Morrison: Budget address calls for financial sustainability

• Budget
• Budget Address

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after attending Governor Pritzker’s budget address:

“For the past few years, Illinois has successfully dodged a post-pandemic recession. Today’s budget address shows promise for maintaining financial stability and certainty by taking necessary precautions to ensure the future of our state and economy. Residents in our community expect us to make responsible decisions, the same way they make responsible decisions with their own budgets.

“While changes in spending may be appropriate, I call on Governor Pritzker and my colleagues to protect funding for the environment and infrastructure. We’ve made progress on our climate goals here in Illinois, but there is always more work to be done.

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Morrison sends strength to victims of the Super Bowl Parade shooting

HIGHWOOD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after the Kansas City Super Bowl Parade shooting:

“I send my strength and support to the victims and their loved ones who were at the Kansas City Super Bowl parade. An afternoon that was supposed to be celebratory turned into a lifetime of grieving for the family and friends of the deceased and injured, and years of trauma for attendees.”

“In times like these, I am reminded of the lasting pain of the Highland Park shooting. No one should have to live in fear of this happening in their community. My thoughts are with everyone impacted by this heinous event.”

Morrison to expand cancer screening coverage

• Insurance
• Health Care
• SB 2697

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison is leading a measure that would require insurance to cover preventative cancer screenings and genetic testing for individuals with a family history of cancer.

“Early diagnosis is the best way to tackle the deadly effects of cancer,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Sadly, due to the lack of preventable screenings, many people aren’t diagnosed until it’s too late.”

Morrison’s measure would provide coverage for evidence-based cancer imaging for patients with an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, insurance would be required to cover genetic testing for an inherited gene mutation for individuals with a family history of cancer.

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Illinois closer to smoke free on Jan. 1 thanks to Morrison

SPRINGFIELD –  Illinois is one step closer to becoming smoke free thanks, in part, to a new law from State Senator Julie Morrison set to take effect on Jan. 1 that bans e-cigarettes inside public places.

“E-cigarettes, in all of their many forms, continue to be one of the most addictive products readily available for purchase in gas stations, vape shops and online,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We have made solid progress toward de-normalizing the perception of tobacco, and I am proud that on Jan. 1, e-cigarette usage will be banned indoors.”

Passed in 2007, the Smoke Free Illinois Act prohibited smoking in most public places and within 15 feet of entrances, and required “no smoking” signs to be posted. However, this law took effect when people primarily smoked cigarettes and cigars.

In recent years, the use and popularity of e-cigarettes, or vapes, has increased – especially by middle school children – according to recent reports, leading Morrison to add such products to the Smoke Free Illinois Act through the passage of House Bill 1540, signed by Governor JB Pritzker on July 28, 2023.

Morrison has been an advocate for putting an end to tobacco use by teens since entering the General Assembly. In 2019, she successfully passed a law that increases the age to legally purchase tobacco to 21 and last year passed a measure to place a number of restrictions on marketing e-cigarettes to children.

"Secondhand e-cigarette aerosol contains harmful and potentially harmful chemicals. The use of e-cigarettes has skyrocketed in recent years with tobacco companies targeting teens and young people with enticing flavors,” said Kristina Hamilton, Illinois advocacy director for the American Lung Association. “This expansion of the landmark Smoke-Free Illinois Act will reduce the negative effects of e-cigarettes on our communities.”

House Bill 1540 takes effect Jan. 1.