BUFFALO GROVE — As the colder months begin and more people are struggling financially due to the ongoing public health crisis, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is hosting a winter coat drive to help families in need stay warm.
“Winter coats can be quite expensive — especially for families who have multiple children,” Johnson said. “It’s getting cold, and there are many people who don't have coats – including some children who are wearing coats that don't properly fit them. Please help our community by donating new coats this year.”
To make it more convenient for people to donate, Senator Johnson will host a number of temporary drop-off locations throughout the district.
The dates and locations are as follows:
Senator Johnson’s office will be wearing masks and following COVID-19 protocols at each location. People who would like to donate can simply pull into the parking lot and hand the coats off through their car window.
Donated coats will be given to a number of non-profits and townships in need throughout the district.
Anyone with additional questions can contact Senator Johnson’s office at 847-672-4395 or
BUFFALO GROVE – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is encouraging businesses that were damaged during acts of civil unrest to apply for grants to help pay for repairs.
“Businesses have faced unprecedented financial struggles this year due to the ongoing public health crisis,” Johnson said. “The additional costs of repairing damage caused by civil unrest could be the difference between keeping their doors open or closing for good.”
Read more: Johnson encourages damaged businesses to apply for grants
BUFFALO GROVE – To support local businesses that continue to struggle due to the public health crisis and provide an opportunity for their owners to share concerns about the response to the pandemic, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is accepting applications to tour small businesses throughout the 30th District.
“Small businesses have faced unimaginable challenges this year, and many worry daily if they’ll be able to make it through the winter months,” Johnson said. “I want to tour these businesses, learn their owners’ stories, and encourage Lake County residents to help support them.”
Senator Johnson would like to visit a variety of businesses, including, but not limited to, retail shops, manufacturing businesses and businesses in the service industry – from salons to optometrists.
To sign up for a tour from Senator Johnson, businesses can visit SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com/SmallBusinessTours. Once an application is received, a member of her team will reach out with additional details.
People with questions can contact Senator Johnson’s office by calling 847-672-4395 or visiting SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com and clicking contact us.
BUFFALO GROVE — State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is encouraging families who want to buy a house but are hindered by student loan debt to take advantage of Illinois’ new SmartBuy mortgage and student loan assistance program.
“Young people, particularly young people who live in minority communities, are often held back from purchasing a home due to the weight of student loan debt,” Johnson said. “Families deserve the peace of mind that they can have both a quality education and a forever home.”
The Illinois Housing Development Authority launched the SmartBuy program, which offers a safe, affordable 30-year fixed rate first mortgage with $5,000 in assistance to be used toward a down payment and/or closing costs. In addition, the program allows people to combine their student loan debt into a mortgage in an effort to lower the high interest rate of student loans and get rid of the student loan portion of debt. The program provides 15% of the purchase price, or up to $40,000, in student loan debt relief to borrowers.
A 2018 study by the University of Illinois found that outstanding student loan debt negatively impacts wealth accumulation for all borrowers — regardless of race — but the impact is especially significant for Black and Latinx borrowers.
To qualify for SmartBuy, potential borrowers must have at least $1,000 in student loan debt and must pay off their full remaining student loan balance at closing. The program also requires a FICO mid-score of at least 640, and applicants must meet certain income and purchase price requirements.
SmartBuy was created using funding from the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan, and is expected to assist approximately 500 to 1000 borrowers.
Learn more about SmartBuy and find a list of SmartBuy approved loan vendors at www.ihdamortgage.org/smartbuy.
LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — As the cold winter months begin and the COVID-19 pandemic continues, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) and State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) urged Gov. JB Pritzker to establish a new moratorium against utility shut-offs.
“The high cost associated with electricity and gas bills during the winter months are already difficult for so many at-risk families — the addition of layoffs stemming from the ongoing public health crisis will make it even harder,” Morrison said. “No one should have to worry about how to keep their family safe and warm. A warm home is a basic human necessity that absolutely no one should have to go without.”
Johnson and Morrison, alongside other members of the Illinois Senate, sent Pritzker a letter Monday, urging him to establish a moratorium against utility shut-offs this winter. Although the Illinois Commerce Commission previously negotiated a voluntary moratorium with some companies — it’s not mandatory, nor have all companies signed on. The members of the Senate who sent the letter told the governor Illinois residents need assurances that they will continue to have heat, even if the pandemic causes them financial hardship.
“Families are already coping with the stress of potentially becoming ill from COVID-19. We must alleviate further potential illness stemming from a lack of proper heat,” Johnson said. “We, as Illinoisans, must continue to be nationwide leaders who show that we will prioritize every person’s needs — regardless of financial background, race or ZIP code.”
Morrison and Johnson urge Pritzker to immediately create a utility moratorium plan.
WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adrian Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is reminding Lake County residents that Waukegan’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is now also accepting walk-ups and is encouraging everyone to get tested.
“I’m glad to see that this critical testing service is now more accessible than ever before,” Johnson said. “It’s still essential that we continue to test for this virus to understand its presence in our community and the rest of the state. If you’re experiencing symptoms or may have come in contact with COVID-19, I encourage you to stop by and get tested.”
The site is still located at 102 W. Water St., and testing is available from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily while supplies last.
A person receiving a walk-up test, should enter off Genesee Street and follow the line marked by orange cones. If arriving by car, anyone who wants to be tested must be seated at a functioning window. Once in line at the testing site, everyone must stay in the car.
Read more: Johnson urges residents to take advantage of COVID-19 testing
BUFFALO GROVE – To help small business owners dealing with the devastating financial impact of COVID-19, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is pleased to learn nearly $900,000 has been awarded to businesses in the district she represents through the state’s Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.
“Small business owners have faced continuous worries this year over whether they’ll have to shut their doors and how they’ll be able to support their families,” Johnson said. “Money awarded through these grants will help them be able to continue to bolster our communities through their products and services.”
Read more: Johnson: Nearly $900,000 awarded to small businesses in 30th District
BUFFALO GROVE – Following increased COVID-19 restrictions throughout Lake County and the surrounding area, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is reminding local businesses of priority funding assistance through the second round of Business Interruption Grants.
“Small businesses – be it a restaurant or boutique – bolster our local economy and are in need of financial assistance – both through grants and from community support,” Johnson said. “Businesses in our area will be given priority funding due to increased mitigation efforts set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health, so I encourage them to apply immediately.”
The BIG Program has allocated $220 million in the second round for local businesses to help them stay afloat through this time of crisis and ensure they have the resources to open safely in the coming months. Priority will be given to businesses located in areas that have increased mitigation.
BIG funds may be used to help businesses cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic. Priority funding is given to any business located in an area that has stricter COVID-19 rules under the order of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
During its first round of funding earlier this year, the program granted more than $49 million to small businesses across the state.
Applications can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website alongside a full list of criteria.
Additionally, Johnson urges anyone willing and able to shop small this holiday season to support these businesses. Supporting local can be as simple as buying a gift card for a friend, leaving a positive review online or ordering takeout from a favorite restaurant.
Page 17 of 18