PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The regular Session of 104th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? And will our guests in the galleries please rise. The invocation today will be given by Dr. Driss El-Akrich from the Islamic Society of Greater Springfield.
DR. DRISS EL-AKRICH: (Invocation)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Will Senator Halpin, please lead us in the Pledge. Senator Halpin.
SENATOR HALPIN: (Pledge of Allegiance)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Lisa Yuscius -- Lisa Chess-Yuscius from the Blueroomstream seeks permission to video stream the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. John Kim from the Chicago Tribune seeks permission for still photography. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. And Mike Militich from WAND TV seeks to record the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senator Journal of May 31st, 2025.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villanueva.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some other Senator has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villanueva moves to approve the Journals just read 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 by the Secretary. There being no objection, so ordered. Senator - - excuse me… Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, October 29th, 2025.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villanueva.
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 Villanueva 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 504, offered by Senator Belt and all Members. It is a celebration of life resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 502, offered by Senator Ventura. It is congratulatory and Senate Resolution 503, offered by Senator Sims. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Andrew Campbell from Capitol News Illinois seeks permission to record and video the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 I have a Committee Report Correction on May 15th, 2025, the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments inadvertently admitted Appointment Message 1040051 from its report to the Senate. Appointment Message 1040051 is reported the Senate, with a recommendation of Do Recommend Consent. Senator Murphy, Chair of the Committee on Executive Appointments reports Appointment Messages 1030580, 1030583, 1030584, 1030585, 1030586, 1030589, 1030595, 1040014, 1040017, 1040018, 1040019, 1040022, 1040027, 1040052, 1040066, 1040068, 1040084, 1040085, 1040086, 1040089, 1040286, 1040287, 1040306, 1040307, 1040308 and 1040309 Do Recommend Consent. And Senator Castro, Chair of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendment 3 to House Bill 1085 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, the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill with the following title to wit: Senate Bill 25, together with the following amendments which are attached in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendments 4 and 5 to Senate Bill -- Senate -- Senate Bill 25. Passed the House, as amended, October 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, the House of Representatives has adopted the following Joint Resolution in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 12, 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 offered by Senator Belt and adopted by the House, May 27th, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. For purposes of an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please state your announcement.
Upon recess, the Senate Democrats will caucus in the President's Office for approximately 90 minutes.
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, Mr. President. Upon recess, the Senate Republicans will caucus in Room 400 of the Capitol.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 505, offered by Senator Curran. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The Senate will stand in recess to call of the Chair. After caucus, the Senate will reconvene for Floor action requiring votes. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senate will come to order. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The Members of the Committee on Assignments will meet in the President's Anteroom immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. Senator Koehler, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Dave Dahl with WTAX seeks leave to photo. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. 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.
So, Members of the Senate, I just want to say that everyone has dear family friends back home but -- the Barrett family I've known for close to three decades; and -- Mikey and Monica just welcomed their first baby, Grace Margaret, into the world 7 pounds 14 ounces at 4:32 a.m. at 10/30 mom is doing great, dad is doing great, but they're about to be sleep deprived but we're proud of them. We want to welcome them to the State of Illinois and give them a round -- a warm welcome to the State of Illinois. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Congratulations. Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you seek recognition? 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
A point of personal privilege, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your point.
If I could have the attention of the Members of the Body, this is a very important point. I have filed a Senate Resolution that will be part of the Consent Calendar later today. But many of you don't know that one of our legislative staff family passed away July 1st of this past summer. The wonderful man that used to guard our doors, Arthur Eugene Wilson, passed, as I said on July 1st. Arthur was born in Jacksonville, and he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Art had previously retired from the Department of Corrections, and he was currently working as our security guard in the State of Illinois at the Capitol. Art was very involved in community. He was part of founding many museums, including a museum recently regarding the Underground Railroad and the freedom seekers and the ones that protected the freedom seekers in all parts of Illinois. In fact, Senator Koehler and I Chaired that Task Force on the Underground Railroad and the freedom seekers and Art explained to Senator Koehler how much he knew about this whole State and that area. And Senator Koehler asked him to be part of our Commission, and he was an invaluable member of that Commission. Arthur Wilson was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. He is survived by his children, Amber Wilson, Adair Wilson, Joshua Wilson, Arzelous Wilson and eight grandchildren and their siblings and nieces and nephews. Art made a big impact on this world, and he certainly guarded and protected us. And so, I wanted to file this resolution on his behalf. All of you will be 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 part of that Consent Calendar Resolution. And with that bearing in mind with Art in our hearts, I would ask for a moment of silence to recognize Art.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Members please be at their desks for a Moment of Silence. (Moment of Silence observed) Thank you. Senator Aquino, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - House Bill 2724, Motion to Concur with House Amendments 4 and 5 to Senate Bill 25, Floor Amendments 2 and 3 to House Bill 1312, Floor Amendment 7 and 8 to House Bill 3564, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 3799, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1698. Senate Resolutions 347, 348 and 415. Signed, Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair. Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2724. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advice and Consent. Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on Appointments set 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 forth in Appointment Message 580, 583 through 586, 589 and 595 of the 103rd General Assembly. Appointment Message 14, 17 through 19, 22, 27, 51, 52, 66 to 68, 70 to 86, 89, 90, 91, 95, 96, 98 to 102, 107 to 109, 146, 150 to 152, 286, 287, and 306 to 309 of the 104 General Assembly and the Motion in Writing on page 8 of the Senate Calendar.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointment Messages just read. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion has -- the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. Mr. Secretary, are there any Motions in Writing?
I have a Motion in Writing from Senator Murphy, Chair of the Committee on Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, print the motion on the Calendar. Mr. Secretary -- Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040067.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments Recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Human Rights Commission, Janice Marie Glenn.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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 Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please -- Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040072.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Human Rights Commission, Stephen A. Kouri II.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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 58 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Having received a majority of the Senators, or rather a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040107.
9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate do consent to the following salaried appointment, To be the Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Heidi E. Mueller.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall -- does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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 58 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A Majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040108.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections, Latoya Ja'Nae Hughes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the point of objection to this appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) State your objection.
Thank you. Thank you. This particular individual has now been in place for nearly three years. In that time, I have gone throughout the entire State. As a retiree from the Department of Correction who speaks the language and understands what's going on inside the facilities. Most recently, within the last eight months, I visited ten facilities, not just the ones that were in my district, but all over the State. I went because of the large amount of drugs that are being found within the facilities, and the inability for this particular Director to stop the movement of drugs inside the facility, in that -- you can call it an investigation if you want. But in my investigation, I asked repeatedly from the Director and from her staff for documents and for information which I was not afforded the opportunity to see. They forced me to FOIA that information. In the FOIA, they refused as well. I had to appeal to the Secretary -- to the Attorney General's Office, at which time the Attorney General's Office ordered them to give me documents. In those documents, just as an example of the things that I found, there were nine inmate deaths in just twenty-four and one month of twenty-five and because I wanted to be able to talk to you all about what's happening and actually prove it, I asked only for fentanyl information. Those nine deaths were fentanyl of offenders. We're not even talking 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 about the staff that gets exposed. The buck has to stop somewhere, and the buck stops with the Director of the Department of Corrections on all of these issues. One of those nine individuals, mother contacted me and gave me the death certificate for her son, begging us to help get the Department of Corrections under control. On that death certificate, it identifies fentanyl as the cause of death with traces of heroin and cocaine. I have over two hundred what are known as incident reports from the Department of Corrections. Their own documents, internal documents that show fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, oxycontin, oxycodone, all in those departments. Now, anyone's going to say to you that you're going to see that stuff all the time in corrections. But I'm telling you, in the twenty years that I worked there and the twelve years since I retired, no one has seen the amount of drugs, the amount of cell phone usage, the amount of shanks that are being found in the Department of Corrections. And again, the buck has to stop somewhere. Most recently, I had the opportunity to talk to a colleague on the other side of the aisle who has a facility where a recent death happened because the Department of Corrections has fifty percent of its SCBA equipment. So, think of it as the oxygen tank that goes on when there's a fire in a building. Fifty percent are either outdated or don't have any oxygen. In the case of this one facility, an offender who was a seriously mentally ill individual, set his cell on fire and the staff could not respond to that cell because the SCBA that they were assigned to that wing was not full and wasn't safe for the staff to go down. The offender died. The offender died. The Director is aware that problem is happening. If she tells you that she's not, then she -- she has to be -- the buck has to stop with the Directors. Now we're being 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 asked to confirm this individual. More recently than that, offenders are now allowed to use what amounts to a cell phone inside their -- their cells. That's fine. They've always been allowed at most institutions to have a cell phone for about the hour that they get their visits and so forth to make calls to their families. Right now, they're allowed to have those, not for the one hour or two hours that they were previously allowed, but they're allowed to have them from 8 o'clock in the morning until 11 o'clock at night. In one month alone, when that started in June, I believe, there were a hundred thousand phone calls made outside the facilities. One percent of those phone calls were monitored, one percent of a hundred thousand calls. You want to know how drugs are getting into the facilities? You want to know how all of this stuff is happening? It's happening because no one is watching what's going on. I didn't focus all of my attention on trying to find out what's happening with staff, because I think that there are some people who kind of brush that off just a little bit. But I'm telling you -- everyone in here, under Latoya Hughes leadership, the offenders that are in the Department of Corrections are dying and they're dying every day. If you vote for Latoya Hughes to be confirmed as the Director of the Department of Corrections, you are voting for her leadership to continue in the way that she has been conducting that. I have no personal animus towards her, I believe she could do very well at a different agency, but this is not the agency that she should be managing. I respectfully ask each of you to take that into consideration, if you care about those people who work there, and if you care about those who are incarcerated. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 For further discussion? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Make your point.
I represent Lawrence County Correctional and also Robinson, I'm on the periphery of Danville. What I learned last year on my trip through Lawrence and Robinson was beyond eye opening -- beyond eye opening. And -- the -- the -- let's start with the mailroom, where the scanner that's supposed to prevent weapons from coming into the facility was nonfunctional. And we asked the mailroom clerk how long it's been out, she said it's never worked. Now, before you think about those weapons coming in, if something can be used against the guards and the staff, which of course it can, it can also be used against the other inmates. But let's talk about the guards and staff. Let's go to Lawrence County. The guard -- three guards actually stabbed brutally by shank, by an inmate who never ever, ever should have been placed in general population with anyone --- with anyone. And in fact, the local review of the Warden recommendation for placement was overruled by Springfield time and again. Placement decisions where local wardens and staff quite literally have their necks on the line, are overruled by Springfield. Now let's talk about the drugs. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon in Lawrenceville, we could smell smoke. Terri was there; Representative Niemerg was there, we're standing in the middle of the Ward, and you could smell the smoke. No, nothing to see here, it's really nothing to smell here except it was right there. I 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 talked to one of the guards on the side, outside of the earshot of the wardens and his higher ups. He tells you, "Wait till nightfall and it's purple haze." Direct quote. No, I'm sorry, "Purple haze something out of Thunderdome." That was the actual quote. Now let's talk about last week, the inmate who was life flighted out of Robinson, which is by the way, medium security for an overdose. Life flighted. But then when the men and women who work there get accidental exposures, they're told, no big deal. You're making it all up. And they get driven home, not to the hospital. They get driven home in personal vehicles. For all of you who care about inmates. How about the one who died last year in Lawrenceville from a fentanyl exposure? How about the eighteen-year-old kid that went in and came out with literally his head kicked in -- caved in to the point where they had to remove his skull, and the rest of us taxpayers got to foot the bill to keep him on life support for the eighteen months after which he lived until he passed away while he was in a vegetative coma. I've never seen anything like the Department of Corrections. We have a duty to the men and women who work there to keep them as safe as possible, as safe as possible when they're discharging their duties in a really, really, really tough environment. But quite frankly, if you are at all a Christian, you also have a duty to the people who are in your care and custody and whatever happened to that kid? He didn't get a death sentence, but that's what he got. Whatever happened to the guy in Lawrenceville, Fentanyl death, that's what he got. But you cannot have a situation where, time and again, the wardens and staff who have their literal necks on the line, three of them stabbed in the same incident by the same guy, three of them. Because the local control decision was overturned by the 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Administration. Again and again and again, the operational decisions of the very people who are on the front lines know the inmates, know the people, know what's safe, know what's not safe, are being overturned by Springfield. If you have a conscience at all, you should vote no on this Appointment. I cannot in good conscience vote for this. It is unbelievably scary what's going on. When you got minimum security, those are people that are going to be out in eighteen months and instead they're getting life flighted out. There's a real -- there's a real problem. If you have a conscience at all, you will not vote for this nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President, to the appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
Thank you. So, serving on the Executive Appointments Committee, obviously myself and the other Members have a special insight into the Director. I have met with the Director and her staff multiple times over the last couple of months, years, whatever this has been. And I do appreciate the Director for sitting down and meeting with me and answering some of my questions, but I get on a weekly basis questions from State Attorneys throughout my ten counties asking how a particular person was released. Some of these situations, the Department is utilizing a program that is not meant for particular individuals, and yet putting those ineligible individuals in those programs and 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 releasing them two years, ten years, eight years before their sentence is supposed to expire. And these are not just cases of small things, these are big crime and my State's Attorneys are very upset by that. So, I asked the Director and I asked her staff, I gave them a case. This person -- they were sentenced to, I think it was like fifteen years, they got out after two years. How is that possible? How is this possible -- not possible under our laws. Well, it was special education programing. On one of these people that I asked the question about I got the document from DOC as to what the educational programing was. They took the same class like seven times. This is insane. Now, Senator Bryant hit on an issue that we're dealing with right now, which is a record number of people are being attacked in prison, either inmates or the guards themselves. A record number of weapons are being snuck in prison, and a record number of drugs are being found in prison. So, why is there a record number of people being released for good behavior at the same time -- who are not complying with the bills that have passed this Body as to what does or does not constitute credit for release. Taking the same class eight times should not get you credit for each of those classes. For those of you that went to high school, did you graduate eight different times? Once you get that diploma, that's it. To find excuses just to release people is not what our Department of Corrections is built for. Speaking of releasing people, magically we find out that the Department of Corrections has stopped calculating who is being rearrested after being released from the Department of Corrections. So, they implement all these crazy programs to let all these people go, and they stop figuring out whether or not somebody was then rearrested. In other words, to see whether or not these programs worked or 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 not. Google it. Since 2022, conveniently right before the SAFE-T Act took effect, DOC has stopped calculating those that are committing new crimes after being released from DOC. Wouldn't you want to know whether these programs are working or not? Wouldn't you want to know if releasing these people early has caused others to be in danger, they don't want to know. Gee, I wonder why. I mean, this stuff is ridiculous. And we deserve to know as a Body and as a State, whether or not the Department is doing things that keep us safe or not. I have been complaining now for seven years as a State Senator. We still do not have enough programs within the Department of Corrections for drug treatment or for mental health services. You can have a person that is sentenced to the Department of Corrections. The judge will sign an order that says this person should receive drug treatment while they're in the Department of Corrections. What they'll end up doing is spending the entire time on the waiting list for drug treatment, and then they'll be released early by the Department of Corrections for ridiculous reasons, and they will go right to a halfway house where there's drugs, and they will start the exact same pattern over and over again. You see, these policies are not just detrimental to victims and the State at-large. They're also very detrimental to the people that we need to rehabilitate to help them get their lives back on track. That is unacceptable. So, no matter whether you're trying to stick up for the fact that we need to rehabilitate people, whether you're trying to stick up for transparency, or you're trying to make sure that our State is operating in a way that is safe for the public or for the prisoners themselves, or for the guards, or for simply justice. Think about a victim who was just told that they're -- the person who attacked them, is 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 going to be in prison for ten years, and they get out two years later with no explanation for taking the same class fifteen times. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, to the appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
Yeah. I appreciate everyone's time today, and I appreciate the comments from my colleagues. The Acting Director of the Department of Corrections has been the Acting Director for more than two years now, which I think alone is a statement. The reality is, the Acting Director has appeared before the Executive Appointment Committee multiple times, she's also appeared with a couple of the Approps Committees that I serve on. Seems like a nice person, but just because you might be a nice person doesn't mean you should be in the role that you're in. My colleagues hammered out some of the concerns about the Director. Let me just dive into a few details because ultimately when you're in public office, you have a public appointment, you're serving on behalf of the public. I -- I think the number one thing anyone should look at in a person is their character and their integrity. The reality is, the Acting Director, on numerous occasions has provided false information and misleading information to Senators. She has provided false information and misleading information to other outside groups that have requested information from the 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Department. They've refused to turn over FOIA's. Those appeals have ultimately been granted. There's been comments about staff being harmed. I think everyone here thinks our Department of Corrections officers deserve the right to go to a job and return home to their family, serve the people of Illinois in a safe manner. I also think everyone in this Body thinks that when someone is convicted of a crime and they go to prison, that person deserves to be in a safe environment where they have the opportunity to be rehabilitated, and they have the opportunity to rejoin and be a productive member of society. That is not happening in the Illinois Department of Corrections right now and it's because of the leadership of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Several of my colleagues talked about deaths. Last time the Acting Director appeared before the Executive Appointments Committee and I asked her how many inmates have died under her care in the last year. She couldn't provide a number. When I asked how many died in the last month, we couldn't get a number. Those numbers are directly reported to the Director. You would think if you're in a position of that magnitude, you could tell us how many people have died in your care, in your custody. It's embarrassing, tragic, and immoral the number of people who are serving their sentences in State of Illinois that are being harmed and being killed. It's embarrassing and immoral how many corrections officers go to work every day, leave their families, and are traumatized and harmed. When the Department of Corrections and the leadership of the Department of Corrections tells us after an exposure at Graham Correctional Center outside Hillsboro, Illinois, that Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who are serving as Department of Corrections staff are knocked on their backs and rushed to the hospital in severe stress 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 because they were exposed to saline solution and baby powder. That math just doesn't add up. And we're told baby powder and saline solution, baby powder and saline solution. And then two years later she testified that it was exposure to illicit contraband that was in the system. She lied. Contraband is all over the -- all over the system. People are being harmed. Drugs are all over the system. People are being harmed. She testified to us that mail scan, a contract, had been -- was a contract had been signed and was in place, and we would have mail scanned two years ago. We still don't have Statewide functional mail scan like almost every other state has, and people are dying because of it. She lied on that issue as well. You know, Vandalia Correctional Center was almost shut down by former Governor Blagojevich about twenty years ago. And thanks to the hard work of legislators on both sides of the aisle, and thanks to the hard work of corrections officers and their allies, that facility was kept open. From that really, really, really unethical process, we had some -- some good government rules passed on facility closures so that stakeholders and communities would be involved in the process. Our Acting Director is shutting down Department of Corrections facilities right now and lying to all of us about it. We have multiple facilities that have zero inmates, zero inmates, but they're still on the rolls as being active facilities just so they can skirt around the shutdown rules put in place after Governor Blagojevich. A lot of people come before the Executive Appointments Committee. There are a few people that come before the Executive Appointments whose incompetence leads to deaths, whose incompetence leads to danger, and who lies to Members of this Body. This is an obvious vote, and I strongly encourage a No vote. Thank you. 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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 Aye, 21 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by a record vote. The Senate does consent to the nomination. Andrew Adams from Capitol News, Illinois request permission to photograph and audio record the proceedings. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040109.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be the Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections, Alyssa Brooke Williams-Schafer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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 -- there are 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Excuse me, sorry, having a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Leader Lightford, for what purpose do 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to be recorded, as a proud Yes vote, on 1040108 Appointment. I did hit the Yes button, but for some reason it was not recorded. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The record will reflect your intention. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1030595.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Pollution Control Board, Angela Aye Tin O'Brien.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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 57 voted Aye, 0 voted Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040051.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 appointment, To be a Member of the Property Tax Appeals Board, Kevin L. Freeman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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 58 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote. The Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040052.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Property Tax Appeal Board, Sarah Buckley.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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? Have all 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 voted who wish? -- Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected -- elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040068.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Illinois Racing Board, Rocco J. Zucchero.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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 Murphy would you like to vote on this nomination? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040084.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Human Rights Commission, Demoya Renee Gordon. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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 53 voting Aye, 6 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040086.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Commissioner of the Executive Ethics Commission, Marty Castro.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Pursuant to Section 5- 20 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, a 3/5 vote is required for confirmation. The vote is -- the question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A 3/5 majority of the Senate concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040286.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Tracy Lagean Buckley.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote. {sic 58 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present} The Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040287.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Timothy Nugent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040306.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Jeffrey M. Grubbs.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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? Senator Stadelman, would you like to vote on this nomination? Take the record. There are 58 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. The majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040307.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Rodger Allen Heaton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. 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? Senator Tracy, would you like to vote on this nomination? Take the record. On this question, there are 59 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040308.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Holly Hopwood-Lemons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Majority of the Senators elected concur by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1040309.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends the Senate Do Consent to the following salaried appointment, To be a Member of the Prisoner Review Board, Carmen Terrones.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Sorry about that… Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the Appointment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer.
So, as -- as many folks in this Body know, the last few years the PRB's kind of had a troubled history. But I think we're on a 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 positive course, we're going in the right direction. I think a lot of people throughout the State; victims, families of victims, law enforcement, offenders who are -- who are looking for a second chance, I think everyone feels a little bit more confidence in -- in where PRB is going. Reforms have been made. This Body has responded to what was a problem. I would argue this Body was the part of creating the problem, but it -- it -- is partially corrected. I think denying this Appointment would go a long way in furthering the improvement at PRB. I just don't understand voting to release people who raped five-year-old children, like this Appointee did. I don't understand voting to release someone who murdered their sixteen-year-old child, like this person did and if -- if I did cast those votes, I -- I would have an answer for it. And the answer would be better than, "Well, you know, I look at a piece of paper and I try to determine their -- their risk level." I would -- I would ask everyone who's about to cast a vote on -- on this nominee, what risk level do you feel is appropriate? Is it five percent? Is it ten percent? Is it fifty percent? What risk level do you deem someone -- worth the gamble putting back out on the streets after they've raped a five-year-old child? When asked, "Well, what rehabilitation programs are there for someone that would rape a five-year-old child?" The answer was "Crickets". I'm personally not sure how -- how someone who would do something like that could be rehabilitated, but let's say that program exists. This person voted Yes without knowing about that program and could not articulate that program to this Body. We've done a good job at making corrections to the PRB. I believe we've made our community safer. I believe we've -- we've -- we've made all of our districts safer. We've made the people of Illinois safer. I think people 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 working at the PRB, Appointees to the PRB can hold their head up high with the way that they're operating today. I'm proud of a lot of the progress that's been made. But I cannot stand by and watch someone who casts votes like that go to work every day and endanger the people of Illinois. And when the political spotlight is shined on them, just flip their vote the other way, as if it didn't matter. Six people appeared before PRB today, I strongly urge a Yes vote on five of them. But if we want to keep the State of Illinois safe, and if we want to make sure we do not revisit the horrible tragedies that families in this State have experienced because of the problems that PRB, we must vote No on this nominee. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 34 voting Aye, 19 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, Motions in Writing Appointment Messages.
I have a motion in writing from Senator Murphy, Chair of the Executive Appointments Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 2-1(c){sic} (10-1(c), as the Chair 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 of the Executive Appointments Committee, I move to compile the following Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate pursuant to Senate Rule 10-1(c), excuse me -- Appointment Message 1030580, Illinois Finance Agency. Appointment Message 1030583, Guardianship and Advocacy Commission. Appointment Message 1030584, Illinois Community College Board. Appointment Message 1030585, Southwestern Illinois Development Authority. Appointment Message 1030586, Southwest Regional Port District Board. Appointment Message 1030589, Illinois Workforce Innovation Board. Appointment Message 1040414,{sic} (104014) State Board of Health. Appointment Message 1040017, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040018, Energy Workforce Advisory Council. Appointment Message 1040019, Firefighters' Pension Investment Fund. Appointment Message 1040022, Central Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission. Appointment Message 1040027, Illinois -- Mid-Illinois Medical District, Appointment Message 1040066, Northeastern Illinois University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040070, Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes. Appointment Message 1040071, Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040073, Employment Security Advisory Board. Appointment Message 1040074, Employment Security Advisory Board. Appointment Message 1040075, Governors State University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040076, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Appointment Message 1040077, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Appointment Message 1040078, Illinois Housing Development Authority. Appointment Message 1040079, Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040080, Quality Care Board. Appointment 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Message 1040081, University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040082, Western Illinois University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040083, State Board of Education. Appointment Message 1040085, Employment Security Advisory Board. Appointment Message 1040089, Employment Security Advisory Board. Appointment Message 1040090, Employment Security Advisory Board. Appointment Message 1040091, Labor Advisory Board. Appointment Message 1040095, Governors State University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040096, Governors State University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040098, Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040099, Employment Security Advisory Board. Appointment Message 1040100, Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040101, Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee. Appointment Message 1040102, Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee. Appointment Message 1040146, Governors State University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040150, Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes. Appointment Message 1040151, Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees. Appointment Message 1040152, Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees. Dated: October 30th, 2025 and Signed, Senator Laura Murphy, Assistant Majority Leader and Executive Appointments Committee Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Murphy -- Senator Murphy moves to compile the Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate. All those in favor will -- will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. Mr. Secretary, Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been printed and 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 distributed. Mr. Secretary, please read the compiled appointments. SECRETARY ANDERSON: To be Members of the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, Mitchell R. Davis (III), Appointment Message 1040070 and James L. Bennett, Appointment Message 1040150; To be Members of the Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Bernie Ranchero, Appointment Messages 1040071 and Charles Christopher Hicks, Appointment Message 1040098; To be Members of the Employment Security Advisory Board, James G. Argionis, Appointment Message 1040073; Noah Finley, Appointment Message 1040074; Robert Karr, Appointment Message 1040090 and Rick Steven Terven, Appointment Message 1040099; To be Members of the Governors State University Board of Trustees, Stacey Lynn Crook, Appointment Message 1040075 and Francis Pao-Han Kao, Appointment Message 1040095; Judith Lynn Mitchell, Appointment Message 1040096 and Angelica Zuniga, Appointment Message 1040146; To be Members of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, David E. Olson, Appointment Message 1040076 and Kendal Parker, Appointment Message 1040077; To be Members of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee, Stephanie Ferst Altman, Appointment Message 1040101 and Anusha Thotakura, Appointment Message 1040102; To be a Member of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Luz Marina Ramirez, Appointment Message 1040078; To be a Member of the Labor Advisory Board, Cherita Ellens, Appointment Message 1040091; To be Members of the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees, John R. Butler, Appointment Message 1040079 and Veronica Herrero, Appointment Message 1040151; To be a Member of the Quality Care Board, Shirley Ann Perez, Appointment Message 1040080; To be Members of Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Edward 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 E. Hightower, Appointment Message 1040100 and Tonnette Renee Williams, Appointment Message 1040152; To be a Member of the State Board of Education, Sheryl Chavarria, Appointment Message 1040083; To be a Member of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, Suzet M. McKinney, Appointment Message 1040081; To be a Member of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees, Erika Renee Lowe Mullins, Appointment Message 1040082; To be a Member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees, Martin Sandoval, Appointment Message 1040017; To be a Member of the Central Midwest Interstate Low Level Radioactive Waste Commission, Shih-Yew Chen, Appointment Message 1040022; To be Members of the Employment Security Advisory Board, Mark Denzler Appointment Message 1040085 and Kelli Marie Harrison, Appointment Message 1040089; To be a Member of the Energy Workforce Advisory Council, Ramone L. Collins, Appointment Message 1040018; To be a Member of the Firefighters Pension Investment Fund, Kevin Bramwell, Appointment Message 1040019; To be a Member of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, Mary P. Kennelly, Appointment Message 1030585 {sic} (1030583}; To be a Member of the Illinois Community College Board, Lisa M. Dziekan, Appointment Message 1030584; To be a Member of the Illinois Finance Agency, Ameya Pawar, Appointment Message 103580; Members of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board, Chynna S. Hampton, Appointment Message 130589; To be a Member of the Illinois Medical District, Nicole Florence, Appointment Message 1040027; To be a Member of the Northeastern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Ann P. Kalayil, Appointment Message 1040066; To be a Member of the Southwest Regional Port District Board, Jha'Sharia L. Farmer, Appointment Message 1030586; To be a Member of Southwestern 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Illinois Development Authority, Alana Thompson-Byrd, Appointment is 1030585; To be a Member of the State Board of Health, John Arthur Herrmann, Appointment Message 1040014.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate Do Consent to the compiled nominations just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the compiled nominations. 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 59 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. The -- a majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the compiled nominations. We will now proceed to the Motion in Writing on page 23 of the Regular Calendar. Mr. Secretary, please read the compiled appointments. Correction - page 8 of the printed Calendar.
To be a Member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum Board of Trustees, Joan Breier Brodsky, Appointment Message 1030597; To be a Member of the Amusement Ride and Member Attraction Safety Board, Michael Clark, Appointment Message 1040028; To be a Member of the Board of Higher Education, Pranav G. Kothari, Appointment Message 1040057; To be Members of the Capital Development Board, Araceli G. Garza, Appointment Message 1040044 and Pamela McDonough, Appointment Message 1040058; To be a Member of the Central Midwest Interstate Low Level Radioactive Water Waste 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Commission, William Robert Roy, Appointment Message 1040055; To be a Member of the Chicago State University Board of Trustees, Andrea Zopp, Appointment Message 1040059; To be a Member of the Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Timi James Ngoboh, Appointment Message 1040060; To be a Member of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Brice Allen Hutchcraft, Appointment Message 1040061; To be a Member of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, Heather Adeline Steans, Appointment Message 1030602; To be a Member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Samiha Syed, Appointment Message 1040020; To be Members of the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission, Vanessa Del Valle, Appointment Message 1040035 Erica Zunkel Appointment Message 1040036; Michael Strom, Appointment Message 1040063; Naomi Andrea Johnson, Appointment Message 1040147; To be Members of the Illinois Valley Regional Port District Board, Janette Marie, Appointment Message, 1040064 and William F. Zens, Appointment Message 1040065; To be Members of the Kaskaskia Regional Port District Board, Joseph M. Stukenberg, Appointment Message 1030592; Kristine A. Fulford, Appointment Message 1030598 and Lisa Marie Hess, Appointment Message 1030599; To be Members of the Labor Advisory Board, Anthony Daniel Alfano, Appointment Message 1040023; Alexander Wymond Laird, Appointment Message 1040024; Marisa Liset Richards, Appointment Message 1040025; Scott Cruz, Appointment Message 1040037; Pamela S. Monetti, Appointment Message 1040038; Michael Newman, Appointment Message 1040039; Frances Katherine Orenic, Appointment Message 1040045; To be a Member of the Quality Care Board, Saul J. Morse, Appointment Message 1030593; To be Members of the State Board of Health, Kelly Claire Simon, Appointment Message 1030596; Damon Theodore Arnold, Appointment Message 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 1040013; Abel Ngo Kho, Appointment Message 1040015; David Taewoong Chung, Appointment Message 1040042; Juleigh Nowinski Konchak, Appointment Message 1040043; To be a Member of the Tri-County River Valley Development Authority, Ryan A. Miller, Appointment Message 1030590; To be a Member of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, Joseph D. Gutman, Appointment Message 1040021.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Mr. President, I move the Senate Do Consent to the compiled nominations just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, does the Senate consent to the compiled nominations. 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 59 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does consent to the compiled nominations.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen, I move the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Murphy moves that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate has arisen from Executive Session. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we will be 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 moving to page 2 of the printed Calendar, House Bills 3rd Reading. Beginning at the top of the page with House Bill 576, Senator Johnson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 576, an Act concerning government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. As, you all know, harassment and threats against elected officials are increasing in the United States, and the spike in hostility has affected officials at all levels of government with significant consequences to our democracy and governance. The purpose of House Bill 576 is to improve the safety and security of Illinois public officials, to ensure that we are able to administer our public duties without fear of personal reprisal from individuals affected by the decisions we make, in the course of carrying out our public functions. House Bill 576 creates the Public Official Safety and Privacy Act, which creates a process for certain public officials, including Members of the General Assembly former and present, constitutional officers former and present, elected or appointed state's attorneys, public defenders, county clerks, and members of the Board of Elections Commission. This Act prohibits governmental agency, persons, businesses, and associations from publicly posting or displaying on the internet publicly available content that includes a public officials personal information when that official makes a written request to the governmental agency, person, business, or association. Also with this Act, House Bill 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 576, it amends the Election Code and it allows for expenditures of political committees for these expenses for elected officials to provide security enhancements. And also, I know of no opposition, but I want to highlight some recent instances of political violence, which this is why this is important. In 2020, kidnaping plot against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer; 2022, attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; 2022 assassination attempt against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh; 2024 two assassination attempts against the current President, during his second presidential campaign; 2024 election there are threats and harassment against election officials and poll workers, and this surge during the election season in 2024; 2025 assassination attempt against Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro; 2025 assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and this also wounded another Member of the Minnesota Legislature; 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk; in 2025, the facts are still under investigation, but there's a fire that destroyed the South Carolina Judge Diane Goodstein's home. And, as again, I don't know of any opposition, and I request a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Questions for the sponsor, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates she’ll yield. Senator McClure.
Thank you. And we had a discussion before this bill was 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 called. I thank Senator Johnson for that discussion. Senator Johnson, just so we can kind of get out in the open what you and I spoke about, let's just say someone is running for office as a legislature -- legislator, excuse me, in a district, obviously, one of the requirements is that you've got to live within the district. How is it going to work so that people can verify if they want to, that a legislator actually lives in the district in which they represent or in which they're running to represent?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
Thank you, Senator. When you are running for election, you still have to fill out your personal information on the petitions. And then the way that it works is when you submit your petitions and after you are on the ballot, the public official can then request to have their information, the redaction of their information at that time. But when you are in the course of casting out your petitions or any other election information, you have to put your name and your address on those documents.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
So, the address will be available publicly up until the point at which someone could object to that candidacy as to whether or not they can appear on the ballot. After that point, once a person has been, it's been decided that that person is eligible to be a candidate on the ballot from that point on then the address can be taken off at the request of the person who's on the -- on the petition. Is that right? 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
That's correct.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
Thank you very much. Now, another question. So, someone posts this on -- so you're still allowed to just post someone's address on a website if -- if they're -- if they're one of the elected officials or people named in this Act, you would still -- a person could still post it on a website. Is that accurate?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
That's -- that's correct, Senator, as long as it isn't a written request.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
So, they can post it. However, if there's a written request to take it down, that's when the bill is triggered. And so, my question, just for clarification is how is one -- let's just say a person has a website in Germany and they're advocating for some policy, global policy. They want people in the legislature to vote for it in Illinois and they're posting addresses asking for people to send them letters or advocate for this particular policy. How -- how would one go about contacting this person who has a website in Germany? 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
Thank you. So, it is up to the public official to do their due diligence and to track down that information. And then when they are able to find that and they put in a written request, then if the organization -- association doesn't remove it, and then they have a right of to go to a court for injunctive relief.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
Okay. So, like let's say the website has no contact page. You can't figure that out. There's no email listed. So, you're going to, I guess, try to figure out through some other means who owns the website. Is certified mail, does that qualify for notice under this Section? I mean, that's -- that's one very difficult area, especially with a lot of these websites where you can't tell who the owner is or who the person that was producing contact -- the content is how -- how what's the exact way that notice would be satisfied under this legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Johnson.
So, thank you. If in the scenario that you're presenting and it's difficult to discern who to contact, you don't have that information readily available. Again, it is up to the public official to do their due diligence and to track down that information. And once they do, they can certainly send the request, a written request by a certified mail or return receipt certified 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 mail, if they are able to. Again, in your scenario that you presented, locate that information to contact the association and owner of the website.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
Thank you, Senator Johnson, for -- for the back and forth. I mean, I think there's some real enforcement issues with this. There's also some First Amendment issues with this but I thought the discussion was helpful, so a lot of members could hear kind of how it would work and how it's written. So, I appreciate the back- and-forth discussion. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Johnson, to close.
Thank you very much. And I just want to note that this legislation mirrors what we currently have in the Judicial Act. And it will follow those provisions accordingly. And at this time, I want to thank, well, let me just backtrack for just a second. I mentioned that we there's no opposition, but a couple of organizations did reach out with some concerns, and we have agreed to work with them in the Spring Session. But I want to thank Representative Katie Stewart, Representative Dan Didech, and several of my colleagues here. We initiated this, as I mentioned early on, just based on the current climate we're on and the increase in harassment and threats. And I also want to thank Geo and Kelsey for your legislative expertise, Senate staffers for your role and fine tuning this. But again, this is to protect our 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 public officials and carrying out our duties. And I request again a favorable vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall House Bill 576 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 48 voting Aye, 11 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 576, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing our work on House Bills 3rd Reading we have House Bill 762, Senator Fine. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 762, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Fine, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I -- in Illinois and around the country right now, we are having a crisis when it comes to liability insurance for foster care agencies. Seventy-five percent of "youth in care" in Illinois are about thirteen thousand children are provided foster care through community organizations. Unfortunately, the insurance that they have to carry has become not only extremely expensive, but also very difficult to attain. And so, what this legislation does is it allows for the Department of Insurance to do a study that would be due by April 1st, to investigate what is going on with this liability insurance in the State of Illinois. How does it compare to what's going on in other states and put us on a path to find solutions? I would appreciate 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 762 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 59 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 762, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We have House Bill 1085, Senator Villa. There is a sponsorship change on to Senator Harmon. Senator Harmon would like to -- Mr. -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. President Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1085 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1085. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Villa.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villa, on your amendment.
I move to adopt 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) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 1085. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1085, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. President, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I want to start by thanking Senator Villa for her yeoman's work over years in advancing this bill with all that's going on here legislatively, she asked if I would help get it over the finish line, and I'm honored to do so. I've been involved in the negotiations with Senator Villa for the better part of the last year, and this is a very different bill than it was when it was first introduced. I shared in committee, when I first came to the Senate, we were still debating whether mental health should be viewed on parity with physical health. And while I'm glad that we have won that battle rhetorically, we still have a long way to go to put our money where our mouths are. This bill attempts to do that for so many families in Illinois. They do not have access to mental healthcare, to behavioral healthcare, because there are too few providers in their insurance network, if there are any taking patients. And there are so few providers because our reimbursement rates for mental healthcare and behavioral healthcare are so much lower than they are for, quote unquote, traditional medicine, this bill attempts to mitigate that by having the Department of Insurance use existing standards to set a rate floor for providers. We hope it will attract more providers to Illinois insurance networks and provide greater access the insurance industry is 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 opposed, but in committee described this as a ninety percent agreed bill. And we're both sides were very complimentary of the negotiations that have led us to this point. I'm gratified that some of you on the other side of the aisle did support this in committee. I know it won't be a unanimous vote, but I'm very grateful for Senator Villa and her negotiations of the bill thus far and proud to help get it over the finish line. Happy to answer questions, if I can.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall House Bill 1085 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 48 voting Aye, 10 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1085, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on page 3 and with our work on House Bills 3rd Reading, we have Senator Hastings with House Bill 3799. Senator would like to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill -- oh -- Senator Hastings seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3799 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3799. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Hastings.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings, on your bill -- on your amendment.
I believe, Mr. President, we have two amendments. I'll 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 explain it on 3rd Reading. I ask we adopt these -- the Floor amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? The Aye -- all the -- all those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Hastings.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings, on your 3rd amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask that we adopt this amendment as well, and I'll explain it on 3rd Reading.
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 -- Mr. Secretary, are there any further 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 3799, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings, on your bill. 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
Thank you, Mr. President, and Members of the Senate, across Illinois homeowners are opening their insurance renewals finding a twenty to thirty percent increase with no explanation, no time to plan, and sometimes no notice. That may work for the insurance industry, but it doesn't work for working families. This bill restores fairness, transparency, and corporate responsibility. It gives families time to prepare and ensures that companies operate with accountability and honesty, principles that every responsible business should already follow. This isn't about controlling an insurance rate; it's about controlling surprises. And here's what the bill does. It requires sixty days advance notice to consumers before a renewal of premium increase of more than ten percent. It establishes that property insurance rates may not be excessive, inadequate, and unfairly discriminatory, and it must represent an actuarial sound estimate of future costs. It requires the Department of Insurance to act on filing or rate filings within sixty days. It authorizes the Department to render a filing ineffective and require a rebate if rates are proven excessive after a hearing. It mandates that insurers are required to use Illinois credible data first and Illinois centric data first, allowing a national data only when actuarial necessary. And it clarifies that the Department and their actions are subject to judicial review under administrative law guaranteeing fairness and due process. Mr. President, these aren't radical changes, they're reasonable reforms, they protect consumers. Illinois families play by the rules. They pay their bills and take care of their homes, and I believe that they deserve an insurance system that plays the same way. I'll be happy to answer any questions, Mr. President. 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Some questions of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Syverson.
Thank you. A couple of things. This is about control, about controlling an industry, that industry that right now has been very competitive. Illinois is blessed with over two hundred companies that sell these products. So, consumers have the ability to if they don't like the rates with one, they can move to one of a couple hundred companies to choose from for their coverage. But under this legislation, there's been some changes and I appreciate the -- the work on the sponsor of that. I just want to clarify a couple -- a couple of steps to make sure I understand it. So, when a company is going to introduce their rates, they're going to have to submit those rates now to the Department of Insurance and they're going to submit those rates, and the Department has sixty days to approve those rates. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
So, first I just want -- because this is -- I equated this in our caucus meeting to putting stickers on the house of a Barbie's Dream house. It's not like the best process to learn, especially when you're reading the Insurance Code. So, for those of you who built the Barbie's Dream house, you can understand what 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 it's like to put stickers on it. We're not changing the overall filing system as a whole here Senator, we operate under a use and file state, and this will continue to be a use and file state. And insurance companies have to file their rate with the Department of Insurance ten days after they implement them. And then there's a sixty day under the Amendment No. 3, Floor Amendment No. 3. It starts what I consider a sixty-day shot clock for the Department of Insurance to provide an insurer -- an insurer -- insurance company -- the opportunity to provide that insurance company notice.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Is that notice then saying that they approve those rates or is it something they just say they got the notice, but they're -- they're not going to review those rates until sometime in the future.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
So, the notice would be in the event that the rate is excessive, unfair or discriminatory, and in the event that they're silent, it would continue under the operating system that we operate under now.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
So, in other words, they're going to notify them that rates meet their standards. So, they will be approving the rates within 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 that sixty-day period, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
No sir, that's not correct. They would notify them in the event that the rates are excessive, unfair, or discriminatory as per the language of the statute.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
This is I guess it's semantics. If they're going to tell you that the rates aren't approved, that would kind of lead to believe that if it's, if they don't respond that the rates aren't approved, that one would assume that the rates are okay. But what you're saying is if within sixty days they're going to notify them that the rates they believe are not in line with what they believe the rates should be and they would notify them that the rates were excessive at that point. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
So, Senator, I don't want to -- to give you a blanket statement that what you said is correct. I just want to explain what the statute does in the event that after sixty days, the Department of Insurance finds an insurance company's rate to be excessive, unfair, or discriminatory. They have to provide the insurance company notice of such.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson. 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
Okay. So, when they get notice of touch, then notice that, that they believed the rates are in excess. The insurance company then has a right to appeal that, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
So, yes, for those here, there's a pretty substantial process in the event that an Insurance company objects to what the Department of Insurance finds is an excessive, unfair, discriminatory rate. And that process is an administrative process that proceeds into a judicial review process for those that are in nonlawyers in the review. There's a process when the ALJ judge is appointed, and then it's similar to a court proceeding. And in the event that there's a ruling from that court proceeding under this statute, it mandates that the Department or I'm sorry, the Insurance company would then go to file a claim in court.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Okay. So, then under that appeal. So, when they're giving that notice that the rates are in excess and they appeal where I can't see on here what kind of time frame does the State have to respond to that appeal? What's the -- what's the time limit? I know under worker's comp it's twenty days for worker's comp. Yeah, for work comp rates but what's the time frame that the State has to appeal -- to respond to their appeal?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings. 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
So, Senator, they have to provide sixty days. They have sixty days to provide notice that it's in excess, unfair, discriminatory, as I previously said. But then, as you well know, in the ALJ process, you have to select a judge, which takes some time. And then at which point the lawyers for each side can go ahead and file with an ALJ, a briefing schedule to which they can -- they can set deadlines for their pleadings, their responses and responses to their responses and the same would apply to court. And for the lawyers that are in the Chamber today, that they would tell you that that's pretty standard procedure as per any ALJ proceeding or a judicial proceeding as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Thank you. I think you jumped one step ahead. The first appeal is with the Department. So, the question is, how long of a time -- so, if a person -- if a company says we question that your response and we object to that, and they appeal to the first gets appealed to the State. How long does that response take? Like I said, under current statute, it's twenty days for other lines of insurance. What is the length of time that here for the Department to have a hearing? Initial hearing?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
Senator, thank you for that question. We talked a lot about a reasonableness standard in insurance -- in the insurance committee and that's defined by multiple cases and case law. So, 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 it would be a reasonable time. In the meantime, though, throughout that period of time, the rate would remain in effect for the insurance company.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Okay. So, I just want to clarify. So, under this law, even though with other areas of insurance there's a time frame. Under this, if they appeal it, there is no time frame for the company or for the State or for the Department to agree to -- to hear that appeal. There's nothing in this legislation that would say you've got a certain number of days to allow them to have a hearing to appeal that rate. Is that -- is that what you're saying?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
No, Senator, I'm saying that it would operate under the current system that we have today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
You sure sound like a lawyer. What does that mean? Then what's in place of today, then how many days is that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
Senator, as I previously stated, there's a -- the reasonable standard that's currently used by the Department of Insurance and there's case law that explains what reasonable is and what 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 unreasonable is, and the Department will continue to continue under that standard.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Okay, so, you can't tell me what a reasonable is for the Department. Is there a range? I mean, is it a month? Is it a year? Is it ten years? Is it twenty years? There must be an idea or a range that the State says, "We're willing to hear that appeal." We -- we have it in statute for other lines of insurance. So, is there and if you don't know, that's okay but there must be a range that they would use. So, a company would know if they were appealing a rate that they could plan on sometime to make their case. So, do we know what that standard is? I mean, is it less than one year?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
The Director of Insurance, spoke yesterday at the Insurance Committee and talked about the reasonable standard in terms of when a -- when a response or when an appeal should took place. But she also offered up that by rule they can establish various time frames. So, if the industry would like, they can work with the Department of Insurance to establish a more concrete timeline, as there is under other areas of law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
So, let me then go this next… So, and the reason why this is important -- because it puts Illinois in a position where we're, 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 like, going to be -- we've heard the horror stories about California. This is like California on steroids and it's going to be a problem -- because the problem is going to be an insurance company will set their -- send their rates to the Department. The Department says, we don't like your rates, but we're not going to meet with you for six months or a year. We're not going to tell you why and so; the company continues to use those rates. And then when the Department finally has a ruling and correct me if I'm wrong -- correct me if I'm wrong. If -- if the Department comes back with a ruling six months, or a year, or a year and a half later and it's determined that the carrier was, according to the State, charging too much, the carrier has to refund for that entire period of time. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
First of all, I want to -- I want to respond to some of the statements that you made. I mean, I think it's fair that you're allowed to make characterizations of a bill, and I'm allowed to respond to it, Senator. And I think over the course of fourteen years that we've served together; we've had some awesome debates. But one of them is, this is going to be California on steroids or potentially make… And I would -- I would interpret that to mean that you wanted to say that Illinois would be one of the worst in the nation. I think that's what you were and I'm getting up and down, so, that's good. So, if this bill would make Illinois the worst in the nation, if giving consumers fair notice and requiring actuarial justification makes us the worst, and perhaps being the best has been overrated, this bill simply brings Illinois up to 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 modern consumer focused standards found across the country. When we talk about competitiveness in the marketplace, if the most competitive marketplace in the country depends on families being blindsided by 27.2 rate increases, then perhaps competitive means unaccountable. This doesn't destroy competitiveness. Because if your definition of competitiveness requires a surprise or secrecy, then maybe what they want is a monopoly, and I don't agree with that. And if we have to give rebates for excessive rates, and if you feel that they're punitive to insurance companies, then returning money to consumers when rates are proven excessive isn't punishment in my belief, it's not. It's called accountability, it's a concept that may feel novel to somebody who's screwing a ratepayer in Illinois, but I consider that long overdue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Thank you very much for that. Now, if we can get back to the question that I asked. If the State delays a response for more than a year or two years, and the State determines according to them that the rate they charged was too high that carrier then, at that point, would be subject to have to pay the difference back, whether it was six months later or two years later. But the longer that delay, the longer at risk that company could be. So, my -- my simple question was, if it took a year or two years for the State to have a hearing and it was determined that it was high, they would be required at that point to pay premiums back -- all the way back to day one, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings. 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
That's primarily the purpose why we wanted to give a sixty- day deadline on notice for excessive, unfair discriminatory rates is because, Senator, if you're a good company, if you're a good neighbor, then this shouldn't be a problem at all. It shouldn't be a problem at all. And I say that because we wouldn't have to go through this, this, this process of a dispute. But it also puts the company on notice so, that in an escrow you would be able to escrow in -- in contingency for an adverse finding in the event that you're a bad actor. And I do believe that does give companies, insurance companies added protection, that you're on notice. You have the ability to escrow the account in the event that you have to rebate the taxpayer. But mind you, if you're doing the right thing and you're a good neighbor, Senator, you wouldn't have to do that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
I get -- I get the good neighbor clause. But you would certainly agree, obviously in the legal field as well, that you can have a difference of opinion. You have two hundred companies who have actuaries that those two hundred could not agree because each company has different rates. Otherwise, if every actuary agreed, every company would have the exact same rate. So, you have two hundred companies with different actuarial assumptions. State of Illinois is going to have their actuarial person who is going to also make their assumptions. So, a company is not gouging, a company is making the best agreement in a competitive world what their rates are going to be. And then the State will determine by 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 their actuary whether or not they believe that company is right. So, that's where the dispute is. The concern for companies are because again, California doesn't have this. The concern is a company may do -- believe they're doing everything exactly right. And the State would disagree with that, and the company would be at risk to pay something back that they don't believe was appropriate, which is why their concern is and that's why I wanted to get a zone in on how long it takes to do that -- to do that appeal. Let me ask you one -- one other question. I think for legislative intent, is it your intent as the principal bill sponsor, that if the Department of Insurance does not send notice within sixty-day period to the insurance company that the company's rate -- rates are excessive, inadequate, unfairly discriminatory, then the company's rates are deemed to be compliant?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
It would be safe to assume, Senator, that if a company does not send notice that -- the notice within that sixty-day period that an insurance company can relatively feel comfortable that the rates aren't excessive, discriminatory, or unfair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
Second, does the response mean that the Department could not claim otherwise, even though the bill lacks specific language to that point, that if it's past the sixty-day notice and there wasn't the response. Is it the intent then that those rates were going - - would be deemed as acceptable and not be affected by the 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 lookback.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
So, I want to be very careful on how I answer this answer, because obviously we all know how legislative intent works here, but all I can say is that for excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory rates, it would be safe to assume that if an insurance company doesn't send notice within the sixty-day period, companies could assume that they're not -- their rate is not excessive, unfair, or discriminatory. However, there are other issues that occur within insurance companies decisions on how they do things that make may cause something, another trigger point, maybe for another cause of action. But I'm not privileged to say that at that time because I don't know, those are specific sets of circumstances that I can't answer specifically on the Floor, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
All right, thank you. Let me, one more quick thing I just want to bring up, and I mentioned to you this earlier as a concern, if the State of Illinois is going to be regulating home and auto insurance, and they're going to be reviewing each of those companies, the concern I have is CMS and every member of the legislature got one of these mailed earlier to them. Every State employee received a letter from CMS, which CMS was recommending three different home and auto carriers to use Travelers, Farmers, Liberty Mutual and in this letter, it's referring to those three 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 companies to use. To those companies, are they paying the State to be the recommended companies for the State. Do you know?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
Senator, I'm not -- I'm not privileged to those contracts. But I had a chance to review the sheet of paper that you tendered over to me earlier and based on my review of those documents, that in your similar situation, that maybe those rates were a little bit higher. But that's the primary purpose of this bill, is that ratepayers don't get -- sometimes they get blindsided by a twenty- seven-point two premium increase, and they don't have time to shop around because they're too busy buying groceries, taking their kid to soccer practice. You luckily have the knowledge and experience to shop your rate around. And in my opinion, as always, if you can find a better deal in -- with the same policy you got and go take it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
My question, I guess my question was there, if the State is regulating these, and yet on the State is then recommending or listing three companies that the State may have a partnership with, that creates a little bit of a conflict that they're regulating these companies, and yet they're suggesting that three companies, I'm guessing that they have checked their rates and they believe that their rates are -- are -- are good but they're recommending those companies, even though they're supposed to be the companies they're regulating. It looks like there's a conflict of interest. 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 But the question is, are they paying -- are these companies paying the State to be listed as a recommended carriers, or are they getting paid as based on how many people sign up? Do they get a fee based on that? Do we know what the relationship is? The financial relationship these carriers have with the State of Illinois?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
Mr. President, in keeping with time and patience to the bill, I'll just say that I am unsure. And if the good, Senator, feels that there's some sort of ethical dilemma going on between insurance companies and someone else, I refer him to his ethics officer for him to explain to him what process to take moving forward. So, that's the best answer I have for that question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Syverson.
All right. Well, thank you. Again, all of us agree that we should have -- no one should be blindsided. The good news is, Illinois has always been considered one of the most competitive companies -- States in the country with over two hundred people. I have faith in people that they know how to shop. And the idea of saying people aren't smart enough to be able to shop doesn't make sense. People can do that, as a State we can do more to educate people if they don't like their rates to go out and compete. But we don't want to do anything that's going to lower competition. California has gone from down to less than a dozen companies because they can't work with those regulations, and the rates at 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 the end up going up substantially. Illinois is one of the lowest rates for home and auto insurance in the country because it's so competitive. I don't want to do anything that's going to end up causing rates to go up for homeowners. Well, maybe well intentioned, but if it causes rates to go up, it's going to have the opposite effect that we had hoped for. So again, I appreciate the work that the sponsor had on this. I think with these concerns that this is going to end up raising rates for everybody. I would urge a No vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
So, the primary purpose of this legislation is -- is control. This reminds me quite a bit of three or four years ago when we took what was the safest, most reliable, one of the lowest cost energy grids in -- in the Midwest, if not the whole nation. And we decided we needed to do better, and we've -- we've wrecked it. And our constituents across the State are feeling the results of that with dramatically higher utility bills, lower reliability, and businesses, frankly, leaving a lot of our communities. The State of Illinois right now we're 37th in the nation in sales tax, we're 48th in corporate tax, we're 49th in gas tax, were 50th in property taxes. And I raised those rankings because those are things that we kind of control. Things that folks outside of government 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 controlled, like some of our utility bills before we wreck that system, or let's talk about homeowners insurance, are a little bit different. Listening to this debate back and forth and the comments in Committee yesterday about the sky is falling, one might think we're 48th, 49th, or 50th in homeowners insurance, and we're coming to the rescue of our constituents. The reality is, State of Illinois is 13th in the nation, the average homeowner's insurance, 13th in the nation but we've decided because, you know, we're big government, we know better. In fact, yesterday, in his own charming way, my colleague across the aisle reminded the whole committee how my constituents don't have the knowledge or the time to understand their homeowner's insurance bills. But big government is going to be there to rescue them. And what is that rescue going to look like? Is that rescue going to look like California? No, it's not, it's going to look much worse than California. And here's why… At least in California, when those rates go out as bad as they might be, there's confidence with the companies and the consumers to what that rate is -- the most important thing in the insurance market -- the most important thing in the insurance market is confidence in the insurance company being able to stand behind its promises to the consumer. If your house burns down, if you're in a car wreck and you go to your insurance company for relief, you want to make sure they have the money to provide the relief. This legislation destroys confidence insurance companies have in operating in Illinois, because it calls into question the solvency and the credit worthiness of all two hundred companies that will be offering this product in Illinois if this legislation passes. So, what are they going to do? Are they going to risk their balance sheet and their ability to honor their commitments to their 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 customers? No. Are they going to allow their solvency and their creditworthiness to be called into question? No. These companies that are that have kept our rates 13th in the nation, are they going to do that? No. They're going to leave Illinois just like they left California. We have two hundred, California has twelve. When this is all said and done, you vote Yes for this legislation. I mean, I kind of think this legislation might be job security for some Members of this Body, because I can't imagine how many bills, we're going to have to follow up the next five or six years to fix the disaster this will cause in the homeowners insurance market in the State of Illinois. We're constantly saying, oh, we fixed it, we fixed something, and then we come back. And in fact, I think we're going to have an energy bill later today. We got to fix more stuff; this will wreck the homeowner's insurance policy industry in Illinois. Companies will leave; rates will skyrocket. It's almost a guarantee. What this does is this removes availability from the marketplace as those companies leave. It takes options away from the consumers. It drives up costs for consumers and it's going to put consumers throughout the State, constituents in all of our districts that are struggling with the 37th highest sales tax, the 48th highest corporate tax, the 49th highest gas tax, the number 50 in the property tax right. There homeowners insurance policies are going to be the highest in the nation, as well. We have an affordability crisis in the State of Illinois. I heard my friend on the other side of the aisle say, "well, consumers will go find a better deal". I'd like to remind this Body of the hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans that have decided that they found a better deal in another state over the last few years because of policies just like this. Families across this State are struggling; 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 we're taking one of the few things that they have in their favor right now. The 13th highest average homeowner's insurance policy. And after this bill passes, if it passes, they will have one of the highest in the nation. If you care about affordability and if you want to preserve options for your consumers, and if you want to guarantee that we remain competitive in the homeowner's insurance market, a No vote is necessary on this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Morrison, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. This legislation, after a long discussion and several amendments, I believe, finds a balance between the concerns and the solvency of the industry, which is an important part of our Illinois landscape with the protections, the transparency, the fairness, -- the accountability that we as consumers expect. I do want to commend the sponsor for his individual commitment and his many months of meetings with industry to bring us to this place tonight. I recommend an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Seeing no further discussion? Senator Hastings, to close.
First, I want to say thank you to the other side of the aisle for such kind comments. I don't ever believe that the good Senator across the aisle over there has ever called me charming in my 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 entire life. So, I want to first say thank you very much for that. But I want to address some of the concerns that they had made up. I'll say it, they made them up. They didn't bring them up. One is this will hurt affordability and accessibility. Affordability isn't protected by surprise. Building and accessibility doesn't mean access to shock pricing. Giving families sixty days' notice before a major hike doesn't make insurance less affordable. It actually makes it understandable; I think that's a very important point. We talked about solvency; no responsible insurer should ever fear a review of excessive rates. They shouldn't. If a company solvency is endangered by returning overcharges, the problem isn't the law the problem, it's their -- it's their business model. We always -- and we talked about this too about Illinois rates are already they're low and we're 13th and this will raise them to be the worst in the country. Well, families just don't pay averages. They pay bills. This bill doesn't raise rates. It forces insurance to justify them, and you shake your head across the aisle. And I was waiting for it. Because we do this in court a lot. You shook your head because, my friend, you don't understand the law as it is today. You don't. This bill was talked about for the last thirteen, fourteen months. Ninety-nine percent of this bill was agreed upon between both parties, that being the Department of Insurance and the industry, because they wanted it to make it work for both parties, for the people of Illinois. And that is true, and that was stated yesterday in the committee, you can talk to any committee Member in there besides yourself. And they said it right on the table. They said it right on the table. It's the one Section about process. That was the biggest debate about how many days should we give an insurance company a lookback period. And 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 the insurance expert on the other side of the aisle, I appreciate your feedback. I really do, because it actually set the framework for giving a shot clock notice of when notice has to be given and when you have to start escrowing your account. I really appreciate that, Senator Syverson, but I -- what I don't appreciate is a mischaracterization of what this bill actually does. So, Mr. President, I'm going to begin my closing remarks, because this is what we call about being a good neighbor. That's what this is about. It's about good neighbors opening their renewal notices and discovering twenty to thirty percent increases in their homeowner insurance without a warning, without an explanation, without a chance to prepare. This is not a simple market fluctuation; this is what we consider financial whiplash. And when the issue is a roof over your family's heads because homeowner's insurance affects you to their greatest investment of their place of safety, surprise to a consumer should never be part of a company's business strategy. This bill is rooted in a simple principle people deserve notice before they get hit with a major expense. We give them sixty days in this bill. This is not to interfere with business; it's to protect the dignity and financial stability of our homeowners. And let's be honest, this isn't a radical idea, guys it's not, because cable companies give notice. Netflix gives notice, and even before your little league sends out that notice that you're about, they even send out notice about a surprise uniform fee. And if cable companies can do it, if Netflix can do it, and even the Little League sends a notice, maybe insurance companies can find it in their hearts to be a good neighbor, too. So, this legislation doesn't punish success. It protects people who make the State work. And we've heard concerns about transparency harms competition. In 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 reality, transparency strengthens competition. Only markets that fear accountability claim that fairness is a threat. The families that we represent aren't seeking special treatment. They're asking for fair treatment, they work hard, they budget carefully, they pay their bills. They deserve an insurance system that respects that effort instead of surprising them in their mailbox. And let us remember who these families are. They're our good neighbors. They're teachers, first responders, nurses, veterans, seniors living on fixed incomes, and young families trying to build their life here in Illinois. Yes, in Illinois, I know, because I have one of the fastest, youngest family -- families growth in the south suburbs. They're good neighbors. We see them at school events, at the grocery store and being a good neighbor, Senator on the other side of the aisle means communication, honesty, and fairness. It means by doing right by the people who trust us to serve them. So, let's pass this bill. Let's stand with our neighbors, our good neighbors and if the insurance industry wants to continue being serviced by their good customers, maybe they can start by being good neighbors, too. And we're even giving them sixty days to get there. That's what good teammates do, that's what good neighbors do. Thank you, Mr. President. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall House Bill 3799 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 41 voting Aye, 15 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. House Bill 3799, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Leader Koehler, in the Chair. 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Supplemental Calendar No. 2, has been printed and distributed. We're going to go to Senate Bill 25, Senator Stadelman. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Stadelman wishes to seek the -- I'm sorry, Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 4 and 5 to Senate Bill 25. Signed, by Senator Stadelman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Stadelman, on your motion.
I move we adopt and I'll explain on 3rd. I don't need to do that. Thank you. As we know and as your constituents know electric bills have increased greatly since June. The reason is demand for electricity has spiked, with more data centers coming online because of a growing high-tech economy. Increase in manufacturing in general, grid operators are paying more to make sure there's enough power on that grid in the months and years ahead, and that's the reason why it's reflected in the bills. It's a problem not just in Illinois, it's a problem in states across the Midwest. It's a problem in states across the country. This legislation is a solution to dealing with that demand increase and lowering bills, both in the short term and long term. It's simple supply and demand, we need to increase supply, which will allow us to meet demand and thereby lowering prices. This legislation does that in several ways. One, they include increased battery storage, which is a relatively quick and cost-efficient way to increase generation electrical demand during the day often spikes during a couple of 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 hours. Batteries are able to meet that demand during that couple hour period. This legislation also uses virtual power plants to tap into existing solar panels at homes and businesses and redistributes that surplus power to meet times of increased demand and they're again reducing costs. It expands energy efficiency programs, investments in these programs helps customers lower their bills by lowering demand. It removes the moratorium on constructing new nuclear plants. You may remember we lifted the restriction on small modular reactors last spring. This allows for a new, larger scale nuclear plants. Nuclear power has been an important component in providing generation in the State. This legislation allows that to continue. As we've seen, the energy marketplace is changing quickly. The ICC, under this bill, will have more authority to make timely decisions to keep energy affordable and reliable and help keep the lights on during these big demand increases. This is only the third energy package the legislature has considered in the past ten years. It's not been exactly an efficient process in adapting to these quick changes when we debated CEJA four years ago. No one was talking about data centers and AI technology. Things change very quickly. The integrated resource planning provision under the ICC provides an ability to respond more quickly to these changes in technology and energy needs. This is not unusual; most states have this planning process they're able to put energy sources on a customer's bill. Illinois is an outlier by not allowing a commission to make these decisions. And I want to add we've added a legislative review process to make sure this Body is okay with any decisions by the ICC. One other provision I want to mention, we've heard the concerns from counties and local governments about disputes about 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 siting issues following reasonable statewide standards that has led to costly litigation. This legislation creates a siting review board under the ICC to provide a remedy process for developers and counties. This will save both money and time instead of having both parties go to court. We've had a lot of discussions about costs during the subject matter hearing. This is what people need to know about this legislation. The line item for the biggest component in this legislation, the energy storage on people's bills, does not appear until 2030. That's the same time that the batteries will begin providing power. The IPA will not pay developers until they start bringing additional energy capacity to the grid, and that cost of battery storage, therefore, is immediately offset. Here are some numbers that really stand out to me. According to the IPA, this will save ratepayers one billion dollars by 2030, or save ratepayers three billion dollars by 2035 and thirteen billion dollars -- thirteen billion dollars over the course of the bill. If you want broken down to individual customer -- residential customer bills by 2030, Ameren customers will see a bill reduction of more than eight dollars a month, ComEd customers a reduction of almost two dollars a month. That's what this bill is all about. Happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Aquino, in the chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President, for the purpose of questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Bryant.
Thank you, Senator. Appreciate all that you said, just a few notes on this. So, you talked a little bit about some of the things that this is going to fix. One of the main issues that we're going to have going forward is the -- the problem that we're going to have with the -- with the grid whether it's through the MISO manager or PJM manager. So, does this bill do anything to fix the grid right now?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
It does provide some immediate measures to provide reduced demand, such as energy efficiency. Virtual power plant will be coming on. So, there are some smaller measures, not as large as the battery storage provision that would allow customers to reduce their demand and therefore lowering prices.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
Grid -- the grid managers have been very clear that we need reliable baseload energy. Does this bill do anything to extend the shutdown dates of the gas plants -- natural gas plants, which we know will provide those needs? Does this bill do any…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
I should add, it does remove the nuclear moratorium. So, that could be a baseload item as far as additional generation. 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 What's the second part of your question again?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
Well, the main part of the question was, does it do anything to extend the dates of the shutdowns for natural gas plants?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
So, with CEJA there were goals that were stated in the legislation when those actions could happen. There are simply goals, in CEJA, as well, there were provisions that allowed adequacy studies every few years to determine what the grid situation is. That study right now is being conducted by the ICC and IPA. Those results will come out very shortly and under the resource planning provision from the ICC, those studies will continue. So, those are determinations will be made by the ICC. And these adequacy studies determine what the energy mix will be needed to make sure we have stability on the grid.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
Super glad to hear you talk about the adequacy issues because obviously that study has not come out yet. This bill does not go into place basically until June 1. So, that lends the question then for why the rush right now, when we know that we don't have those adequacy numbers back yet, why not wait to see that and then continue into the spring, allowing more time to look at this and see what our actual adequacy needs are? 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
Well, again, this legislation doesn't prohibit any specific generation natural gas, for example. People feel that may be needed come 2030 despite CEJA's goals. This doesn't discount those baseload energy natural gas solutions. I think we need to act now because as we've seen with the grid price increases by data centers, prices are going up no matter what. So, if we do nothing, the price is still going up. So, why not? Why don't we just generate some additional capacity measures, lower demand, and hopefully lower bills in the future.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
I have real concerns when someone says act now because we try to tell senior citizens at our office, if somebody calls and says, you need to take advantage of this right now, act right now. Red flags should go up, and you should know if someone says act now, then you should have -- that should be an emergency call, because that's usually when not saying that it's you but that's usually when a shyster is trying to take control of a situation. So, I have red flags go up when someone says act now and I know that the bill doesn't go into effect until June 1. So, let me -- let me go on. So, you talked about some decreases in the rates, or possible decreases in the rates. If I could refer you to page 211 of what I believe is the now the bill is, House Amendment 4. So, page 211, line 22 to page 212, line 6, specifically on page 212, line 2, there is a line that says shall be increased. So, in this 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 bill we know that there are mandated increases. In fact, I would argue that some people say somewhere between five and nine billion dollars of rate increases in this bill. So, we'll land on 8 billion, we think it's going to be 8 billion. We know that that's mandated, would you agree that that's in this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
I don't agree with the numbers. I've not heard of 8 billion. The potential cost I've heard is 1 billion but again it's more than thirteen billion dollars of projected savings with these additional capacity and ability to increase capacity on the grid. So, I don't agree with the -- with 8 billion figure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
Thank you. But you do agree that, and this will be two parts. You do agree that there is a mandated increase in here and then you're saying that there are going to be some decreases. Could you please point me to the page and line item that indicates where in this bill those decreases are mandated?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
It's a simple question of supply and demand. If we're able to reduce, you know, demand and we're able to increase capacity, that's going to result in lower prices. So, if we take, for example, as we've seen with the increase in data centers, the additional demand has cost capacity auctions to have higher prices 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 and we're reflecting those in this bill. So, clearly the supply and demand has been working with the power grids and data centers because that demand is causing, you know, RTO's to increase the price. So, I think it's logical and reasonable to think that if we're able to lower demand and increase capacity, that will have the suppression effect and that will lower prices.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
So, the experts continue to say that that increase is not going to come from solar and wind. It's going to come from natural gas, it's going to come from nuclear, it's going to come from other sources than just wind and solar, because we know that the batteries are not good for more than four hours and generally only for two. So, we know that that increase is not going to come from them, but I would also like to say we have I heard back in 20 -- I guess it was 2021. There were some -- there were -- there was an individual from your side of the aisle. I'm not going to mention who it was, but he might be a good neighbor who mentioned that we were anticipating these not going up by more than three dollars and fifty cents. And he was adamant about that, right. Three dollars and fifty cents per month but the price difference now, so, I know if my folks at home are listening to this for ComEd, the increases have been forty-five percent higher since 21, and for Ameren, there are a hundred and twenty percent higher because we don't have a crystal ball like we know that data centers are going in, we know that AI is going to go in, at a conference I went to in Canada, they indicated that AI and data centers are going to become more and more efficient, but not more efficient 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 because they're not going to need as much energy, more efficient because they're going to move faster and do more. So, they're going to need more energy, right. So, as we're looking forward into the crystal ball that my good neighbor tried to tell us about in 21, we know that right now we don't have that crystal ball to look at and we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. So, I would argue that probably this is going to be more. Now, let me just shift gears for just a minute, because in -- in part of this bill, it has citing for the battery storage facilities. So, we already know that there's some citing for wind, and we know that they're citing for solar but for the battery storage facilities, as we talked about in committee, it allows for battery storage facilities to be placed near a residential home. So, within 150 feet of the property line, including places like nursing homes and I would describe to you that a -- a battery storage facility is energy confined, very much like you would describe a stick of dynamite, energy confined. It's fine as long as there's no blasting cap, as long as there's nothing that lights that up. So, if you were having a battery storage facility placed in your neighborhood, are you personally comfortable having a battery storage facility 150 feet from your property line? And do you agree that that's what this says?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
That set -- setback is part of this bill, and I appreciate your concerns. I guess I address the issue generally. I think when it comes to these types of facilities, they have been really improving as far as -- hang on one second -- Sorry about that, 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 trying to get my information correct there, Senator. Understand the concern and it is a 150-foot setback. I guess what people need to know that the legislation says that counties simply can follow the National Fire Protection Association standards, which include standards for energy storage systems, as long as they follow these standards that are accepted by, you know, the NFPA, they're able to locate within that -- that distance. But again, they have to follow stringent standards as far as what is safe. I also want to point out as technology has improved, there's been fewer situations of gas fire events or things that may result in public safety hazards. So, with improved technology, we're not seeing these types of situations.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
So, that being said, because you're referring to firefighters believe in Illinois, seventy five percent of all fire service are volunteer fire departments. Little towns like Gorham that have about four hundred people in them, where they don't have their fire service trained to fight these fires. They don't have the equipment to fight the fires; they don't have the chemicals to fight the fires. So, I'm assuming that somewhere baked into this is some kind of grants for new equipment due to the battery facilities going in?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
I want to stress that as long as they follow National Fire Protection Association standards, they're able to move forward. 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 But I'm willing to have that conversation, that funding question of rural areas that definitely have more funding challenges. I'm willing to have that conversation and try to look at more resolution for that issue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
So, I'm going to take that to be a No. There's no funding in this bill for those grants for them to have appropriate equipment, appropriate chemicals, and appropriate training.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
This legislation came over from the House and not able to amend at this point. But again, that's a conversation I think I'm willing to have moving forward.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
I'm going to assume we're going to have a lot of trailer bills, on this bill, going forward, right? So, let me shift gears for just a minute, because I have a question about page 483, specifically line 7. There looks to be a carve out on -- in that page 483, line 7, it's very specific about that -- about where this carve out is going to be. So, I will tell you, as I talked about in committee multiple times when we had some subject matter hearings that I have one county, Randolph County, that is basically landlocked now because there's no ability for locals to have any control over the citing of solar -- solar farms. We've -- I think 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Senator -- Senator Sally Turner and I have talked about the fact that there's no ability to -- really for local control on the wind farms. Now, we're going to have very little control over the citing of the battery storage facilities, because I will give you, in this, that there is a little tiny bit of control if you are a zoned county, but over forty counties in this State are not zoned, and so they'll have no control. And the only control, as I read this is that a county that is zoned would have to go to the ICC and -- and actually work through the ICC if they want to try to fight this. But that being said, page 483, line 7, can you explain that carve out because it's just one person that is -- and we'd all -- we all have, I know, Senator Rezin back here has -- and she may speak to this but she has nine different lawsuits going on in her area that have to do with places that would like to have their own carve out. Why this one particular carve out?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
I'm not able to go into great detail. This was a request put in by a House Member, and obviously the legislation came over here. It's not unprecedented from what I understand, this was a request by residents. Similar situations have been helpful; we've done in the past as far as carveouts for specific member requests in Republican districts before. So, again, this is in the House legislation, I can't go into details, saying and explain it to you, but again, it's not a precedent. We've have -- have entertained these types of carve outs before in different districts. You know, regarding Senator Rezin, I mean, it's a good point as far as litigation. I mean, that's one of the purposes of 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 a siting review board that we can minimize that litigation and we can get developers and local governments avoiding the court costs and having a review process through the ICC in that siting review board. We can avoid those costs and try to separate review process, remedy process so, people can avoid time and energy costs associated with these types of disputes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Bryant.
Well, again, that will only be for counties that are zoned and then as we heard in committee, it will be the individual -- each individual is going to have to pay then for their own legal fees to go before that committee, right. That zoning -- zoning board, whatever it happens to be, right. And so, it doesn't really fix this problem and to the point of this being that there being precedent for this, there is no precedent for being able to carve out someone having this citing issue. There's nobody else in the State, there's no other situation where a solar field, a wind farm or a battery storage facility was able to have something carved out. So, I'm going to be asking some folks to take a real hard look at why that carve out is in there, who put it in there, why they put it in there, and what's behind all of that? And I think that some folks on your side of the aisle are going to be really interested to find out how this all happened and how that carve out got in there. I think all of us would like to have that carve out. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 I just want to read off a couple of points to you to -- to you all here. We're going to do whatever you're going to do. I'm not going to change anybody's mind in here, but I want you to know the things that you're voting for and these would all have been pointed out in committee. The bill is an eight-billion-dollar rate increase, it asks Illinois families to foot the bill for the latest State's latest energy experiment. And the result will be higher electric bills, fewer reliable power sources, and more special treatment for the politically connected. We just saw massive rate increases this summer and families are already struggling to pay their utility bills. Those increases were direct results of bad energy decisions made right here in this Chamber. Instead of learning from that, this bill doubles down on those same mistakes. Two it lifts the caps, which we didn't even talk about. Right now, all of those high energy bills were allowed to happen when we had caps in place. This bill has no caps in place. So, while you've seen these massive energy bills this summer, imagine what happens June 1st when we have no caps on the -- on any of this. So, the caps that protect consumers from skyrocketing rates and hands ratepayers the tab for billions in new projects they didn't ask for and cannot afford. It does nothing to lower rates in the immediate or even in the near future and while families and small businesses will be stuck paying more, this bill makes sure certain special interests are well taken care of. There's even a carve out for one politically connected constituent who keeps solar panels -- to keep solar panels away from their property, yet it strips away local control from more than forty unincorporated counties across the State. And again, you can reference that on page 483, line 7. The hypocrisy is absolutely stunning. This is not an energy 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 plan, it's a payout to special interests and a blank check for bureaucrats. It'll drive up costs, threaten grid reliability, and force working families to pay the price for Springfield's political games. I came to Springfield to fight for Southern Illinois families and to make sure their voices are heard. That's what I'm doing today, that's why I'm voting No. And I would urge every one of you to vote No as well. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) With further discussion? Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Mr. President, to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
So, those of you that know me know I don't get up here and talk very much, but this is something I'm really, really passionate about. I represent ten counties and they're all mostly rural and Logan County, in which where I live, they have five wind farms, four hundred and sixty-two towers in McLean County that I also represent have five wind farms and 400 plus towers. Mclean County also has five solar farms, so as you can see, we're surrounded by renewables. In Sangamon County, which I represent a part of also, they just put a solar farm on almost four thousand acres of good black soil and Senator Joyce will know when I talk about this black soil that it has a production index of a hundred and thirty-two to a hundred and forty-seven, that is excellent farm ground. And that's something we're all passionate about and we need to continue to be the breadbasket of the United States. So, that's one of the 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 things I'm really passionate about, that these are taking up some of the places that we have with solar over our farm ground. One of the things that I disagree with, of course, is that but I can't wrap my head around that. The process that renewable -- renewables can be built next to individual's property as closely as we're discussing. Also, Senator Bryant mentioned about a carveout now that carveout, I have no idea who this person is or people are or the trust is. But what I do know is all the counties I represent and all the ten, they all have lawsuits. Anybody else have a lawsuit in your county? They all have lawsuits, and they want to be a carve out. They want to be one of those too and I know maybe that there's you could say maybe that no one asked. But they do ask, and they ask every time they have a county board meeting and they're very passionate about it. They want to have local control with the original CEJA gave us. One other thing about this carve out is there's no metes and bounds and there's no legal description and so, for those of you that are in law or that I was a recorder, I know that those things are important to have within a body or when you're having a deed or something to that effect or property laid out. So, I humbly ask that you give this a good look and think about how renewables can be great and we can have a great, great place for them and that's what we all want to have to be a part of our energy -- energy consortium. Everything can work together but I don't think that this is the avenue we need to take. And I respectfully ask you to vote No. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I about fell out of my chair on the supply demand discussion, your opening remarks, Senator. I, as I distinctly recall, everyone on this side of the aisle making the argument that you're killing supply and you're going to drive up prices in CEJA, I distinctly remember that argument being made. And now we're worried about the supply. But the demand you didn't address supply, you address demand. You said that future demand from AI is going to make it worse but since Governor Pritzker became Governor, Illinois has lost six thousand megawatts of reliable 24-hour power. That's the equivalent of three nuclear power plants or enough power to power a million homes in this State, gone, under your guy's watch and we wonder why our power bills are going up. Oh, wait -- wait a minute, CEJA said, "Don't worry -- don't worry, prices are going to go down." Oh, wait, and then -- and then we shut down more power plants to take even more supply off the grid. So, let's test the theory of leadership under Democrats in the State of Illinois when it comes to people's power bills. Here's a -- since Governor Pritzker became Governor, ComEd for those of you in Chicagoland, you've gone from 12.03 cents per kilowatt in 2020 up to 18.6 cents per kilowatt today and that's before this bill passes. For those of us in Ameren zone, we've gone from 10.46 cents per kilowatt in '21 up to 23 cents per kilowatt under 2025, under your guy's leadership. Every time you say, "Oh, we're going to take -- power bills are going to come down. We're doing this because we care about the little guy, we care about the consumer, it's going to be 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 okay we're doing this to get tough on those evil energy companies, green's good and we're going to lower your power bills." Well, you know what? Nobody believes you, nobody believes you. Here's the other good one, it's not even about the price of power anymore, it's all the add-ons. All those fees that add-on over and above, over and above just the cost of the raw product, I added up the fees on my bill, I had forty-two dollars and six cents in fees on a hundred and fifty-six ninety-two in power, that's twenty-seven percent. Well, 26.8 percent really just in fees and most of those fees are things like the Renewable Power Grid Transfer Program, the Battery Program, this program - Clean That Green this, forty- two dollars in fees, twenty-seven percent of my electric bill isn't even the cost of electricity, which you guys have already sent through the roof. It's all the other add-ons and here we are eight billion dollars in rate increases on the people of the State of Illinois -- eight billion dollars, who can afford to live here? So, let's talk some more stuff, you got an Illinois Power Authority Study, a study that I would point out was done before the bill that was just filed was even introduced. You have a bill, a study on a bill that didn't exist when the study was done. Why? Because the bill wasn't filed till Tuesday. Who believes you? Nobody. Nobody in reality. They do believe their power bill, because they get it every month. They don't -- they do know what it's done every month. But hey, let's look at a study from Europe, Germany, Spain, Denmark and the UK. And this is what it costs for every ten percent in renewables -- every ten percent renewables on the grid, it adds about four cents to the per kilowatt cost. Okay, no big deal four cents, except that people consume a lot of kilowatts. So, in a year, for every ten percent renewables, you're up four or five 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 hundred bucks on the average consumer, by the way, you get another thirty-five percent to go in Illinois, that's another fifteen hundred dollars if the Europe Study is in effect. And as my good friend Senator Bryant pointed out, the rates we got right now were the capped rates and you're taking the caps off. Katie bar the door, here they come. Katie, bar the door. You want some more facts? Since we're dealing with facts? In 2019, electricity was 8.6 cents per kilowatt, in the summer of this year was a twenty- three. That's triple -- triple under the leadership of Governor Pritzker and the supermajority Democrats in this State who keep telling us, "Oh, we're here to help, little guy, we care. We care about you, little guy. We're going to make sure your power bills go down." Want another chart? Here's a good one 2021 to 2025, you can see this nice little green line here, that's the rise in increase. Here's a great one, how do we compare to our neighbors? Average price in Illinois residential is 18.09 cents per kilowatt. In Kentucky, it's 13.4 cents per kilowatt. Indiana, we're higher than Indiana, we're higher than Iowa, we're higher than Missouri. We're right there, well, we were right there with Wisconsin but after this passes, it'll be a trifecta. You'll have the whole deal; we will be the highest energy costs in the entire Midwest! Here was the difference, Wisconsin's 18.57 we are 18.09, not any more congratulations, Governor Pritzker and supermajority Democrats eight-billion-dollar rate increase on the people of Illinois. Tell us you care; tell us you care. This is exactly why nobody believes anybody anymore.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you seek recognition? 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
Thank you. Question for the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Rezin.
Thank you. For the record, Senator Stadelman, you mentioned that the reason that prices are going up is because of the data centers. The data centers really haven't built out yet they're -- they're in the area buying land, but they anticipate using power in the future. But the -- the impact from data centers, actually, where there is a concentration of data centers, the power actually is going down because the data centers themselves are taking on the cost of the transmission, which is the highest cost. So, to say our prices have increased because of data centers is not exactly true. We've had significant power go offline, right, capacity power? When your coal and your natural gas is going offline, then you have a supply problem and that's where we're at when CEJA passed; it sends a message to your natural gas suppliers. We're really not open for business if you're producing natural gas in this State. So, when they have the ability to invest, they think why would we invest here because we have dates that we have to be offline by. So, we'll prematurely go offline and invest in other states. Senator Stadelman, I have several questions talking about the battery, the battery storage. Originally in the battery storage for this bill was, what, six gigawatts, but has been pared down to three gigawatts, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Pared down to three gigawatts with the ability for the IPA to procure another three gigawatts at -- in 2035.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Rezin.
Thank you. So, how is -- how are we paying for the battery?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
Three gigawatts of battery?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
Well, again, in 2030, there'll be a line item on customers' bills. But again, as I mentioned at the beginning, that line item will be immediately offset because that's the same date that the battery storage providers will start providing extra capacity, providing power to the grid, and that will offset the cost. And as I've said numerous times before, the dividends will continue to pay down the road, there will be billions of dollars of savings by the additional generation caused by the battery storage, because they're very effective at dealing with those peak demands, and customers will see more capacity and lower bills in the years ahead because of how this is structured. Again, the immediate cost is offset. We're not paying the developers; the IPA is not paying developers until the battery storage power is putting on the grid.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Rezin.
93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Several things in there. First of all, battery is not capacity. Capacity generation is when you have your combined cycle natural gas plants and your nuclear power plants generating a hundred percent of the time. That's capacity power. Battery is storage, that's what it is. It's storage of power from wind and solar and the battery holds power and can only provide power for four -- four to -- two to four hours a day. So, you're shaving the peaks you're not -- you're not providing capacity for the grid. So, you mentioned there'll be a line item on the bill. So, there's a new line item on our electric bill that you mentioned, but not till 2030 and the line item will be for the cost of the battery. But then also the ICC will have the ability to increase should they decide when they do their -- their study if they want more battery, then they can put more battery -- invest in more battery and add that increase to the line item, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
I'm sorry, Senator. I'm trying to follow your line of questioning. Would you repeat that last sentence again?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Rezin.
Well, essentially you say you went from six gigs that you wanted for battery storage, and that was too much money because that was fourteen billion dollars build out. You went down in this bill till -- two, three gigs and you say, well, it's better. The bottom line is you're putting a new line item on the electric bill of every single ratepayer in this entire State and took the caps 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 off the power bills in this bill, knowing that you can increase battery storage back up to six gigs or however much you want to procure in the future. So, when you're creating a line item, you're creating a blank check for your battery, your battery investors, which I'd like to get to, by the way. So, in regard to the battery investors that just came out today, I was reading are -- who are the battery investors?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
From what I understand, there are several developers interested. We had Jupiter Power testified during our subject matter hearings. I guess I don't have a list for you as far as who the developers are, but that was one who testified during our hearings.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Rezin.
Thank You. So, Jupiter Power was just bought out in 2022 by Blackrock, which happens to be the largest hedge fund in the entire country, if not the world, which actually is a little hypocritical here because you're asking for a bailout for billionaires. You, the party of control is asking for a bailout for billionaires, I pulled some other projects that Blackrock or Jupiter has built out for battery storage because I asked during committee several times why -- we're not against battery storage. I understand the value of it, we're questioning how we finance the battery storage, and they have two other projects that they financed with low interest loans through the Finance Authority. Again, I'll ask you, why can't 95 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 we finance our -- this project in the State of Illinois by Blackrock, which has a project in Michigan and a project in Texas that they're financing with low interest loans. Why can't they finance the project here in Illinois versus adding another line item on the -- the bills of every ratepayer in this State?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
So, it's -- it's an interesting question because some states do have a different financing mechanism. Texas, for example, which not exactly a liberal bastion but is really engaged in battery storage develop. But because there are one grid, they have their own grid. There's so much volatility in our energy prices during a given day, a week is that a battery storage developer can recoup their investments in a matter of days, five to ten days of volatility, they're able to recoup their investments. We're a deregulated State, so we have a different mechanism, and we don't have as much volatility. So, therefore, the battery storage developers say they need this credit this financial backing from a line-item credit to make sure these projects are financially viable. So, yes, some states do that, I think because we're a deregulated State, we have different needs regarding financing these projects. I do also want to point out, though, the legislation does allow the Illinois Finance Authority to create a loan program to developers to help with financing should they be interested. So, we've created a process with the IFA to potentially use loans or Conduit Bonds to provide this alternative source of funding other than a line item.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 96 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Senator Rezin.
It seems to me that a project of this magnitude by the largest HUD Fund -- Hedge Fund in the country would be able to afford and get backing for a low interest loan. But my guess would be because the recs and how we have our programs set up in the State of Illinois, it's -- it's a guarantee for them. Who wouldn't want that deal, right? That ratepayers have to automatically pay. We're going to put it on their bill no matter what the cost is. Cost overruns, by the way, are automatically passed through to ratepayers. No caps on their bills and we get a return on it. That's a nice gig; I like that contract. I mean, you know, they can ask for it, we could have said no, we could have financed it with low interest loans just like Texas which is deregulated in Michigan, in my opinion. One last thing regarding battery, so, the states -- the way that this is financed is called a centralized battery procurement. It's the way that this bill has chosen to finance the battery storage and I'm looking at a graph that was given to everyone on the Floor. There were nine other states that chose to finance their battery procurement this way and honestly, they are the nine highest power. They have the nine highest electricity rates in the country. So, California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and now Illinois. So, it's very costly. Secondly, in the bill, what is the social cost of carbon? What is the carbon tax written in the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Not sure what you're referring to, but there's no tax on carbon in the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Rezin.
Two hundred dollar a ton tax on carbon in the bill, according to our staff, which, by the way, we're one of the very few States with a carbon tax and at two hundred dollars a ton, the most expensive carbon tax in the entire country, bar none. I think Canada had -- had eighty dollars a ton. Next question, in this bill you're with, you would like to withdraw from the PJM, the PJM which is the RTO, and create your own independent systems operator or become your own. So, an ISO for the State of Illinois. The problem is, when you withdraw from an RTO, you have all of the stranded costs, meaning all of the contracts that have been entered in by that RTO the states that currently belong into it have to pay all of those stranded costs. The contracts that are five, ten, fifteen, twenty years, you have to pay all of the stranded costs. I've asked several people what would the stranded costs be if we left the PJM? Their answer is tens of billions of dollars to leave the PJM, paid by the ratepayers because there's no tax cap in here for ratepayers. Regarding tax credits for wind and solar, you know we -- we have talked about at the federal level, no tax credits for wind and solar, if they go away at the federal level. The way this bill is written, is the cost of wind and solar then just pass through, on this bill, to the ratepayers. Just -- since there's no tax credits at the federal level or if they're not receiving the tax credits at the federal level.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 98 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Senator Stadelman.
If you're talking specifically about battery storage? You're just talking about wind and solar? I mean I -- I -- explain your question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Rezin.
I apologize. I am -- I am going a little bit around so, in regards -- so, I finished with battery. So, thank you for that. But regarding the energy procurement in the bill, which will be renewables, I mean, I think it's fair to say because of the mission of the spirit of the way the bill is written, will be renewables. So, if they do not receive federal tax credits are the tax credits or the lack of tax credits mean the whole cost of the project is passed on to the ratepayers?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
First of all, this is a process through the ICC, the IRP that will determine our energy mix moving forward. It doesn't say gas is not included; it doesn't determine what the energy mix is. Yes, we've been a leader in clean energy resources, have provided jobs, provided a boost to our economic development; we want to continue to be a leader. It's been difficult with the removal of the federal tax credits and the incentives to keep that industry going. But this is part of an effort to make sure that we continue to provide jobs and -- and tap into that growing sector. But you're asking questions that will be part of the IRP process that the ICC 99 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 will be undertaking in the years ahead to determine our energy mix, to make sure we remain affordable and reliable, and we're able to keep the lights on. So, in fact, during one of the subject matter hearings, the head of the ICC said should it be realized that we need additional capacity, similar to what gas can provide that will still be part of the equation moving forward. So, you're making a lot of assumptions as far as what that IRP will determine by the ICC in the years ahead.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Rezin.
Well… Let's talk about the ICC, because that's where I'm getting here. You have a line item, a new line item on the bill, right, for battery, no caps for your ratepayers. You have a new carbon tax, two hundred dollars a ton, the most in the country. If you withdraw from the PJM stranded costs hundreds or, excuse me, tens of billions of dollars passed on to ratepayers no caps -- potentially tax, the lack of tax credits, the cost of projects passed on, overruns by projects that are built out if the battery build out is goes over budget, there's no protections for ratepayers. The cost goes on their bill and what are we doing in the bill, we've talked a lot about the different areas where the cost of the power is going up, which it is by the way, the big part of this bill is we are giving all of our authority to sit and have a discussion and a debate to the ICC, five unelected officials at a regulatory Body for the State of Illinois, who by the way, come from special interests in the wind and solar area. I mean let's be honest here, who are these people? They are people, and I appreciate it, they're proud of it, and I appreciate that, but 100 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 we need to be honest about what they support, and they are coming from the environmental side wind, solar, battery transmission, that's what they've seen. By the way, I'm glad, thank you. I'll tell you one good thing, thank you for lifting the moratorium on the nuclear. But the problem is these are the same people that have that bill that I had vetoed because they don't like nuclear, they don't want large capacity nuclear built out. So, even though if we lift the moratorium, I'm not sure that the ICC now that has the ability to decide what our energy policy and our energy mix in the State of Illinois looks like. All of the authority. So, when your costs are going up, because once again, there's no rate caps in here, this is only the second bill -- utility bill since I've been here that was passed without rate caps. Any idea what the first one was? If you live in the suburbs, if you've gotten complaints about your water bill, if you've gotten -- if you have those two companies, those bills have gone through the roof and you're getting the complaints because their bills are going through the roof, because there's no rate caps all pass through. Overruns pass through on the on the backs of ratepayers. That's how this bill is written, so we're giving all the decision to the ICC to make. There is -- there was a poll that was done that I referred to last year that was done out of University of Chicago, where people were asked, do you support renewable? Fifty-three percent said, yeah, we support, you know, reducing our carbon footprint, wind and solar. We support that, which is great. Follow up question was, would you pay one more dollar for renewables? Fifty-five percent of the people who were polled said no. So, in this bill, when you keep saying we're going to save money, I cannot figure out how we're going to save money. Now, everybody refers to the 101 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 IPA -- the IPA analysis that came out, like you say, before the last iteration of the bill. It's five pages long, it's an analysis put together with many assumptions. So, the IPA is a power agency department? It's within the State of Illinois. It's not a third- party consulting, and after all of the assumptions and when you say at the end, he says that we save money. What you forgot to say is in his report, they highlighted, additionally, all modeling exercises are subject to substantial uncertainty, as the IPA highlighted testimony before both the House and the Senate. Developing projections of costs and benefits necessitates projecting future electricity spread, price spreads, future capacity markets, and future capacity market accreditation for supported technologies. So, basically, we can make a lot of assumptions, but we all know it's very difficult to forecast out five, ten, fifteen years. And every consultant is going to tell you that they probably have this at the end, but they're also not putting an eight-billion-dollar electric power bill on the Floor of the Senate, based off of a five-page report based off of assumptions when the last paragraph says, and by the way, there's a lot of uncertainty in here. So, everybody refers to the IPA report that is not a report set in stone at all, it's based on assumptions. Lastly, I noticed here on -- do you feel this bill gives the ICC authority to make all of our energy decisions what's in our energy portfolio? But it's the same ICC that has the utilities come before them with the ask to be reimbursed for their costs, doesn't that seem like a conflict of interest to you?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman.
102 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Senator Rezin, I have all the respect in the world for you. You're making it hard on me, trying to counteract all your points by the twenty-five that you've mentioned in your -- in your statements. But let's talk about the ICC. You've mentioned several times about caps and cost control, the ultimate guideline here is a State legislature that will review the process. If they are not happy with the determination of the plan by the RFP, we have the ability as a State legislature to force them to reconsider or just rejected outright. We have that ability with the legislative review process to monitor the rate hikes and what's recommended by the ICC. Other point I want to make, I think that shows the fact that if we're trusting the ICC to make decisions on rate hike requests, that shows you this Body puts faith in the ICC to make those determinations, highly technical, they're the experts. We don't come back to the legislature and say, we didn't like what the ICC determined, whether their comment or hike request was granted. We trust the ICC with that process. So, I think that point is a confirmation that we trust the ICC and their expertise to determine rate hike requests from utilities, and therefore, we're trusting them in the expert situation to determine what our energy mix should be moving forward. So, I think it's a confirmation of the trust that we put to protect consumers and -- and trying to prevent rate hikes with how the current situation is with the ICC.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Rezin.
Thank you. The oversight you talked about written in the bill is, it's a resolution. So the ICC can determine whatever they determine, according to their analysis, their resource adequacy 103 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 and whatever they determine, if prices go up we can pass a resolution. We can't even guarantee a resolution is called over here. I've had resolutions naming roads for veterans that haven't got called out of Assignments for years, let alone a bill that allows oversight over the ICC. So, a resolution is not binding, it's not oversight. Probably before you got here, we had a project called Tenaska, because I remember it was the first week I was here, some of you may remember that project. It was new technology for a clean coal plant, Southern Illinois. Again, same kind of financing that we're seeing here with investors coming in but they wanted the ratepayers to guarantee the whole project. It would -- the project would have been for twenty years. We debated that for quite a while, and we eventually debated the project down because we were concerned about the length of the contract and changing technology. It was voted down, and it's a good thing because we would have still been paying now for that contract that would have been signed fifteen years ago for technology that we're not using now. So, technology changes. These contracts in here are long, they'll be binding by the ICC. We need to have as legislators more oversight because at the end of the day, when people complain about their bills, they're going to go to the ICC hearings and the ICC is going to say, "Talk to your legislator because they passed the bill." So they're going to put it at your doorstep. We need more oversight on these bills. This is a huge price increase on working families right now, at a time when they cannot afford to pay for their rates. We're hearing about this next to property taxes. You all know that you're hearing it as well. The bill lifts the caps on rates and then hands ratepayers the tab for billions in projects that they didn't ask for or can't afford. They call this an energy 104 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 bill, but it's a wish list written by special interest groups with a green light from the Governor's Administration because he's running for President and he wants to have the greenest energy piece of legislation passed so he can say, "Look what I did." Well, I will tell you, if this bill passes, he will be remembered for this bill, but only because our energy prices have gone through the roof for the next five to ten years. This will drive costs up and puts our grid stability at risk. We're talking about billions of dollars to be paid out by families already struggling with their electric bills, billions of ratepayer dollars that would go to Wall Street investors right here in this bill. We're talking about the most expensive social cost of carbon in the entire country that our ratepayers have to pay for, no caps in the bill, no caps in the bill. And we're talking about a study to begin walking away from PJM. We know here, if you want to pass something you always start with a study, right? So, you're opening the door, PJM is one of the most reliable regional grids in America without a clear plan for how we keep the lights on. Every Illinoisan deserves reliable, affordable power but this bill moves us in the opposite direction. It will lead to less reliability, higher costs, and more government mandates. Energy policy should be grounded in common sense, not ideology, should protect families and not punish them and not reward billionaires at the expense of taxpayers. This is why I'm voting No, not because I'm against clean energy, but because I'm for Illinois families, for transparency, and for an energy future that actually works. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and thank you, Senator Stadelman, for asking -- for answering all my questions. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 105 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Further discussion? Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, we've gone over a lot of my colleagues have dug into the bill itself, kind of the micro of it. I want to kind of, do an overview of the macro of energy. Energy policy for anybody in here that's been here for any amount of time, knows that energy policy, especially in our State, is very, very convoluted. It's very complex and that's very frustrating. You hear things like, you know, PJM and MISO and REC's and deregulated and regulated and all these things. Well the problem is, is that we are going to keep doing bills like this that cost ratepayers, in this case, eight billion dollars. We're going to keep doing this until we have a reality check and we finally admit that maybe, just maybe, we need to stop subsidizing things that don't work. Right now, and we have for quite a longtime we do it, you know, the worst in Illinois. We tax taxpayers and then we have companies -- and then we give companies that money to subsidize a technology that we've been subsidizing for decades in the hopes that someday, maybe someday, the rainbows and unicorns will power America, and it just won't work. What powers baseload power -- and listen, if you want to put a windmill in your -- in -- for your home or solar panels on your house, great. That's fantastic but when we're talking about baseload power, wind and solar don't work. It doesn't work and to prove it doesn't work, let's stop subsidizing them. I 106 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 bet we won't, I bet we won't, because we got to keep making sweetheart deals with our special interests. When is it enough? And I know somebody's going to say it, so I'll say it right now. I'll counter it. Well, we subsidize nuclear and coal and natural gas too. Yeah, you know why? Because we keep giving money to wind and solar, if we stop doing that we wouldn't have to subsidize any of it. There's been FEJA -- there's been CEJA -- there's been this and I'm telling you right now, in another two years, there's going to be another one and it's all at the expense of the ratepayer. When? When are we going to be adults and finally say that this clean energy just doesn't work when it comes to baseload power? When are we going to have that honest conversation? It's absolutely ridiculous. And -- and clean, I'm so tired of hearing clean. You have a hailstorm on solar panels, and you leach toxic chemicals into the soil that ruins good farm ground forever. You got windmills that leak hundreds of gallons of oil all over the field around it, not to mention, that when they outlive their use, there's nowhere to put the damn things. So, we have hundreds of acres of just dirt put over all this plastic. Yeah, that's clean. Jiminy Christmas people, let's have an honest conversation for the sake of the ratepayer, for crying out loud. So far today and we're just halfway through the day. We're increasing healthcare costs, did a bill to do that, going to increase property tax insurance, we're going to do that. We're going to hear about more later, I can't wait to point those out. Now we're talking about eight billion dollars in rate increases for ratepayers, eight billion when they just took it in the shorts this past June and it went up. It's just not enough, it's not enough. We're going to find new ways to tax you, we're going to have new ways to regulate energy 107 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 so you can pay more. It's absolutely repulsive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For 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.
So, some of my colleagues have gotten into a lot of important topics that need to be discussed here, whether it's environmental concerns, whether it's hedge funds, whether it's special interests, whether it's significant ethics concerns that exist within this piece of legislation. I mean, you look at this bill, this bill is, it -- it is Example one A of everything that is wrong with the way the State of Illinois functions. It is terrible public policy, it is not transparent, it is not accountable. There is no fairness in this. Everyone is talking about special interests. I want to talk about one interest. One interest, that interest is families that live in the State of Illinois. This, you know, we got in the weeds of all these different things. This is an eight- billion-dollar rate increase on the people of Illinois. Maybe people in this Body have just become numb to large numbers, maybe, maybe we don't care about how many commas are in these numbers but eight billion? I can't imagine someone would put their name on a piece of legislation. That's an eight-billion-dollar rate increase on the people of Illinois to the benefit of special interests. I just can't imagine doing that. You were warned when CEJA came about, we said rates were going through the roof, we had the safest 108 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 most reliable low-cost grid in the Midwest. We said it was going to be broken; it wouldn't happen, it would become less reliable. Rates were going through the roof, you were warned. Now what? Rates are up. Seniors are turning off their air conditioning; seniors are turning off their heater. Seniors are trying to figure out how to pay their bills. I've got grocery stores in downstate Illinois that can't afford to keep their freezers running. So, the grocery store is shut down. People have to drive forty-five minutes to go to a Dollar General to find food, because a small-town grocery stores can't make it. An extraordinarily consequential industry in the State manufacturing is getting decimated by this Body. And let me tell you what manufacturing needs in Illinois is low cost, reliable, safe grids, and we have taken that away from them. What do you think the manufacturing companies are going to do when they say Indiana is cheaper, Wisconsin is cheaper, Iowa's cheaper, Kentucky's cheaper, Missouri's cheaper. Do you think they're going to stick around here? No, they're already leaving. Bad public policy bleeds this job -- bleeds this opportunity, it's crushing our families. But we're back, after all those warnings and after the pain and the heartache and the misery and the businesses that have left and the families have left, we're back and we're going to fix it. And boy, what a fix do we have. Ready, families of Illinois, here's our fix - eight-billion-dollar rate increase and we're going to fix it this time, it's going to get fixed. We are wrecking affordability for the average Illinoisan. We're making it impossible for our small businesses to compete; we just got done wrecking homeowners' insurance. I mean, and I love -- I love the conversation thirty minutes ago "We care about the homeowners, and we're worried about, you know, the fact that the average homeowner 109 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 in Illinois has the 13th lowest bill for policy costs, premium costs in the country." If we could be 13th in everything, we'd be doing okay, but we're worried because there are 13th in that. But you know, we're 37th in the sales tax. We're 48th in the corporate tax, we're 49th in the gas tax, and we are 50th, 50 out of 50, in the property tax, but we're worried about that homeowner on that 13th in the nation insurance premium policy. But why aren't we worried about the homeowner when they have to pay their utility bills? Why does the homeowner not matter then? Why do we gouge them like an ATM so we can funnel money to New York special interests? Belvedere is more important to me than Blackrock, Belleville is more important to me than Blackrock, and you feign interest in the homeowners, and you gouge them every day. Everything that the private market is trying to do in this State, we're competitive, but we get our hands on something, property taxes, gas taxes, CEJA. What we've done to this grid, we wreck it, we wreck it all, and our solution is let's just wreck it some more. Let's see how bad we can make it. You know, the last conversation, the comment was made that Illinoisans want to find a better deal. Let me tell you, a lot of Illinoisans under J.B. Pritzker and his Democrat majorities in the -- in the in the General Assembly, they found a better deal. You know where that better deal is? It's in Tennessee, it's in Missouri, it's in Indiana, it's in Florida. The better deal is somewhere else because of bad public policy that comes out of this Body. I don't think the citizens of Illinois are ATM's that Springfield politicians can just go cash in every time their policies fail. We have an affordability crisis in this State, and policy like this just makes it worse. You wreck something that's working, and you say, "We're going to fix it, give us eight 110 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 billion dollars more." The families in the 55th State Senate district don't have more money to support your failed policies, and they won't have more money when you come back in two years to fix it again. And they won't have more money when you come back in four years to fix it. People can't afford to live in this State, businesses can't afford to compete in this State, and you guys are destroying people's lives. Vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) With further discussion? Senator Arellano. For what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
It's -- it's crazy to me that as around Illinois, families and businesses have been getting nailed by this affordability crisis. Energy prices are included in that, energy prices have been going up and called me a bright eyed, bushy tailed, freshman, naive fool, but I thought that we might recognize some of our failures of analysis from CEJA, where we somehow thought that taking Power Generation out of Illinois wouldn't increase prices and somehow economics doesn't apply to us if our goals are noble and our intentions are good. Clearly, that's not how the real world works. I thought, and Illinoisans are seeing that, and now we can come here to the special Veto Session and have a serious conversation about how to allow more carbon-free power nuclear generation, which is sort of in discussion and how natural gas and renewable natural gas can actually get to net negative in 111 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 emissions. If you plan far enough in the future and put them near methane release and near livestock and agricultural uses, we can look to the future and say, "We do not have enough power we were wrong." And because of the growth of technology, we could seize the moment, make Illinois an energy haven again, and have data centers and AI paying their own way here like they are in other areas, and actually lowering the cost of energy. I've heard data centers and -- and AI being used as an excuse for why energy prices are rising. Do you know that in some states that were better prepared to meet the moment, they are actually lowering consumer energy costs because like any growth in business, they are raising the whole tide. They are sharing costs across a greater area and because they paid their own way in, instead of guaranteeing on the backs of ratepayers their own profits, they lowered energy costs. It's possible. What's more crazy to me, though, is that not only did we not come down here to do that, we passed a massive rate hike on Illinoisans, but then we took that money and guaranteed the profits of some of the richest companies in the world. Not in Illinois, not in America, in the world. And guaranteed their profits in a direct transfer of wealth from working -- class families, small businesses, things like rural grocery stores that are energy intensive, and we're leaving costs food deserts that during spring we cared about. And they are leaving my rural areas and then being having to be incentivized by my small towns to try to come back and please get us a grocery store because we don't want to travel an hour to buy groceries. And this bill attacks that. It's crazy to me that not only did we ignore our constituents, ignore economics, just like during CEJA, refuse to acknowledge our mistakes, and take this opportunity to seize the 112 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 moment the way some states are chosen to do but then we guaranteed that money from our Illinoisans going to some of the richest entities of the world. It was said earlier that the ultimate guideline is the State legislature, that's not true. That's not how the real world works. The ultimate guideline is companies that simply leave Illinois during the Energy Committee meeting of this Body, this week, it was spoken to how a natural gas plant simply picked up its equipment and left the State. That wasn't brought up by our side. I thought it was a very valid concern to raise. So, we can say, oh, natural gas is going to be included and yet we're saying it while they are actively leaving this State, when you are going to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into a business and into a state, you need to know a little bit that the state is going to allow you to exist and if you don't people aren't the only thing that leave Illinois. Businesses leave Illinois, small businesses leave Illinois, medium sized businesses leave Illinois, massive energy production plants leave Illinois. We had an opportunity to come down here and say yes to carbon free nuclear, which takes a longtime to develop. We had the opportunity to say yes to renewable gas, which is much faster, and natural gas. And if we really cared about consumers and said we made some mistakes, we're going to reset timelines. We, like former President Obama, believe in clean coal, and we want to take care of our constituents who are getting hammered by an affordability crisis. We would take in all of the above approach, use the economic activity generated and the jobs generated to then invest in the future of energy, including solar, which has a bright future that we are not well economically poised to seize and grab that future. My message to the State of Illinois is that there are some of us here who see 113 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 your suffering and simultaneously understand economics, and we want you to have carbon-free power, but we also want you to have jobs and an economic future. And that being one of the worst States in economic mobility in all of the United States is not helped when we raise the costs on you and your businesses. This is a bad bill that had the potential to be a unifying moment in Illinois for the future of energy and the future of the economy. You can do both, but not when you ignore basic economics. We need to recognize the mistakes of CEJA, and that the promises of a little bit of price increase were massively off, and understand that there is both supply and demand, and that we're getting hammered by both in Illinois, and take care of our residents. Please vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Preston, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill? To the bill.
Today, I rise to voice my continuing concerns with this energy bill, and I really take no pride in it. I'm probably going to stand alone, at least on this side. But the reason I'm willing to do it is because it's easy to run and rail against the billionaires and millionaires when you're running for office but my conscience will not let me sit here when Blackrock stands to gain so much while struggling people in my district will have to pay for it on their light bills, this cannot -- this isn't for y'all, so you can be quiet there, please. This is for the people 114 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 that are struggling in my district and across the State. I want to thank my colleague, Senator Stadelman, Leader Cunningham. I know that they worked hard on this bill, they included a measure to put IFA in there, the Illinois Finance Authority, so that these large battery storage companies could actually do what we think they should be doing. I think most of us, which is bet on themselves, go out and take small interest loans out instead of having taxpayers subsidize their projects. You know, if I believed that this legislation would not increase the light bills of people in my district that are struggling already, I'd vote Yes. Unfortunately, I don't believe that's the case. In fact, I know it's not. There's going to be a line item on light bills for people who can already -- who are already struggling to pay that light bill. This is good, the energy bill contrary to what we might have heard. I do believe in clean energy. I do believe we need to take advantage and invest in emerging technologies. However, again, we should not put that burden on taxpayers. If we would have not had this twenty-year procurement guarantee for these multibillion- dollar corporations, then this would have been a dramatically different piece of legislation. But for twenty years, I guarantee nobody in the real world has a guarantee of anything for twenty years. Now we could sit back and say whatever we want, this is what exactly it looks like. This is a gift to a billionaire company and I'm not in the gift giving business to them. But I will be in the standing strong business for regular people who can't afford this. I will close by saying this, please don't clap because this is not what this is about. This is about standing for integrity for people who do not have armies of lobbyists down here giving talking points to people to justify raising their bills when 115 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 they're already struggling. I have to vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Stadelman, to close.
I certainly appreciate the debate and the dialog, you know, energy is a complicated space, no doubt about that. I had a call from a constituent this summer asking about the rate increase, and I started to go into RTO's and capacity auctions and increased demand, I realized after about 30 seconds they had no clue what I was talking about. I had lost them immediately and that's what makes this issue so difficult. People hear conflicting talking points, different interpretation of numbers and outcomes, misinformation, disinformation. People spin on what actually has been happening on the ground. I think that's what we're dealing with right now. I'm proud to sponsor this legislation because this is affordable. This increases affordability for customers, that drops their prices because of important components that decrease demand and increase capacity. It's a simple situation of supply and demand. Electrical prices are based on supply and demand. The bill increases supply, which will bring down demand and lower prices. Again, the numbers I reiterated at the beginning of this conversation. Taxpayers will save a billion dollars by 2030, eight billion dollars by 2035, and more than thirteen billion over the life of this bill, it's simple supply and demand. A couple of points I want to bring up that came up; CEJA has not closed any gas plants these are goals implemented several years ago and moving forward, as the adequacy studies will determine and ICC will determine what we're going to need from a generation mix to make sure we have affordable, reliable energy and that will allow us to 116 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 keep the lights on and gas will continue to be part of that conversation. Nobody wants the lights turned off. The ICC has the power to make these decisions, so I have the trust in their ability as professionals and expertise in that area to make decisions as far as what we need to do to keep the lights on. And again, CEJA didn't close any gas plants that will still be part of the conversation moving forward as we consider the resource adequacy study. This bill helps low-income owners, it reduces ratepayers - - rather this lowers their prices we have provisions that will help. You know, those who are trying to equity contractors to take advantage of CEJA as they did in CEJA to for energy storage and virtual power plants. This will allow a more diverse workforce, energy contractors, to make sure that we encourage equity-eligible persons and eligible contractors to take part in this process by providing incentives that ten percent of project workforce must be equity-eligible people and equity-eligible contractors, and that has to scale by thirty percent by 2030. So, if you're a disadvantaged -- disadvantaged community, people this is attractive to you to try to increase your goals in that area as well. As far as the ISO was brought up, this is simply a study determined, whether we should continue with PJM and MISO. There's a lot of frustration with those grid operators. The capacity auctions that caused this price increase in the first place. Again, Illinois is not alone with these price increases. States across the Midwest, states across the country are dealing with increased demand because of the because of the data centers. Grid operators across the country, including MISO and PJM, are passing those costs on. That's what's causing this price spike, not what happened in CEJA, this is simply an ability to try to address that increased 117 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 demand. This increases capacity through battery storage. It's interesting to hear this debate because the major provisions in this legislation - battery storage, virtual power plants, energy efficiency, lifting the nuclear power moratorium and more effective planning process, a citing review board, most people think these are good ideas. Some of you mentioned this are good solutions moving forward, but you don't like certain characteristics. You don't like the amount of authority given to the ICC. You're concerned about decisions made by the Commission, what decisions may be made in the future. How do pay for programs? How are you structured? You don't like CEJA, you want to relitigate CEJA, which has been a very good program, has provided jobs and clean energy opportunities, and boosted economic in the State. So, you don't disagree with the provisions in this particular bill? You want to relitigate the larger issue and debate over what we need to make sure we keep the lights on. Here's the bottom line, in my view, this package is about making energy more affordable for ratepayers in the years ahead, we're getting more energy on the grid. If we do nothing with this bill and vote it down, guess what? The rates are going to continue to go up by the RTOs who are charging us additional prices; nothing's going to change. Let's do something; let's lower energy prices through this legislation. Please vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall Senate concur in House Amendments 4 and 5 to Senate Bill 25? All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 37 voting Aye, 22 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. 118 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Having, excuse me -- Senate Bill 25, having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments 4 or{sic} (and) 5 to Senate Bill 25, and the bill is declared passed. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President, I'm directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following Joint Resolution in the adoption of which I'm instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 46, offered by Senator Preston, adopted by the House, October 30th, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 506, offered by Senator Sims. It is congratulatory.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villa, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
For an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please make your announcement.
I'd like to wish a very happy birthday to my very good friend Steve Stadelman today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Moving along in our work, we're going to move to page 3 with House Bills 3rd Reading, and we have House Bill 3564 with Senator 119 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Simmons. Senator Simmons seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3564 to the Order of Second Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3564. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
(Floor) Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Simmons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Simmons, on your amendment.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I'd like to withdraw the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
(Floor) Amendment No. 5, offered by Senator Simmons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Simmons, on this amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to withdraw the amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 7, offered by Senator Simmons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Simmons, on this amendment.
I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain it during the 120 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 debate.
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?
Floor Amendment No. 8, offered by Senator Simmons.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Simmons, on this amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain during the debate.
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 to the Order of 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3564, an Act concerning civil law. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Simmons, on your bill and prior to that, excuse me, Senator Cunningham, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Simmons. 121 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
Thank you very much, Mr. President. House Bill 3564, is timely legislation that will bring great relief to renters all across our State by banning eleven junk fees that are commonly seen on rental applications, such as, for example, banning fees for a simple walk through in a unit, banning fees for simple maintenance and upkeep of rental units, and other -- other fees that that are exploitative of renters. I'm proud to bring this legislation forward. I represent a Senate District that, for example, in Rogers Park, three out of four constituents are renters. And this is going to bring great relief not just to the people I represent, but people all across the state who have seen rental fees increase in recent years, often for other causes and expenses that are not the fault of the renters. I'd like to thank the stakeholders that work with me on this, a whole bevy of housing advocacy organizations that have been working with me and the House sponsoring this legislation since January, as well as the, Illinois Renters and the Chicago Apartment Association who are now at neutral on this legislation. I'll take any questions. And I thank you very much for -- for the time.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Is there any discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Questions for the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The sponsor and indicates he will yield. Senator McClure.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, Senator Simmons, my 122 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 understanding was the Realtors were initially opposed to this, and now they have been moved to neutral. Why are they not supporting it? And what got them to move from being against it to being neutral.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Simmons.
Thank you. Thank you, Senator, for your question. You know, I sat down and I worked with them very closely. I take pride in taking input from all stakeholders that have a point of view on legislation that may impact them. And so, I believe that is why they've removed their opposition, and I'm happy to have them to be neutral.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure.
Thank you. Are there any opponents left on this bill right now?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator Simmons.
If you take a look at the bill analysis. Okay. Yeah, I know of No opposition on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Senator McClure.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'll speak to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill. 123 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
And thank you, Senator Simmons. This is one of those bills where it comes from a good place and sometimes what happens is even a bill with good intentions leads to bad things happening. So, Statewide, we only have about thirty-four affordable and available rental homes for every one hundred extremely low-income rentals. So, this is a very, very sensitive area. My concern is this legislation is going to add so much red tape to people already offering affordable housing that they're going to -- they're going to stop investing in the market, and they're not going to cause new locations to be built or to be utilized for low-income housing. And the problem is that right now we should be working to help these people to establish more locations where more people can afford to live. This bill does not encourage that, in fact, it discourages it with too much red tape, it's unnecessary, and it will lead to the opposite effect that we would hope for if the bill was on the right path. So, for that reason, I -- I would ask for a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Further discussion? Senator Castro, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. First off, I want to commend the sponsor. This was yeoman's work on this bill to get all the parties to neutral. I also want to compliment one of our staffers, Clare 124 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 O'Donnell, who also worked with some very difficult pieces of the legislation to get everyone to where we're at, to what the previous speaker was talking about. I think a little confused about what the bill does, because what it does is it identifies what are junk fees. One of the things that I will tell you, if you're trying to rent an apartment, you have an expectation of what that rent is supposed to be, and it should be all up front of what you are going to pay. What this does is either eliminate or restrict what types of fees you can add on after you sign a lease. So, you have like different things, like how much you can charge pets, what needs to be disclosed. This is really about disclosure and being fair to those that are renting. There is numerous stories across this State talking about how people who rent apartments get stuck in leases and get charged and nickel and dimed to death after they've signed the lease and then if they break the lease, it costs them more. So, again, I applaud the sponsor. I applaud the staff who worked and as well as the advocates and even the opposition, to sit down and tirelessly work on addressing this concern. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) With no Senators seeking further discussion, Senator Simmons, do you wish to close?
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I want to thank Leader Castro for her leadership and support throughout the negotiation process on this. It really, really helped us get to a good place on this. I also just to just addressed the point that was brought up on the other side. I just would refute that by saying this is actually going to add predictability to the rental market, which is going to be good for my constituents who are renters, and also 125 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 going to be really useful to those that actually are offering rental housing to have a little bit more predictability in terms of what they can and cannot charge and that's going to help us to have much more affordable housing all across the State. So, I strongly urge favorable roll call and thank you for the attention.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The question is, shall House Bill 3564 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 39 Senators voting Yes, 16 voting No, 1 voting Present. House Bill 3564, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Sally Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I just need my reflection to be a No on my vote on House Bill 3799, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) The record will reflect your intention. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. Will the Members of the Committee on Assignments please report to the President’s Anteroom immediately? Senator Koehler, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Sims, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Mr. President, on the point of personal privilege, really.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Please state your point.
126 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Thank you, Mr. President. Earlier today, I offered Senate Resolution 506, it's a resolution welcoming our colleagues to the land of Lincoln from December 9th through the 13th for the annual conference, National Conference of the Council of State Legislators. But at the outset, let me thank the Members of the - - the Illinois Senate who are Members of the host committee - Senators Balkema, Bryant, Cunningham, DeWitte, Faraci, Feigenholtz, Fine, Guzmán, Johnson, Lewis, Hunter and Murphy. But I also want to remind Members that early bird registration for the conference ends on November 7th, which is just one week away, visit CSG.org to register and for agenda information. But Mr. President, throughout this year as National Chair of the Council of State Government, my National Chair's Leadership Initiative has been service with civility. And in August, in recognition of Civility Month, we launched a National Service -- National Service with Civility Project as part of my 2025 National Leadership Initiative. This project invites state leaders across the country. Mr. President, I think you are wearing one of those buttons to make a public commitment to serve with civility. So, but so by and by you can do that. Take that pledge by going to CSG.org/civility. To date, more than three hundred or more than a hundred and fifty state officials from both sides of the aisle, from across the country have taken this pledge. And upon doing so, you will receive that a box, a gift box that -- Mr. President is modeling one of our gifts but so you'll get that. And you also have some peer awards that you can give out and, Mr. President, today, I would like to do a couple of those first. Mr. President, I would like to acknowledge my good friend and colleague and seatmate Leader Dave Koehler, who has served with civility, who has served as a model 127 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 for an example for all of us with the work that you do. But I would be remiss if I did not thank the leaders and acknowledge the leaders on both sides of the aisle. Minority Leader John Curran, who also is an example of civility, who allows even though when we have debates that can sometimes get contentious, he always does so and participates in the manner in which this -- this Chamber and our -- and both of our sides of the aisle expect and demand. So, Leader Curran we have an award for you, as well. And of course, my good friend and one of my longtime friends and partners in service, the leader of our side of the aisle and leader of this Chamber, the Senate President, Don Harmon, someone who is absolutely committed to allowing all of us to have the space to engage in the debates that that are, that allow us to have the best policies and forward the best policies necessary both in our respective caucus and in this Chamber. So, we have an award for Senate President Harmon, as well. So, thank you, thank you, thank you, Senator -- President Harmon, for your work. Again, thank you everyone. Neil, you don't have one. You got to take the pledge first. Thank you everyone -- thank you everyone for -- for -- for all of the work that we are doing. Again, we have some issues to -- we have issues that have been contentious, but the strength of the Illinois Senate is that we are able to do this in a way and in a manner that recognizes the respective perspectives of our -- of the Districts that we represent in the State of Illinois. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Thank you, Senator. Senator Aquino, back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports. 128 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments reports, the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 5 to House Bill 1312 and Floor Amendment 4 to House Bill 1437. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) We're going to go to page 2 of the Calendar. House Bill 1312, President Harmon. President Harmon seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1312 to the Order of Second Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading now is House Bill 1312. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to adopt the amendment.
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?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon, on your amendment.
I tabled Amendment No. 3. 129 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 5, offered by President Harmon.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to adopt Amendment No. 5.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading, is Senate Bill 1312. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1312, an Act concerning government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) President Harmon, to explain your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I certainly hope that Senator Sims civility awards survive the duration of the debate. This is a very serious bill and a very serious time. This bill is a bill in response to the unprecedentedly aggressive immigration enforcement efforts 130 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 happening primarily in the Chicagoland region. It is a product of a great deal of work among our caucus, with lead roles played by the Members of our Latino caucus, together with the Governor's Office, the Attorney General's Office, colleagues in the House. The bill before us now with these two amendments is a consolidation of five bills that were introduced earlier, with some revisions based on comments and concerns that we've heard. I'm going to ask you, Mr. President, to recognize some of the sponsors of the underlying bills after I present the first component of the bill. The first component is a bill that in no way impedes ICE from doing its job lawfully, in Illinois. We want our immigration laws enforced. We want them enforced responsibly, we do not want them enforced in a way that harms people or infringes upon their constitutional rights. I'm going to read just two sentences from the bill so that you understand the nub of it. Any person may bring a civil action against any person who, while conducting civil immigration enforcement, knowingly engages in conduct that violates the Illinois Constitution or the United States Constitution. As used in this Section, civil immigration enforcement does not include an action committed by a law enforcement officer or peace officer that's acting within the officer's powers and duties, consistent with Illinois law. I want to emphasize this for two reasons. One, it is limited to those officers conducting immigration -- civil immigration efforts not anyone collateral, anyone protecting protesters, not anyone trying to do their job as a local police officer. Number two, it is very clear now with the amendments, that a qualified immunity defense remains in place for any law enforcement officer who is following State law. The only thing this portion of the bill attempts to do 131 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 is to ensure that if an immigration officer exceeds the scope of their authority and infringes upon someone's core constitutional rights in the process, that injured person may go to court and seek redress. The other four components, Mr. President are sensitive places requiring policies in place for institutions, here in Illinois, that will have interactions with immigration officers. I'd ask if we might recognize, Senator Aquino, who was the first sponsor of two of those provisions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Aquino.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to President Harmon. I'm going to speak about two provisions. One is the hospital license. We're amending the Hospital Licensing Act to create the Healthcare, Sanctity and Privacy Law. It mandates that the hospitals in the State develop a set of policies and procedures regarding interactions with law enforcement, including provisions addressing verification of law enforcement identity and authority, law enforcement, access to approved areas of the hospital, patient privacy, amendments to the medical records, annual training and making contact information for immigrant rights groups available to patients, staff, and visitors. The other -- the other component that I was honored to work on was to amend the Child Care Act of 1969 to require licensed daycare centers to adopt policies that require, amongst -- amongst several things, a written plan of action for interacting with law enforcement agents, including provisions addressing private spaces and establishing how a primary point of contact shall verify authority procedures for notifying and seeking written consent from a child's parents or 132 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 guardian. If a law enforcement agent requests access to personally identifiable information from the children's records, unless such access is in compliance with a judicial warrant or order, or a subpoena that restricts the disclosure of the information to the child's parents or guardians. And lastly, families enrolled at a licensed daycare center to update their emergency contact lists biannually and, excuse me, and additionally, the notifications should be given within a reasonable time period to parents and guardians and the Department if immigration enforcement actions occurs at the licensed daycare centers or in environments. I just want to give a really quick connection to my District and to my family, in this. I speak proudly and I have spoken proudly in this Chamber not too long ago about -- and I had a flags here that my family's Puerto Rican, that means that I born here are on an island like my parents were are American citizens. I was born in the City of Chicago; my parents happened to be born on that island, but we are proudly American citizens. I married the -- Chicago Garrett's popcorn has a Chicago mix and in Chicago Latino community, we also have a Chicago mix, and that's Puerto Rican and Mexican. Many families like myself I fell in love with a Mexican American lady whose mother was born in New Mexico. It was -- it was Mexico at a time, and then it became part of this country she was born in the state of New Mexico. My father-in-law was born in Mexico City. I want to establish that because I want my colleagues to understand we have all seen what's happening on TV and in social media. But for some of us, unfortunately, it is a daily occurrence of federal overreach into spaces that in the past, we wouldn't have necessarily thought that we needed to put certain provisions like this of best practices so that people when they go to these places 133 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 feel safe. Healthcare facilities where doctors take a Hippocratic oath to care for all, all humans that come through those doors, daycare facilities that are supposed to take care of every single child, no matter if they or their family have some sort of document or not. Children, in my District, there was a viral moment that happened that federal agents took someone that they, in pursuit of, unfortunately broke their leg, needed emergency services, took them to a local hospital, Humboldt Park Health and in response, because the administrators didn't know what to do, didn't have sort of have that plan because we've seen it in the news. But until it hits home, many times you're not prepared, they called a local elected officials -- elected official rather, excuse me, a local alderperson, and asked her to come to assist them. This alderperson simply was asking what judicial warrant that they had to detain this person to protect and uplift this person Fourth Amendment right, their rights. The alderperson, as many of you all probably saw in the videos and on the news or in social media, was aggressively detained. That same day, my children happened to go to daycare a block away from there and because of all the ICE activity and so forth, at some point they parked in front of the daycare center and the daycare center folks that work there, staff, weren't sure if they were going to try to come inside the daycare center. So, they locked down because they weren't sure, because they've heard that they went to the hospital place that we wouldn't have thought that they, you know, folks would go into for these things a civil issue. And so, my wife and I get a text, an alert, on our app, we are on lockdown. I will tell you that is not a text, in any situation you want to get. That the security of your children potentially is at risk. But the response here and I would 134 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 just say is why this legislation, why these provisions, is to codify best practices in these places, so that all hospitals in the State of Illinois are able to have these -- these policies in place so that if there's an interaction with law and there is an interaction with law enforcement daily at some hospitals of local law enforcement, and we work these provisions so that they can understand, and we want to make sure that our healthcare providers are safe. Look, that beautiful Mexican American lady that I married is a nurse and worked in an intensive care unit. So, I want to make sure her, and her colleagues are safe we work through those provisions. We codify things that I think years ago we would never thought we would necessarily put forward but we need to make sure that while this may be intensified in certain communities, it can happen in any community. So, that's why we want statewide to make sure that we have those things there at daycare centers and other places that my colleagues will speak up of. I will end with -- with -- with this, I started by saying I'm an American citizen, my parents are American citizens, my grandparents, my in-laws are both American citizens. One might have been born in a different country, but they're both American citizens and all of my children, grandparents, while being American citizens because they are brown, have a Latino surname, might listen to Spanish music in their car, fear leaving their homes, take passports to go to do groceries, to go to church, to send their kids to school, to pick up their kids at daycare. There are people deferring life saving measures and not going to their -- to -- to -- to -- to the hospital, to the doctor, cancer patients, people that need dialysis because they fear that the moment that they leave home is the last moment they may see their family. With that, I will defer to my 135 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 other colleagues to defer back to President Harmon or…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) We'll next go to, Senator Villanueva. Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to speak quickly on the provisions having to do specifically with courthouses just to read into the record, because I want to be clear about what the bill does and what the different Sections of the bill does, particularly in regard to courthouses. It provides that a person who is a party or witness to a state court proceeding, or a court companion of such person, meaning a family member, a household member, is privileged from civil arrest while going to, remaining at, and returning from the place of the court proceeding. This privilege extends to inside and outside the courthouse, including parking facilities, sidewalks, and streets serving or surrounding the courthouse, as well as any public way within a thousand feet of the courthouse building. Civil arrests do not include criminal arrests or arrests for contempt of court, or a violation of probation, parole, pretrial release, or supervised release, as well as an arrest supported by a judicial warrant or judicial order authorizing the arrest. This bill and the language that we have also makes clear that nothing in the Act prevents a criminal arrest or execution of a criminal arrest warrant based on probable. It also further provides that a court may issue an order to protect the privilege from civil arrest under this Act or common law. I want to say a couple of things. So, again, that we're in the same place, Illinois has long recognized common law privilege against civil arrest in and around courthouses recognizing Illinois court system only works when litigants, witnesses, victims, and others 136 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 seeking justice through our legal system actually participate. Illinois courts have recognized this common law privilege as early as eighteen hundreds, so we're talking like centuries. Throughout this process, we worked with advocates, we worked with attorneys, with neighbors that these civil arrests are keeping people from going to court or seeking help. The civil arrest because of immigration related arrests are civil arrests, have resulted in witnesses not participating, orders of protection, petitions not being filed, and resources being wasted and when witnesses or parties don't come to court, it doesn't just affect them, it affects all of us. This bill writes that the common law principle writes the common law principle into statute, making clear that a person is protected from a civil arrest when they are attending anything, or attending an Illinois State court proceeding, or when they're going to and from that proceeding. This bill makes sure that if any kind of civil arrest must happen, whether or -- over an ordinance violation, an immigration issue, or any noncriminal issue, it can't interfere with another ongoing civil or criminal court case. I -- the hell that my community has lived for the past week and weeks and months is something that I don't wish on any of you. Seeing my community members, my neighbors, my friends and colleagues get tear gassed, get hit with rubber bullets and lives be threatened with automatic weapons is not something that I wish on any of you. What I have witnessed with my own eyes is not something that I wish on anybody in this country, I don't wish on anybody in this world. For the simple fact of having the color of skin that I have, of being born to the parents that I was born to and for anybody that questions, well, you know, you look like… I was born in Chicago. I am a Chicago kid born and raised and yet my 137 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 life is threatened every single day enough to the point that earlier this week, chaos ensued in front of my District office, where a vehicle literally almost crashed into my District office with my staff inside. So, anybody that thinks, well, you know, they're just whatever. They're going after criminals; they're going after animals, no, they're going after anybody who looks like me, they're going after public servants who work for a good friend of mine who happens to be my alderman in the City of Chicago, who are U.S. Citizens? It doesn't matter, because they don't ask questions. I've sat here and fought for the rights of domestic violence survivors and for those we have lost and there are people who are living in domestic violence situations right now who are so afraid of leaving their homes to go file an order of protection and yet, that's okay for people. That is okay for those people to live with that threat in their lives, on top of the world crashing down upon them. So when you get to go home at night and sleep in your bed and not have to worry about the things that are going bump in the night, I tell you about the helicopters that start whirling at 4 a.m. over the homes and my home. The trauma that that ensues for the children that are having to wake up and go to school and not know if they're going to see mom and dad at home at the end of the day, I will tell you about that families being torn apart, and I will tell you about the reality that of the pain and the cruelty and the inhumanity that is being inflicted on my community, on my District, on the communities in this State that are also American. For the simple fact, of looking the way that I do. I'm going to fight back for all of them, it's the reason why I go out there every single time there's a call that tear gas is going off, or somebody shows up to abduct our community members, 138 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 I'm going to go out there every single time, because I took an oath that we all took to uphold the Constitution of this State and the Constitution of this Country, and due process is a reality. It is not a dream; it is a law it is a right and I'm going to fight for every single one of those rights until the day I die.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Aquino, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villa, for further discussion.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the Section of Higher Education, this bill, this part of the bill, what it does is that -- it says that all public schools of Higher Education must also develop procedures to prohibit the disclosure of student or employees immigration or citizenship status, unless required by federal law. Educational institutions already must comply with federal student Privacy and education record law under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA. As FERPA is a federal statute, any education institution receiving federal funding is legally bound to follow FERPA requirements requiring -- regarding student privacy and educational records. This bill, this Section of the bill, also states that Higher Education institutions must provide immigration enforcement resources on the school's website, issue a notification to all students when there is confirmed immigration enforcement activity on campus. The bill prohibits a public school of Higher Education from impeding students or employees from attending or offering Know Your Rights trainings. The bill also creates a private right of action for someone to bring a lawsuit against a public school of Higher Education if the school violates 139 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 its law enforcement procedures or improperly discloses immigration or citizenship information. The American dream often consists of immigrant families who work hard and raise their children in hope that one day they grow up and enter a Higher Education institution. My own father, whom many of you have met tells a funny story. He talks about when my brother and I were babies, that he asked someone, and by the way, he was still undocumented at this time, a young man in his early twenties. He tells a story that he asked someone what it would cost to send his students to school here in the United States, and when he heard the number, the story that he tells is funny and he says because he worked on a farm his whole life. So, he says he started working like a donkey and that he put these blinders on and he just kept working. He kept working because his goal was to one day pay for his children to be able to go through college. And you see, when I was a child and then a teenager, I was often rebellious and had a lot of feelings because I wanted my dad to be present on so many occasions that he was absent from because he was working. And it didn't click until when I went to school, and my dad was actually able to achieve his goal of sending his daughter and paying for her to go through school through a master's program. Very few times I'm able to pay him back for all of that. But when I became an elected official, they say that no one other than the elected official is supposed to sit in the Chair. And my dad sat first in my Chair in the House, and he sat first in my Chair here in the Senate. Currently, there are two hundred and sixteen thousand and seventy-two students enrolled in Higher Education that identify as Latino or Asian. To them -- to them, I say we see you hold your head high as you walk through your journey of becoming doctors or lawyers or engineers or 140 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 whatever you want to become, hold your head high. Our ancestors are so proud of you, we are so proud of you, and you are the best of us. Let this legislation and every single legislator that votes for it be a reminder that you are not alone. Let history remember this moment and this voice -- this vote. I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For Further discussion? Senator Guzmán, for what purpose do you seek recognition? SENATOR GUZMÁN: To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill. SENATOR GUZMÁN: Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise today with the weight of my community in my chest, a community that is watching to see whether we too will turn away from what they have been living through or whether we will stand with them in the light. Since I took my oath at the top of the year, this has been much of my daily reality, cars left on the sides of the street with the ignition on, and the question that my team and I ask each other, each other all the time. Is someone safe? Is someone kidnapped? Has something more sinister perhaps occurred that we may never know? I think a lot about the dance shoes that a father had to leave behind when he couldn't return to pick up his daughter from dance class because he was detained. The construction helmet still spinning on the ground when a pillar of our community was disappeared. Illinoisans that have been taken, who look like me, who sound like me, who are simply living their lives. The text messages, they come in at all hours. Community members who have 141 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 been detained across the street from their schools, ICE vehicles without plates, tearing through our streets without concern for law or safety, families who are afraid at the doctor's office afraid at our hospitals, afraid in the very spaces where safety and dignity should be unquestioned. I have stood in crowds where fear met force I have been tear-gassed alongside my neighbors more times than I can count. A gas mask sits permanently in my help my desk toolkit. This is not normal; this is not okay, and our communities are not okay. But we are still here, we are showing up, we are still refusing to surrender in the dark (speaking Spanish). This suite of bills does not shield wrongdoing. It shields humanity, it protects due process, dignity, and the simple right for our neighbors and our residents to live without constant fear. No one should have to question if getting the services that they need in these spaces mean they might not make it home we have a sacred duty as elected's to care and to provide for all of our people. So, today, colleagues, we choose whether this terror continues or whether we stand resolve to protect the constitutional rights that our oath demands of us. Today, we choose whether we turn away or whether we hold a mirror up and say to our communities, we see you. We will use every lawful tool to protect you, and we will not look away. So, for our neighbors, for our family members, for our Illinoisans, and for our babies searching for safety and light, I urge an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator Cervantes, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President. 142 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
So, I typically don't speak much if it's not my bill, but this is a time where I do have to express myself as I represent the town of Cicero, Berwyn, and our Latino community. And I just want everybody to see and understand what we have to do today just to give our people a fighting chance. Our communities (speaking Spanish) we're being, we're being, we're being chased down. We're being, we're being hunted down and as a Latino caucus and hopefully the rest of the Body knows here that we have to do these things to, to help our people. I'm here in Springfield right now, and I have a eighty-year-old mother right now. I have no other family in Chicago and I'm. I'm worried that, you know, they're just going to grab her, she's an American citizen, she got her citizenship in 1988, but she walks around with her ID and with her voter registration card because she's scared. Because she's brown, and she and her English is broken, that they're just going to take her in, and then who knows if I could find her? So, these are what we have to deal with every single day in our community. So, I just hope that we all could just stand together to help our most vulnerable people right now for what we're going through. So, again, just hope to get as much support as possible for this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator Castro, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President. 143 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber, this is not a Chicago issue. This is not a West Chicago issue. This is not a Berwyn issue. This is not an Elgin issue. This is an Illinois issue for many of us who have spoken here today, and I commend all the sponsors who've commended all the work, this is something we are living day in and day out for weeks, months. We have had and I have had friends who have been picked up. We've seen U.S. Citizens being wrongfully detained. We have seen their due process rights, where folks kick in doors and get dragged out of their own homes. We see the hard-working men and women who literally go to work, leave their children at school and end up not returning home. Just imagine, put yourselves in your shoes, those shoes. What would happen if you dropped your kids off at school and school ends, and you're not there to pick them up? The chaos and the emptiness that is felt during that situation is something all of us are experiencing. It is traumatic for those families, it is traumatic for our community people who have come to this country to live the American dream, who pay taxes, who shop our stores, who do for our economy and live want to live that dream. The tamale lady who put two kids through college, the gentleman, the brothers who do hardwood flooring, who had two daughters who were childcare providers who are in their twenties, who are now trying to navigate a system because they were detained, shipped off, took them days to figure out where they were only to not be afforded a due process. And by the time they got that due process, they were deported. That is what we are living right now, and what we have put forth 144 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 shows to our communities we are here and we hear you, we are here and we will fight for you within the law. We can and I know many of you have asked or have participated in, like, how can we help? The best way, the here and now is to help support this, these, these measures and see them over to the finish line. I urge an Aye vote, as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Leader Curran, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I wanted to address too, this is a big bill in omnibus, but there are two parts of it I wanted to address. The first being the courthouse or the thousand feet around a courthouse prohibition. Recently, we had a tragedy in southern Illinois where two, two illegal immigrants. The driver of the vehicle, Edwin Pacheco Meza, was under the influence, crashed into a Coles County Board Member Michael Clayton and his wife, Gail, who both unfortunately died. After when officers arrived on the scene, they found in the vehicle, Mr. Pacheco Meza and his passenger their vehicle ammunition illegal under the laws of Illinois for them to possess it. Illegal narcotics along with open alcohol. When one of the undocumented immigrants was released from the courthouse ICE had already lodged a detainer but the officials in Coles County, under our laws, are prohibited from any sort of cooperation or communication on that detainer. So, they simply took ICE 145 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 immigration officials simply took that individual into custody outside the courthouse, a very orderly transfer. What this bill will do now is prohibit that, we don't allow the officials, the law enforcement officials, to communicate in any way on an ICE detainer, a civil hold. We're now going to push them a thousand feet away, and now that detaining on that civil warrant is going to occur where it's going to now occur in neighborhoods. We're pushing this more and more with these prohibitions into uncontrolled settings and with uncontrolled settings there are heightened risks and a lot of the videos we're seeing; we don't like we don't like a lot of what we're seeing. But these videos are taking place in very uncontrolled settings. It doesn't make a lot of sense to be going that route, I would tell you this individual, we talk about people violating criminal laws that don't that are not here lawfully, not here legally, in this State, in this country. There's a consensus in the public that those that that's who we should be targeting but what we're doing here is putting a prohibition, we're making it harder for that to occur. In fact, Illinois has been going down this road of prohibiting law enforcement from in any way communicating and cooperating. There's been talk about the Trust Act. The original Trust Act actually allowed that communication but when Governor Pritzker got into office in 2021, he expanded the Trust Act. And what he -- in what he signed into law, the Illinois Way Forward Act, it outright banned state and local governments from any way working with or communicating with immigration officials and someone that's detained, even if they're dangerous, even if they're being detained under a serious a serious felony. And right now, we're at the point where the Department of Corrections could have an illegal immigrant 146 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 convicted and found guilty of murder in their custody they can't communicate with ICE on that detainer. What I would tell you is that these prohibitions were putting in place are not upholding due process, they're impeding due process. It's going the opposite direction what we ought to be thinking about when we don't because where we're at right now, immigration laws need to be enforced. We don't --there are those that advocate that they don't like how they're being enforced, but we're but actively making it harder to enforce those laws. We should be thinking about cooperation, we should be thinking about federal, state, local officials working in a cooperative manner. Cooperation instead of chaos, a better approach. The other part of this, this act I wanted to address is the Bivins Act, and there are other states. There's a couple of them. Illinois has not to this point in our -- in the Illinois Civil Rights Act we don't bring in violations of the federal constitution, it's just Illinois's Constitution. Some states have gone down that road and have brought in the federal violations of the federal Constitution as well. A broad approach, empowering all of its citizenry in, in the in that state and on any action by a federal official. But what we've done here, because, again, we're focused on the politics of, of the issue is we're only going to allow or empower someone to act if it involves immigration enforcement, if it involves something else, if it if it involves something with ATF, if it involves something else with another federal enforcement agency. No opportunity to redress that selective approach maybe may suit the political issue of the day you're trying to address but long term, it is, again, picking winners and losers and leaving many Illinoisans behind. What I would tell you is in that Bivins Act, I think you're teeing it up 147 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 for all these all these cases are going to take place in federal court. They're all going to be removed to the federal court, all these lawsuits. There's already a federal right for a federal official to have a matter removed to federal court in the overreach in this, and where we have also strayed from a couple other states that have gone down this path in a broad approach is punitive damages, aggravating factors like wearing a face mask, aggravating factors like not having a license plate on the car when you're an enforcement official, carrying out your federal duties under federal law, where you are. I'm voting No, teeing this up for the Supreme Court to set this aside. You're actually making it easy on them because, again, it's the overreach rather than a simple broad approach for all Illinoisans and just getting redress, we layer on punitives, we layer on aggravating factors, trying to address every video frame we're watching that you don't like. I would just tell you; you may want to rethink this approach; this is going to get set aside by the U.S. Supreme Court that part you got severability. And when you come back to this again, can we think about cooperation starting to sync up federal, state and local officials working together it is going to create a safer environment for all. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Thank you. With further discussion, Senator Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. So, Leader Curran mentioned the tragedy in my district Friday night and Mike Clayton, Coles County Board Member and his wife, Gail were both killed by an illegal drunk driver who had a magazine, extended mag, ammunition, drugs, 148 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 and of course, alcohol in his car. Two others from my district were life-flighted with life-threatening injuries. They are expected to survive and yet, this provides a real time case study in what will happen if this bill passes because here's why. And by the way, Leader, I don't want to quibble with you, but well, Mike was from Coles County and was on the county board. There it was, Clark County, the next county down where this occurred, and so was the Clark County Sheriff. And the next morning, Pacheco was detained pending the homicide, reckless homicide charge, aggravated DUI, and all that, but his passenger, who was with him, also illegal, walked out the front door under the Trust Act under the existing Trust Act. If this bill passes, he would get a thousand-foot head start on ICE. As it was, it was a somewhat early transition; he still wasn't in handcuffs, he was not handed in handcuffs, which would have been the safest way to do it over. But instead, he'll get a thousand-foot head start; well, that's great for safety. Let's get a foot chase going. Whose car are you going to attempt to hijack? Whose store are you going to break into? Whose home are you going to break into in your foot chase as you're being chased by ICE because you got a thousand-foot head start? Here's what the Coles County Sheriff did say about the existing trust Act, and I think he was actually very guarded. In his words, he says, "I'm very frustrated with this legislation, and my colleagues in law enforcement, both local and statewide, share that frustration. Local law enforcement's hands will remain tied unless and until the General Assembly repeals or amends the Trust Act", but here we're actually expanding it. We're going to give the bad guys a thousand-foot head start and keep our police handcuffed. I will say this, and I'm being as bad as reserved as 149 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 I can possibly be under the circumstances, Mike and Gale are at least the fifth and the sixth in east central Illinois in the last couple of years have been killed by an illegal in our area. By the way, I don't even know why these two guys were in Clark County the other night. The road they were on literally, unless you grew up there, no one even know that road exists. It's the back road, the back way to Terre Haute. For those of us who grew up in Charleston live in Charleston, unless you're going to Casey or Terre Haute, there's no reason to even be on that road what were two guys with ammunition drugs, doing on that road in the middle of the night? But never mind that for a minute. Gail, Mike were five and six this week lo and behold Julio Bull, an illegal from Guatemala who killed two young ladies, Chloe from Deerfield and Katie from Glenview as he flew high speed down University Avenue in Champaign County, was sentenced. He got thirty years, thirty years for taking Chloe and Katie's lives. I don't really consider that a fair trade, what I want to come back to is what Leader Curran said. Imagine what would happen if we just cooperated. Imagine if we all realized there's some really bad people here that need to leave, imagine if we acted like adults. Like what's going on in Tennessee where there's cooperation? We're actually taking bad guys and guns off the streets. What about D.C.? Everybody, when D.C. was all upset, well, now they got safe streets, that crime's down. They've taken tons and tons of guns off the streets and yet here we are, making things worse in Illinois. We can't keep sticking our head in the sand, folks. And I'll tell you what and I say this with all due respect to some of the former speakers, and I do say it with respect, I will fight for Mike Clayton and Gail Clayton, Katie, Chloe and everybody else because this is insane. And I'm not going 150 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 to give somebody a thousand-yard head start, a thousand-foot head start to flee Ice detention, which is only going to make things less safe. How many think, oh, yep, here I am, I'll just walk the thousand feet right over to you. ICE you just stand on the other side of that bright red thousand-foot line. Here I am, handcuff me. Or do you think what will happen? Will they take off running? Once you have a foot chase, you got a real problem because now you're putting everybody else's lives in danger. Every vehicle, every person in a vehicle around it, every homeowner around it, every business around it, the law enforcement officers, the courthouse staff, the people in the courthouse. Now, you know what, Sheriff Brown down in Clark County, he doesn't deserve the heat he's getting from the constituents who are wondering why he let the second guy with the ammo and the drugs walk out the door. He doesn't deserve that; all he was doing was following the law. The law that you passed and the law that you're now to make a thousand foot worse. Y'all, we got to get reality here. There's got to be a gut check and reality check we cannot handcuff our police while letting the bad guys get a thousand-foot head start, and I will not be silent when I've got at least six and nobody wants this, oh, no big deal we'll tell that to Mike's brother, Chris.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) But further discussion? Senator Chesney, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
151 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Twenty million people, twenty million people. Illegal immigrants came into our country under the Joe Biden administration. You guys didn't say anything, you guys didn't say a word. You rolled out the red carpet for illegal immigrants in this State, you gave illegal immigrants the best healthcare which crashed our healthcare system. You gave them the best housing, which led to the housing crisis and then you're packing them -- our schools and they don't know English. And then, as the wraparound services you love to hate on Governor Rauner, but you love when he signed the Trust Act. But what you don't tell the whole story on the Trust Act is that Pritzker put the Trust Act on steroids, which prevented local law enforcement from coordinating with the federal authorities. Then, just a few years ago, and you did that all in the name of protecting DACA recipients and dreamers, you said that's why we're going to do it. Also, similar time you did the Safety Act, actually a few years later, and the elimination of cash bail because the majority party made the argument that poor people shouldn't be in jail just because they're poor. Remember these conversations? A lot of people are dying, a lot of illegal immigrants are coming to this country, and it's not without victims. You guys on the other side of the aisle, you opened up the state, and you provided them the absolute best of everything. You decried when governors, like the governor in Texas, sent illegal immigrants up to Illinois. You actually, you guys lost your minds, even though you asked for it. Governor Pritzker's exact words are those are my people. You know, folks, we all represent just over two hundred thousand people. I don't represent illegal immigrants; they can go back. They have representation, representation in their home countries. I don't represent illegal 152 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 immigrants, maybe you guys do, but I don't. You opened up illegal immigrants into this State, but here's one undeniable fact, you would never open them up to your own home. How many illegal immigrants live in your spare bedroom? Don't even need to answer it. I know the answer. It's zero, none of you Democrats on the other side of the aisle are going to open up an illegal immigrant to your homes. You're not also going to put these illegal immigrants on the Gold Coast or Pritzker Park. Where do you guys put illegal immigrants in the poorest areas in the State of Illinois? But you got a little pushback, didn't you? So, how'd you get around the pushback? You said we couldn't put these big encampments in the State of Illinois, in the poorest areas in the South Side of Chicago. So, what are we going to do? We're going to say we couldn't do it because of environmental concerns. No, the reason you didn't do it is because people in the South Side of Chicago lost their mind, and they didn't want it in their communities either. Pritzker aint putting it next to his house, of course he's not. But in the City of Chicago, you're four times more likely to get killed than you are if you live in New York City or LA. In the City of Chicago, every five hours for the user represents City of Chicago. Every five hours, somebody is shot; every twenty hours, somebody is killed. We never talk about the victims, the victims that are created by your policies. I will, just a few months ago, Darcy Brunner in my district lost her life to an illegal immigrant. She was driving north in my district on a well-traveled highway, a guy that killed her multiple felon DUI's, domestic battery, illegal immigrant. Plowed her smack right in the middle of the day, drunk as a skunk, couldn't detain, couldn't get out of this country because of the Safety Act and the 153 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Trust Act and the policies that you all pass. Darcy didn't agree with me on policy; she was more aligned with your side of the aisle. She was a good person, she was a good mother, and a good person of our family -- a good person of our community and she is dead because of policies that you guy's pass. Where's the outcry for Darcy and her family? Where's the outcry for the grandkids that aren't going to be able to hug their grandma because of the policies that you create? The person that killed Darcy Brunner in my community, multiple felons convicted in the court of law couldn't deport, couldn't get him out of my area because of the trust Act and the Safety Act and the personal protection that you provide to illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants is not a victimless, victimless crime. People get hurt and today you're going to hit it on the accelerator. People in this State are so tired of being of ICE agents and cops being called racists. They're not racist, they're heroes. They're not profiling, they're doing their damn job. Now, many of you on the other side of the aisle are running for Congress, you don't like the immigration laws. Change them it is illegal to come into this country without proper documentation. That is a federal crime, that isn't a neighbor. That isn't an ally, that is a criminal. Now, the Democrats have often said, we want these people to come into our communities because who's going to clean our hotels? Who's going to pick our crops? How offensive. Who do you all work for? You drive down the wages of everyday Americans so, you can provide cheap labor and maybe down the road a vote. That's the truth in 2023 and 2024, the population of the State of Illinois was projected to go up about sixty-seven thousand almost exclusively surrounded around illegal immigration. The people that are citizens of this State, they've 154 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 said no, they're no longer voting, they're no longer complaining. They're no longer advocating; they're getting the hell out of this State because you all won't keep them safe. You want to scream and yell and hold cameras at Ice officials? We call them heroes. The Democrats, you call them racists. How offensive? How offensive to the men and women in uniform that we ask to protect our communities, how offensive. You guys have been on the wrong side of policies for quite some time, but this is an eighty-twenty issue. You can be in rural Illinois, suburban Illinois, downtown Chicago, south side of Chicago. U.S. citizens deserve that shot. Today, what you've done is you've taken just a little bit away from an American to get that shot, somebody that calls Illinois home, and you've created a thousand-foot buffer zone for ICE agents. You know what else gets a thousand-foot buffer zone? Sex offenders. You've compared ICE agents to sex offenders and racists. How disgusting, how despicable.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) With further discussion? Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, listening to debate here I just want to try to take it down a little bit. There seems to be, and again, I'm going to focus on the macro here. There seems to be just a fundamental difference of how our side of the aisle, and your side of the aisle see the law and I listen, I understand some 155 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 of the, some of the stories that were told I, I have a heart, I understand but as one Senator said, people are worried about dropping their kids off at daycare and then not being able to pick up their kid from daycare. Well, I mean, if I committed a crime and then drop my kid off, and then law enforcement picked me up and arrested me that's not a surprise, I broke the law. Now we have a difference. On what in-laws -- what laws we want to enforce. Eight U.S. Code 1325, it's a federal law, you cannot cross the border without proper documentation or coming through a legal port of entry. That's the law. The Biden Administration didn't enforce that law. The law was still there; they just didn't enforce it. The Trump Administration and Republicans are enforcing that law. It's just the difference. Now, as the previous speaker said, if you guys want to change that law and somehow make the law to where if the people are coming over here, not through a legal port of entry, but it's with good intention. I mean, you can write that law, but the law is black and white. You either come through a legal port of entry, or you do not. It doesn't matter what your intent is, it doesn't matter if you're paying taxes. It doesn't matter if you're working, it does not matter. That's the fundamental difference here. Again, I understand that there are a lot of people here with good intentions, but gosh dang it, they came here illegally according to U.S. Federal law, and now we are telling our federal law enforcement and demonizing them for doing and upholding the law. We have to -- we have to as Democrats and Republicans, we have to come, and we have to stop throwing these huge, these huge bills out there that are just huge swaths of anti, you know, whatever it might be. Three point one million people deported under Obama. Five hundred and twenty-seven thousand under 156 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Trump. There was no outrage then enforcing the same law. One a Democrat, one a Republican. We got to come to some common ground here; we got to stop demonizing people for enforcing the current law. You don't like the law, change it. But that's the law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator Arellano Jr., for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Arellano.
Mr. President, when you introduced this and spoke to the gravity of the situation, you mentioned you'd work closely with the Latino Caucus. Did you work with all the Latinos in the Chamber?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. President. President Harmon.
Were you interested in working on the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
Absolutely. I -- my next question goes to the title on the board, and I'm not going to ask forgiveness for this question. I think my military service has precluded me to be a little bold on this one. It reads POW MIA Recognition Day, and yet I'm about to speak to immigration, which is also equally important. Why is this titled POW MIA Recognition Day? 157 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon.
Senator, a bill has two titles. The title in the bill, which in this case is an appropriate title for this bill, and a short title to describe the bill as it was introduced that refers to the bill as it was introduced. The title itself is more generic and suitable for amendment to address this issue.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I want to take this a step; a step higher go twenty thousand feet up real quickly and then come back to some of the specific discussions. The first thing I want to talk about is our immigration system, which I do think is broken. I think it needs work at the federal level, I think it needs work at the State level. The cartels make about ten billion a year on trafficking human beings. Migrants not legal or illegal, all of the above of about ten billion a year. During last year's elections in Mexico, roughly forty candidates were assassinated, primarily by the cartels for control over the nation and its drug pathways and its human trafficking pathways. Bribery and extortion are just part of daily life in Mexico now. Again, mostly fueled by America's drug habits and human trafficking across the border. Sex trafficking, drug trafficking, enslavement, sexual abuse are all common 158 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 experiences and many parts of South Central, and especially in Mexico as they get closer to the border. I went through a very weird pierce of piece of moral angst in the past couple of years as I follow this information and the cartels. And this is not a joke. Had taken over the avocado industry and I love avocados. I am a huge fan, and I realized when I went to the store, I was checking the labels on whether it was a Californian avocado, a Mexican avocado, because there was an itch in my soul that if I was buying a Mexican avocado, I was supporting child enslavement and numerous other problems. Now, why does that relate to us here in Illinois? I'm a State Senator and not a congressman because how we approach our immigration system and its failures, especially combined with drug trafficking and mules and the other activities of narco terrorism and cartels, is why we have this system. One stat I didn't mention because it's so big it doesn't matter is that since Mexico launched its war on the cartels in 2006, roughly a half a million, five hundred thousand people in Mexico have died. Some of them, quite frankly, had it coming, either killing each other in the cartels or in gunfights with the government. On average, over one policeman a day dies in Mexico right now, every day, primarily through the causes I just mentioned. And so, having illegal and enforced immigration system is about more for so many people on this planet than what has been discussed here. People are dying, and the people who are living are living in poverty, in terror. Take all of the things that you mentioned, which are serious, which matter to me, and magnify them several fold, and that is daily life for huge sections, and so there's some solutions. None of them are perfect, some of them are federal, and they've been failing. Both parties have been failing at some of 159 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 those solutions but at the state level, whether you're talking about drug enforcement, whether you're talking about human trafficking enforcement, whether you're talking about immigration enforcements, the best path is to have multi-agency, multi- jurisdiction, multi geographic coordination of enforcement between local, state and federal law enforcement so, the way this has historically Happened is that the federal government isn't generally even involved in the day to day parts of enforcement. It is done by state and local work, and they report up to federal agents, and typically, federal agents only get involved in the bigger cases or the mass cases, such as the massive amount of child labor found. I won't even mention the car company and some factories in the South, and often, typically, this was a southern state problem until we started incentivizing it in Illinois. And so, a number of years ago, we picked a path, and that path was we are not going to have safer, more disciplined, more effective, multi-jurisdictional enforcement where local voices are included, and State voices are included, and working where we can pull the Trump card that if we don't like how this has been done. We can pull out, we can pull out some of our resources, we can pull out our personnel. Our starting position is what used to be the final act of resistance for a local and state government, which is we're going to pull out not having to do with this, and you're going to have to pay for it yourself and go it alone, and you're not going to have local Intel from our local PD's and you're not going to have coordination of services, and you're going to have to resort to more drastic measures. And that is our starting position now in Illinois, and it was started under a Republican State Administration and then greatly accelerated under a Democratic 160 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Administration, where previously, under Section 15c, it had said it does not apply these rules to a law enforcement agency or law enforcement official if presented with a valid, enforceable federal warrant. Nothing in this Section 15 prohibits communication between federal agencies or officials and law enforcement agencies or officials. We've taken that part out, we've continued even firmly down a path, and now we've gotten to a stage on that path that we knew we were going to get to, which is there has been a break in trust with the public. There has been geographic turmoil and pressures such that it included a change of administration at the federal level and simultaneously, the feds are going it alone using tactics. By that, all you have told me bring me great concern as a small government conservative. I mean that genuinely, I give some credit to my colleague, Senator Preston. Sometimes it's hard to speak against your own party. There are parts of what are happening with federal enforcement that concern me. As a small government conservative, I take issue with how some of this done and yet I recognize that is our own actions in Illinois, turning away from that better path of coordination and cooperation and enforcing immigration properly, safely, ethically, as efficiently as possible, that got us to this point we're at. And so, one of the things I would have mentioned, and maybe it wouldn't have been welcomed, but at least I would have had the opportunity to talk to my colleagues about this, is that there are things we can do to promote coordination that would help solve some of these problems. Does that mean everyone in this chamber would like the current federal administration? No. Does it mean that I would suddenly turn into a big government, federal government-loving? Not conservative? No. But that path is still 161 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 open to us and the reason, other than my military frustration with seeing that title up there and how it was being used, is as I listened to these stories and was told how important this bill was, it was not important to have true diversity of thought and opinion in any of the weeks or months of session or time leading up to this. We had to take this bill and change it. And so, when I see our governor, who still to this day has a tweet up falsely warning that ICE was in schools and stirring up the political pot, and hasn't taken it down to this day. You realize I have to be suspicious that some of this is political posturing. If we're not seeking true diversity of thought and opinion, which we're not, and if we're out there stoking civil unrest, and I have to see candidates fundraising off of stoking civil unrest, I'm going to have some natural questions of my own. And so, I would close with this thought. It was mentioned coordination, not chaos, and cynically, you might think, I don't actually believe that, or I don't actually hear your concerns and think they're valid. I promise you; I do. I have some disagreements over how best to get Illinois out of this. I think those conversations are worthy of a discussion, and that discussion did not happen until the last moments of a Veto Session, which is why it's happening in this public setting. It's why I'm having to ask about this bill title on the Floor, and instead of those private conversations, and maybe suggesting there's a better vehicle than that particular language. I know this path forward has already been picked and the die is cast. So, I ask this at the next stage of discussions because I suspect this problem is not going to go away. I asked for a couple of things. First, I've already talked to some of my colleagues, some of my Latino colleagues, and said I would love to do a district 162 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 exchange. I've already started discussions with multiple of them to say, I want to come in there and I will proudly wear my skin, and I will proudly wear my citizenship, and I will not bring my passport, and I will walk through and see whatever it is you want me to see. I have no problem with that. And number two is, after we're over our anti-Trump ness and our anger with the federal government, when we are away from these public microphones, if we can have a serious conversation of how there are elements of coordination and information exchange that would prevent these most extreme of measures from being used by coordinating, like we do in almost any other law enforcement policy, state, local and federal enforcement of the law, while simultaneously, if needed, pushing for changes in that law at the federal level. That's part of speech. Why don't we engage in that? And I don't care if that takes till after the next elections, I don't care if that takes when we're not in Session. But there are other paths available to us. When Illinois picked this path to ignore federal law and push back on it, we started walking down a different path, and this is part of how we got to where we are right now. I am not going to urge a Yes vote or a No vote; I am not going to seek to disqualify any of the experiences spoken to by my colleagues, but I will say this approach was the wrong approach, and not all viewpoints were included. And I passionately, passionately believe that Illinois is on the wrong path in whatever sins taken at the federal government; we have some sins and mistakes of our own that led us here, and those are in our power to fix. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator Halpin, for what purpose do you seek recognition? 163 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
You know, I'm actually encouraged by some of the things that the previous speaker said, and I would say for one moment, put aside the underlying immigration issue. I represent some of the same rural areas that many of you do on the other side of the aisle, and the people in those districts in our districts would never accept masked, anonymous people claiming to be federal officials in our districts, coming to their towns, guns drawn with pepper spray, tear gas, allegedly attempting to enforce federal law. We all know exactly what our constituents would say and do under those circumstances. If this bill covered ATF or Bureau of Land Management, what would they be saying? You know exactly how they respond. If they were to march into a farmhouse without a warrant, put an entire family in zip ties, detain them for hours, search the home, or if not their home, what they'd say if it was their kid's daycare or their health clinic in town. Our colleagues have told the stories, and they can tell it much better because it's actually happening in their districts. But it's not just happening regardless of your opinion on immigration policy. It's not just happening to undocumented immigrants; this is happening to U.S. citizens, to permanent residents. It's happening to men and women, old and young, with legal status. It's wrong, we know it's wrong. I think you know it's wrong, and we have a chance to do something about that, regardless of the underlying policy, you would never stand for that in your communities. Just like I would 164 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 never stand for it in mine. I have a chance to vote with you all on any number of very difficult bills. I vote against my party. I have voted against the principal sponsors of this bill before, but I do it because I put my district first, and I'm trying to do what's right. And in this case, I think it's your turn. The reality is that this type of so-called enforcement, these actions are not going to stop just because the people on this side of the room are calling it out. It's only going to change if we get Republicans of good faith to call it out when it happens, and to actually actively try to do something about it. And so, I'm just I'm asking you to be one of them, and it may not be I think people made up their mind on this bill. It may not be on this bill, but go back to your districts and speak out. If you're going to talk about immigration enforcement and why breaking the law is wrong, say in the other breath, but it's also wrong to violate the constitutional rights, especially of American citizens, but of people in general. I appreciate you letting me take the time, and I would ask for a Yes vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Simmons, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Mr. President, I had not planned to speak on this bill, but I have to bear witness to the reality that the district I represent on the far North Side of Chicago has been hit every single day by 165 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 these raids. I have an uncle right now who is an Ethiopian immigrant who will not leave the house right now without a copy of his passport. He's a citizen of the United States, and I just cannot sit here and listen to the filth, the despicable slander that has been spoken by Members on the other side of the aisle about people I represent, about family members that are related to me to children that live within a block of where I live who cannot go to school right now whose parents are too afraid to leave the house. And I, as a Senator, have had to put on my State Senator vest with an orange whistle every day to make sure that they get to and from school safely. And so, I'm strongly in support of this legislation, and I can't, I cannot let what has been said here tonight sit on the record so that people will watch and listen to what has been said here, and think that there is people here that don't care or think that it's okay for people who are elected to this august Body to walk in here and purport to represent anybody in this State who would be a decent, taxpaying individual in this State. When I go back home tonight or tomorrow, I know what I'm going to see. It's going to be the same thing that we saw yesterday in Budlong Woods, where I grew up, where people are being rounded up, who are U.S. Citizens. Thank you to, Senator Halpin, for pointing that out because some of the people that are being detained are American citizens, some of the people that are being detained, some of the people that are being detained are fathers and mothers. Some of the people that are being detained are educators, some of the people that are being detained at Foster and Lincoln are reporters thrown to the ground, thrown to the gown [sic} ground within a hundred feet of the apartment that I grew up in. It happened three weeks ago; it happened again yesterday on 166 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 the block I grew up in where my family has lived for forty years. Decent, hardworking Americans of all racial backgrounds, Latinos, African immigrants like my family, white immigrants from Albania and Bosnia that's the community I grew up in, where reporters and journalists are being thrown to the ground and dragged like something from out of a something from out of history, out of the history books dark chapter of our past and so, I just -- I can't -- I can't stand it. I can't stand the complacency on this. I can't sit here and not say something and I sincerely hope that the people that have spoken on the other side of the aisle tonight will examine what is in their hearts and think more about this issue and think honestly about what is actually happening. And if you want to come to my district and see what people are going through, I welcome you. You can stay in my house and you can see the immigrant families who are being victimized every day right now, who will go back to tomorrow and will have to explain to them that there's nothing wrong with them that the American dream that brought them to this country is the right part of this country's history and that what we're seeing here right now is abnormal and disgusting. And so, I'm proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting this legislation and more importantly to express outrage at what should sicken all of us. And hopefully, we'll soon come to an end.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Preston, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 167 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 To the bill.
You know something that was stated here about the South Side of Chicago and the West Side of Chicago by one of our colleagues? It was it was kind of upsetting to try to link up some of the things that we cry out about that we experience, which is violence to this issue was wrong and it had no reason or rhyme to be put forth. I happened to represent people who were upset about so many immigrants being allowed to come into the country. It was a mixed bag. Many of the people didn't like it when they came over to the south side, but we all hate watching someone come to the community masked, snatching folks out of in the dark, away from their families, throwing children down to the ground, seeing videos where fathers are being snatched away from their babies and watching them cry. I don't want to go around and denigrate your community for political gain; I don't want to talk about Stephenson County having a D or F in rape statistics. That's not important, we should be working seriously to try to fix those types of things but what is important today is that when we stand up and we speak on these mics, we start to think about the people that I experience and what they're experiencing. Yes, there are real Americans who are being swept up. Black people on the South Side of Chicago, in neighborhoods like South Shore, are being detained, are being sent places, we don't know if they're ever coming back. And so, this is not about immigration. This is about the Constitution. This is about due process; this is about a campaign of terror, and there's no argument that what is being done by ICE agents is not in large part a practice of scaring the hell out of people, a practice of using the military in American cities in ways that's never been 168 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 done before by at least our own government. And so, I have went back and forth on this issue because my community has went back and forth on this issue, and that's the God-honest truth. But the -- but also on top of that truth is the way things are going right now. We have someone that is actually going to change the country for the worse, and we may not ever get it back. And so, I'm going to join my colleagues. All of your remarks were strong, they were authentic, and I know you meant it. And so, I would encourage everybody to vote Yes or to take a walk because this is much more than a piece of policy here. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Our last speaker on this issue, Leader Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I stand before you today not just as a State Senator, but as a Black woman who understands what it means when fear replaces justice in our communities. I stand with my Latino colleagues, my Latino neighbors and residents, my immigrant neighbors, and every family in the Village of Broadview and across Illinois who deserve to live without looking over their shoulder. What we're seeing isn't just happening somewhere else. It's happening right here in Illinois, in our schools, in our hospitals, and our neighborhoods. I've seen it with my own eyes. Families torn apart, students afraid to go to class, parents terrified to take their sick children to the hospital. I've seen a new wave of Chicago Black immigrants being 169 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 arrested and facing grave uncertainties. I'm seeing Chicago Black residents for no reason at all being invaded, and if they have a warrant, they go to jail. So, this supersedes what ICE is really saying they're here to do. This is not who we are, this is not what Illinois stands for; our constitution should not protect some people. It should protect all people, and when federal agents operate with masks and unmarked vehicles, when they turn hospitals into hunting grounds and schools into sites of fear, they are not just violating the law; they are violating our most sacred values. And as a Black woman, I know our history. I know it well, and I know what happens when constitutional protections are selective. I know what happens when some communities are deemed less worthy of dignity and due process, that's why I stand shoulder to shoulder with every community facing this terror today. We will not allow Illinois to become a place where seeking medical care is dangerous. Where going to court means risking arrest; we're dropping your children at daycare means wondering if you'll see them again. It's just -- they're wrong. This legislation is not radical. It's necessary, by all means necessary. It's a shield for the vulnerable and a warning to those who think they can operate above our constitution. To every family watching, every family, we see you, we hear you, and we will continue to fight for you. Illinois chooses justice, Illinois chooses compassion, and Illinois chooses all of its people. So, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I'm voting Yes, and I ask you to do the same.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, 170 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 I want to first start by thanking for their work in their community and for their work on this bill, Senator Aquino, Senator Villanueva, Senator Villa, Senator Castro, Senator Cervantes, Senator Guzmán. I am distraught and frightened, I never thought I'd live in a world where masked federal employees brandishing military weapons would jump out of vans without license plates and kidnap people, disappear people, U.S. Citizens. And today, those people are targeting residents who look like Senator Aquino and Senator Villanueva and Senator Villa, and Senator Castro and Senator Cervantes and Senator Guzmán but maybe they'll pick up a few extra people while they're at it. People who look like Senator Villivalam or Senator Peters or Senator Lightford and tomorrow they'll come for people who look like Senator Fine or Senator Feigenholtz, maybe Senator Faraci or Senator Porfirio, and then for Senator Joyce, for Senator Murphy, for Senator Cunningham, because we all come from people who are or who once were pushed to the margin. We're all on the list and when they run out of people in front of us, they're going to come for you and for me. This law will be challenged. We know that it will, but it doesn't mean it's not the right thing to do. And (Speaking Spanish). This is the morally right thing to do. I implore you to vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Ladies and Gentlemen, as this is an immediate effective date it will need 36 votes. With that, the question is, shall House Bill 1312 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that vote, there are 40 voting Aye, 18 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1312, having received the required constitutional majority, is 171 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 declared passed. 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 title, to wit: Senate Bill 1911 together with the following amendments which are attached to the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendments 1, 3, and 4 to Senate Bill 1911 passed the House, as amended October 30th, 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 the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of the bill with the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 90 together with the final -- following amendment, which is attached in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 90. Passed the House, as amended, October 30th, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) We're going to go to page 2 on the Calendar. House Bill 1437, Senator Cunningham. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill. Senator Cunningham seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 1437 to the Order 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1437. Mr. Secretary, any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
172 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Cunningham.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Cunningham, on your amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. President, I believe we're going to adopt Amendment No. 4 but let me check with staff on that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) So, you're withdrawing this amendment? Mr. Secretary, any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Cunningham.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Cunningham, on your amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. President, I wish to withdraw this amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Mr. Secretary, any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Cunningham.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Cunningham, on your amendment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. President, I move we adopt this amendment, it becomes the bill. I'd like to describe it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, the amendment is adopted. Any further Floor amendments approved for consideration? 173 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on 3rd Reading is House Bill 1437. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1437, an Act concerning State government. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Cunningham, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1437 is the kind of bill we often take up when we meet during our fall Session. It extends a number of statutory sunsets, most of which are scheduled to kick in – and {sic} at the end of the calendar year. I'll give just a couple highlights of the extensions and the provisions that are here in this bill. Several of them extend the length of some State commissions. There's also a provision here extending a lottery charity scratch off game and maybe most prominently, a provision that extends the sunset on the State's RICO Act. I'm aware of no opposition to any of the extensions in this bill, and I would appreciate the Chamber's support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Seeing no discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 1437 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 41 voting Yea, 16 voting Nay, none voting Present. And House Bill 1437, having received the required majority, is declared passed. 174 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 On Supplemental Calendar No. 2, we have House Bill 2724, Senator Joyce. Mr. Secretary -- Senator Joyce seeks leave of the Body to return to the Order of 2nd Reading House Bill 1437. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 1437. Mr. Secretary, any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Joyce.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Correct the record. We're talking about House Bill 2724. Senator Joyce seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2724 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Now on the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2724. Mr. Secretary, any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Joyce.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Joyce, on your amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and explain it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, the amendment is adopted.
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
175 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is House Bill 2724. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2724, an Act concerning gaming. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) One second while we get a technical correction here. Senator Joyce, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2724 deals with the horseracing industry. Over the past several years, I've had several bill iterations that have been brought before the Executive Committee. We're dealing with a few things that should help an industry that back in 2019, we passed gaming legislation that dealt with racinos and gave racetracks the first opportunity to have a racino. It's something that across the nation you have coupled horseracing with casinos to help the industry thrive and it's worked really well in every other state. Part of what the bill involves, I'm just going to read down a list of some of the things that are in the bill. It develops a backstretch assistance tax credit, it clarifies host track status, it creates a setback for Fairmont Racetrack. It sets a sunset date for the Hawthorn thirty- five-mile veto power. It requires a poverty rate of greater than six percent for South Suburban track. Requires Hawthorn to be thoroughbred track upon the completion of two Standardbred tracks establishes a standard breed. A Standardbred track in Macon County for racino assigns racing dates upon completion of Mason Track or 176 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Macon Counties Track. Ends recapture at Hawthorn, January 1st of 2028, clarifies eighteen OTB's for Fairmont Track and sets agreements for OTB locations amongst the various tracks. This bill is AG friendly, it's labor friendly. It's an economic driver that helps generational farm families of horse breeders while creating revenue for our great State. It also creates an opportunity for private investment in several geographic locations that are welcoming, welcoming that investment. I've got a letter that I received this summer while we were going through various negotiations, and I want to just read one paragraph of it and then you will hear who wrote the letter. But many of you know, my passion for the longtime -- in my longtime involvement in horseracing, an industry with deep ties to our State's agricultural and cultural heritage. Six years ago, you passed a racino law to support the 2019 Capital Construction Program produce new economic activity, generate needed State tax revenue, and preserve and grow thousands of agribusiness jobs, including track employees, drivers and jockeys, shippers, grain producers, trainers, backstretch workers, veterinarians, blacksmiths and breeding farm operators. Those policies outcomes have been on hold for too long. The racino opportunity created in the 2019 was never designed to go unused for six years. It's time to put a six-month shot clock on the unused racino in the south end -- at Hawthorne Park. Now, that was written by Governor Jim Edgar, who was a big proponent of the industry his whole life and was a horse owner. I want to say that many of the horsemen organizations, the Thoroughbred and the Harness Horsemen have been very helpful during this -- the iterations of this bill. But I also want to thank some of the opponents. I've learned a lot about the industry, and I want to 177 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 thank Tim Carey and his family, they are an opponent of the bill, but I have committed to Tim to keep Hawthorne going. It's something that has to happen. I want to help them get over the finish line, pun intended, but it -- it they were very welcoming, they had conversations with me. I was going through various conversations with various BGT companies, they were always coming to the table, we were always having good dialog. So, I want to thank everyone that was involved in this. There are more things to come, there's more things that we're going to have to do in future GA's to try to help this industry, but this is step one to get there. And so, I want to also thank my other host of their -- I mean sponsor of this bill Senator Doris Turner. She's been instrumental in making this successful, and open to any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Aquino, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Doris Turner, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I stand in solemn support of House Bill 2724. We have worked on this bill for about two years, so today is a really good day for me to see that finally come up on the board. This legislation isn't just about horse racing; this is about bringing economic development to Decatur that is long overdue. The facility will create three hundred permanent jobs and 178 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 hundreds more during construction. This is a free economic boost for Decatur because there is absolutely no taxpayer dollars that are being spent, only additional money that's coming in. We're talking about a two hundred- and twenty-million-dollar investment, a two hundred- and twenty-million-dollar investment that does not include any State money that will be a lifeline for Decatur and all of Central Illinois that has the possibility of generating over twenty-seven million dollars in State and local taxes. This is a win; this is a significant win for this area. This is a crucial piece of legislation because it creates a unique opportunity for economic benefit in both counties located within the 48th District, because there is also a commitment for infrastructure upgrades at the Illinois State Fairgrounds that will expand year-round training opportunities while strengthening the entire regional horse racing ecosystem and safeguards an important asset in our region and our State. On top of the strong economic development that this legislation would bring, we're talking about good-paying union jobs because the facility would be built with a hundred percent union labor. So, I ask for your support as we work to revitalize the horseracing industry but also provide a significant economic boost to our communities. This is a good thing for -- it's a good thing for the counties within the 48th District, it's a good thing for the horse racing industry, it's a really good thing for our entire State, and I ask that you support with a Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
179 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Mr. President, I just want to rise and thank the sponsor for his work. I know this has been a three-year labor of love. A lot of work you've done, and I appreciate every bit of it. As the previous speaker said, this is not taxpayer-funded. This is not a gaming bill, this is a jobs bill, and this is fulfilling a promise that was -- that was done back in 2019 that we're finally pushing through. And for the 47th Senate District, I can tell you this is a huge deal, and it shouldn't go unnoticed. The amount of money that can be made in the State of Illinois from the breeders, if we can get this done and get the House to pass it, we will be able to start on a breeding season right away. And that means big dollars for the State of Illinois and for the constituents within my District, and I know Senator, your District as well. So, thank you again for this. Thank you for all your work, and I -- I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Further discussion? Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Question of the sponsor, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor indicates he will yield, Senator Hastings.
Senator, I've had the distinct pleasure of working with you for the last six years. And you, as you well know, I very rarely 180 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 gamble on anything. I just have a couple of questions in regard to the South suburban license. And my first question is, is that there's six townships in the original gaming bill that were allowed to have or were granted a license for what they would consider to be a racino, is that right?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Joyce.
Yes, it is.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
And you would acknowledge that with the license being given to Wind Creek Casino it's benefited parts of those six townships. Is that a fair statement?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Joyce.
More than fair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
Would it be safe to say would it be fair and accurate to say that there are some towns in those six townships that are economically advantaged over some of the other municipalities in the six townships in the bill? Better stated, there's the haves and the have-nots of the South Suburbs, is that true?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Joyce. 181 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
It is.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
Your primary reason for establishing a poverty rate level of six percent or greater, as per the American Community Standards Act of 2023, is to make sure that the have-nots have a fair shake in the South Suburbs, is that right?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Joyce.
That is accurate, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Hastings.
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I rise with a tepid trust of a friend who stands in front of me. For seven years, when I got down, it's probably about six years before I got down here, when we negotiated the original gaming bill, the ability to have a South Suburban casino and a racino was a foregone conclusion, and it was a byproduct of tribal warfare in the South Suburbs of folks not being cooperative and working together. I trust Pat in honoring his word that communities that are above a poverty level of six percent will get it. But I rise with also concern because we're about to create another license in 182 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Macon County, which will economically benefit Senator Doris Turner's District, which is great because I've come to love it from being down here so much. I also acknowledge the fact that the breeders are going to benefit from it, because there'll be an economic impact that our State definitely deserves. But I sure hope that if this bill passes both Chambers, that our developers in the horseracing industry don't choose one and not choose the other, but they choose both because it would benefit our State. So, I hope the developers that are listening and watching today understand that. This tepid trust is something I don't take lightly. And I'll be casting an Aye vote and we'll be watching. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) And Senator Joyce, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I share my colleague's concerns. We both represent a large portion of the South Suburbs. We know the challenges that we have in the South Suburbs, but we also see the opportunities. When the 2019 legislation was passed, we did not anticipate a South Suburban racino to be six and a half years in and is not moving. The veto power that was given to Hawthorne was given for good reason. Six and a half years ago, the Kerry family and Hawthorne stepped up when they were needed. But six and a half years later, we're now on the opposite side of that, we're now needing that development to happen. They have yet to build a casino at their location in Stickney, and yet still have veto power over a racino in the South Suburbs. This bill is intended to help move the needle. We as legislators know that we cannot pass a budget without a deadline. Six and a half years later, we have not 183 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 put a deadline on Hawthorne. I think we're doing them a favor, because everyone needs a deadline to really move where they have to move. So, I encourage an Aye vote we have rounded the turn. Help me get this over the finish line.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) As this bill has an immediate effective date, it requires 36 votes for passage. The question is, shall House Bill 2724 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 49 voting Aye, 8 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2724, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We're turning to page 2 of the printed Calendar. We are on House Bills 3rd Reading, still. We are going to Senator Koehler with House Bill 767. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 767, an Act concerning regulation. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill makes changes to the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee included in its members terms, qualifications, and size. It requires health insurance plans -- it requires health insurance plans to cover all immunizations and medical countermeasures under State guidelines, without cost sharing within fifteen days of the bill passage clarifies and makes technical changes to the Prescription Drug Affordability (and Access) Act that passed this past spring, 184 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 including the proper application of ERISA plans under the Act and the allocation of grant monies for eligible qualified pharmacies. And it clarifies that it is not an unfair practice or deceptive practice to solicit an individual over the age of sixty-five to purchase accident or health insurance unless they have a healthcare power of attorney or a medical condition that reduces their capacity to make informed decisions. So, I'd be happy to answer any questions. And I'd ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Questions for the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator McClure.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, Senator Koehler, it looks like that this bill authorizes the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health to override both the FDA and the CDC when it comes to making some drug approvals and vaccination recommendations. Number one, is that an accurate statement of what is in the bill? And number two, if it is, why would you want the Director of IDPH to override these two very important and significant national agencies?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
My understanding is that it really just provides alternative, you know, advice for -- for citizens within Illinois. 185 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Let me double check that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler.
It just offers a -- another viewpoint in terms of advice to our citizens.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
Thank you, Senator Koehler. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you. According to a quick Google search, the requirements for someone to be the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health include either your physician licensed in Illinois, or you're a person with administrative experience in public health at a local, state, or national level. So, you don't have to be a doctor, you can be very political, and you can essentially, as a state, have our constituents rely on your opinion, which is separate from the CDC, which is very important, or the FDA, which is very important. I don't think that our State provides enough qualifications in our statutes to allow for that sort of advice from someone who's not even a physician. I think that's a troubling road to go down, and I don't think it's appropriate, and I don't, I don't think it's good for the health of the citizens of our State or for recommendations that our citizens could potentially rely on. And for that reason, despite, I'm sure that there are other good things in this legislation, but 186 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 for that reason alone I think this is a not a good idea. And therefore, I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Koehler, to close.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Yeah. Thank you for the discussion. The situation in Illinois is that if you're not a physician and you're the Director of the Department of Public Health, you do have to have a medical advisor. The other issue is that as the Commission, the Advisory Committee, the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee they do have the power to override the decision of the Director of IDPH. I think this is a good bill. It does some cleanup on the prescription drug affordability plan that we did last year. It also adds this with the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee, and I'd ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) As this bill has an immediate effective date, it will require 36 votes. With that, the question is, shall House Bill 767 pass. All those in favor will vote -- will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 40 voting Aye, 18 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 767, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Continuing on page 3 we have House Bill 3065, Senator Peters. Senator Peters seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 3065 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 3065. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 187 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Peters.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Peters, on your amendment.
I would like to adopt the amendment and explain on 3rd.
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 3065, an Act concerning education. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Peters, on your bill.
Yes. This bill is for scholarship funding for education. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Fowler, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 188 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is good practice that will open up teaching scholarships for more downstate school districts where teachers are desperately needed. By focusing on income and not race, we can ensure that all low-income students, regardless of their racial background are being supported by trying to encourage investment in educators. It can be very difficult to recruit teachers in school districts, and I believe this will really help downstate schools such as my District. I am disappointed more downstate schools were not -- that were -- that the more downstate schools were excluded from the Pell Grant scholarship element, but the emphasis on filling low-income district teaching positions is a step in the right direction. And I encourage an Aye vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Leader Lightford, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Mr. President, I want to first thank Senator Peters, and he can stand and be applauded for his efforts since he's down on his knee. But I rise today in support of House Bill 3065 legislation that represents a necessary response to legal challenges threatening some of our most vital scholarship programs. Let me be clear from the onset that this is not the bill I wish was before 189 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 us today, I would much prefer to stand here defending programs explicitly designed to diversify our teacher workforce. But the reality we face, the lawsuit filed against our State last October, the broader National Assault on Diversity Programs demands that we act to protect these critical initiatives before they're struck down entirely. And in October of 2024, the American Alliance for Equal Rights sued Governor Pritzker and the Chairman of our Student Assistance Commission, claiming our minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship violates the Equal Protection Clause. This is part of a coordinated national campaign to dismantle diversity programs across the country. Our Attorney General has identified eight ISAC programs potentially at risk under current federal law. We have a choice, we can dig in our heels and watch these programs disappear through the courts, or we can adapt to them to comply with the law while preserving their essential mission. House Bill 3065 takes the second path. Under the revised Minority Teachers Illinois Program, students from one hundred and sixty-four school districts across Illinois will be eligible. That's six hundred forty-seven thousand nine hundred and forty students. Nineteen percent are White, thirty-one percent are Black, and forty-three percent are Latino. These are students from communities that need teachers who understand them, who look like them, and who can connect with them. Last fiscal year, MTI supported nine hundred aspiring teachers with scholarships of up to seventy-five hundred dollars annually. That's real money helping real people pursue careers in education and here's what makes this program work. Recipients commit to teaching in schools with at least thirty percent students of color, or for our bilingual teachers, schools that are at least twenty percent English learners. Think about that. We're not just writing 190 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 checks; we're building a pipeline of educators who will serve in the schools that need them the most. Colleagues, Illinois faces a critical teacher shortage; we all know it. We hear about it from our superintendent, our principals, our school board, and we especially struggle to recruit and retain teachers of color, teachers who serve as role models, who bring culturally responsive teaching practices, who help all our students succeed. The Diversifying Higher Education Faculty Program addresses the same challenge at our colleges and universities, and when our Higher Education faculty better reflects the diversity of Illinois, all students benefit. House Bill 3065 keeps these programs alive; it keeps them serving the communities and students who need them most. It keeps us investing in the diversity of our teaching workforce within the boundaries the courts have now drawn because, at the end of the day, this is about students. It's about the young person in Chicago or East St. Louis, or Rockford, or East Moline who dreams of becoming a teacher but needs help affording college. It's about the school in a high-need community that desperately needs qualified, committed educators, and it's about building the workforce Illinois needs for the future of our children. I will be voting Aye, and I support again this initiative and thank Senator Peters for his work.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Peters, to close.
I'll just keep it brief. While the federal government attacks Higher Education, we in Illinois, particularly on this side, are doing whatever we can to protect Higher Education funding and scholarships. I ask for an Aye vote. Thank you. 191 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) As this bill has an immediate effective date, it will require 36 votes for passage. With that, the question is shall House Bill 3065 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 59 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3065, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We are moving to the top of page 2 with Senate Bills 3rd Reading. Senator Ventura. Senator Ventura seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1698 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1698. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Ventura.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Ventura, 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? All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. And 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, 192 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1698, an Act concerning property. 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Ventura, on your bill.
Thank you. As amended, Senate Bill 1698 authorizes the Department of Corrections to convey approximately a hundred and thirty-five acres of open land near the old Joliet State Prison, located in Will County to the Forest Preserve District of Will County for one dollar. Before the transfer, the Forest Preserve must obtain an updated professional survey and appraisal of the property. The bill also requires the Forest Preserve to bear all costs associated with the transfer. I ask for an Aye vote, but I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator DeWitte, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Question of the sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator DeWitte.
Thank you. Senator Ventura, do we have any idea what the use of this property will be by the Department?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Ventura.
193 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Yes, they are going to keep it as a Forest Preserve. They would like to put in a boardwalk around the existing quarry and make that into a fishing pond. They'll have trails like many Forest Preserve have, parking lots to help mitigate some of the environmental impacts, and possibly a few other amenities but it will be congruent with some of the other Forest Preserve properties.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Thank you, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Bill 1698 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? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 50 voting Aye, 6 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1698, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Leader Curran, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please state your point.
Rise today to offer Senate -- Senate Resolution -- a recent tragedy that occurred in Colorado{sic} (Montana) affecting one of our former colleagues. WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the tragic deaths of Zachary Bailey, his 194 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 wife, Kelsey Bailey, and their children, Vada Rose and Samuel Bailey, who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Montana on October 22nd, 2025; and WHEREAS, Zachary Bailey was the beloved son of former Illinois State Senator Darren Bailey, who served with distinction in the Illinois Senate from 2021 to 2023, and his wife, Cindy Bailey; and WHEREAS, Zachary Bailey, age 37, was a devoted husband, father, man of faith, and fourth-generation farmer who contributed to the success and growth of the family's agricultural operations; and WHEREAS, Kelsey Bailey, aged 35, was a kind, passionate, and inspiring individual who owned Faithfully Fit Supplements and Nutrition, a business in Effingham, where she encouraged others to pursue healthier lives guided by faith, dedication and service; and WHEREAS, Zachary and Kelsey Bailey shared a deep and abiding faith that shaped their lives and their marriage; and WHEREAS, Zachary and Kelsey Bailey were devoted parents who found their greatest fulfillment in their family and in raising their children with love and faith; and WHEREAS, Vada Rose Bailey, age 12, and Samuel Bailey, age 7, were beloved children who brought joy and happiness to all who knew them and will be remembered for their laughter and curiosity; and WHEREAS, the entire Bailey family was active in their ministry and in their community, living their faith through service, kindness, and compassion towards others; and WHEREAS, The Baileys' second eldest child, Finley Tate Bailey, age 10, survives his parents and siblings and is surrounded by the love and support of family and friends; WHEREAS, The Bailey family's sudden and heartbreaking loss has deeply affected the community of Louisville and all who knew them, leaving an enduring legacy of faith, love, and unity; therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH 195 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Zachary, Kelsey, Vada Rose and Samuel Bailey and extend our heartfelt condolences to Darren and Cindy Bailey, Finnley Bailey, and the entire Bailey family.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Plummer, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please make your point.
I'd like to thank Leader Curran for -- for allowing me to work with him on that resolution. This family was constituents of the 55th State Senate District and, we all -- we all know Darren, he served in this Body, and we know his wife, Cindy. But a lot of folks here probably were never afforded the wonderful opportunity to meet the rest of his family and proud parents of four kids and numerous grandchildren with Zachary and Kelsey. You know, Zach being a son and Kelsey, his wife, just really ingrained in the community in Clay County. Clay County is a small county. Bailey family are active in church, they're active in the agricultural community. They're active in the not-for-profit portions of that community in many ways. And you know, what's nice about this Body is at times, people can set their political beliefs aside and just respect what we do back home in our communities, whether it's Chicago or it's the Kentucky border and the Bailey family is deeply ingrained in that Clay County area. And the loss of Zachary and Kelsey and Vada Rose and Samuel will be felt for many, many, many years and obviously we know Zachary and Kelsey and Vada Rose and 196 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Samuel are in our thoughts and prayers. The entire Bailey family is in our thoughts and prayers. I would ask that that everyone in the Chamber keep a special thought for Finnley who lost his two siblings and lost his parents in in this tragic accident in Montana. So, I thank everyone here for the moment of silence and I would just ask that the folks of Clay County, the Bailey family, Darren and Cindy and Finnley feel the prayers coming from Springfield tonight and for many nights to come because they're going to need it and Clay County is going to need it. And I thank the Body for this moment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) President Harmon, is recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no words suitable for the moment. We are simply not built to bury our children or our grandchildren and for all the huffing and puffing we do here in the public arena, this is a sobering reminder that we all exist simultaneously in a private arena where we are husbands and wives, parents and children, grandchildren and grandparents, and so on behalf of the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, our prayers and condolences go out to Senator Bailey and Mrs. Bailey and the entire Bailey family. And I join Senator Plummer and Senator Curran in asking for a moment of silence.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) A moment of silence has been requested for those that can please stand. We will take a moment. (Moment of silence observed) Continuing on the bottom of page 3 we are working on concurrencies with Senate Bill 1989, Senator Koehler. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion. 197 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 4 to Senate Bill 1989. Signed by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Koehler, on your motion. Start here
Thank you, Mr. President. This replaces everything after the enacted clause and consolidates the Southwest Regional Port District to the Kaskaskia Regional Port District to include several St. Clair County townships, transfers all assets, duties, and responsibilities from the Southwest District to the Kaskaskia District by December 1st, 2025, and repeals the Southwest District effectively January 1st, 2026. The Amendment also restructures the Kaskaskia District board's compensation and removes its authority to operate aquariums, museums, planetariums, and water sewage systems. Appreciate an Aye vote, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Bryant, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I was actually really in hopes that this bill would not get called. This is an absolute and complete hostile takeover of a port district in my district. Unfortunately, Senator Koehler has, I think, against his will, maybe been forced to call a bill that 198 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 was given to him not what he originally wanted to have, but it's been sent over from the House. So, let me just explain this bill to you. There's a port district in my district that is the, I believe, the number 32nd inland port in the United States has assets, it has money. It has a working port district board, very successful. They move more grain than any inland port in Illinois. The Southwest Port District has been nonfunctioning for over a decade, has no assets, no money, and no working port board. The unfortunate thing in this is not only is this a hostile takeover, but the House sponsor of this bill change is changing the port district so that where it's a fifteen-member board that used to consist of five members of Monroe County, five members of Randolph County, and five members of St. Clair County, all who worked well together. This bill it raises that entire board allows the governor to re appoint a brand-new board that gives eight board members to St. Clair County, four members to Randolph County, three members to Monroe County. Randolph County has been giving twenty thousand dollars a year to this port district. St. Clair County has never given a dime, and Monroe County doesn't give any money to it. So, now one county also a portion that I represent, is going to have veto power over the other two counties. So, no matter what Monroe and Randolph County want in a port district that they have made very successful, St. Clair County could completely override them without them being able to have any say in any part of it. I would not do this to you, but you are doing it to me. I don't appreciate it; I don't agree with it. Just know it's a hostile takeover. So, when you cast the vote for this bill, you're forcing a very productive port district to be taken over by a non-existent port district for who knows what reason. For that reason, out of respect 199 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 for you, Senator Koehler, I know this is not personal, but it's very personal to me and it's very personal to my District, and it's not appreciated at all. So, for that reason, I ask you to please vote No for this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Seeing no further discussion. Senator Koehler, to close.
Yes. Thank you for that discussion and I certainly understand your issues. My involvement in this was that I did meet with the Governor's Office and talked about what we had done in the Peoria area. We consolidated ten counties a couple of years ago into a much larger port district. The reason was is the Illinois River carries an incredible amount of freight, we are one of the biggest freight areas in the country, and so our ports really stand up with even all the other ports on either the East Coast or the West Coast, and it was felt that we weren't really recognized. And so, there was an ability to have recognition, number one, from the federal government. Number two, to be able to get grants and to enhance our ports, and so, the ten counties have worked very well. And so, I was brought into the discussion just to give some of our experience as to how they could maybe structure theirs. And so, they did. I didn't have any involvement in this; my only real concern or question is that it obviously didn't catch the attention of any of the House Members down there because the vote out of the House was 116 to 0. So, I don't understand that, why you're so upset, and nobody else was. But maybe I won't understand it, but anyway, I would appreciate an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) As this bill has an immediate effective date, the required 200 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 votes are 36 for passage. With that, the question is -- is shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 1989. 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? Senator Simmons, would you like to vote on this bill? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 39 voting Aye, 19 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1989, having received the required constitutional majority, has declared passed. Following along to Senate Bill 2339, Senator Cervantes. Senator Cervantes. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 2339. Signed by Senator Cervantes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Cervantes, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Basically what this amendment does is that it removes all references of federal employment verification systems all through the Act. It also clarifies best practices on work around workplace documentation. It's -- it helps employers and employees deal when it comes with issues that have to do with employment verification and streamlines the process. It also protects work. I'm sorry, clarifies IDA Wells investigation powers and the enforcement role of the Attorney General's Office. Allows for private right of action for -- and for interested parties to initiate enforcement. Typically to be used in class actions. We did have initially the IMA and the Chamber. They did work with us on this bill, they were neutral. IMA had an issue 201 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 with the interpretation after further discussion with our legal team and with IDOL well, basically the title, the removal of title 13, Section 13 is not an operative law, and nowhere in the actual text of Section 13 does it state that Section 13 is limited to the employers to use E-Verify. So, I ask for a Aye vote.
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) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator Tracy.
Senator Cervantes, I just wanted to clarify if the employer is not complying, or if the employer receives a letter saying that there might be an issue with the E-Verify for an employee, then this bill would allow the employee five days' time to try to seek information, get to the bottom of why the E-Verify is saying he - - he wasn't compliant. At the same time, would federal law impose a fine on the employer during this five-day period?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Cervantes.
No. If -- if as long as they follow through on the -- on -- on the timelines, giving the -- giving enough time for them to be able to work on their -- on their -- on the documentation, and this is more for the employee to be working directly more with, with the Departments on clearing up the documentation, because it could just be an issue with their last name. It could not. It could 202 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 be a lot of different issues that could happen where they just need to clarify the issue with their employment verification.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Tracy.
Correct. I understand what the Illinois side would be, the law here, but I'm just wondering if -- if you're aware of -- of the federal law imposing a fine on the employer. In the meantime, the employee is trying to get to the bottom of why the E-Verify was considered non-compliant.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Cervantes.
No, there's -- there's no, no, there's -- there's not, and actually and what this is doing is to shift -- just where -- where this is going straight through federal law. None of the Illinois statute or anything that we're trying to do is going to impede anything that has to do with federal law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Tracy.
Thank you for that answer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Cervantes, to close.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. And I ask for a Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) As this bill is an immediate effective date, it will require 203 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 36 votes for passage. With that, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2339. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 37 voting Aye, 20 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate -- excuse me, having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments 2 to Senate Bill 2039, and the bill is declared passed. Senator Cunningham, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) For an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Please make your announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR CUNNINGHAM) Mr. President, the Senate Democrats will caucus upon recess in the Senate President's Office for approximately 30 minutes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition? Please state your announcement.
Thank you. The Senate Republicans will caucus upon recess for approximately 30 minutes in Room 400 of the Capitol.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. After caucus, the Senate will reconvene for Floor action requiring votes. The Senate stands in recess. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senate will come to order. The Senate will stand at ease while 204 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 the Committee on Assignments meets in the Senate President's Anteroom. The Committee on Assignments to meet immediately in the Anteroom. Senate stands at ease. Leader Holmes, in the Chair. PRESIDING OFFICER (SENATOR HOLMES) Leader Aquino, back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Motion to Concur with House Amendments 1, 3, and 4 to Senate Bill 1911 and Senate Resolution 503. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Supplemental Calendar No. 3 has been printed and distributed. We will be working on concurrencies Senate Bills and on Supplemental Calendar No. 3 we find Senate Bill 1911, Senator Sims. Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
I moved to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 1, 3, and 4 to Senate Bill 1911. Signed by Senator Sims.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Sims, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Motions to concur with Senate -- with House Amendments 1, 3, and 4 include the various items, multiple provisions that will help the State deal with the impact of HR1, to recapture and make sure that there is not a hole blown in our budget from changes in federal law. It also includes, 205 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 decoupling from bonus depreciation, updating terminology for the global intangible low tax income to the net CFC tested income. The -- it also does two additional -- makes two additional changes -- I -- it deals with federal limitations on excess business -- business losses and extends the pass-through entity tax. But also, it includes the -- the amendment includes provisions that will make the Illinois Film Tax Credit even more competitive with other states, and it also includes the new Statewide Innovation Development Economy Act. I'll answer any questions, Mr. President, ask for a favorable roll call.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Leader Curran, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
A question of sponsor, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he will yield. Leader Curran.
Leader, on the decoupling aspect of it, which specific provision are we decoupling from -- from HR1?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Sims.
Thank you for the question, Leader. It's the bonus depreciation provision. We were by decoupling from that provision, we were able to recapture 144 -- approximately 144 million. And also, when we make the change from -- from guilty to the net CFC, you're able to get -- garner another ninety million. 206 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Leader Curran.
Leader, is that the new deduction? Is that the deduction for new manufacture -- for manufacturers that build new property in Illinois?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Leader Sims.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Leader Curran.
So, it's actually -- so it's not on bonuses, that's just the Section that that particular deduction is in, or are -- are we decoupling from two provisions or one?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Leader Sims.
Yeah, we're only -- we are decoupling from the bonus depreciation provision, Leader.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Leader Curran.
Leader, when you say bonus depreciation -- our read on it, on this side, is it's actually the -- the -- for manufacturers that build new -- new structures in Illinois. So, when you're saying bonus trying to sync this up.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 207 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Leader Sims.
Yes -- yes, Leader. It is -- it is on the provision where an individual or a company invests in additional real property in manufacturing. So, that is the provision that it's covered.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Leader Curran.
Thank you, Leader. Mr. President, I'd like to speak to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
So, earlier this week we called on Governor Pritzker and the Democratic majority not to raise taxes in Illinois this Veto Session to give Illinois families and businesses relief. But here we are now, 2 a.m., and we're opposing a tax increase to fill a budget deficit that just a few months ago, we passed that budget and we stood on this side opposing the tax increases in that budget. We are hearing a lot of rhetoric blaming the federal administration for Illinois's budget woes, but we know this is not a new problem. Last year, when President Biden was in the White House, the Governor's own five-year budget projections showed average annual budget deficits of 4.6 billion dollars each of the next five years. And we -- we increased spending by two billion dollars. This tax increase, and that's what this is on manufacturers choosing to invest in Illinois, choosing to invest new structures in Illinois is going to be another step backwards in our ability to be competitive with competing states, neighboring 208 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 states on attracting investment from business in this State. I just want to emphasize that the availability of -- of a benefit like this to a business, what it means when it's deciding where to build that next factory, where to build that next plant. We want them building it here in Illinois, but if our -- our competitive neighboring states are offering this and we are not, we are going to be less competitive yet again in attracting that investment, because we do know our neighboring states are going to keep this manufacturer's credit. Depreciation and the tax revenues, the jobs, the salaries that come from that investment are going to go elsewhere. So, I would ask that we oppose this provision, and we start taking steps to make Illinois more competitive in attracting jobs, attracting business, and attracting growth to the State. With that, I'd ask for a No vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Sims, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the previous speaker, we didn't -- we are not -- this is not -- this is not something new. This is -- these are provisions that we had already had as part of our budget when we passed the budget that was the fiscal year 2026 budget, effective July 1. We are only responding to changes that were made at the federal government. So, we are that is all we've done. This is consistent with policy that we have implored before. We've done this, we did this in 2017. So, there is precedent for this. So again, this is -- we are only responding to the actions that were taken into federal government. I ask for an Aye vote, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 209 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 As this bill has an effective -- immediate effective date, it will require 36 votes. With that, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 1, 3, and 4 on Senate Bill 1911. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 36 voting Aye, 19 voting Nay, 30 -- excuse me, there are 37 voting Aye, 19 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendments 1, 3, and 4 to Senate Bill 1911, and the bill is declared passed. Senator Faraci, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
I would like to be recorded as a Yes vote on that last bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Your intention will be reflected. The Senate will stand at ease for a moment while the Committee on Assignments meets immediately in the President's Anteroom. The Committee on Assignments to meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. Senator Koehler, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Aquino, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The Senate will come back to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Motion to Concur with House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 90, Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to 210 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Senate Bill 1950. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Supplemental Calendar No. 4 has been printed and distributed. We have on the Secretary's Desk Concurrences. Beginning with Senate Bill 90 with Senator Napoleon Harris. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, for the remainder of the evening, we will be utilizing the debate timer for the rest of the bills coming forward. So, for the remainder of the evening we will be using the timer. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 3, to Senate Bill 90. Signed by Senator Harris.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Harris, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to concur with the House for Senate Bill 90, which authorizes the offset system to be applied to public agencies. The provisions of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, including intergovernmental risk management associated with self-insurance pools. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 3 to Senate Bill 90. 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? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate 211 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 does concur in Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 90, and the bill is declared passed. Continuing on, we have Senate Bill 1950, Senator Holmes. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1950. Signed by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Leader Holmes, on your motion.
Thank you so much. This is the bill; this is medical aid in dying. As you know, we've been talking about this for the past couple years. I'm going to keep this brief so that I can take the time we have here to answer your questions, but we've had pretty extensive hearings on this prior to us in committee, and we had a committee in Chicago. So, a lot of this has been covered. But very, very simply, this allows a person age eighteen or older who receives a diagnosis of six months or less to live and is mentally competent to make an informed decision to have the option of self- administering a prescription to end their suffering. There are over twenty guardrails in place to make sure this is done appropriately to make sure there is no coercion or abuse, and in the years that this has been in effect in Oregon starting in 1997, there have been no substantiated cases of coercion or abuse. Very simply, what happens is the patient may make a request of their doctor that this is what they'd like to do. The doctor then gives them all the other options they have for end-of-life care. There's -- there's hospice, there's palliative care, there's treatment for whatever it may be, various chemotherapies if it's cancer. So, the doctor has to disclose all of that to them. The person makes that 212 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 request verbally then they have to submit a request in writing. The doctor also has to make sure that they are mentally capable of making an informed decision if he has any doubts about that, it needs to go to a mental healthcare professional to make that analysis. And that's a licensed mental healthcare professional. There is then another doctor that comes in and has to give that same opinion of six months or less to live. And again, making sure that the patient is mentally capable of making the decision. The patient must be able to self-administer the drug. A doctor or medical professional or anybody else cannot make that. I'm going to leave it as simple as that and I will answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to talk to the bill, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
First of all, I'd like to say I have the greatest respect for the sponsor and how hard she has worked on this particular issue and I -- I know she's very passionate about it, but I rise in opposition for a variety of reasons. First of all, under the definition of terminal illness being deemed incurable and irreversible. Under this definition, an insulin dependent type 1 nineteen-year-old diabetic would fall under this definition. It seems to me that in the hearing that we heard in -- in Chicago, the main witness who testified in support of this legislation was 213 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 herself a survivor after a six-month diagnosis. In fact, she had -- had much success, and I think that's a wonderful thing. I think she would agree, her family would agree. She's lived beyond the success of the six-month diagnosis that she had, thanks to the -- the changes in modern medicine and that should be considered. The six month is a very short period. Also, as we heard in committee, the drug that will be given it evolves over time, but it's a very potent cocktail. It is deadly, deadly, deadly with extremes amount of morphine or whatever the cocktail formula is right now. It's usually highly concentrated in morphine, it's very potent. Under this bill, a patient who requests it is given whether it's either in liquid form or pill form, takes it home and it sits there for how long? There's no constraint as to who could access this. There's no controls over who might access it besides the patient. In this day and age, we have young children that have suicidal thoughts very often. There's just no protection, as if a family member can access this cocktail and use it to commit suicide. Another problem that I see with the bill is that an heir can be one of the witnesses who signs. To me, this does lead a pathway to abuse of an heir who might consider that his aunt is just ready to go. I had experience not very long ago when my mother was passing because she was ninety-eight. The doctors thought she should just go, that she shouldn't be treated, just that she was the one percent of living, and it seems like we're going this pathway of just seeing that people are dispensable. And this bill and the other states that have passed it led us into this pathway that once you're diagnosed with illness, you're dispensable. I think it's very important to consider the thoughts of the people that work with intellectual and developmentally disabled people, they 214 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 are often seen as throwaway population already. And it's -- it's very concerning that those I think -- Misericordia Foundation who we know does fabulous work they see that this process could very much affect this population and they're very much opposed. All of the disability advocates that I have seen and heard from are very opposed to this bill and feel like that population will be very much coerced or driven to use assisted suicide -- assisted suicide as a way to alleviate this population, and truth be told. And I think we have to note, note that this philosophy of dispensable lives, it leaves impressionable youth that this is the way out if you have challenges, if you have troubles. And no doubt you have to be diagnosed under this bill with an incurable disease and -- and have six months to live, but to the general population, a youth population…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator, we have the timer, I just want to ask if you can bring your comments to a close. Thank you.
Thank you. Again, I think this bill is flawed and the public safety is at risk. And for that reason, I urge a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Continue our discussion and before we get to the next speaker, I just for those that we haven't had the timer in a while above here, there's -- there's a color system when you have a minute to go, it'll be yellow. Once it's -- we have five minutes. Once you get to your end of your time, it'll be red. So, for the next speaker, I see, Senator Johnson, for what purpose would you like to do you seek recognition? 215 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
The bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
And I just want to rise into support of this bill. Dignity in Dying is about ensuring individuals have a peaceful and humane end-of-life experience that respects their autonomy, comfort, and sense of self. And if you will indulge me for a few minutes, I have a letter from Suzy Fleck, she's a mother of Andrew Fleck, who is a young man, twenty-nine years old, who passed away of pancreatic. Well, he had pancreatic cancer, and he opted to go with the dignity and dying option in California. And I will start off by saying, in August 2017, my father and I flew to California from Illinois to visit Andrew. I knew Drew was feeling wasn't feeling well because every time we eat together, he had to go to the bathroom. I talked to him and having some tests done the week after we left. His doctor couldn't get through the colonoscopy because the tumor was so large, and when he called to tell us the news, I dropped to the floor, devastated. Drew had been a cancer survivor at the age of five, but this time, things were different. I couldn't control everything I had when he was little, when I managed all the doctor's appointments and so on. Now he was twenty- nine years old and an adult doing it all alone in the distance because he was in California, because Illinois doesn't offer it right now, was hard for us, and I could not retire at the time. And so, they were doing their best, going back and forth from Illinois to California, and then I'm just going to fast forward through a little bit of this. And Andrew knew he was dying; he had 216 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 just limited time left. But Andrew was determined to be in charge of the disease and to take charge he did, becoming involved with compassion and choice, creating a podcast, "Death with Dignity", and coming to terms with his terminal diagnosis. And Andrew saw the gift of cancer had brought him in the form of all the people he got a chance to meet, even though through a traumatic illness he was guiding the people who loved him through the journey in a positive way so that we could grow to accept his fate. And then I'm going to skip on a little bit more here, and the five years before Andrew died, he had lost her mom and father. And then they were thankful because while -- I am thankful that our family got a chance to be there with Andrew at the end, Andrew, I also knew that our family can't do this for various reasons. They had jobs and other things to do, and they couldn't go back and forth, and his grandmother was unable to make it as well. And one of the things I want to read, which is very important, I think I skipped through quickly, I'm trying to be respectful of the time here. Andrew finally decided that he was going to take the medication to end his life with death and dignity. His family was surrounding him, and they knew he was at peace, he took the medication with the assistance, and he went into a deep sleep. And his mom, they felt good because he was snoring, and they knew it was just a matter of time and he passed away peacefully. And his mom goes on to say that it was bittersweet and that his last days, he died peacefully because of the option of medical aid and dying in California, where he lived. And she goes on to say, I'm comforted by that, and I also wish he could have had the option in Illinois. Andrew Fleck, access medical aid in dying in California unable to move back to Illinois to bring his suffering from a terminal 217 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 diagnosis to an end. Before his death, Andrew used his last months and weeks to continue to push for the passage of the end-of-life option legislation in Illinois. His mother, Suzy, continues to push for this legislation in Andrew's memory, and I hope we vote favorably in Andrew's memory. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Balkema, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I've tried to be very transparent this evening and hand out my talking points, so I'm not going to read them because you all have them. I consider the fifty-nine of us in this room one team, and I would like to move forward with all types of discussion. Being one team, we all get to vote the way we feel like we should vote. This bill there's nothing more important to me in the past nine months than this bill. My mother passed away in February of this past year. She was on hospice. They gave her morphine towards the end, and she became very comfortable, and she passed away. My dad passed away three years ago; he was on hospice for about a year. Same thing, he became uncomfortable towards the end. About a week away from his death, they started giving him morphine, it relaxed his body, and he passed away peacefully. Both my mom and my dad said, I want to go when the Lord wants to take me. Whenever he's ready for me, I'm ready to go, and those are hard words to hear, but also comforting to know that we are not in control. 218 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Nobody wants to suffer. The whole point of a -- of a -- of a bill like this, I believe, is to curtail suffering. The other thing is that nobody gets to avoid suffering, and for us to walk down the slope. And I'm sorry that the language is a slippery slope, but if you look on page 2 of what I handed out, there's no state that has enacted this bill that has walked it back. They've only expanded it further. Oregon removed its residency requirement; anybody can travel to Oregon now to take their life when they so choose. California, New Mexico, Canada, to the north of us. Every state and country that has enacted this has opened the guardrails over time and made it easier and easier to take one's life. The impact on Illinois's most vulnerable, the one and a half million people with disabilities, is huge. At the end of the day, if you have a disability mentally or physically, the question is introduced into your mind. Do I want to keep going, or do I want to take my life? And you need to have two doctors sign off, you given the medication, you take the medication home, and you decide when to take it. The problem is anybody else can get ahold of the medication as well. There's no guardrail along that right now in the bill. You're given the bill, you're given the medicine, you take it home, and there's no follow-up or requirement by the State. So, that's tremendous pressure on people psychologically, mentally walking forward. My wife is a chaplain in a hospital; she's seen many people come off of hospice. Many people have come off of hospice, and in this situation, it's one more opportunity for that person to decide, yep, I've got my two doctors' signatures. I'm going to go ahead and take my life. Ladies and Gentlemen, it's not right to introduce a culture of death into Illinois. We have never had this before; we've never had a situation where we are giving 219 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 people an option to choose their life. We all, in fifty-nine of us in this room are compassionate, we care and we want to preserve life the best as possible. This is going in the wrong direction. The unequal access to care in rural communities that don't have access to advanced hospice or palliative care would make it a whole lot easier for those small towns to get the two signatures and to sign off. There's no way that that's fair. The physician's oath, which is completely optional. The physician is -- signs an oath that says they're to train to comfort, heal, and preserve life. Assisted suicide forces doctors into a role that contradicts their professional ethics; Illinois's values overall are at stake. Every person has the God-given dignity worth, regardless of age, disability or economic status, to have a value of life. Whether the Lord chooses to take somebody today or fifty years from now it shouldn't be our choice to walk down that slippery slope, only to come back later to have a future General Assembly. Open the guardrails and allow more of this, like every other state that has enacted this. And finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, from a policy recommendations perspective the opportunities to expand hospice and palliative care, the ability to increase funding for veterans healthcare services, to support disability rights, to protect physicians ethics, we have a whole lot of areas we can work but ladies and gentlemen…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator, your time is up. If you can bring your remarks to a close.
If -- if we vote tonight to open the door to the culture of death, it will go on for generations to come. To see the historical 220 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 and terrible damage that it's going to cause because it just goes on and on and on, and it allows more people the option in the future to open the guardrails up.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Before continuing, Andrew Campbell from Capitol News seeks permission to record and videotape the proceedings. No objection. Leave is granted. Continuing our discussion, I see Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you. And I appreciate this discussion. I want to say, first of all, there was a mention about what is or is not ethical or unethical in Washington or Oregon. Whether or not there have been any suspicious suicides. I've got to give a quote here from Doctor Katrina Hedberg, quote "We are not given the resources to investigate these assisted suicide cases, and not only do we not have the resources to do it, but we do not have any legal authority to insert ourselves." She's for the Oregon Department of Human Services, that's where she worked. So, these cases are happening. People are dying and at that point, Oregon says, okay, whatever happened, happened. That's not evidence of a successful ethical organization there. The same oversight, of course, is missing in the State of Illinois if this gets implemented. You know, our suicide rates, according to the statistics I just looked at in 2024 the United States, saw a massive resurgence in suicide rates reaching levels unseen since 1941. People are finding ways to kill 221 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 themselves every day, and it's really sad and it's really horrible. One of the highest suicide rates in existence is the veterinarian and this is true all across the world. You can find 2023 articles in both BBC and the NPR, so stateside and overseas and in each of those stories, I found unique things. One of them talked about the fact that seventy percent of veterinarians have had a peer or colleague die by suicide, and sixty percent have experienced work so traumatic that they've had to seek professional help. And where does that come from? The article cites -- both articles talk about the fact that, it takes a real toll on them, on these people, when they have to euthanize animals. And now you want to take a profession where we're seeing these very high suicide rates, in comparison to the general population and make this not just be true for animals, but now you're going to have physicians having to cause the death through medication of people. One of the veterinarians that was interviewed in one of these articles was asked about the high suicide rates. And her response was, you're supposed to be in this to save animals and not to kill them. Our medical professionals in this State are in that service to save people and not to kill them. So, if the killing of animals has caused so much stress and depression and horrible outcomes for veterinarians, what is that going to do to our medical professionals when they start helping to kill humans in this State? It's not going to be good. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, please. 222 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you. It -- first of all, I know that the sponsor has been working on this bill for quite a while, so I do commend her for working on something that she believes is important. But, I mean, this is an important issue, we've heard from people from the faith-based community, have called our office regarding the concerns and asked if the assisted suicide was going to be called, and we've been down here now two weeks. This is our third day this week. We've been here all morning, all afternoon, all night, and all morning again, and a bill of this importance is being called at almost 3 a.m. So, this is a deeply personal and emotional issue. While I respect those who support it, I believe something this serious deserves more time and careful consideration. There's no requirement for a doctor to be present when the medication is taken, raising real concerns about safety and oversight at a critical moment. Many opponents of this bill worry it would unintentionally create a system where patients are steered away from hospice or home care simply because it's less expensive to end their life, even when safeguards vulnerable patients, especially the elderly or those without strong support system, may feel pressured to choose this option out of fear of being a burden. At the end of the day, I believe we should always error on the side of protecting life and ensuring that every person has access to care, comfort and support, not a path that may lead them to give up hope too soon. I ask for a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) With further discussion? Senator Fine, for what purpose do 223 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
I -- I want to thank the Body for this really heartfelt discussion on medical aid and dying, because this is a very personal issue and it's an issue that is about choice. This is not suicide, it is compassion. In this debate, and over the spring session, we've heard a number of concerns and fears. But let's be clear, medical aid in dying is already the law in eleven states and the District of Columbia. Jurisdictions that cover millions of other Americans in those places where the legislation was considered, they heard the same fears before those laws went into effect and none of those fears came to pass. What we have seen is a small group of terminally ill people, people who are suffering in unbearable pain, to be able to end that suffering and die in peace using a process that they initiate and that they have control over. That is what this bill is about. Not about the fears and the hypotheticals, but about helping those who are facing a terminal diagnosis. People like Deb Robertson, who is using some of her precious time that she has left to advocate for the passage of this bill. It is time that Illinois adopts this policy, and I urge you to vote Yes. Yes, for the terminally ill people who have been working on this issue and who have wanted this option available to them, those who are still with us, and those whose terminal diagnosis meant they didn't make it to hear or see this debate. Yes, for the advocates, including constituents from all of our 224 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 districts, regardless of party, who have reached out to us with their own stories of why they support this legislation, and Yes for dignity and peace. Thank you and I urge your Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Leader Holmes, to close.
Thank you so much and thank you for bringing up your thoughts on this. They are a wide spectrum of thoughts, and I understand that and everybody has an opinion on this and that's fine. But what this boils down to, plain and simple, is to have this be a choice. But I would like to dispel some of the sort of interesting theories that -- that have been brought up when we talk about this, when doctors give a diagnosis that tells somebody they have four to six months to live, which is what it usually is with so many cancer patients, with a father who died of lung cancer and a mother who died of pancreatic cancer, they both had received diagnoses of four to six months. My mother made it a month and a half; my father made it three months. Doctors very often will give more time because they understand that hope is important too. So, there aren't that many patients that outlive what that prognosis ends up being. Those that do are very likely not to take the medication until they get to a point where the pain has gotten so bad, usually they are pretty close to death at the point they decide to take the medication. And understand that only about two-thirds its sixty-two percent of the people that choose to get the prescription have filled the prescription actually ends up taking it. So, I will argue this is palliative care because you feel so much better knowing that if the pain gets unbearable, you have this option. Most people don't want to die, and please understand the people 225 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 that are using this, they do not want to die, they are going to die. There's a big difference. So, they are trying to hold on to those memories with their family and make those memories with their family as long as they possibly can, but there does become a time when that pain is so debilitating you cannot function. You say that in hospice, they give you morphine to keep you comfortable; that's fine. Do you want to talk to all the people that have been in that condition that can tell you about the breakthrough pain, the pain that the morphine cannot touch? Those people are suffering, and they're just going to hang on and suffer until they die, or it used to be sort of a nasty little secret that you finally give them enough morphine, so they do die. You're just covering it up that it's actually, truly, that's an assisted suicide because somebody else is administering the drug, whereas in this case, in every case, it is the patient that has to self- administer. This isn't the doctor putting a person down like you put your dog down. There's a very, very big difference there, I just want to make that very clear. Eighty-eight percent of people who utilize medical aid in dying are in hospice. So, this is not saying a choice, it's either hospice or medical aid in dying. No, it isn't, and I think the thing that upsets me most when we talk about this is when we talk about the disability community. There are people with disabilities, there isn't a, quote, "disability community." There really isn't, and I will tell you, in the study done by Impact Research of seven hundred likely voters, voters who identify as living with a disability support medical aid in dying slightly above the average population. And I'm going to say something about that because I am somebody who lives with a disability. I have multiple sclerosis. I was diagnosed with this 226 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 when I was thirty, and I will say that my doctors do not treat me like I am less than or not worthy of care, or don't deserve treatments that other people get, because I, for some reason, am less than because I have a disability. May I just tell anybody, anybody who ever has a doctor who treats you like your condition, your life is not important. I implore you to change doctors because that has not been the experience I've ever had with doctors, and it certainly be -- should not be the experience anyone has. I will also say there has not been a correlation of people committing suicide, the reason being is if you have -- if you're going there because you want to die, it doesn't matter. You have to have an illness that gives you less than six months to live if you're saying that people with the mental capacity, if you have cognitive difficulties, are going to be put down because nobody wants to have to put up with them, take care of them, or pay for them, they don't qualify. That's part of the guardrails in here. So, a lot of these things you're telling me just are not making sense, they don't make sense. I'm going to end this because it is a late hour, but I want to say one thing that I think is so important to remember. This is a choice if you are opposed to it whether the reason is moral or religious, you just don't like the idea. Fine, I would never tell you should choose this option. What I'm saying is why, why? If I am facing an illness where I am going to die in pain, do you think you should tell me I don't have the option to alleviate that pain? This is about choice; please let people make the decision on how their lives are going to end. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment 227 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 2 to Senate Bill 1950. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 30 voting Aye, 27 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 1950, and the bill is declared passed. 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 title to wit: Senate Bill 2111 bill for an act -- together with the following amendments, which are attached to the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendments 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 2111. Passed the House, as amended, October 31st, 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 concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title to wit: Senate Bill 642 together with the following amendments, which are attached in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 642. Passed the House, as amended, October 31st, 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 am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate to wit: House Joint Resolution 47 228 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 adopted by the House, October 30th -- 31st, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The Senate will stand at ease while the Committee on Assignments meets in the President's back Anteroom immediately. Committee on Assignments to meet in the Anteroom immediately. Leader Koehler, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR KOEHLER) Senator Aquino, in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
I have a corrected 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 on the passage of the bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 642 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 642. Passed the House, as amended, October 31st, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Motion to Concur with House Amendments 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 2111 and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 642. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. 229 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Lightford, Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Supplemental Calendar No. 5 has been printed and distributed we are working on concurrencies. Starting with Senate Bill 642, Senator Collins. Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 642. Signed by Senator Collins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Collins, on your motion.
I ask to adopt House Floor Amendment 2 -- Motion to Concur.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) You can explain your bill, explain your motion.
So, the Motion to Concur, House Floor Amendment 2 is a page and line amendment that updates income limit for both low-income senior citizens assessment. It's late, that's it. I just ask for a Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 642. 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? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 59 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 642, and the bill is declared passed. Brendan Moore from Capitol News Illinois 230 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 is seeking permission to photograph the proceeding. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Moving along on our Supplemental Calendar No. 5 is Senate Bill 2111, Senator Villivalam. Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendments 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 2111. Signed by Senator Villivalam.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I rise today to move this legislation forward, the most transformative change to our public transit systems in the last five decades. Over the last three years, we've engaged in a thorough, methodical process by starting with engaging the Chicago Metropolitan Agency on Planning to convene stakeholders, thousands of hours of staff work submitted a report to the Governor and the Illinois General Assembly. We've introduced legislation based on that report, about over ten hours -- ten committee hearings with over forty hours of testimony through which we heard from our local residents, advocates, stakeholders, local governments, county governments, and so many more. We had several meetings and discussions with Coalition Members, the Governor's Office, the House, and today we are presenting a product that has now passed the House of Representatives. That one largely represents House Bill 3438 reform measures, and two, adjust the funding mechanisms through which we are seeking to change -- to achieve that transformative change for our public transit systems across the 231 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 State of Illinois. Speaking to the funding mechanisms, it retains our efficiencies language. It retains our principle on no operating dollars for capital projects utilizes the road fund interest from our original legislation. It now -- this legislation allows the RTA Board to enact a sales tax. It also includes a motor fuel tax; sales tax dollars directed to transit operations. And it includes a acceleration of the planned tollway capital plan that spans our twelve county -- the twelve-county system that they have to address the State of good repair and other signature investments. There's been many discussions on this legislation. If we are going to move forward with the safe, reliable, accessible and integrated public transit system throughout our State, this measure is timely, it's important, and it's ready. And I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Senator DeWitte, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Question of sponsor, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he’ll yield. Senator DeWitte.
Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, let me add my comments. This has been quite a journey. I don't remember the forty-five billion dollar Rebuild Illinois Program being quite as tenuous as this process has been. It's a lot less money, but as I've always said, it affects a hell of a lot more people on a daily basis in our region. Very quickly cognizant of the time, I just want to thank all of the people who have been involved in this process. Chairman Villivalam, you've been a great working partner. 232 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Our friends in labor who have attended virtually all of these hearings, our transportation people from the RTA to the various service boards, and the activists, environmentalists, Act of Transportation, CMAP who really laid out a roadmap for all of us to follow in this process. This legislation has gone through some significant changes since last May and in the spirit of time, I'm not going to hit on a lot of these points, but there's several of these that I really do believe need to be talked about just a little bit. Not only for most of the people in this room can have a better understanding of what we are all voting on, but more importantly, for the people across this State. Many of them who are going to be affected one way or another by this legislation, it's important to know the changes that are being made. And I want to start off, Chairman, with the revenue sources that are proposed in this particular piece of legislation. Let's start with the sales tax on motor fuel that is being swept from the road fund. Can you talk a little bit about what's happening, what the new breakdown in revenues is going to be? And our estimate shows a loss to downstate nearly five hundred million dollars. Can you talk a little bit about how that came together?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I do want to echo comments about our collaboration and of course, you know, all of the parties involved. As you know, Senator, we presented legislation in the Spring. House had initial legislation earlier this week. We continued to work to find the best path forward for the residents in our state. This is a funding mechanism that was discussed. It 233 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 is obviously it's constitutionally allowed; I would add that fifty- four percent of public transit is on our roads and bridges as well. And so, as we looked to fund public transit throughout our State this was an option that was put forward that reached consensus, that raises about eight hundred and sixty million dollars of which approximately a hundred and thirty million goes to downstate Illinois, which is downstate Illinois transit systems, which is fifty million more than their original request in operating that they expressed to us in the committee hearings that we've had.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
So, that hundred and twenty-nine million, our estimates show a total estimated loss in downstate revenue of four hundred and seventy-three million. I know they only requested about eighty- eight million during the hearing process. Are you suggesting that the eighty-eight-million-dollar request is now a hundred and twenty-nine million dollars?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
What I'm suggesting that -- is that in the spirit of working to invest in all of our public transit systems across the State of Illinois, including the fifty-four public transit systems in downstate Illinois, we work to find a funding mechanism that is able to provide a hundred and twenty-nine million in operational dollars to downstate transit, in addition to approximately another twenty million in capital dollars for -- for downstate transit. And we work to address other, you know, projects, as well, in 234 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 downstate transit. So, this was our effort to make sure we're addressing the needs of downstate transit as well.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Fair enough. If they're not happy, I'm sure we'll hear about it. Tollway capital surcharge there's an -- an increase in toll fares, forty-three cents per vehicle, thirty percent increase for commercial vehicles, that has a biannually adjusted CPI that will be capped at four percent. What is the estimated fiscal impact in new revenue and where will that new revenue be going?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Senator, for the question. So, as you know, Senator, the tollway has been in discussions, robust discussions to finalize their new capital plans that spans the twelve-county system. So, this package on the tollway here has been deliberated, has been discussed, and we are simply accelerating this process to invest in both making sure the state of good repair is addressed, but also all the other signature investments that need to take place. So, providing certainty for the tollway it's going strictly to their capital program. As you know, Senator, the passenger toll has not been increased in thirteen years; we're one of the lowest toll rates in the nation. We also are one of the only states that does not tie the passenger toll to CPI. So, again if we want to continue to have the infrastructure that our -- that twelve-county system deserves, we want -- we want to accelerate this process and make sure that it's 235 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 funded properly and have has that certainty to move forward.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Thank you, Chairman. A concept that our side of the aisle had introduced a long time ago was in relation to, why aren't we using funds already being collected and simply reapportioning those to mass transit purposes? One of those issues was the Road Fund. There is a significant balance in the Road Fund currently at IDOT. We had talked about simply taking some of the earned interest being generated from that money sitting in that fund. I'm happy to see that that's been included in this package. What is the current revenue split between the RTA and downstate?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
If the question is in regard to the Road Fund interest, obviously, we agree with you. We had that in our legislation in May. We are also happy to see it in this legislation that we've discussed with the House. And I -- I would simply say that it's the typical ninety\ten split, that's been traditionally there. And so, hundred eighty to the northeast Illinois region and twenty to downstate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Those traditional splits have, in fact, been fifty- five\forty-five. Correct? Favoring downstate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 236 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Senator Villivalam.
Correct.
Favoring downstate?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
It's my -- it's my understanding that the ninety/ten split is what has been in statute. I think you're referencing -- a negotiation that took place several decades ago that is not in State statute.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Thank you. There is a proposal to raise the sales tax that supports the RTA throughout the six-county region. Can you talk a little bit about how that's going to work? And that's not something we are going to be appropriating; it's my understanding that authority is being given to another entity. Can you walk us through that, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator. It's -- it's actually as simply as you described it, we're allowing the RTA Board, should they to -- to vote on enacting an extra quarter of the sales tax to help fund public transit. That obviously helps people get to school, their job, their doctor every day. And so, 237 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 that will be allowed to for them to act on.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Will that be the current RTA Board or will that responsibility be assigned to the future need of board?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
The current RTA Board.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Thank you, Mr. President. Switching directions quickly. The other side of this equation, as we've talked about it for the last eighteen months, had to do with governance. You know, for many, many, many months, the conversation always evolved around one bill for governance and one bill for revenue, that changed four days before the end of Session in May, and it actually changed again over in the House when the general structure of this new legislation started coming together. And this, unfortunately, is where we believe, as a representative of three of the five collar counties who are members of the RTA region, we have some concerns that remain. There was original discussion in your bill last spring about the Governor and I'm not going to go into all the appointments, it's hasn't changed all that much but there was discussion about the Governor being given five picks to the new NITA Board that evolved into a discussion this summer about sharing those picks with the Governor and the four minority leaders, which 238 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 changed within the last day or two to three picks for the Governor, one for the Senate President, one for the House speaker. And now I see we're back to all five picks coming from the Governor with no perimeters, no fences where they live. Can you walk us through those changes and why we ended up back in the same place we started with the Governor receiving five picks in this process?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you, Mr. President. You know, as we started this process, you know, we understood that there needed to be reforms. We also understood that we needed to make sure there wasn't simply subregion -- subregional mindsets and having State appointments to the main board -- main authority that will now have more authority to ensure integration and all these different reforms that we're looking at. And that's, you know, how we processed it, right? We wanted more oversight and through this process, we landed through negotiations through discussions on the Governor receiving or having the ability to appoint these five to the -- to the -- need a board. Obviously, we will have Senate confirmation over -- over these appointments Advice and Consent and we believe that is the best path forward to ensure that we have appointees that are representing the State of Illinois that are not concerned necessarily with one subregion of the Northeastern Illinois region, but rather the entire region and in fact the entire State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
All five -- could all five of these picks be residents of 239 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 the City of Chicago?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
I -- I believe I -- I believe that the Governor will be appointing members to the Board that are representative of the entire region. And as I mentioned before, the Senate has Advice and Consent. I believe we will advise.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Without any parameters in the legislation, Chairman, there's no guarantee to anybody in this room, anybody in this building, any of the hundreds of mayors in the five counties in the collars, that that will happen. Would you consider adding those perimeters, those fences, to the five Governors picks to make sure that -- that equality and representation actually takes place?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
As I believe he's shown through his record, I do believe the Governor will make appointments to the Board that is representative of the entire region and will have the interest of the entire State in mind.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Regarding, voting thresholds on the new NITA Board, I understand we are back to the spring language which requires either 240 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 fifteen out of twenty of the new NITA Board members to approve any action or language we had suggested on our side, requiring a minimum of twelve votes with two from each of the five appointed camps -- from a four appointed camps excuse me, that either or language is back in this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
So, hypothetically speaking, Chairman, if five members from the City and five members from the county and five of the Governor's picks decide they want to reduce Metra service to the five collar counties, in this bill, would they have the authority to do that without any input from the collar county representatives on the NITA Board?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
All I can tell you is that through all the conversations we have had with urban planning groups, good government groups, business groups, this process of the two out of five from each with a simple majority or fifteen out of twenty provides the best public policy to achieve regional outcomes. And so, we can run down hundreds of hypotheticals, and we can go back and forth about what it would mean for one area if we don't have this fifteen-out- of-twenty provision to have essentially veto power over every other 241 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 region. We can argue about what would happen. I would just say that I have faith that, from the experts that have shared and seen what other transit systems do across the world, this is what they believe is good governance. And I also have again faith that our State selections, the Governor is making that the Senate has to confirm, will have the entire region's interests and the entire State of Illinois's interests at heart and in their mind as they make their decisions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
I only had one other scenario that I wanted to suggest. Hypothetically speaking, if the five members from the City, five from the county, and five from the Governor decided to start reducing service to the suburbs, cutting Metro's budget to divert that money to another service board as a member of NITA.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
I'm sorry. Can you please repeat the question?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Thank You, Mr. President. The other hypothetical is, could five members of the City appointees, the five members from the county, the five members from the Governor, vote to reduce service to the collar counties and divert funding from Metra, who serves those collar counties, to other agencies within the region, to either CTA or PACE. 242 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you for the -- I'm not trying to avoid the question, I'm just simply answering it the best way I can, which is, I believe, that the two different voting structures that we provided will incentivize consensus and make sure that the best outcome is reached from a public policy standpoint for the region. I would also add that when we talk about funding, please remember that we've added several accountability mechanisms into the legislation, including performance metrics, service standards, and so much more.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Thank you. A couple of final items. This legislation will not allow any fare increases of any of the service boards for the next, it says first year, I'm assuming that's twelve months after this bill goes into effect. The three service agencies have already been discussing through the RTA rate increases. Is this legislation going to prevent that from happening, and if so, why?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
Your reading of the language is correct; it's -- it's based on the effective date of this legislation. One year from that, the no - no fare increases one year, and then one year from that, at the end of that year, I should say, the NITA Board will be tasked with evaluating fares and looking at adjustments, fare capping and 243 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 other programs. I understand that the Board's currently have proposed fare increases. My -- my thoughts on this is that we should be focused on stabilizing service. Making sure it's safe, accessible, reliable, integrated prior to seeking a fare increase or any cuts for that matter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Yeah. Weren't those rate increases or fare increases -- new revenues that were going to help reduce the fiscal cliff, that we were all really meeting for eighteen months to deal with? Why would we do away with it now?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
If you're referencing the numbers that recently came out over the course of the normal budget process for the service boards and RTA. Yes, that did include a fare increase proposal from the service boards. It also included a -- an elimination of WRAP and tap after Q1. I've always been clear for eighteen months; I don't believe that we should start with fare increases. I believe we should make sure the system is stabilized, that people want to ride it, that it's a system that riders want, need, and deserve. And as that process takes place and as that service improves and is maintained, if when the NITA Board is ready and in place after a year, if they want to look at fare adjustments while also look at -- looking at fare capping programs and free and reduced programs as well. That's what we're asking them to do. So, that's the answer that I can give you. 244 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
I have one last question, Chairman. Did any particular government entity request that these fares be frozen for a year, or did that just come out of the legislative process?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
I - I think there's a general consensus and commitment that we need to stabilize the system, make improvements, and have the process be that the new NIDA -- the new NIDA Board wants in place, will discuss those fare adjustments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator DeWitte.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you, Chairman Villivalam, I appreciate your exchange. I think it's very important that people understand exactly what's in this new bill, some of the revenue sources we can concur on. We appreciate the fact that those were taken into consideration but unfortunately the bulk of the municipalities that I represent in Kane and McHenry and DuPage counties are very remain very concerned that not having equity in voting on the new NITA Board will set them up to be absolutely steamrolled in their government process that's going to take place in the work that this new NITA Board is 245 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 going to be doing. I thought everybody was pretty happy with a minimum of twelve with two from each of the five -- four camps of five members, that was very similar to the system that's currently in place at the RTA, where a two thirds majority vote is required for virtually every action that board takes, and a super supermajority super-duper majority of seventy five percent was required for anything related to capital. That's now out the window. I spent five years on the RTA Board from 2013 to 2018, not one time and I know the arguments that were made, not one time in those five years I sat on that Board did anybody from any of the appointed camps ever attempt to swing a vote or delay a vote one way or another with those majority vote requirements in place on an equal basis of all of the representation on -- on the RTA Board that's now gone, the county board chairs might be happy. I don't know how many of you took some time to call some of your mayors. Hell, some of you only had to call one. They're pissed, and you're all going to hear about it. They are not going to be happy with all of the control for this entire process being handed over to the Democrats in Chicago. Our history of financial management in this building, as it was stated earlier today through the long debate about energy, we're not very good at it, folks. My mayors are hot; you're all going to hear about it. I wish this was a better bill. It wouldn't have taken much to make it better, but unfortunately, it falls short for the five collar counties outside the RTA region. I'm sorry it's turned out that way, I cannot accept this legislation on behalf of every mayor who bust their asses every single week. They don't have a fall guy, they don't get to change the rules, they don't get to swing the votes to be able to call their own shots. The buck stops with every mayor in the collar 246 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 counties, and you just screwed them all, vote No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Simmons, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'll be brief, I know it's late. I just want to speak up on behalf of the four thousands of my constituents that have written into my seventh district Senate Office about this issue. This has been the number one issue that my constituents have stopped me to talk to me about in supermarkets, on the busses and trains, literally on the Amtrak back and forth down to Springfield, including a few of the advocates that are sitting in the gallery today. I just want to say thank you to Chairman Ron Villivalam for working his ass off to get us to this point. I at one point was really just feeling a lot of anxiety that we would not be able to get to this point. And I'm just really proud to be a Member of the Senate right now, proud to be a Member of the General Assembly, and proud to be able to go home hopefully tomorrow and deliver this good news to people. We, our communities are starving for good news right now from government, especially those that are really feeling the pinch around affordability for those like the family I grew up in that don't have cars, that public transit is literally what they live and die by. And so, thank you to -- to -- to Senator Villivalam. Thank you to all the advocates. Thank you to labor. Thank you to 247 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Senate President Don Harmon for helping us get to this point. I'm really happy with this final product. So, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Arellano, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Arellano.
Thank you. Thank you. My -- my first question has to do with some of this funding. It's my understanding, as we've crunched the numbers, that between sweeping sales tax from the motor fuel tax, which is existing monies, and sweeping interest on the Road Fund, downstate areas are going to be losing net roughly about five hundred million dollars. Is that accurate?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
Thank you for the question. I would not characterize this as a sweep in any way. We are on a mission to make sure that we are funding public transit across the State of Illinois. This is a good opportunity. Obviously, you may know, there's fifty-four public transit systems that span ninety-five counties in terms of service. There's over five thousand public transit workers across downstate. There's thirty over thirty-two million unique public transit rides per year downstate. I'm not going to say that you haven't talked to your downstate transit agencies, but I have. They're asking for this funding. They want interconnectivity 248 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 between their counties, their townships, and to Chicago. So, we are -- we have presented a solution here that makes sure we fund public transit across the State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
I'm going to get to my question about the downstate transit. I have, I've gone and toured them, ridden them, recommended people to them. That'll be my next question. My first question though is from those funds net previous that was in downstate is now leaving is about five hundred million dollars. Is that number accurate? The net loss to the downstate regions in motor fuel tax and the interest on the road fund. I understand we're going to be getting hundred and forty millions of it back, but I first want to verify that we're losing five hundred million. Is that accurate?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
No that is not accurate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
Next, I want to ask for the tollway. This is all tolls, no matter how far from the Chicago region. And I ask this because I believe I represent the tolls furthest away geographically from this, but this is uniform across the whole tollway system, is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam. 249 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
Yes. This is -- this is a -- this is the Board accelerating a program that's been discussed at the tollway, that spans the twelve-county system to make sure we're continuing to invest to address the state of good repair and other significant investments in infrastructure.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Arellano.
My last question is, if you disagree with our assessment that there is a net loss of about five hundred million, what is the number then before we're given back the hundred and forty million? What is the net number compared to the old formulas that is being swept from the downstate regions and shifted over? Our analysis has those two combined numbers at a little over five hundred million. You're saying that's inaccurate? Okay, what is the accurate number?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
The -- the accurate number is that we are providing downstate transit systems with a hundred and thirty million in operational funding and an additional twenty million in capital -- for capital projects, while also recognizing some other projects that need to be done for interconnectivity and so forth. That's the accurate number, that's the investment we're making. And the five thousand people that work in public transit downstate, and there are over thirty-two million rides that are taken in downstate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) 250 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Senator Arellano.
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Obviously, I'm not going to get that number. All of those monies get invested in rural transportation project roadways. When I -- when the downstate transit agencies were asking for money, I don't believe they knew that it was going to be coming directly from and magnified above other roadway and infrastructure throughout downstate. And so, I wasn't given the number of -- of what the sponsor believes it's going to be. So, I'm going to stick with the number that our analysis have. We are going to have over a half a million, over five hundred million taken compared to what happened under the old formulas in motor fuel tax, which I invested in my communities all the time during my eight years as a mayor. And many other municipalities counties do as well, as well as that interest on the road fund and in return, we're getting a hundred and forty millions of it back. In addition to the tolls in my district, which are the furthest geographically, and we will not have any representation on the Board. Not that I'm necessarily asking for that portion. And I think the point I would like to make here is that we are not dumb in the rural regions, we understand when you're taking money out of these funds and then giving us a little of it back, we are not net gaining we can do that basic math. And when you see the implications and -- and the anger and the division in Illinois between the Chicago regions and the rural regions, it is not unfounded. My constituents can also 251 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 do the math. They have been concerned about exactly this leading up to this bill, that they were going to be bailing out Chicago region and that is exactly what this bill appears to be doing. That is not a knock on those who are starving for good news. But there are people in rural regions who are also starving for good news, and we're not getting it. So, I'd close on that note. When we have unethical gerrymandered maps that shift voices and powers away from rural regions and then we have bills like this that followed up and change those formulas net negative for us and then we're told, here you go, here's your one hundred and forty million, look at what we've done for you. We know and my constituents know that's not what happened. I will be voting against this bill on behalf of all rural regions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) With further discussion? Senator McClure, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator McClure.
Thank you. Senator, so RTA has roughly a two hundred- and sixty-million-dollar shortfall. Is that about right, for this year?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
If -- if you are including the proposed fare increases and the cuts to the WRAP and tap program after Q1 of next year that 252 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 that number sounds in the ballpark.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator McClure.
Okay, but the fair increase is no longer in the -- in the mix here for that. I'll speak to the bill now. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill.
Thank you very much. So, for about a two hundred- and sixty- million-dollar shortfall, we see essentially a revenue package of 2.5 billion dollars. We've got this. If the sales tax is utilized by the RTA, that's four hundred and seventy-eight million dollars taken from the Road Fund interest, that's two hundred million dollars. The sales tax on motor fuel sales transfer, if that's taken out, that's eight hundred and sixty million dollars. The total there is 2.5 billion dollars. Excuse me, 1.5 five billion dollars, I apologize. Thank you, thank you. Well, you know, when it's 4 o' clock in the morning, we're debating like fifteen different bills that are very controversial, I'm not sure that you should -- and we get an amendment like right away we vote on it. I mean, this stuff is ridiculous, and I think the average Illinois resident that's witnessing this or learns about this tomorrow is going to be appalled by this behavior in this Chamber tonight. But getting to what's happening here, getting to what's happening here --essentially downstate, which at this time out of the gas sales tax, is getting fifty-five percent of the funds, and those funds are to be used for roads, bridges, and necessary repairs. And the most recent study from the Reason Foundation finds in 2025 that 253 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 the rural roads in Illinois ranked 44th best in the country. Only six states have worse roads than we do in our rural areas. In the State of Illinois, as typical in this Chamber, the response is to take more money away from repairing those roads and also our rural bridges and it's not just a small amount that's taken away. We go from getting about fifty-five percent of the funds now to fifteen percent of the funds to try to repair the 44th best roads, in the nation. What are we supposed to say to our constituents? And this is not just a convenience issue, this is a safety issue. We've been paying a gas tax that's been increasing since 2019. We have been paying the -- the -- the gas sales tax on top of that all kinds of things. And my constituents have been asking me, why are the roads so poor still at this point? The ranking last year for our roads was seven slots better than it is this year. So, the direction that we're moving in is the wrong one and what is the response to take more money away from our roads and bridges? At 4 o' clock in the morning, people can't afford to live in this State anymore. All these tax increases that are happening last night, this morning are absolutely insane. And I don't think that the average person is going to be able to keep up tomorrow or later this morning when they read news stories, you know we're talking about tolls, we're talking about potential increases elsewhere in energy, and otherwise. Our State is losing population and our State in comparison to our neighbors, is a State that is taxed out of control. And the fact that on top of that -- on top of that, necessary repairs to our roads and bridges will not happen, is unacceptable. It's one thing to pay taxes, it's another thing to as you're paying these taxes, not see the improvements that you're paying for. That's exactly what this does for downstate, and I 254 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 don't know how anyone can explain this to the people that are driving on some of the worst roads in the country right now. But it is what it is at this time and so, here we are at 4 o' clock in the morning. I ask for a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) For further discussion? Senator Villanueva, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Question for the sponsor, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Villanueva.
Leader Villivalam, is it the intent of this legislation that the additional .25 percent sales tax to the RTA is authorized to enact is intended to be used solely for expenses related to mass transit?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam.
Yes. The intent of this legislation is that the additional .25 percent sales tax imposed is only intended by the RTA Board, would only be intended to be used for mass transit expenses and not any -- not for any other purpose.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villanueva.
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) To the bill. 255 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
It's late at night, it's 4 o' clock in the morning. Everyone's exhausted and delirious but the reality is this Senator Villivalam, Leader Villivalam has done an incredible job at working on this issue for the past eighteen months and while some people might say that's not a lot of time, it's a lot of time away from your wife, away from your children, traveling throughout the State because these were not just hearings that were held in Chicago or in suburban Cook County. These -- this was a job of going around the State to engage with advocates, to engage with labor, to engage with community members, to actually get the public involved in the process, to say and have an input over the changes on mass transit in the State. Now, mind you, does this include every single little thing? No, because that is impossible to do when you are dealing with a lot of people in a State. But this is an exemplary job at trying to address a large issue that will impact us all because while folks are concerned about their mayors, some of us do have more than one mayor that we got to talk to. But what I'm concerned about is the working people who rely solely on mass transit, on public transportation because they don't have cars, because they have no other option. What I'm concerned about is the potentially three thousand plus transit workers who might have been out of jobs were it not for this bill and the work of Senator Villivalam. What I'm concerned about is the three thousand plus transit workers, families, children's livelihood and their local economies and how they would be impacted if we were not to do our job. So let's be real, we know the privilege that we have as elected officials, we know the privilege that our mayors have. And yes, we got to deal with a lot of politics in the work that we do. But at 256 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 the end of the day, it does not serve the people of this State, it does not serve the people of the City of Chicago, the collar counties of Cook County. It does not serve Illinoisans for us to do nothing about public transportation in a day and time where we know that the world is chaotic. So, you might laugh because you're probably a little delirious. You might want to say a lot of things because you already know how I am and I could care a little bit, but I'm going to tell you this, at the end of the day you're getting calls from mayors, and I get calls from my mayors all the time as well but you know who? I also get calls from transit workers who are afraid of losing their jobs, constituents who are afraid that their bus line in order to get to work is going to get cut off. Mothers who are literally taking the bus to take their kids to school, who are worried about what's going to happen if they're not able to do that anymore, or if the fares are increased because they don't have enough to cover for all -- like for their two or three children that they have to cover. I'm worried about the students who don't have enough money in order to pay because they won't get reduced fare, or the veterans who will again also have to pay more because they won't get reduced fare. I'm worried about the seniors who take PACE to go to the doctor to go to the grocery store. This was an incredible job; it was a hell of a job. On behalf of, Senator Villivalam and the incredible Members of the Transportation Committee that participated in this. Everyone should vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Villivalam, to close.
I think Senator Villanueva just did my close up. So, if you 257 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 don't mind, Mr. President, thank you and thank you to the Members of the Body for this robust discussion. I do want to keep the applause going for our staff. Can we give a round of applause to the House, the Governor's Office staff, the Senate staff, and especially Maddie, Savannah, V time from my team and our management -- management team. I want to thank the Clean Jobs Coalition; I want to thank the Labor for Public Transportation Coalition. I do want to thank the Senate Transportation Committee Members who stuck with me through every hearing and every part of the State for all forty hours of testimony, forty how much? Forty, okay. And I want to, of course, thank the Senate President for his guidance, assistance in getting this across the finish line. I have so much to say, but I'm going to keep it brief, I'll try to. We are doing something transformative today. We are changing our public transit systems for the first time in five decades to be safe, to be reliable, to be accessible, to be integrated, making sure that we got the reforms and we got the funding that's needed to make a system for the next several decades addressing safety, addressing accountability, addressing transparency, making sure that every person in this State is able to go to their doctor, their school, their job in a safe, reliable, accessible and integrated way. We care about everyone in this State, everyone. I was here in May. I was here for three years, I presented plans, we got funding for downstate. Where was your plan? Where was the mayor's plan? All the mayors you're talking to, where were their plans? We heard their constructive criticism; we included several provisions to address their concerns. So, no, we are not going to let this moment pass. We've achieved consensus with the coalitions, we can achieve consensus with the House and the Governor, and we are moving 258 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 forward. We are moving forward for the veteran that had to take four transfers to get to Hines VA. We're moving forward for the bus operator that grabbed onto my hand outside in May and said, I need this. We're moving forward for the IBEW local nine worker that if it wasn't for the fix that happened fifteen years ago, he very passionately said his life would have gone a very different way. And now he's training CTA workers in -- at the Will County facility. And we're doing this because there was a mother that had a six-year-old son and a newborn. She came to this country in the seventies. She was a teacher in India. She couldn't get that job when she got here, she had to go back get her bachelor's in computer science at Northwestern and Northeastern Illinois University, and she had to take a CTA bus four nights a week with her six-year- old son and a newborn in 1980 to get that bachelor's in computer science. And after thirty-four years, she retired of working in government. And that person is my mother, and that's the reason I'm standing here today. So, we're standing with mothers, we're standing with veterans, we're standing with the people that need to get to their doctor, their school, their job. That's what we're doing today, that's what this plan is about. And yes, we are going to hold the agencies accountable. We did our job; the balls in their court. We're going to be watching. Please vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) The question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendments 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 2111. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 36 voting Yea, 21 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the 259 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 Senate does concur in House Amendments 3 and 4 to Senate Bill 2111, and the bill is declared passed. Just a little bit more work to do, Ladies and Gentlemen. Back on Supplemental Calendar No. 4, we have Senate Resolution 503, Senator Sims. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 503, offered by Senator Sims.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Sims, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 503 encourages the Illinois Court of Claims to continue working on certificates of innocence for individuals who -- who -- who petitioned the Court to have their decisions delayed. We have been working on legislation all Session, could not come to a resolution, but we are encouraging the Court of Claims to make that happen. As going forward, please, I'd like to adopt the adopt a resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? Seeing none. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 503 pass. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, the resolution is adopted. President Harmon, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the hour is late, and I do not want to belabor the point, but I would ask each of you to take a moment and reflect upon what a remarkably productive and consequential fall session we have had more so than any I have been part of. I would also posit that whether it is transit or energy or healthcare or civil rights. 260 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 What we did here these two weeks will only grow and import as the days pass. I want to thank all of you Members for your endurance. I want to thank our indefatigable staff for their brilliance and perseverance. We will be distributing the Calendar for next year shortly. I wish you all a safe trip home. A very happy holiday season, a great start to the new year, and look forward to joining you back here in Springfield in mid-January. Godspeed, all.
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 adopted the following Joint Resolution in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 47. Resolved by the House of Representatives, the 104th General Assembly, the State of Illinois, the Senate concurring herein, that when the House is adjourned on Friday, October 31st, 2025. The House of Representatives stands adjourned to the call of the Speaker, and the Senate stands adjourned to the call of the President. Adopted by the House, October 31st, 2025. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
House Joint Resolution 47, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution 47. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution. 261 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025
House Joint Resolution 47, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Senator Lightford moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 47. Those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Lightford moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 47. All those in favor say, Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now proceed to the Order of Consent Calendar Congratulatory Resolutions. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. We will now proceed to the Order of Consent Calendar celebrations of life resolutions. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolutions on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR AQUINO) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted? All those in favor say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, the motion carries, and 262 STATE OF ILLINOIS 104th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 61st Legislative Day 10/30/2025 the resolutions are adopted. There being no further business to come before the Senate pursuant to House Joint Resolution 47, the Senate stands adjourned to the call of the Senate President. The Senate stands adjourned. 263