Morrison to focus on the future of heath care

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Morrison leads Senate Health Committee hearing on future of health care Thursday

CHICAGO – As health care continues to evolve, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) wants to study trends and have open dialogue with health care professionals to bring Illinois to the forefront of the future of care.

That led her to chair a Senate Heath Committee Subject Matter Hearing on the future of health care Thursday.

 “We have an opportunity to rely on the data and innovation behind the booming health care and IT industries and start to forecast our health care future,” Morrison said.

Morrison spearheaded the committee to discuss the future of health care – including innovations in telehealth, technology and other ways in which health care is being delivered.

During the committee, she was joined by a number of health care and IT professionals. They dove into the economics, innovation, data and delivery of services surrounding the health care system. Together, Morrison and the committee discussed ways in which the state can help people in all corners of Illinois receive quality, affordable health care.

“Today’s committee was a chance to look ahead and define ways in which we can ensure a future that prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity in the health care realm,” Morrison said. “This is just the beginning of charting a course for modern medicine and life sciences in Illinois.”

As her time in the Illinois General Assembly continues, Morrison hopes to have more frequent conversations about how to put the state on track to forecasting a future that encompasses accessible and reliable care for all.

Morrison announces $1.1 million coming to Chicago Executive Airport

WHEELING – Chicago Executive Airport – which sees 80,000 corporate, charter and light recreational aircraft each year – will receive more than $1 million in funding to make upgrades, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) announced Wednesday.

“Chicago Executive Airport gives corporate travelers and recreational flyers a unique experience to fly into the less crowded suburbs and head into the city,” Morrison said. “The upgrades made will allow even more people to take advantage of the state of the art facility.” 

Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling will receive nearly $1.1 million to work on some of its roads and parking. The money granted is part of a $94 million funding project to revitalize both large and small airports across the country.

Morrison was proud to support the Rebuild Illinois capital program in 2019, which created a six-year plan to update the state’s aging transportation system, create jobs and promote economic growth. The money allocated to Chicago Executive Airport came from the bipartisan, multi-regional plan.

A full list of recipients can be viewed by visiting https://idot.click/rbi-airport-program-awards.

Morrison leads Senate Health Committee to study future of health care

HIGHWOOD – To learn more about the future of access to care, Senate Health Committee Chair Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) will lead a subject matter hearing Thursday.

“In recent years – especially during the peak of the public health crisis – the way we view and access health care has increasingly changed,” Morrison said. “To keep up with the transformative process of health care, we must study the trends, have open dialogue, and begin to forecast how Illinois will provide accessible, reliable care.”

Morrison will lead the Senate Health Committee at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 to discuss the future of health care – including innovations in telehealth and other ways in which health care is being delivered.

During the committee, Morrison will be joined by a number of health care and IT professionals to discuss the future of health care. They will dive into the economics, innovation, data and delivery of services surrounding the health care system. Together, Morrison and the committee will look for ways in which the state can help people in all corners of Illinois receive quality, affordable health care.

“Oftentimes, we use subject matter hearings to look back on the past and focus on the negative. I hope to use this hearing as an opportunity to look forward to the future and focus on the positive, innovative way health care is shaping society,” Morrison said.

WHAT: Senate Health Committee Subject Matter Hearing on the future of health care

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9

WHERE: Virtual Room 1, ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp

WHO:

• State Senator Julie Morrison
• Dr. Betsy Cliff, assistant professor of health policy and administration at University of Illinois at Chicago
• Dr. Eyal Zimlichman, deputy general director, chief medical officer, and chief innovation officer at Sheba Medical Center
• Cyrus Winnett, senior vice president of public policy and government affairs at the Illinois Primary Health Care Association
• Mark Pfister, executive director of the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center
• Dr. Frank Naeymi-Rad, expert in health care IT
• Advocate Aurora Hospital

“Sweet Dreams” pajama drive benefits children in foster care

HIGHWOOD – Children in foster care will soon be wearing new pajamas thanks to the many community members and partners who donated to Senator Julie Morrison’s “Sweet Dreams” pajama drive.

“During this giving season, our community stepped up to donate nearly 800 pajamas. Adding the scarves, gloves and socks, more than 1,800 items were donated to keep kids in need warm this winter,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Because of the generosity of so many donors, children in foster care will have new pajamas and cold weather accessories to keep them warm.” 

In Illinois alone, more than 21,000 youth are in foster care are removed from their homes with only the clothes they were wearing at the time. As residents learned this, they were moved to participate.

A child who had a birthday party requested guests bring a donation to the drive. Businesses served as collection sites so people could donate at locations convenient to them. A knitting and crocheting group created handmade hats, mittens, and scarves specifically for the drive. Local organizations across the area, including libraries, service organizations, private businesses, and churches partnered with Morrison. Through this community-wide effort, Morrison’s office was able to collect hundreds of items from people and groups throughout her senate district.

“Working together with Senator Morrison to collect items to help those in need is something the Northbrook Public Library was excited to participate in,” said Kate Hall, the library’s executive director. “The Northbrook community brought in many donations. We were happy to serve as a collection point and to help get the word out about this caring initiative.  When units of local government work with our elected officials to help our communities, we are all the stronger for it.”

The items collected will soon be distributed by caseworkers to children in the Illinois’ foster care system.

“The pajama drive wouldn’t have been successful without the thoughtfulness of residents and the kind community partners who opened their doors for donations,” Morrison said. “Hundreds of children living apart from their families during the holidays will be the recipients of our neighbors’ generosity. Thank you to each and every one of you who dropped off pajamas, socks, and mittens.”