SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison’s water safety plan – the product of months of hearings, a careful study of other state’s best practices and bipartisan compromise – passed the Illinois Senate. It now goes to the House, where it will be sponsored by Representative Kelly Burke (D-Oak Lawn).

“Illinois has amazing opportunities for boating, tubing and other fun on the water,” said the Deerfield Democrat. “We have Lake Michigan, the Mississippi River, the Ohio River, the Illinois River, the Fox Waterway and more. We need to keep these natural resources safe for everyone to enjoy.”

The simplest part of the package is Senate Bill 2731, which requires boats that are towing inner tubers, water skiers or others to fly orange flags. Several other states, including Illinois neighbor Missouri, already have similar laws. Orange safety flags are widely available for $10 or less.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison’s (D-Deerfield) plan to improve the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of the Department of Children and Family Services has cleared the Illinois Senate. It now goes to the House of Representatives, where Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) will serve as sponsor.

“DCFS is one of the state’s most important agencies. It protects children who can’t protect themselves,” Morrison said. “We owe it to these kids to make sure that we do the very best we can for them.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison’s (D-Deerfield) legislation to enable county boards to remove appointed officials who violate the public trust passed the Illinois Senate and now goes to the House for further consideration.

“When employees break their companies’ codes of conduct, their bosses can fire them. When elected officials violate the public trust, the people can vote them out or their colleagues can impeach them. Right now, if appointed officials act unethically, county boards can’t do anything but wait for their terms to expire,” Morrison said. “This situation must change.”

“Flying orange flags is a simple way to warn other boaters that you’re towing a water skier or inner tuber. Creating greater awareness could help save lives.” - State Senator Julie Morrison

SPRINGFIELD – After a series of hearings last year, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) found a water-safety plan everyone can agree on: requiring boats that are towing water-skiers, tubers and other people to fly orange flags.

Several other states, including Illinois’ neighboring state of Missouri, already have similar laws.

“Flying orange flags is a simple way to warn other boaters that you’re towing a water skier or inner tuber,” Morrison said. “Creating greater awareness could help save lives.”