SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) responded this morning to news that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued emergency rules banning flavored e-cigarettes and their marketing to youth:

“Today’s emergency ruling by Michigan Gov. Whitmer highlights the real dangers of e-cigarette use. Just a few weeks ago, an Illinois resident was the first to die from a mysterious lung illness linked to vaping. These products are dangerous and are being intentionally marketed to our youth with the addition of candy-like flavorings.

“I commend Michigan’s governor for acting to protect the health of her residents and I urge Gov. Pritzker to do the same. The health of our teens and young adults is too important to fail to act.”

SPRINGFIELD – A package of proposals passed by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) reforming the troubled Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) agency was signed into law recently by Gov. Pritzker.

One of the most sweeping proposals signed is Senate Bill 1778, a proposal Morrison worked with advocates and fellow lawmakers on for years to update the confusing set of state rules governing reporting of child abuse in Illinois.

“The first step in addressing potential child abuse is the reporting of that behavior,” Morrison said. “If the abuse is not being reported – or if individuals don’t know the signs of abuse or who to even report to – the entire system is in jeopardy of not working, leaving abused children in dangerous situations.”

SPRINGFIELD – Two proposals passed by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) expanding the availability of anesthesia use in dental procedures for individuals with disabilities were signed into law recently by Gov. Pritzker.

“For individuals with a disability, routine dental procedures can be especially distressing,” Morrison said. “We want to ensure important dental work is being performed, however, as long-term serious health consequences can develop if left untreated.”

Morrison’s first proposal, contained in Senate Bill 111, increases the age of eligibility to receive anesthesia coverage for dental treatment for individuals with autism or a developmental disability. Under the new law, the age will increase from 19 to 26.

SPRINGFIELD – A package of proposals by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) aimed at increasing state employment of individuals with disabilities has been signed into law by Gov. Pritzker.

“Having a job means having dignity, independence and purpose, regardless of whether or not an individual has a disability,” Morrison said. “The State of Illinois should be a leader in showing that individuals with disabilities are just as capable in the workplace and have a valued role in contributing to our state and our economy.”

Morrison – who is chair of the Senate Human Services Committee and founder of the Special Needs Caucus – passed the series of measures to help break down the barriers to employment individuals with disabilities face.

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) to study the potential threat of microplastics was signed into law on Friday by Gov. Pritzker.

“While the prevalence of microplastics is well known, the potential environmental and human health effects are not yet fully understood,” Morrison said. “With increasing levels of plastic being found in our waterways, it is of even greater importance to reduce consumption of plastics whenever possible.”

Morrison’s new law, contained in Senate Bill 1392, requires the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois-Champaign to study microplastics and the threat they may pose to human health and the environment.

Microplastics – very small pieces of plastic often undetectable to the human eye – have been discovered in bodies of water across the globe and have showed up in the digestive tracts of aquatic animals and birds.

SPRINGFIELD – Insurers will be required to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors for minors under a proposal passed by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that was signed into law on Friday by Gov. Pritzker.

“With steady increases in food allergies and other serious allergic conditions, families are relying on EpiPens more than ever before,” Morrison said. “We should be doing everything we can to expand access to affordable lifesaving drugs and medicines. No child with a serious allergy should be without an epinephrine injector because they cannot afford one.”

Epinephrine injectors – commonly known by the specific brand name EpiPen – deliver the life-saving drug epinephrine to individuals experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and opening lung airways, reversing the symptoms of a potentially fatal allergic reaction.

Morrison’s new law, contained in House Bill 3435, requires certain private insurance policies to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors for those under 18 years of age.

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) aimed at increasing state employment of individuals with disabilities was signed into law on Friday by Gov. Pritzker.

“Having a job means having dignity, independence and purpose, regardless of whether or not an individual has a disability,” Morrison said. “The State of Illinois should be a leader in showing that individuals with disabilities are just as capable in the workplace and have a valued role in contributing to our state and our economy.”

The legislation requires the state to better facilitate the hiring of individuals with disabilities by requiring Central Management Services to send the Successful Disability Opportunities List to state agencies when they are hiring.

Morrison – who is chair of the Senate Human Services Committee and founder of the Special Needs Caucus – passed the measure to help break down the barriers to employment individuals with disabilities face.

Senate Bill 190 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

SPRINGFIELD – Living organ donors in Illinois would have increased protections under the law under a proposal passed by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that was signed into law today by Gov. Pritzker.

“Across Illinois, thousands of residents are awaiting a kidney transplant. Sadly, less than a quarter of patients who were on the organ donation waiting list last year actually received an organ transplant,” Morrison said. “We must do more to incentivize individuals willing to give so much of themselves for the health of another.”

Morrison’s new law – contained in House Bill 2847 – would prohibit insurance companies from refusing to insure or limiting the kind of coverage available needed for care solely because an individual was a living organ donor.

The law also includes protections in the workplace, making it unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee for requesting a leave of absence to donate an organ. Lastly, the bill creates an organ and tissue donor registry under the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.