IL Senate Floor Session — REGULAR Session (Day 86)

(Invocation)

(Pledge of Allegiance)

Senate Journal of Tuesday, March 24th, 2026.

Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcripts.

Yes, Mr. President. Senator Walker, Chair of the Committee on Financial Institutions, reports - Senate Bill 3019; Do Pass and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3903 Recommend Do Adopt.

Point of announcement.

(A) I am welcoming 2 Page for the Day from my district, so I have Angel De Jesus Porras as a senior at the Bolingbrook High School, and he has lived in Bolingbrook his whole life. Throughout the years at the Valley View School District, he has developed a love for English history and politics. He plans to major in poli sci in college and hopes to attend here in Illinois. Other than that, he's also quite passionate about weightlifting and learning about rhetoric, both written and spoken. Overall, he loves learning, which is the main reason he applied for this opportunity. I also have Grace Falana, and she is a sophomore in Bolingbrook High School who generally loves learning and being a part of her local community. She spends much of her free time reading and writing. Reading and writing is her passion and has shaped her strong interests in communication and public policy. At school, she's involved in the National English Honor Society and the peer mediation, where she works alongside her peers to promote an understanding and resolve conflicts through -- thoughtfully. Grace believes that even small contributions can help lasting impact, especially when it comes to shaping politics that affect local communities. Looking ahead, she plans to attend college here in Illinois as well, and hopes one day to play a big or small role in influencing public policy and serving others. And I hope that the Senate will welcome my Pages for the Day.

Point of an announcement, Mr. President.

Today, I rise with great pride as a -- as a mother of four former Brown County Hornets, to recognize some truly outstanding students, coaches and families from Brown County Community Unit School District No. 1. They are joining us today in both galleries. This has been an extraordinary year for Brown County Athletics, one defined by hard work, perseverance, and excellence. First, I want to recognize the Brown County High football team, who finished with an incredible season with an 11-3 record and earned a second- place finish in their very first State championship appearance. Competing at that level for the first time is no small feat, and their determination and grit have made our entire community proud. We also celebrate the remarkable achievements of the seventh-grade girls basketball team, who completed not just one, but two consecutive undefeated seasons, finishing this year at a perfect 26 and 0. And finally… And next, I would recognize the eighth- grade girls basketball team who finished their season in an outstanding 25-2 record. They battled all the way to State championship game and earned a second-place finish after a hard- fought contest against Springfield Christian. Also, I want to say that while the Varsity High School Brown County girls basketball team cannot be here, they also finished second in the State very first time ever. All right. I'm sorry. It's third. Third. I got that mixed up, but it was a very first time they've ever showed at that level. Again, we're honored to have all these fine people from the Brown County Unit School District with us today. To all of these student athletes, you represent the very best of Illinois. You have brought incredible pride to Brown County and also our entire State. Please join me in congratulating these fine athletes and leaders of our next future. Outstanding individuals and the folks behind them that got them, supported them, and helped them in every way. You've had a truly remarkable year. Thank you, Mr. President.

Also an introduction, if I may, Mr. President.

And Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm pleased to have today, with me in the -- in Chamber, Miss Madilynn Goff. She is a eighth grade student at Oblong Elementary in Oblong, Illinois. She's a -- favorite subject she reports is history and did, just do very well on the Constitution test, she reported last week. So, that's good. She's also in Beta Club, which is a charitable organization and plays softball and the trombone. And she gets older, she says she's pretty decent at math, hopes to maybe go engineering or law, which I remind her she doesn't need math for law, nor does she need math to be a legislator. Anyway, with all that said, would you please welcome Miss Madilynn Goff to the Chamber today? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of introduction.

Thank you. I have the privilege of introducing an exceptional group of young women. They come from the Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and they're here for the Women's Civic Day. They are accompanied by someone that all of us know really well, Linda Baker. I don't know where Linda is, but wave Linda. Awesome. And also, I saw that President Mahony was with them just a little bit earlier. I don't know if he's still with them or not, but this is a dedicated group of young women that visit Springfield each year. They've recently formed a registered student organization on campus and actively work on policy issues throughout the year. These young women are already stepping into leadership and learning how they can shape their communities through their many activities throughout the year. I'm told one of the women in the group today is a legislative assistant for Senator Hunter, and we're excited to see all that they'll do and all they'll accomplish. And we're really glad to have them here today. So, will you join me in welcoming them to the Capitol?

For the purposes of an introduction, please.

Thank you, Mr. President. It's always great to have district staff in Springfield to get a better handle on what goes on here, day to day or what doesn't go on here day to day. Carolyn Schofield works in my district office in West Dundee. She does triple time, not only does she do great work for us on the legislative side, she is also President of the McHenry County Mental Health Board, and she also serves as McHenry's Representative on CMAP in Chicago. So, it's always great to have someone so involved in different aspects of government. And I'd like you all to join me in a warm welcome for Carolyn Schofield.

Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of introduction.

Today, I would like to recognize two ladies that are a part of a special group joining us on the Floor from Citizens for Conservation. For more than five decades, this organization has played an important role in preserving open spaces, protecting natural resources, and promoting environmental education in our community. Their work has ensured the future generations can enjoy the natural beauty and the wildlife that make our region so special. I want to thank each of you for your continued dedication, your volunteerism, and your commitment to conservation. Please join me in welcoming these guests to the Illinois Senate and recognizing 55 years of service to conservation in our communities.

Senate Resolution 692, offered by Senator Doris Turner. It is substantive.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to make an introduction?

I would like to introduce Project Impact 180, which is an organization from the 5th Senate District in the North Lawndale community, ran by the founder, Elaine -- Elaine, who is there in the gallery with the young folks. She does some amazing work on the west side, educating, mentoring, and having our young people just explore different initiatives throughout the community. And so, can you all just please give them a round of applause from the west side, which is the best side.

Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.

Mr. President, contrary to the previous speaker, we all know that the south side is, in fact, the best side of the City of Chicago. But that -- that we will -- we'll stay away from that, we'll stay away from that. But we have been joined by some amazing guests from my district, the Tuesday Tie Foundation and their Board, their Board President, Daniel Jackson, and some of their amazing students they're in the gallery on the Democratic side. I'd like them to rise and be recognized by the Illinois Senate.

The purpose of an introduction.

Mr. President, I have with me Andrew Summers, who is a Junior - Edwardsville High School, where he also is a pitcher for the baseball team. Andrew hopes to follow in his mother's footsteps by serving the community through law. Andrew hopes to ultimately pursue a career in politics, we would all love to have him. And for just a side note, Andrew's mother sitting up here, a few of you Members might know and remember, our Senator Rachelle Crowe. So please welcome Andrew to the Senate today.

Senator Cunningham back in the Chair.

Senator Lightford, Chair of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Appropriations-Public Safety and Infrastructure - Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2754 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2755; refer to Energy and Public Utilities Committee - Floor Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 3104; refer to Environment and Conservation Committee - Floor Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 3917; refer to Executive Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2726; refer to Judiciary Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3196, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3291 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3750; refer to Revenue Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3169. Signed, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair.

Senate Bill 2741, an Act concerning criminal law. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 1.

No further amendments reported.

Senate Bill 2913, an Act concerning education. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education, adopted Amendment No. 1.

No further amendments reported.

Senate Bill 2921, an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Insurance adopted Amendment No. 1.

No further amendments reported.

Senate Bill 3104, an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Energy and Public Utilities adopted Amendments 2 and 3.

No further amendments reported.

Senate Bill 3239, an Act concerning State government. 2nd Reading the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.

Senate Bill 3258, an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.

Senate Bill 3597, an Act concerning government. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Criminal Law adopted Amendment No. 1.

No further amendments reported.

Senate Bill 3688, an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Insurance adopted Amendment No. 2.

No further amendments reported.

Senate Bill 3794, an Act concerning local government. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.

Senate Bill 3903, an Act concerning regulation. 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments reported.

Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Walker.

I'd like to adopt Senate Floor Amendment No. 1.

No further amendments reported.

Senate Resolution 461, offered by Senator Doris Turner.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 461 declares April 2026 as Prescribed Burning Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. The purpose of the resolution is to support the appropriate and continued use of prescribed fire. It provides multiple ecological, economic and cultural benefits to the State and has actually been practiced for thousands of years and was a primary tool used by indigenous people to attract game, stimulus -- stimulate a rich ground layer of plants for harvesting and keep woodlands and grasslands open and easy to transfer. It's also a traditional land management practice and public safety tool that helps prevent and lessen the severity of wildfires.

Senate Resolution 487, offered by Senator Ventura.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 847{sic}(487), declares April 3rd as the Jane Goodall Day. Dr. Jane Goodall dedicated her life to fostering a more sustainable society for the benefit of generations to come. By honoring her on the day of her birth, we help continue the work that she began in raising awareness on an important conservation and the path to a green future. Dr. Goodall began studying wild chimpanzees in 1960, and her field of study led to developing the unique understandings of the chimpanzee's behavior, including the mating rituals, parenting ware -- warfare, and the breaking ground discovery that chimpanzees use tools. Her work revolutionized humankind understanding of the connection to wild animals that led to a massive surge in public interest in the welfare of our closest animal cousins. Dr. Goodall founded the Goodall -- Jane Goodall Institution in 1977 and is involved into the world's largest nonprofit global research and conservation organizations. She has also become a celebrated author with 32 books and has numerous accolades, including being named the United Nations Messenger of Peace. Dr. Goodall's lifelong -- lifelong legacy continues to inspire conservation, sustainability and respect of all living beings, and it now falls on us to carry that legacy forward and continue the extraordinary work that she tirelessly pursued for over six decades. And I hope you will join me in voting Yes on Senate Resolution 487.

Senate Resolution 575, offered by Senator Villa.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 575 declares March 9th through March 15th, 2026 as Civic Learning Week in Illinois and appropriates, appreciates the students, volunteers, and professionals who prioritize the enterprise of civic learning within our communities. As we know, the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is occurring, this current year. And that calls our on our own collective and ability and commitment to work across our differences and reinvest ourselves in making civic learning for all students as a community, state, and national priority. The nation's ongoing experiment in self-governance requires citizens who understand its laws, collaborate across differences, and uphold civic strength in their communities. Thank you, and I urge an Aye vote.

Senate Resolution 603, offered by Senator Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. President. As we come to the month of April, in electronic devices, especially in our vehicles, can cause those to be distracted. I'd like to declare the Month of April as Distracted Driving (Awareness) Month here in the State of Illinois. Thank you.

Senate Resolution 614, offered by Senator Loughran Cappel.

Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution declares April 2nd, 2026, Autism Awareness Day. This -- we are here to recognize both the progress and the continued struggles that people with autism face. And this resolution for Autism Awareness Day and World Autism Day, is going to be celebrated. We celebrate it by the United Nations on April 2nd. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges, symptoms of autism appear in early childhood and vary wildly and severely. Some very minor, some not so minor. To quote Representative Manley, who has a family member, she says, if you've met one child with autism, you've met one child with autism. So, we're here today to recognize that autism affects millions of Americans. That -- there's been significant progress for this and that. Autism Awareness Day provides an opportunity to increase understanding of autism. So, today I just, this resolution recognizes World Autism Day for April 2nd.

Senate Resolution 675, offered by Senator Villanueva.

Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution declares March 26th tomorrow as Equal Pay Day in the State of Illinois. Equal Pay Day, started by the National Committee on Pay Equity in 1996, was created with the goal of raising awareness about the gender wage gap. This symbolic day further highlights and combats the impact of pay inequities through US census data, which has revealed that women working full time in year-round are paid 83 percent of what men are paid and all workers, including part time and seasonal, are paid 75 percent of what men are paid. Because the pay gap varies significantly among different communities, other equal pay days have been added to the calendar over the years to reflect the fact that many women must work far longer into the year to catch up to men. The pay gap has been shown to start as soon as one year after college, and this inequity affects not only women, but also their families and society as a whole. The -- the pay gap between women and men has long term effects on women's economic security, and such gap affects women's Social Security earnings, their ability to save for retirement and their children's education. And I want to list out the actual dates because I think people should actually be aware of this. So, while Equal Pay Day will be tomorrow, March 26th, for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Women's Equal Pay Day, that'll be on April 7th. For LGBTQYA Plus Equal Pay Day, that day will be June 17th. For Black Women's Equal Pay Day, the day is July 21st. Mom's equal pay day is August 6th. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Women's Equal Pay Day are September 15th. Latina Equal Pay Day is October 8th this year. Disabled Women's Equal Pay Day is October 20th and Native American Equal Pay Day. Native American Women's Equal Pay Day is November 19th of this year. Again, we're going all the way to November. Equal pay day should be a priority for all, for all women and for everyone in our society at large. So, I think this is a great resolution. I want to thank the American Association of University Women, who have continuously made sure that we don't forget these dates and that we remember this. And we know -- I know, we have some of them in the gallery. If we can give them a big round of applause and a welcome for their continued work to make sure that we know about Equal Pay Day. Thank you.

Senate Resolution 688, offered by Senator Villanueva.

Thank you, Mr. President. This one is an important one. This resolution names March 31st, 2026, as Farm Worker Day. For generation farmworkers, many of them immigrants and living in poverty, have endured long hours, extreme heat and cold low wages, unsafe workplaces and limited legal protections, all while sustaining one of the most one of the most essential sectors of our economy. Filipino labor leaders, including Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, Pete Velasco and Andy Wooten, are among the first to launch major strikes that reshaped the agricultural labor landscape, standing alongside Mexican and Latino farmworkers to form a historic, multiracial coalition for justice. Mexican and Latino farmworkers played a central role to the movement, including the late Marcos Muñoz, a resident of Chicago's Little Village Community. Sorry, I'm getting tied up, who was a mentor of mine and whose tireless organizing and leadership in the New England grape boycott helped secure some of the first union contracts for agricultural workers in the United States. Women were essential to the movement's success, sustaining boycotts, leading community efforts, protecting families and ensuring that the struggle for justice reflected the experience of those most affected. Children also carried the weight of this movement, marching alongside their parents and during economic hardships and becoming symbols of the future that farmworkers were fighting to protect. I stand here with us this resolution to honor the farmworkers of the movement from the past, and the ones who continue to fight for justice and equity in our country now. Thank you.

Senate Resolution 689, offered by Senator Villanueva.

Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution declares, April 10th, 2026, Dolores Carla Fernandez Huerta de. Dolores Huerta began her advocacy in California's Central Valley, where as a young teacher, she -- she witnessed firsthand the poverty, hunger, and exploitation endured by -- by the children and farmworkers. Dolores Huerta became a leader of the Community Service Organization in Stockton, co-founding its chapter in 1955 and spearheading efforts to expand voting rights{sic} (access), secure neighborhood improvements, and build political power for Latino communities. Dolores Huerta helped form the Agricultural Workers Association and later co-founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, which later on became the National{sic}(United) Farm Workers, a historical multiracial coalition of Filipino, Mexican, and other immigrant labor leaders{sic} (laborers) fighting for basic rights and humane working conditions. As the chief negotiator for the farm workers, Dolores Huerta secured the first union contracts in American agricultural history, improving wages, working conditions, and protections for tens of thousands of workers. Dolores Huerta was instrumental in leading the national grape boycotts of the late 1960s and the early 1970s, mobilizing millions of consumers across the country and helping win passage of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, the first law in the nation to guarantee farm workers the right to organize and bargain collectively. As some of us have read the news as of last week, we stand here trying to honor the leaders who have actually done the work and who have sacrificed a lot. And that's why we're trying to make April 10th, Dolores Huerta Day in the State of Illinois. Thank you.

To the resolution, Mr. President.

Well, first of all, I want to thank Senator Villanueva for these two resolutions, and I'll speak to the prior resolution in this one together. So, many of you know that I spent six years of my life working for the Farm Workers Union. It was a tough week last week to hear the news that came out. So, it's very appropriate that we honor farm workers because that's what the issue is all about. And dignity and justice for people that pick the food that we eat is always a noble cause. The last time I saw Dolores was in Chicago at the Democratic Convention, she has been, I think, the delegate from the State of California for every -- every convention. She's going to be 96 on April 10th. And, you know, she is part of the inspiration of the farm workers sometimes overlooked, but I think now her time is going to rise. So, thank you for doing this. Thank you for all who support farm workers and let's keep the cause going.

Mr. President. Thank you, Leader Koehler, this is an important one because the reality is, as someone who comes from movement work, the granddaughter of a bracero who was a farm worker that came to this country during World War II, to actually help farm the fields of this country, and eventually went back to Mexico. As the daughter of a father who actually did farm worker work, who picked strawberries and tomatoes and whose stories continue as part of my life. When we talk about the State of Illinois and we talk about agricultural workers, when we talk about farm workers. I had the benefit of literally working with an organization, the Illinois Migrant Council, on the Monday after I graduated college. I graduated at the U of I, graduation is a weekend-long celebration, had ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday. And Monday, I was working in Champaign, Illinois with migrant farm workers. When we talk about this movement and we talk about abuses to people who are literally some of the most vulnerable workers, and we don't acknowledge the hurt and the pain, but we also don't acknowledge the fact that it is often so many faceless people that don't get the attention. It's on us, as leaders, to uplift them, to uplift their voices, to uplift their stories. And that's why we worked on these resolutions fairly quickly, to make sure that those who are still working, to make sure that farm workers are getting the pay that they deserve, because they're doing some of the most essential work, because we all eat, we eat vegetables, we eat fruit. We eat so many things because we eat because we're humans. To make sure we honor them, the work that they're doing. But honor women, especially women like Dolores Huerta, who has given so much and who is still a fighter at her very tender age of close to 96 years old. And we honor survivors because the work is never easy, but we need to honor their voices and their experience and uplift their truths. And that's why we have those resolutions. So, I want to thank the Body for letting me speak on this. Thank you.

Pursuant to the directive of the Senate President, the regular Session of the Senate is now in perfunctory Session. Communication from the President. Letter dated March 25th, -- 2026. Dear Mr. Secretary - Pursuant to Senate Rule 2-10, I am scheduling a perfunctory Session to convene on March 25th, 2026. Signed, Don Harmon, Senate President. Committee Reports. Senator Glowiak Hilton, Chair of the Committee on License Activities, reports - Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3496, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3676 and Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3895, Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Castro, Chair of the Committee on Executive, reports - Senate Bills 2393 and 2968, Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Holmes, Chair of the Committee on Local Government, reports - Senate Bill 3076, Do Pass; Senate Bills 3644 and 3951, Do Pass as Amended. Senator Hastings, Chair of the Committee on Judiciary, reports - Senate Bill 3401, Do Pass. Senate Bills 3527 and 3750, Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1573, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3196, Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3291 and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3524, Recommend Do Adopt. There being no further business to come before this perfunctory Session pursuant to House Joint Resolution 57, the Senate stands adjourned until the call of Senate President. The Senate stands adjourned.