BUFFALO GROVE – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is encouraging businesses that were damaged during acts of civil unrest to apply for grants to help pay for repairs.

“Businesses have faced unprecedented financial struggles this year due to the ongoing public health crisis,” Johnson said. “The additional costs of repairing damage caused by civil unrest could be the difference between keeping their doors open or closing for good.”

Businesses in Waukegan and North Chicago that experienced damage due to civil unrest on or after May 25 are eligible to apply for assistance through the Rebuild Distressed Communities grant program.

The grants – spearheaded by the Illinois Department of Commerce an Economic Opportunity – will reimburse the cost of repairs for structural damages, including repairs to storefronts and entrances, improving electrical systems and restoring exterior work.

Small businesses, underinsured or uninsured businesses, businesses that have a high community impact – such as grocery stores – and businesses in communities that have experienced historic disinvestment will be given priority for funding.

The program also prioritizes the use of minority- and women-owned businesses to do the repairs.

DCEO will host a webinar about the program Thursday at 11 a.m. Interested business owners can register for the free event by visiting the agency’s website.

Applications are open from Dec. 21 until Jan. 21. For more information and to apply, business owners can visit the Rebuild Distressed Communities Program part of DCEO’s website.

BUFFALO GROVE – To support local businesses that continue to struggle due to the public health crisis and provide an opportunity for their owners to share concerns about the response to the pandemic, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is accepting applications to tour small businesses throughout the 30^th District.

“Small businesses have faced unimaginable challenges this year, and many worry daily if they’ll be able to make it through the winter months,” Johnson said. “I want to tour these businesses, learn their owners’ stories, and encourage Lake County residents to help support them.”

Senator Johnson would like to visit a variety of businesses, including, but not limited to, retail shops, manufacturing businesses and businesses in the service industry – from salons to optometrists.

To sign up for a tour from Senator Johnson, businesses can visit SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com/SmallBusinessTours. Once an application is received, a member of her team will reach out with additional details.

People with questions can contact Senator Johnson’s office by calling 847-672-4395 or visiting SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com and clicking contact us.

BUFFALO GROVE – As the cold winter months begin, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is reminding Lake County residents about resources for households that need extra assistance and of safety tips to keep their families warm.

“During periods of extreme cold, stay indoors if you can and be prepared to travel if you must,” Johnson said. “Safety is as simple as limiting unnecessary outdoor exposure and putting together an emergency car kit, which includes items most people already have at home.”

To stay safe and healthy this winter, Senator Johnson encourages people to stay indoors during days it’s extremely cold. If spending time outside is absolutely necessary, weather.gov/safety encourages adding layers to keep warm as temperatures drop. Furthermore, if traveling is a must, Johnson encourages people to visit lakecountypassage.com for a map of current road conditions, as well as crashes and stalls that could affect travel time.

When traveling, it’s vital to have a car emergency kit to minimize risks brought on by potentially becoming stranded. It is recommended to have jumper cables, an ice scraper, a cell phone charger, blankets, water and snacks in the car in case of emergency.

At home, should one need to use alternate heat sources, like space heaters, the following should be considered:  

• Ensure all combustible items are away from the unit 
• If using a kerosene heater, make sure it’s in a well-ventilated area 
• Do not run a stove or oven to generate heat  
• Homes with high-efficiency furnaces should make sure the venting to the outside of the home is clear and not snow covered.

People struggling to heat their house should consider going to one of the many warming centers throughout Lake County for short-term shelter. For a list of warming centers, click here.    

“Too many people have to choose between properly heating their homes or properly feeding their families,” Johnson said.  “Visiting a warming center allows people to reduce their home heating costs by turning the thermostat down while they are at the center. I highly encourage anyone struggling to keep their house heated to take advantage of these locations.”

Johnson also wants to remind residents that many electric and gas utilities have pledged not to shut off the heat this winter, due to the financial challenges many families are facing due to COVID-19. Anyone who’s struggling to pay their heating bills should contact their utility providers first to see if they qualify for extra assistance or a payment plan.

BUFFALO GROVE — State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is encouraging families who want to buy a house but are hindered by student loan debt to take advantage of Illinois’ new SmartBuy mortgage and student loan assistance program. 

“Young people, particularly young people who live in minority communities, are often held back from purchasing a home due to the weight of student loan debt,” Johnson said. “Families deserve the peace of mind that they can have both a quality education and a forever home.” 

The Illinois Housing Development Authority launched the SmartBuy program, which offers a safe, affordable 30-year fixed rate first mortgage with $5,000 in assistance to be used toward a down payment and/or closing costs. In addition, the program allows people to combine their student loan debt into a mortgage in an effort to lower the high interest rate of student loans and get rid of the student loan portion of debt. The program provides 15% of the purchase price, or up to $40,000, in student loan debt relief to borrowers.

A 2018 study by the University of Illinois found that outstanding student loan debt negatively impacts wealth accumulation for all borrowers — regardless of race — but the impact is especially significant for Black and Latinx borrowers.

To qualify for SmartBuy, potential borrowers must have at least $1,000 in student loan debt and must pay off their full remaining student loan balance at closing. The program also requires a FICO mid-score of at least 640, and applicants must meet certain income and purchase price requirements.

SmartBuy was created using funding from the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan, and is expected to assist approximately 500 to 1000 borrowers.

Learn more about SmartBuy and find a list of SmartBuy approved loan vendors at www.ihdamortgage.org/smartbuy.