SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison led a measure Wednesday to streamline the property tax appeals process by ensuring taxpayers are given at least 30 business days to appeal their bill.

“High, burdensome property taxes are one of the top issues I hear about from local residents,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “North suburban homeowners, in particular, have been blindsided by the biggest property tax increase in 30 years. We need to take action to stand up for our Cook County homeowners and make the appeals process more transparent and consistent.”

Senate Bill 1988 requires the Cook County Assessor to continue accepting appeals from a taxpayer for at least 30 business days after the date the increased property assessment was mailed or published on the assessor’s website.

The Cook County Assessor’s filing deadlines for taxpayer complaints can change from year to year and, in practice, from township to township. While the assessor’s office this year established a deadline of 30 calendar days for filing complaints, the available business days for filing were different in each township. In one township this year, the filing period was open from July 1 to Aug. 2—encompassing one holiday and 10 weekends, leaving only 19 business days available for filing. In another township, the filing period was open from Aug. 1 to Sept. 1—encompassing eight holidays and leaving 22 business days available for filing.

The Morrison-backed measure would establish uniform filing periods to ensure homeowners have adequate time to address their complaints to the assessor. The measure comes just weeks after millions of homeowners in Cook County saw their bill increase by 15.7%.

“When we hear concerns from taxpayers, it is our jobs as legislators to take that concern and turn it into tangible action,” said Morrison. “While I am pleased we took a stand for Cook County taxpayers, it is also clear that much more is needed to bring down the property tax burden.”

Senate Bill 1988 passed both chambers of the General Assembly and heads to the governor for final consideration.

DEERFIELD – Residents will be able to learn more about the property tax appeal process at a series of upcoming workshops presented by West Deerfield Township Assessor Andrew Richter in cooperation with State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Bob Morgan.

“High property taxes are one of the top issues I hear about from constituents,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We’re working on long-term property tax reforms in Springfield, but to provide some relief in the meantime, residents may want to consider appealing their property tax assessment to potentially lessen their tax burden.”

The workshops presented by West Deerfield Township Assessor Andrew Richter will be held at:

• Deerfield Public Library
  • Saturday, September 9 at 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, September 12 at 1 p.m.
  • Monday, September 18 at 7 p.m.
• Highland Park Police Station
  • Monday, September 11 at 6 p.m.
• Dickinson Hall – Lake Forest
  • Tuesday, September 19 at 2 p.m.

Registration is not required. For further information please contact the township assessor's office at 847-945-3020 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the General Assembly’s assault weapons ban:

“I commend the Illinois Supreme Court for taking appropriate action to ensure our state becomes safer. Military-style weapons designed for war have no use on our streets and in our neighborhoods.”

Senator Morrison first led an assault weapons ban bill in 2017. She was instrumental in the passage of the measure passed in January, which came just six months after she and her family ran for their lives during the 2022 Fourth of July mass shooting in Highland Park.

SPRINGFIELD – Expanding upon her previously passed legislation, State Senator Julie Morrison led a new law to prohibit pesticides on school grounds within 24 hours of students being present.

“Children are at higher risk for health effects from exposure to pesticides than adults because their nervous, immune, digestive and other systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to these pollutants compared to adults,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Keeping harmful chemicals away from children will protect them from a plethora of potential health problems.”

Morrison spearheaded a measure passed in 2021 that makes it illegal to use restricted pesticides within 500 feet of a school during normal school hours when children are present.

The law signed Friday – Senate Bill 1772 – prohibits the spraying of pesticides on K-8 school grounds in areas where children may be present during a school day, starting July 1, 2024.

“It’s clear that pesticide exposure is bad for children’s health,” Morrison said. “Today is the first step toward ending that unnecessary exposure.”

The measure was signed into law Friday.