Johnson: Budget offers mental health resources to underserved communities

• Mental health
• FY25Budget

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D – Buffalo Grove) released the following statement after the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which supports affordable mental health resources:

“As mental health awareness becomes less of a taboo subject in Black and Brown communities, it is imperative that we continue to provide resources to the underrepresented communities that need them the most. I am proud to support a budget that includes mental health resources that will save lives in my district and beyond.

“Additionally, as homelessness is an omnipresent issue, we took necessary steps to support and prioritize a population that has long been overlooked.

“This is a compassionate budget that puts people first.” 

Johnson advances measure to reduce the sale of lightbulbs containing mercury

• Public Health
• HB 2363

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to further protect residents from persistent and toxic pollutants, State Senator Adriane Johnson has advanced a measure to regulate the sale of certain fluorescent lamps.

“These types of fluorescent lamps contain mercury and pose a threat to not only the health of people but also the environment,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “In order to effectively reduce mercury pollution, we must remove products that contain traces of it from our disposal sites.”

House Bill 2363 would ban selling newly manufactured screw-base, bayonet-base and pin-base compact fluorescent lamps and linear fluorescent lamps. Exemptions would apply for certain fluorescent lamps used for medical diagnostics, academic research, photocopying and printing, and in vehicle headlights.

“The proper disposal of products containing mercury is crucial to preventing environmental contamination and protecting human health,” said Johnson. “While there are recycling programs for hazardous waste, this solution may not be accessible to everyone, and safeguarding our environment is paramount.”

House Bill 2363 passed the Senate on Friday and heads to the governor’s desk for further consideration.

Johnson advances measure to support breastfeeding mothers

• HB 4819
• Nursing mothers
• Lactation room

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson advanced a measure to require the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide lactation rooms for employees.

“Providing a dedicated space for lactating mothers creates a supportive and inclusive environment,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “This privacy is crucial for the physical and emotional comfort of nursing mothers, helping them maintain their breastfeeding routines without stress or embarrassment.”

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Johnson measure to empower students to learn about climate solutions heads to governor’s desk

• Education
• Climate change
• HB 4895

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson championed a measure to ensure students learn about the impacts of climate change in school.

“The integration of environmental literacy is crucial to youth development,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “By learning about climate change, students are empowered to take action and make informed decisions.”

House Bill 4895 would task public schools in Illinois with providing learning opportunities on the environmental and ecological impacts of climate change and solutions for addressing the crisis. Schools would be granted the flexibility to decide whether to create a separate class or implement these lessons into existing relevant classes.

“Understanding climate change includes recognizing the disproportionate effects on marginalized communities and developing empathy and advocacy for climate justice,” said Johnson. “Climate change education promotes equity and social responsibility.”

House Bill 4895 passed the Senate Thursday and heads to the governor’s desk.