SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) issued the following statement this afternoon after attending Gov. Pritzker’s budget address in Springfield:

“For the past few years, Illinois has careened from crisis to crisis without a stable budget plan in place. Today’s speech by Gov. Pritzker shows Illinois has a leader who is up to the task of bringing stability and certainty back to Illinois.

“I am pleased to see the governor address our human service network and specifically detail his plan to ensure individuals with disabilities don’t languish waiting for state services and programs. His proposal to reduce plastic bag waste and decrease cigarette access are also both worthwhile policy proposals that I look forward to discussing.

“In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to develop a responsible spending plan for the nearly 13 million residents that call Illinois home.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) joined her colleagues and health advocates at a press conference in the Capitol this afternoon to announce a renewed effort to combat teen smoking by raising the age to legally purchase tobacco products in Illinois to 21.

Today’s press conference comes after a recent study by the American Lung Association that highlights Illinois’ failure to do enough to cut down on tobacco and e-cigarette use.

“Illinois has a real opportunity to make a major impact to bring down smoking rates among teenagers,” Morrison said. “Tobacco 21 will reduce access in our young populations, bring down overall smoking rates over time and save the state millions in health care costs.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) applauded Gov. Pritzker for signing Senate Bill 337, a gun dealer certification measure that became law this morning.

“This law will make our communities safer by bringing more transparency and accountability to the process of purchasing a weapon,” said Morrison, a chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 337 and ardent supporter of sensible efforts to curb gun violence in Illinois.

The measure requires firearms dealers to certify with the Illinois State Police, train employees in conducting background checks and take steps to prevent theft that leads to firearms trafficking.

“Legislators on both sides of the aisle negotiated several years to make this bill happen,” Morrison said. “I am pleased that we now have one more tool to help fight gun violence across our state.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) was sworn in to the Illinois Senate this afternoon at an inauguration event at the state Capitol.

“I am humbled to serve the many suburban residents who call our local communities home,” Morrison said. “While the last few years have been incredibly difficult for the State of Illinois and its residents, I remain hopeful that in the coming years we come together in a bipartisan fashion to confront the serious issues facing Illinois.”

In the upcoming 101^st legislative session, Morrison has vowed to continue working to reduce the threat of gun violence, ensure Illinois’ most vulnerable residents have access to quality and essential services and increase transparency and efficiency in all levels of state government.

Senate District 29 includes portions of the North Suburbs of Chicago in Lake and Cook Counties, including all or portions of Highland Park, Deerfield, Lake Forest, Buffalo Grove and Wheeling.