Johnson: Local schools to receive over $2 million in evidence-based funding

• Evidence Based Funding

BUFFALO GROVE — State Senator Adriane Johnson announces a dozen school districts throughout the area will receive over $2 million in funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“Evidence-based funding is crucial for educational opportunities because it ensures that resources are allocated based on proven effectiveness rather than assumptions or convenience,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This approach increases the likelihood that investments will lead to meaningful improvements in student learning and achievement.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

Local schools set to receive funding through the formula:

• Adlai E Stevenson District 125: $4,447
• Aptakisic-Tripp Community Consolidated School District 102: $48,381
• Gurnee School District 56: $110,280
• Hawthorn Community Consolidated School District 73: $70,318
• Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96: $3,071
• Libertyville Community High School District 128: $3,173
• Lincolnshire-Prairieview School District 103: $1,610
• Mundelein Elementary School District 75: $385,679
• North Chicago School District 187: $643,724
• Safe School-Lake County ROE: $3,953
• Waukegan Community Unit School District 60: $6,166,131

The Fiscal Year 25 budget invested $350 million in funding into students’ success through the evidence-based funding model.

For more information on the FY 25 evidence-based funding distribution, visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

Johnson law empowers students to learn about climate solutions

• HB 4895
• Climate change education

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the importance of equipping students with knowledge about environmental challenges and solutions, State Senator Adriane Johnson championed a new law that will ensure students have access to comprehensive climate change education.

“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it disproportionately affects marginalized communities,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “By integrating climate change education in our schools, we are not only providing students with the knowledge they need to navigate these issues, but also promoting equity by ensuring all students, regardless of background, can use this critical information.”

Johnson’s law tasks public schools in Illinois with providing learning opportunities on the environmental and ecological impacts of climate change and solutions for addressing the crisis. Schools have the flexibility to decide whether to create a separate class or implement these lessons into existing relevant classes – such as science, agriculture and technical education courses.

“Educating our youth about climate change takes a multi-faceted approach,” said Johnson. “Empowering students with this knowledge will prepare them to be informed residents, helping to create and sustain resilient communities.”

House Bill 4895 was signed on Friday and goes into effect July 1, 2025.

Johnson supports breastfeeding mothers with new law

• HB 4819
• Lactation room
• Breastfeeding

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson spearheaded a new law requiring the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide lactation rooms for employees.

“All women should have the peace of mind that they will have a safe, secure and private place to pump when they return to work,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “In requiring this space, we further establish workplaces as supportive and inclusive for nursing mothers.”

This law requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide lactation rooms for employees to use. The rooms must be in each department facility that employs nursing mothers and each individual lactation room must meet certain requirements, such as containing electrical outlets for plugging in breast pumps and having a minimum of one refrigerator for storage of the breast milk.

“This law is necessary as it further ensures employees are comfortable and secure in the workplace throughout every stage in their lives,” said Johnson. “Mothers deserve to feel seen and supported.”

House Bill 4819 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Johnson law regulates the sale of products containing mercury

• HB 2363
• Regulation of product containing mercury

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson’s measure to regulate the sale of certain fluorescent lamps has been signed into law, further protecting residents from persistent and toxic pollutants.

“This law is essential in the effort to effectively reduce mercury pollution,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “By eliminating a root cause of mercury pollution, we reduce product waste containing traces of it from our disposal sites.”

This law bans the sale of newly manufactured screw-base, bayonet-base and pin-base compact fluorescent lamps and linear fluorescent lamps. Exemptions apply for certain fluorescent lamps used for medical diagnostics, academic research, photocopying and printing, and in vehicle headlights.

“The proper disposal of products containing mercury is a long-standing issue in preventing environmental contamination and protecting human health, because recycling programs are not always accessible,” said Johnson. “Ultimately, this law further protects the environment and residents throughout the state.”

House Bill 2363 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.