Fishing licenses are now more affordable, thanks to Morrison law

SPRINGFIELD – This summer is the perfect time to take up fishing or to reconnect with an old hobby, thanks to a new law from State Senator Julie Morrison that lowers the price of fishing licenses.

“Growing up near a river in Illinois, one of my favorite memories is fishing with my family in the summer,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Over the past few years, we have grown a greater appreciation for the outdoors, and I want to make sure people have easy access to grow that appreciation and love even more.”

To encourage more people to take up the hobby of fishing, Morrison’s law lowers the annual fee for fishing licenses to $5 for Illinois residents who have not purchased a license in 10 or more years. Non-residents will pay $10.

“There’s nothing better than the bond families can make grabbing a rod and reel and enjoying quality time together,” said Morrison. “From young children to grandparents, fishing is an activity all can grow to love.”

House Bill 2317 was signed by the governor Friday.

Senator Morrison commends Illinois Supreme Court’s assault weapons ban decision

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the General Assembly’s assault weapons ban:

“I commend the Illinois Supreme Court for taking appropriate action to ensure our state becomes safer. Military-style weapons designed for war have no use on our streets and in our neighborhoods.”

Senator Morrison first led an assault weapons ban bill in 2017. She was instrumental in the passage of the measure passed in January, which came just six months after she and her family ran for their lives during the 2022 Fourth of July mass shooting in Highland Park.

Morrison to keep children safe from harmful pesticides on school grounds

SPRINGFIELD – Expanding upon her previously passed legislation, State Senator Julie Morrison led a new law to prohibit pesticides on school grounds within 24 hours of students being present.

“Children are at higher risk for health effects from exposure to pesticides than adults because their nervous, immune, digestive and other systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to these pollutants compared to adults,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Keeping harmful chemicals away from children will protect them from a plethora of potential health problems.”

Morrison spearheaded a measure passed in 2021 that makes it illegal to use restricted pesticides within 500 feet of a school during normal school hours when children are present.

The law signed Friday – Senate Bill 1772 – prohibits the spraying of pesticides on K-8 school grounds in areas where children may be present during a school day, starting July 1, 2024.

“It’s clear that pesticide exposure is bad for children’s health,” Morrison said. “Today is the first step toward ending that unnecessary exposure.”

The measure was signed into law Friday.

Victims of doxing to receive justice under Morrison law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure – which was signed by the governor Friday – to fill a significant gap in current Illinois law by giving victims of doxing a voice in deterring bad actors looking to take advantage of the evolving cyber landscape.

“As technology evolves, so must our laws,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “The measure signed into law today is a positive step toward providing a necessary solution to the dangerous practice of doxing, both by helping victims and deterring future bad actors.”

To give victims of doxing the justice they deserve, Morrison passed House Bill 2954. The law allows people a civil private right of action against the individual who committed the offense. The victim will be able to recover damages and any other appropriate relief, including attorney’s fees.

Doxing is the act of sharing an individual’s personal information without that person’s consent and with the intent to cause harm to the individual whose personal information is shared.

“Today marks a critical step forward in the fight against online hate in Illinois. Doxing victims will now have a critical ability to hold their attackers accountable in the aftermath of unspeakable pain,” said David Goldenberg, ADL Midwest Regional Director. “Thank you to Representative Gong-Gershowitz and Senator Morrison for their tremendous leadership in pushing this bill through the legislature, to Governor Pritzker for swiftly signing the bill into law, and to our robust coalition of partners who activated at each stage of the process. ADL is committed to fighting hate on all fronts and the evolving online landscape is no exception.”

House Bill 2954 was signed by the governor Friday.