SPRINGFIELD – A plan that would eliminate state restrictions on local government consolidation efforts passed the Illinois Senate today. State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) helped craft the proposal, which includes several initiatives aimed at making it easier for the consolidation of townships and the services they provide.

“For too long, the state of Illinois has stood in the way of common-sense efforts to bring more efficiencies to local government,” Morrison said. “Local governmental bodies and the residents they serve must have the ability to make decisions that are in the best interests of taxpayers.”

Senate Bill 3 expands the ability of townships to consolidate and create greater efficiencies for taxpayers. The plan allows adjacent townships to merge, allows townships to take over the duties of smaller township road districts, removes the current cap on township size and allows voters to approve for the dissolution of townships that are coterminous with a municipality.

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Read below or click here to view today's editorial from the Chicago Sun-Times discussing efforts to ensure people who are legally barred from owning guns do not have access to firearms.

Editorial: A simple way to keep guns away from dangerous people

Most of us, whatever our stand on the Second Amendment, would prefer that dangerous people not have guns.

And by law in Illinois, they are not supposed to. But our state has been much too lax about making sure people who are legally barred from owning guns do not, in fact, keep a few firearms around the house. Let’s get serious about this.

To buy or own a gun in Illinois, a person first must obtain a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, which requires meeting certain standards. The card can be revoked if the owner no longer meets those standards.

But, too often, no one in authority bothers to check whether the person whose FOID card was revoked is unlawfully hanging on to guns anyway. That poses a risk to everyone around them.

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SPRINGFIELD – For many suburban homeowners and commercial property owners, rising property taxes are putting added financial pressure on already burdened families.

"Throughout the district, rising property taxes continue to be one of the biggest concerns I hear from area residents,” State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) said.

Last week, Morrison filed Senate Bill 686 that would cap increases in annual property assessments to 20 percent. 

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) has been named chairperson of the Senate Human Services Committee.

“The state plays a tremendous role in ensuring the well-being of adults with disabilities, abused or neglected children and other vulnerable populations,” Morrison said. “I am eager to begin my new role and continue working on policies that encourage an efficient state government that is receptive to the needs of our residents.”

Since taking office, Morrison has passed a number of laws aimed at reforming the troubled Department of Children and Family Services agency after years of revolving leadership and troubling media reports. Morrison has also publicly questioned state bureaucrats after reports of abuse within group homes for adults with disabilities and fought to ensure Illinois’ extensive human services network received funding during the continued budget impasse.

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