Morrison to require better preparation to treat students with epilepsy

SPRINGFIELD – Students with epilepsy would be better protected at school under a proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that passed the Senate recently.

“With a long-term risk of recurrent seizures, children with epilepsy require individuals around them to be able to effectively respond should a seizure occur,” Morrison said. “By developing a plan that lays out the unique set of health care needs of students with epilepsy, schools are ensuring they are fully prepared to both treat and manage a disorder that affects 470,000 children nationwide.”

Morrison’s proposal – contained in House Bill 1475 – creates the Seizure Smart School Act, which would require the development of a plan for students with epilepsy that includes training for employees and care aides on how to handle students with the disorder.

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Morrison works to expand insurance coverage of EpiPens for minors

• Health
• Children
• HB 3435

SPRINGFIELD – Insurers would be required to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors for minors under a proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that passed the Senate recently.

“With steady increases in food allergies and other serious allergic conditions, we should be doing everything we can to expand access to lifesaving drugs and medicines,” Morrison said. “No child with a serious allergy should be without an epinephrine injector because they cannot afford one.”

Epinephrine injectors – commonly known by the specific brand name EpiPen – deliver the life-saving drug epinephrine to individuals experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and opening lung airways, reversing the symptoms of an allergic reaction that, if left untreated, can cause death.

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Grassroots effort leads to dropping of controversial rail expansion

• Lake Forest
• Hiawatha Service

LAKE FOREST - The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has dropped a proposal to install holding tracks for freight trains in Lake Forest and Glenview after pressure from State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and a coalition of grassroots citizens in the North Suburbs who voiced their opposition to the proposal.

“The recent announcement by IDOT represents a hard fought win for the many homeowners and concerned citizens who stood up and made their voices heard,” Morrison said. “It was a pleasure to advocate and ultimately be successful for the thousands of area residents who stood up and refused to accept this ill-advised proposal.”

Morrison expressed concern with the project after plans were submitted that would have led to the construction of extra rail lines just feet from property and businesses across the region.

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Morrison, Raoul increase awareness on the effects of trauma on children

• Children
• Video
• Attorney General Kwame Raoul
• SR 99

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) is raising awareness that traumatic experiences during childhood, including physical abuse, sexual assault or emotional neglect, can affect the development of a child and have a lifetime effect on the physical and mental health of a person’s life.

In response to the growing public health concern, Morrison recently passed a resolution declaring May 15 as Trauma-Informed Awareness Day to highlight the importance of prevention and effective responses to dealing with trauma. Morrison joined with Attorney General Raoul, fellow colleagues and health advocates at a press conference in Springfield today to further highlight the issue.

“We are here today to stand together to confront this growing public health concern,” Morrison said. “The data has proven the direct correlation between trauma and mental and physical health. We as policy makers and advocates need to continue working to ensure mental health care and trauma prevention are at the forefront of our discussions and the dedication of our state resources.”

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