Morrison leads Senate Health Committee to study future of health care

HIGHWOOD – To learn more about the future of access to care, Senate Health Committee Chair Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) will lead a subject matter hearing Thursday.

“In recent years – especially during the peak of the public health crisis – the way we view and access health care has increasingly changed,” Morrison said. “To keep up with the transformative process of health care, we must study the trends, have open dialogue, and begin to forecast how Illinois will provide accessible, reliable care.”

Morrison will lead the Senate Health Committee at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 to discuss the future of health care – including innovations in telehealth and other ways in which health care is being delivered.

During the committee, Morrison will be joined by a number of health care and IT professionals to discuss the future of health care. They will dive into the economics, innovation, data and delivery of services surrounding the health care system. Together, Morrison and the committee will look for ways in which the state can help people in all corners of Illinois receive quality, affordable health care.

“Oftentimes, we use subject matter hearings to look back on the past and focus on the negative. I hope to use this hearing as an opportunity to look forward to the future and focus on the positive, innovative way health care is shaping society,” Morrison said.

WHAT: Senate Health Committee Subject Matter Hearing on the future of health care

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9

WHERE: Virtual Room 1, ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp

WHO:

• State Senator Julie Morrison
• Dr. Betsy Cliff, assistant professor of health policy and administration at University of Illinois at Chicago
• Dr. Eyal Zimlichman, deputy general director, chief medical officer, and chief innovation officer at Sheba Medical Center
• Cyrus Winnett, senior vice president of public policy and government affairs at the Illinois Primary Health Care Association
• Mark Pfister, executive director of the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center
• Dr. Frank Naeymi-Rad, expert in health care IT
• Advocate Aurora Hospital

“Sweet Dreams” pajama drive benefits children in foster care

HIGHWOOD – Children in foster care will soon be wearing new pajamas thanks to the many community members and partners who donated to Senator Julie Morrison’s “Sweet Dreams” pajama drive.

“During this giving season, our community stepped up to donate nearly 800 pajamas. Adding the scarves, gloves and socks, more than 1,800 items were donated to keep kids in need warm this winter,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Because of the generosity of so many donors, children in foster care will have new pajamas and cold weather accessories to keep them warm.” 

In Illinois alone, more than 21,000 youth are in foster care are removed from their homes with only the clothes they were wearing at the time. As residents learned this, they were moved to participate.

A child who had a birthday party requested guests bring a donation to the drive. Businesses served as collection sites so people could donate at locations convenient to them. A knitting and crocheting group created handmade hats, mittens, and scarves specifically for the drive. Local organizations across the area, including libraries, service organizations, private businesses, and churches partnered with Morrison. Through this community-wide effort, Morrison’s office was able to collect hundreds of items from people and groups throughout her senate district.

“Working together with Senator Morrison to collect items to help those in need is something the Northbrook Public Library was excited to participate in,” said Kate Hall, the library’s executive director. “The Northbrook community brought in many donations. We were happy to serve as a collection point and to help get the word out about this caring initiative.  When units of local government work with our elected officials to help our communities, we are all the stronger for it.”

The items collected will soon be distributed by caseworkers to children in the Illinois’ foster care system.

“The pajama drive wouldn’t have been successful without the thoughtfulness of residents and the kind community partners who opened their doors for donations,” Morrison said. “Hundreds of children living apart from their families during the holidays will be the recipients of our neighbors’ generosity. Thank you to each and every one of you who dropped off pajamas, socks, and mittens.”

Morrison encourages use of simplified college application process

HIGHWOOD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is encouraging incoming college students to take advantage of Common App – a simplified way to apply to multiple Illinois colleges and universities at once.

“Applying to college is a tedious and stressful process that can take hours and cost hundreds,” Morrison said. “Common App makes the process easier by creating a one-stop shop for incoming students to send applications to multiple colleges at once.”

Incoming students applying to college will now be able to submit applications to any of Illinois’ 12 public universities and dozens of private institutions using just one form on commonapp.org. Once a student makes a Common App account, they will be asked to confirm which schools they’d like to apply to and review the admission requirements for those schools. They’ll then submit their application on the website, where they’ll be able to track its status.

Low-income students and their families can apply for a waiver to help cover the application cost. Over the last two years, more than 470,000 students using Common App across the country were granted a fee waiver.

“By making the college application process more efficient and cost effective, we are breaking down barriers to access to higher education,” Morrison said. “Getting your application to multiple admissions’ offices in one fell swoop is a great opportunity – one I know my kids wish they would’ve had when applying to college.”

The expansion of Common App comes thanks to $1 million set aside in partnership with the governor’s office, Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois General Assembly.

Morrison calls on DCFS to provide better care for LGBTQ youth

SPRINGFIELD – Calling on the Department of Children and Family Services to better support and protect its LGBTQ youth in care, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) held a subject matter hearing Tuesday to address the agency’s shortcomings.

“There are estimates that 30% of our youth in care at DCFS identify as LGBTQ, yet there seems to be a discrepancy between that number and the numbers DCFS provided,” Morrison said. “We must ensure LGBTQ youth in care are getting the proper support they need to have successful futures.” 

The hearing comes following recent findings that DCFS was not respecting the needs of LGBTQ youth in care. An investigation by the auditor general looked into how many LGBTQ children were under the care of DCFS and the number of providers deemed “clinically appropriate” for the kids. The audit – which was spearheaded by a resolution previously passed by Morrison – found the agency "does not collect sufficient information regarding whether those in care are LGBTQ."

While the agency later announced it’s enhancing its LGBTQ training and resources, Senator Morrison urged DCFS to implement an overall change in training and policies.

“We cannot assume that every home is affirming to LGBTQ youth and that they will provide the behavioral and emotional support the children need,” Morrison said. “Change must be made so all children are placed in supportive, caring homes.”

Morrison said she hopes Tuesday’s hearing will open the doors for LGBTQ youth in care to have the same opportunities as other children. She believes this starts with a clinically appropriate screening process to understand each child’s individual needs.