PARK FOREST – Residents can safely dispose of sensitive personal documents and unused prescription drugs at a free community event hosted by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) and Park Forest Mayor Jonathan Vanderbilt.

The community shred and prescription drug take-back event will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, in the parking lot of Village of Park Forest, located at 350 Victory Drive in Park Forest.

“Consumer fraud and identity theft are becoming far too common in our communities,” Joyce said. “Personal data should be confidential – I urge everyone to attend this free event so they can safely dispose of sensitive documents.” 

To help reduce the chances of identity theft, experts recommend shredding things like bank statements, credit card offers and credit card convenience checks. Residents should also shred canceled credit cards, canceled checks, pay stubs, old photo IDs and tax returns that are more than three years old.

To accommodate all participants, each person will be limited to two boxes of residential shredding. Boxes and bags will be returned. Documents will be accepted for shredding until trucks reach capacity. No electronics will be accepted.

DeLuca encourages residents to take advantage of this safe and convenient opportunity to protect themselves from identity theft.

In addition to offering free document shredding, Joyce, DeLuca, and Vanderbilt have teamed up with the Park Forest Police Department to provide safe disposal of unused or expired prescription drugs at the event.

Proper disposal of unwanted prescription drugs can protect the environment and even save lives, preventing pollution, accidental poisoning, misuse and overdose.

Residents are asked to bring unused or expired medications in their prescription bottles or in a clear, sealed bag. They should remove any labels on the bottles or use a permanent marker to black out personal health information, including name, address and health insurance data. Liquids and sharps will not be accepted.

If residents have questions about the event, Joyce urges them to contact his office at 708-756-0882 or visit SenatorPatrickJoyce.com.

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is reminding people to look out for text and email scams asking for personal information from someone claiming to be from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“We have seen an increase in scams throughout the pandemic, and most recently scammers are posing as representatives of IDOT seeking people’s personal information,” Joyce said. “If you’ve received a suspicious text message or email asking for personal information, don’t respond – delete it.”

While the messages might look official, IDOT will not request personal information, such as Social Security numbers or bank information, via text or email.

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is optimistic for Illinois’ financial future after Fitch Ratings raised its outlook on Illinois’ General Obligation bonds from negative to positive, a direct result of responsible spending.

“I’m glad to see the state’s responsible budget plan, which we passed earlier this month, getting its deserved recognition by Fitch Ratings,” Joyce said. “Following a tough economic year, we were still able to make our state’s fiscal health a top priority, and we are moving Illinois toward a brighter future.”

Fitch’s is the third ratings agency to upgrade the state’s forecast, in addition to Standard and Poor’s, and Moody’s.

PARK FOREST – In an effort to promote resources available to small businesses and hear from small business owners and entrepreneurs, Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is accepting applications to tour shops, restaurants and other establishments in the 40^th Senate District.

“Small businesses are the heart of our communities,” Joyce said. “I am asking local businesses to submit their information and schedule a tour, so we can help empower and support our entrepreneurs as the state moves forward from the pandemic.”

Joyce said he hopes to tour restaurants, retail shops and businesses that provide personal services, like spas and salons. All tours will be in compliance with the state’s public health guidelines and restrictions.

Applications are open, and interested business owners can find the application at SenatorPatrickJoyce.com/SmallBusinessTours. Joyce plans to start the program in the coming weeks and requests that businesses submit their applications soon. Once an application is received, a member of Joyce’s team will respond with additional details.

Those with questions can contact Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882 or visit SenatorPatrickJoyce.com.

GARDNER – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is pleased to announce the Gardner Fire Protection District will receive funding through the Small Equipment Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal for equipment upgrades.

“Having the right safety equipment is critical for first responders,” Joyce said. “This grant program is a tremendous resource that helps meet basic equipment needs for local fire departments to fight fires and save lives.”

The Small Equipment Grant Program was established by OSFM to provide grants of up to $26,000 to support small firefighting and ambulance equipment purchases. A total of $3.3 million was awarded to 149 fire departments and EMS providers across the state through the program.

The Gardner Fire Protection District will receive $17,480.

“Departments have had to make tough financial decisions, especially this year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring our first responders in Illinois have properly functioning lifesaving equipment they need to perform their duties safely, while protecting their communities, is our top priority. The Small Equipment Grant Program helps reduce the burden on smaller departments/districts while replacing aging and sometimes failing small equipment,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. 

A complete list of recipients and awards can be found on the OSFM website.

SOUTH WILMINGTON – Motorists who have been unable to visit a driver services facility to renew their driver’s licenses and purchase vehicle stickers will be able to attend a free mobile unit event, sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) in partnership with the secretary of state’s office. 

The free event will be available to motorists Tuesday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Wilmington Village Hall, located at 380 Lake St. in South Wilmington.

“The mobile unit makes it easier for folks to receive necessary services without waiting for long periods of time outside a driver services facility,” Joyce said. “I encourage anyone in need of a safe and convenient way to renew and pay fees to attend this upcoming event.”

The unit operates like a DMV office and offers driver’s license renewals, identification cards and license plate stickers. Attendees must wear face coverings, and social distancing rules must be followed.

Joyce reminds residents that REAL ID services will not be available at the mobile unit. The deadline to obtain a REAL ID has been extended to May 3, 2023.

In addition, Joyce invites local veterans to utilize this event to add a veteran’s designation to their driver’s license or state ID. For veteran designation, residents must bring their DD-214 or NAF 13038. For more information about veteran ID services, call the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs at 1-800-437-9824.

With questions or for additional information, contact Senator Joyce’s office at SenatorPatrickJoyce.com or call 708-756-0882.

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.”

PARK FOREST – After speaking with many constituents who were having trouble renewing license fees for their small trailers, Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) became a lead co-sponsor on Senate Bill 58, which creates a new registration class for small trailers, lowering the cost of the fee for licensing a small trailer from $118 to $36.

“The fee hike on one class of trailer license plates is unfair and unacceptable, which is why I supported legislation to create a more reasonable registration system,” Joyce said. “By reversing the increase, we can give Illinois residents the chance to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.”

The legislation designates all trailers that weigh 2,000 pounds or less as “utility trailers” and sets the utility trailer registration fee at $36. Fees were increased on these trailers in 2019 as a part of the Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure plan.

The measure applies only to trailers primarily designated for personal use.

The legislation also removes the $10,000 cap on sales tax credits on vehicle trade-ins. The cap, which had been in effect since 2020, required sales tax to be applied to any trade-in with a value above $10,000, costing residents hundreds of dollars more when purchasing a new vehicle.

“Saving residents money is more critical than ever before, as we move into economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Joyce said. “I look forward to seeing this legislation signed into law so motorists can breathe a sigh of relief.”.

Senate Bill 58 passed the General Assembly Monday.