HIGHWOOD – Thanks to State Senator Julie Morrison’s support of last year’s state budget, dozens of local businesses in the district she represents will receive more than $2 million in combined assistance to combat COVID-19-reated losses.

“Small business owners in Lake and Cook County and throughout the state experienced unforeseen financial difficulties that will be challenging to bounce back from without help,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “While reopening has been beneficial to many businesses, they are still constantly facing financial obligations to keep their stores clean and employees protected.”

The B2B program grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. So far – thanks to strong support from Morrison – DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

In the district Morrison represents, more than 35 businesses were awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 to help them cover the costs of safely staying open in these unpredictable times. Businesses ranged from fitness centers to hotels and more.

“Alleviating the financial burdens many small businesses face helps not only their companies, but also their employees and families,” Morrison said. “I am pleased we had the ability to provide this much-needed relief.”

Grants will continue to be awarded on a rolling basis. Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program and view a full list of grantees here.

SPRINGFIELD – To lessen the mental and emotional strain of receiving treatment and care following a sexual assault, Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is fighting for survivors’ treatments and medications to be free-of-charge for up to 180 days following the assault.

“Recovery, both physical and emotional, from sexual assault takes time,” Morrison said. “Cost associated with treatment for sexual violence should not become added weight on the shoulders of someone already struggling.”

Under Morrison’s proposal, survivors of sexual assault would not be charged for health care services relating to the crime for up to 180 days after their forensic examination. Lab tests to determine the presence of a sexually transmitted disease, appropriate medications for potential diseases and physical examination, among other services, would be covered under the measure.

Currently, survivors are billed for the aforementioned treatments and services 90 days after their initial appointment. However, the need for medical assistance often lasts much longer – leading some to forgo necessary treatment because of a high price or lack of insurance.

“Survivors of sexual violence often face a large range of health consequences,” Morrison said. “The trauma associated with such acts is already burdensome – the last thing survivors need is the added stress of paying for treatment to help them recover.”

Senate Bill 3023 passed the Health Committee this week and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – A lifelong advocate of giving people with behavioral health conditions the same opportunities as others, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) was appointed to the Task Force on Disability Income Insurance and Parity for Behavioral Health Conditions.

“People who struggle with mental and behavioral health conditions deserve equal treatment,” Morrison said. “It is vital to find solutions to ensure people with such conditions receive the care and coverage they need.”

Morrison was appointed to the committee this week by Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). She will join other elected officials, as well as experts in the behavioral health field and consumers of disability income insurance who have experienced a behavioral health condition to review existing plans and policies for individual and group short-term and long-term disability income insurance.

Following a year of research and conversation, Morrison and the group will provide recommendations on the cost effectiveness of requiring individual and group disability income insurance to cover behavioral health conditions.

“Working together, the task force will be able to find concrete solutions to better serve the thousands of men and women who struggle each day with little to no support,” Morrison said. “I am thankful to the president for his trust in me to represent the Senate majority.”

SPRINGFIELD – Spouses of people in Medicaid-funded long-term care facilities could soon be able to keep more of their own personal savings thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

“Far too often, spouses of older adults in long-term care facilities are forced to pay high out-of-pocket rates for their own medical needs to ensure their loved one can keep their care,” Morrison said. “By aligning Illinois’ allowance for community spouses with the rest of the country, we are signaling to older adults that we care for them and wish to give them the ability to care for themselves and their spouse with no added stress.”

Morrison’s measure will put Illinois in line with nearly every other state in the nation by increasing the allowance for the community spouse resource allowance for older adults whose spouses are in nursing homes and receiving Medicaid benefits. The allowance is the amount of resources a spouse can keep of the couple’s resources without affecting their husband or wife’s long-term care facility nursing home application.

In 2012, Illinois froze its rates for spouses of individuals who receive Medicaid-funded, long-term care at $2,739 per month, so those spouses are not receiving an annual bump in their benefits. However, in many other states across the country, the amount is set at $3,259.

“What we are asking is for Illinois to bring itself to the standard where we are complying with the federal rate. Illinois is in the extreme minority in this situation,” said Steve Andersson, who represented AARP during the committee. “We should allow these folks who are facing the unfortunate reality that their spouse is in a nursing home to be able to keep more of their own money.”                               

Senate Bill 2962 passed the Senate Health Committee Tuesday. It now heads to the Senate for further consideration.