Morrison bans harmful pesticides near schools

SPRINGFIELD – To protect children from the harmful effects of pesticides, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) championed a newly signed law to make it illegal to use the chemicals near schools.

“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,” Morrison said.

The legislation will make it illegal to use restricted pesticides within 500 feet of a school during normal school hours when children are present. It comes following complaints that pesticides such as Dicamba and Chlorpyrifos can be harmful to both the environment and public health.

Half of the 2 million pesticide poisoning incidents each year involve children younger than six years old, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

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

Senate Bill 2245 takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Schools to make plans for responding to anaphylactic shock under new law by Morrison

SPRINGFIELD – To help protect the lives of young children with food allergies, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) championed a new law that will create anaphylactic policies for schools and day cares.

“Children spend most of their day at school, and both they and their parents deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that schools are well-equipped to assist when a student is having an allergic reaction,” Morrison said. “Creating a plan and training more employees on what to do if a student is having a reaction will save lives.” 

The new law requires an anaphylactic policy for daycares and schools to be created and include training course requirements, food allergy-specific guidelines, a communication plan, and exposure to allergen reduction strategies. It will be based on guidance and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and willbe shared with parents upon enrollment.

Additionally, each daycare will be required to have at least one staff member present at all times who has taken a training course in recognizing anaphylaxis.

“All children should be able to enjoy the same simple joys of school, safe in the knowledge that we’re ready to protect them in an emergency – and that starts with the help of the school community,” Morrison said.

Morrison has continuously been an advocate for helping children with allergies. In 2019, Morrison passed legislation to require insurers to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors for minors.

House Bill 102 was signed into law Friday.

"Hope Card” gives proof of an order of protection under new law by Morrison

SPRINGFIELD – Survivors of domestic violence will now have an easier and more convenient way to prove they’re under an order of protection under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) signed Friday.

“We must do all we can to protect survivors of domestic violence and provide them with the peace of mind that they are safe,” Morrison said. “Part of helping them should be making that protection convenient and easily documented.”

Under the new law, survivors of domestic violence who have an order of protection would be granted a “Hope Card” to carry as official documentation of the order. The driver’s license-sized, laminated card could be shown to people who may need to be aware of the order in an easier and more convenient way than traditional paper copies. 

The new law requires the Illinois Supreme Court to implement the Hope Card program for any person under a preliminary order of protection. The card will contain a photograph, case number, active dates of the order of protection and other pertinent information. Survivors will be able to get multiple copies to pass out to coworkers, teachers and administrators at a child’s school, or anyone else who might need to be aware of the order of protection.

“The Hope Card will equip survivors with a much easier way to communicate their situation with others and help them feel safer,” Morrison said.

House Bill 3485 takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Morrison’s proposal to increase Scott’s Law penalties signed

SPRINGFIELD – Earlier this year, three Illinois officers were struck by cars within 24 hours after drivers chose to ignore the “Move Over” law. To help combat the rising number of officer injuries and deaths by vehicle, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) led a new law to enhance Scott’s Law penalties.

“This law should be common sense, yet every day dozens of people are breaking it and putting the lives of officers at risk,” Morrison said. “This has to change. Writing a check for a fine doesn’t seem to be enough for some people, so we’re going to do all we can to make sure the purpose of this law is heard loud and clear – and that’s by requiring people to give up their free time to do community service work.”

Scott’s Law – or the “Move Over” law – requires drivers to slow down their cars, change lanes if possible and proceed with caution when they are approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights on. During a 19-day period earlier this year, the Illinois State Police issued 1,340 tickets to people breaking Scott’s Law.

Under current statute, a person who violates Scott’s Law will be fined between $250 to $10,000 for their first offense, and between $750 and $10,000 for their second. The amount is determined by a judge.

Under the new law, a judge may also issue the violator a term of community service work on top of the fine.

“Far too many officers have been recklessly injured or killed simply for doing their jobs,” Morrison said. “We must ensure no other family has to endure the pain of a call that says their loved one was run down while protecting their community.”

Senate Bill 1913 takes effect Thursday.