ESSEX – The “Makers on the Move” statewide bus tour put on by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association visited CSL Behring in Bradley last week, where State Senator Patrick Joyce spoke about the contributions of CSL to the community.
“Manufacturing has continued to have a significant impact to our state’s economy,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “The amount of jobs and revenue manufacturing brings to our region and state shows this is a major economic driver in Illinois.”
CSL Behring is a pharmaceutical manufacturer that is a global leader in creating products to cure rare and serious diseases. The company employs over 1,800 individuals in the area.
Read more: Joyce emphasizes the importance of manufacturing in Illinois
ESSEX – To support the families of fallen first responders, State Senator Patrick Joyce signed on as a chief co-sponsor to a new state initiative to ensure line-of-duty benefits are adequately funded.
“First responders put their lives on the line any time they clock in for a shift,” said Joyce. (D-Essex). “When someone tragically loses their life on the line of duty, that loss is extremely painful to not only the community, but to their family. Families are already mourning the loss of a loved one – they don’t need the added financial stressors.”
In each year’s budget, the General Assembly appropriates funding for line-of-duty death benefits. In the event that insufficient resources are available, Senate Bill 4229 guarantees families receive their owed benefits.
Read more: Senator Joyce: Fully funding line-of-duty death benefits is vital
ESSEX – In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, State Senator Patrick Joyce is encouraging families to put together a secure fire safety plan.
“It’s possible that a fire can ignite at any moment in your home,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “It is essential that all families have a strategy to keep themselves and their children safe in case of an emergency.”
The National Fire Protection Association reported that more than 38% of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
CHICAGO HEIGHTS– Last Friday, State Senator Patrick Joyce joined local community leaders to launch the Southland Reactivation Act. The purpose of the Southland Reactivation Act is to attract development, create jobs and lower property taxes in the south suburbs.
“This bill is a big win for the Southland community. It will break the cycle of disinvestment that has been happening for too long in this area,” said Joyce. “This economic development tool has the potential—at no cost to the State— to address blight, expand the tax base, create local jobs in the south suburbs and assist in reducing property taxes for homeowners.”
Read more: Joyce joins with community leaders to launch Southland Reactivation Act
ESSEX – State Senator Patrick Joyce is encouraging early childhood education workers who want to pursue additional credentials or earn a degree in early childhood education to apply for a scholarship opportunity.
“Illinois is currently experiencing a shortage of early childhood educators in school districts all around the state,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Being an educator is a very impactful career. I strongly encourage residents to consider applying for this grant program.”
While the initial deadline for the 2022-23 scholarship has passed, the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is encouraging individuals to apply. After other financial aid is received, the ECACE can cover up to the total cost of an awardee’s attendance at select schools – including tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies. Recipients of the scholarship are expected to continue or return to teaching early childhood care and education in Illinois after their study is completed.
Read more: Joyce encourages residents to apply for early childhood scholarship opportunity
ESSEX – The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced a grant program involving $15 million in Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship funding to expand job training and career opportunities. State Senator Patrick Joyce is encouraging organizations in the construction industry to apply for this grant opportunity.
“This is a great program that could really benefit small businesses that qualify across our communities,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “The funding has the chance to help people within local organizations expand their opportunities while also boosting the economy of the state .”
The Illinois Works Program was created in 2019 and is designed to promote diversity, inclusion and use of apprentices in state-funded capital projects.
This year, the state budget allocated $8 million in funding for new organizations that train, educate and help prospective workers navigate the job search process, and $7 million for programs that currently receive funding but have exceeded performance benchmarks.
“I think it is important for businesses, as well as employees, to feel fulfilled and uplifted in their careers,” said Joyce. “I am inviting organizations in the area to apply for this funding that could really help them in the long run.”
For more information, visit the DCEO website.
SPRINGFIELD – To kick off Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair, State Senator Patrick Joyce hosted a roundtable with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos along with other agriculture professionals to discuss future ag policy.
“As a fourth generation farmer, I know how important ag policy is for farmers and consumers,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Farm bills govern nearly 100% of agricultural and rural policy for the next five years, which is why it’s so important for Congress to work with the ag community and our state legislators to get it right.”
The hour-long discussion was hosted and moderated by Joyce and Bustos. Representatives from the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Department of Agriculture joined the discussion to share their thoughts about different portions of the current farm bill and what changes they believe should be made in the next federal farm bill, set to be filed and discussed in 2023.
KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to announce a combined $8.5 million in funding to revitalize local downtowns and main streets in Bradley, Bourbonnais and Peotone through the Rebuild Illinois Program.
“Every town should have a central area to safely gather that is unique to their community,” said Joyce (D- Essex). “The areas granted this funding will be able to enhance buildings and landscape while also creating safer conditions.”
DCEO announced a total of $106 million in capital grants awarded to revitalize 50 commercial corridors and main streets throughout Illinois. Three villages in the district Joyce represents were included in the funding: Bradley, Bourbonnais and Peotone. Funds have been allocated to improve the route 50 corridor in Bradley, reconstruct Peotone’s downtown street and to invest in Bourbonnais’s Community Campus Project- which offers a variety of activities and events for residents.
“Not only will this funding improve the communities, but it will provide an economic boost and job growth,” Joyce said. “These projects are a win-win for our community as a whole.”
For more information or to see the full list of recipients, people can visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.
Page 4 of 25