BUFFALO GROVE – Lake County residents will be able to enjoy the outdoors more safely thanks to over $2.5 million in funding to improve local bike paths and sidewalks, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) announced.

“Walking and biking are great ways to get outside, stay healthy and enjoy time with friends and family,” Johnson said. “These investments will ensure residents can continue to enjoy our beautiful natural spaces for years to come.”

Residents of Lake County will see improvements to a number of area trails for pedestrians and bicyclists, including over $500,000 to advance the Route 60 Bicycle Path Connectivity Project and $2 million to complete Stage 4 of the Patriot Path, a 5.5-mile pedestrian and bicycle route along Route 137 between Libertyville and North Chicago.

PARK FOREST— In an effort to maintain student progress outside the classroom, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is launching a Summer Reading Club for children and young people who live in the 40^th State Senate District.

Joyce is launching a Summer Reading Club to counteract summer learning loss, which occurs when students “turn off their brains” during summer months.

“Summer reading is critical in keeping our children engaged and curious for the next academic year,” Joyce said. “I am encouraging young readers to set aside 10-15 minutes a day to read and make it a part of their summer routine.”

SPRINGFIELD – To expand workers’ rights protections and economic opportunity for communities, casino applicants will be required to use union labor when seeking a new or renewed casino license thanks to a measure co-sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) that was signed into law Thursday.

“Illinois workers need access to economic opportunity and deserve assurance their jobs are secure,” Belt said. “This measure is exactly what our state needs to protect the hard working individuals, especially to ensure jobs in the Metro East continue to be available in the future.”

EDWARDSVILLE – Under the leadership of vice-chair State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), members of the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee met Thursday at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville to allow Metro East industry leaders and owners the opportunity to address lawmakers and give feedback on the state’s economic recovery plan.

“The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on the state economy, keeping residents close to home and taking a particularly staggering toll on Illinois’ tourism industry,” Crowe said. “By giving local business owners the opportunity to address lawmakers directly, we can work to truly recover from the pandemic’s hardships to craft plans and policies at the state level to help our communities bounce back.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) met with Joseph “Jo Jo” Awinongya, Jr. on Wednesday to present him with a certificate for his outstanding achievements in boxing.

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to meet Jo Jo and express to him how proud we all are of his achievements,” Connor said. “He’s an outstanding young man and an exceptional role model for so many young people in our community that you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Hailing from Joliet, Awinongya is a four-time national boxing champion in his age division, a Junior Olympic National Champion, and a recipient of the Silver Gloves National Championship. He trains with his father, Joseph Awinongya, Sr., who is referred to as “Ringmaster.”

“He’s got a whole community supporting him as he continues to follow his dreams,” Connor said. “With such an incredible work ethic and dedication to his sport, I know Jo Jo will keep doing big things.”

Awinongya was recently nominated for the Joliet Chamber Scholarship and was admitted to Joliet Junior College.

BUFFALO GROVE – To help Illinois renters and landlords take advantage of up to $25,000 or 15 months in assistance through the Illinois Rental Payment Program, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is partnering with the Illinois Housing Development Authority to host an informational webinar via Facebook Live on June 10 at 6 p.m.

“The pandemic took a toll on working families, putting many Illinoisans at risk of homelessness or housing instability,” Johnson said. “This program could be a lifeline for the thousands of households that are still struggling.”

During the webinar, an official from the Illinois Housing Development Authority will provide a walkthrough of the application process, offer helpful tips and answer questions. The event will be streamed live on Johnson’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/SenAlJohnson. 

The Illinois Rental Payment Program is an emergency rental assistance program designed to support households in Illinois that are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant can cover the past due rent from the previous 12 months and future rental assistance for the next three months, if deemed necessary, up to $25,000.

Landlords have until June 7 to initiate an application, and tenants will have until June 13 to complete their portion of the application. Alternatively, tenants can begin initiating applications June 9.

For more information and to apply for the Illinois Rental Payment Program, visit IHDA.org.

BUFFALO GROVE – Following the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Gurnee native Ladarrius M. Cowart at Bowen Park in Waukegan early Sunday morning, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) offered her condolences and urged anyone with information to come forward:

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the unfortunate and tragic death of Ladarrius M. Cowart, a recent high school graduate with a promising future.

“Ladarrius was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he paid a terrible price. His story is a reminder of the importance of youth development and gun violence prevention programs to address the root cause of crime in our communities

BOLINGBROOK – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) and State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) attended the ribbon cutting of Fountaindale Library’s new Bookmobile on Monday evening alongside State Representative Dagmara Avelar (D-Crest Hill), Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta of Bolingbrook, Fountaindale Library board members and many members of the community.

“The Fountaindale Library has been a cornerstone of our community for so long,” Loughran Cappel said. “For almost two decades, their Bookmobile has helped to get books into kids’ hands who otherwise wouldn’t have that access and opportunity.”

The new vehicle is a full-service mobile branch of the library that replaces the previous Bookmobile that had been in use since 2003. The Bookmobile provides scheduled stops around the community, visits Bolingbrook preschools, schools and senior facilities, and participates in many community events throughout the year. Members of the community can check out books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks from the Bookmobile, as well as apply for library cards and pick up holds.