WAUKEGAN – With support from State Senator Adriane Johnson, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently announced the latest round of Back to Business grants awarded to businesses in the restaurant industry.

“Back to Business grants are essential to local businesses as they recover,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “These grants are what allow our local economy to thrive.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided over $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Eleven restaurants in Johnson’s district will receive a combined total of $520,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“Local restaurants are often the pillars of the community,” said Johnson. “Programs like the Back to Business grants allow these businesses to maintain their place within the community."

For more information about the Back to Business grant program, visit DCEO’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the state assault weapons ban:

“Our state holds a great responsibility to protect people from the continued act of gun violence caused by assault weapons. I am thankful the Illinois Supreme Court has stood steadfast in their decision to ban assault weapons, as no person should be able to easily acquire this level of weaponry.”

WAUKEGAN – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by State Senator Adriane Johnson, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of $121 million in road and bridge improvement projects coming to the area.

“Through these investments, both local residents and tourists will be able to travel more safely,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By investing in our infrastructure, we are investing in our communities.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Johnson represents will see 27 infrastructure projects totaling more than $121 million over the next six years.

SPRINGFIELD – In May of 2022, a 23-year-old resident from the district State Senator Adriane Johnson represents lost his life after an ambulance collided with his motorcycle. Over the next year, she worked with his family to honor his life and ensure that no other person is injured or killed in such a way.

“Proper training will help save lives,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).  “As first responders work to protect one life, we must ensure other lives are not at risk.”

The measure comes after Donald Stallworth, III was tragically killed when his motorcycle was struck by an ambulance that went through a stop sign without active sirens. Reports from the crash said the ambulance did not have its siren on. Johnson worked in tandem with Stallworth’s family to ensure what happened that tragic day in Waukegan won’t happen to another person.

Together, they passed Senate Bill 1251 – which is known as the “Donald (DJ) Stallworth, III Act.” The law provides extended training for first responders as it pertains to sirens and lights on emergency vehicles. Further, it will require ambulances going through a red light or stop sign to use both the sound and light warnings.

“We must work as a collective to mitigate the risk of additional accidents when responding to emergencies,” Johnson said. “I commend Mr. and Mrs. Stallworth for their bravery and advocacy to tell their late son’s story and uplift his legacy to make adequate change.”

Senate Bill 1251 is signed into law Friday.