Illinois Sen. Morrison’s one health commission bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Sen. Julie A. Morrison aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among health professionals to promote public, animal, and environmental health in Illinois, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

In the House, 70 Democrats and 34 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 37 Democrats and 19 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Morrison introduced the bill in the Illinois Senate on Jan. 24, 2025 during the 104th session.

The legislation, known as SB0291, was passed on May 21, 2025 during the general assembly session 104.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill’s official text as follows: “Creates the One Health Framework Task Force Act. Establishes the One Health Framework Task Force in the Department of Public Health for the purpose of developing a strategic plan to promote interdisciplinary communication and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, and other scientific professionals and State agencies, with the goal of promoting the health and well-being of the State’s residents, animals, and environment. Declares goals and responsibilities of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall partner with or consult with certain entities in the State. Lists the members of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall convene and meet at the call of the chairperson. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall provide support to the Task Force. Provides that members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a final report to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before January 1, 2027. Defines terms.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes the One Health Commission within the Illinois Department of Public Health, aiming to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, and other scientific professionals to promote health among the state’s residents, animals, and environment. The commission will develop a strategic plan, recommend best practices, respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks, and promote education on antibiotic use. It includes members from state agencies, academia, and public health experts. The Commission will submit a final report to the General Assembly and governor by Jan. 1, 2028, with updates every two years, to outline the framework, goals, and policy recommendations for enhancing public health. Members will serve four-year terms without compensation, and the report will be available on participating state agencies’ websites.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (Democrat-81st District), Rep. Michelle Mussman (Democrat-56th District), and Rep. Nicolle Grasse (Democrat-53rd District).

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Morrison graduated from Knox College in 1978 with a BA.

Morrison, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2013 to represent the state’s 29th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Susan Garrett.

Lawmakers listed as “Not Voting” were present for the vote but did not cast a vote. Those marked as having an “Excused Absence” were not present and formally provided a reason for their absence, which was accepted.