Lake County Gazette

Julie A. Morrison introduced SB1651 in the Illinois Senate on Feb. 5, 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 Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Expands the definition of "developmental disability" to include a disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome. Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Expands the definition of "severe and multiple impairments" to include a substantial disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome. Exempts persons diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome from any assessment or evaluation to measure cognitive functioning or IQ for purposes of making determinations on whether such persons have severe and multiple impairments eligible for home and community-based services for persons with developmental disabilities. Amends the Statute on Statutes. Provides that, except where the context indicates otherwise: (i) in any rule, contract, or other document the term "developmental disability" shall include a disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome; and (ii) whenever there is a reference in any Act to "development disability" the term shall be construed to include a disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome."

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

In essence, this bill amends various Illinois statutes to expand definitions related to developmental disabilities, specifically including Prader-Willi syndrome as a recognized condition. It modifies the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code to incorporate Prader-Willi syndrome into the definition of "developmental disability." The bill also amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act by including Prader-Willi syndrome in the categorization of "severe and multiple impairments." Furthermore, it exempts individuals diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome from assessments measuring cognitive functioning or IQ for determining eligibility for home and community-based services. Additionally, the Statute on Statutes is updated to ensure that Prader-Willi syndrome is included in any references to developmental disabilities in state acts and documents.

Julie A. Morrison has proposed another 22 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
SB1651	02/05/2025	Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Expands the definition of "developmental disability" to include a disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome. Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Expands the definition of "severe and multiple impairments" to include a substantial disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome. Exempts persons diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome from any assessment or evaluation to measure cognitive functioning or IQ for purposes of making determinations on whether such persons have severe and multiple impairments eligible for home and community-based services for persons with developmental disabilities. Amends the Statute on Statutes. Provides that, except where the context indicates otherwise: (i) in any rule, contract, or other document the term "developmental disability" shall include a disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome; and (ii) whenever there is a reference in any Act to "development disability" the term shall be construed to include a disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome.
SB1659	02/05/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that, in counties under township organization, an election authority may combine a township with another township to constitute one election precinct if the townships are contiguous and 2 or more specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that the election authority shall consider voter convenience and election integrity when determining whether to combine a township with another township to constitute one election precinct.
SB1660	02/05/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that the County Board in each county, except in counties having a population of 3,000,000 inhabitants or over, shall, at its regular meeting in June or an adjourned meeting in July, divide its election precincts so that each precinct shall contain, as near as may be practicable, 1,200 registered voters who cast a ballot in person on the day of the most recent general election (rather than 1,200 registered voters). Provides that the Board of Election Commissioners shall change the boundaries of election precincts after each decennial census as soon as practicable following the completion of congressional and legislative redistricting, and such precincts shall contain as nearly as practicable 1,800 registered voters (rather than 1,200 registered voters if the precinct is located in a county with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants; or 1,800 registered voters if the precinct is located in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants). Makes conforming changes.
SB1661	02/05/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that an election authority may reduce the number of judges of election in each precinct to 3 judges of election in lieu of the 5 judges of election otherwise required. Makes conforming changes.
SB1662	02/05/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that the County Board in each county, except in counties having a population of 3,000,000 inhabitants or over, shall, at its regular meeting in June or an adjourned meeting in July, divide its election precincts so that each precinct shall contain, as near as may be practicable, 1,800 registered voters (rather than 1,200 registered voters). Provides that the Board of Election Commissioners shall change the boundaries of election precincts after each decennial census as soon as is practicable following the completion of congressional and legislative redistricting and such precincts shall contain as nearly as practicable 1,800 registered voters (rather than 1,200 registered voters if the precinct is located in a county with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants; or 1,800 registered voters if the precinct is located in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants). Makes conforming changes.
SB1663	02/05/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that, in addition to required vote centers, election authorities may establish additional vote centers under a specified model. Sets forth provisions concerning the number and location of additional vote centers.
SB1764	02/05/2025	Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Reorganizes and expands the training overseen by the Division of the Academy and Training. Provides that functions of the Division of Forensic Services include issuing reports for certain drug tests, overseeing training in entering medical and dental information into certain databases, and providing information to local law enforcement agencies about best practices for handling death scene investigations. Requires the Illinois State Police to make a report containing the number of juvenile records that the Illinois State Police received in that quarter (rather than requiring the Illinois State Police to submit the report to the General Assembly). Provides that the Illinois State Police may receive revenue and real and personal property from any legal source, grants, pass-through grants, donations, and lawful appropriations. Requires the Illinois State Police to establish a State Missing Persons Clearinghouse as a resource to promote an immediate and effective community response to missing children. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, the Governor shall designate the chair of the Illinois Forensic Science Commission for a 2-year term. Changes references to districts to troops in the Volunteer Firefighting Unit Use Act. Amends the Statewide Organized Gang Database Act. Defines "LEADS" as the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System, which is a statewide communication and processing system that permits law enforcement and criminal justice agencies to have direct access to centralized data. Replaces references to "SWORD" with "LEADS". Makes conforming changes in the Illinois Police Training Act. Replaces "Division of Investigation" with "Division of Criminal Investigation" in the Intergovernmental Drug Laws Enforcement Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2026.
SB1602	02/04/2025	Amends the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act. Defines "acute sexual assault" as a sexual assault that has recently occurred within a specified time. Replaces various references to "sexual assault" with "acute sexual assault". Deletes the definition of "prepubescent sexual assault survivor". Changes provisions regarding hospitals located in counties with a population of less than 1,000,000 and within a 20-mile radius of a 4-year public university with respect to a sexual assault treatment plan approved by the Department of Public Health. Makes changes in various provisions concerning plans of correction and penalties for hospitals that commit specified violations of the Act. In provisions regarding requirements for medical forensic services, provides that the provisions of the Act are not intended to prohibit a qualified medical provider from offering an Illinois Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit to a sexual assault survivor who presents at a treatment hospital or approved pediatric health care facility with a nonacute complaint of sexual assault if there is a compelling reason for evidence collection, or upon the request of the survivor. In provisions regarding the prohibition on billing sexual assault survivors directly for certain services, changes references to the Office of the Attorney General to references to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
SB1613	02/04/2025	Amends the School Code. Requires a public or nonpublic school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus to provide written or verbal instruction concerning the availability and correct use of seat safety belts to student passengers and their parents or legal guardians at least 2 times per calendar or school year. Requires a school bus driver or aide to provide a verbal or posted reminder to all passengers to fasten their seat safety belts properly before the bus begins to move prior to the start of each trip. Contains provisions concerning liability. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning August 1, 2026, if a school bus has one or more designated passenger seating positions equipped with a seat safety belt system, the seats shall be prioritized for use and the seat safety belt shall be worn correctly by the passengers of the bus. Provides that a public or nonpublic school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus shall instruct passengers on the correct use of seat safety belt systems. Provides that when operating other vehicles not defined as a school bus, a public or nonpublic school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity transporting children must adhere to the occupant restraint requirements of the Child Passenger Protection Act. Provides that, under certain circumstances, a public or nonpublic school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus shall not be charged for a violation requiring a passenger to use a seat safety belt system if a passenger on the school bus fails to use or incorrectly uses the seat belt system. Effective immediately.
SB1634	02/04/2025	Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Provides that any person who is convicted of any felony relating to, arising out of, or in connection with any activity regulated by the Act is prohibited for a period of 5 years from the date of such conviction from lobbying as a registered lobbyist under the Act. Effective immediately.
SB1416	01/31/2025	Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for local health protection grants for health protection programs. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB1463	01/31/2025	Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Changes the repeal date of the Illinois Dental Practice Act from January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2036. Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. In the definition of "branches of dentistry", adds oral and maxillofacial pathology, dental public health, oral medicine, and orofacial pain to the included specialties. Creates a temporary dental hygiene license for dental students who meet certain requirements. Provides that a licensee holding a temporary dental hygiene license must practice under the supervision of a dentist. Provides that the temporary dental hygiene license is active for one year from its issuance date. Changes the implementation deadline for an order regarding the services that are necessary to be performed on a patient who is in a State or federal prison and who cannot travel to a dental office to 180 days of the order's issuance (rather than 45 days of the order's issuance). Removes language providing that provisions concerning public health dentistry are inoperative on and after January 1, 2026. Effective immediately.
SB1464	01/31/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that, if a voter with a print disability's application for permanent vote by mail status is accepted by the election authority and the voter with a print disability requested an accessible vote by mail ballot, the voter with a print disability shall receive an accessible vote by mail ballot for every election the voter with a print disability remains on the permanent vote by mail list. Provides that, for all elections subsequent to the 2026 general election, the State Board of Elections shall provide a certified remote accessible vote by mail system through which an election authority can deliver a vote by mail ballot through electronic transmission to voters with a print through electronic transmission to voters with a print disability and through which voters with a print disability can mark, verify, and return a vote by mail ballot to the election authority electronically. Provides that all electronic documents and web pages that must be used as part of the certified remote accessible vote by mail system provided by the State Board of Elections or election authorities shall be compliant with specified web content guidelines. Provides that the certified remote accessible vote by mail system shall comply with specified requirements. Changes the definition of "certified remote accessible vote by mail system". Makes other changes.
SB1465	01/31/2025	Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Adds infection preventionists, minimum data set assessment nurses, other social workers, certified nursing assistant interns, and medication aides to the list of direct care staff used to compute staff to resident ratios. Provides that, except as otherwise provided by law, 100% of the hours worked by the specified staff shall be counted toward the staff to resident ratio. Provides that no monetary penalties shall be imposed unless the variance between a facility's minimum staffing ratios and the Department of Public Health's computations exceeds 20%. Removes a provision prohibiting waiver of a monetary penalty for non-compliance. In provisions concerning reporting requirements for facilities that violate the minimum staffing requirements, provides that the facility must have a variance that exceeds 20% of the requirements. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
SB1466	01/31/2025	Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Provides that the articles of incorporation of any corporation (currently, any corporation incorporated after December 31, 1981) may limit or eliminate cumulative voting rights in all or specified circumstances, or may limit or deny voting rights or may provide special voting rights as to any class or classes or series of shares of such corporation.
SB1325	01/28/2025	Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Creates the Anesthesia Review Panel. Provides that the Panel shall consist of 6 members and that members of the Panel shall be licensed dentists in the State of Illinois whose licenses are active and in good standing. Provides that the Panel shall meet on a regular basis or as needed to consider and recommend applications for permits to administer sedation or anesthesia in a timely manner and that members of the Panel shall be reimbursed for all legitimate, necessary, and authorized expenses incurred for attending meetings. Requires that the Panel recommend to the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation when an onsite inspection of a permit holder or applicant may be necessary and conduct an inspection with a Board of Dentistry member present. Requires that the Panel evaluate results of onsite inspections and make recommendations to the Board and the Director as to the eligibility of applicants. Requires that the Panel advise the Board and the Director regarding anesthesiology-related matters that include mortality and morbidity statistics. Effective immediately.
SB1326	01/28/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with a population of more than 700,000 residents and fewer than 725,000 residents, upon motion of any party and provided that other parties to the appeal do not object, hearings upon appeal to the Property Tax Appeal Board shall be heard online with parties to the appeal participating in the hearing remotely. Requires the Property Tax Appeal Board to amend its rules of practice and procedure within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act to accommodate the remote hearings. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Authorizes the Property Tax Appeal Board to adopt emergency rules to implement the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.
SB1327	01/28/2025	Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that every insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews a group or individual policy or certificate of disability insurance or disability income insurance shall ensure parity for the payment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Changes the definition of "treatment limitation" to include benefit payments under disability insurance or disability income insurance.
SB1328	01/28/2025	Amends the Smoke Detector Act. Bans the selling, offering for sale, or giving as a gift a smoke detector that is not designed to receive primary power from the building wiring or does not meet certain battery requirements set forth in the Act. Specifies that a person who violates this requirement is guilty of a petty offense and is subject to a fine.
SB0291	01/24/2025	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.
SB0191	01/22/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires, beginning January 1, 2027, each designated seating position in any newly purchased or leased school bus to be equipped with a combination pelvic and upper torso seat safety belt system in good operating condition and meeting all applicable federal standards. Provides that the provisions do not apply to a school bus that is legally registered in another state and displaying valid registration plates of that state if the bus is not operated in Illinois on a regular basis and the bus is operated in Illinois in connection with a cultural, tourist, athletic, or other similar activity for students enrolled in a school located outside of Illinois. Effective immediately.
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.
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.
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.