Caucus News

BUFFALO GROVE – Following the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Gurnee native Ladarrius M. Cowart at Bowen Park in Waukegan early Sunday morning, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) offered her condolences and urged anyone with information to come forward:

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the unfortunate and tragic death of Ladarrius M. Cowart, a recent high school graduate with a promising future.

“Ladarrius was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he paid a terrible price. His story is a reminder of the importance of youth development and gun violence prevention programs to address the root cause of crime in our communities

PARK CITY – To make it quick and easy for community members to get vaccinated against COVID-19, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is sponsoring a “One & Done” vaccination clinic Saturday, June 12 from 9-11 a.m. at the Park City Public Works Building, located at 333 Teske Blvd. in Park City.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way we can defend ourselves, our families and our communities against this deadly virus,” Johnson said. “If you haven’t gotten your dose yet, now is the time.”

Up to 150 doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available at the event, which is free and open to any area resident age 18 and up.

To date, nearly 300 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control recommends anyone who is eligible gets the vaccine as soon as possible—fully vaccinated people can resume most activities without wearing a mask or practicing social distancing.

Those interested in receiving a vaccine at the upcoming clinic can register online at www.SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com/VaccinateParkCity, but walk-ins are also welcome.

For more information, contact Johnson’s office at 847-672-6201.

SPRINGFIELD – To allow individuals who have overcome addiction to put their pasts behind them and move forward, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) has sponsored a measure to prohibit life insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing rates solely because an individual has undergone treatment for substance abuse.

“It takes strength, perseverance and resolve to seek treatment for an addiction,” Johnson said. “Life insurance companies shouldn’t punish those who have chosen to change their lives for the better.”

Johnson’s plan would prohibit a life insurance company from denying or limiting coverage or charging higher rates based solely on whether an individual has participated in a substance use treatment or recovery support program more than five years prior to application.

SPRINGFIELD – Older Illinoisans would have a better understanding of the state programs and resources available to them, even without easy access to the internet, under legislation proposed by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

“I’ve spoken to countless older neighbors who don’t have a computer or smartphone, or who simply aren’t comfortable navigating the internet,” Johnson said. “When events and services went digital during the pandemic, these Illinoisans were overlooked. Moving forward, we have to ensure no one is left out of the loop.”

The measure would require recipients of home-delivered meals to receive an annual fact sheet developed by the Department on Aging with a current list of toll-free numbers to access information on various health conditions, elder abuse and programs for seniors. Recipients would also receive updates on any new programs for older adults.

SPRINGFIELD – Community health issues could be better identified, understood and addressed under legislation sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) to conduct a statewide public health survey.

“As the past year has shown us, a public health crisis can impact different neighborhoods in vastly different ways,” Johnson said. “As we craft public health policy in the wake of the pandemic, it’s important that we understand each community’s unique needs.”

Johnson’s legislation would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to administer a comprehensive Healthy Illinois Survey every year to study public health and health equity in Illinois.

The survey would gather input from Illinois residents in urban, suburban and rural areas across the state. Survey questions would cover a range of topics, including access to health services, chronic health conditions, diet, mental health, physical activity, substance abuse and more.

SPRINGFIELD – Property owners’ associations couldn’t stop Illinois households from making the switch to greener energy alternatives under a plan sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove), which has passed the Senate.

“Solar panels are one of the best tools we have to make our homes greener and cleaner,” Johnson said. “Homeowners who want to install this technology on their own property shouldn’t have to wrestle with obstacles and delays.”

SPRINGFIELD – Property owners’ associations couldn’t stop Illinois households from making the switch to greener energy alternatives under a plan sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove), which has passed the Senate.

“Solar panels are one of the best tools we have to make our homes greener and cleaner,” Johnson said. “Homeowners who want to install this technology on their own property shouldn’t have to wrestle with obstacles and delays.”

The legislation would expand the Homeowners’ Energy Policy Statement Act to prevent property owners’ associations from enacting policies that outright or effectively prohibit their members from installing solar energy systems on buildings under 60 feet in height that do not have a shared roof. Currently, the act only covers buildings under 30 feet in height.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure schools are sensitive to the health and wellness of students of all backgrounds, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) sponsored a plan to permit students to avoid rigorous physical activity during periods of religious fasting, which has been approved by both chambers of the Illinois legislature.

“Common PE activities like running and playing sports can be particularly exhausting—and even dangerous—when kids are hungry,” Johnson said. “The passage of this bill shows Illinois’ commitment to the health and safety of kids across all our communities.”