Morrison: DCFS has failed to protect the rights of youths

SPRINGFIELD – Two youths, ages 15 and 17, were handcuffed and shackled at their feet while being driven from a youth shelter to another living arrangement, according to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

The teens were both restrained for nearly 30 miles in early October while being moved by a company hired by DCFS from Chicago to Palatine. The incident is now being investigated.

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) released the following statement:

“When we dishonor one person’s rights, we dishonor everyone’s rights,” Senator Morrison said. “DCFS’s failure to provide oversight and accountability on their contractors has caused another violation. This situation underscores my commitment to reform this troubled agency.”

Morrison to lead hearing on sub-minimum wage employment

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) will lead a joint hearing with the House and Senate Human Services Committees Tuesday to discuss sub-minimum wage employment for people with developmental disabilities in Illinois.

The hearing comes in response to Springfield-based Land of Lincoln Goodwill’s plans to cancel paychecks of employees with disabilities due to the minimum wage increase.

Sub-minimum wage is legally paying certain individuals less than minimum wage. Land of Lincoln Goodwill has approval from the U.S. Department of Labor to pay sub-minimum wage rates to workers with disabilities.

State agencies — including the Department of Human Services, the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, Central Management Service and the Department of Labor — will testify before the committee.

WHO: Senate and House Human Services Committees

WHAT: Joint subject matter hearing on sub-minimum wage employment

DATE: Tuesday, November 12

TIME: 4 p.m.

Morrison pushes for the passage of an anti-vaping law as news of another vaping-related death comes out

SPRINGFIELD – A third person died in Illinois from a vaping-related illness this week, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) released the following statement about the tragic outcome vaping has had on Illinoisans:

“I am heartbroken to learn another person in our state has died from the harmful substances found in vapes,” Senator Morrison said. “Vaping and e-cigarette-related illnesses and deaths have become a nationwide outbreak that must come to an end before more lives are lost. I hope the Illinois General Assembly can come to an agreement on a bill that will keep these products out of the hands of children.”

Senator Morrison filed Senate Bill 2275 last month, which would prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes and chewing tobacco.

Improvements to Lake Forest and Lake Bluff roads included in statewide highway improvement plan

• 29thDistrict
• Rebuild Illinois
• roads

SPRINGFIELD – Long-overdue upgrades to U.S. Route 41 and Illinois Route 176 in the 29th District will begin next year, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) announced Tuesday.

The state is investing more than $35 million for local road and bridge projects in 2020.

Parts of the northern suburbs in Lake and Cook counties will receive updates to the roads as part of Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s $23.5 billion, five-year highway improvement plan – pegged as “Rebuild Illinois.”

Over the next five years, the district Sen. Morrison represents will receive approximately $182 million to complete 54 projects.

“For years, drivers on these roads have dealt with delays and unsafe road conditions,” Sen. Morrison said. “I am proud to have worked with local officials to secure funding to fix this stretch of roadway in the Rebuild Illinois Program.”

Pritzker and IDOT announced the plan Monday and outlined projects that will take place in each Senate district. The 14 projects expected to take place in the 29th District next year will span 11.28 miles.

Projects that will begin in 2020 include the following:

- Fixing pavement on U.S. Route 41 at Dorchester Avenue to north of Illinois 120; West Park Avenue to Lake-Cook Road; and ramps at Clavey Road and Skokie Valley Road
- Pavement construction on U.S. Route 41 at Illinois Route 176
- Bridge improvements on U.S. Route 41 at Deerfield Road
- New shoulders and other improvements on Illinois Route 176 at Crescent Knoll Drive to west of U.S. Route 41
- Intersection improvements from U.S. Route 12 to Kennedy Drive

Alongside road and bridge projects, work will also be done to alleviate persistent flooding on U.S. Route 41 at Deerpath Road. A new pump station and emergency generator is expected to be built near the area.

“The work that will be done on U.S. Route 41 and Illinois Route 176 are important projects that will create jobs and make the roads safer for drivers,” Sen. Morrison said. “I applaud my fellow lawmakers for their bipartisan support on this comprehensive project.”

The multi-year plan will invest $23.5 billion to maintain, preserve and expand more than 4,000 miles of roads and 9.2 million square feet of bridges across the state. It is part of the of the $45 billion infrastructure plan passed by lawmakers in the spring.