Morrison applauds additional DCFS funding in state budget

• DCFS
• Budget

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 21 budget, which provides more funding for DCFS:

“No state agency has gone through more turmoil over the past decade. While not every problem revolves around funding, many of the Department of Children and Family Services’ high-profile failures come from a lack of resources.

“This additional funding is necessary to boost the workforce, which would reduce caseloads for investigators and allow more attention to go toward services. More funding means the ability to hire more highly trained workers who have the determination and stability to take on one of the state’s toughest jobs.

"I will work diligently with DCFS to hold them accountable and make sure the additional funding is used appropriately for resources to best help our state's most vulnerable children.

“Children should not have to suffer — especially at a time when they are home more often in situations that could be dangerous. We must be there for them. More money for DCFS will protect our children — and that’s the best investment we can make.”

 

 

Property tax relief measure supported by Morrison signed into law

DEERFIELD — In an effort to provide financial relief to Illinoisans as they work to get back on their feet during the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) supported the legislature’s comprehensive property tax relief measure.

“People across the state are struggling financially, and implementing property tax relief will take some financial burden away from families who are having a hard time,” Morrison said. “Illinoisans need to know we have their backs during this unprecedented crisis. This measure is a small but substantial step toward providing them with help and economic relief.”

Under this legislation, local businesses and residents would see property tax relief in the form of:

• Empowering county governments to approve 2020 homestead exemptions for those with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and senior citizens, as long as the property had been granted this exemption for 2019.
• Allowing counties with less than 3 million residents to waive interest penalties and fees for late property tax payments due in 2020.
• Deferring property tax sales.

County assessment officers can still conduct audits of taxpayers claiming an exemption in order to verify the applicant is eligible to receive the senior citizen’s assessment freeze through the homestead exemption.

The measure — found in Senate Bill 685 — also defers tax sales and gives Lake County the authority to waive property tax interest penalties.

The measure was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker Friday and took immediate effect.

Morrison supports grants for child care providers

DEERFIELD — After hearing concerns from child care providers about the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on them, Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) supported funding to allow them to continue the vital services they provide for families. 

“Child care providers across the state have faced financial challenges after the public health crisis led them to shut their doors,” Morrison said. “Families rely on the care and education these facilities provide, so supplying them with funding was a priority of mine and a priority of the General Assembly.”

Lawmakers recently approved this year’s budget, which provides funds for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Grant Program for child care and day care providers who have had to close their businesses or reduce their capacity during the current pandemic.

Child care centers are one of the many types of businesses that were widely affected by the closures required during the COVID-19 outbreak. Until the start of Phase 3 of the reopening plan, child care providers could only operate at a limited capacity to care for children of essential workers. 

The grants will be distributed through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity once the program is established and funds are made available. The first step is Governor JB Pritzker signing the budget into law.

Morrison applauds approval of more funding for DCFS in state budget

SPRINGFIELD — Following years of underfunding at the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is pleased her colleagues and the state realized the financial despair the agency faces — leading it to receive $1.4 billion in the Fiscal Year ’21 budget. 

“DCFS has experienced more turmoil in the past decade than any other state agency,” Morrison said. “While not all of the agency’s problems revolve around funding, many of the high-profile failures come from funded lack of resources.” 

Morrison has been a constant advocate for more funding and oversight for DCFS following years of reporting issues, understaffing and mistreatment of children in the system. The $178.5 million in additional funding compared to Fiscal Year ’20 would be used to boost the workforce, which would reduce caseloads for investigators and allow more attention to go toward the high demand of services.

“There is no question the agency needs more employees and resources to hire highly trained workers who have the determination and emotional stability to take on one of the toughest jobs,” Morrison said. 

Additionally, the funding could be used for more safety measures to keep DCFS workers from being exposed to COVID-19, as their jobs are at a higher priority while more children are home. Employees of DCFS need more protective gear, like masks, gloves and other PPE. 

“No child should have to worry or suffer, and this additional funding will allow for more caseworkers, services and investigators to protect them, ” Morrison said. “I applaud the General Assembly’s commitment to help this already at-risk group of children.”

The budget now heads to Governor JB Pritzker for final approval and will take effect July 1, upon his signature.