Welcome to Senator Adriane Johnson's Legislative Website

Johnson urges local communities to apply for OSLAD grant

BUFFALO GROVE – State Senator Adriane Johnson is encouraging communities in the 30th District to apply for assistance through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program.

“Now is the time we utilize funding to rebuild local parks in our communities and provide our children and neighbors with safe and new attractions,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “I am encouraging our park districts to take advantage of the opportunity by applying for this grant.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be accepting applications for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grants through Aug. 31.

The program offers state-financed funding assistance to local governmental agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas. A total of $37.5 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants. IDNR will provide funding to cover 90% of eligible projects located in distressed communities, or locations recovering from storm damage that apply as physically distressed communities.

Applications are being accepted through Aug. 31 and should be submitted to IDNR. For more information on the OSLAD program, visit IDNR’s website.

Johnson secures over $581,000 for 30th District libraries

BUFFALO GROVE – State Senator Adriane Johnson announced 16 public libraries and school districts in the district she represents are set to receive more than $581,000 for library services, enhanced programming and construction and security upgrades.

“In the increasingly digital world we live in, libraries can be a lifeline to students, job seekers, low-income families and more,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By supporting their work, we’re building a bright future for our kids and our community.”

More than $27 million was awarded to over 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries statewide through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, Security and Construction Grants and School Library Grants. The funding will support libraries’ investments in reading materials, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades. School library grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support student learning and literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade.

In Johnson’s district, four public libraries and twelve school districts received funding, including:

• North Chicago Public Library - $206,747
• Waukegan Public Library - $151,846
• Warren-Newport Public Library District - $113,011
• Vernon Area Public Library District - $75,150
• Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 - $11,131
• Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125 - $4,148
• Hawthorn School District 73 - $2,959
• Kildeer Countryside School District 96 - $2,927
• Community High School District 128 - $2,735
• Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 - $2,125
• Mundelein Elementary School District 120 - $1,951
• Lincolnshire Prairie View School District 103 - $1,618
• Gurnee School District 56 - $1,514
• North Chicago Community Unit School District 187 - $1,503
• Mundelein Elementary School District 75 - $1,300
• Oak Grove School District 68 - $850

A full list of public and school libraries receiving grant funding can be found here.

Johnson’s law increases notary applications

SPRINGFIELD – Under a new law from State Senator Adriane Johnson, individuals with prior felony convictions may apply to become a notary public.

“Notaries play an important role in protecting the integrity of legal and financial documents, helping prevent fraud and ensure trust in everyday transactions,” Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Giving former felons who have demonstrated rehabilitation the chance to become notaries recognizes that accountability and redemption go hand in hand.”

Under previous law, individuals who have been convicted of a felony cannot apply to become a notary. House Bill 4277 allows individuals who have completed all requirements of felony sentences to apply to apply become a notary so long as it has been 10 years since the completion of their sentence.

The new law only allows the individual to apply for appointment and commission as a notary, it does not guarantee a position. The applicant must still go through the typical process involved in becoming a notary.

House Bill 4277 was signed into law Friday.

Johnson’s new law protects individuals in assisted living facilities

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson’s new law will provide transparency and security to individuals in assisted living facilities, when facilities are closing.

“Residents in long-term care settings deserve transparency, accountability and support when major changes occur at their facilities,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “With this law, we are taking an important step toward ensuring that closures are handled with greater coordination and oversight so individuals and families are not left without guidance during difficult transitions.”

House Bill 5047 requires owners of assisted living facilities, medically complex for the developmentally disabled facilities and intermediate care facilities to notify the Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman when the facility is voluntarily closing. Under former law, only residents, resident’s representatives or family members had to be notified when their residence was going to be terminated.

Johnson’s new law will allow long-term care residents to receive advocacy services related to the closures of these facilities and ensure their rights are being upheld through the Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman.

House Bill 5047 was signed into law Friday.