Morrison passes measure to incentivize organ donation

• Health
• SB 0068
• Organ Donation

Caption: State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) discusses her proposal to incentivize organ donation with State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Cahokia), a kidney transplant recipient.

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) making it easier for living organ or bone marrow donors to potentially save a life passed the Senate this week.

“Last year, 3,402 Illinois residents were candidates for a kidney transplant. By the end of the year, however, only 798 people actually received a transplant. That represents less than a quarter of patients who are on the organ donation waiting list,” Morrison said.

Morrison’s plan – contained in Senate Bill 68 – creates the Organ Donation Tax Credit, allowing private employers to take a credit against withholding taxes if the employer offers the ability of employees to take a paid leave of absence of at least 30 days to donate an organ or bone marrow.

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Morrison package expands child abuse training, mandated reporter requirements

• DCFS
• Children
• SB 1778

SPRINGFIELD – After years of working with advocates and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) has passed a proposal reforming the confusing set of state rules governing reporting child abuse in Illinois.

“The first step in addressing potential child abuse is the reporting of that behavior,” Morrison said. “If abuse is not being reported – or if individuals don’t know the signs of abuse or who to even report to – the entire system is in jeopardy of not working, leaving abused children in dangerous situations.”

Morrison’s plan – contained in Senate Bill 1778 – reorganizes the list of individuals required to immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect to DCFS. Current state law is difficult to navigate, causing confusion on who is required to report abuse and how to go about reporting the abuse.

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Coming Up: Highland Park Town Hall on Cannabis Legalization

• Town Hall
• Highland Park
• Marijuana Legalization

Join State Senators Julie Morrison and Heather Steans and State Representative Bob Morgan for a Town Hall discussion on Cannabis Legalization.

The event is being held on Saturday, April 13 from 10:00a until 11:30a at the Highland Park Public Library (494 Laurel Avenue, Highland Park).

Questions?

Contact Senator Morrison's office in Deerfield at (847) 945-5200.

Click on the flyer for more information

Tobacco 21 signed into law

• Tobacco 21
• Public Health
• HB 345

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation increasing the age to legally purchase tobacco to 21 was signed into law on Sunday by Gov. JB Pritzker at a signing ceremony at Mile Square Health Center in Chicago. State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) sponsored the legislation and was in attendance of the signing.

“Today represents the culmination of years of dedication and hard work from health advocates and lawmakers who were relentless in their fight to protect teen health,” Morrison said. “Raising the age has been proven to reduce smoking rates among young teenagers who are susceptible to the impact of nicotine on the brain and have a strong chance of beginning a lifelong deadly habit.”

The new law, which passed under House Bill 345, adds Illinois to a growing list of states that have already implemented Tobacco 21. Nine states – Arkansas, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oregon, Hawaii, Maine, Utah and Virginia – have all raised the age to purchase tobacco to 21.

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