WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is reminding Lake County residents that Waukegan’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is now also accepting walk-ups and is encouraging everyone to get tested.

“I’m glad to see that this critical testing service is now more accessible than ever before,” Johnson said. “It’s still essential that we continue to test for this virus to understand its presence in our community and the rest of the state. If you’re experiencing symptoms or may have come in contact with COVID-19, I encourage you to stop by and get tested.”

The site is still located at 102 W. Water St., and testing is available from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily while supplies last.

A person receiving a walk-up test, should enter off Genesee Street and follow the line marked by orange cones. If arriving by car, anyone who wants to be tested must be seated at a functioning window. Once in line at the testing site, everyone must stay in the car.

While this is free service, people will be asked to show photo identification. Due to the demand for this service, there could be significant wait times associated with the drive-thru community-based testing site.

For additional information related to COVID-19, please visit www.dph.illinois.gov. COVID-19 questions can also be answered at any time of day by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For a full list of testing sites in Illinois and for contact information and guidelines on eligibility for testing, visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/testing-sites. 

BUFFALO GROVE – To help small business owners dealing with the devastating financial impact of COVID-19, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is pleased to learn nearly $900,000 has been awarded to businesses in the district she represents through the state’s Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.

“Small business owners have faced continuous worries this year over whether they’ll have to shut their doors and how they’ll be able to support their families,” Johnson said. “Money awarded through these grants will help them be able to continue to bolster our communities through their products and services.” 

More than two dozen businesses in the district Johnson represents received a combined $890,000. Each business received between $5,000 and $135,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic. 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the grants this week, as part of the second round of the BIG program. However, applications will remain open until all of the funding is spent. Johnson encourages any small business in need to apply. Priority funding will be given to businesses located in areas with increased mitigation efforts. 

“Any business who is struggling – no matter if it’s a restaurant or a movie theatre – should apply for funding as soon as possible,” Johnson said. “I also encourage community members to help support these struggling businesses by shopping small this holiday season.” 

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Applications are available on DCEO’s website.

BUFFALO GROVE – Following increased COVID-19 restrictions throughout Lake County and the surrounding area, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is reminding local businesses of priority funding assistance through the second round of Business Interruption Grants.

“Small businesses – be it a restaurant or boutique – bolster our local economy and are in need of financial assistance – both through grants and from community support,” Johnson said. “Businesses in our area will be given priority funding due to increased mitigation efforts set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health, so I encourage them to apply immediately.”

The BIG Program has allocated $220 million in the second round for local businesses to help them stay afloat through this time of crisis and ensure they have the resources to open safely in the coming months. Priority will be given to businesses located in areas that have increased mitigation.

BIG funds may be used to help businesses cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic. Priority funding is given to any business located in an area that has stricter COVID-19 rules under the order of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

During its first round of funding earlier this year, the program granted more than $49 million to small businesses across the state.

Applications can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website alongside a full list of criteria.

Additionally, Johnson urges anyone willing and able to shop small this holiday season to support these businesses. Supporting local can be as simple as buying a gift card for a friend, leaving a positive review online or ordering takeout from a favorite restaurant.

BUFFALO GROVE – In response to a 19-year-old Black man being fatally shot by police in her community, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is pushing for an end of police brutality and equity for Black people across the state.

“Justice must be served for this young man — and every man, woman and child who has been a victim of systemic racism and police brutality,” Johnson said. “We have to get to the root of this problem and ensure that we do not become numb to or normalize these senseless deaths.  And, we have to dismantle systemic racism.”

Marcellis Stinnette, a 19-year-old unarmed Black man, was fatally shot by a Waukegan police officer last week. An officer shot at a vehicle last Tuesday night, killing Stinnette and wounding the driver, 20-year-old Tafara Williams. The officer was later fired for committing “multiple policy and procedure violations,” according to the Waukegan Police Department.

Johnson said last week’s heartbreaking incident is further proof of the need to pass the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ four pillar legislative agenda this fall. The group’s agenda addresses criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability, as well as economic and health care equity.

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus has held a number of committee hearings over the past month in an effort to dive further into racial disparities across all sectors of life.

The four pillars include:

I. Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
II. Education and workforce development
III. Economic access, equity and opportunity
IV. Health care and human services

“I extend my thoughts and prayers to Marcellis Stinnette’s family and friends for his tragic and untimely death. I pray for a speedy and full recovery for Tafara Williams, as she is fighting for her life,” Johnson said. “But, thoughts and prayers are simply not enough. I know we are feeling an emptiness and deep-rooted pain because of the repeated shootings of Black and Brown people.”