SPRINGFIELD – Court protections for individuals with intellectual disabilities, cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities would be expanded under a proposal State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) passed out of the Senate Criminal Law Committee this morning.

Currently, an individual with an intellectual disability who has been the victim of certain crimes involving physical or sexual assault are protected from having to testify during trial. The law, however, is vague and excludes many vulnerable victims. Morrison’s proposal, contained in Senate Bill 3106, more thoroughly lays out who qualifies for what is known as a hearsay exception to include language protecting individuals with cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities.

“Confronting an accuser in a courtroom can be a very difficult process for anyone,” Morrison said. “For someone with a disability, it can be next to impossible to testify in public.”

SPRINGFIELD – Two proposals that would increase the level of accountability among Illinois lawmakers were recently introduced by State Senator Julie Morrison (D - Deerfield).

Senate Bill 3107 would require state legislators to publicly disclose potential conflicts of interest before casting a vote on any legislation. While some lawmakers currently make conflict of interest disclosures public, the practice is not required under state law.

“The public has a right to know when lawmakers have a conflict of interest,” Morrison said.

Este Jueves, 3 de marzo, Wheeling High School tendrá un evento de Planificación Universitaria. Habrá una presentación sobre ayuda financiera de la Comisión de Asistencia Estudiantil de Illinois (ISAC), así como presentaciones de colegios y universidades colocadas en el área, incluyendo Harper College, National Louis University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Robert Morrison University and University of Illinois at Chicago.

Para obtener más información sobre este evento, haga clic aquí.

Join Senator Morrison at her district office in Deerfield for First Saturdays, offering the chance to have a cup of coffee and speak with the Senator directly about any issue relating to Illinois government.

Questions?

Contact Senator Morrison's office at 847-945-5200

Click on the flyer for more information