Senator Morrison law brings gun safety to families

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) championed a recently signed law to ensure people store their guns in a safe and secure manner.

“Recognizing that unsecured guns pose a public health risk is an important step in preventing accidental injuries and deaths,” Morrison said. “These programs will serve as a reminder of the lethal power of firearms and that proper storage can help prevent tragic accidents.”

Morrison sponsored a law signed Friday that directs the Illinois Department of Public Health to develop a two-year, multi-phase statewide firearm storage and safety campaign that would include distribution of gun locks and safes, buyback programs in partnership with law enforcement and an evaluation piece to measure the impact of the program.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, an unsecured gun in the home can be extremely dangerous, especially for children. Every year, nearly 1,300 children die from accidental shootings and many more are seriously injured.

“Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago commends Senator Morrison for her outstanding leadership in enacting legislation that will help address gun violence, a public health crisis with tremendous negative and lasting consequences for children, families, and communities in Illinois,” said Dr. Tom Shanley, president & CEO at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.  "With suicide and homicide continuing to rank in the top 3 leading causes of death for children and young adults, ages 10-24, this legislation is critical to help safeguard Illinois children and families.“

House Bill 4729 was signed into law Friday.   

North Chicago’s Sheridan Crossing development to see $2 million in infrastructure improvement thanks to Senator Morrison

NORTH CHICAGO – The City of North Chicago will soon see $2 million in improvements at the Sheridan Crossing development thanks to State Senator Julie Morrison’s support of the state’s major multi-year infrastructure plan.

“This simple investment into our community will go a long way in serving the residents of North Chicago and the surrounding area,” Morrison said. “That’s why I was proud to support the Rebuild Illinois Plan – because it’s not just about infrastructure, it’s about community.”

A total of $2 million has been allocated through the next disbursement of Rebuild Illinois program funding to install public utilities and roadways at the Sheridan Crossing development. The project in the district Morrison represents is one of 34 projects announced Tuesday totaling $50.7 million. 

The Morrison-backed multi-year infrastructure plan – Rebuild Illinois – brings forth a total of $1.5 billion spread out in six installments to be invested over three years to advance municipal, township and county projects across the state. Projects include road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs.

A full list of projects funded by the Rebuild Illinois plan can be found by visiting the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.

Morrison plan puts older adults’ money back in their own pockets

SPRINGFIELD – Spouses of people in Medicaid-funded long-term care facilities will soon be able to keep more of their own personal savings thanks to State Senator Julie Morrison.

“By aligning Illinois’ allowance for community spouses with the rest of the country, we are signaling to older adults that we care for them and wish to give them the ability to care for themselves and their spouse with no added stress,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This is their money – there’s no reason they shouldn’t be have access to it.”

Morrison’s plan – found within House Bill 4343 – will put Illinois in line with nearly every other state in the nation by increasing the allowance for the community spouse resource allowance for older adults whose spouses are in nursing homes and receiving Medicaid benefits. The allowance is the amount of resources a spouse can keep of the couple’s resources without affecting their husband or wife’s long-term care facility nursing home application.

Morrison originally spearheaded this part of the larger Medicaid law signed Friday through Senate Bill 2962. After passing the Senate, it was combined with a number of other standalone Medicaid-related bills to produce a greater overhaul package.

In 2012, Illinois froze its rates for spouses of individuals who receive Medicaid-funded, long-term care at $2,739 per month, so those spouses are not receiving an annual bump in their benefits. However, in many other states across the country, the amount is set at $3,259.

“Illinois is now aligning itself with the national standard by complying with the federal rate,” Morrison said. “Spouses of those who are in nursing homes are already dealing with enough stress – the lasts thing they need is the additional stress of not being able to access their own money.”

House Bill 4343 was signed into law Friday.

Morrison leads holistic approach to treating mental health within DCFS

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison championed a measure signed Wednesday that will provide a more holistic approach to supporting the mental health of children within the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

“The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of stress and trauma that contributed to skyrocketing rates of mental health problems among children – especially those within the foster care system,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It’s vital we tackle the alarming rates of mental health problems in ways that are less invasive by providing greater healing-centered care. I firmly believe that’s how you create sustainable, scalable change in the lives of children.”

Morrison’s law – found within House Bill 4306 – creates the Holistic Mental Health Care for Youth in Care Task Force. The nine-member task force will review mental health and wellness services provided to youth in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. It will then give recommendations on how the department can provide a more preventative and holistic approach to mental health services to children within the foster care system.  

Specifically, the task force will assess the capacity of Illinois licensed medical health professionals to provide preventative mental health care to youth in foster care, review the current payment rates for mental health care providers serving the youth in care population, and evaluate the process for smaller private practices and agencies to bill through managed care.

 “When we look at how we’re treating the state’s youth in care, we have to remember how vulnerable they already are and how susceptible they’ve been to trauma,” Morrison said.

House Bill 4306 was signed into law Wednesday and takes effect immediately.