SPRINGFIELD – After realizing the dire need for a new building, State Senator Adriane Johnson led a new law to expedite the process of constructing a new elementary school for North Chicago.
“It’s easy to see the construction of a new school is a more efficient solution than continuing to pour funds into rehabilitating the current building,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “We need to create safe and well-equipped schools, and this law will allow that to happen sooner rather than later.”
The new law allows North Chicago District 187 to move forward with a new building on the most efficient timeline possible by bypassing public referendum requirements — saving the district critical resources and time.
The current school building does not have drinkable water due to high levels of lead in the pipes, in addition to needing asbestos installation repair.
Twenty-five percent of North Chicago District 187 sits on federal land and has been awarded a number of federal grants to aid in the construction of a new school. The federal grant will cover 80% of all eligible costs for the construction of a new school with the remaining 20% of costs coming from a blend of state assistance, philanthropic dollars and approved bond revenues.
“Students spend so much of their time here, and we cannot continue to risk their health and well-being,” said Johnson. “Bypassing the referendum to begin this process sooner is simply the right thing to do. We owe students a safe learning environment.”
Senate Bill 464 was signed into law Friday and is effective immediately.
SPRINGFIELD – Better water quality is in the future for Lake Michigan, thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Adriane Johnson.
“We need to be doing all we can to protect our water quality, and this new law will continue to ensure our efforts in having a clean water supply,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Lake Michigan provides drinking water to millions of people in the state, so we will never stop our work in having safe, potable water.”
The law updates an existing provision to task the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) with regularly monitoring water quality from nearshores, harbors and public water supply intakes in Lake Michigan. The IEPA will also be required to provide an executive summary every two years on conditions of the lake’s water quality to the governor and General Assembly.
This update further aligns the state with the federal Clean Water Act and was included in a package initiative this spring session aimed at enhancing water quality.
“Ensuring the sustainability of Lake Michigan is critical for long-term planning and development in the state,” said Johnson. “Updating these protections supports sustainable growth in Illinois while also balancing economic, human and environmental needs.”
Senate Bill 3716 was signed into law Friday and is effective immediately.
SPRINGFIELD – To safeguard students statewide and ensure they are treated with respect in schools, State Senator Adriane Johnson spearheaded a law tackling corporal punishment in private and non-public schools.
“Every child deserves a safe and nurturing learning environment,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “Extending the ban on corporal punishment to all schools ensures no student in Illinois is subjected to physical punishment – which has been shown to have damaging effects on their well-being and development.”
The new law extends prohibitions on corporal and physical punishment in all schools in Illinois, rather than just public schools, except the use of certain restraints in specific circumstances to prevent a student from imminently harming themselves or others. Johnson’s law makes Illinois the fifth state in the nation to extend the ban on corporal punishment to non-public schools.
“Corporal punishment has no place in our educational system,” said Johnson. “By banning these practices, we are advocating for healthier, more effective methods of discipline that respect the dignity of our students.”
House Bill 4175 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.
SPRINGFIELD – A new law from State Senator Adriane Johnson will ensure students have the housing and resources they need to succeed.
“Everyone deserves adequate shelter and transportation. Here, we are able to ensure students basic needs are met,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “Helping students and parents in this way promotes mental and emotional well-being, and in turn, academic success.”
The law expands the uses for funds received by school districts from the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program. School districts will be permitted to use grant funding for rental assistance, transportation, emergency shelter assistance, case management services, and other housing strategies. The Illinois State Board of Education reported 58,498 students experienced homelessness during the 2022-2023 school year.
“In removing barriers for funds to assist students and supporting foundational elements, we contribute to the overall development and educational success of young people,” said Johnson. “In order to thrive academically, socially and emotionally, students need access to these necessary resources.”
House Bill 5407 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.
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