SPRINGFIELD – Every school bus in Illinois carrying children would be required to use the stop signal arm and flashing signal lights under a proposal that recently passed the Senate sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield).

Current state law gives an exception and even prohibits school buses from using the safety technology if students are not being transported to school or if the bus is not being used for specific youth camp or child care purposes.

“Any school bus transporting children should without exception be using the safety equipment already installed,” Morrison said. “This is an example of state bureaucracy getting in the way of common sense.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) presented her proposal to reform Illinois’ redistricting process to a Senate subcommittee this afternoon in Springfield. Earlier in the day, Morrison joined with her colleagues and reform advocates at a press conference to discuss the importance of changing the way Illinois draws district boundary lines. 

“For too long, politicians have been in charge of redistricting in Illinois, splitting up communities and injecting politics into an issue that should be free from partisan influence,” Morrison said. “There is a better way to redraw district boundary lines, and I believe an independent commission with strict guidelines and transparent motives would best serve the diverse population who call Illinois home.”

Morrison has introduced Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 26, which would establish a 16-member independent commission that would be in charge of redistricting Congressional districts as well as State House and Senate districts in Illinois.

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SPRINGFIELD - Municipalities across Illinois would once again have the ability of regulating military-style assault weapons under a plan advanced today by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield).

“At a time of continued inaction in Washington, it is imperative we give local communities who want to regulate assault weapons the legal ability to do so,” Morrison said. “This is a commonsense proposal that empowers local communities to make the decision about assault weapons that is in their best interests.”

Current Illinois law places a roadblock on 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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A bipartisan polling firm released data this morning showing widespread support among Illinoisans for licensing gun dealers.

“The data released today confirms what many of us have believed for a long time. Illinoisans are in strong support of increased oversight of gun dealers,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield).

While a plan requiring licensing of gun dealers passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support, Gov. Rauner vetoed the bill a few weeks ago. Morrison, a chief co-sponsor of that proposal, is hopeful the poll will increase momentum to override the governor’s veto.

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