Morrison urges Illinois youth in DCFS care to take advantage of scholarship opportunity

HIGHWOOD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D- Lake Forest) is encouraging teens who currently or previously were under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to apply for the 2022 DCFS Scholarship Program.

“This scholarship program provides a great range of opportunity for our vulnerable youth,” said Morrison. “With the necessary tools being provided, students are able to achieve higher education without financial burden weighing them down.”

Former and current DCFS youth who are between the ages of 16 and 21 are eligible to apply. Applicants must submit a personal statement along with three letters of recommendation from non-relatives. The selection committee also requests that applicants submit their scholastic record, community involvement and extracurricular activities for further evaluation. Applications will be accepted until March 31.

The DCFS Scholarship Program covers up to five consecutive years of tuition and provides academic fee waivers for its DCFS scholarship recipients. The program includes other benefits such as a monthly grant to aid in additional expenses and a medical card.

“This scholarship program is supportive and accommodating. I strongly advise eligible students to apply and allow opportunity to present itself,” said Morrison.  

Applications are available at any DCFS regional office and on the DCFS website, www2.illinois.gov/dcfs.

Students or caregivers may call the DCFS Office of Education and Transition Services at 217-557-2689 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions about the application process or for more information.

Morrison proposal to give insulin-dependent diabetics an easier way to track their blood sugar

SPRINGFIELD – To give insulin-dependent diabetics a more effective way to manage their blood sugar levels, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) led a bill through the Senate to require insurance plans to cover continuous glucose monitors.

“This is a development in science that should be used to help people better regulate their diabetes,” Morrison said. “Glucose monitoring systems should be covered the same as other medical equipment.” 

Under Morrison’s proposal, insurance plans would be required to include coverage for continuous glucose monitors, which are regularly used to help people manages their diabetes through a wearable device rather than pricking their finger. Any person with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes that requires insulin would be provided coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

In Illinois alone, approximately 1.3 million adults have diabetes – about 12.5% of the state’s population –according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Morrison has been a long-time advocate for people with diabetes, supporting a 2019 measure that capped patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply.

Senate Bill 2969 passed the Senate Friday.

Morrison: We must fight for equality of access to the ballot box

SPRINGFIELD – Following through on her commitment to provide greater accessibility for all Illinois voters, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) passed a bill out of the Senate to allow people with certain disabilities to vote electronically.

“While we have expanded vote by mail in many ways, we have yet to provide the same opportunities to voters who cannot read print because of a visual, physical, perceptual, developmental, cognitive or learning disability,” Morrison said.

The measure would allow voters with a print disability to receive and mark their ballot electronically on an assistive device. It would be printed, sealed and signed before being returned through the mail. The voting procedure would be in place for the November 2022 General Election, and all subsequent elections.

“Equal access at the voting box is a keystone to our democracy,” Morrison said. “The inclusion of this process into state law will provide safe, private and equal voting opportunities for voters.”

Senate Bill 829 passed the Senate Thursday.

Morrison measure to make local governments more efficient passes with bipartisan support

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) advanced a bipartisan measure out of the Senate to make units of local government more accountable, efficient and transparent.

Under Morrison‘s measure – the Decennial Committees on Local Government Consolidation and Efficiency Act – units of local government would be required to review and report at least once every 10 years ways in which they can improve efficiency.

“With approximately 7,000 units of local taxpayer funded governments, it is time for these government bodies to be evaluated for efficiency and accountability,” Morrison said. “Our communities have evolved over the decades and taxpayers deserve accountability.  If you cannot justify your existence to those who fund you, you should turn off the lights, turn in your keys, and save the taxpayers their money.”

This measure requires three public meetings which would accept input from local residents. Each local government – except municipalities, counties and schools – would collect data, research, analysis, and public input regarding governing statutes, ordinances, shared services, and intergovernmental agreements, among other items. It would then be tasked with creating a report with recommendations regarding efficiencies and increased accountability.

Senate Bill 3789 passed the Senate Thursday with bipartisan support.