BUFFALO GROVE — Adriane Johnson has another title. The Buffalo Grove community leader and resident, who currently serves as the commissioner of the Buffalo Grove Park District Board and president of the Buffalo Grove-Linconshire Chamber of Commerce, was sworn in as an Illinois state senator Sunday. Representing the 30th District, she replaces former State Sen. Terry Link, who resigned last month after pleading guilty to tax fraud.
Johnson is the first Black state senator from Lake County.
“Serving the public is something I have prioritized for my entire life, and I am eager to continue my public service as a state senator,” Johnson said in a statement. “I care deeply about racial equality, protecting open spaces and our environment, supporting small business, and ethics reforms.”
The 30th District includes all or part of Waukegan, North Chicago, Park City, Gurnee, Wadsworth, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Wheeling, Riverwoods, Lincolnshire, Indian Creek, Northbrook, Prairie View, and Mettawa.
The seat opened up when Link, the former chair of the Lake County Democratic Party and assistant majority leader of the Illinois Senate, pleaded guilty to tax fraud in September, admitting in a plea agreement that he used his campaign fund for personal expenses and lied on at least five years of income tax returns.
The appointment of Johnson was made by Lake County Democrats Chairperson and former State Rep. Lauren Beth Gash and current State Rep. Mark Walker. According to Illinois law, Gash and Walker were required to appoint a replacement for Link within 30 days of his Sept. 12 resignation.
In addition to her titles with the park district and chamber, Johnson serves as the chairman of the Illinois Association of Park Districts’ Board of Trustees. She is also a member of the Village’s Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove. Johnson has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Columbia College and a Master of Jurisprudence from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Johnson has received numerous business and service awards including Buffalo Grove Rotarian of the Year, Board Member and Member of the Year by the Buffalo Grove – Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, Rising Star by the Illinois Association of Park Districts, Women in Business Leadership Award – Entrepreneur from the North Shore Women’s Conference, and the Leadership and Service Award from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
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“There were so many amazing and highly-qualified people willing to serve. Nearly 50 people submitted applications,” Gash said in the statement. “What stood out about Adriane is her service in local government, experience chairing a statewide advocacy organization, business knowledge, and proven commitment to public service. The feedback from people in the 30th District was universally positive and compelling.”
Johnson is also a business owner as she founded Populus XP, LLC, out of Riverwoods, in 2006. She is looking forward to getting to work in Springfield.
“We are facing so many challenges, and I am ready to join the Governor and my fellow legislators as we work together to strengthen the State of Illinois and the 30th District,” Johnson said. “One of the bedrock principles of our democracy is that our leaders should be chosen by the voters. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my community as a State Senator until the voters have a chance to make their voices heard.”
Related:
Democrats Solicit Applications For Terry Link’s State Senate Seat
Sen. Terry Link Resigns, Pleads Guilty To Years Of Tax Fraud
