SPRINGFIELD — In response to the federal administration’s plan to collect private medical information, Governor JB Pritzker issued an executive order to restrict autism-related data collection and sharing.

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), who has served as co-chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Disability and Accessibly Caucus, commended the state’s response, releasing the following statement:

“The federal administration has depicted individuals with autism as those who do not lead fulfilling lives or contribute to their communities, and that can’t be further from the truth. Tracking individuals with autism — what Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has declared ‘a tragedy’ and ‘an epidemic’ — will reduce them to a data point without clarity on how this information will be used.

“People across the country are rightfully concerned about what this means for their rights, safety and future. Illinois will not stand by while the autism community is misrepresented and tracked without informed consent. We remain committed to protecting the privacy and autonomy of every resident. Health data is personal and will remain that way for all Illinoisans.

“My nephew and thousands of our friends, colleagues and neighbors deserve the same privacy that we all expect. Governor Pritzker has my complete support on this order.”

SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to curb the growing threat of synthetic drugs, State Senator Julie Morrison passed legislation in the Senate to regulate the use of xylazine — a powerful animal tranquilizer often mixed with fentanyl and tied to overdose deaths.

“We’re seeing xylazine turning already dangerous drugs into something even more lethal,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “By classifying the drug as a controlled substance, we’re giving law enforcement a path to respond to this escalating crisis without disrupting approved usage by veterinary professionals.”

Senate Bill 1773 would update the state’s controlled substance classifications to better address emerging drug trends, such as the mixing of fentanyl and xylazine. The bill, an initiative of the Illinois State Police, aims to provide law enforcement with more effective tools to combat the evolving challenges posed by illicit drug use. It would categorize xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance and clear up legal definitions to align Illinois law with federal standards, preventing loopholes that could put people at risk.

SPRINGFIELD — In response to traffic accidents that have endangered the lives of students, staff and drivers, State Senator Julie Morrison is leading legislation to require seat belts in newly purchased school buses.

“We teach children at a young age the importance of buckling their seat belt when getting into a car,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “With many students riding a school bus several times a week, a seat belt is one more layer of protection.”

Under Senate Bill 191, all school buses purchased or leased after July 1, 2031 would be required to have seat belts on all seats. Current law requires drivers and passengers ages 8 and older to wear seat belts in passenger vehicles, but there is no law requiring safety belts on buses. If the measure passes, Illinois would join nine other states requiring seat belts on buses.

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison applauded Friday’s announcement that Vantive, a kidney care company, will invest $23 million and locate its new U.S. headquarters in Deerfield, bringing 50 new jobs to the area.

“This investment is a massive win for Illinois,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Not only will this bring good jobs to the region, but it will also support Illinois' continued advancement in the health care industry, ensuring we are able to compete with the best in the business.”

Vantive is the latest recipient of a tax credit through the Senate Democrat-supported Illinois Economic Development for a Growing Economy program. The EDGE program provides annual corporate tax incentives to qualifying businesses that support job creation and capital investment — committing more than $650 million in investments across the state in 2024.