Morrison pushes for expansion of vote-by-mail program

DEERFIELD — As members of the General Assembly have arrived back to Springfield, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is urging her colleagues to take up her bill, a package that would expand the state’s vote-by-mail program for the November election among other changes related to elections.

“People should not have to worry about their health and safety when exercising their right to vote,” Morrison said. “If people don’t feel safe going to restaurants, they won’t feel safe standing in line to cast their vote.” 

Illinoisans would have more options to forego traditional polling places and cast their ballots from the safety of their homes during the November 2020 election under a measure sponsored by Morrison. She would like to see everyone who has voted in the last two years receive a ballot, which would then be returned to the county elections office and counted on Election Day.

This would not preclude in-person voting opportunities on and before Election Day.

“No one knows what this pandemic will look like come fall,” Morrison said. “It is imperative we give people more options to exercise their right to vote during this unprecedented time.” 

Leading up to her return to Springfield, Morrison spent several weeks speaking with stakeholders, organizations and experts about the proposal outlined in part of Senate Bill 1863 — a package of elections-related measures. 

Morrison works to preserve human services funding

• DCFS

DEERFIELD — As State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) and her colleagues returned to Springfield Wednesday, she has vowed to fight for human services funding in the Fiscal Year ’21 budget, especially for the Department of Children and Family Services.

“Many agencies that are tasked with helping and protecting our state’s most vulnerable populations already struggle with too few resources,” Morrison said. “Illinois should be a leader in showing all people are valuable and deserve to be treated with human dignity.” 

Morrison is chair of the Illinois Senate Human Services Committee, where she fights for the beneficiaries of a number of human services agencies, most notably DCFS. 

DCFS workers are in capacities that could expose them to COVID-19, causing them to need more protective gear, like masks, gloves and other PPE. Those on the frontlines for the agency have also expressed desires to reduce face-to-face interactions with  clients as much as possible. With this, however, comes a need for technology.

“High-profile failures at DCFS have come in part from the agency not receiving priority in funding,” Morrison said. “As members of the General Assembly, we should push for continued funding for DCFS and other human services organizations so they can help the most vulnerable among us, especially abused and neglected children.”

Additionally, Morrison has been a steadfast ally and supporter of the developmental and intellectual disabilities communities and pushes for funding to support autism services, sexual assault programs and mental health supportive housing.

Property Tax Deferral Passed by Lake County Board

During its May 12 meeting, the Lake County Board passed a measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that gives property owners more time to pay each installment of their property taxes.

Many people across the state and in the Lake County community are dealing with financial difficulties due to the pandemic. 

The Lake County Board recognized those hardships and enacted an ordinance that allows taxpayers to spread their property tax payments over four installments, rather than two. If the second half of the payment is made by the second due date, no late fees will be incurred. 

The payments were originally due on June 8 and Sept. 8. However, under the ordinance, Lake County property owners can spread their payments out as follows:

• 50% of the first installment payment is due by June 8, 2020.
• 50% of the first installment payment is due by Aug. 7, 2020.
• 50% of the second installment payment is due by Sept. 8, 2020.
• 50% of the second installment payment is due by Nov. 9, 2020.

The Lake County treasurer's office said it will send notice of the deferred payment plan to Lake County property owners through the mail within the next two weeks. 

Additionally, Cook County officials announce what they’re going to do to help COVID-19-stressed property owners deal with their property taxes later this week.

Morrison: People won’t feel safe standing in line to cast their vote

DEERFIELD —The 2020 election is less than six months away, leaving people across the state worried it might not be safe to head to the ballot box. Under a proposal spearheaded by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), every registered voter would be mailed a ballot they could complete from the comfort and safety of their own home. 

“People should not have to worry about their health and safety when exercising their right to vote,” Morrison said. “I want to give voters more accessibility to have their voice heard — especially at a time when so many are relying on their elected officials for help.”

The measure will expand Illinois’ current vote-by-mail program. Illinoisans would have the option to forego traditional polling places and cast their ballot from the comfort of their home during the November 2020 election. Each registered voter would be mailed a ballot, which would then be returned to the county elections office and counted on Election Day.

This does not preclude in-person voting opportunities on and/or before Election Day.

“According to the governor’s five-phase proposal, Illinoisans could still have quite a bit of time before they will be able to safely congregate in large groups,” Morrison said. “If people don’t feel safe going to gatherings or restaurants, they won’t feel safe standing in line to cast their vote.” 

Morrison has spent the past several weeks speaking with stakeholders, organizations and experts about her proposal. It will be read into the record when lawmakers return to Springfield. 

At this time, a date is not set for the return.