Senator Morrison instrumental in economic development, job creation brought forth by new Glenview manufacturing facility

GLENVIEW – Thanks to State Senator Julie Morrison’s steadfast advocacy to prioritize job creation and economic development, UPSIDE Foods – a nationwide business – is coming to Glenview.

“I enthusiastically welcome this new facility, which is a significant investment to our community. It underscores our commitment to technology, innovation and business development,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “UPSIDE Foods’ decision to open a facility in Glenview highlights the area’s strategic location for its pro-innovation business environment and skilled workforce.”

The 175,000 square foot facility, based in Glenview, will start by producing ground cultivated chicken products, with plans to expand to other species and whole-textured formats in the future. Upon its opening, 75 jobs will be created across warehousing, logistics, bioprocessing, food production, and other commercial functions.

Morrison was instrumental in bringing UPSIDE Foods to Glenview alongside Governor JB Pritzker. The company said it was drawn by the region's esteemed legacy in meat production, a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, and strategic geographical advantages.

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Villa observes September as Suicide Prevention Month

WEST CHICAGO – As September begins, so does the 15^th annual Suicide Prevention Month, and State Senator Karina Villa is highlighting the importance of suicide awareness and prevention for Illinois residents. 

“My heart goes out to every person who has lost a loved one to suicide,” said Villa (D-West Chicago), chair of the Senate Public Health Committee. “We need to be vigilant in our support for people who experience mental health challenges. By working together, we can create a safer, more compassionate state where every individual’s mental wellbeing is valued and protected.”

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under 50,000 people died by suicide in 2022. The CDC also reported that men accounted for over 39,000 of these recorded deaths—which is a 2.3% increase from 2021.

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Morrison commends third-party look to improve DCFS procedures

SPRINGFIELD — Continuing her commitment to advancing the safety of children and families across the state, State Senator Julie Morrison supported a new online data dashboard being implemented by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to foster enhanced transparency and accountability from the agency.

“An independent, third-party look into the organization and structure of DCFS is long overdue," said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We owe it to the children served in this long-troubled agency to take a serious look at how the agency can improve.”

The new Illinois Child Welfare Insights Tool ensures advocates and families are given access to near real-time information on the number of reports of abuse and neglect filed and responded to by the agency, percentages of youth under the care of agency medical teams and development programs, and reports covering the frequency of caseworkers meeting with families served by the department.

DCFS is also collaborating with the University of Kentucky and leaders at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to conduct a focused study of the department’s Child Protection Services. The study is intended to improve the department’s framework by conducting a thorough systems review of child protection operations and developing a report that provides critical findings and recommendations for advancement.

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Senate Democrats celebrate $2 billion EV battery manufacturing plant coming to Kankakee County

MANTENO – Senate Democrats joined company leaders and local and state officials Friday to announce Gotion’s historic decision to locate its new $2 billion electric vehicle lithium battery manufacturing plant in Manteno, representing a significant step forward in strengthening the EV supply chain and creating more than 2,600 new, good-paying jobs in Kankakee County.

“The legislature and governor have worked diligently to create a stable, predictable economic climate in which business can thrive,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “Our partnership with Gotion is possible thanks to years of hard work and investment. Illinois is one of the best places in the world to do business.”

Bolstered by a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles Illinois incentive package and the new Invest in Illinois fund, Gotion’s new state-of-the-art EV battery plant will help strengthen the supply chain and meet the growing demand for batteries in the EV sector across North America. The facility will focus on lithium-ion battery cell, battery pack production and energy storage system integration. Once completed, the facility in Manteno is expected to produce 10 GWh of lithium-ion battery packs and 40 GWh of lithium-ion battery cells.

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