SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s $302 billion proposal to repair and expand the nation’s roads and rails:

“Safe, well-maintained roads and bridges are a vital part of our economy. People rely on our nation’s highways to get to work and school. Businesses rely on our Interstate system to ship their products all over the world. I hope that Washington can get its act together and reinvest in our nation’s infrastructure.”

Sponsors plan to exempt taxes on prizes

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison, who represents many of Illinois’ Olympic athletes, is sponsoring legislation to exempt state taxes on Olympians’ awards.

“Olympic athletes proudly represent our state and country,” Morrison said. “We should honor them for their commitment. Exempting Illinois’ taxes on their prizes is one small way to show our appreciation.”

Olympic athletes who win gold are also awarded $25,000 dollars. Athletes who win silver earn $15,000, and athletes who earn bronze also receive $10,000.

When Julie Morrison, a Deerfield Democrat, arrived at the state Capitol of Springfield, she made her it her first priority to improve boating safety. Motivated by a family tragedy, she passed a law to help crack down on drinking and boating. As the year progressed, Morrison was involved in other safety issues and started a concentrated push to improve the Department of Children and Family Services – one of her top legislative priorities.

“Keeping people safe is one of the government’s basic functions,” Senator Morrison said. “When the government isn’t doing everything it should be – especially when it comes to protecting children – I’m going to do what I can to make things better.”

Morrison’s key legislative victory in 2013 was a law that requires boat operators who cause an accident that results in death or serious injury to submit to a test for drugs and alcohol. A similar law is already in place for suspected drunken drivers. Morrison introduced the law because one of her nephews was killed by a boat driver who was using drugs and alcohol, and the family was outraged that there was no law requiring him to submit to chemical tests.