SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) and State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) want to end a disturbing trend: parents turning their children over to the Department of Children and Family Services because it is the only way the kids can get the mental health care they need.

“DCFS exists to help children who are the victims of abuse and neglect. It’s common knowledge that the agency is underfunded and struggles to meet its obligations,” said Morrison, who is working with the agency to try to help improve performance. “The fact that there are parents who are so desperate to get their children mental health services that they will surrender them to DCFS is a real black mark on our state. This situation needs to change.”

Morrison and Feigenholtz are sponsoring a plan that would give exhausted parents the ability to get state assistance without giving up their children to the foster care system.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) is sponsoring legislation that will allow the state to hold parents accountable when they knowingly allow children to consume alcohol in their cars, boats, campers, airplanes and other vehicles. State law already punishes parents who allow children to drink in their homes.

“We don’t allow children to drink alcohol for a very good reason,” Morrison said. “They’re bodies are still developing, and they can experience long-term health effects. Young, inexperienced people who drink are also even more likely to make dangerous decisions.”

The state legislature began to crack down on parents who knowingly turn a blind eye to teenagers’ drinking parties after several incidents where drunk teenage drivers were involved in deadly accidents.

On Thursday, June 5, I am co-hosting a Hiring Event in Wheeling.

I encourage all job seekers to come out and take part in this worthwhile event.

Click here if you are an employer and wanting to take part in the Hiring Fair.

Questions? Please contact my district office in Deerfield at 847.945.5200.

Last week, students from across the state traveled to Springfield to demonstrate their use of technology in the classroom during Tech Day 2014.

I was fortunate enough to visit with fourth grade students, parents and faculty from Everett Elementary School in Lake Forest, led by Technology Instructor Ms. Oh.

It was such an honor meeting everyone and I hope to make a visit to Everett very soon!

Ms. Oh was gracious enough to send the below video to me after their visit to the Capitol: