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..

Senator Morrison to host end-of-session recap town halls

HIGHWOOD – Following the conclusion of the spring legislative session, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) will join Representatives Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) and Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) for two separate district town halls in the coming weeks.

“I am looking forward to meeting with my fellow legislators and our neighbors for a conversation about the issues that are important to residents in our districts,” Morrison said. “From protecting the environment, to public safety, to our state budget, the General Assembly passed a number of bills this year to help our community thrive.” 

Senator Morrison and Representative Morgan will host a town hall Wednesday, May 11 from 7-8 p.m. at the Highland Park Police Facility located at 1677 Old Deerfield Rd., Highland Park

Senator Morrison and Representative Carroll will be at the Northbrook Public Library, located at 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook on Monday, May 16 from 7-8 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to attend Morrison’s town hall events to hear more about the spring legislative session and ask questions of the senator and representatives.

For more information, people can call Morrison’s office at 847-945-5200.

Senator Morrison commemorates 15th Anniversary of the Smoke Free Illinois Act

SPRINGFIELD – Since first entering the General Assembly, Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) has been an advocate for decreasing the smoking rate – having passed the monumental Tobacco 21 law. Today, Morrison celebrates the 15^th Anniversary of the Smoke Free Illinois Act and the progress that has been made in recent years.

“Fifteen years ago, we began to change the culture of smoking,” said Morrison. “Thousands of lives have been saved since its passage – and that’s just the start. Through legislative action, I hope to continue to decrease the usage of these products and move Illinois to be tobacco free.

The Smoke Free Illinois Act banned smoking inside public buildings. It was the first step toward changing the culture around smoking.

Morrison’s measure, House Joint Resolution 75, commemorates the 15^th anniversary of the Smoke Free Illinois Act, but also directs the Illinois Department of Public Health to issue a data brief by 2023 examining the impact the Act has had since the agency issued its last report in 2013.

Morrison has been an advocate for putting an end to tobacco use in teens since entering the General Assembly. In 2019, she successfully passed a law that increases the age to legally purchase tobacco to 21. After the success of that law, Attorney General Kwame Y. Raoul worked with Morrison to pass a law – the Preventing Youth Vaping Act – last year to place a number of restrictions on electronic cigarettes, including prohibiting marketing tactics that use images of cartoons or video games that appeal to children.

HJR 75 passed the Senate last week.

Senator Morrison calls budget a win for families, local government and financial stability of the state

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) declared the state’s Fiscal Year 23 budget a win for families, local government, and the financial stability of the state.

“My district is concerned about the state of Illinois paying down its bills, our pension debt, and helping our local governments keep property taxes as low as possible,” Morrison said. “The budget we passed today is a step in the right direction. It is a responsible spending plan“.

The budget passed by the Senate Saturday includes increased funding for the Local Government Distributive Fund, property tax relief to homeowners, and ensures fiscal responsibility by depositing $1 billion in to the state’s Rainy Day fund.

Additionally, $500 million in pension contributions, beyond the required annual payment was included. The budget also invests an increase of $350 million into public school funding through the evidence-based funding model for education.

Morrison, a Senate Majority Whip, is a member of the Appropriations Committee and was actively involved in budget negotiations to push for greater funding to support law enforcement. She negotiated funding for the Illinois State Police to obtain ballistics testing equipment, which received a $4 million allocation. Her legislation created a fund dedicated to providing grants across the state to law enforcement agencies to offer tools and training, as well as to recruit and retain officers.

An additional $120 million for the developmentally disabled community was designated to address the shortfall.

“While we are grateful to see this increase there is still a great deal to do if we are to provide for the thousands of Illinois residents who rely upon this funding,” Morrison said. “They deserve more.”

The budget heads to the governor for final approval.