WAUKEGAN – The Illinois Department of Public Health will partner with the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center to administer much-needed vaccines to residents in Waukegan and surrounding communities, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) announced today.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has further accentuated health disparities and the need for more accessible and equitable health care,” Johnson said. “The new vaccine site in Waukegan recognizes people who are often overlooked, helping boost their confidence. It will give more people hope for the future that they will be able to live their lives feeling safe from the virus.”

BUFFALO GROVE — State Senator Adriane Johnson has seen small businesses in the community suffer like never before. To provide those businesses support and let their owners know she is there to help them through this difficult time, the Buffalo Grove Democrat toured a number of shops throughout the Northern Suburbs.

“Small businesses have faced unimaginable challenges this year, and many owners worry daily if they’ll be able to make it through the winter months,” Johnson said. “Each person I met has faced a unique set of challenges. I’m hopeful our conversations served as a reminder that people are looking out for them and want to see them succeed.”

BUFFALO GROVE – Up to 750 North Chicago residents will be able to get vaccinated each week at a clinic opening at the Greenbelt Community Center next week. State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is encouraging anyone eligible for the vaccine to register for an appointment.

“Seniors have been waiting nearly a year for a sense of normalcy,” Johnson said. “Now that the vaccine exists, many are still waiting for their chance to roll up their sleeves. The North Chicago clinic will allow hundreds of residents to finally receive their long-awaited dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.”

The vaccine clinic, located at the Greenbelt Community Center, opens Feb. 15. Its hours will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. 

The clinic is sponsored by AbbVie, a research-based global biopharmaceutical company with a long-standing commitment to North Chicago. Together, North Chicago Community Partners, AbbVie, and the Lake County Health Department hope to reach as many community members as possible.

Registration is required. To register, North Chicago residents should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with their full name, phone number and birthdate. Anyone with questions can call North Chicago Community Partners at 847-582-1362.

Those who need assistance getting to the clinic can contact Pace’s Dial-A-Ride service at 1-800-201-6446.

BUFFALO GROVE – State Senator Adriane Johnson is encouraging students from underrepresented communities who want to pursue a degree in science, technology, engineering or math to apply for the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative.

“Underrepresented groups should have the opportunity to enter and succeed in science and math-based careers,” Johnson said. “College is expensive and seems like a daunting and unlikely possibility for many minority students. I hope this scholarship will give young people from our communities the chance they’ve always dreamed of.”

The Future of STEM Scholars initiative will provide a total of $40,000 to each awarded student, which would be paid at a rate of $10,000 per year. Additionally, the students would receive internship preparation and placement, leadership training and access to mentorship opportunities.

Students who will graduate with at least a 3.0 GPA this year and plan to major in a STEM-related field at a historically black college or university are eligible. Areas of STEM include, but are not limited to, computer science, chemical engineering and biology.

The collaborative equity, diversity and inclusion initiative was spearheaded by the American Chemistry Council along with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, The Chemours Company and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week Foundation.

Applications are due Feb. 15. For more information and to apply, students can visit the scholarships tab on the Historically Black Colleges or Universities Week Foundation’s website.

BUFFALO GROVE – As the coldest part of the year continues, families are turning up their thermostats to stay warm. With additional furnace use comes greater possibility of home fires, leading Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) to remind people they need to regularly check their smoke detectors, furnaces and other home devices.

“Home fires are more common in winter than any other season, and heating equipment is one of the main causes,” Johnson said. “The best way to ensure your family stays safe this winter is to regularly check that your furnace, furnace filters and smoke detectors are working properly.” 

Between 2012 and 2016 alone, the National Fire Protection Association said local departments responded to more than 52,000 fires involving home heating equipment – most of which happened in December, January and February. Checking home heating devices and smoke detectors is the first step toward ensuring a home is protected.

Homeowners should also keep in mind the harmful effects of carbon monoxide – a colorless and odorless gas only detectable by certain devices and alarms. If that equipment is not checked monthly, carbon monoxide can sneak up on a household – leading to serious illness or death. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu and include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness.

“If you don’t check your carbon monoxide devices regularly, you could be putting your family at risk,” Johnson said. “Carbon monoxide can kill you before you’re even aware it’s in your home if you don’t regularly test your alarms.”

The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal recommends homeowners keep these tips in mind when it comes to winter heating safety:

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Change furnace filters frequently.
• Keep interior and exterior air vents clear of blockages or obstructions.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like a furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month and be familiar with the sounds they make.
• Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on each floor of your home and within 15 feet of each sleeping area.
• Check the manufacturer’s instructions for information on replacement of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

For more tips and information on winter heating safety, visit the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal website.

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) joined Governor JB Pritzker at the newly-opened Lake County Fairgrounds vaccination site Wednesday.

“The vaccination site puts our community on a quicker path toward full recovery,” Johnson said. “Thousands of Lake County residents have already been vaccinated, and seeing more people have that opportunity has given me hope for a more normal world.”

The COVID-19 vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds opened earlier this month as a way to expedite the vaccination process for as many people as possible. Because of the size of the expo hall, dozens of vehicles can be parked inside while the vaccine is administered to them through their windows. 

To receive a vaccine, a person must first be registered on the Lake County AllVax system and bring their QR code, which will then be scanned before the vaccine is delivered. People without an appointment will be turned away.

Any person who is a frontline health care worker, first responder, front-line essential worker or over the age of 65 is now available to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. By next week, the local health department hopes 1,000 people will be able to receive a vaccine at the fairgrounds each day.

“I encourage anyone eligible for the vaccine to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated as soon as possible. All other residents should register on the AllVax system so they are alerted when they can get their dose,” Johnson said. “The only way to end the virus is for everyone to get vaccinated.”

For eligibility questions and other questions about the vaccine, people are encouraged to visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website.

BUFFALO GROVE — To show older adults in long-term care facilities that people are thinking about them, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is collecting store-bought or hand-made cards to donate for Valentine’s Day. 

“Older adults, especially those who may live far from family, need a chance to connect with others,” Johnson said. “One simple card can deliver so much power.”

Senator Johnson will collect cards at her district office from now until Feb. 10. The cards will then be donated to a number of long-term care facilities across the district she represents. 

People wishing to participate can drop off cards at an outside collection box or mail them to 100 S. Greenleaf St., Gurnee, IL 60031.

Senator Johnson reminds everyone to maintain social distancing and to wear a mask if choosing to deliver cards in person. 

SPRINGFIELD – Following more than a century of systemic racism and inequality in schools across the state and nation, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) helped pass a measure that will expand resources to marginalized students and reform education policies that disproportionately harm minority students.

“For far too long, children have faced systemic racism and inequities within their school systems,” Johnson said. “We cannot undo more than a century of systemic racism within schools without a complete overhaul of education programs.”

House Bill 2170, the education pillar of the Illinois Black Caucus’ legislative agenda, does a number of things to rid the state of systemic racism in schools, including creating an inclusive American history curriculum to reform the Black history curriculum and curriculums for teaching about other minority groups.

It also creates a Whole Child Task Force to address trauma in children and create an equitable, inclusive, safe and supportive environment for all children, in addition to working to increase minority teacher representation.

“Access to high quality education should be available for every student – no matter their ZIP code, socioeconomic background or the color of their skin. It’s so important for children to be in an environment where they see people who look like them and understand them,” Johnsons said. “Today is a monumental day – one that will give young boys and girls an opportunity to succeed and know they are worthy.”

The measure, co-sponsored by Senator Johnson, passed the Senate Monday. It now heads to the House for further consideration.