Morrison: Reporting patient-on-patient abuse is about safety and decency

SPRINGFIELD – Following a ProPublica report that found a patient at a Chicago-based psychiatric ward knowingly sexually assaulted another patient but was not reported to the police, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is leading a measure through the General Assembly to legally require such incidents to be immediately brought to law enforcement.

“Timely investigations into alleged mental, physical or sexual misconduct must be taken seriously – especially when the victim is already facing grave mental health struggles,” Morrison said. “This isn’t just about transparency – it’s about human safety and decency.”

Morrison’s proposal requires hospital staff to report to law enforcement and the Illinois Department of Public Health if a patient physically, mentally or sexually abuses another patient. Currently, only abuse committed by a staff member of a health care facility must be reported.

On June 24, a patient in the psychiatric unit of Roseland Community Hospital was caught on a surveillance video committing – what is said to most likely be – sexual assault toward another patient. However, the facility did not immediately contact law enforcement until it was questioned by ProPublica months later. 

To ensure patients are given the same protections against other patients as they are against hospital staff, Morrison is leading the charge to update the Hospital Licensing Act to include patient-on-patient abuse as misconduct that must be immediately reported.

“By not immediately contacting law enforcement and launching an investigation, we are signaling to the survivor that we don’t care and signaling to the perpetrator that they can harm someone else,” Morrison said. “Passing this measure shouldn’t need to be a conversation – it is common sense.”

Senate Bill 2977 awaits a hearing in the Senate Health Committee.

$2 million coming to local businesses to alleviate pandemic stress thanks to Senator Morrison

HIGHWOOD – Thanks to State Senator Julie Morrison’s support of last year’s state budget, dozens of local businesses in the district she represents will receive more than $2 million in combined assistance to combat COVID-19-reated losses.

“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). “While reopening has been beneficial to many businesses, they are still constantly facing financial obligations to keep their stores clean and employees protected.”

The B2B program 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. So far – thanks to strong support from Morrison – DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

In the district Morrison represents, more than 35 businesses were awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 to help them cover the costs of safely staying open in these unpredictable times. Businesses ranged from fitness centers to hotels and more.

“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.”

Grants will continue to be awarded on a rolling basis. Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program and view a full list of grantees here.

Morrison fights for free-of-charge health services for survivors of sexual assault

SPRINGFIELD – To lessen the mental and emotional strain of receiving treatment and care following a sexual assault, Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is fighting for survivors’ treatments and medications to be free-of-charge for up to 180 days following the assault.

“Recovery, both physical and emotional, from sexual assault takes time,” Morrison said. “Cost associated with treatment for sexual violence should not become added weight on the shoulders of someone already struggling.”

Under Morrison’s proposal, survivors of sexual assault would not be charged for health care services relating to the crime for up to 180 days after their forensic examination. Lab tests to determine the presence of a sexually transmitted disease, appropriate medications for potential diseases and physical examination, among other services, would be covered under the measure.

Currently, survivors are billed for the aforementioned treatments and services 90 days after their initial appointment. However, the need for medical assistance often lasts much longer – leading some to forgo necessary treatment because of a high price or lack of insurance.

“Survivors of sexual violence often face a large range of health consequences,” Morrison said. “The trauma associated with such acts is already burdensome – the last thing survivors need is the added stress of paying for treatment to help them recover.”

Senate Bill 3023 passed the Health Committee this week and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

Morrison appointed to disability income insurance, parity for behavioral health conditions task force

SPRINGFIELD – A lifelong advocate of giving people with behavioral health conditions the same opportunities as others, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) was appointed to the Task Force on Disability Income Insurance and Parity for Behavioral Health Conditions.

“People who struggle with mental and behavioral health conditions deserve equal treatment,” Morrison said. “It is vital to find solutions to ensure people with such conditions receive the care and coverage they need.”

Morrison was appointed to the committee this week by Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). She will join other elected officials, as well as experts in the behavioral health field and consumers of disability income insurance who have experienced a behavioral health condition to review existing plans and policies for individual and group short-term and long-term disability income insurance.

Following a year of research and conversation, Morrison and the group will provide recommendations on the cost effectiveness of requiring individual and group disability income insurance to cover behavioral health conditions.

“Working together, the task force will be able to find concrete solutions to better serve the thousands of men and women who struggle each day with little to no support,” Morrison said. “I am thankful to the president for his trust in me to represent the Senate majority.”