SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) voted for a balanced budget this afternoon and released the following statement:

“Today I voted to pass one of the most fiscally responsible budgets that has been crafted in a long while. It is balanced. It is disciplined. And I have faith that it helps put our state on a long-term path toward financial stability. The budget is a product of bipartisan negotiations and after years of political bickering, Illinois finally has a plan that makes smart, meaningful investments for the core services taxpayers expect.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) issued the following statement this afternoon regarding the Fix the FOID Act:

“The tragic shooting in Aurora just three months ago exposed a major loophole that exists in our state law that allowed someone with a history of domestic violence to keep his firearm and kill five innocent individuals. While I am disappointed that the Senate was not able to call this legislation for a vote, I firmly believe we have developed the framework necessary to ensure that guns aren’t in the hands of those who under the law should not possess them.

“Many of my colleagues have requested more time to understand the vitally important components of our proposal. In the months ahead, I will be working with Senators both formally through subject-matter hearings and informally through conversations to ensure that there is no question that we must act to close this loophole.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) issued the following statement this evening after voting in support of House Bill 1438, which would create a well-regulated, legal cannabis market in Illinois.

“Legalizing adult-use cannabis will help eliminate the illicit market for drug sales while ensuring the entire process is regulated and taxed like any other sale. This legislation protects the rights of municipalities who do not wish to have cannabis dispensaries operating in their community, includes protections for employers to maintain zero-tolerance work policies and keeps cannabis out of the hands of individuals under the age of 21.

“I would like to thank the many constituents for contacting me throughout the last few weeks and months as this proposal has evolved and developed this spring.”

Read more about House Bill 1438

SPRINGFIELD – The burial benefit for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty would be increased under a proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that passed the Senate recently.

“No family of a fallen officer or firefighter should have to worry about not being able to afford to bury their loved one,” Morrison said. “These individuals selflessly dedicated their lives in the protection of our neighbors and communities, and this is the least we as a state can do to honor their sacrifice.”

Currently, the state burial benefit for firefighters, State Police officers or local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty is $10,000. Morrison’s plan – contained in House Bill 2028 – would increase that benefit to $20,000, acknowledging the ever-increasing costs associated with burials. Neither the benefit for State Police officers nor the benefit for local law enforcement officers and firefighters has been raised since its creation in the late 1990s.