Morrison, Raoul increase awareness on the effects of trauma on children

• Children
• Video
• Attorney General Kwame Raoul
• SR 99

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) is raising awareness that traumatic experiences during childhood, including physical abuse, sexual assault or emotional neglect, can affect the development of a child and have a lifetime effect on the physical and mental health of a person’s life.

In response to the growing public health concern, Morrison recently passed a resolution declaring May 15 as Trauma-Informed Awareness Day to highlight the importance of prevention and effective responses to dealing with trauma. Morrison joined with Attorney General Raoul, fellow colleagues and health advocates at a press conference in Springfield today to further highlight the issue.

“We are here today to stand together to confront this growing public health concern,” Morrison said. “The data has proven the direct correlation between trauma and mental and physical health. We as policy makers and advocates need to continue working to ensure mental health care and trauma prevention are at the forefront of our discussions and the dedication of our state resources.”

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Trooper Christopher Lambert remembered at Illinois State Police ceremony

• Audio
• Video
• Highland Park
• Illinois State Police
• Trooper Christopher Lambert

Illinois State Police Trooper Christopher Lambert was assisting in a traffic accident on the Tri-State Tollway in January when he was struck by a speeding motorist and killed. A five-year member of the State Police, Trooper Lambert was traveling home to Highland Park when the crash occurred.

A ceremony this week at the newly finished Illinois State Police Memorial Park honored Trooper Lambert’s service to the people of Illinois.

“Trooper Lambert’s selfless sacrifice toward ensuring the safety of Illinoisans is why we are all here today,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), who attended this week's ceremony. “In the months and years ahead, let us never forget the thousands of Illinois State Police officers and others in law enforcement who get up every day in the service of their fellow Illinoisans.”

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Morrison calls for audit of DCFS hotline in wake of 5-year-old’s death

DEERFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) released the statement below following Crystal Lake Police’s announcement today that they are charging AJ Freund’s parents with murder after finding the 5-year-old’s body: 

“It is horrific that we are once again discussing the death of a child following alleged abuse and neglect at the hands of his parents. It does not get any easier to hear these stories.

“As with many other deaths, it seems the system designed to protect Illinois' children did not work in AJ Freund's case.

“It has long been my contention that we need to start at the first step of the child protection system and look critically at the Illinois hotline program. It is our duty as legislators to investigate why this happened. Therefore, I am calling for an independent, comprehensive audit of the DCFS hotline.

“The legislature, along with the governor, must begin in some concrete ways to reform an agency that has failed in its responsibility to protect children.”

Morrison passes measure to incentivize organ donation

• Health
• SB 0068
• Organ Donation

Caption: State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) discusses her proposal to incentivize organ donation with State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Cahokia), a kidney transplant recipient.

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) making it easier for living organ or bone marrow donors to potentially save a life passed the Senate this week.

“Last year, 3,402 Illinois residents were candidates for a kidney transplant. By the end of the year, however, only 798 people actually received a transplant. That represents less than a quarter of patients who are on the organ donation waiting list,” Morrison said.

Morrison’s plan – contained in Senate Bill 68 – creates the Organ Donation Tax Credit, allowing private employers to take a credit against withholding taxes if the employer offers the ability of employees to take a paid leave of absence of at least 30 days to donate an organ or bone marrow.

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