DEERFIELD — As the state continues to experience a teacher shortage, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) applauds the Illinois State Board of Education for allocating funds to nine area high schools to help encourage students to become future educators.

“Teachers serve as not only educators to students, but also as mentors,” Morrison said. “The grants will make investments in our bright, young talents, who will shape the future for years to come.”

The Northwest Education Council for Student Success was awarded $249,000 through the Education Career Pathways Grants. The money will be distributed to nine schools within the northwest suburbs to prepare students for careers in education by developing Career and Technical Education programs. 

CTE programs help students develop technical and employability skills while strengthening their core academic abilities to enable them to pursue higher education opportunities and succeed in the workforce. Students in CTE programs also have the opportunity to earn dual credit or credentials and certifications from partner institutions prior to high school graduation.

The programs will place a special focus on recruiting underrepresented students into education careers to help meet the high demand for teachers of color across Illinois.

“More diverse classroom settings will teach some students the importance of diversity, while allowing other students to relate to their teachers on a deeper level,” Morrison said. “Investing in the students of today is an investment in the students of tomorrow.” 

The following schools were awarded a grant: 

• Barrington District 220
• Wheeling High School
• Elk Grove High School
• Rolling Meadows High School
• Buffalo Grove High School
• Conant High School
• Schaumberg High School
• Palatine High School
• Hoffman Estates High School

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is highlighting the Illinois Department of Human Services’ COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program, which created 100 summer jobs for Lake County teens.

“So many teens rely on summer work — especially those who live in low-income households,” Morrison said. “The current pandemic made finding jobs more difficult. However, thanks to the program, dozens of teens will be able to earn money while learning skills they can put to use both now and for years to come.”

Lake County-based Employee Connections was one of 30 youth employment providers to receive $500,000 to employ 100 youth between June and August. The program will provide a total of $9.3 million to support dozens of projects across counties hardest hit by the pandemic, which in turn will employ thousands of teens.

Many people — both teens and adults — have struggled to find work during the COVID-19 health crisis. The program will curb those struggles by putting Lake County teens to work while helping complete projects in the community.

“The program will allow teens to kick start their careers by learning the skills they need to succeed in the future,” Morrison said. “This is a great opportunity for young adults to receive career training that will shape them into community leaders for years to come.”

DEERFIELD – After months of delays, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is pleased to learn youth in the Department of Children and Family Service’s care will finally transition to a new Medicaid managed care program in September.

More than 16,000 foster children will transition to the new Medicaid managed care program this September, after nearly a year of delays. People who were formerly in care of the state’s foster program were transitioned to the new health care program in February, but the transition for current foster children was put on pause in an effort for them to receive a smooth transition to the robust care. 

DEERFIELD— Students with epilepsy will be better protected at school as teachers train for handling students with the disorder under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

“Students spend a large part of their day at school, so it is imperative for teachers and staff to be prepared to handle all medical needs,” Morrison said. “Educating schools on how to respond when a student is having a seizure could save lives.”

Morrison’s new law – contained in House Bill 1475 – creates the Seizure Smart School Act, which requires the development of a plan for students with epilepsy that includes training for employees and care aides on how to handle students with the disorder.

The plan requires a student’s parents or guardians to share the health care provider’s instructions on managing the student’s epilepsy and include a copy of any prescriptions and how and when to administer those medicines.

“Nationwide, 470,000 children have epilepsy, but not all schools are equipped to help them,” Morrison said. “That will change under this new law, which will prepare schools for any epilepsy-related situation.”

The measure passed the Senate in 2019 with no opposition and takes effect July 1. 

DEERFIELD — Starting Monday, Illinois newborns will now be tested for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a condition that leads to death if left untreated, thanks to a law passed by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

“Medical advancements have made all the difference in treating this horrific disease that affects our youngest children,” Morrison said. “Including testing for SMA in regular newborn screenings will ensure treatment can begin immediately to prevent the disease from progressing and causing life-time harm or even death.”

Public Act 100-0864, spearheaded by Morrison in 2017, requires all newborns to be screened for spinal muscular atrophy by July 1, 2020. The Illinois Department of Public Health met the target date, and testing will begin June 29.

SMA is the most common genetic disorder linked to infant death worldwide and affects between 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 10,000 U.S. births. It is a terminal, degenerative disease that causes severe symptoms that eventually prevent a child from walking, standing, eating, swallowing and even breathing. Most children with the genetic disorder will not live past 18 months.

Fortunately, advances in medical treatment led the FDA to approve the first treatment for SMA in December 2016. The drug is only effective, however, if given early before symptoms fully develop, making testing of paramount importance.

“I am proud Illinois is taking a lead in ensuring all children are tested for a painful disease that can now be treated,” Morrison said.

DEERFIELD — Thanks to efforts from State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), people interested in voting from home this November are now able to apply for a ballot online.

“Making it easier for people to vote from the comfort of their homes allows them to exercise their rights while keeping them safe from COVID-19,” Morrison said. “Many people look forward to voting, and they can now apply for vote-by-mail ballots as soon as they’d like.”

As a part of Morrison’s vote-by-mail expansion measure — found in Senate Bill 1863, which was signed by the governor last week — people who are registered to vote and want to request a vote-by-mail ballot may now do so by visiting their individual election authority’s website.

For Lake County, people should visit lakecountyil.gov/4321/Voting-by-Mail.

For Cook County, people should visit mailvoting.cookcountyclerkil.gov/.

Those who are not yet registered to vote may do so by visiting the Illinois State Board of Elections website here, and they will be able to request a vote-by-mail ballot while applying.

While people are now able to apply for a ballot on their own, any person who has voted in the past two years —in the 2018 General Election, 2019 Consolidated Election or 2020 Primary Election — will automatically receive an application for a vote-by-mail ballot in their mailbox for the 2020 General Election under Morrison’s measure.

People who registered to vote after the 2020 Primary Election will also receive an application.

Election authorities are expected to mail out applications no later than Aug. 1, so people can expect their applications in early August. They can also expect to receive periodic reminders from the secretary of state’s office to submit their application.

“I encourage people to take advantage of the state’s comprehensive vote-by-mail program,” Morrison said. “This is a great way to be able to take time to fill out your ballot while keeping yourself and others safe and healthy.”

DEERFIELD — Illinoisans across the state will receive an application in their mailbox to vote from the comfort and safety of their home, thanks to a measure spearheaded by State Senator Julie Morrison.

“If you’re eligible to vote, you should be able to do so safely and securely. No one should have to worry about jeopardizing their health to practice their civic duty,” Morrison said. “It is vital that no eligible voter — regardless of age or health — end up disenfranchised by the current health crisis.”

Morrison (D-Lake Forest) successfully passed an elections package which, among other things, expands the state’s vote by mail program for the November 2020 election, amid concerns COVID-19 could discourage people from visiting the polls.

Any person who has voted in the past two years —in the 2018 General Election, 2019 Consolidated Election or 2020 Primary Election — will receive an application for a vote-by-mail ballot in their mailbox for the 2020 General Election.

People who registered to vote after the 2020 Primary Election will also receive an application.

Election authorities are expected to mail out applications no later than Aug. 1, so people can expect their applications in early August. They can also expect to receive periodic reminders form the secretary of state’s office to submit their application.

However, people who aren’t automatically sent an application will still have the chance to apply for a ballot via the State Board of Elections’ website.

“More voters will be able to participate in a very important aspect of their citizenry — their right to vote — because we have a plan in place to allow them to do so safely,” Morrison said. “We must be prepared, because we don’t know how safe it will be for people to be this fall.”

This does not preclude in-person voting opportunities on and before Election Day.

The measure also makes Election Day, November 3, a state holiday.

Senate Bill 1863 was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker Tuesday and took immediate effect.

DEERFIELD - In an effort to ensure families have a safe place for their kids to return to as parents return to work, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is urging child care providers to apply for the Child Care Restoration grant program, which she supported as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 state budget. 

“Without safe and reliable child care, many families won’t be able to return to work at a time when they need steady income more than ever to get back on their feet,” Morrison said. “Child care programs want to be able to serve families, but they are strapped for cash due to lack of money coming in during the pandemic. These grants will allow these facilities to be able to keep their doors open.”

The Child Care Restoration grant program will dedicate at least $270 million of the state’s Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund to support the economic health of child care providers as the state’s economy continues to reopen in the coming weeks and months. 

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services, is charged with developing the grant program for licensed child care providers. The Child Care Restoration Grants will be administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies.

The “Intent to Apply” survey launched Wednesday and is available online here. The information gathered will help grant writers create the grants, to be released in July. Eligible providers will receive their first installments later this summer. The opportunity to respond to the survey will close on June 19 at 5 p.m.

More information will be added to www.ilgateways.com/financial-opportunities/restoration-grants. People are encouraged to continue to check back frequently for information and resources.