Senators Johnson, Morrison helped community members beat the heat at local town hall event

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. – Community members from across Lake County joined State Senators Adriane Johnson and Julie Morrison over the weekend for an ice cream social and town hall.

“It was a pleasure to spend time with so many members of the community, discussing their visions for our area’s future,” Johnson said. “The event was a great opportunity to break the ice and spread the word about how new legislation is going to make life better for residents.”

People came out to meet the senators at Horizon Park Saturday. Johnson and Morrison spoke with the group about their legislative accomplishments and received feedback from community members – all while enjoying free ice cream.

“Meeting people of all ages who are politically engaged and are genuinely interested in the work we do in Springfield is always a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We appreciate everyone who came out and made this a successful event.”

People who weren’t able to make the event but have questions for the senators can contact Senator Morrison’s office at 847-945-5200 or Senator Johnson’s office at 847-672-6201.

Morrison’s new law to require gluten labels on medications

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure people with gluten intolerances aren’t unknowingly consuming gluten in the medications they take, State Senator Julie Morrison’s (D-Lake Forest) proposal to require oral drugs to carry proper warning labels was signed into law.

“Restaurants and grocery stores have increased their gluten-free offerings and have become far better equipped to properly label and handle items for people with dietary restrictions,” Morrison said. “People with Celiac and other gluten intolerances should feel just as protected when visiting a pharmacy.”

Under the law signed Friday, any prescription or over-the-counter drug that contains gluten but is not labeled as such would be considered misbranded. Because most medications do not contain gluten, consumers are often under the assumption none do unless otherwise specified. Therefore, if a drug does contain gluten and is not accurately labeled, a person with Celiac or other gluten intolerances could take it and be surprised with harmful health issues.

Celiac disease affects nearly three million Americans who must follow a fully gluten-free diet. Many more struggle with gluten sensitivity.

“The law will make it easier and safer for people with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to make informed purchases of necessary medications,” Morrison said. “We expect the food we purchase to be properly labeled, so why shouldn’t we expect the same from the medications we take?”

House Bill 279 was signed into law Friday.

Morrison brings Mobile Museum of Tolerance to Lake County

HIGHLAND PARK – Wrapped in photos of Anne Frank, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Harriet Tubman, Simon Wiesenthal, Cesar Chavez and Rosa Parks, the Mobile Museum of Tolerance drives across the country with one mission: to teach communities how they can make a difference, much like the changes made by those historical figures.

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is bringing the traveling museum to Highland Park next week to address the tide of hate people across the country face.

“We’ve seen an increase of hate toward minority communities in Illinois and across the country – and it must stop,” Morrison said. “We need to strive for open dialogue, mutual understanding and positive education within our communities to end this discrimination.”

As an advocate for peace building and conflict resolution, Morrison is partnering with the Mobile Museum of Tolerance to show people how they can combat ill feelings for certain groups. The Mobile Museum of Tolerance seeks to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds, empowering them to raise their voices and combat anti-Semitism, bullying, racism, hate and intolerance and to promote human dignity.

The traveling museum includes a theater with seating and workshops to teach people about a variety of topics, including the evils behind the Holocaust and the fight for civil rights that continues today.

Located in the parking lot of the Highland Park Recreation Center on Park Avenue West, people can visit the Mobile Museum of Tolerance free of charge to learn about topics ranging from the legacy of the Holocaust to the power of ordinary people to create positive change in the community. The bus is open from noon-6 p.m. each day of the week of July 26-30.

“The Mobile Museum of Tolerance is a reminder that each of us can make a difference if we simply work together and learn how to care for one another,” Morrison said. “No matter if you’re 5 or 85, there’s work you can do to become the best ally to your neighbors.”

People with questions about the event can contact Morrison’s office at 847-945-5200.

Senators Morrison and Johnson host ice cream social

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. – To provide a fun way for the community to beat the heat while learning about what’s going on in Springfield, State Senators Julie Morrison and Adriane Johnson are hosting an ice cream social Sunday, July 25.

“One of my favorite parts of my job as a state senator has always been meeting people in the community and sharing the strides we made in Springfield while hearing their feedback,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “After more than a year of not being able to host face-to-face events, I’m excited to get back out into Lake County and talk with the people who make the district such a great place to live.”

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