Insurance must cover pancreatic cancer screenings under Johnson law

• Health
• Insurance

SPRINGFIELD – In memory of many friends and loved ones who have succumbed to the disease, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) sponsored a law to encourage early detection and improve outcomes by expanding access to pancreatic cancer screenings.

“Pancreatic cancer can be deadly, but early detection makes a significant difference for patients’ length of survival and quality of life,” Johnson said. “I’m proud to have sponsored this law to make screening accessible and affordable for every Illinoisan.”

The measure requires all Illinois health insurance providers to cover medically necessary pancreatic cancer screenings.

In 2021, an estimated 60,430 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. and approximately 48,220 people will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer include abdominal and back pain, weight loss, jaundice, and nausea or loss of appetite.

“Early pancreatic cancer screenings for those at risk can create better outlooks for a patient, which is why we wanted to expand affordable access with this measure,” said State Representative Carol Ammons (D-Urbana), who sponsored the legislation in the House. “Cancer screenings were significantly down last year due to the pandemic. I encourage residents to talk to their doctor about their risk factors and whether it makes sense to get checked out. It could save your life.”

To reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, the Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

“With this law in place, there’s no reason not to get screened,” Johnson said. “Make an appointment to talk to your doctor about your risk factors, and encourage your friends and family to do the same.”

The law, originally Senate Bill 968, was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Johnson invites Lake County youth to stand up against gun violence at upcoming event

• Waukegan
• Event
• In the district
• Students

WAUKEGAN – Over 26,000 lives have been lost to gun violence in the U.S. so far in 2021, a shocking statistic that motivated State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) and her Youth Leadership Advisory Panel to take action.

Together, Johnson and the student-run panel will host a Gun Violence Awareness Roundtable on Tuesday, Aug. 10 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Jane Addams Center in Bowen Park, located at 95 Jack Benny Drive in Waukegan.

Clearview Park, located at 1523 N. McAree Road in Waukegan.

“This year is on pace to be America’s deadliest year of gun violence in decades,” Johnson said. “To put a stop to the tragedy, we have to come together as a community to find solutions and make change.”

The roundtable will feature presentations from religious and community leaders, including Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg; Pastor Wade Stevenson with the Gideon Missionary Baptist Church in Waukegan; Oji Eggleston, executive director of Chicago Survivors; and Maria Pike, a Senior Fellow with the Everytown Survivor Network and volunteer with the Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action, who also serves on the Chicago Survivors board of directors.

Johnson’s Youth Leadership Advisory Panel will lead a discussion with featured speakers about the effects of gun violence on the Lake County community, followed by a Q&A.

At the end of the event, audience members will walk away with a better understanding of gun violence prevention resources and support networks to empower them to continue their advocacy and save lives.

This roundtable is the second event spearheaded by Johnson’s 2021 Youth Leadership Advisory Panel, a student-run panel that works alongside Johnson’s district office staff to help put together youth-centered community events and amplify young voices in the Lake County area.

“I am proud to be a member of the senator’s Youth Leadership Advisory Panel because I can help to educate my peers on what they can do to promote gun violence prevention awareness,” said Ellie Baden, a rising junior at Michigan State University and co-chair of the 2021 Youth Leadership Advisory Panel. “Together, we can work as a community to empower students to call for meaningful action.”

Register for the event at www.SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com/GVRoundtable.

Johnson offers free admission to Chicago-area museums

• Education
• In the district
• Apply Now

BUFFALO GROVE – Starting Aug. 2, residents of the 30th District can enjoy free admission to over a dozen Chicago-area museums and other attractions with the Constituent Education Resource Card, available through the office of State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

“This card makes it possible for anyone in the district to access the outstanding educational resources Chicago offers at no cost,” said Johnson. “I want to help as many families as possible take advantage of this cost-saving opportunity.”

During the month of August, the card will be available for checkout from Johnson’s district office, located at 149 S. Genesee St. in Waukegan. To make it more convenient for residents across the community to take advantage of the program, the card will then rotate to local public libraries for checkout, starting with Indian Trails Public Library in Wheeling in September.

To check out the card, residents must email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least 48 hours in advance of their visit. A member of staff will respond to coordinate a plan for checkout and return of the card. Residents may keep the card for up to two days before returning it to the checkout site.

Museums in the Park, a coalition of Chicago museums, sponsors the program in collaboration with the State. The card provides free entry for up to four people at 16 Chicago-area institutions, including the Chicago Botanic Garden, the DuSable Museum of African American History, and the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center.

Any resident of the 30th District may reserve the card on a first-come, first-served basis. People with questions are encouraged to contact Johnson’s office at 847-672-6201.

Johnson teams up with Youth Leadership Advisory Panel for upcoming park cleanup event

• Parks
• Environment
• Event
• In the district
• Students

NORTH CHICAGO – To protect the picturesque natural spaces and diverse wildlife of Lake County, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) and her Youth Leadership Advisory Panel will host a community park cleanup in partnership with Clean Power Lake County.

The event will take place Saturday, Aug. 7 from 8-10 a.m. in Foss Park, located at 1901 Foss Park Ave. in North Chicago.

“This park cleanup is a hands-on way for people of all ages to get involved in the effort to preserve our natural spaces,” Johnson said. “The environmental crisis can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we all have the power to make a difference in our own communities.”

Children and families are invited to participate in the cleanup. Students in National Honor Society and other service-oriented clubs can count hours spent at the cleanup toward required volunteer hours—a representative from Johnson’s office will be on hand to sign log sheets.

Johnson’s 2021 Youth Leadership Advisory Panel spearheaded the event. The student-run panel works alongside Johnson’s district office staff to help put together youth-centered community events and amplify young voices in the Lake County area.

“With this panel and our events, I hope to inspire younger generations to get more involved with pressing societal issues and advocate for their own beliefs within their community,” said Maddie Wang, a junior at Stevenson High School and co-chair of the 2021 Youth Leadership Advisory Panel.

Registration is not required, but interested participants are encouraged to sign up for updates at bit.ly/VolunteerBeachCleanup.