Morrison responds to State of the State address (VIDEO)

• Budget
• Video
• Human Services
• State of the State

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) released the following statement this afternoon after attending the governor’s State of the State address in Springfield:

“Our human service providers took the brunt of Illinois’ protracted budget impasse, causing many providers to simply bleed out and close their doors. The damage that has been done will not be mitigated overnight, and will take years, at best, to recover.

“I didn’t seem to hear any sense of urgency today from the governor in relation to the condition of our human service network. I am concerned the governor will further cut already decimated programs, and I look forward to the governor’s budget address when details of how he plans to balance the budget and invest in our social services are made public.”

Morrison sponsors Tobacco 21, joined by health advocates (VIDEO)

• Health
• Video
• Tobacco 21
• SB 2332

SPRINGFIELD – For the first time in years, overall tobacco use rates in teens is rising, thanks in part to increased use of e-cigarettes.

To prevent teens from ever starting to use tobacco, State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) joined colleagues, advocates and health professionals today in support of a popular proposal to increase the age to legally purchase tobacco products in Illinois to 21.

“We have known about the dangers of tobacco use since the 1960s,” Morrison said. “While that information is certainly not new, we continue to battle the problem of teens picking up a cigarette for the first time and smoking for the rest of their lives. Decreasing the rate of smoking starts with teens, as nearly 9 in 10 current smokers first tried tobacco by the age of 18.”

Read more …

Electronic renewal now offered for disabled parking placards

• Community Information

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office now offers an electronic renewal process for renewing disabled parking placards.

Current placard holders may start the process prior to their medical re-certification or medical professionals can assist patients and complete the entire process on the patient’s behalf.

Paper forms will still be available for those wishing to complete their application by mail.

Click here for more information

Suburban schools receiving grant for library books, materials

• Education
• Grant Funding

SPRINGFIELD – Eight suburban school districts in the area have been awarded library grants from the Illinois Secretary of State’s School District Library Grant Program. The program is designed to help provide more library books and materials for public school students in Illinois.

More than $12,800 will be awarded to the eight school districts.

“The more we can incentivize reading and improved comprehension skills in our students, the more well-balanced and prepared they will be as they progress into college and the workplace,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield).

Read more …