SPRINGFIELD – The price of EpiPens has greatly increased over the years, causing people with certain allergies to forgo purchasing the life-saving medication. State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) strives to offset the burdensome cost by requiring insurers to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors.
“With increases in food allergies and other serious allergic conditions, people are relying on EpiPens more than ever,” Morrison said. “Nobody with a serious allergy should go without an epinephrine injector simply because they cannot afford one.”
Senate Bill 2457 – sponsored by Morrison – requires insurers to cover medically necessary EpiPens for all people – regardless of age.
In 2019, Morrison passed legislation to require insurers to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors – also known by the brand name of EpiPens – for minors. However, she wants to take the law one step further by removing the age limitation.
Epinephrine injectors deliver the drug epinephrine to individuals experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and opening lung airways, reversing the symptoms of an allergic reaction that, if left untreated, can cause death.
“People are dying because they can’t afford EpiPens,” Morrison said. “We must do everything we can to make sure it’s affordable.”
The measure passed the Senate Insurance Committee Wednesday. It now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) took a moment to rise on the Senate floor Thursday to honor and recognize the victims of Wednesday’s shooting at the Molson Coors plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Morrison asked the body to take a moment of silence to honor the victims of the tragedy.
Below are the senator’s floor remarks:
“Yesterday, five people tragically lost their lives in Milwaukee after a man opened fire on the Molson Coors plant before turning the gun on himself.
“Such violence is senseless. Six families went to bed last night mourning the loss of a loved one. Those families, and all the families who have lost someone to gun violence, need us right now.
“We can all recognize these tragic events are happening far too regularly. No one should have to fear for their safety when they go to school, the grocery store or even work. When will we have enough?”
“I ask that you please stand silently for a moment of reflection and respect. Words do not adequately express the tremendous grief I feel as I have to make this speech once again.”
SPRINGFIELD – Dozens of trains carrying volatile crude oil roll through Illinois every day, many of which pass by schools. One derailment could lead to the sickness or death of students and teachers.
Most local communities already have a plan on how to handle these situations, but State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) is urging those plans to be communicated with the school districts.
“There are rail systems throughout the state and there are schools in proximity to those,” Morrison said. “This resolution encourages school districts to be participants in planning of emergency management.”
Senate Resolution 982, which passed the Senate Wednesday, urges local emergency response planning officials to partner with schools to provide information about safety threats related to the storage and transport of hazardous substances.
The resolution also calls on local emergency planning officials to develop and implement oil spill response plans to share with the school districts.
Even without derailing, spilling or exploding, being in close proximity to oil trains poses a serious health risk, with increasing rates in cancer, asthma and cardiovascular disease.
“There is a known health risk employees and residents face when being in close proximity to oil trains for a long amount of time, which is accelerated when a spill occurs,” Morrison said. “Schools should have a plan to deal with potential spills that could cause long-term injury, sickness or death.”
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was commuted by President Donald Trump Tuesday:
“The commutation of Rod Blagojevich’s sentence by President Trump is yet another reason ethics reform must be passed at both the state and federal level. We must pass ethics reform during this legislative session to ensure we never have another case like Blagojevich’s. We must hold elected officials to the highest standards and work to end political corruption.”
Page 10 of 13