Morrison law to make vote by mail more accessible for seniors, veterans

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing her efforts to make voting more accessible, State Senator Julie Morrison championed a newly signed law to help people in veterans’ homes, nursing homes and hospitals cast their ballots in a safe and secure way.

“Voting disparities among people with disabilities is a pressing issue,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Increasing opportunities for voters with disabilities to utilize vote by mail will have a positive impact on their participation.”

House Bill 4488, among other things, will allow election authorities to deliver vote by mail ballots to voters who live in veterans’ and nursing homes, hospitals and mental health facilities, in addition to the authorities' preexisting ability to administer supervised, on-site voting.

This vote by mail initiative is just one part of a bigger package of proposals to increase voting accessibility and make elections more transparent.

“This compilation of provisions will improve the efficiency and equity of our state’s elections,” said Morrison. “The rate at which Illinois voters show up to the polls has dropped in recent years and this measure provides paths to turn this stat around.”

House Bill 4488 was signed into law Monday and takes effect immediately.

Morrison law to expand insurance coverage for diabetes supplies

SPRINGFIELD – To help ease the financial strain experienced by people with diabetes, State Senator Julie Morrison sponsored a new law to expand insurance coverage for medically necessary glucose monitors and related supplies.

“High costs that come with managing diabetes can put an unnecessary economic burden on families,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This law will ensure people with any type of diabetes receive crucial medical care.”

Senate Bill 3414 will require insurance companies to cover glucose monitors, related supplies, and training in the use of glucose monitors for individuals diagnosed with any form of diabetes. Those obtaining a prior authorization for a CGM prescription will have cost-sharing waived on a one-month’s supply of CGMs and a transmitter, if needed.

Previous law required coverage for diabetic individuals with type 1 and type 2. Morrison’s initiative expands this to any form of diabetes, securing coverage for medically necessary glucose monitors and related supplies for the 1.3 million people in the state who have this chronic health condition.

“Just adding a continuous glucose monitor to a patient’s already established care plan, without making any other medication changes, will bring their diabetes under better control,” said Emma Daisy, MD and board president of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians.

Senate Bill 3414 was signed into law Monday.

Morrison law to increase veteran benefits

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison led the effort on the passage of a new law to expand property tax relief by allowing more veterans to qualify for the Disabled Veterans’ Homestead Exemption.

“This law is one way of honoring the sacrifices veterans and their families have made,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest), who serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. “I will continue to champion the needs of this group of brave individuals.”

Under the new law, disabled veterans of World War II can receive a 100% reduction in their home’s assessed value – leading to a $0 property tax bill. Additionally, it will allow disabled veterans who receive disability compensation at 70% or more, and the surviving spouses of veterans whose deaths were service-connected, to qualify for the exemption of the first $250,000 of their home’s assessed value.

"Veterans disabled in the line of duty have already given so much to our country," said Andrew Tangen, president of the Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions. "Receiving the benefits delivered through this legislation in a uniform way across the state is an important step for the legislature to make to recognize our veteran community for all they have sacrificed."  

House Bill 612 was signed into law Monday and takes effect immediately.

Morrison commends U.S. Supreme Court ruling on gun control law

LAKE FOREST – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), who passed Illinois’ “red flag” law in 2018, issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal gun control law intended to protect survivors of domestic violence:

“Today’s ruling recognizes the critical importance of protecting victims of domestic violence by affirming the legal ability to restrict the possession of firearms by individuals subject to domestic violence orders. This decision reinforces the intent behind laws like Illinois’ Firearms Restraining Order Act, which I championed to prevent tragedies by keeping guns out of the hands of people who demonstrate threatening behavior.

“When a credible threat to the physical safety of another person is identified, it is imperative that action is taken swiftly — the consequences of not intervening are too great.

“I commend the U.S. Supreme Court for upholding these lifesaving protections, and I remain committed to advocating for tangible solutions to keep our communities safe.”