Johnson celebrates law to remove racial covenants in property deeds

WAUKEGAN - Homeowners in Illinois can more quickly, easily and affordably remove racist language from their property deeds under a new law by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

“Although racial restrictive covenants are no longer enforceable, residents have been forced to jump through hoops to strike the harmful and antiquated provisions from their property records,” Johnson said. “By empowering homeowners to easily remove racist language from their property deeds, our state is taking steps to combat a painful relic of the historical harms done to our communities of color and to root out racism in all of our institutions.”

The law was effective Jan. 1, 2022. Johnson joined Nicole Sullivan, Catherine Shannon and State Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) Tuesday at the Lake County Recorder Office to file a document to strike a local racial covenant.

Johnson delivers 400 books to students at Waukegan’s St. Anastasia Catholic School

WAUKEGAN – In the spirit of the holiday season and in collaboration with the Aspen Drive Library in Vernon Hills, the Indian Trails Public Library in Buffalo Grove and the Waukegan Public Library, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) donated more than 400 books to students at St. Anastasia Catholic School in Waukegan.

“Children with access to quality books have a strong opportunity to improve their cognitive skills as well as literacy, social and emotional development,” Johnson said. “I’m grateful to the librarians at the Aspen Drive, Indian Trails and Waukegan public libraries who were kind, generous and more than willing to help my office collect books for local children in need.” 

A St. Anastasia school official reached out to Johnson’s office requesting assistance to provide new books for the students. The three local libraries responded to the inquiry with a combined 400 books for students to use after the holiday break. 

New Johnson law pays tribute to public servants, unifies half-staff flag protocols

SPRINGFIELD - Federal regulations for flying a flag at half-staff will soon be adopted into the Illinois Code, under a new law by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

“As a symbol meant to pay tribute to the loss of life, communities notice when flags flown at half-staff,” Johnson said. “By adopting the federal law into our state code, Illinois is working to ensure the process is unified and done appropriately.”

The initiative amends Illinois’ current Flag Display Act to outline the circumstances in which the United States flag should be flown at half-staff, the necessary procedures and appropriate amount of time. The Act states the flag could be lowered to half-staff to recognize Memorial Day, death of a government official, line-of-duty military deaths or other occurrences deemed honorary by the governor.

“Flying the flag at half-staff is a meaningful gesture that honors the lives of fallen soldiers, first responders and residents who spent their lives advocating for the values the flag represents,” Johnson said. “By partnering with State Rep. Daniel Didech and local veterans, this law sends the important message that Illinois respects the individuals who served our country through military or public service.”

House Bill 3372 was signed by the governor Friday and is effective June 1, 2022.

Johnson to host public forum on Illinois’ Restore, Reinvest and Renew Grant Program

WAUKEGAN – To offer application assistance to interested residents, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is partnering with State Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan), Waukegan Township Supervisor Marc L. Jones, the Lt. Governor’s office and ICJIA to host an informational meeting on the state’s Restore, Reinvest and Renew (R3) Grant Program.

“The funds available through Illinois’ R3 grant programs aim to support communities that have been harmed by violence, excessive incarceration and economic disinvestment,” Johnson said. “By highlighting this program and making sure qualified organizations have the resources to apply, we are working to create stronger, more cohesive communities.”

The event will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 6 at Waukegan Township Park Place, 414 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan. Masks are required for participation.

Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the technical changes in the R3 program, get information on the review period and timeframe for funding to be released.

The R3 grant program funds projects in disadvantaged communities in five main areas: civil legal aid, economic growth, reentry, violence prevention and youth development. Eligible communities were identified, in part, by their rates of firearm-related injuries, child poverty, unemployment and incarceration.

Organizations in highlighted areas on this map are eligible for funds through the R3 grant program.

Residents can RSVP by calling Johnson’s district office at 847-672-6201 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information on the grant program, visit the R3 website.