Morrison vows to preserve funding for DCFS, law enforcement, among other sectors

SPRINGFIELD – For years State Senator Julie Morrison has demanded a fix to the well-documented problems at the Department of Child and Family Services that have led to mistreatment of the state’s most vulnerable population.

On Wednesday, the governor shared Morrison’s concerns, and proposed additional funding for the troubled state agency.

“No state agency has gone through more turmoil over the past decade. While not every problem revolves around funding, many of the Department of Children and Family Services’ high-profile failures come from a lack of resources,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “I will work diligently with DCFS to hold them accountable and make sure the additional funding is used appropriately for resources to best help our state's most vulnerable children.” 

Morrison – chair of the Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee – has been a constant advocate for more oversight for DCFS following years of reporting issues, understaffing and mistreatment of children in the system. The additional funding proposed Wednesday would be used to boost the workforce, which would reduce caseloads for investigators and allow more attention to go toward the high demand of services.

“Many agencies that are tasked with helping and protecting our state’s most vulnerable populations already struggle with too few resources,” Morrison said. “Illinois should be a leader in showing that ever person is valuable and deserve to be treated with human dignity.”

In the months to come, Morrison and her colleagues will negotiate the details of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Aside from more funding for DCFS, Morrison will push for a plan that prioritizes law enforcement, working families, health care employees, and education.

“As we start the budget negotiation process I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop a responsible spending plan for the people who call Illinois home,” said Morrison. “I am hopeful this leads us toward a safer and more inclusive state.”

Morrison highlights DCFS scholarship opportunity

HIGHWOOD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D- Lake Forest) is urging current and former youth under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to apply for the 2023 DCFS Scholarship Program.

“Furthering education can open so many doors for children, especially our most vulnerable youth,” said Morrison, who has been a steadfast advocate for funding and resources for DCFS. “This scholarship opportunity can give students the tools they need to succeed in higher education, so I urge anyone who can to apply.”

The DCFS Scholarship Program is open to youth who have an open DCFS case, whose cases were closed through adoption or guardianship, or who aged out of care at 18 or older. Youth who are at least 16 years old and not yet 21 on March 31 may apply. The program will award 53 academic scholarships in total.

Scholarship recipients are selected based on their scholastic record, community and extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and a written personal statement. Recipients will receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers to be used at participating Illinois state community colleges and universities, a monthly grant of $1,506 to offset other expenses and a medical card.

“This scholarship can alleviate the stress many students feel when transitioning into college, and allow students to focus on their education instead of worrying about how they will be able to pay for school,” Morrison said.

Applications are due by March 31. More information and the application are available at any DCFS regional office and on the www2.illinois.gov/dcfs under DCFS Features on the homepage.

Students or caregivers may also call the DCFS Office of Education and Transition Services at 217-557-2689 with questions about the application process or for more information.

Morrison sworn in to State Senate, vows to continue platform of health equality, efficient government

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison was sworn in to the Illinois Senate this afternoon at an inauguration event at the Old State Capitol. She begins her fourth term as State Senator for the 29^th District. She released the following statement:

“Serving the people of the 29^th District is an immense honor. During a time when we faced an ongoing public health crisis, an increase in deadly mass shootings, and divisive politics, I am reminded that it’s imperative to use my voice and my position to fight for the rights and lives of the people of my district.”

“I am humbled to serve the over the 230,000 residents who call suburban Lake and Cook County home."

Senator Morrison passes assault weapons ban, six months after Highland Park mass shooting

SPRINGFIELD – Just six months ago, tragedy struck the Highland Park community when a gunman opened fire on the community 4^th of July parade, killing seven and injuring dozens more. In the days and months since, State Senator Julie Morrison has been on the front lines fighting tirelessly for a statewide assault weapons ban – which successfully passed Monday.

“We can no longer allow mass shootings to be part of our norm,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest), who represents Highland Park. “This is a long overdue step toward keeping communities safer.”

In response to the Highland Park shooting and other mass shootings across the nation, Morrison was part of ongoing conversations to pass House Bill House Bill 5471. House Bill 5471 bans assault weapons and high-capacity magazines from being sold in Illinois.

The 4^th of July shooting punctuated a six-week period in which mass shooters using semi-automatic weapons killed more than 40 people in Buffalo, Uvalde, Texas, Tulsa and Highland Park combined. 

“Military-style weapons, designed for war and not for sport, have no use on our streets and in our neighborhoods,” said Morrison. “At a time of continued inaction in Washington, it is imperative we step up as a state to regulate assault weapons before more lives are lost.”

Studies show that approximately one-third of public mass shooting events include the use of an assault weapon, and nearly 40% involve a high-capacity magazine. When an assault weapon and/or a high-capacity magazine is used in a public mass shooting, nearly 14 times as many people are injured, and twice as many people are killed. Not only are there more injuries when assault weapons are used, but the types of injuries are far worse.

Senator Morrison first led an assault weapons ban bill in 2017, but it was not brought up for a final vote. In the years since, Morrison successfully passed the state’s red flag law, allowing family members, household members and law enforcement to obtain a civil order to temporarily remove firearms from people who pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. 

“When it comes to assault weapons, we cannot continue to act as though we don’t have a serious problem with gun violence in this country,” Morrison said. “The ease with which firearms and attachments that cause mass carnage are available is unacceptable and it is time we act.”

House Bill 5471 passed the Senate Monday. It now heads to the House for final consideration.