Senate advances township consolidation proposal

• Government Consolidation
• HB 4637

A plan co-sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) to allow for the consolidation of townships and the elimination of township road districts in Lake and McHenry Counties passed the Senate yesterday on a bipartisan vote.

House Bill 4637 would require that township road districts in Lake and McHenry Counties with less than 15 miles of roadway be abolished, with their responsibilities transferred to the local township.

“Anyone who has glanced at their property tax bill knows there are simply too many units of local government in Illinois,” Morrison said. “Having a layer of government to take care of less than 15 miles of roadway is outdated and wasteful. This is a commonsense reform that over time will save resources and streamline the delivery of services to taxpayers.”

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Morrison leads Senate in overriding veto of Tobacco 21

• Video
• Tobacco 21
• SB 2332

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) led the Senate today in overriding Gov. Rauner’s veto of a proposal to increase the age to legally buy tobacco products in Illinois to 21.

“Raising the age has been proven to eliminate the availability of tobacco for teens that are 14, 15, 16 and 17 years old,” Morrison said. “Since most current smokers started when they were teens, it is vital we work to cut off that supply and prevent the development of a deadly, lifetime habit.”

Morrison introduced Senate Bill 2332 in January and teamed with health care advocates and local Lake County students to increase support among lawmakers for the proposal. After passing the Senate in April, the measure passed the House in May but was vetoed by Gov. Rauner in August. 

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Morrison works with Lake County organizations to combat Illinois’ opioid crisis

DEERFIELD – Today, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) and leading organizations from across Illinois and Lake County launched a new statewide initiative to address the worsening opioid epidemic.

The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) of Illinois will focus on improving prevention, treatment and recovery strategies to help save the lives of Illinoisans. The new alliance is made up of more than 20 health care, law enforcement, veteran, community and drug prevention organizations committed to finding solutions to the opioid crisis.

“The opioid epidemic is the greatest public health crisis facing our state, and it is not slowing down,” Morrison said. “Opioid dependence can develop quickly and has devastating effects. A considerate and holistic approach is necessary to help address this crisis, and that is where RALI comes in.”

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Evening of Unity: An open discussion on the immigration crisis

• Events

Join State Senator Julie Morrison for An Evening of Unity, taking place on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center (9603 Woods Drive, Skokie).

The event will provide an open discussion on the challenges face by immigrant children in the U.S. today and how, together, we can help them.

Interested in attending?

To register, please call the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center at (847) 967-4889 or register online at www.ILHolocaustMuseum.org/Events.

Questions?

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

Click on the flyer for more information.