EVENT: How to protect yourself from fraud

As the countdown to the tax filing deadline begins, many of us are thinking about doing our taxes online in an effort to mitigate the fear of contracting COVID-19.

But that can lead to other fears as well: Are you at risk fraud if you enter such personal information via a computer?

The short answer: If you’re safe, no. There are many ways to protect yourself from cyber scams.

Join myself and a representative from the Illinois attorney general’s office next Friday, March 19 at 1 p.m. for a free, virtual event to teach you how to protect yourself from tax fraud, and to learn about common scams seen throughout the pandemic.

To register in advance for the event, click here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 847-945-5200.

I hope you’ll take advantage of this free opportunity!

Morrison: Voting disparities among people with disabilities is a very real issues

SPRINGFIELD – Although a record number of people cast their votes by mail in the 2020 General Election, not every registered voter had the privilege to practice their civic duty. Voters with limited manual dexterity or visual impairments – among other disabilities – may not be able to fill out paper ballots by hand, limiting their ability to vote remotely.

To give every person the same opportunity to cast their ballot from the comfort of their home, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is spearheading a measure to provide more accessible remote ballots.

“Voting is a right – regardless of a person’s ability to visit a physical polling location or their ability to write,” Morrison said. “Voters who are disabled should be able to cast their ballots freely, fairly and safely.”

The measure would require the State Board of Elections to create a rule to allow ballots to be sent electronically and be filled out using assistive technology. The electronic ballots will only be available by request under Senate Bill 1907.

Several states, including Ohio, Maryland, and Oregon, have already made electronic ballot marking systems available for remote voting. Assistive technologies commonly used include screen readers, digital magnifiers and text-to-speech software.

“Voting disparities among people with disabilities is a very real issues,” Morrison said. “Just because a person has a disability, doesn’t mean their voice doesn’t matter. Their voices should be elevated so issues – just like low voting accessibility – are taken seriously.”

Additionally, to provide people with a safer and more efficient way to vote, Morrison is spearheading a measure to allow election authorities to establish permanent ballot drop boxes to accept vote-by-mail ballots. Election authorities would be able to receive reimbursement through the federal Help America Vote Act to pay for the boxes. It also allows curbside voting – which could assist people who are disabled vote at polling locations that are not as accessible as they should be.

“Many of us take our ability to vote for granted,” Morrison said. “Imagine going to a polling place where you have to climb stairs or fill out a paper ballot, and that’s something you simply cannot do. Just imagine how discouraging that is to a person.”

Senate Bill 1906 is similar to a measure sponsored by Morrison during January session that did not make it out of the House due to limited time.

Both measures await committee assignment.

Morrison re-introduces EpiPens coverage expansion legislation

SPRINGFIELD – The price of EpiPens has greatly increased over the years, causing people with certain allergies to forgo purchasing the life-saving medication. State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) wants to offset the burdensome cost by requiring insurers to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors.

“With increases in food allergies and other serious allergic conditions, people are relying on EpiPens more than ever,” Morrison said. “Nobody with a serious allergy should go without an epinephrine injector simply because they cannot afford one.”

In 2019, Morrison passed legislation to require insurers to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors – also known by the brand name of EpiPens – for minors. However, she wants to take the law one step further by removing the age limitation. Morrison introduced the EpiPen for all legislation last year, but it was stalled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Epinephrine injectors deliver the drug epinephrine to individuals experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and opening lung airways, reversing the symptoms of an allergic reaction that, if left untreated, could cause death.

“People are dying because they can’t afford EpiPens,” Morrison said. “That’s wrong.”

Senate Bill 1917 was filed last week. Morrison hopes to present it in committee soon.

Morrison measure to make corporations more transparent

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is sponsoring a measure that allows Illinois corporations to safely and effectively hold shareholder meetings virtually.

“While a lot of our favorite activities have been halted – much of our daily work and meetings haven’t,” Morrison said. “Corporations must be able to have transparent and safe communications between their boards and shareholders.”

The measure amends the Business Corporation Act to allow boards of directors of corporations to host shareholder meetings through virtual communication. If a corporation chooses to use these means, they must implement measures to allow shareholders to view, participate and vote.

The legislation comes after some Illinois corporations raised safety concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They argue their work can be done just as effectively via remote communication. Other states, including New York, Delaware and New Jersey, have already adopted remote shareholder meeting laws.

“This measure simply allows those businesses and shareholders to do what most of us have been doing for nearly a year – meet virtually,” Morrison said.

Senate Bill 116 passed the Senate Judiciary committee Tuesday.