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.

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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.

Morrison’s ‘Red Flag’ proposal signed into law

• Public Safety
• Gun Safety
• HB 2354

SPRINGFIELD – Family members and law enforcement officials concerned about disturbing or threatening behavior in an individual with access to a firearm now have the legal ability to act before tragedy occurs under legislation sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that was signed into law today.

“In far too many of the mass shooting events that have taken place recently across our country, a family member identified threatening behavior in a loved one and didn’t know where to turn,” Morrison said. “In some cases, reports were made with law enforcement. But with no legal mechanism in place, there was no ability to step in before that individual caused tragedy.”

Morrison’s new law, which passed under House Bill 2354, would create the Firearms Restraining Order Act, allowing a family member or law enforcement official to alert the court system when an individual with access to a firearm is displaying threatening or unsafe behavior that could lead to injury to themselves or to the general public.

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Morrison expresses continued concern with ability of DCFS to protect Illinois children

• DCFS
• Children

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) expressed continued concern today that the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is not living up to its critical task of protecting abused or neglected Illinois children.

Numerous high-profile failures over the last several months at the agency have Morrison questioning the ability of the agency to protect vulnerable children under DCFS Director Beverly Walker.

“We have known for quite some time about the challenges and failures facing DCFS,” Morrison said. “Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the leadership from the agency or the administration that I would have hoped given the vital importance of protecting children from abuse and neglect.”

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