ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – State Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, is co-hosting a state legislators town hall with state Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, on Monday, June 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the East Moline UAW Hall.

“I’m looking forward to a great town hall with Senator Halpin,” said Johnson. “We’re going to be providing an in-depth look into what we got done over session this year, from tackling the affordability crisis, helping underserved communities, and creating a responsible budget. I’m also looking forward to hearing back from our neighbors and community members, so we can address any concerns or questions.”

This event is open to the public, and it will be an opportunity for anyone interested to hear about updates about the state budget and legislative progress. If you are interested in submitting a question for the town hall event, visit https://forms.gle/RDQo3q8dwbRcqPPB6.

WHO: State Representative Gregg Johnson and State Senator Mike Halpin
WHAT: State Legislators Town Hall
WHEN: Monday, June 15, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: UAW Hall
630 19th St.
East Moline, IL

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With session adjourning Monday, state Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, is highlighting his efforts to increase worker rights and address the affordability crisis while passing a responsible, compassionate budget. 

“Families across the state are working day and night to make ends meet, and that’s a serious problem,” said Johnson. “That’s why I was focused on passing legislation that brings relief to homes across the state, from grocery store prices to insurance premiums.”

Some highlights of Johnson’s affordability agenda include:

• Creating new protections against artificial intelligence (AI) schemes that use personal data to raise prices (House Bill 4248),
• Expanding insurance coverage for evidence-based screenings for cancer, so medical decisions can be made by patients and their doctors not insurance companies (House Bill 5001),
• Making housing more affordable for renters by cracking down on duplicate or surprise fees not outlined in a lease agreement (House Bill 3564), and
• Stopping unfair insurance increases by empowering experts to review insurance rates and reject increases that simply pad profits (Senate Bill 1486). 

Fighting back against the financial insecurity caused by Washington, Johnson also passed a responsible, compassionate budget. Without raising taxes on working families, it fully funds after school programs, homelessness prevention and safety net hospitals. The spending plan protects local government funding, and further restores property tax relief grants for school districts, providing local governments greater flexibility to address property taxes. It also places a temporary freeze on the state gas tax which was expected to increase in July. 

“Our budget was being pulled in a lot of different directions, but we created one that puts the people of Illinois first,” said Johnson. “We’re funding the programs needed to support working families and underserved communities.”

This session Johnson sought to increase worker rights, successfully passing House Bill 4758 which prohibits employers from requiring that applicants have a driver’s license unless it is necessary for the position. This guarantees that applicants without a driver’s license have an equal opportunity to employment opportunities where they are not required. If a driver’s license is required for a posted position, the employer must provide a brief description on the job posting describing why it is considered necessary. 

“There’s more work ahead, and I’m going to keep fighting for working families,” said Johnson. “Let’s continue to build a stronger Illinois that tackles challenges and offers greater opportunity for everyone.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Wanting to strengthen worker rights, state Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, has advanced legislation that would prohibit employers from requiring that applicants have a driver’s license unless it is necessary for the position.

“Whether or not someone has a driver’s license has no bearing on if they’ll be a good employee,” said Johnson. “There are a number of perfectly justifiable reasons why someone might not have a driver’s license, and employers should not be able to hold it against an employee or potential hire.”

Johnson’s House Bill 4758 states that a job posting can not require that an applicant has a valid driver’s license unless driving is an essential part of the job. This guarantees that applicants without a driver’s license have an equal opportunity to employment opportunities where they are not required. If a driver’s license is required for a posted position, the employer must provide a brief description on the job posting describing why it is considered necessary.

“People want to work, and we shouldn’t be putting up unnecessary barriers that make it more difficult for them,” said Johnson. “We’re helping create a clearer path for people to succeed in their work and personal lives.”

The legislation received bipartisan support, and it now heads to the governor’s office for his signature.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, passed a resolution on Thursday, May 28 calling for a memorial to be established on the Illinois State Capitol Complex honoring the lives of correctional officers who have fallen in the line of duty. 

“Our correctional officers have a difficult, grueling job that often goes unnoticed,” said Johnson. “But there is no denying the essential work they do every day to keep our communities safe. This memorial would recognize and honor those correctional officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Johnson’s House Resolution 815 calls upon the Office of the Architect to establish a Corrections Fallen Heroes Memorial on State Capitol Grounds. Its purpose is to not only recognize the lives of correctional officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, but to also acknowledge the inherent risk and danger that they must confront daily while serving the public. 

Correctional officers face struggles that many people are not forced to confront in their daily lives, and they have an average life expectancy of only 59 years. Across all states, Illinois has the third highest fatality rate for correctional officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. 

Currently, there is a Memorial Wall for fallen heroes of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) at their training ground in Springfield, but they are in the process of vacating the property. With the IDOC leaving, the Memorial Wall is no longer available for public viewing, so it has become necessary to establish a memorial at a different location. With the Illinois State Capitol already hosting memorial structures for firefighters and police officers, it is the ideal location to either move the Memorial Wall or establish a new memorial. 

“We can’t let the sacrifice of our correctional officers be forgotten,” said Johnson. “It’s time that we move their memorial to the State Capitol, so anyone can come and remember the lives of these exceptional people.”

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, dismantling a critical provision in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, state Representative Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, released the following statement:

“Earlier this week, we heard the distressing news that the United States Supreme Court ruled against protecting Louisiana’s congressional maps, striking down the creation of a second-majority black congressional district. This is a serious blow to the federal Voting Rights Act, and it will have nationwide consequences.

“For the past 60 years, our nation has remained steadfast to the idea that every individual deserves to have a government that truly represents them—no matter their race or ethnicity. This ruling changes all of that, and people will no longer be assured that they are truly being represented in their government. 

“In Illinois, we’re not going to let this happen without protecting our own communities. That’s why last week, we enshrined critical protections into our State Constitution to ensure every individual is being represented in our government. Our people should not have to fear being disenfranchised based on their race.

“In our state, everyone has a voice, and while the federal government backslides on its promise to the American people, we will not. I know myself, and my colleagues, remain committed to ensuring that everyone has equal representation, no matter what is happening in the federal government.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Wanting to strengthen worker rights, state Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, has passed legislation that would prohibit employers from requiring that applicants have a driver’s license unless it is necessary for the position.

“At its core, this legislation is about ensuring that everyone has equal access to job opportunities,” said Johnson. “If a job does not need someone to drive, then whether or not they have a driver’s license shouldn’t matter. If they can work, they should have the opportunity to do so without unnecessary barriers standing in their way.”

Johnson’s House Bill 4758 states that a job posting can not require that an applicant has a valid driver’s license unless driving is an essential part of the job. This guarantees that applicants without a driver’s license have an equal opportunity to employment opportunities where they are not required. If a driver’s license is required for a posted position, the employer must provide a brief description on the job posting describing why it is considered necessary.

“Whether or not someone has a driver’s license doesn’t determine what type of worker they’ll be,” said Johnson. “And for that to be a deciding factor makes absolutely no sense. This legislation will provide people with greater access to different employment opportunities, something that should have never been restricted in the first place.”

House Bill 4758 received bipartisan support, and it now moves to the Senate for further consideration. For more information, please contact support@repgreggjohnson.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, supported legislation this week that would designate every July 25 as Emmett Till Day in Illinois, honoring the life of a boy who was brutally murdered and became central to the Civil Rights Movement. 

“Far too often, we, as a nation, try to brush past the appalling things that occurred in our history,” said Johnson. “By declaring July 25 as Emmett Till Day, we recognize that terrible history while also commemorating the life of a young boy whose life was brutally taken from him too soon.”

House Bill 4323 would add July 25 to Illinois’ list of commemorative holidays. While the designation would not close state offices, it would encourage schools, municipalities, elected officials and community organizations to mark the day through education, reflection and public programming.

Emmett Till, a 14-year-old born in Chicago, was brutalized to death in Mississippi, where he was visiting family. A white woman accused teenage Till of whistling at her, and her family responded by abducting and lynching Till. Upon his murder in 1955, in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, Till’s mother, Mamie Till Bradley, brought her mutilated son back to Alsip, Illinois, where he was buried.

“Our country is moving forward, but we can’t do that by forgetting the past,” said Johnson. “We need to look back and recognize the wrongs that were committed, and dedicate ourselves to creating a state and a nation where something like that can never happen again. This day will remind us of the progress we made, and the work that still needs to be done.” 

House Bill 4323 passed the House with bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of his efforts to spread awareness on tick-borne diseases, state Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, has advanced bipartisan legislation that would provide additional support to the Illinois Lyme Association (ILA) for research and education. 

“Lyme disease, and other tick-borne diseases, are some of the fastest-growing diseases in the United States, and they can have serious negative repercussions on an individual’s life,” said Johnson. “The ILA is doing great work to help people better understand these diseases, enabling more residents to take the steps necessary to protect their health.”

House Bill 5490 is the result of collaborative efforts between Johnson and state Rep. Dan Swanson, R-Alpha, to raise awareness of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. The legislation would provide support to the ILA’s Tick Research, Education and Evaluation (TREE) Project. TREE is a joint grant program between the ILA and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that provides tick research and educational materials. 

Various projects are already being supported by TREE, including; 

• Educational presentations to health care providers, outdoor workers, hunters and mental health professionals on Lyme and other tick-borne diseases,
• Online resources and education materials for ILA’s patient-centered blog,
• Public awareness campaigns to increase knowledge on tick-borne diseases, and
• Free tick identification programs for Illinois residents.

“More and more people every day are being affected by tick-borne diseases,” said Johnson. “We need to start raising people’s awareness, so they know what symptoms to look out for and when to seek help. Let’s help support ILA in this important mission.”

For more information on the Illinois Lyme Association, visit https://www.illymeassociation.org/. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of his efforts to support workers, state Rep. Gregg Johnson, D- Rock Island, has advanced legislation out of committee to require large employers to prefile unemployment insurance information with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) when dealing with layoffs, furloughs or temporary shutdowns.

“This legislation is about putting working families first as they deal with a difficult situation,” said Johnson. “Nobody wants to lose their job, and it can send a person’s life into a tailspin as they try to figure out what to do next. This legislation will help with their next steps as it requires companies to lay the groundwork for their employees to receive unemployment insurance.”

House Bill 4805 would require employers with 75 or more employees in Illinois to prefile unemployment information with IDES when conducting layoffs, furloughs or temporary shutdowns. Currently, employers are only required to provide information packets from IDES with information on how to apply for unemployment insurance benefits to employees who are laid off or furloughed.

“In an ideal world, quality workers wouldn’t have to deal with losing their jobs, but that’s just not the reality we live in today,” said Johnson. “With this legislation, employees will be better positioned to receive the support they need to keep moving forward. When working families are going through difficult times, it’s our responsibility to provide them with care and assistance.”

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – State Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, has filed legislation that would prohibit employers from discriminating against employees or potential hires that do not have a driver’s license.

“Thousands of adults across our state do not have a driver’s license,” said Johnson. “But they are just as capable of succeeding in the workplace, and this legislation ensures that they’re given the opportunity to advance in their careers and lives.”

Johnson’s House Bill 4758 prohibits employers from discriminating against employees or potential hires that do not have a driver’s license. Employers cannot consider whether or not an individual has a driver’s license when hiring, promoting, offering tenure, renewing employment or providing additional training opportunities.

“At its core, this legislation is about ensuring that everyone has equal access to job opportunities,” said Johnson. “Whether or not someone has a driver’s license should not determine their employment opportunities, and this bill secures equal footing for these individuals in their jobs.”

Situations where driving is an essential part of the employment are excluded from Johnson’s legislation.

For more information, please contact ben@repgreggjohnson.com.