BUFFALO GROVE – State Senator Adriane Johnson congratulates Ymer Technology on their grand opening of its new U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove.  This exciting development is set to create new job opportunities and provide a significant boost to the local economy, while Ymer Technology continues to lead in producing cutting-edge electric vehicle components for the heavy equipment industry.

With its commitment to investing $5.7 million and creating more than 30 jobs, Ymer Technology will receive Reimagining Energy and Vehicles incentives from The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. REV provides competitive incentives for EV, solar, renewable and energy storage manufacturers to move or expand in Illinois. A link to the executed REV agreement can be found here.

“This significant funding not only advances the innovative cooling and thermal management systems for electric vehicles but also strengthens Illinois' commitment to a clean energy future,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Their dedication is paving the way for a more sustainable and technologically advanced tomorrow."

Founded in 2005 in Stockholm, Sweden, Ymer Technology chose to relocate from Houston to Lake County to take advantage of Chicagoland’s unmatched location, industry leaders, and the state’s REV incentive program. This is the first in a series of planned expansions for the company.

The state and its partners took Ymer Technology leadership and staff on a tour of sites throughout Illinois, and within two weeks the company selected this strategic location in Buffalo Grove. Shortly after opening its doors in Illinois, Ymer Technology CEO Bjorn Afzelius announced that the company has already inked its first deal.

“Ymer Technology’s investment showcases Lake County’s rich tradition of manufacturing—a $20 billion industry and the largest contributor to our gross regional product,” said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. “We join the state in prioritizing new jobs and sustainability. Ymer is a global leader in this sector, and we are especially excited to welcome them to our community because their products directly support our goals to reduce carbon emissions, increase renewable energy and address climate change.”

As Vice Chair of the Illinois Senate Environment and Conservation committee, Senator Johnson remains committed to fostering a supportive environment for businesses further creating sustainable employment opportunities and ensuring long-term economic stability.

BUFFALO GROVE — State Senator Adriane Johnson announces a dozen school districts throughout the area will receive over $2 million in funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“Evidence-based funding is crucial for educational opportunities because it ensures that resources are allocated based on proven effectiveness rather than assumptions or convenience,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This approach increases the likelihood that investments will lead to meaningful improvements in student learning and achievement.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

Local schools set to receive funding through the formula:

• Adlai E Stevenson District 125: $4,447
• Aptakisic-Tripp Community Consolidated School District 102: $48,381
• Gurnee School District 56: $110,280
• Hawthorn Community Consolidated School District 73: $70,318
• Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96: $3,071
• Libertyville Community High School District 128: $3,173
• Lincolnshire-Prairieview School District 103: $1,610
• Mundelein Elementary School District 75: $385,679
• North Chicago School District 187: $643,724
• Safe School-Lake County ROE: $3,953
• Waukegan Community Unit School District 60: $6,166,131

The Fiscal Year 25 budget invested $350 million in funding into students’ success through the evidence-based funding model.

For more information on the FY 25 evidence-based funding distribution, visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the importance of equipping students with knowledge about environmental challenges and solutions, State Senator Adriane Johnson championed a new law that will ensure students have access to comprehensive climate change education.

“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it disproportionately affects marginalized communities,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “By integrating climate change education in our schools, we are not only providing students with the knowledge they need to navigate these issues, but also promoting equity by ensuring all students, regardless of background, can use this critical information.”

Johnson’s law tasks public schools in Illinois with providing learning opportunities on the environmental and ecological impacts of climate change and solutions for addressing the crisis. Schools have the flexibility to decide whether to create a separate class or implement these lessons into existing relevant classes – such as science, agriculture and technical education courses.

“Educating our youth about climate change takes a multi-faceted approach,” said Johnson. “Empowering students with this knowledge will prepare them to be informed residents, helping to create and sustain resilient communities.”

House Bill 4895 was signed on Friday and goes into effect July 1, 2025.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson spearheaded a new law requiring the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide lactation rooms for employees.

“All women should have the peace of mind that they will have a safe, secure and private place to pump when they return to work,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “In requiring this space, we further establish workplaces as supportive and inclusive for nursing mothers.”

This law requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide lactation rooms for employees to use. The rooms must be in each department facility that employs nursing mothers and each individual lactation room must meet certain requirements, such as containing electrical outlets for plugging in breast pumps and having a minimum of one refrigerator for storage of the breast milk.

“This law is necessary as it further ensures employees are comfortable and secure in the workplace throughout every stage in their lives,” said Johnson. “Mothers deserve to feel seen and supported.”

House Bill 4819 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.