BUFFALO GROVE – After hosting a successful constituent outreach event at a Lincolnshire pizzeria last month, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) decided to hold the September edition of Coffee & Connect at a locally owned, all-in-one health food destination in Buffalo Grove.

The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 25 from 10 - 11 a.m. at Purple Sprout Conscious Organics, located at 364 Lexington Drive in Buffalo Grove.

“Hosting last month’s Coffee & Connect at a locally owned business was a huge success—it offered residents a convenient opportunity to chat with me, and it gave one of my favorite small businesses a boost,” Johnson said. “I’m hoping this month’s meeting at Purple Sprout is just as beneficial.”

Each monthly Coffee & Connect serves as an open forum for community members to engage in informal conversations with the senator about issues facing the region and state.

Purple Sprout Conscious Organics, owned by Irina Kuznetsova and her husband Karim Raimbekov, opened in 2015. The shop offers healthy snacks, home-delivered meals and holistic health coaching services.

At Coffee & Connect, participants can enjoy free coffee and fresh pastries, but Purple Sprout boasts an extensive menu of nutritious plant-based desserts for purchase, including cakes, muffins, chocolate and more. All products are made from scratch without refined sugar, grains or flours, and everything is vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free.

The event is open to any resident of the 30^th District, which includes parts of Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, North Chicago, Wheeling, Gurnee, Park City, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Beach Park.

Residents interested in more information on future Coffee & Connect sessions and other upcoming events can visit www.SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com or keep up with Senator Johnson on Facebook and Twitter.

“I’m thrilled to be able to connect with constituents at Purple Sprout, a one-of-a-kind business promoting healthy living in our community,” Johnson said. “If you want to discuss new legislation, state resources or another issue you care about, I hope to see you there.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following the Illinois General Assembly’s passage of a comprehensive energy policy overhaul package, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) said it’s a sign Illinois is finally stepping up to protect the communities most vulnerable to pollution and climate change:

“We’re already seeing the catastrophic effects of climate change right here in Lake County: heat waves, more intense storms and rising water levels on Lake Michigan are threatening households across the community. Low-income neighborhoods and neighborhoods of color have borne the brunt of air and water pollution for decades, and their health has suffered.

“But thanks to Senate Bill 2408, our future looks brighter. Illinois now has a plan to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050 in a way that protects jobs and creates new opportunities for Black and Brown Illinoisans looking to enter the green energy industry.

“Good energy policy is about people, not fossil fuel companies. I’m proud to support this groundbreaking green energy plan and help Illinois move forward into a better future.”

BUFFALO GROVE – As State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) looks ahead to the next legislative session, she is giving residents the chance to help shape her policy plans by filling out a new online survey.

“When I’m planning my legislative agenda, constituent input has the most significant influence on my priorities,” Johnson said. “I encourage residents to take a few minutes to fill out this survey and make their voices heard on a wide range of legislative issues.”

Topics covered in the survey include job growth and economic development, small business, infrastructure, and education.

“This survey isn’t the only opportunity for residents to give me their feedback,” Johnson said. “Call my office, attend an event or send me an email to share your ideas and concerns—I’m listening.”

Residents can complete the survey at www.SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com/2021survey. To offer input on topics not included in the survey, residents are encouraged to contact Johnson’s office at 847-672-6201 or www.SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com/contact-us.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois could become a national leader on reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change under the new Energy Transition Act, which passed the Senate Wednesday with support from longtime environmental justice advocate State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

“This legislation is an important first step in Illinois’ transition to clean energy,” Johnson said. “Investing in communities that have historically borne the brunt of climate change and putting safety nets in place for displaced power plant workers will help set the stage for a more equitable energy sector that puts people—not fossil fuel companies—first.”

The comprehensive energy plan would set Illinois on a path toward 50% renewable energy by 2040 and 100% renewable energy by 2050. Municipally owned coal- and natural gas-fired power plants would also have to reduce their carbon emissions to zero by 2045.

The measure would also create a number of support programs for workers and communities impacted by the transition to clean energy. New wind and solar installations across the state are expected to create thousands of jobs, and workforce development programs would help prepare the current energy workforce for long-term, good-paying careers in the green energy industry.

To empower neighborhoods that have been disproportionately harmed by pollution, the Energy Transition Act would carve out specific programs and incentives for low-income communities, communities of color and justice-involved people, ensuring more equitable access to the clean energy economy.

“Our work is far from over, but I am proud of the progress we made today,” Johnson said. “I look forward to continuing to work with advocates and community stakeholders toward a cleaner, greener Illinois.”

Senate Bill 18 passed the Senate Wednesday and now heads to the House for further consideration.