Illinois State Senator Julie Morrison Receives National AMA Award for Outstanding Government Service

The American Medical Association has selected Illinois State Senator Julie Morrison as a recipient of its 2026 Award for Outstanding Government Service. The prestigious national honor recognizes exceptional leadership in public health policy and advocacy.

Rosalind Franklin University nominated Sen. Morrison for the award in recognition of her sustained commitment to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations and her legislative leadership on preventive care, disability rights and children’s health.

Senator Morrison championed $1 million in state funding to establish the RFU Children’s Advocacy Center (RFUCAC) Medical Clinic, a first-of-its-kind partnership between RFU Health Clinics and the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center. The clinic provides specialized Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) services for survivors ages 1-18 in a child-centered, trauma-informed setting.

Before the clinic’s launch in 2024, most young survivors of sexual assault were referred to hospital emergency departments for required examinations often far from home, with long waits and intimidating environments, settings that reduced the likelihood of follow-up care. In 2023, among 790 forensic interviews conducted at the advocacy center, only 20 included SANE examinations. Sen. Morrison led the legislative effort to secure funding and move the clinic forward, creating an innovative model that can be replicated nationwide. The initiative, she said, was “about standing up for survivors and giving them the care and respect they deserve.”

“With Senator Morrison’s support, RFUCAC has launched as the first IDPH-certified outpatient pediatric sexual assault clinic in Illinois,” said Jeff Espina, RFU Vice President for Clinical Services. “We are setting the state’s standard of care for the outpatient setting.”

Sen. Morrison has represented Illinois’ 29th Senate District since 2012. She currently serves as Majority Whip for the Senate Democratic Caucus. As chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and vice chair of Health and Human Services Appropriations, she has advanced legislation expanding newborn screening, preventive cancer coverage, clinical trial diversity, end-of-life planning tools, and access to substance abuse treatment.

Demonstrating a strong commitment to cross-party collaboration, Sen. Morrison chairs the Illinois Senate Insurance Committee, co-chairs the Children’s Health Caucus, and participates in the Cancer and Green Caucuses.

Established in 1989, the AMA Outstanding Government Service Awards honor local, state, and federal officials whose work advances public health. Recipients are selected by the AMA upon the recommendation of an independent panel of judges, making the award one of the nation’s most respected recognitions of public service in health policy. The award was presented at a gala reception and dinner on Feb. 24, 2026, in Washington D.C., with university leadership in attendance.