RABBI ARTHUR STERN: (Invocation)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please remain standing. Senator Johnson, please lead us in the pledge.
SENATOR JOHNSON: (Pledge of Allegiance)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Lisa Yuscius of the Blueroomstream seeks permission to video stream. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of May 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th, 2025.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Glowiak Hilton.
Thank you, 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 KOEHLER) Senator Glowiak Hilton moves to approve the Journal's just read by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, October 28th, 2025. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 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 KOEHLER): Senator Glowiak Hilton moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 500, offered by Senator Curran and all Members. This is a celebration of life resolution, Mr. President. PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER): Mr. Secretary, Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 499, offered by Senator Belt. It is congratulatory.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Mr. Secretary, Committee Report.
Senator Cervantes, Chair of the Committee of Criminal Law, reports Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1836 and Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3492 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Will all Members within the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Chambers, we will be engaged in business shortly. All Members within the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Chamber. So, Members, please come to the Floor. We will do final 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 action on resolutions and Member concurrences. Senate Members, please come to the Floor. We are going to go to the bottom of page 3, we're going to take resolutions. We'll start with Senate Resolution 30, Senator Morrison. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 30, offered by Senator Morrison.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Morrison, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution recognizes the value of incorporating age-appropriate CPR, first aid, and other lifesaving skills training into the curriculum for students from kindergarten through 8th grade. I would appreciate support from the Body on this. PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER): Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate Resolution 30 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Mr. Secretary… I'm sorry, Senator Morrison on Senate Resolution 31. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 31, offered by Senator Morrison. PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER): Senator Morrison, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution encourages the implementation of autism awareness programs in kindergarten through 8th grade schools to mandate student education on topics 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 of neurodivergence. PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate Resolution 31 pass. All those in favor vote Aye -- say Aye, Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 377, Senator Johnson. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 377, offered by Senator Johnson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Johnson, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome, or TSWS, is also known as a topical steroid addiction of{sic} (or) red skin syndrome, is severe, debilitating condition that can arise from intentional or unintentional exposure to topical steroids. And so, it is important to know this because topical steroids are widely prescribed and purchased over the counter to treat acute as well as chronic skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, and alopecia. And it is important because there are several funding requirements and it doesn't receive the funding that it requires. So, we want to call attention to it, and we want to declare February 3rd, 2026, as Steroid -- Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome Awareness Day in the State of Illinois. Thank you for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate Resolution 377 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Resolution 396, Senator Fine. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 396, offered by Senator Fine.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Fine, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 396 designates Genetic Counselor (Appreciation) Day. There are hundreds of genetic counselors throughout the State of Illinois that help people when it comes to their healthcare needs and their family histories. And I would like it if this Body would appreciate all of our genetic counselors and support Genetic Counselor Day. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate Resolution 396 pass. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Turning the page to top of page 4, we have Senate Resolution 464, Senator Villivalam; 465 Senator Villivalam. Senate Joint Resolution 34, Senator Castro. Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
A moment of personal privilege, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your privilege.
On behalf of Senator Koehler and I, we'd like to offer this Senate Resolution, in honor of Ryan Whitehouse. The Members of the 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Illinois State Senate were saddened to learn of the death of Ryan Whitehouse of Normal, who passed away on September 24th of 2025; and WHEREAS, Ryan Whitehouse was raised in a farming community and dedicated his life to agriculture and public service, serving as an advocate for farmers in the Bloomington-Normal area, as well as, the State of Illinois; and he worked tirelessly to ensure that rural voices were heard in Springfield and in Washington, D.C. WHEREAS, through his work with the Illinois Farm Bureau and in his many roles supporting agriculture, Ryan Whitehouse became a trusted leader and an advisor known for many -- for his deep knowledge in agriculture, his collaborative spirit, and his ability to bridge divides for the good of farmers in our rural communities; and WHEREAS, beyond his professional accomplishments, Ryan Whitehouse was a man of strong character, compassion, and good humor who was noted for his ability to make those around him feel valued and respected; and WHEREAS, Ryan Whitehouse was a deeply devoted family man, cherishing his role as an uncle, a godfather, and above all, a true friend whose life exemplified the very best of service and leadership; and WHEREAS, Ryan Whitehouse was a committed son, brother, uncle, friend, husband who will be remembered by all who knew him for his kindness, humility, and unwavering generosity. I offer this resolution from Senator -- Senator Koehler and myself and also Representative Chung will be doing the same, in the House, today. I'd like a moment of silence to recognize Ryan Whitehouse, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Members, please at your desk for a moment of silence. (moment of silence observed) We'll go back to page 4 at the top, Resolutions. Senator Villivalam, on Resolution 464 -- Senate 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Resolution 464. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 464, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Villivalam, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today to ask the Body to support Senate Resolution 464, which designates the month of October 2025 as Hindu Heritage Month. Hinduism is one of the world's oldest living religions with a growing and vibrant community in Illinois. October is a time for spiritual reflection and cultural expression and coming together as a community, for followers of Hinduism. It corresponds with a number of other festivals that are taking place. Observing the Hindu Heritage Month honors the contributions of the Hindu community, promotes interfaith dialog, and encourages the celebration of Illinois's cultural diversity. I would ask the Body to support me in adopting this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate Resolution 464 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Villivalam now on Senate Resolution 465. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 465, offered by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Villivalam, on your resolution.
7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 465 designates October 20th, 2025, as Diwali Day in the State of Illinois. Diwali is the festival of lights in the Indian and Hindu cultures, it's symbolizes light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance. And I am proud to bring this resolution forward on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people celebrating Diwali, that have celebrated Diwali through getting together and -- and performing dance -- dances or, eating our -- our cultural food and so much more. So, with that, I would ask the Body to join me in adopting this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate Resolution 465 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Joint Resolution 34, Senator Castro, are you ready for Senate Joint Resolution 34? Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 34, offered by Senator Castro.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Castro, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Joint Resolution 34 encourages the citizens of Illinois to recognize and honor those who have made extraordinary sacrifices in the service -- in the service of the State and country on POW/MIA Recognition Day, this year on September 19th, 2025.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? The question is, Senate Joint Resolution 34 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Will the Committee on Assignments please meet in the Anteroom? The Committee on Assignments. The Senate will stand at ease. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Cunningham, Chair of the Committee on Assignment, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - House Bills 576, 767, Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 3266 and Floor Amendment 6 to House Bill 3564; refer to Labor Committee - Floor Amendments 1, 2, 3, and 4 to House Bill 3005 and House Bill 507; refer to State Government Committee - House Bill 762. And Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 250. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (b-1), the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1473. Signed, Senator Bill Cunningham, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters.
Mr. President, I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that HB 507 can be heard at 1:30 p.m. in Senate Labor Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 507 can be heard at 1:30 p.m. today in the Senate Labor Committee. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and then all notice and posting requirements have been waived. We're going to go to page 2 of the Calendar. We're going to go to Senate Bill 2683, Senator Balkema. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2683, an Act concerning finance. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Balkema, on your bill.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I wanted to share an update on this bill that I would love to have your approval on. The Watseka community had devastating floods about ten years ago, and it flooded out one of the schools completely that deemed to be unusable, and it's in the process of being torn down. A second building is -- is in the floodplain still being used but causing a lot of maintenance issues and very risky. And so, the, to remedy this, the school community went out to a levee and issue bonds in April of 2021, and that bond referendum passed and it passed by a very high percentage, I believe, in the 80 percent range. Since then, the school district has struggled to get application funding through the IEMA and the FEMA process. And so, they have run out of time, they have five years upon which to get that done. And so, I've been involved in the last year, I will say that IEMA and FEMA has really come to the table and are helping. So, we've got great, great cooperation with the State agencies, but we do now need to extend that referendum from five years to ten years in order to give the Watseka community time to go through the entire process. Institute the levy and get the building built. So, I would love to have your vote to approve the bond referendum extension from five years to ten years.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate Bill 2683 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, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 2683, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Collins, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Mr. President, it was my intention to vote on Senate Bill 2683.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The record will reflect your intention. We're going to go to House Bills on the top -- towards the top of page 2. House Bill 250, Senator Napoleon Harris. House Bill 4 -- 643, Senator Hastings. Mr. Secretary. Senator Hastings. Mr. Secretary, please read House Bill 643.
House Bill 643, an Act concerning local government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Hastings, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate{sic} (House) Bill 643 provides that a municipality may not levy or collect any use, occupation, privilege, or excise tax, on any transaction that occurs on the premises of a joint-use airport on a property that exclusively serves a joint-use airport. There's no opposition. I'll ask -- answer any questions. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 643 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 52 voting Yea, none voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 643, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're going to go down towards the bottom of the page to House Bill 1863, Senator Sims. Senator Sims seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1863 to the Order 2nd Reading, leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1863. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Sims.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sims, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. Like to adopt the amendment and debate it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Mr. Secretary, any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Sims.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sims, on your amendment. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and debate it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 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 KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 1863. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1863, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sims, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate -- House Bill 1863 establishes the Boards and Commissions Review Act, which will create an efficient process to eliminate inactive boards and commissions, reduces defunct boards and commissions. Includes agreed language from the Budgeting for Results Commission and includes a charge to the Professional Review Panel to assess the efficacy of the property tax repeal grant -- tax -- property tax grant. I know of no opposition, ask for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 1863 pass. 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 the question, there are 39 voting Yea, 18 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 1863, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We'll go back up to the top of page 2, House Bill 250. Senator Napoleon Harris seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 250 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now, on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 250. Mr. Secretary, any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Napoleon Harris.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Harris, on your amendment.
I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, is House Bill 250. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 250, an Act concerning civil law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Senator Harris, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. The amendment, on House Bill 250, asks for the Eminent Domain Act to help provide Will County quick- take proceedings up to 2 years to effectively acquire approximately along a one-mile stretch. They passed this in their county board meeting, and I'm just doing this measure to help them out in their proceedings, and I expect an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 250 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, 12 voting Nay, none voting Present. House Bill 250, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your point.
Mr. President, I rise to honor a dear friend of the Hastings family in the south suburbs, Miss Jayne Schirmacher. Jayne was just a pillar of our community, she was a realtor. She just didn't sell homes she helped families plant roots and build the community. She also served as a trustee for the Orland Fire Protection District, and she dedicated herself to the safety and well-being of others. She led not for recognition, but out of purpose. But, Mr. President, her greatest role, the one that defined Jayne the 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 most, was being a mother. She adopted three children Jacquelyn, Jillian and Jianna. She was the strength, the grace of her family. And she -- she did it -- she was a mom with just unwavering love, and she led by example. She showed them and she showed all of us in the community what it means to deeply care and serve others faithfully. She had a unique gift, she made people feel seen. She listened, she respected others, and she believed in the dignity of every person she met. To Jayne's family our hearts are with you. Thank you for sharing her with us all. Her legacy continues in our community that she strengthened and the love that she gave freely. So, Mr. President, I ask that the Senate to join me in a moment of silence in her honor. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Members, please be at their desk for a moment of silence. (moment of silence observed) We're going to go to the top of page 5. House Bill 2568, President Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to accept the specific recommendations of the Governor as to House Bill 2568 in manner and form as follows: Amendment to House Bill 2568. In Acceptance of Governor's Recommendations: Amend House Bill 2568 on page 70, by replacing line 15 with "5, the right of the gestational surrogate to make all health and welfare decisions regarding", semicolon, and on page 70, by replacing line 21 with "6, the disclosure of all intended parents financial" and on page 70 by replacing line 24 with 70. "The inclusion of information about each party's right under". Dated October 28th, 2025, and signed, by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 President Harmon, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 2568, as we passed it out of the Senate, brings Illinois into compliance with the Uniform Parentage Act. After passage, we realized that there had been a scrivener's error and 3 clauses were assigned to the wrong Section within the bill. The Governor worked with me, with the House sponsor, with the advocates to correct that in an amendatory veto, and I would move to accept the Governor's specific recommendations for changes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator Tracy.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to speak briefly to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
When the bill first came to the Senate Floor, we had quite a bit of discussion about the removal of the name mother and father from the Parentage Act. And what I'd like to explain is, I think we could improve this bill by using the terminology mother or surrogate parent. Father or sperm donor. That would be unoffensive to anybody. Those of us who agree, and I think on this Body, we would all agree the positive impact of having a family unit, the traditional terminology of mother and father implies nurturing. And likewise, we understand on this side of the aisle, science and different family units have required this change. We are not opposed to the change. What we would like to see is an addition of 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 the words mother and father, and then include those terminology, but also add the other situations that this bill is used to address. We see no reason to remove the terminology mother and father, but instead additions of the appropriate terminology to explain all situations of a family unit. So, with that, I would just want to clarify why we opposed it in the first place. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no further discussion. President Harmon, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for those comments, Senator. I appreciate the desire to relitigate the underlying bill. I want to emphasize for the Body that -- that nomenclature is not at all implicated by the Governor's recommendations for change. And I would highlight for the Body a vote against this would be a vote in support of an odd assignment of rights to the wrong people. So, vote No, knowing that and caution. But I ask all the rest of you to vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The question is, shall the Senate accept the specific recommendations to the Governor to House Bill 2568, in the manner set forth in the motion. 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 38 voting Yea, 16 voting Nay, none voting Present. And specific recommendations of the Governor as to -- to House Bill 2568, having received the required constitutional majority, are declared accepted. Senator Castro.
18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Thank you, Mr. President. I rise for a purpose of a motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) State your motion.
I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 576 and House Bill 767 can be heard in the Senate Executive Committee today at 3 o'clock.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Castro moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 7 -- 576 -- 6-- 576 and House Bill 767 can be heard at 3 o'clock in the Senate Executive Committee. All those in favor of vote, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the notice on posting requirements have been waived. Senator Joyce.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 762 can be heard at 3 p.m. in the State -- State Government Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Joyce moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 762 can be heard at 3 p.m. in the Senate State Government Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. Senator Hills, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your announcement. 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025
It is my pleasure to recognize and welcome the students from Wauconda High School who are visiting the Capitol today, along with their chaperon, Becky Feryance. Becky is a social worker and a sponsor of the Youth Advisory Board Prevention Club. The club works hand in hand with Choose Your Path Coalition. Through their involvement, these students are learning to become leaders in prevention efforts among their peers and within their community. They're visiting Springfield today to learn more about how our State government addresses important issues like youth substance abuse prevention, and to help spread awareness during Red Ribbon Week. So, please help me in welcoming the Wauconda High School students in the gallery, to the Capitol today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Committee on Assignments will please meet in the President’s Anteroom, the Committee on Assignments. The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Insurance Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 3799. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Let me announce the committees that will be meeting this afternoon. Energy and Public Utilities at 12 p.m. in Room 212. Labor at 1:30 in Room 212. Insurance at -- in Room 400 at 1:30. Executive Committee, Room 212 at 3 o'clock. And State Government in Room 409 at 3 o'clock. And just a reminder to all the Members 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 who wish we're going to take a picture for the Breast Cancer Awareness Day right in front of the podium here upon recess. So, if you'd stick around, we'll take a picture of all the Members.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The Senate will stand in recess. We will be back at the end of the afternoon for Floor action. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Peters, Chair of the Committee on Labor, reports - Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 3 -- 3005 and Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 3005 Recommended Do Adopt. Senator Joyce, Chair of the Committee on State government, reports - House Bill 762 Do Pass. Senator Castro, Chair of the Committee on Executive, reports House Bills 576 and 767 Do Pass.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 501, offered by Senator Koehler and all Members. It is a celebration of life resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Introduction and Reading of Senate Bills for the first time.
Senate Bill 2737, offered by Senator Preston, an Act concerning business. 1st Reading the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Senator Aquino.
Thank you, Mr. President. For an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your announcement.
The Senate Democrats will caucus in the President -- in the President's Office at about 6:35 for approximately one hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Thank you. Senator McClure.
Thank you, Mr. President. An announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your announcement.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Republicans will caucus immediately in Room 400 of the Capitol for approximately one hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The Senate will stand in recess for caucus meetings, and we will come back to the Floor afterwards. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The Senate will come to order. Will the Committee on Assignments please meet in the President’s Anteroom, Committee on Assignments? Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 1437, Floor Amendment 4 to House Bill 3005, Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 3799, rereferred from Labor Committee to the Committee on Assignments - House Bill 507. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair. Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - House Bill 507. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been distributed. On Supplemental Calendar No. 1, we have House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bill 507, Senator Halpin. We'll go to House Bill 576, Senator Johnson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 576, an Act concerning government. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. House Bill 762, Senator Fine. Senator Fine, on House Bill 762. Do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 762, an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Senator Halpin -- Senator Halpin. Senator Halpin, do you wish to proceed on House Bill 507? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 507, an Act concerning employment. 2nd Reading of 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Senator Cunningham, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) We're continuing on Supplemental Calendar No. 1 at the bottom of the page that has been distributed to you where Senator Koehler has House Bill 767. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 767, an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) 3rd Reading. Senator Koehler, back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) I have a request from WAND TV for permission to record video. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. We're going to go to page 2 of the Calendar, towards the bottom of the page we have House Bill 1836, Senator Sims. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Sims seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1836 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1836. Mr. Secretary, any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Sims.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sims, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and debate it on 3rd. 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, we have Senate Bill 1836. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1836, an Act concerning criminal law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sims, to explain your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 1836 is truly a government efficiency bill. It is -- takes crimes that are -- it takes crimes that are currently -- it can currently be sealed by petition to then allow them to be -- to be sealed automatically. This does not extend beyond crimes that are currently able to be to be sealed by petition. So, it allows for us to deal with the backlog of cases. This -- this bill and the resulting amendments were the result of a considerable amount of discussion and negotiation with between law enforcement and the practitioners in this space. I would ask for any -- ask for a favorable roll call. Answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant.
25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Thank you, Mr. President. Questions of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) He indicates he will yield.
Thank you, Senator. When would this go into effect?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sims.
This is an immediate effective date. Senator. No Sorry, June 30th.
Thank you, June 30th. So, that would be funded in fiscal year 27, correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sims.
That is correct, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Bryant.
Then just finally, the Circuit Clerks, Illinois Circuit Clerks say that this will cost $18 million dollars, not counting Cook County. So, it is -- is it your intention then, to put that in the fiscal 27 budget, or do you intend for this to be a property tax increase for all the local?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sims.
Senator, no, this will absolutely not intend is not intended 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 to be a property tax for locals. And if you look at the legislation, there is a there's a phased in implementation, particularly not just of the process, but of the costs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Bryant.
Thank you I do see that it's phased in. So, the first year is 5.6 million, the second year is 3.8 million more, the third year is 3.8 million more, the fourth year is 4.2 million, the fifth year is another 3.3 million. So again, it would be $18 million dollars, not counting Cook County. So, what is your intention for how this is funded?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sims.
Senator -- Senator, as you know, we have a budget process every year. I -- I -- I've always invited you to participate in that process. You're -- you're certainly -- you're welcome to vote on that budget when we have -- we have it presented.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Bryant.
Thank you for that invitation. I'm not always invited to those times to look at the budget, but I would just say to you, obviously there is no appropriation attached to this as yet, which means that the locals will have to find the money for it. And I think that this is a potential for a local property tax increase. And I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Further discussion? Senator McClure.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'll speak to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
Thank you. We had a discussion about this bill in committee, and the essential summary was that this was all about rehabilitation, which I'll address in a moment. First, I do want to say thank you to the advocates who did come over to the Republican side of the aisle and meet with us. And there was a change involving human trafficking, making sure those people were taken out of the automatic sealing. So, I do thank them for that. They didn't have to do that. They did that, and they met with us and we had great discussions even after committee, actually, advocates came to see me, and we had a very good discussion. But so, this bill is supposed to be about rehabilitation. You know, you shouldn't have to pay forever for a mistake that a person made. These people are now rehabilitated, so let's automatically seal their records. The only problem is that in statute, there are protections to make sure that before someone's criminal record is sealed, they are rehabilitated, and this bill also eliminates those protections. One of those protections is that right now, currently under Illinois law, if a person makes a request to seal a criminal conviction, they're notified that, okay, if this is sealed and you commit another felony in the future. So not a misdemeanor, but a felony, the most serious of crimes other than murder, then that means that you'll be convicted of the new felony, and your previous criminal records will then be unsealed as well, because it's 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 obvious that, in fact, you are still committing criminal acts. And so therefore, the public should be notified of these things. This bill eliminates that. If you're making the argument that we should do this automatically because these people are rehabilitated, why would you take out these provisions that ensure that the person actually is rehabilitated? And the fact that I brought this up behind the scenes and in committee, it hasn't been changed, gives me the feeling that we all know that these people are going to continue committing crimes in some cases, and there's no concern as to whether or not they are rehabilitated. It's just about allowing people to continue to commit crimes under the radar. I don't think that -- that's what we should be doing in this State at this particular moment. Another thing when it comes to rehabilitation. So, if you're dealing meth, if you're dealing cocaine, there's a provision in here that says under current law that says you have to test for meth or for a controlled substance within 30 days of the sealing, and you have to be clean. And just so everyone's clear, I mean, meth or cocaine, based on the tests are typically used, all you have to do is abstain from it for a couple of days and you'll be clear on the test. That test has been eliminated. You're trying to rehabilitate people. You're trying to show that they're on the right path, but you're also saying that you don't want them to prove that they can't stay clean for 48 hours. Why would you eliminate yet another protection, not just for the person themselves to ensure and to motivate them to be on the right path, but also for the public, for the public. Another thing that needs to be pointed out as well is while there are some crimes that as I as I said in my beginning of my remarks here, that, it's good to have human trafficking people now out of this, 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 but here's a crime that is made much worse by changes in our laws over the last few years, and that's financial exploitation of the elderly. I would prosecute these cases here in Sangamon County. We had one case, a woman was taken advantage of so badly that she could no longer afford to live in her nursing home, and the only way that we got her money back was because the person was arrested, had to pay bond. And then after the trial, that bond was then turned into restitution and she got money back. Now bond is not collected, so these people don't get money back. So, not only are they not getting justice, they're hurt tremendously, and the person that does it is now allowed to have an automatically sealed record. They don't have to pay any of the money that they owed this person back. And in the future, they can attack more victims because now it's going to be shielded from public view. And when you're hiring somebody to come to your home to -- to cook or to do all kinds of services for people. My grandma has dementia she lives in a nursing home right now. But we had somebody before that come over to the house. You're not going to be able to see that they had previously stolen from elderly people. There are obvious issues here with public safety. There are obviously issues here that should have been left in our laws that are taken out, that would have helped to rehabilitate people. So, while there are some good aspects and some parts that I agree with when it comes to legislation like this, it's just really unfortunate that we couldn't work together to find a solution that would keep the public safe and would allow people to successfully rehabilitate their lives and move forward. This unfortunately, does not do that, and for that reason, I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Further discussion, Senator Rose.
To the bill, just briefly.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I -- I want to go back in time to where the provision came from for the -- to show the negative drug drop or the negative drug test as a condition of receiving, favorable consideration. And even our esteemed historian, Senator Martwick, might not know this. That provision came from me. Me, John Millner, former State House Representative Millner and State Senator John Millner and Jim Sacia, former House Member Jim Sacia. Jim Sacia was a retired FBI agent. John Millner was a retired chief of police, and I was a prosecutor, and we sat in the House Criminal Law Committee, and how times have changed. At that time, Representative Connie Howard from Chicago Democrat, couldn't pass her bill. She couldn't pass her bill to do the first ever sealing, I believe this sealing might have been expungement, but my memory fades 20 years later. But it was one of -- one or the other. I think it was sealing. She couldn't pass her bill in the Democrat controlled Criminal Law Committee of the House of Representatives, because it was soft on crime. And John Millner, Chapin Rose (me) and Jim Sacia stayed after committee, and so, you know what, we don't want to punish people for their entire lives for mistakes they made when they were a young kid. But we do want to make sure they're rehabilitated, and we do want to make sure enough times past that we're not just turning somebody's back on the streets to make our streets less safe. We want people to demonstrate that 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 they're truly out of whatever lifestyle led them to the problems they became with -- they came in with. And so, in addition, a couple other things, one of the things that John, Representative -- Senator Millner, then Representative -- Representative Sacia, and myself said to Representative Howard, who by the way, was -- was great to work with. We said, "Look, why don't you have them prove that they're still not on the sauce, file that -- file that piece of paper, the court, the negative drug drop that shows that they're clean." She said, "You're right." We all shook hands and the next morning, or the next day, or the next week, whatever it was, I don't remember, the three of us voted for that bill. How times have changed -- how times have changed. That's how we used to do things here. That's how we used to do things here. But now, I don't know what we're doing now, we're not making things safer. And I would humbly submit, and I know where this is going to go, and I have all the respect in the world for my friend, Leader -- Leader Sims. But at the end of the day, not having the negative drug drop proves nothing on who we're putting back on the streets of Illinois. It was a simple request. It was a commonsense request. And for the better part of 20 years, the people of Illinois agreed on that, but it's what you have the historical perspective of where that came from. Vote however you're going to vote. I'm going to vote No. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Further discussion, Senator Preston.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise, today, in strong support for the Clean Slate Act. You know, I come from a community where many of the people that I grew up with -- many of my family members 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 friends have served time. So many of the people that have served time will tell all of the distinguished people in this room that whatever time, whatever crime that they may have committed, they feel that they have a life sentence. And for that reason alone, I think that we all should consider supporting this legislation. So many people grow past where they were in life at one point in their life. But, we, as a State have set them up, set up employers, set up a society where they're convicted over and over and over again. When you go walk around in certain neighborhoods and ask people, why are you standing out here? You can go get a job. You can do this. Why aren't you voting? They will tell you. Nobody will hire me. I cannot vote, I'm a felon. Now we know in this State we've gone past that a long time ago in terms of voting and giving people the opportunities to participate in our democracy. But, we are living in a shadow of what was, and that shadow was saying, if you've ever committed a crime or been convicted of a crime, you are a part of a lower part of society for life. What this legislation does is it takes nearly a million Illinoisans back to an opportunity to be contributing members of society. And for that reason, I've got to strongly support this bill. I thank Leader Sims for doing -- for carrying this Legislation, because what we want to do is give people the opportunity. Nothing stops us from re-arresting and reconvicting anybody who may decide that they just don't want to stand on the side of law and order. But what we can say and send a strong message to the employers of the State of Illinois, to the people of Illinois, is that we are not going to be soft on crime, but we are going to be smart with justice. I ask and urge everyone to vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Senator Sims, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to my colleagues for the very rigorous debate. Let me clear up a couple of things. One, this bill is subject to appropriation, so we will have the opportunity as part of the fiscal year 27, 28, 29 and subsequent year budgets to discuss this topic. So, anyone who has an issue or wants to participate, we will -- you will have that opportunity to weigh in then. Second, we've talked a lot about the drug tests. The drug tests are not relevant in this -- in this arena, in this -- in this setting. And -- and mind you, Illinois is the only State in the Union where this is required. So out of all States in the Union, this is the only State where we require the drug test. So that's -- that's the second point. The three year -- the -- the prohibition and the subsequent felony convictions. If an individual were then to commit a subsequent felony conviction -- as a subsequent felony conviction, they then have -- that that record then becomes public. So, the public will then have the ability to see the record. Finally, the financial exploitation, that was an issue that was raised. That was a discussion that was based on based on negotiations between the State's attorneys and the advocates. That was a decision that was that was raised and was made at that point. But I would also point out that individuals who hire -- who hire in this space, there, those -- those employment records are public. So, if an individual has one of these crimes in their background, it would still be available to the employer. As -- as was mentioned, not just a million, but 1.7 million people will have access to opportunity by us modernizing this process and streamlining this process. We want this. We are 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 not adding any crimes that are not currently allowed to be sealed under -- by petition. We are just making the process automatic for that, Mr. Speaker -- Mr. President, I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) So, the question is, shall House Bill 1836 pass. All those in favor vote, Aye. 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 39 voting Yea, 17 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 1836, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're going to go to the middle of page 3, we're going to go to House Bill 3005, Senator Peters. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Peters seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3005 to 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3005. Mr. Secretary, any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Peters.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters, on your amendment.
I would like to adopt the amendment and explain on -- explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 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 Peters. 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters, on your amendment.
I would like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Peters.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters, on your amendment.
I would like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order 3rd Reading is House Bill 3005. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3005, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters, on your bill.
36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Thank you, Mr. President. Let me just go through this real quickly. We have a bill that creates a pilot program with the Department of Labor to create a State Labor Mediation Program, in response -- in case anything happens at the federal level, the second amendment deletes the term "consequential from damages" in the Section -- Damages Section of the Workplace Transparency Act. And the Amendment No. 4, amends the Prevailing Wage Act, to ensure field mechanics, technicians, and other similar positions are paid the prevailing wage, including for the time spent transporting parts, materials, or equipment to and from a site, regardless of whether such a person is an employer by a contractor or subcontractor, seller, or supplier. And I asked for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? Senator Wilcox.
Question of the sponsor or maybe the Chair?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) He indicates he will yield.
You adopt -- you adopted Amendment 3 and 4 but talked to Amendment 1 and 2. Are they also part of this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters.
Well, I actually talked about Amendment No. 1, which was the State Mediation pilot. I definitely talked about Amendment No. 3 when I talked about the deletion of the term "consequential" from the damaged section of the Workplace Transparency Act. And then on amendment, Senate Floor Amendment No. 4. I just didn't want to 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 confuse people too much. I definitely adopted and talked about amending the Prevailing Wage Act.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Wilcox.
So, Amendments 1, 3, and 4 are part of this bill. Okay. Question on Amendment 4 for legislative intent. The language talks about, mechanics and other aspects. Is it your intent to leave intact the sellers and suppliers' exemption?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peterson.
Let me read for legislative intent. The amendment is intended to clarify that field mechanics, technicians, and similar workers are entitled to the prevailing wage for travel time spent transporting parts, materials, or equipment to and from the job site on public works projects. This language reaffirms that such transit and service activities are part of the work of construction, maintenance, and repair already covered under Section 3, closing a loophole some contractors have used to avoid paying prevailing wages for those hours. This is codifying years of and years of existing practice, the existing provision in statute that transportation by the sellers and suppliers, or the manufacturer, or processing of materials or equipment still remains intact in the law. On another part involving legislative intent, Senate Amendment 4 is being proposed for the purpose of clarifying a particular question in the -- in -- in the construction industry. Nothing about this amendment should be construed to impact mechanics, including traveling mechanics 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 employed by the State of Illinois or directly contracted with the State of Illinois to perform work other than on fixed public works.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Wilcox.
Thank you for that. So, yes, amendment 3 and 4 probably acceptable. It's to the Amendment 1, which we talked about in committee about putting into language directing Department of Labor to create mediation process. If and when the feds no longer or substantially reduce the federal mediation services. However, there is no appropriation. It was my contention that we have plenty of time to, file that language and that I would be supportive at the time if we're going to appropriate on that. So, for that reason, I'll be a No. But believe the bill to be relatively acceptable on Amendments 3 and 4.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters, to close.
Vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The question is, shall House Bill 3005 pass. 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 40 voting Yea, 19 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 3005, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're going to go down a little further on the page to House Bill 3492, Senator Peters. Senator Peters seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3492 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3492. Mr. Secretary, any Floor Amendment approved for consideration.
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Peters.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters, on your amendment.
I would like to adopt the amendment, explain on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. And on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 3492. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3492, an Act concerning criminal law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters, on your bill.
These are all bills we've passed in the spring. The only thing that's changed is the effective date. Please vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion, Senator McClure?
Thank you, Mr. President. Questions for the sponsor. 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) He indicates he will yield.
And Senator Peters, I know we've talked about this. I think all -- all of these bills, I think one we were okay with the other two, we voted against for the most part. But just out of curiosity, how many -- are you aware how many juveniles have been arrested that are under the age of 13 in the last 5 years per year, by chance?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters.
I don't have exact numbers, but it's a -- it's a small amount and from what I understand, it's a shrinking amount at the same time.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator McClure.
Okay. Sure. And I understand I caught you on the spot, sorry for that, asking that without warning. Second question, as it relates to the -- the task force. I know there was discussion the last time that we talked about this bill because there were no -- there was no appointment for any Sheriffs or the Sheriffs Association. Obviously, Sheriffs are highly involved with -- with the juvenile system. Why are Sheriffs not a part of the task force?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters.
There are currently no Sheriffs. I mean, no juveniles - 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 Sheriffs do not oversee juvenile detention.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator McClure.
I'll speak to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
Thank you. Well, first, as it relates to the task force, obviously, sheriffs and sheriff's deputies arrest juveniles. And so, they're a very big part of the process. And I think it's important to have their voices heard as it relates to a task force, if we're trying to get to an answer here that we can all look at and say that this is a good recommendation. I think there are a vital voice that should be heard, and they're not being heard on this task force, which is a reason to be against the task force. As it relates to the age of detention, Senator Peters is correct that under the age of 13, it's very, very rare for someone to be detained, and there has to be an almost immediate court appearance where the State's Attorney's office has to justify why they're detained. They can't stay in detention for more than 30 days pretrial. It's a whole process. And the problem is that you're going to have kids under the age of 13 who are out of control, committing crimes, and they don't… What do you do with them? Where do they go? Where do they go? And I can tell you that one of the big problems right now is that if any of you have read about the cases where there have been horrific abuse of foster kids at DCFS or at Aunt Martha's in Chicago, it's always, almost always the kids that have serious behavioral issues and DCFS has nowhere to 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025 put them. So now they can't stand detention to cool off for 24 hours or 48 hours. Now you're going to permanently put them in the DCFS system. And what happens to those poor kids when they get into that system? They get abused. DCFS has nowhere to put them. And they can also sometimes affect the behavior of other foster kids. I think a better alternative is allowing them to be in detention for a day or two, so that we can get the behavior under control and go back home. This is going to permanently uproot kids and leave them no place to go. What happens when a parent brings a child who's got behavior issues, who's committing crimes to police, and they can't do anything about it? Well, they call DCFS. It's called a lockout. DCFS, as all of us know, already has a lot of very controversial cases. Very sad things have happened at DCFS, which breaks all of our hearts, I know. This is one area where it's a very, very, very tiny, small amount of kids and the protections are in place within the juvenile system to ensure that it has to be absolutely necessary. But if this law passes, what's going to happen is you're going to have some kids lives that are damaged and probably destroyed forever after they go to DCFS and they're potentially abused. And it's going to be really, really bad and really, really sad. It's only going to be a handful of kids, but in this State, we should fight for every single one of our kids. And I don't want to see these kids have their lives torn apart, and that's what this bill is going to do for some kids. And for that reason, I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Further discussion? Senator Ventura.
Yes, to the bill. 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) To the bill.
Yeah. I want to thank Senator Peters for getting this over the finish line. The Child's First Task Force will need additional legislation once the task force has come up with its final report for implementation, and there will be plenty of opportunity for the Sheriffs to work on that language. Law enforcement is currently represented on the task force, but it is vital that we view every young person as a child first and as an offender second. Whenever possible, children should be diverted from the juvenile justice system early and to provide an appropriate trauma-informed supports, so that removal from the home is the last resort, and I ask everyone to vote Aye on this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Peters, to close.
Let me first just say I'm going to do an unusually long close, which is a few sentences. Is that -- Jim Kaitschuk from the Sheriffs, I just want to commend him for engaging with this process thoughtfully and being able to have an honest and real conversation and to clarify that law enforcement will be represented in the task force. And lastly, we have a unique opportunity to be able to look out for our young people so that they're not spending their time in detention, being able to spend their time being able to get the services and the care that they need. Like so many other countries, the United States is an amazing place, and we deserve to give our kids an amazing life. So, I ask for an Aye vote. Thank you. 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 60th Legislative Day 10/29/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) The question is, shall House Bill 3092 pass. 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 37 voting Yea, 18 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 3492, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until noon on the 30th day of October 2025. The Senate stands adjourned. 45