The Morrison Memo: October 21, 2017

After spending the last few months in our home districts, lawmakers will return to Springfield next week from October 24-26 and then again from November 7-9 to take action on pieces of legislation that received either an amendatory (partial) or full veto during this year’s spring legislative session. During the veto session, legislators can agree with a full or partial veto, or we can override it. Not all bills that receive a gubernatorial veto are brought back for reconsideration. A full list of bills that may be brought back for reconsideration appears at the end of the newsletter.

There are also some pieces of new legislation that may be considered during the six-day fall veto session, including HB 4114, a bill I am co-sponsoring which would create the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.” When HB 40 was signed a few weeks ago, it put Illinois taxpayers on the hook to pay for an open-ended number of abortions each year. HB 4114 would reverse key provisions of HB 40 by prohibiting units of government from using taxpayer funds for elective abortions. I believe it is unconscionable to force pro-life residents to fund the taking of innocent life that harms the individuals involved as well as society as a whole. Furthermore, the state is in no position to absorb additional tens of millions in Medicaid costs.
HB 4114 is seeking to put Illinois back in line with longstanding federal statutes on this issue. The legislation is modeled after the federal Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal funding for abortions, other than for procedures sought in connection with pregnancies that result from rape or incest, or that threaten the life of the mother. Identical legislation is also pending in the Senate as SB 2241.

Again, a full list of vetoed bills appears at the end of this newsletter. If you have an opinion about a bill that received a veto this year, please share your comments with me so I can keep your opinion in mind if the bill is brought to the floor of the House for reconsideration.

Representative Tom Morrison to Host Mobile Office Hours at Rolling Meadows Public Library

Thank you to the individuals who came out to my recent mobile office hours in Hoffman Estates. I will be hosting a second mobile office hours event at the Rolling Meadows Public Library on Monday, October 30th. A member of my staff and I will be available from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the library, located at 3110 Martin Lane in Rolling Meadows. In addition to being available for short one-on-one conversations with constituents, we will be available to help residents with their concerns and issues involving state agencies and programs. Appointments are encouraged, so please call my office at (847) 202-6584 if you would like to meet with me on October 30th in Rolling Meadows.

Earlier this month I had an opportunity to participate in the “Principal for a Day” program which is hosted each year by the Illinois Principals Association. This year I visited St. Thomas of Villanova School in Palatine and Carl Sandburg Junior High School in Rolling Meadows.

From giving the morning announcements, to speaking in 7th and 8th grade social studies classes, to meeting hospitable and talented teachers and administrators, it was great to get an inside look into the workings of these dynamic local schools.

This marks the sixth year I have participated in this program, and as a former school teacher I always enjoy going back into the classroom so that I can talk with students about government. The conversations I’m able to have with teachers are also very beneficial. It is a great opportunity to build important relationships while connecting with an crucial part of my constituency.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Every year in October we acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Illinois.

The following statistics illustrate the severity of the issue:

• Domestic violence affects one in three women and one in five men
• Domestic violence takes lives: innocents and bystanders
• Domestic violence has been found in the background of perpetrators in an estimated 56 percent of mass killings
• Domestic violence ruins lives and creates traumatic after-effects that can last a lifetime, such as mental and physical illness, drug abuse and early mortality

In this region there are shelters available for those who need to escape a domestic violence situation. Visit https://www.womenshelters.org to find shelters in the suburban Cook County area.

Full List of Vetoed Bills
The following bills were vetoed by the Governor and may be brought back for reconsideration during this year’s fall veto session:

• HB 302: Unclaimed life insurance benefits (Amendatory)
• HB 348: Changes in publication of a constitutional amendment (Amendatory)
• HB 688: Firefighter/police pension transfer service credit (Full)
• HB 732: Residential roofing repairs (Full)
• HB 1797: Equal Pay (Full)
• HB 2462: Workers Compensation (Full)
• HB 2567: Creates Automobile Dealers’ License Task Force (Full)
• HB 2622: Creates a state-sponsored workers’ compensation insurance company (Full)
• HB 2778: Fire protection district to annex under ETS (Full)
• HB 2977: Cursive writing mandate (Full)
• HB 3004: RTA Bonds (Amendatory)
• HB 3143: Adds teen treatment providers to the Prompt Payment Act (Full)
• HB 3167: DHS childhood workforce study (Full)
• HB 3211: SNAP benefits to college students (Amendatory)
• HB 3216: Place additional requirements on third-party contracting by the State (Full)
• HB 3298: Reimbursement of the substitute teacher licensure fee (Full)
• HB 3376: DHS personal assistant hours limitation (Full)
• HB 3419: Prohibits expatriate entities from doing business with the State (Full)
• HB 3449: Geolocation (Full)
• HB 3649: State agency financial reports to the Comptroller (Full)
• HB 3745: Requires a school board to permit community groups to advertise events and after-school programs (Full)
• HB 3897: Trampoline regulation (Full)
• SB 41: Allows municipalities to assign, sell, or transfer their interest in funds received from the State (Full)
• SB 81: Minimum Wage (Full)
• SB 315: FOID for purchase of explosives (Full)
• SB 321: Auditor General shall initiate a performance audit of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (Full)
• SB 326: Interior Design regulation (Amendatory)
• SB 419: Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code (Full)
• SB 669: Elect Lake Co. Board Chair (Full)
• SB 789: Expands the authorized uses of motor fuel tax funds (Full)
• SB 910: County board redistricting based on minority status (Full)
• SB 1351: Student loan servicing rights Act: (Full)
• SB 1353: Personal Needs Allowance increase (Full)
• SB 1446: Changes to the Procurement Code (Full)
• SB 1462: Entrepreneur Learner’s Permit pilot program (Amendatory)
• SB 1714: Reporting requirements for consultants retained by retirement system, pension fund, or investment boards (Full)
• SB 1720: Failure to pay wages a Class 4 felony instead of a misdemeanor (Full)
• SB 1905: Collective bargaining (Full)

As always, please do not ever hesitate to call me or write to me about issues that are important to you. You may reach my Palatine District office at (847) 202-6584 or email me by going to www.repmorrison54.com and clicking on the “Contact” button.