Morrison, Carroll blood drive to feature COVID-19 antibody testing

PROSPECT HEIGHTS – To help address the widespread blood shortage that continues during this time of abundant need, State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Jonathon Carroll will host a blood drive Sept. 15.

“Blood donations have been critically low during a time when they are needed more than ever,” Morrison (D-Lake Forest) said. “If you are able, I encourage you to donate – it could save a life.”

The blood drive, in partnership with Versiti, will be held Sept. 15 from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Prospect Heights fire protection building, located at 10 E. Camp McDonald Road. All successful blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Researchers said blood containing these antibodies can treat people with severe COVID-19 by boosting their ability to fight the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 17.2 million units of blood are used in transfusions every year for accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs, surgery patients and more. In March, the CDC issued a statement encouraging healthy people to donate blood at blood centers that adhere to public health and safety guidelines.

“Now more than ever we need to be good neighbors to each other,” Carroll (D-Northbrook) said. “This is an excellent opportunity for all of us to do our part and make sure we have a good supply of blood.”

To schedule a blood donation, people can visit bit.ly/blood-drive-9-15-20. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins can be seen if slots are open.

To ensure the safety of all staff and donors, masks will be required. The group also encourages donors to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating.

Morrison: People 75+ receive one-year expiration extension on driver’s licenses

DEERFIELD – After hearing concerns from older adults in her district that visiting a Secretary of State’s office isn’t safe due to health concerns surrounding COVID-19, State Senator Julie Morrison is pleased to learn people 75 and older will receive a one year expiration extension.

“There are a number of heightened health risks in public for older adults, so it is imperative they don’t feel obligated to do something they aren’t comfortable with,” Morrison said. “To anyone over the age of 75: your driver’s license will not expire this year, so please take advantage of this change.”

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced Tuesday that expiration dates for valid driver’s licenses for those 75 years of age or older have been extended one year past the current 2020 expiration date. Any driver over the age of 75 with a 2020 driver’s license expiration date does not need to renew their driver’s license this year.

More than 147,000 drivers are over the age of 75 and with a license expiring in 2020. Each of those adult will receive a letter letting them know they qualify for the extension. The letter should be kept with the driver as further proof of the one-year extension. However, law enforcement agencies both state and nationwide have been notified of the extended expiration dates.

Additionally, Morrison would like to remind other drivers that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and license plate stickers have been extended until Nov. 1. Expired documents will remain valid until that day, so customers under the age of 75 also do not need to head to a Driver Services facility immediately. To renew license plate stickers and complete other services from the comfort of one’s home, people can visit cyberdriveillinois.com.

Morrison: We need to treat e-cigarettes the same way we do regular cigarettes

DEERFIELD — In response to a recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that found half of Illinois high school students reported using an electronic tobacco product last year, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement:

“Vaping and e-cigarette-related deaths and illnesses have become a nationwide outbreak that no user is immune to — no matter how young they are.

“We were doing so well on changing the culture of smoking, and now we have gone backward — especially the younger generation.

“We need to treat e-cigarettes the same way we do regular cigarettes.

“While the implementation of Tobacco 21 was a major step forward in limiting the availability to tobacco products to children, there must be more education about the negative effects of e-cigarettes, so kids don’t seek to get these products in illegal ways.”

Morrison plans to introduce legislation to encourage more young people to stay away from smoking.

Morrison congratulates small businesses receiving financial assistance

DEERFIELD — As small businesses continue to face financial hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is pleased more than 50 businesses throughout her district have received nearly $900,000 in combined assistance through the Business Interruption Grant Program.

“The small business community and its hardworking owners hold a special place in my heart, and I’m happy they will receive much-deserved assistance,” Morrison said. “Between being shut down for weeks and the extra cost that comes with keeping employees and customers safe and healthy, these business owners need as much help as we can possibly provide them.”

A total of 53 business in the district Morrison represents received a combined $870,000. Each business received between $10,000 and $20,000 to be used to help with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as personal protective equipment, training and new technology.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a total of $46 million to 2,655 small businesses in the first round of BIG funding. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The full list of grant recipients is available here.