SPRINGFIELD – In May of 2022, a 23-year-old resident from the district State Senator Adriane Johnson represents lost his life after an ambulance collided with his motorcycle. Over the next year, she worked with his family to honor his life and ensure that no other person is injured or killed in such a way.

“Proper training will help save lives,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).  “As first responders work to protect one life, we must ensure other lives are not at risk.”

The measure comes after Donald Stallworth, III was tragically killed when his motorcycle was struck by an ambulance that went through a stop sign without active sirens. Reports from the crash said the ambulance did not have its siren on. Johnson worked in tandem with Stallworth’s family to ensure what happened that tragic day in Waukegan won’t happen to another person.

Together, they passed Senate Bill 1251 – which is known as the “Donald (DJ) Stallworth, III Act.” The law provides extended training for first responders as it pertains to sirens and lights on emergency vehicles. Further, it will require ambulances going through a red light or stop sign to use both the sound and light warnings.

“We must work as a collective to mitigate the risk of additional accidents when responding to emergencies,” Johnson said. “I commend Mr. and Mrs. Stallworth for their bravery and advocacy to tell their late son’s story and uplift his legacy to make adequate change.”

Senate Bill 1251 is signed into law Friday.

SPRINGFIELD – Soon students will no longer have to come face-to-face during the hearing process with a teacher or principal who is alleged to have committed sexual misconduct, thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Adriane Johnson.

“While seeking justice for students is imperative, I see no reason they need to be re-traumatized during the hearing process,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By providing alternative methods for testimony we can see that this does not occur.”

This measure prohibits victims or witnesses of sexual misconduct by a teacher from being compelled to testify at a disciplinary hearing in the physical or visual presence of a teacher or other witness if they are under age 18 or were at the time of the alleged conduct. The law requires hearing officers to make accommodations for witnesses to provide testimony remotely and specifies disciplinary measures for hearing officers who fail to do so.

“It is unfortunate these accommodations have to be made but we must ensure that survivors are supported and feel safe,” said Johnson.

House Bill 3592 was signed into law Frida

SPRINGFIELD – Prioritizing the needs of youth in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services with behavioral and mental health medical needs, State Senator Adriane Johnson championed a new law to ensure they get timely access to essential treatment.  

“It’s vital that we ensure youth in care who need residential treatment receive it in a timely and efficient manner,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “We must work to avoid out-of-state transfers or placements that can be disruptive to those with complex behavioral and mental health medical needs long term.”

Johnson’s law will require DCFS to develop a strategic plan to improve timely access to in-state residential treatment, evidence-based alternatives to treatment, and specialized foster care for youth in care with significant behavioral health needs.

According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois has only 13.8 behavioral health care professionals for every 10,000 residents. The erosion of the mental health care network in Illinois has a significant impact on access to care, increasing hospitalization for extended periods in emergency wards, and increasing expense for families of youth with complex intellectual or developmental disabilities. Most severely, it can lead to the willing relinquishment of a child into DCFS custody in order to fund psychiatric care.

“The very point of DCFS is to ensure children are uplifted, supported and receive the assistance they need,” said Johnson. “It is our duty to help youth in care by taking a safe, trauma-responsive approach.”

House Bill 439 was signed into law Friday.

CHICAGO – A measure to address homelessness led by State Senator Adriane Johnson was signed into law today.

“Homelessness is the effect of numerous causes,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By taking a comprehensive approach to decrease homelessness and improve health and human services, we are able to successfully combat root causes head on.”

House Bill 2831 will create an office within the Illinois Department of Human Services tasked with preventing and ending homelessness. The office will create a strategic plan aimed to decrease homelessness and improve health and human services outcomes for people who experience homelessness.

“Homelessness is a pervasive issue in our state that has been long overlooked,” said Johnson. ”We must continue to expand services to assist people and families who need it most.”

House Bill 2831 was signed into law Wednesday.