WAUKEGAN – To kick off Parks and Recreation Month, State Senator Adriane Johnson announced funding to support projects in the Buffalo Grove and Waukegan park districts as well as the Village of Libertyville.

“Parks are vital to the health of a community, and park districts ensure operations are functional and run smoothly,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By making improvements to parks in Buffalo Grove, Libertyville and Waukegan, we are supporting the overall well-being of our residents.”

Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and support local park projects. When combined with local matching funds, the latest OSLAD grants provide more than $56 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide.

The Buffalo Grove Park District received $400,000 to revitalize Prairie Grove Park, the Waukegan Park District received $400,000 to renovate Bevier Park and the Village of Libertyville received $400,000 for phase 1 of Nicholas Dowden Park.

“This Parks and Recreation Month, I encourage residents to spend time learning, playing or being active outdoors,” Johnson said.

Learn more about OSLAD grants and see a full list of projects on the Illinois DNR website.

WAUKEGAN – After reviewing reports from the mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July Parade on Monday morning, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) grieves for the lives lost, feels remorse for the families affected and renews her calls to explore more comprehensive gun safety policies. She released the following statement:

“The Fourth of July commemorates one of the most significant achievements in our nation’s history but will now be remembered with despair, trauma and bloodshed.

“The local police personnel and first responders who ran into the gunfire undoubtedly saved innocent families attending the parade. Their heroic actions are the one bright spot in this unforeseeable tragedy. From the bottom of my heart—thank you for your diligent service.

“Mass shootings, gun violence and domestic terrorism are major threats to the fabric of our nation. And although I wasn’t in Highland Park, as a senator representing a portion of Lake County, I take the damage caused by this attack personally.

“By all accounts, targeting children, families and other parade-goers at the celebration of our country’s independence is intolerable, reprehensible and unfortunately an event the community will never forget.

“To uplift Highland Park, the lives lost and the numerous lives forever changed, we must take a serious look at what we are doing to prevent carnage, reduce violence and improve safety through comprehensive gun control policies.”

WAUKEGAN – To ensure communities have a safe option to discard opioids and other prescription medication, State Senator Adriane Johnson supported a new Illinois law to create a statewide disposal program.

“Prescription drug abuse is dangerous and hurting families in every corner of our state,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This new law will protect our children and help prevent individuals from forming addictions by creating an option for community members to dispose of prescription drugs.”

Filed under House Bill 1780, the statewide program will ensure all Illinois residents and visitors have a safe option to dispose unwanted medications.

The law was signed Friday and is effective immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Under a new law by State Senator Adriane Johnson, the Illinois Department of Public Health will work with officials from Governors State University to develop a stroke recognition awareness campaign to promote in communities at high risk.

“Strokes are a serious, life-threatening medical emergency, and urgent treatment is essential,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Educating the public on the signs of a stroke will save lives.”

Johnson’s law directs IDPH to partner with Governor’s State University’s College of Health and Human Services to create a public awareness campaign in an effort to promote stroke recognition and prevention strategies for communities at high risk of stroke, particularly in Chicago’s southland.

Signed into law Friday, House Bill 5014 is effective Jan. 1, 2023.