SPRINGFIELD – Drivers with autism or other disabilities that impede effective communication will have better experiences during routine traffic stops, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest).
“A routine traffic stop sparks anxiety for anyone – now imagine you are a driver who has autism or another medical condition that makes processing social cues and responding to commands difficult,” Morrison said. “That can quickly lead to a stressful situation for both the driver and the police officer.”
Morrison’s law signed Friday will create the opportunity for drivers to disclose a medical condition or disability that could impede effective communication with a police officer.
“An important part of inclusive communities is overcoming barriers to communication, especially during potentially stressful interactions,” said Josh Evans, president/CEO of IARF, which represents disability service providers throughout Illinois. “This law is an important step toward inclusion for persons with disabilities and it is a reasonable accommodation to improve interactions with law enforcement to prevent the potential for an unnecessary or unintentional escalation.”
The space provided on an application for a vehicle registration will now include a checklist of common health conditions and disabilities that hinder effective communication as well as a blank space where an applicant may specify a condition not listed. The information will then be printed on the person’s vehicle registration and be put in the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System.
“If a police officer pulls someone over and that person isn’t making eye contact or engaging in conversation, the officer may think the driver is being defiant,” Morrison said. “The reality, however, is that not every person communicates in the manner. By designating a condition that impairs speech on one’s registration, a traffic stop would be a less stressful situation for all involved.”
The idea for the legislation came from Henry L., a Wheaton North High School student whose twin brother is on the autism spectrum.
NORTH CHICAGO – The City of North Chicago will soon see $2 million in improvements at the Sheridan Crossing development thanks to State Senator Julie Morrison’s support of the state’s major multi-year infrastructure plan.
“This simple investment into our community will go a long way in serving the residents of North Chicago and the surrounding area,” Morrison said. “That’s why I was proud to support the Rebuild Illinois Plan – because it’s not just about infrastructure, it’s about community.”
A total of $2 million has been allocated through the next disbursement of Rebuild Illinois program funding to install public utilities and roadways at the Sheridan Crossing development. The project in the district Morrison represents is one of 34 projects announced Tuesday totaling $50.7 million.
The Morrison-backed multi-year infrastructure plan – Rebuild Illinois – brings forth a total of $1.5 billion spread out in six installments to be invested over three years to advance municipal, township and county projects across the state. Projects include road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs.
A full list of projects funded by the Rebuild Illinois plan can be found by visiting the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.
SPRINGFIELD – Spouses of people in Medicaid-funded long-term care facilities will soon be able to keep more of their own personal savings thanks to State Senator Julie Morrison.
“By aligning Illinois’ allowance for community spouses with the rest of the country, we are signaling to older adults that we care for them and wish to give them the ability to care for themselves and their spouse with no added stress,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This is their money – there’s no reason they shouldn’t be have access to it.”
Morrison’s plan – found within House Bill 4343 – will put Illinois in line with nearly every other state in the nation by increasing the allowance for the community spouse resource allowance for older adults whose spouses are in nursing homes and receiving Medicaid benefits. The allowance is the amount of resources a spouse can keep of the couple’s resources without affecting their husband or wife’s long-term care facility nursing home application.
Morrison originally spearheaded this part of the larger Medicaid law signed Friday through Senate Bill 2962. After passing the Senate, it was combined with a number of other standalone Medicaid-related bills to produce a greater overhaul package.
In 2012, Illinois froze its rates for spouses of individuals who receive Medicaid-funded, long-term care at $2,739 per month, so those spouses are not receiving an annual bump in their benefits. However, in many other states across the country, the amount is set at $3,259.
“Illinois is now aligning itself with the national standard by complying with the federal rate,” Morrison said. “Spouses of those who are in nursing homes are already dealing with enough stress – the lasts thing they need is the additional stress of not being able to access their own money.”
House Bill 4343 was signed into law Friday.
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison championed a measure signed Wednesday that will provide a more holistic approach to supporting the mental health of children within the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
“The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of stress and trauma that contributed to skyrocketing rates of mental health problems among children – especially those within the foster care system,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It’s vital we tackle the alarming rates of mental health problems in ways that are less invasive by providing greater healing-centered care. I firmly believe that’s how you create sustainable, scalable change in the lives of children.”
Morrison’s law – found within House Bill 4306 – creates the Holistic Mental Health Care for Youth in Care Task Force. The nine-member task force will review mental health and wellness services provided to youth in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. It will then give recommendations on how the department can provide a more preventative and holistic approach to mental health services to children within the foster care system.
Specifically, the task force will assess the capacity of Illinois licensed medical health professionals to provide preventative mental health care to youth in foster care, review the current payment rates for mental health care providers serving the youth in care population, and evaluate the process for smaller private practices and agencies to bill through managed care.
“When we look at how we’re treating the state’s youth in care, we have to remember how vulnerable they already are and how susceptible they’ve been to trauma,” Morrison said.
House Bill 4306 was signed into law Wednesday and takes effect immediately.
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