WAUKEGAN – Illinois will institute a 10-day tax holiday on school supplies, and working families and teachers can expect to have reduced shopping costs ahead of the upcoming school year, State Senator Adriane Johnson announced.

“To offer support to our working parents, guardians and teachers in Illinois, lowering the tax rate on school supplies removes a burden when preparing for the academic year,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Instituting a tax holiday will help relieve Illinois families and educators of some financial costs in order to ensure students are prepared for the upcoming school year.”

The law lowers the state tax rate on school supplies and eligible clothes and footwear from 6.25% down to 1.25% for 10 days from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14, 2022.

“I encourage residents to look primarily at locally-owned businesses when deciding where to shop in our communities,” said Johnson.

Public Act 102-0700 took effect with the governor’s signature on April 19, 2022 and was fully implemented with the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget on July 1, 2022.

WAUKEGAN – In response to the uptick in violent crimes reported across Lake County, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) released the following statement:

“In areas throughout the 30th District, gun violence is a life-shattering, yet prevalent, concern for many. With reports of shootings on a near daily basis, my heart is heavy for the families who suffer for the rest of their lives from losing a loved one due to a formidable tragedy.

“Our communities deserve better than this. To assist in this uphill battle, I helped secure $500,000 in state investments to support the Lake County State’s Attorney’s gun violence prevention pilot program as well as a combined $5 million for local governments and other community groups. I stand behind this effort to hire violence interrupters to help curb rising rates of reported crime specifically in Waukegan and North Chicago.

“I will work with local officials, community groups and affected families to reduce the gun violence epidemic and offer resources to at-risk youth.”

WAUKEGAN – State senators Adriane Johnson and Melinda Bush, State Rep. Rita Mayfield and Congressman Brad Schneider are inviting area residents to attend an upcoming Health and Wellness Fair in Waukegan.

“Overall wellness encourages the balance of physical activity, nutrition and mental stability to keep our bodies in their best, most productive condition,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “I invite all area residents to visit the upcoming Health and Wellness Fair for direct access to community resources.”

The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 30 at the Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep campus in Waukegan, located at 3106 Belvidere Rd. A variety of providers will offer free services from noon to 4 p.m.

Scheduled partners include the Interprofessional Community Clinic at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, the Lake County Health Department, the Waukegan Park District, Middleton’s, the Illinois Department of Public Health, Waukegan Township, Lake Behavioral Hospital, Eden Restoration Project and Connect Waukegan.

For questions or additional information, contact Sen. Johnson’s office at 847-672-6201.