Julie is your State Senator.
Julie Morrison has served as State Senator for the 29th District since 2012. In the Senate, Julie has focused on legislation to protect children, the rights of people with developmental disabilities, and issues involving ethics and good government – areas that reflect some of the same priorities Julie has dedicated herself to throughout her career.
Julie was born in downstate Illinois and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Knox College. She was a member of the Statewide Advisory Council of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services until 1996, serving as chair for the last two of those years. During her tenure on the Council, Julie worked to reform DCFS and advocated for the welfare of children in the system.
Julie understands the issues that concern families in our district.
In 1997 she was elected West Deerfield Township Supervisor and served in that position for 15 years, introducing numerous programs to serve the needs of residents more effectively and providing a strong voice for responsible, accountable local government.
On entering the Senate in 2012, Julie continued working to improve the state’s child welfare system by promoting the creation of a subcommittee on issues relating to DCFS and serving as its chair.
She was also instrumental in establishing a standing Senate committee on water safety, prompted by a family tragedy in which Julie’s young nephew was killed by an intoxicated boater. Julie has been able to pass substantive changes to watercraft law, including increased safety, education, and penalties for multiple offenders.
Julie has been very active in developmental disability rights and advocacy. She created and chairs the Illinois General Assembly’s Special Needs Caucus and has organized initiatives to help connect parents of children with disabilities to resources addressing work, housing, and transportation needs.
Julie is passionate about transparent, ethical government.
During the past 4 years Julie has also sponsored numerous ethics and good government bills and continues to push for reforms and increased transparency in campaign finance, government appointments, and lobbying activities.
Julie is currently vice-chair of the Human Services Committee and serves on the Environment and Conservation, Education, Commerce and Economic Development, and Transportation committees.
Julie and her husband, Joe, live in Deerfield. They have three grown children.