North Cook News

State Rep. Thomas Morrison (R-Palatine) has spoken out after three federal judges rejected new district maps Democratic lawmakers voted to approve five months ago.

The panel of judges found Democrats' use of population estimates to draw out the new district boundaries was "unconstitutional," according to the Chicago Tribune.

"Federal Court Throws Out the IL Legislative Maps Democrats Approved Last May," Morrison wrote in an October 20 tweet. "What's next? TBD within the next several weeks."

Last month, Morrison highlighted the achievements of students and staff at Sundling Junior High when it was named a National Blue Ribbon School. According to a previous report by North Cook News, Sundling was among the 18 in Illinois and 325 across the country to receive the distinction.

"Congratulations to the staff and students," Morrison wrote in a Sept. 21 Facebook post. 

Back in June, Morrison visited the Lincoln Park Zoo to give his constituents a behind-the-scenes look by showing off some of the animals while encouraging kids to come check out the 152-year-old facility that's free of charge and open all year long, North Cook News reported.

"As the fourth oldest zoo in North America," Morrison said in a YouTube video. "It's home to more than 1,000 animals, including big cats, polar bears, penguins, gorillas, reptiles and monkeys."

Pension fund reform is another hot-button issue Morrison has been vocal about this year. 

Morrison called for immediate changes to be made after a Wirepoints report found most of the state's cities had failed to keep their pension funds above water, North Cook News reported.

Morrison called property taxes "the biggest issue" in his district and said it was unacceptable to keep raising taxes and fees, especially on properties that the valuation hasn't increased in more than a decade.