Morrison pushes to increase burial benefit for fallen firefighters, law enforcement officers

• Illinois State Police
• Trooper Christopher Lambert
• HB 2028

SPRINGFIELD – The burial benefit for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty would be increased under a proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that passed the Senate recently.

“No family of a fallen officer or firefighter should have to worry about not being able to afford to bury their loved one,” Morrison said. “These individuals selflessly dedicated their lives in the protection of our neighbors and communities, and this is the least we as a state can do to honor their sacrifice.”

Currently, the state burial benefit for firefighters, State Police officers or local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty is $10,000. Morrison’s plan – contained in House Bill 2028 – would increase that benefit to $20,000, acknowledging the ever-increasing costs associated with burials. Neither the benefit for State Police officers nor the benefit for local law enforcement officers and firefighters has been raised since its creation in the late 1990s.

Read more …

Morrison to require better preparation to treat students with epilepsy

SPRINGFIELD – Students with epilepsy would be better protected at school under a proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that passed the Senate recently.

“With a long-term risk of recurrent seizures, children with epilepsy require individuals around them to be able to effectively respond should a seizure occur,” Morrison said. “By developing a plan that lays out the unique set of health care needs of students with epilepsy, schools are ensuring they are fully prepared to both treat and manage a disorder that affects 470,000 children nationwide.”

Morrison’s proposal – contained in House Bill 1475 – creates the Seizure Smart School Act, which would require the development of a plan for students with epilepsy that includes training for employees and care aides on how to handle students with the disorder.

Read more …

Morrison works to expand insurance coverage of EpiPens for minors

• Health
• Children
• HB 3435

SPRINGFIELD – Insurers would be required to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors for minors under a proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that passed the Senate recently.

“With steady increases in food allergies and other serious allergic conditions, we should be doing everything we can to expand access to lifesaving drugs and medicines,” Morrison said. “No child with a serious allergy should be without an epinephrine injector because they cannot afford one.”

Epinephrine injectors – commonly known by the specific brand name EpiPen – deliver the life-saving drug epinephrine to individuals experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and opening lung airways, reversing the symptoms of an allergic reaction that, if left untreated, can cause death.

Read more …

Grassroots effort leads to dropping of controversial rail expansion

• Lake Forest
• Hiawatha Service

LAKE FOREST - The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has dropped a proposal to install holding tracks for freight trains in Lake Forest and Glenview after pressure from State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and a coalition of grassroots citizens in the North Suburbs who voiced their opposition to the proposal.

“The recent announcement by IDOT represents a hard fought win for the many homeowners and concerned citizens who stood up and made their voices heard,” Morrison said. “It was a pleasure to advocate and ultimately be successful for the thousands of area residents who stood up and refused to accept this ill-advised proposal.”

Morrison expressed concern with the project after plans were submitted that would have led to the construction of extra rail lines just feet from property and businesses across the region.

Read more …