Morrison resolution names September 2024 as River Clean up Month

SPRINGFIELD – Tons of trash and debris are dumped annually into Illinois rivers, negatively impacting wildlife and damaging both the aesthetic and biological qualities of the rivers. State Senator Julie Morrison passed a resolution to name September 2024 as River Clean Up Month to encourage Illinoisans to promote clean-up efforts across the state. 

“Illinois contains more miles of rivers than any other state east of the Mississippi River,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It is imperative that we keep our rivers clean not only for the ecosystem, but also so we can continue to enjoy the many activities the rivers provide.”

This resolution calls on chambers of commerce, area group and associations, local schools and colleges to organize and coordinate local clean-up activities along portions of rivers and waterways in their area.

“Rivers and water ways are extremely important in Illinois,” said Morrison. “With this resolution, we are honoring that importance and focusing on keeping our environment clean.”

Senate Resolution 702 was adopted by the Senate Saturday.

Ventura passes resolution to declare Race Amity Day in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – To promote race amity and showcase the importance of interracial friendships, State Senator Rachel Ventura passed a resolution to declare June 9, 2024 as Race Amity Day in Illinois.

“Race Amity day is dedicated toward encouraging people to come together and celebrate the diversity within our communities,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “It has been a longstanding principle of mine that our communities should reflect our values. We value each and every Illinoisan and the important friendships and partnerships that we have fostered in spaces across the state.”

Senate Resolution 770 will declare Race Amity Day in Illinois, which is observed annually on the second Sunday in June and is an opportunity to celebrate interracial friendship and showcase the power of interracial partnerships to foster lasting and powerful social change.

Race Amity Day was established to promote understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of different races and cultures and encourages people to come together and celebrate the diversity within our communities.

Read more: Ventura passes resolution to declare Race Amity Day in Illinois

To boost Illinois businesses, Castro leads measure to modernize procurement process

SPRINGFIELD – A longtime advocate for extending state procurement opportunities to minorities, women, veterans and people with disabilities, State Senator Cristina Castro is leading a measure to improve diversity, clear up bureaucratic issues and modernize the state’s contracting process.

“Companies with roots in our communities should not face challenges to doing business with the state – especially as we undertake historic infrastructure projects across Illinois,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “These changes will help build capacity and facilitate a streamlined commerce process in our state.”

To eliminate long-standing obstacles and increase diversity in state contracting, the package includes provisions to modernize the procurement process, improve transparency, encourage responsible competition and safeguard taxpayer dollars in infrastructure projects.

Read more: To boost Illinois businesses, Castro leads measure to modernize procurement process

Morrison leads measure to make vote by mail more accessible for seniors, veterans

SPRINGFIELD – Building off her efforts to make voting more accessible, State Senator Julie Morrison is leading a measure to help people in veterans’ homes, nursing homes, and hospitals cast their ballots in a safe, secure way.

“Voting disparities among people with disabilities is a pressing issue,” said Morrison. “Increasing opportunities for voters with disabilities, many of whom are veterans, to utilize vote by mail will have a positive impact on their participation.”

House Bill 4488, among other things, would allow election authorities to deliver vote by mail ballots to voters who live in veterans’ and nursing homes, hospitals and mental health facilities, in addition to the authorities' preexisting ability to administer supervised, on-site voting. This vote by mail initiative is just one part of a bigger package of proposals to increase voting accessibility and make elections more transparent.

Read more: Morrison leads measure to make vote by mail more accessible for seniors, veterans