than try to create more confusion on this, we will come back on this issue at 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 a later date.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (PRESIDENT HARMON) Senator Syverson.
Do you anticipate because it's involving ERISA now and companies that are located in multiple states, do you anticipate this is going to end up in litigation because of -- of cherry picking which ERISA is not in -- which is in, which is not in, and the fact that we have ERISA in at all. Do we anticipate there being litigation? And -- and along the same question, a couple other states have tried this, and are they currently, involved in, extensive litigation. Which has been very costly to those other states.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (PRESIDENT HARMON) Senator Koehler.
I -- I -- I didn't understand that last question. Are they involved in what?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (PRESIDENT HARMON) Senator Syverson.
So, the question is other states that have tried to do this with ERISA or cherry picking under ERISA, who are now in embroiled in lawsuits which the states are paying for. Do we know if there's been any outcomes of those, or what the costs are to the state in time and in -- in -- in cost for paying for those that litigation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (PRESIDENT HARMON) Senator Koehler.
87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Your initial question was, do I anticipate litigation on this? I have no way of knowing that. I do know that there's been litigation in other states. Arkansas was really the first state to -- to change their state laws, which are similar to what we're doing here. And they were sued, went all the way to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court backed the State of Arkansas.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (PRESIDENT HARMON) Senator Syverson.
Did -- did Arkansas include ERISA plans in their -- in their legislation? I don't think it was. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR HARMON): Senator Koehler.
I don't -- I don't know the answer. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR HARMON): Senator Syverson, do you have more questions?
Yes, a couple more questions. Under this legislation, correct me if I'm wrong then, if -- if an insurance company uses a PBM, which they're all going to do. And they offer mail order as an option for their prescriptions, which I think every insurance company offers that mail -- mail order option. If they offer that, does this legislation say that the insurance companies cannot discount that mail order. That it has to be the same price as what they would pay if they were to buy it at the local pharmacy?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (PRESIDENT HARMON) Senator Aquino, back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Senator Koehler.
This -- what this bill does is really assure that however, they -- they, you know, choose to -- to get their pharmacy products that they're going to get the lowest price possible. No, this does not discriminate against that. What it says, though, is that there may not be spread pricing and there and the rebates have to 100 percent go back, you know, to the plan sponsor or to the individual.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
My understanding is that it does clearly state, though, you cannot -- insurance company can't have a mail order option that's less expensive than what bricks and mortar is. If it is -- if they're using a PBM.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
Again, the -- the purpose of this plan is to get the lowest possible price on the drug. So, if the mail service is more expensive than going to the bricks and mortar, then -- then the answer would be yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Okay. Again, it's my understanding and we can look further into the legislation, but that's the -- the concern that we're taking away that that option for consumers to save money by raising 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 the -- the copay used for mail order. And many people, including seniors or those on fixed incomes are really using a lot of mail order. It's convenient for them. And if this is going to raise that copay because it has to match what a bricks and mortar charges. Then again, it's a concern that this is going to actually be a -- an added or an increased cost to individuals that choose to do mail order, and I believe it says mail order if it's through a -- a PBM, which obviously all the insurance companies do.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
My -- my understanding of this is that that would not be affected. You know, mail service would still be available, again, if it was more expensive than -- than going to a bricks and mortar, then that might be a different issue. But I -- I don't see that this this bill really speaks to -- to what mail service choices consumers would have.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Okay. Thank you. So just to clarify then, if an -- if an insurance company has an option for mail order, which all of them do, they would be allowed to have that mail order copay and that copay can be if it's cheaper, that copay cost can be less than what it would cost, if it's less than it would have cost at a bricks and mortar, they would be allowed to charge that lower copay. We're just clarifying that for the record.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler. 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
The bill does not -- does not really speak to that, does not prohibit that at all.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Just a couple more questions. On the -- on the cost factor, what is the -- is there an anticipated cost to Medicaid under this of what -- of what this would -- the impact this would have on Medicaid and, or, on the ACA plans? Is there an estimated cost?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
What I can refer to is the experience that West Virginia had that when they passed similar legislation, it's been West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana have -- have all passed similar bills. They found that they saved 50 million dollars annually on their Medicaid costs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
That would be great, I hope so. Now, the last question, on the -- the 15.00 dollar per head tax that's going to raise about 150 million, of that how much is going to the Department to set up the Administration for this new program?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
I think your estimate is a little high, but 25 million 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 dollars goes into the fund that's going to be used for competitive grants for pharmacies, pharmacies that are at risk. The rest of the money is going to be going to DCEO. It's going to be used for administrative costs by the Department of Insurance in order to administer this plan.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
So, 25 million is going to be going to grants to -- who are going to get the grants? Is there a formula or who's going to get those? And you're saying that the remaining money is all going to administration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
Ask -- ask your question again. I'm sorry.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
I get the first issue was of the money being raised through this tax. There's a 25-million-dollar number that initially talked about being used for administration. You mentioned that that money was going to be used for grants. How's the first 25 million used?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
So, let me just correct that, 25 million is for this grant program for at-risk-pharmacies. And there is a formula as to how that is going to be disbursed. The rest of the money can be used 92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 by the Department of Insurance to administer this. Once we see how much money is actually generated by this, then it can come back to us and we can decide, you know, where that goes. But those -- those are the two places right now that it goes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
So, of that 25 million that's going to be given out in grants, some of that's going to be kept for the administrative cost of that, but how is the formula based on? Is it going to be given to each -- each pharmacy? Is there a definition of which pharmacy -- which pharmacies qualify for it and how much each pharmacy is going to get in the way of a check?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
Well, if you want me to read all this, I will, but it's on page 4 and 5 of the bill. So, it starts in --in --in subsection C and it talks about critical access pharmacies. It talks about retail pharmacies that are in counties with fewer than 5000 residents. It talks about retail pharmacies and a location within the county with 5000 residents or more within the United States that that's designated by the Health Department. United States Department of Health as medically underserved. It talks about pharmacies whose claims constitute 65 percent or greater of Medicaid services, pharmacies located in Illinois, census tracts that meet both the following, poverty and population density and pharmacy accessibility standards. It talks about census tracts that either are 20 or more of its population living below the 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 poverty guidelines. I mean, it goes on and on and on. There's -- there's a lot of, you know, criteria that's established for this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Ok, thank you. So that 25 million then each year, based on that formula, they're going to send out a check to each one of those, is anyone -- is any of that money used to entice or to build new pharmacies? Or is it just going to existing pharmacies that are now serving those -- meeting those criteria.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
The plan is that it would go to those pharmacies that meet that criteria. This is not a pension fund.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
We talked about the idea of -- of filling the needs in underserved areas, so how is this -- this -- this doesn't help open up any new pharmacies in underserved areas? This will just go to existing pharmacies they would get a check based on that formula of that -- out of that $25 million. And then the rest of the 100 million or something goes to the Department of Insurance.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
Well, that's always a future possibility to look at expansion. But right now, the program is geared that, yes, the 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 existing pharmacies that meet that criteria would get a check. But again, as we see what kind of revenue this generates, maybe there are areas where there are pharmacy deserts right now and that we could provide some incentive to -- to fulfill, you know, pharmacy needs in that area.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Thank you. Last question. So, of the remaining -- so you said the remaining is going to go to the Department of Insurance to do reviews. We're talking about 100 million dollars. Is -- how big of this -- of this program does it take to -- to review these -- these benefits?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
Remaining money goes in -- is deposited into the Prescription Drug Affordability Fund, and shall be used to pay the expenses of the Department or when there is excess amount of money, then we can make decisions as to whether we want to create, you know, a capital fund, say to expand pharmacies or whatever. I mean, no this is -- this is not going to pay anything more than the expenses of administering this program. The rest of it is -- is up for us to decide how we best address, you know, the critical needs of -- of pharmacy deserts, in the State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Thank you again. I appreciate your work on this. Obviously, 95 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 this is going to pass. I have concerns that just like the labor groups did, that the end result of this is not going to be lowering costs, but it's going to end up increasing costs. And we'll find out, next year at this time, we'll come back and we'll look to see if -- if -- if costs of prescriptions have really dramatically dropped, then you'll be correct. If we come back next year and health care costs are higher, then I guess the Taft-Hartley lawyers were in ex-royals were all right that this is going to actually drive-up costs for health care. So, I appreciate your time and your work on this. And thank you for answering the questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Senator Fowler, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. I rise in support of this legislation. I've heard directly from pharmacies in my District, family owned, community-based businesses who are sounding the alarm. They have said without action to rein in PBMs, they're at real risk of closing their doors for good. According to the Illinois Pharmacy Association 2024 alone, over 85 community pharmacies were forced to close. These are small brick and mortar pharmacies that provide trusted, accessible care to individuals and families across our entire State. And I'm proud to say that this legislation is a step towards real reform. It puts an end to spread pricing, stops PMBs from steering patients to preferred 96 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 pharmacies, and ensures that rebates go where they belong. Back to the patients and plan sponsors. To the local pharmacies throughout our State know that we see your impact, we understand your challenges, and we will continue to be a strong advocate for your needs here in Springfield. Senator Koehler, it's been an honor to work with you, hand in hand, on this legislation. I encourage and Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For Further discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Questions for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator McClure.
Thank you. I too, first of all want to commend Leader Koehler on his work on this legislation. But I want to get a couple of things on the record for clarification. So, there's a couple of amendments that were filed in -- in response to myself and Leader Curran having a discussion with Senator Koehler. So, just on the language on page 30 of the bill in subsection or actually Section G there's a discussion about money for that 25 the 25 million dollars for the -- for this fund to give grants to pharmacies. And then we had a discussion about language after that regarding any additional money. Could you just let me know, Leader Koehler, what exactly the language is now with these amendments that have been adopted?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler. 97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
Yes. Thank you. We have clarified that this 25 million dollars specifically goes to the fund for grants to pharmacies. So that's been clarified. The issue that we clarified for -- for Leader Curran, was that we removed on Section G where it just -- we removed the last sentence where it says money deposited into the affordability fund shall be used to pay the expenses of the Department. We just left that out of it. This would talk about the transfer of the first 25 million into DCEO for the pharmacy grants.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
Thank you. I'll speak to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you. I -- I want to commend Leader Koehler and your staff, on the other side of the aisle, for these amendments. You know, I think there was a concern about making sure that we had rock solid terms in here to identify where the money goes. I think we've got that now, which is, I think, a very good thing. One of the things that I've dealt with in my District is not just the fact that you've got pharmacies closing, and I've had pharmacies closing every single year since I've been in office. What that does is it adds a tax essentially on our constituents, who then have to travel a lot farther to pick up prescriptions, and that's not fair to them. You know, there was discussion about fees and things like that. But as Leader Koehler pointed out when he talked about the bill, there's a tremendous amount of rebate money that's 98 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 going to be coming back to the consumer, the person that's purchasing prescription drugs, which right now that -- that -- that customer, that prescription drug user is not getting that money. We're not seeing it. And I think that's one of the main issues that my pharmacists are telling me about PBMs is that the lack of transparency here, which this money just disappears and seems to go somewhere else, and it's causing our prices to go up when we go to try to fill these prescriptions. And so, to me, this is a bill that will help people from all across the State. It's not just about pharmacy deserts downstate. They exist in big, bigger cities within our State, as well. And we have to be able to allow our constituents to fill their prescriptions and not have to travel all over the place to do so. And we've got to try to do our best to make sure that they're getting a fair deal. And I think this bill does that. And so, I -- I really commend Leader Koehler. I urge a Yes vote on this. And as I said, I think to Leader Koehler last summer, I've got my pharmacists, independent pharmacists in my District that are telling me without this sort of a bill passing, we are going to lose more pharmacies immediately. And my District can't afford to lose any more. I urge -- I urge a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Questions of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Murphy.
99 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Leader Koehler I too want to acknowledge the wonderful job you've done in negotiating this bill and bringing it to this point. I just have a couple questions for you on legislative intent. So, is it the intent of the "Prescription Drug Affordability Act," to address the affordability, accessibility, and transparency of prescription drugs and pharmacy services in Illinois?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
Yes it is.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Thank you. Does the Act aim to regulate pharmacy benefit managers, commonly known as PBMs, and their contracts, to prevent practices that increase drug costs for consumers, such as spread pricing and steering patients to affiliated pharmacies?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
Yes it does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Act mandate annual reporting by PBMs to disclose detailed information about drug pricing, rebates, fees and other financial arrangements to ensure accountability and transparency in the -- in the administration of pharmacy benefits?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 100 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Senator Koehler.
Yes it does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Does the Act establish a program to sustain critical access care pharmacies, particularly in underserved rural and urban areas, by providing financial support based on Medicaid prescription reimbursement?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
Yes it does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Is the Act intended to promote access in pharmacy specialty services, does the Act provide financial support to Medicaid pharmacy providers including grants to independent specialty pharmacies with a physician -- with a physical location in Illinois and ownership of fewer than 10 pharmacies?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
Yes it does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
101 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 And does that support include support for independent specialty pharmacies providing services to nursing homes, skilled nursing homes, and Specialized Mental Health Facilities or SMHRFs?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
Yes it does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Finally, does the support include a grant funding pool of up to 25 million dollars per year to be administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity beginning September 1st, 2025?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
I feel like I'm getting married here. Yes, it does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
I do that again. Thank you, Leader Koehler. Overall, the Act seeks to create a fairer, more transparent, and accessible prescription drug system for Illinois residents while safeguarding the financial sustainability of pharmacies and healthcare providers. It's a good start, especially for those off-site institutional pharmacies providing highly specialized pharmacy services for some of our most vulnerable citizens. Thank you Senator. 102 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Message to the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Questions? To the bill.
Thank you. Sorry about that. Leader, I just want to thank you for this bill. All or parts of ten counties I represent. And this is one of the most important issues that has affected them in their area. Were rural communities and this is going to be very helpful for them. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator Doris Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To -- to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I also would like to add my voice to those that are thanking Senator Koehler for all of his hard work on this bill. I know that it's been a long time coming, and I will tell you that since I have been in the General Assembly, I have heard so much from independent pharmacies throughout my District about their concerns, and unfortunately, many of them have had to close while we were working on this legislation. This is going to be extremely beneficial to those independents that are still hanging on, but 103 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 more importantly, it's going to create a lifeline for the residents who rely on those pharmacies for their medications and -- and their lifeline. And so, I just want to say thank you for those independent pharmacies and for those residents who rely on these services. And now, hopefully, they will be much easier for them to access.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Senator Preston, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill, or do you have questions?
To the sponsor -- to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
You know, I just want to also commend the sponsor. This is a further step for health equity, particularly in the inner cities. I think about a lot of the senior citizens who will benefit from this. You're talking about targeted investments and an opportunity for us to have the -- the data for pharmacy deserts, so we can actually qualify and target who is being left out of health equity in this State. And so again, I want to commend you. This is going to be good for the entire State. But I am certainly thankful, because I believe that my seniors inside the inner city should not have to have pharmacy deserts. And this legislation gives us an opportunity to close that gap. Thank you. 104 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Seeing no further discussion. Senator Koehler, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, the closing you have all done that by your comments and by your questions. So, thank you. Thank you to Senator Fowler for working with me on this. So, I appreciate this so much. This is an important bill, but, you know, it really gives me a thrill and I didn't get to close in the last bill. So, I want to kind of combine these. Is that when you have a bill that's this important and you have true bipartisan support on it, that is the biggest thrill I have ever had in Springfield when we do this kind of work. So, I appreciate your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall House Bill 1697 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. Opposed -- Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Yea, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1697, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Villa, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
I move to waive all notice and posting requirements, that House Bill 2682 can be heard at 9:30 tomorrow morning in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villa moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bills 2682 can be heard at 9 a.m. in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the notice and all 105 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 -- excuse me -- and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. Senator Joyce, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 3140 can be heard at 7:30 p.m. in the Senate State Government Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Joyce moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 3140 can be heard at 7:30 p.m. in the Senate State Government Committee. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. Senator Cunningham, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Mr. President, I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bills 850, 3247 and 30 -- 3363 can be heard at 7:30 p.m. in the Senate Executive Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Cunningham moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bills 850, 3247 and 3363 can be heard at 7:30 p.m. in the Senate Executive Committee. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, all notice and posting requirements have been waived. With leave of the Body, will be returning back to page 13 with House Bills 3rd Reading and at the bottom of the page we have House Bill 3177, Senator Villivalam. Senator Villivalam with House Bill 3177. Mr. Secretary, can you please read the bill?
House Bill 3177, an Act concerning transportation. 3rd 106 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. This legislation is trailer legislation to a -- a law that we passed a few years ago that allows IDOT to enact project -- alternate project delivery methods that include design build, gives us some more flexibility, will work to will help get projects out faster. Would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 3177 pass. All those -- All those in favor of 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3177, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we'll go to page 14 at the very top of the page we have House Bill 3309, Senator Holmes. Senator Holmes, on House Bill 3309. Can the Committee on Assignments please meet in the Anteroom? Committee on Assignments, please meet immediately {sic} (ante) room PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Koehler, in the Chair. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of 107 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Representatives has concurred with the Senate the passage of the bill the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 26. Together with the following amendment which is attached in the adoption of which I am instructed as the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 26. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 637 with House Amendment 1, Senate Bill 2201 with House Amendments 1, 3, and 4; Senate Bill 2153 with House Amendment 3; Senate Bill 2215 with House Amendment 1. Senate Bill 2426 with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as Amended, May 29th, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that The House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution in the adoption of which I instruct to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 33, offered by Senator Tracy. Adopted by the House, May 28th, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. It is substantive. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Aquino, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) As a reminder, there are 3 committees: Executive meeting in 212, License Activities in Room 400, and State Government in Room 409 that all are going to be meeting upon recess. So, if you are on those committees or have a bill in those committees, please make your way to those respective rooms. Correction of the record, not upon recess, but at 7:30. Mr. Secretary, Committee Report.
Senator Cunningham, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Appropriations Committee - House Bill 111. Signed, Senator 108 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Bill Cunningham, Chair. Senator Cunningham, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Re-referred from the Appropriations Committee to Be Approved for Consideration - House Bill 111. Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Ladies and Gentlemen, we are going to be coming back after committee, but only for paperwork. So, there are no -- no -- no Floor votes. Again, we're just coming back for paperwork, no Floor votes after committee. With that, the Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. After committee, the Senate will reconvene to the call of the Chair. The Senate -- The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The Senate will come back to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Castro, Chair of the Committee on Executive reports - Motion to Concur House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1994 Recommend Do Adopt; House Bill 1850 {sic} (850) and 3247 Do Pass; House Bill 3663 {sic} (3363) Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 2771 and Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 2785 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Glowiak Hilton, Chair of the Committee on License Activities reports - Motion to Concur House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2431, House Amendments 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 2503 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Joyce, Chair of the Committee on State Government reports - Motion to Concur House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 58, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 314, House Amendment 1 to Senate 109 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 Bill 1343, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1548, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1884, House Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 2108 Recommend Do Adopt; House Bill 3140 Do Pass; Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 1631 and Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3493 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of the bill of the following titles, to wit: Senate Bill 1950. Together -- together with the following amendment, which is attached in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate to wit: House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1950. Passed the House, as Amended, May 29th, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed a bill of the following title, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate to wit: House Bill 1505. Passed the House, April 8th, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 1505, offered by Senator Cunningham, an Act concerning gaming. 3rd Reading of the bill. Excuse me. 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 110 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 54th Legislative Day 5/29/2025 There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until 11 a.m. on the 30th day of May, 2025. The Senate stands adjourned. 111