Senator Morrison on DCFS audit: It’s time to take decisive action

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after an audit of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services found the agency failed to implement multiple reforms.

“The Performance Audit of the DCFS Child Safety and Well-Being findings released yesterday are, once again, disheartening. I continue to stand ready to assist the governor in his commitment to protect the most vulnerable children in Illinois. The time has passed for more legislative hearings where we hear the same thing on ‘rinse and repeat.’ It's time to take decisive action and I am ready to assist in any way I can.”

Senator Morrison secures budget allocation to bring pedestrian bridge to Lake Bluff

LAKE BLUFF – State Senator Julie Morrison secured $1.25 million in the Fiscal Year 23 budget to bring a pedestrian bridge to Lake Bluff – building on her commitment to make her district a safer, more accessible community.

“Safety of the community is – and always has been – my top priority,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We must do all we can to make our communities safer – and that starts with ensuring people can travel safely through the area.”

Morrison led efforts to allocate $1.25 million from the upcoming state budget to bring a pedestrian bridge to Lake Bluff after local residents expressed safety concerns to the Senator. The bridge will be over the train tracks located on Green Bay Road, south of Buckley Road and north of Rockland Road.

Green Bay Road – a main thoroughfare in the area – is highly trafficked by both drivers and pedestrians. However, a pedestrian bridge doesn’t currently exist – leaving people to commute by foot on a busy road.

"We applaud Senator Morrison for securing this funding," said Gavin Farry, executive vice president for finance and administration at Rosalind Franklin University, which sits just north of the bridge. "This pedestrian bridge will have multiple benefits to the residents of Lake Bluff and North Chicago. Our students and campus community can utilize this bridge to safely commute, walk, bike, and enjoy the trail systems between the Village of Lake Bluff and City of North Chicago."

By building a bridge, residents will be able to walk or bike to Lake Bluff Elementary School, Lovell Federal Health Care Center, Rosalind Franklin University, trail system, Metra Station, and other areas safely.

“I am extremely grateful to Senator Morrison and her team who have worked exceptionally hard in collaboration with the Village of Lake Bluff to garner the funding to complete this project,” said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. “The pedestrian bridge will solve very real safety issues not only for students going back and forth for school, but also for walkers and bicyclists. It will increase safe access for residents and visitors to the community to enjoy nature and partake in living a healthier lifestyle.”

The $1.25 million allocation championed by Senator Morrison is part of the Fiscal Year 23 budget, which takes effect July 1.

Senator Morrison protects public safety, advocates for law enforcement

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison’s (D-Lake Forest) newly signed law will provide police officers with additional tools and training opportunities to help keep communities safe. 

“One message that I frequently hear across the district is that public safety and a rise in crime continue to be a major concern,” Morrison said. “Yet staffing shortages are hindering police from best protecting their communities.

Morrison championed House Bill 3863, which creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to support departments through the hiring and training processes and help with retention strategies.

The measure will provide grants to law enforcement agencies for hiring and retention of officers. Funds could also be used for mental health care for officers, safety equipment and training, or improvements in jails. Mental health services for inmates could also be funded through this grant.

“This law will help keep our communities safer,” Morrison said. “These efforts support the valuable work that law enforcement does in our communities and in our state every day and every hour.”

Morrison also co-sponsored a number of other measures at providing relief and assistance to law enforcement officers, including House Bill 1571, which requires the DHS to establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Program to help first responders and other workers identify and access off-hours, night, or sleep time child care. 

She also supported House Bill 1321.The measure creates grants through the Department of Human Services related to behavioral health care services for first responders that units of local government, law enforcement agencies, fire protection districts, school districts, hospitals, and ambulance services that employ first responders may apply for.

Morrison’s House Bill 3863 was signed into law Tuesday and takes effect immediately. 

Nearly 100 businesses in district Morrison represents receive $4.3 million in business assistance

CHICAGO – Nearly 100 businesses in the district State Senator Julie Morrison represents were awarded nearly $4.3 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to her advocacy and support.

“Small business owners in Lake and Cook County and throughout the state experienced unforeseen financial difficulties that will be challenging to bounce back from without help,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

A total of $4.295 million was awarded to 90 businesses in the 29^th District. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants – thanks to strong support from Morrison – to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons, and disproportionately impacted areas.

“Alleviating the financial burdens many small businesses face helps not only their companies, but also their employees and families,” Morrison said. “I am pleased we had the ability to provide this much-needed relief.”

With strong leadership from Morrison, the state has seen five Illinois’ General Obligation bond rating upgrades in the last year from all three of the nation’s primary credit rating agencies. The latest two-notch upgrade comes from Fitch Ratings, as a result of the state paying down its bill backlog from over $16 billion to less than $3 billion in a course of just a few years.

Due to fiscal responsibility, the state saw an increase in funds available to assist small businesses.

Morrison urges small businesses to visit the DCEO website for additional resources or contact DCEO’s First Stop Business Information Center Services at 800-252-2923 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..