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 30^th 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.

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.”

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.

BUFFALO GROVE – In response to a 19-year-old Black man being fatally shot by police in her community, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is pushing for an end of police brutality and equity for Black people across the state.

“Justice must be served for this young man — and every man, woman and child who has been a victim of systemic racism and police brutality,” Johnson said. “We have to get to the root of this problem and ensure that we do not become numb to or normalize these senseless deaths.  And, we have to dismantle systemic racism.”

Marcellis Stinnette, a 19-year-old unarmed Black man, was fatally shot by a Waukegan police officer last week. An officer shot at a vehicle last Tuesday night, killing Stinnette and wounding the driver, 20-year-old Tafara Williams. The officer was later fired for committing “multiple policy and procedure violations,” according to the Waukegan Police Department.

Johnson said last week’s heartbreaking incident is further proof of the need to pass the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ four pillar legislative agenda this fall. The group’s agenda addresses criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability, as well as economic and health care equity.

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus has held a number of committee hearings over the past month in an effort to dive further into racial disparities across all sectors of life.

The four pillars include:

I. Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
II. Education and workforce development
III. Economic access, equity and opportunity
IV. Health care and human services

“I extend my thoughts and prayers to Marcellis Stinnette’s family and friends for his tragic and untimely death. I pray for a speedy and full recovery for Tafara Williams, as she is fighting for her life,” Johnson said. “But, thoughts and prayers are simply not enough. I know we are feeling an emptiness and deep-rooted pain because of the repeated shootings of Black and Brown people.”

VERNON HILLS – As the state continues to see a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is urging Lake County residents to take advantage of a free mobile testing site coming to Vernon Hills Thursday.

“Getting tested if you’ve been exposed to the virus, have traveled or feel ill is vital to reducing the spread of COVID-19,” Johnson said. “The free mobile site gives Lake County residents quicker and easier access to testing that will help keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health will set up a COVID-19 mobile testing site at Vernon Hills High School, located at 145 Lakeview Parkway, Thursday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Anyone will be able to get tested at the site for free, regardless of symptoms. No appointment is necessary, but daily testing supplies are limited, so residents are encouraged to visit early.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.

However, people with COVID-19 can spread the virus before they start showing symptoms, and some individuals may be asymptomatic. For this reason, IDPH recommends testing for anyone who has recently been part of a large gathering or has been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.

For more information about COVID-19 testing, visit http://www.dph.illinois.gov/testing.