HIGHLAND PARK – State Senator Julie Morrison was recognized by the Highland Park City Council for her steadfast work in leading a comprehensive law allowing law enforcement to use drones to monitor large events and identify public safety issues.
“It’s more pertinent than ever that law enforcement are equipped with the most modern tools and training to keep communities safe,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It’s simple: drones will save lives. I thank the Highland Park community for trusting me to represent them in Springfield and bring forth commonsense legislation to make our community safer.”
The law came nearly a year after Morrison’s family and hundreds of people in the Highland Park community ran for their lives as a gunman opened fire on the town from a rooftop, killing seven and injuring 48.
Morrison immediately got to work to put forth legislation to ensure parade goers – and other attendees of large events – can live with better peace of mind. Her measure – House Bill 3902 – allows law enforcement to use drones to monitor special events, like parades and festivals, to detect breaches and identify public safety issues.
It garnered support from Governor JB Pritzker, who said the new measure will give law enforcement another tool to keep communities safe.
”Part of addressing public safety means constantly adapting to new technologies and tools that can protect our communities, and Senator Morrison’s bill does just that,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Alongside the banning of assault weapons and strengthening penalties on ‘ghost guns,’ this important law gives law enforcement another tool to work to ensure that Illinoisans can gather together in times of celebration or remembrance without fear of becoming another mass shooting statistic.”
The measure was signed into law June 16 and took effect immediately.
SPRINGFIELD – Violent threats against schools are becoming all too common, leading State Senator Julie Morrison to champion a newly signed law to require rapid entry protocol for law enforcement and first responders, including the threat of firearms.
“Our first responders must be equipped and trained to handle any emergency situation – especially within schools,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “School shootings are sadly happening at record rates – we must be prepared in case tragedy strikes.”
Morrison’s House Bill 3559 requires schools’ emergency and crisis response plans to include procedures for local law enforcement to rapidly enter the school building in the event of an emergency.
Read more: Morrison law to enhance security and safety precautions in schools
SPRINGFIELD – Nearly a year after State Senator Julie Morrison, her family and hundreds of people in the Highland Park community ran for their lives as a gunman opened fire on the town from a rooftop, she championed a new law to enhance public safety at large outdoor gatherings through the use of drones.
“As we enter parade and festival season, it’s more pertinent than ever that law enforcement are equipped with the most modern tools and training to keep communities safe,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It’s simple: drones will save lives. We can’t let another community feel the sheer terror and heartbreak that Highland Park still feels a year later. Today we’ve taken a positive and commonsense step toward a safer Illinois.”
Read more: Senator Morrison enhances public safety through law enforcement drone usage
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison led a new law to eliminate harmful plastics in drinking water.
“While the prevalence of microplastics is well known, the potential environmental and human health effects are not yet fully understood,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “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 law requires the Illinois EPA to create a public website with information regarding microplastics and submit a report to the General Assembly and governor regarding microplastics, including what other states are doing to address their prevalence.
Read more: Morrison works to eliminate microplastics in water
SPRINGFIELD – With bipartisan support and in tandem with the Illinois State Police, State Senator Julie Morrison led a measure to modernize the department, ultimately leading to ISP having greater resources to keep our communities safe.
“Modernization will help Illinois’ strategic planning when it comes to investigating cybercrime and domestic terrorist incidents,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Giving police the tools they need to best support our communities is a top priority of mine.”
Read more: Morrison works with Illinois State Police to modernize agency
SPRINGFIELD – Less than a year after State Senator Julie Morrison and her family ran for their lives as a man opened fire from a rooftop in Highland Park, she passed a measure to enhance public safety through the use of drones.
“Drones provide an invaluable resource that can be used to monitor large crowds for suspicious activity,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This technology exists – there’s no reason we shouldn’t put it in the hands of law enforcement.”
The Morrison-led measure allows law enforcement to use drones to monitor special events, like parades and festivals, to detect breaches and identify public safety issues.
It comes in response to the Fourth of July mass shooting that killed seven and wounded dozens more in Highland Park. The shooter fired a rifle on parade crowd from the rooftop of a downtown building.
“The devastating July day in Highland Park underscored the need for increased public safety initiatives for large events,” said Morrison. “I can’t help but wonder what the outcome of that July day would’ve been had this law been in place.”
“The City of Highland Park appreciates the work of Senators Morrison and Holmes leading on legislation that will broaden the use of drones by public safety in certain situations, specifically for preventative use against public safety threats towards public gatherings,” said Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering. “Allowing our public safety personnel the use of drones to monitor large scale public events will increase their ability to secure an area, and save time while improving the delivery of life-saving services.”
House Bill 3902 passed the Senate Wednesday.
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison is helping more people enjoy the great outdoors by lowering the price of fishing licenses.
“Growing up near a river in Illinois, one of my favorite memories is fishing with my family in the summer,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Over the past few years, we have grown a greater appreciation for the outdoors, and I want to make sure people have easy access to grow that appreciation and love even more.”
Read more: Senator Morrison lowers price of fishing licenses
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to fill a significant gap in current Illinois law by giving victims of doxing a voice in deterring bad actors looking to take advantage of the evolving cyber landscape.
“It is absolutely critical for our laws to evolve with the changing nature of the cyber world,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This legislation provides a necessary solution to the dangerous practice of doxing, by both helping victims and deterring future bad actors.”
To give victims of doxing the justice they deserve, Morrison passed House Bill 2954. The measure would allow people a civil private right of action against the individual who committed the offense. The victim could recover damages and any other appropriate relief, including attorney’s fees.
Read more: Morrison passes measure to bring justice to victims of doxing
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