WAUKEGAN – To create and support construction pre-apprenticeship programs, YouthBuild Lake County in North Chicago will receive $250,000 in funds from the state, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) announced Tuesday.

“While there are financial benefits and high economic demands to work in construction, women and people of color are often underrepresented in the industry,” Johnson said. “This state funding creates new opportunities for residents in communities of color who want to pursue a job in construction or a career in other trades.”

YouthBuild Lake County was among 23 organizations statewide to receive funding for pre-apprenticeship training programs to increase diversity in the construction industry. A total of $9.6 million was awarded across Illinois.

The program, funded by the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act as part of Rebuild Illinois, aims to open doors to career opportunities in the construction and building trades, including those who have been historically underrepresented in this industry. Through this innovative model, the grantees will offer structured pathways to help graduates transition from the pre-apprenticeship program to a full apprenticeship program in construction and building trades.

Visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website for more information on Illinois Works.

NORTH CHICAGO – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) released the following statement regarding the death of six-year-old Damari Perry, who was brutally murdered by his mother and siblings.

“The loss of yet another young life to a heinous crime committed by a family member is beyond devastating. Every child’s home should be a safe space – a loving, caring place where they feel protected. Yet all throughout Illinois, children are silently fighting for their lives each day.

“We must continue to look after and provide protections for these vulnerable children. As the legislature meets this session, I vow to prioritize the health, safety and well-being of children and those who work to protect them.”

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.

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.