WAUKEGAN – An additional 23 locally-owned businesses in the 30th Senate District will receive a combined $715,000 from the Back to Business grant program thanks to support from State Senator Adriane Johnson.

“Businesses have begun moving forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, however, there are still some needing support to fully recover,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “The Back to Business grant program has been vital to keeping doors open for thousands of small businesses across the state.”

In total, 124 small businesses in the 30th District have been awarded more than $5.3 million since the program started.

DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants – thanks to strong support from Senator Johnson – to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons, and disproportionately impacted areas.

“Support is critical to the health of our small business community, and I encourage all able to do so to shop and dine locally,” Johnson said.

Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program.

WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) released the following statement in response to the leaked Supreme Court ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade and threaten access to reproductive health care in the United States:

“Although Illinois has taken proactive steps to protect women’s reproductive rights, millions of women could be in danger should Roe v. Wade be overturned, and this regressive move would set our country back by more than five decades.

“Reproductive care is essential for women’s health, especially in underserved areas. I commit to continuing the fight against this injustice and supporting women through these intense times.”

 SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to reduce crime in Illinois, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) backed the Crime Reduction Task Force Act which works to establish recommendations to the General Assembly to better address the equity needs of local communities.

“Ensuring safety and security for all of Illinois’ residents is undoubtedly the highest obligation of government,” said Johnson. “This legislation looks to lean on not only law enforcement for the best approach, but seeks community and expert input as well.”

House Bill 4736 would create the Crime Reduction Task Force comprised of a bipartisan group including legislators, law enforcement, and legal and criminal justice professionals, as well as crime victims and witnesses. The task force would develop a plan of action to reduce crime across the state and report its findings to the General Assembly and the governor.

Additionally, the legislation would create a statewide anonymous tip hotline, a Violent Crime Witness Protection fund and Co-Responder Pilot Program for the police departments of East St. Louis, Peoria, Springfield and Waukegan.

“True public safety can be achieved if we properly collaborate with law enforcement and the community,” Johnson said. “We want to encourage individuals who witness crimes to feel safe when filing reports, but we must be sure to not put anyone’s safety in jeopardy.”

House Bill 4736 passed with bipartisan support and awaits the governor’s signature for final approval.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) moved legislation out of the Senate Education Committee to prohibit public high schools from withholding a student's grades, transcripts or diploma due to unpaid balances on a student’s account today.

“Students are so much more than a set of credits,” said State Senator Adriane Johnson. “They are scholars and future contributors to our society, and we should do all we can to further their academic careers and not contribute to unnecessary burdens.”

Current law does not address withholding of grades, transcripts of diplomas for students for financial reasons whatsoever. The law only speaks to academic performance, established local goals and objectives, age, and other social reasons.

Under House Bill 4243, the prohibition would last for 3 years and would require school districts to catalogue and report the total amount of unpaid accounts due to the prohibition of withholding grades, transcripts, or diplomas to the Illinois State Board of Education.

“This is an equity issue and this practice almost exclusively affects low-income students,” said Johnson. “Plus, there is no real evidence that withholding a student’s transcript encourages parents to pay the bill.”

House Bill 4243 passed the Senate Education Committee and will be heard before the full Senate for further consideration.