Senator Morrison commends Medline Industries

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) commends Medline Industries for taking steps to decrease ethylene oxide emissions from its Waukegan plant.

“Ethylene oxide causes cancer,” Morrison said. “We took action last year to ensure the emission of this harmful substance is no longer the cause of numerous deaths across the north suburbs.”

Medline Industries temporarily closed its Waukegan-based medical device sterilization operation to install nearly $10 million in upgrades to make the plant compliant with state laws regulating ethylene oxide, the company announced Tuesday.

Two measures co-sponsored by Sen. Morrison, both which passed in 2019, prohibit the renewal of any permits for facilities that violate federal or state standards for ethylene oxide emissions. The other puts emission limits on non-sterilization facilities that emit ethylene oxide and requires them to obtain a permit from the IEPA. That permit must include a site-specific cap on the business’ ethylene oxide emissions.

Medline said Tuesday that it has been working “around the clock” to finish the upgrade to install the emissions abatement equipment, but must close down for a few weeks to complete the final stages of testing. Late last year, Vantage Specialty Chemicals Facility in Gurnee also completed improvements necessary to bring the plant up to the state’s guidelines.

“Facilities that use the cancer-causing chemicals should be held to the highest standards,” Morrison said. “They cannot put money over people. Medline has done the right thing by temporarily shutting down its plant in order to better protect the people of Illinois.”

The improvements from both companies come a year after a study from the University of Illinois at Chicago found higher levels of ethylene oxide in the blood of people who live near the plants. Ethylene oxide was placed on a national list of carcinogens in 1985. In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released an assessment linking ethylene oxide to breast and blood cancer. The EPA, World Health Organization and the National Toxicology Program all declared the gas cancer-causing.

Morrison to host town hall meeting with local legislators

A few of my colleagues and I are hosting a town hall meeting Tuesday, January 21 at the Northbrook Public Library.

The event is an opportunity for you to learn about our goals for the upcoming legislative session and ask any questions you may have.

It is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by visiting northbrooktownhall.eventbrite.com.

Check out the flyer below to learn more.

Morrison responds to sexual assault cover-up

SPRINGFIELD –In response to a disturbing report that a former lobbyist attempted to cover-up sexual assault to leverage a friend’s upcoming disciplinary hearing, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) released the following statement:

“These actions by government officials are disheartening and cannot continue to happen. The facts of the WBEZ investigation once again prove the serious issue of sexual harassment and assault in Illinois politics. When public officials do wrong, they should not be shielded from authoritative action.”

Senator Morrison’s statement comes after a WBEZ article showed officials within former-Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration sent an email in 2012 referencing someone keeping “the rape in Champaign” quiet.

The senator asks anyone with information to contact the following:
• Champaign County State’s Attorney, 217-384-3733
• Illinois State Police, 217-278-5000
• Illinois Executive Inspector General, 312-814-5600

Morrison: Individuals with disabilities have a valued role in contributing to our state

SPRINGFIELD – People with disabilities can often face barriers when looking for employment. However, Illinois continues to lead by example to break down those barriers.

Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) passed legislation that will require the state to facilitate the hiring of individuals with disabilities.

"Having a job means having dignity, independence and purpose, regardless of whether an individual has a disability," Morrison said. "The state of Illinois should be a leader in showing that individuals with disabilities are just as capable in the workplace and have a valued role in contributing to our state and our economy."

The measure – which passed without opposition in the spring – aims to make state jobs more accessible for individuals with disabilities. The Department of Central Management Services will be required to send the Successful Disability Opportunities List to any agency that is hiring.

The Success Disability Opportunities Program helps guide people with disabilities through the Illinois hiring process. Once a person qualifies for the program and successfully passes a test, they will be on the SDO list for a year. The list will now be distributed to hiring agencies when a list of potential hires is requested.

Senate Bill 190 takes effect Jan. 1, 2020.