SPRINGFIELD – Illinois homeowners can more quickly, easily and affordably remove racist language from their property deeds under a new law sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

“Racial covenants have held back Black and Brown families for generations, and many residents may not even be aware that the language still lingers in their property deeds,” Johnson said. “Homeowners shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to strike such harmful and antiquated provisions from their property records.”

The law allows individuals, condominium associations, unit owners’ associations and other property owners to remove language for unlawful restrictive covenants from recorded property interests, including deeds to property, by submitting a request to the local county recorder.

Under Johnson’s law, the recorder can charge a fee of no more than $10 for filing a restrictive covenant modification.

“No one should feel unwelcome in their own neighborhood because of disgraceful and archaic language in their property ownership documents,” said State Representative Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove), the sponsor of the measure in the House. “The new streamlined process to remove those provisions will advance our goal of building a state where no one is disadvantaged because of their race or religion.”

Starting in the 1920s and continuing throughout the mid-20th century, the Federal Housing Authority actively segregated metropolitan areas, guaranteeing bank loans for the construction and development of suburbs on the condition that the sale of the homes in that suburb be restricted by race. Deeds to these homes also included racial restrictive covenants prohibiting resale of the home to people of a certain race.

In 1948 the Supreme Court deemed all racial restrictive covenants unenforceable. Despite this ruling, developers and realtors continued to include racial restrictive covenants in deeds until 1968, when the FHA outlawed these covenants altogether.

“Racial covenants are no longer enforceable, but they are a painful relic of the historical harms done to our communities of color,” Johnson said. “Eliminating racist language from our government documents is an important step toward rooting out racism in all our systems.”

House Bill 58 takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. – To provide a fun way for the community to beat the heat while learning about what’s going on in Springfield, State Senators Julie Morrison and Adriane Johnson are hosting an ice cream social Sunday, July 25.

“One of my favorite parts of my job as a state senator has always been meeting people in the community and sharing the strides we made in Springfield while hearing their feedback,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “After more than a year of not being able to host face-to-face events, I’m excited to get back out into Lake County and talk with the people who make the district such a great place to live.”

Community members are invited to visit the outdoor gazebo at Horizon Park, located at 378 Schoenbeck Road in Wheeling, from 1-2p.m. on July 25. Senators Morrison and Johnson will provide free ice cream, discuss the successes of the spring legislative session, and answer questions from attendees.

The event is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome.

“In light of the challenges of the past year, I’m looking forward to spending time out in the community and getting to know our neighbors,” Johnson said. “My first spring legislative session was a busy one, and I can’t wait to discuss all the important things we’ve been working on.”

Anyone with questions can call Senator Morrison’s office at 847-945-5200 or Senator Johnson’s office at 847-672-6201.

WAUKEGAN – To help community members protect their personal information from con artists, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is hosting a community shred event on Saturday, July 24 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, located at 25 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Waukegan.

“When it comes to protecting yourself against fraud and identity theft, you can never be too careful,” Johnson said. “Documents with personal information like your address, banking information or social security number should be securely shredded to keep them safe from prying eyes.”

At this free community event, residents can securely dispose of any sensitive or confidential documents, like bank statements, paid utility bills and receipts. Electronics and other non-paper waste will not be accepted.

All participants are asked to contain documents for shredding in boxes or paper bags, placed in the trunk of their vehicle for safe, socially distanced removal by volunteers.

Johnson is hosting the event in partnership with State Representative Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan).

“After spring cleaning and tax season, you may be looking to dispose of sensitive personal documents,” Johnson said. “I encourage you to take advantage of this free and convenient opportunity to make sure your information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”

BUFFALO GROVE – In honor of National Park and Recreation Month, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is highlighting opportunities for outdoor fun at public parks and other natural spaces in the 30th District.

“Over the past year and a half, many residents have felt cooped up in their homes,” Johnson said. “With more and more people getting vaccinated every day, the time is now to get outside and enjoy the beautiful parks our community has to offer.”

According to the National Recreation and Park Association, parks play an important role in maintaining quality of life in a community. Parks provide gathering places for members of a community to interact with each other, host public events and offer recreational programs.

Additionally, parks provide a public place where people can go to keep healthy and fit. A Penn State University study showed that the length of visits to parks has a connection with reductions in stress, lowered blood pressure, and perceived physical health.

Parks also provide an economic benefit to their communities. A review by Texas A&M University found that parks and open space raise nearby property values and increase revenue from tourism. Trees and other growth are also estimated to save cities money in environmental impacts and the effects of storms.

“Getting outside can be good for the mind and soul,” Johnson said. “As a longtime advocate for parks and rec, I’m excited to celebrate Park and Recreation Month by supporting the state parks, public gardens and park districts that enrich our communities.”

Explore nearby public parks and outdoor events with the Lake County Summer Outdoor Guide.