Johnson invites residents to Coffee & Connect in downtown Waukegan

WAUKEGAN – To hear from constituents and connect residents with resources, State Senator Adriane Johnson will host an upcoming event at Coffee Break & Lunch in Waukegan.

The event is scheduled to take place at 224 Washington St. in Waukegan, this Saturday, June 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

“After a condensed legislative session, I’m excited to be back at home with my neighbors and invite them to chat with my office at a local business in downtown Waukegan,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

Coffee & Connect serves as an open forum for community members to engage in informal conversations with Sen. Johnson about issues facing the region and state. The event is open to any resident of the 30th District, which includes parts of Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, North Chicago, Wheeling, Gurnee, Park City, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Beach Park.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to connect with constituents at Coffee Break & Lunch,” Johnson said. “If you want to discuss new legislation, state resources or another issue you care about, I hope to see you there.”

Residents interested in more information on future Coffee & Connect sessions and other upcoming events can visit www.SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com.

Johnson: Expanding access to fentanyl test strips will save lives

SPRINGFIELD – With support from State Senator Adriane Johnson, a new law aims to help medical professionals get more fentanyl test strips into the hands of individuals with opioid addictions.

“Expanding access to fentanyl test strips will save lives,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By removing barriers for health care workers with access to test strips, Illinois is taking responsible, proactive steps to address the opioid crisis and improve public safety.”

The new law expands the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act of 2019. Previously, unauthorized medical professionals would be penalized for possessing a limited residual amount of a controlled substance as part of the drug testing process.

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Johnson applauds new law to offer opioid overdose reversal drugs for free

SPRINGFIELD – A new law in Illinois will make naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, more accessible, with strong support from State Senator Adriane Johnson.

“Naloxone is a life-saving medication,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “The more accessible naloxone is, the better chance we have at saving someone from succumbing to their addiction.”

The new law will prohibit insurers and Medicaid from charging a copay for naloxone – an opioid suppressant. Naloxone can be lifesaving for people overdosing on opioids, but can often be inaccessible with a cost of up to $140 for two doses.

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Johnson commends new law to invest in child care for first responders

SPRINGFIELD – The governor signed a plan into law with support from State Senator Adriane Johnson to invest in child care services for workers with non-traditional schedules, such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and more.

“First responders and other third shift emergency workers have difficulty finding reliable child care,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By creating the Off-hours Child Care Program Fund, Illinois is working to increase accessibility for parents in public service who work non-traditional hours.”

Previously filed as House Bill 1571, the new law requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Program to assist first responders and other workers with access to off-hours, night, or sleep time child care. The program is appropriated $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

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