A proposal to help people escape the horrors of human trafficking passed the Illinois Senate today.

The measure requires the state government to post signs warning about the dangers of human trafficking and display the phone number of the national human trafficking hotline in high-traffic areas, such as truck stops, bus stations, train stations, airports and rest stops.

The sponsor of the legislation, state Senator Julie Morrison, explained that the idea for the bill came from 2014 media reports about failures at the Department of Children and Family Services.

“When I learned that DCFS wards at residential treatment centers were essentially selling themselves into prostitution, I was furious,” said the Deerfield Democrat. “Some of the girls who told their stories talked about traveling through truck stops and bus stations, which made me think these transportation hubs are the perfect place to post the human trafficking hotline number.”

A plan that could make it easier to open a business in Illinois passed the Illinois Senate and is moving to the House of Representatives. The legislation would require the state to put all permit and license applications online on one centralized website.

“It should be easy for entrepreneurs to find application forms for every single state license or permit they need online, in one location,” said Senator Julie Morrison, the measure’s sponsor. “This is the 21^st century, and the state is still using paper-only forms. Even worse, business owners have to find the applications they need on each individual agency’s website. This situation is simply unacceptable.”

Right now, if business owners need more than one license or permit, they may have to visit several different state and local government websites and fill out forms both on paper and online. To see if they qualify for any economic development programs, they have to contact even more state agencies. Many other states do better, putting all of these forms and all of this information in one place.

Targets unethical appointment to Illinois Sports Facilities Authority

A plan to prevent future governors from engaging in last-minute patronage has cleared the Illinois Senate.

State Senator Julie Morrison introduced the proposal after former Gov. Pat Quinn appointed a political operative to a $160,000-per-year state job at the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority a month after he lost his election last year.

Her plan would affect any director appointed to a governor-controlled board or commission after the governor loses an election. They would be limited to 60 days in the position, allowing the newly elected governor to find the best person for the position. Morrison’s legislation extends beyond the ISFA to include similar government organizations.

“We should all be upset when a lame-duck governor uses his position to provide campaign staff with golden parachutes,” Morrison said. “I was gravely disappointed when I learned of the abuse at the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, and I introduced this legislation to help restore the people’s trust in their government.”

On April 9, Senator Morrison joined Vapor Bus International in Buffalo Grove as they participated in National Transportation Infrastructure Day. The company is a leader in the design and manufacture of passenger door equipment for buses, intercity and tour coaches and commercial vehicles. “Stand Up for Transportation Day” was meant to raise awareness that federal public transit and highway construction funding is at risk unless the U.S. Congress passes a new law before the existing one expires on May 31.

Morrison had the opportunity to speak with employees and take a tour of the facility. She was very impressed with Vapor Bus International’s dedication to the community. For example, it partners with the local school district’s STEM program to give students an opportunity to intern and experience manufacturing.

“Illinois must continue to safeguard our roads and bridges, and I hope the U.S. congress will also continue to invest in the nation’s vitally important transportation infrastructure,” Morrison said.