SPRINGFIELD — To raise awareness and improve understanding of a rare but life-altering condition, State Senator Adriane Johnson presented a resolution to the Senate declaring September 2025 as Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month in Illinois.

“Scarring alopecia is more than just hair loss — it’s a permanent, often painful condition that deeply impacts people’s physical and emotional well-being,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By naming September as Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on this condition and supporting those who live with it.”

SPRINGFIELD —Seeking to ensure greater fairness and dignity in access to life insurance, State Senator Adriane Johnson champions legislation that would prohibit insurers from denying final expense life insurance coverage solely because an applicant has a past felony conviction.

“No one should be denied the ability to plan for the future because of a past mistake,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “People who have served their time deserve the opportunity to protect their loved ones from the financial burdens that come with end-of-life costs.”

House Bill 2425 would prohibit companies offering final expense life insurance policies from refusing to insure someone, limiting their coverage, or charging higher rates solely based on a felony conviction. The bill makes clear that this protection does not extend to individuals who are currently incarcerated.

SPRINGFIELD — Seeking to ensure greater fairness and dignity in access to life insurance, State Senator Adriane Johnson is championing legislation that would prohibit insurers from denying final expense life insurance coverage solely because an applicant has a past felony conviction.

“Having a criminal record should not be a life sentence that follows you to the grave,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Everyone deserves the ability to plan for their final expenses and to spare their loved ones from unexpected financial burdens—especially those who have already served their time and are working to move forward.”

SPRINGFIELD — Student teachers in Illinois may soon have new opportunities for fair compensation, thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Adriane Johnson that passed the Senate.

“Student teachers are not volunteers — they’re future educators doing real, meaningful work in classrooms every single day,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This legislation breaks down outdated barriers that prevented them from being paid and opens the door for school districts, nonprofits, and higher education institutions to offer compensation.”

House Bill 3528 would prohibit public universities from enforcing policies that require student teachers to work without the possibility of pay. While the bill does not mandate payment, it removes language that explicitly prohibits compensation — allowing local innovation and partnership in addressing the teacher shortage.

SPRINGFIELD — After an incarcerated man named Eddie Thomas died alone in a prison infirmary without receiving any end-of-life care, State Senator Adriane Johnson is championing legislation to bring dignity, compassion, and transparency to hospice and palliative care services in Illinois correctional facilities.

“This bill is about basic human dignity,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “No one should die in pain, in isolation or without the comfort of care — no matter who they are or where they live. House Bill 2397 brings transparency to a system that too often leaves people to suffer silently.”

Hospice and palliative care programs are designed to relieve suffering, manage symptoms and honor the values of individuals facing serious or terminal illness. Yet, of the more than 1,500 state prisons across the country, fewer than 5% offer any hospice care at all.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson advocated for a package of legislation designed to foster healthier learning environments, enhance access to mental health care, and expand educational and job opportunities for some of Illinois’ most vulnerable populations during a subject matter hearing Tuesday.

“Whether it’s supporting a student’s mental health, improving the air they breathe in classrooms, or helping young adults get on the path to a good-paying job, we must continue to invest in the people and systems that shape our communities,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “These bills are about access, equity, and building a better Illinois for all.”

SPRINGFIELD — To ensure all students receive equitable access to school counseling and support services, State Senator Adriane Johnson championed a measure to clarify that school counselors are permitted to serve all students, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status.

“Every student deserves access to trusted adults and supportive services in their school,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This legislation ensures that school counselors can serve all students without ambiguity or hesitation.”

Senate Bill 405 would require school counselors to work to address the academic, social, emotional, and postsecondary needs of all students, regardless of their citizenship status. The measure would reinforce existing practice and professional standards while providing clear statutory guidance that promotes inclusivity and equity across Illinois schools.

SPRINGFIELD — In a continued push to build a fairer and more rehabilitative justice system, State Senator Adriane Johnson is championing legislation to make it easier for young people convicted of serious crimes to have their sentences reviewed under evolving constitutional standards.

“Young people deserve a system that recognizes their capacity for change,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This bill acknowledges that emerging adults are fundamentally different from fully mature adults, and our sentencing practices must reflect that.”

Senate Bill 248 would eliminate procedural barriers that currently prevent individuals convicted of a felony before turning 21 from seeking sentence review based on the principles of restorative justice embedded in the Illinois Constitution.