Staff Reports
In Illinois, a state legislator was not permitted to define the term "opposite sex" in his or her own words during a bill-alignment argument with the federal government. Senate Bill 3351, which alters the Subsidized Housing Joint Occupancy Act to exempt an elderly parent with an adult child with a disability of the opposite sex from having to live in subsidized housing with only one bedroom, was supported by Democratic State Representative Terra Costa Howard. According to her, the law seeks to uphold federal requirements for Illinois while also granting people respect.
https://twitter.com/ILfamilyaction/status/1794053032843571641
Republican State Representative Brad Halbrook questioned Costa Howard about her definition of opposite sex during the debate, but she was unable to respond. She read the section of the bill that lacked the description and provided further explanations using federal definitions. She did not have the term on hand when Halbrook asked for it.
Halbrook asked if the definition of opposite sex is static or changeable, whereas Costa Howard stressed the meaninglessness of her personal thoughts about it. Costa Howard persisted in stating that her personal opinions on the subject are unimportant. Halbrook emphasized that before the motion was put to a vote, it was crucial to define opposite sex precisely.
Even if "opposite sex" isn't exactly defined, the bill passed and can now be forwarded to the governor for additional action. Costa Howard stated that she and the other Democratic members of the supermajority are committed to providing dignity to individuals residing in subsidized housing, demonstrating their unwavering commitment on their goals in the face of criticism.
