SPRINGFIELD – To give insulin-dependent diabetics a more effective way to manage their blood sugar levels, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) led a bill through the Senate to require insurance plans to cover continuous glucose monitors.

“This is a development in science that should be used to help people better regulate their diabetes,” Morrison said. “Glucose monitoring systems should be covered the same as other medical equipment.” 

Under Morrison’s proposal, insurance plans would be required to include coverage for continuous glucose monitors, which are regularly used to help people manages their diabetes through a wearable device rather than pricking their finger. Any person with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes that requires insulin would be provided coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

In Illinois alone, approximately 1.3 million adults have diabetes – about 12.5% of the state’s population –according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Morrison has been a long-time advocate for people with diabetes, supporting a 2019 measure that capped patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply.

Senate Bill 2969 passed the Senate Friday.

SPRINGFIELD – Following through on her commitment to provide greater accessibility for all Illinois voters, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) passed a bill out of the Senate to allow people with certain disabilities to vote electronically.

“While we have expanded vote by mail in many ways, we have yet to provide the same opportunities to voters who cannot read print because of a visual, physical, perceptual, developmental, cognitive or learning disability,” Morrison said.

The measure would allow voters with a print disability to receive and mark their ballot electronically on an assistive device. It would be printed, sealed and signed before being returned through the mail. The voting procedure would be in place for the November 2022 General Election, and all subsequent elections.

“Equal access at the voting box is a keystone to our democracy,” Morrison said. “The inclusion of this process into state law will provide safe, private and equal voting opportunities for voters.”

Senate Bill 829 passed the Senate Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) advanced a bipartisan measure out of the Senate to make units of local government more accountable, efficient and transparent.

Under Morrison‘s measure – the Decennial Committees on Local Government Consolidation and Efficiency Act – units of local government would be required to review and report at least once every 10 years ways in which they can improve efficiency.

“With approximately 7,000 units of local taxpayer funded governments, it is time for these government bodies to be evaluated for efficiency and accountability,” Morrison said. “Our communities have evolved over the decades and taxpayers deserve accountability.  If you cannot justify your existence to those who fund you, you should turn off the lights, turn in your keys, and save the taxpayers their money.”

This measure requires three public meetings which would accept input from local residents. Each local government – except municipalities, counties and schools – would collect data, research, analysis, and public input regarding governing statutes, ordinances, shared services, and intergovernmental agreements, among other items. It would then be tasked with creating a report with recommendations regarding efficiencies and increased accountability.

Senate Bill 3789 passed the Senate Thursday with bipartisan support. 

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is leading a commonsense measure through the Senate to ensure patient-on-patient abuse is reported to law enforcement.

“Any instance of mental, physical or sexual misconduct must be taken seriously and reported immediately,” Morrison said. “Oftentimes, patients cannot advocate for themselves – so they need staff to step up and advocate for help on their behalf.”

Morrison’s proposal requires hospital staff to report to law enforcement and the Illinois Department of Public Health if a patient abuses another patient. Currently, only abuse committed by a staff member of a health care facility must be reported.

Morrison’s proposal comes following a ProPublica report that found a patient at a Chicago-based psychiatric ward sexually assaulted another patient but was not reported to the police for several week.

To ensure patients are given the same protections against other patients as they are against hospital staff, Morrison is leading the charge to update the Hospital Licensing Act to include patient-on-patient abuse as misconduct that must be immediately reported.

“Patients are already struggling with illness and trauma – the last thing they need is to feel unheard or unprotected,” Morrison said. “It’s disheartening this isn’t already law – but I’m hopeful this is the year that changes.”

Senate Bill 2977 passed the Senate Wednesday.