Morrison congratulates Blue Ribbon Schools in the 29th District

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is congratulating four schools in the Northern Suburbs for earning National Blue Ribbon Schools honors. 

“I am always proud to represent a district full of extraordinary schools that put our students first,” Morrison said. “This recognition has made me even prouder — showing that teachers and administrators are working tirelessly to help our students achieve high test scores and close achievement gaps among student groups.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a U.S. Department of Education Award Program designed in 1982 to recognize high achieving schools on a yearly basis in two categories — Exemplary High Performing Schools and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools. Throughout the state, 21 schools have received recognition this year — four of which are in the district Morrison represents. 

Field Middle School and Indian Trail Elementary School were both awarded the in the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools category for their efforts to close the achievement gaps between their subgroups and all students over the past five years. 

The School of Saint Mary and Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart both received recognition in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category. Schools that received the commendation scored at the highest performance level on tests referenced by the national norms in the most recent year tested.

The U.S. Secretary of Education will honor the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools in a virtual ceremony Nov. 12 and 13. 

“Every staff member, parent and student should be proud of their hard work to receive such a prestigious honor,” Morrison said. “We will continue to see the benefits of this work for years to come as our children grow to become our future leaders.” 

Morrison encourages child care providers to apply for financial assistance

DEERFIELD — As more parents return to in-office work, they are relying on child care providers — many of which have struggled to keep their doors open during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

However, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) applauds the Business Interruption Grant program for prioritizing the needs of these facilities. 

“A large number of parents turn to child care providers for help, and if those facilities aren’t open, many families can’t return to work during a time of increased need,” Morrison said. “Child care facilities were some of the hardest hit businesses this year — but also some of the most essential.” 

More than $150 million in grants were awarded to 4,686 child care providers across 95 counties. Nearly half of the funds was given to providers in areas disproportionately affected by COVID-19. 

Additional care facilities have continued to face financial hardships, leading the state to open a second round of BIG grants. During the second wave, $114 million will be available for child care centers and family child care homes which are licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services and are currently open. 

Applications for the Child Care Restoration Grants are available until Oct. 15 and can be found here. 

All other businesses can apply for BIG grants here. 

“Any small business in Illinois — no matter the type or location — should take advantage of this program,” Morrison said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and economy, and I hope to see them continue to succeed.” 

Morrison encourages small businesses to apply for second round of BIG Grants

DEERFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is encouraging small businesses continuing to face financial hardships due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to apply for the second round of Business Interruption Grants.

“Many small business owners continue to struggle, wonder when the pandemic will let up, and worry if their establishment can survive the colder months,” Morrison said. “Any business suffering – from restaurants to movie theatres – should apply for BIG funding as soon as it becomes available Thursday.”
The BIG Program has allocated $220 million in the second round for movie theatres, performing arts venues, concert venues and more to help them stay afloat through this time of crisis and ensure they have the resources to open safely in the coming months.

BIG funds may be used to help businesses cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.

To ensure funds are distributed across the state and across business type, $60 million has been specifically allocated for heavily distressed industries, including indoor recreation facilities and amusement parks, and another $70 million has been set aside for businesses located in disproportionately impacted areas, or low-income areas that have experienced high rates of COVID-19. Businesses located in Highwood in the 60040 ZIP code, Wheeling in the 60090 ZIP code and North Chicago in the 60064 ZIP code qualify for part of the $70 million. For a full list of eligible ZIP codes, click here.

During its first round of funding earlier this year, the program granted more than $49 million to small businesses across the state. More than 50 business in the district Morrison represents received a combined $870,000.

Applications open Thursday, Sept. 17 and can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website alongside a full list of criteria.

Morrison calls on DCFS to abide by Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act

DEERFIELD – During a Senate Human Services Committee Monday, Chairman Julie Morrison called on the Department of Children and Family Services for greater transparency relating to child deaths and injuries that happen under the agency’s watch. 

“Every member of the General Assembly should receive the Death or Serious Life-Threatening Injury Report each month so we can all be aware of these tragedies,” Morrison (D-Lake Forest) said. “We need to know about those children, their cause of death and the circumstances.”

The Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act requires DCFS to investigate the death or serious life-threatening injury of a child in its care and issue a report on the circumstance to a number of legislators in leadership positions, as well as the senator and representative in whose district the death or injury occurred within six months. Additionally, a cumulative report of all deaths and serious life-threatening injuries must be submitted to the General Assembly annually.

However, since first joining the Senate in 2013, Morrison said she has not been notified of a death or serious life-threatening injury of a child in her district, nor has she been sent the quarterly data released by DCFS without asking for it. Additionally, Morrison argued there is data missing from the reports and it isn’t easy for an everyday person to read.

During Monday’s meeting, Morrison also brought up concerns about children who are in psychiatric hospitals ready to be released but have no where to go, and what kind of step-down foster care programs are available for them. She was heartbroken to learn that there isn’t a specific plan for the current 44 children who are in these situations.

“These children need help, but they can’t receive that help without a loving and stable home,” Morrison said. “The agency must act on this immediately and find the least restrictive setting possible so no more children have to suffer.”

Morrison will continue conversations with the Department of Children and Family Services to find the best solutions to ensure the state’s most vulnerable children receive the best care.