Two-hundred years ago today, Illinois became the nation’s 21^st state.

In recognition of our bicentennial, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) highlighted The Ravinia Festival, its history and impact on Illinois’ rich past and its bright potential.

A plan co-sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) to allow for the consolidation of townships and the elimination of township road districts in Lake and McHenry Counties passed the Senate yesterday on a bipartisan vote.

House Bill 4637 would require that township road districts in Lake and McHenry Counties with less than 15 miles of roadway be abolished, with their responsibilities transferred to the local township.

“Anyone who has glanced at their property tax bill knows there are simply too many units of local government in Illinois,” Morrison said. “Having a layer of government to take care of less than 15 miles of roadway is outdated and wasteful. This is a commonsense reform that over time will save resources and streamline the delivery of services to taxpayers.”

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) led the Senate today in overriding Gov. Rauner’s veto of a proposal to increase the age to legally buy tobacco products in Illinois to 21.

“Raising the age has been proven to eliminate the availability of tobacco for teens that are 14, 15, 16 and 17 years old,” Morrison said. “Since most current smokers started when they were teens, it is vital we work to cut off that supply and prevent the development of a deadly, lifetime habit.”

Morrison introduced Senate Bill 2332 in January and teamed with health care advocates and local Lake County students to increase support among lawmakers for the proposal. After passing the Senate in April, the measure passed the House in May but was vetoed by Gov. Rauner in August. 

SPRINGFIELD – Insurance companies will no longer be able to impose step-therapy on stage 4 cancer patients under a new law signed over the weekend that was passed by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield).

“No cancer patient should have to deal with an insurance bureaucrat to fight for the medication prescribed by their physician,” Morrison said. “Seriously ill Illinoisans must be able to rely on effective medical treatments to manage their conditions without interference from their insurance companies.”

Morrison’s new law, House Bill 4821, prohibits insurers from imposing step-therapy upon drugs treating stage 4 cancers. Step-therapy is the process by which a patient tries other medications first before “stepping up” to drugs that are costlier.