SPRINGFIELD – Family members and law enforcement officials concerned about disturbing or threatening behavior in an individual with access to a firearm now have the legal ability to act before tragedy occurs under legislation sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that was signed into law today.

“In far too many of the mass shooting events that have taken place recently across our country, a family member identified threatening behavior in a loved one and didn’t know where to turn,” Morrison said. “In some cases, reports were made with law enforcement. But with no legal mechanism in place, there was no ability to step in before that individual caused tragedy.”

Morrison’s new law, which passed under House Bill 2354, would create the Firearms Restraining Order Act, allowing a family member or law enforcement official to alert the court system when an individual with access to a firearm is displaying threatening or unsafe behavior that could lead to injury to themselves or to the general public.

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State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) expressed continued concern today that the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is not living up to its critical task of protecting abused or neglected Illinois children.

Numerous high-profile failures over the last several months at the agency have Morrison questioning the ability of the agency to protect vulnerable children under DCFS Director Beverly Walker.

“We have known for quite some time about the challenges and failures facing DCFS,” Morrison said. “Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the leadership from the agency or the administration that I would have hoped given the vital importance of protecting children from abuse and neglect.”

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Join State Senator Julie Morrison and Lake County Board Member Mike Rummel for a conversation surrounding the impact of transportation projects on our environment. Environmental experts will lead the discussion and be on hand to provide knowledgeable testimony concerning important environmental issues.

The event will take place on Thursday, June 21 at 7:00p.m. at Elawa Farm (1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest, IL 60045).

Questions?

Contact Senator Morrison’s office in Deerfield at (847) 945-5200.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) voted in favor of a balanced, bipartisan budget this evening that makes reasonable cuts while protecting funding for human service programs and increasing public education funding.

“Our budget reflects the values of our state. It increases investment in public education and early childhood services. It protects vital funding for programs serving individuals with disabilities. It makes reasonable cuts to increase efficiencies and – most importantly – it is balanced, bipartisan and does not contain any tax increases,” Morrison said.

The budget plan, contained in House Bill 109 and House Bill 3342, contains nearly $600 million in spending cuts, including approximately half a billion in savings through innovative pension reform measures. Public education funding would increase by $350 million with an additional $50 million investment in early childhood education.

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