Improvements to Lake Forest and Lake Bluff roads included in statewide highway improvement plan

• 29thDistrict
• Rebuild Illinois
• roads

SPRINGFIELD – Long-overdue upgrades to U.S. Route 41 and Illinois Route 176 in the 29th District will begin next year, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) announced Tuesday.

The state is investing more than $35 million for local road and bridge projects in 2020.

Parts of the northern suburbs in Lake and Cook counties will receive updates to the roads as part of Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s $23.5 billion, five-year highway improvement plan – pegged as “Rebuild Illinois.”

Over the next five years, the district Sen. Morrison represents will receive approximately $182 million to complete 54 projects.

“For years, drivers on these roads have dealt with delays and unsafe road conditions,” Sen. Morrison said. “I am proud to have worked with local officials to secure funding to fix this stretch of roadway in the Rebuild Illinois Program.”

Pritzker and IDOT announced the plan Monday and outlined projects that will take place in each Senate district. The 14 projects expected to take place in the 29th District next year will span 11.28 miles.

Projects that will begin in 2020 include the following:

- Fixing pavement on U.S. Route 41 at Dorchester Avenue to north of Illinois 120; West Park Avenue to Lake-Cook Road; and ramps at Clavey Road and Skokie Valley Road
- Pavement construction on U.S. Route 41 at Illinois Route 176
- Bridge improvements on U.S. Route 41 at Deerfield Road
- New shoulders and other improvements on Illinois Route 176 at Crescent Knoll Drive to west of U.S. Route 41
- Intersection improvements from U.S. Route 12 to Kennedy Drive

Alongside road and bridge projects, work will also be done to alleviate persistent flooding on U.S. Route 41 at Deerpath Road. A new pump station and emergency generator is expected to be built near the area.

“The work that will be done on U.S. Route 41 and Illinois Route 176 are important projects that will create jobs and make the roads safer for drivers,” Sen. Morrison said. “I applaud my fellow lawmakers for their bipartisan support on this comprehensive project.”

The multi-year plan will invest $23.5 billion to maintain, preserve and expand more than 4,000 miles of roads and 9.2 million square feet of bridges across the state. It is part of the of the $45 billion infrastructure plan passed by lawmakers in the spring.

Morrison reminds Illinoisans of ‘Red Flag’ law

• Gun Safety
• Firearms Restraining Order Act

SPRINGFIELD – Oftentimes following a mass shooting, friends, family members or neighbors mention they were worried about the person’s threatening behavior but didn’t know where to turn.

“Time and time again, we hear family members say they were worried that someone close to them would harm others, but they didn’t know who to tell until it was too late,” said State Senator Julie Morrison. “Previously, if a person did report disturbing behavior, there was not a law in place to allow law enforcement to step in.”

The far too common occurrence led the Deerfield Democrat to pass the Firearms Restraining Order Act – also known as the “Red Flag” law.

The measure – which went into effect in January – allows family members and law enforcement officials who have concerns that someone is a threat to themselves or others the right to ask a judge to temporarily remove their guns.

If a judge grants the restraining order, law enforcement may seize the respondent’s firearms for up to six months and prevent them from purchasing additional weapons during that time period.

“The Red Flag law has the ability to stop mass shootings by temporarily keeping guns out of the hands of people who pose a threat to themselves or others,” Morrison said. “If you are concerned about the behavior of a loved one, I encourage you to contact local law enforcement.”

Morrison appointed to key task force on child welfare

• 29thDistrict
• Children

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) has been appointed to the Task Force on Strengthening the Child Welfare Workforce for Family and Children.

Morrison – who chairs the Senate Human Services Committee – looks forward to studying the workload of child welfare employees to determine the recruitment and retention of the workers.

She released the statement below:

“Analysing the compensation and workload of child welfare workers will allow the task force to determine the role staff turnover plays in achieving safety and permanency for children,” Morrison said. “I am pleased to continue working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in Illinois.”

Coming Up: Solar & Energy Efficiency Workshop

• Events
• Northbrook
• Environment,

Join State Senators Julie Morrison and Laura Fine for a Solar & Energy Efficiency Workshop, where energy experts will be on hand to discuss solar energy options, tips and ways to save energy and money and how to manage your energy by taking advantage of online tools and price programs.

The event is being held on Thursday, October 17 from 6:30p until 8:00p at the North Suburban YMCA (2705 Techny Road, Northbrook).

Questions?

Contact Senator Morrison's office in Deerfield at (847) 945-5200.

Click on the flyer for more information