Senator Morrison protects public safety, advocates for law enforcement

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison’s (D-Lake Forest) newly signed law will provide police officers with additional tools and training opportunities to help keep communities safe. 

“One message that I frequently hear across the district is that public safety and a rise in crime continue to be a major concern,” Morrison said. “Yet staffing shortages are hindering police from best protecting their communities.

Morrison championed House Bill 3863, which creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to support departments through the hiring and training processes and help with retention strategies.

The measure will provide grants to law enforcement agencies for hiring and retention of officers. Funds could also be used for mental health care for officers, safety equipment and training, or improvements in jails. Mental health services for inmates could also be funded through this grant.

“This law will help keep our communities safer,” Morrison said. “These efforts support the valuable work that law enforcement does in our communities and in our state every day and every hour.”

Morrison also co-sponsored a number of other measures at providing relief and assistance to law enforcement officers, including House Bill 1571, which requires the DHS to establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Program to help first responders and other workers identify and access off-hours, night, or sleep time child care. 

She also supported House Bill 1321.The measure creates grants through the Department of Human Services related to behavioral health care services for first responders that units of local government, law enforcement agencies, fire protection districts, school districts, hospitals, and ambulance services that employ first responders may apply for.

Morrison’s House Bill 3863 was signed into law Tuesday and takes effect immediately. 

Nearly 100 businesses in district Morrison represents receive $4.3 million in business assistance

CHICAGO – Nearly 100 businesses in the district State Senator Julie Morrison represents were awarded nearly $4.3 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to her advocacy and support.

“Small business owners in Lake and Cook County and throughout the state experienced unforeseen financial difficulties that will be challenging to bounce back from without help,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

A total of $4.295 million was awarded to 90 businesses in the 29^th District. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants – thanks to strong support from Morrison – to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons, and disproportionately impacted areas.

“Alleviating the financial burdens many small businesses face helps not only their companies, but also their employees and families,” Morrison said. “I am pleased we had the ability to provide this much-needed relief.”

With strong leadership from Morrison, the state has seen five Illinois’ General Obligation bond rating upgrades in the last year from all three of the nation’s primary credit rating agencies. The latest two-notch upgrade comes from Fitch Ratings, as a result of the state paying down its bill backlog from over $16 billion to less than $3 billion in a course of just a few years.

Due to fiscal responsibility, the state saw an increase in funds available to assist small businesses.

Morrison urges small businesses to visit the DCEO website for additional resources or contact DCEO’s First Stop Business Information Center Services at 800-252-2923 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Senator Morrison to host end-of-session recap town halls

HIGHWOOD – Following the conclusion of the spring legislative session, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) will join Representatives Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) and Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) for two separate district town halls in the coming weeks.

“I am looking forward to meeting with my fellow legislators and our neighbors for a conversation about the issues that are important to residents in our districts,” Morrison said. “From protecting the environment, to public safety, to our state budget, the General Assembly passed a number of bills this year to help our community thrive.” 

Senator Morrison and Representative Morgan will host a town hall Wednesday, May 11 from 7-8 p.m. at the Highland Park Police Facility located at 1677 Old Deerfield Rd., Highland Park

Senator Morrison and Representative Carroll will be at the Northbrook Public Library, located at 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook on Monday, May 16 from 7-8 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to attend Morrison’s town hall events to hear more about the spring legislative session and ask questions of the senator and representatives.

For more information, people can call Morrison’s office at 847-945-5200.

Senator Morrison commemorates 15th Anniversary of the Smoke Free Illinois Act

SPRINGFIELD – Since first entering the General Assembly, Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) has been an advocate for decreasing the smoking rate – having passed the monumental Tobacco 21 law. Today, Morrison celebrates the 15^th Anniversary of the Smoke Free Illinois Act and the progress that has been made in recent years.

“Fifteen years ago, we began to change the culture of smoking,” said Morrison. “Thousands of lives have been saved since its passage – and that’s just the start. Through legislative action, I hope to continue to decrease the usage of these products and move Illinois to be tobacco free.

The Smoke Free Illinois Act banned smoking inside public buildings. It was the first step toward changing the culture around smoking.

Morrison’s measure, House Joint Resolution 75, commemorates the 15^th anniversary of the Smoke Free Illinois Act, but also directs the Illinois Department of Public Health to issue a data brief by 2023 examining the impact the Act has had since the agency issued its last report in 2013.

Morrison has been an advocate for putting an end to tobacco use in teens since entering the General Assembly. In 2019, she successfully passed a law that increases the age to legally purchase tobacco to 21. After the success of that law, Attorney General Kwame Y. Raoul worked with Morrison to pass a law – the Preventing Youth Vaping Act – last year to place a number of restrictions on electronic cigarettes, including prohibiting marketing tactics that use images of cartoons or video games that appeal to children.

HJR 75 passed the Senate last week.