Lake County Gazette

Julie A. Morrison introduced SB0128 in the Illinois Senate on Jan. 17, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Animal Control Act. In a provision regarding an exemption for rabies inoculation if a licensed veterinarian determines in writing that a rabies inoculation would compromise an animal's health, provides that the determination is valid for one year but may be annually renewed thereafter by a licensed veterinarian."

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

In essence, this bill amends the Animal Control Act to mandate that every dog and cat over four months old receive a rabies inoculation from a licensed veterinarian, with a follow-up vaccination within one year. It specifies that feral cats are not subject to this requirement unless presented for sterilization, in which case rabies inoculation is necessary unless prior vaccination can be proven. Veterinarians must provide immunization certificates to county administrators and owners, indicating microchip numbers if applicable; one certificate per animal is required. Rabies vaccines are to be sold only to licensed veterinarians and must be USDA-approved. The bill allows for rabies vaccination exemptions if a veterinarian determines it would compromise the animal's health, though exempt animals are regarded as unvaccinated if a bite occurs. Exemptions must be renewed annually, and exempt animals must be re-examined each year.

Julie A. Morrison has proposed another seven bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Morrison graduated from Knox College in 1978 with a BA.

Julie A. Morrison is currently serving in the Illinois State Senate, representing the state's 29th Senate District. She replaced previous state senator Susan Garrett in 2013.

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.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB0128	01/17/2025	Amends the Animal Control Act. In a provision regarding an exemption for rabies inoculation if a licensed veterinarian determines in writing that a rabies inoculation would compromise an animal's health, provides that the determination is valid for one year but may be annually renewed thereafter by a licensed veterinarian.
SB0117	01/17/2025	Amends the PFAS Reduction Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a person may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale in this State the following products if the product contains intentionally added PFAS: (1) cookware, (2) cosmetics, (3) dental floss, (4) juvenile products, (5) menstrual products, (6) intimate apparel, or (7) food packaging or food contact products. Defines terms.
SB0118	01/17/2025	Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. In provisions requiring the Department of Human Services to establish a public education program regarding gambling disorders, requires the program to (i) promote public awareness regarding the impact of gambling disorders on individuals, families, and communities and the stigma that surrounds gambling disorders and (ii) use screening, crisis intervention, treatment, public awareness, prevention, in-service training, and other innovative means to decrease the incidence of suicide attempts related to gambling disorders or gambling issues. Requires the Department to select the statement regarding obtaining assistance with a gambling disorder, which each licensed gambling establishment owner shall post, and each master sports wagering licensee shall include, on the master sports wagering licensee's portal, Internet website, or computer or mobile application. Permits the Department to provide advice to State and local officials on gambling disorders; to support gambling disorder prevention, recognition, treatment, and recovery projects; to collaborate with other community-based organizations, substance use disorder treatment centers, or other health care providers engaged in treating individuals who are experiencing gambling disorders; and to perform other actions. Allows the Department to award grants to create or support local gambling prevention, recognition, and response projects. Makes other changes.
SB0030	01/13/2025	Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2030, no person shall sell or offer for sale in the State a new washing machine for residential, commercial, or State use unless the washing machine: (1) contains a microfiber filtration system with a mesh size of not greater than 100 micrometers; and (2) bears a conspicuous label that is visible to the consumer, in the form of a sticker or any other label type, that includes a specified statement. Provides that a person or entity who violates this prohibition shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for a first violation and not to exceed $30,000 for each subsequent violation.
SB0031	01/13/2025	Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Makes technical changes in a provision that states if the minor is in the custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, pursuant to an order entered under the Delinquent Minors Article of the Act, the court shall conduct permanency hearings as set out in the court review provisions of the Abused, Neglected, or Dependent Minors Article of the Act.
SB0032	01/13/2025	Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval if required, a household that includes one or more veterans or members of the armed forces shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits if the gross income of such a household is at or below 200% of the nonfarm income poverty guidelines.
SB0033	01/13/2025	Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides that when a legislator chooses to take official action on a matter despite the existence of a conflict situation, he or she shall (in addition to serving the public interest) also disclose that he or she is taking official action by filing a statement with the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate. Provides that the statement filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate shall be made a part of the official record of the legislation and posted on the Illinois General Assembly website with other documents related to the legislative matter at issue. Effective immediately.
SB0034	01/13/2025	Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Prohibits a member from refusing casework service to an individual who resides in the member's district based solely upon the individual's political affiliation. Defines "casework service". Effective immediately.