Johnson passes bill to decrease homelessness

• Health
• Public Health

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson is successfully making progress to address homelessness and unnecessary institutionalism with the passing of House Bill 2831 Tuesday.

“Homelessness is an extensive issue in all corners of our state,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “It’s time we take a comprehensive approach to decrease homelessness and improve health and human services for people who experience homelessness.”

House Bill 2831 would create an office within the Department of Human Services tasked with preventing and ending homelessness. The group would create a strategic plan aimed to decrease homelessness and improve health and human services outcomes for people who experience homelessness, and strengthening the safety- nets that contribute to housing stability.

“Far too many of our friends and neighbors are stricken by homelessness – it knows no ZIP code,” said Johnson. “We must uplift those in need while continuing to find the root cause of this epidemic.”

The measure passed the Public Health Committee and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

Johnson secures funding for mobile asthma unit

WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adriane Johnson celebrates another win for community health initiatives with a $500,000 investment in an asthma mobile unit designed for Waukegan and North Chicago.

“Each step we take for the betterment of our community is a step in the right direction,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “It is my hope that together, we can provide the resources necessary for a healthier community.”

The Christopher Redding Youth Asthma Foundation, founded in 2013, is managing the asthma van as they share a vision in serving the community with Senator Johnson. The Asthma Mobile Unit will provide asthma and allergy medicine to Lake County, concentrating on Waukegan and North Chicago. They will service families and youth living with asthma, with an emphasis on lessening the potentially adverse health effects on asthmatic youth and young adults involved in athletics in underserved communities.

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Johnson measure to expand cancer research clears Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson continues to fight to expand cancer research throughout the state through a measure she passed in the Senate.

“Cancer is a perilous disease that has affected too many of our loved ones,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Expanding research creates hope for better treatment and solutions in the near future.”

Johnson’s measure would expand research to answer specific questions about the safety of treatment, vaccines, therapy, medical devices and more. Senate Bill 1774 would also emphasize the importance of diversity among clinical trial participants in order to learn more about the safety and efficacy of potential medicine and treatments.

“The expansion of research through clinical trials will put the state on a path toward being able to help more cancer patients,” said Johnson. “By expanding this research, we are able to expand the opportunity for a better quality of life.”

Senate Bill 1774 passed the Senate on Wednesday and will head to the House for further consideration.

Johnson: We are one step closer to implementing changes that will protect the future safety of residents

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson advanced a measure to expand training on lights and sirens for ambulance drivers going through red lights during emergencies.

“Today we are one step closer to implementing changes that will protect the future safety of residents.” Johnson said. “I look forward to working with first responders and people in our community to enhance training for ambulance drivers.”

Johnson’s measure would provide extended training for first responders as it pertains to sirens and lights on emergency responding vehicles. Further, it would require ambulances going through a red light or stop sign to use both the sound and light warnings.

Donald Stallworth III’s life was taken when his motorcycle collided with an ambulance that was transporting a patient last May of 2022. The incident took in Waukegan at the intersection of Lake Street and South Genesee Street, which Johnson represents. The ambulance lights were on but sirens were not used.

“This tragedy cannot be a reoccurrence,” said Johnson. “I hope this added training and requirement will prevent something like this from happening again.”

Senate Bill 1251 passed the Senate and moves to the House for further consideration.