CHICAGO – Advocates in support of restoring the ability of Illinois municipalities to ban assault weapons testified in favor of a proposal introduced by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) at a Senate committee this morning in Chicago.

“Military-style weapons, designed for war and not for sport, have no use on our streets and in our neighborhoods,” Mark Walsh with the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence said.

Morrison’s proposal, contained in Senate Bill 2130, restores Illinois municipalities’ right to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Current Illinois law prohibits municipalities from enacting assault weapon bans. The practice was legal until 2013, when the controversial law allowing Illinois residents to carry concealed weapons was passed.

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SPRINGFIELD – A new law that will give more flexibility to medical patients who are benefiting from a certain drug but are required by their insurance companies to take a less-costly medication was signed into law recently by the governor.

“Patients suffering from chronic conditions, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis or mental illness, rely on effective medical treatments to manage their conditions,” State Senator Julie Morrison (D - Deerfield) said. “When an insurance bureaucrat tells a patient the medication they are currently taking will no longer be covered, it can bring uncertainty and worry to patients already struggling with a serious health concern.”

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SPRINGFIELD – A new law passed by Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) earlier this year and signed today by the governor will expand court protections for individuals with intellectual disabilities, cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities.

“For victims of physical or sexual assault, taking the stand and confronting an accuser is often a very emotional and trying experience,” Morrison said. “For an individual with an intellectual disability, the process can be completely overwhelming.”

Current Illinois law allows an individual with an intellectual disability, who has been the victim of certain crimes involving physical or sexual assault, to designate someone to testify in court on their behalf. Known as a hearsay exception, the law is vague and excludes many vulnerable victims.

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SPRINGFIELD – A plan passed by State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) making it easier for domestic violence victims to file temporary orders of protection was signed into law today by the governor.

“Victims of domestic violence often face many emotional and psychological challenges that make it difficult to report their abuse and admit abuse by their partner,” Morrison said. “In instances where safety is in jeopardy, we must make temporary orders of protection accessible and available to protect anyone from further abuse.”

Morrison introduced House Bill 6109 earlier this year that would permit the Illinois Supreme Court to establish a pilot program that would allow individuals to electronically file petitions for temporary orders of protection. Currently, a person must appear in a civil court to file a petition for an order of protection.

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