Morrison's series of new laws to help reform DCFS signed into law

• DCFS
• Children
• sb 293
• SB 2461
• HB 4887

SPRINGFIELD – With continued high-profile failures at the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) is continuing her efforts to reform the agency that is tasked with protecting neglected and abused Illinois children.

Morrison, who is chairwoman of the Senate Human Services Committee, recently passed new initiatives into law that would help turn around the troubled agency including:

• Senate Bill 293, which requires DCFS to maintain a central register of all unfounded reports for five years following the date of the final finding.
  
  
• Senate Bill 2461, which requires DCFS to enter into contracts with agencies or to complete development for specialized placements for youth in the Department’s care who victims are of sex trafficking.
  
  
• House Bill 4887, which requires DCFS to assist youth in care in identifying and obtaining documents necessary to function as an independent adult prior closing the court case ending the youth’s time as a ward of the state under the Juvenile Court Act.

Read more …

Morrison passes law to strengthen the Illinois Human Rights Act

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will now receive stronger protections under the Human Rights Act, thanks to State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield).

When the current Human Rights Act was enacted, the statutes recognized only one type of order of protection. Senate Bill 2826, signed into law last week, expands the law’s protections to include persons protected under No Contact Orders, No Stalking No Contact Orders and Civil No Contact Orders.

That clarification will afford victims of workplace stalking and harassment further protections by aid such as reasonable, unpaid leave for court dates.

“Clarifying and strengthening the definition of the Illinois Human Rights Act is the right thing to do,” Morrison said. “We have to ensure that everyone has the strongest protections when it comes to discrimination in the workplace.”

Read more …

Morrison’s proposal to help combat opioid crisis signed into law

• Health
• HB 1338
• Opioid Abuse

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that would allow home nurses and members of law enforcement to safely dispose of unused liquid medication was signed into law on Friday.

“A key component in our fight against the opioid crisis is limiting access to highly addictive painkillers and other drugs,” Morrison said. “While we have seen success in combating doctor shopping and the over-prescribing of opioids, we must also ensure leftover painkillers – especially in home health situations – are disposed of and not readily available for potential abuse.”

The new law, passed under House Bill 1338, would expand the ability of nurses and law enforcement to properly dispose of leftover medications.

Read more …

Prospect Heights fire displaces nearly 100 families

• Prospect Heights

Fire agencies from Elgin to Lake Michigan responded to the massive structural fire that destroyed three apartment buildings and displaced nearly 100 families in Prospect Heights yesterday.

Remarkably, and thankfully, no one was seriously injured or killed in the fire.

“Under very difficult conditions, firefighters from across our region worked tirelessly to contain this massive blaze,” State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) said. “While the destruction is widespread, the coordination of our brave firefighters kept this fire from spreading to even more structures and potentially causing loss of life.”

Displaced families are already receiving services from the American Red Cross, including temporary shelter placements and casework assistance to replace vital documents and other important items.

“In the days and weeks ahead, families will need our help replacing household and personal items that were destroyed,” Morrison said. “So many families have lost so much from this fire. It is my hope that working together with relief agencies and stakeholders in the area that we can bring as much stability back to these families lives as possible.”

Interested in helping?

Click here to donate to the American Red Cross

Check back to see how else you can help displaced families.