New law expands court protections for individuals with disabilities

• SB 3106
• Criminal Law
• Disability Rights

SPRINGFIELD – A new law passed by Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) earlier this year and signed today by the governor will expand court protections for individuals with intellectual disabilities, cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities.

“For victims of physical or sexual assault, taking the stand and confronting an accuser is often a very emotional and trying experience,” Morrison said. “For an individual with an intellectual disability, the process can be completely overwhelming.”

Current Illinois law allows an individual with an intellectual disability, who has been the victim of certain crimes involving physical or sexual assault, to designate someone to testify in court on their behalf. Known as a hearsay exception, the law is vague and excludes many vulnerable victims.

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Updated protections for domestic violence victims signed into law

• Public Safety
• HB 6109
• Domestic Violence

SPRINGFIELD – A plan passed by State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) making it easier for domestic violence victims to file temporary orders of protection was signed into law today by the governor.

“Victims of domestic violence often face many emotional and psychological challenges that make it difficult to report their abuse and admit abuse by their partner,” Morrison said. “In instances where safety is in jeopardy, we must make temporary orders of protection accessible and available to protect anyone from further abuse.”

Morrison introduced House Bill 6109 earlier this year that would permit the Illinois Supreme Court to establish a pilot program that would allow individuals to electronically file petitions for temporary orders of protection. Currently, a person must appear in a civil court to file a petition for an order of protection.

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New law closes public safety loophole, blocks mentally ill access to firearms

• Gun Safety
• SB2213
• Firearms

SPRINGFIELD – Tragic events around the country continue to highlight what happens when firearms get in the wrong hands.

In an effort to reduce access to firearms by individuals suffering from mental illness, State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) introduced a plan earlier this year that was signed today by the governor.

“We are suffering from an epidemic of gun violence in this country,” Morrison said. “Every day, we hear of more death and suffering because individuals who shouldn’t have easy access to guns have no problem obtaining firearms.”

Current Illinois law requires circuit court clerks to relay information to the Illinois State Police when a person passes through the court system and is deemed to have a mental disability or is involuntarily committed to a mental institution. The information is used to ensure FOID cards, which are required to legally own a firearm in Illinois, are not administered.

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Morrison: Provide the ability for local communities to ban assault weapons (VIDEO)

• SB 2130
• Gun Safety
• Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK – Gun safety advocates and local and state public officials joined State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) this morning at a press conference in Highland Park in support of Senate Bill 2130, a proposal introduced by Morrison that would give Illinois municipalities the ability to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

“My plan would give control to local communities who don’t think assault weapons have any place in their neighborhoods,” Morrison said. “It is entirely permissive and puts the power in local hands. At a time of continued inaction in Washington and Springfield, we must give local communities who want to protect their neighborhoods the ability to do so.”

Current Illinois law prohibits municipalities from enacting assault weapon bans. The practice was legal until 2013, when the controversial law allowing Illinois residents to carry concealed weapons was passed.

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