HIGHWOOD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D- Lake Forest) is urging current and former youth under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to apply for the 2021 DCFS Scholarship Program.

“Furthering education can open so many doors for children, especially our most vulnerable youth,” said Morrison, who has been a steadfast advocate for funding and resources for DCFS. “This scholarship opportunity can give students the tools they need to succeed in higher education, so I urge anyone who can to apply.”

The DCFS Scholarship Program is open to youth who have an open DCFS case, whose cases were closed through adoption or guardianship, or who aged out of care at 18 or older. Youth who are at least 16 years old and not yet 21 on March 31 may apply. The program will award 53 academic scholarships in total.

Scholarship recipients are selected based on their scholastic record, community and extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and a written personal statement. Recipients will receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers to be used at participating Illinois state community colleges and universities, a monthly grant of $1,235 to offset other expenses and a medical card.

“This scholarship can alleviate the stress many students feel when transitioning into college, and allow students to focus on their education instead of worrying about how they will be able to pay for school,” Morrison said.

Applications are due by March 31. More information and the application are available at any DCFS regional office and on the DCFS website under DCFS Features on the homepage.

Students or caregivers may also call the DCFS Office of Education and Transition Services at 217-557-2689 with questions about the application process or for more information.

SPRINGFIELD – Following disgraceful remarks by Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Oakland) quoting Adolf Hitler, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) joined her colleagues in the Illinois Jewish Legislative Caucus to call on Congress to censure her.

“Any person who displays anti-Semitism should not be able to have the honor to serve as an elected official,” Morrison said. “Regardless of your religious beliefs, you should be disgusted and offended by the words said by this newly-elected congresswoman.”

Senate Resolution 1609 calls on Congress to censure Miller after she quoted Hitler during a speech. Many people on both sides of the aisle have urged Miller to resign. 

“I stand with my colleagues in the Illinois Jewish Legislative Caucus and the many people in my district who are of the Jewish faith in fighting against hateful expressions of intolerance,” Morrison said. “We will not stand for this hate speech.”

A copy of the resolution will be sent to the president and vice president of the United States on Jan. 21.

HIGHWOOD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement in response to recent and current events happening in our nation’s capital:

“The reported rhetoric spewed by newly-sworn in Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller is disgraceful and must be condemned by all people – regardless of political party, race or religion. Every person with a moral conscience should be offended by anyone quoting Adolf Hitler and should vilify these statements.

“Moreover, as we watch the violent and shameful acts in Washington, D.C. unfold, I urge everyone to practice peace, engage in civil discourse and hope for a better tomorrow. There is room for peaceful protest – there is not room for violent treason.”  

HIGHWOOD — As other members of the General Assembly raise concerns about the FOID card backlog and outline a Second Amendment agenda, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is encouraging her colleagues to support the final push for her comprehensive firearms measure. 

“Fix the FOID is not anti-gun — it simply ensures guns are not possessed by people who should not legally have them,” Morrison said. “Fingerprinting everyone who applies for a card will help raise red flags if that person has a violent criminal history that should keep them from having a firearm.”

Senate Bill 1966 would make key changes to Illinois’ current FOID system, requiring background checks for all gun sales, requiring applicants to submit their fingerprints, requiring FOID renewals every five years instead of 10, and creating a task force within the Illinois State Police to prioritize FOID card revocations when there is clear and present danger.

It would also increase the FOID application and renewal fee from $10 to $50. However, that funding would also go to the state police to help them do their job of processing and administering FOID cards, which would help with backlogged requests. 

Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrison was confident it would soon be on its way to the governor’s office, as it just needed final approval from the Senate.

The measure was brought to life in response to the February 2019 shooting at the Henry Pratt building in Aurora. The shooter had received a FOID card in January 2014, after lying about a conviction that would have caused him to fail the background check. 

Illinois State Police Director Brenden Kelly said in February that the fingerprinting aspect of the measure could have prevented the tragedy. 

“I firmly believe we have developed the framework that would keep guns out of the hands of people we know would present a risk to themselves or others,” Morrison said. “I hope to see this measure cross the finish line next month, so we can finally close to the loopholes in gun laws.”

Morrison has requested the measure be brought up during the Senate’s anticipated January lame-duck session.