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.

SPRINGFIELD – Expanding upon her previously passed legislation, State Senator Julie Morrison led a new law to prohibit pesticides on school grounds within 24 hours of students being present.

“Children are at higher risk for health effects from exposure to pesticides than adults because their nervous, immune, digestive and other systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to these pollutants compared to adults,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Keeping harmful chemicals away from children will protect them from a plethora of potential health problems.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure – which was signed by the governor Friday – 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.

“As technology evolves, so must our laws,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “The measure signed into law today is a positive step toward providing a necessary solution to the dangerous practice of doxing, both by helping victims and deterring future bad actors.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.”