SPRINGFIELD – Every year, the Illinois Environmental Council – a 39-year-old organization that serves as the environmental community's voice before the Illinois state legislature – honors a select group of legislators who have taken firm steps to protect the environment. This year, state Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) is one of the honorees.

“I want to thank the Illinois Environmental Council for all of the good work it does,” Morrison said. “I know how important protecting the environment is to members of the communities I represent, and I hope to do even more in the future.”

Two new laws sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison will make life a little bit easier for Illinois veterans.

The first allows veterans and active duty military personnel who have earned the Purple Heart to receive one free set of Purple Heart license plates. The measure also entitles eligible American heroes to purchase a second set of Purple Heart plates at regular price.

Congress awards Purple Heart Medals to military personnel who are injured in the line of duty.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law will allow the state to hold parents accountable when they knowingly allow children to consume alcohol in their cars, boats, campers, airplanes and other vehicles. State law already punishes parents who allow children to drink in their homes.

“We don’t allow minors to drink for a reason,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), the law’s sponsor. “Inexperienced, intoxicated drivers are a recipe for disaster, and teenagers’ bodies and minds are still maturing. Alcohol can harm their development.”

The state legislature began to crack down on parents who knowingly turn a blind eye to teenagers’ drinking parties after several incidents where drunk teenage drivers were involved in deadly accidents.

Pictured in the back row (left to right) are:

Rep. Elaine Nekritz, Jerry Adelmann (President & CEO, Openlands), Sen. Julie Morrison, Anne Pramaggiore (President & CEO, ComEd), Rep. Robyn Gabel and Tyler Anthony (Senior Vice President, ComEd).

Pictured in the front row (left to right) are:

Kevin Brookins (Senior Vice President, ComEd), Ed Collins (Director of Land Preservation & Natural Resources, McHenry County Conservation District), Cornell Barnett (Director of Legislative Affairs, ComEd) and Rep. Laura Fine.