SPRINGFIELD – To modernize the way the Illinois State Police processes and issues FOID cards and concealed carry licenses, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) supported FOID modernization legislation which would speed up processing and improve public safety.

“One of the top issues I have heard about during my time in the Senate is the huge backlog of applications for folks trying to renew their FOID cards,” Joyce said. “This legislation streamlines the process, brings down the backlog and focuses more resources on enforcement.”

The bill seeks to protect communities by enhancing existing background check protocols—a measure meant to more effectively ensure that firearms are kept out of the wrong hands.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to give the residents of Pembroke Township the ability to heat their homes more affordably, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) moved legislation that would help bring a natural gas pipeline to the area.

“For years, the residents of Pembroke have suffered from a lack of resources and lack of investment, and they deserve better,” Joyce said. “I’ve worked alongside the people and leaders of Pembroke to solve this problem, and we’ve reached an agreement to make residents’ lives easier and safer.” 

This legislation creates the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program, which would allow Nicor Gas to extend its gas service territory to serve Pembroke Township.

At a December 2019 meeting, Nicor officials identified 400 homes and 22 businesses in the village for service in the project, estimated to cost $8 million.

PARK FOREST – With many people expected to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and law enforcement across the state for the national ‘Border to Border’ campaign, which increases seatbelt patrols and enforcement zones through Memorial Day.

“This weekend will kick off a return to summer recreation, so it’s important that every person riding in a vehicle wears their seatbelt and carefully travels to their destination,” Joyce said. “Wearing your seatbelt is the best way to protect yourself in case of an accident, and I urge all drivers and passengers to remember to do so anytime they get in a vehicle.”

SPRINGFIELD – After hearing from residents who felt helpless when Rich East High School closed their doors in 2020, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) passed legislation through the Senate Tuesday to prevent neighborhood schools from closing without public input.

“Closing a neighborhood school without public input can have serious consequences on the lives of students, families and educators,” Joyce said. “It’s important that residents have the chance to offer feedback on decisions that would impact their kids and the communities they live in.”

In 2019, District 227 was faced with the decision to close one or more of their three schools due to a lack of funding, declining enrollment and aging facilities. The Rich Township High School District in Cook County voted to close Rich East High School, which served Matteson, Park Forest, Olympia Fields, Chicago Heights and Richton Park residents. This decision forced these students to move to either Rich Central or Rich South High Schools.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect Illinois’ working class, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) supported a constitutional amendment that would ban “right-to-work” legislation in Illinois.

“Right-to-work laws are a threat to Illinois workers and are extremely dangerous to workers’ basic rights on the job,” Joyce said. “This proposed constitutional amendment shows our support to unions, and all workers across the state, by giving them the opportunity to earn a living wage and work in good conditions.”

The amendment would provide that no law passed may prohibit the ability of workers to collectively bargain over wages, hours, terms and conditions of work. The measure would effectively ban right-to-work laws in Illinois, which prohibit union security agreements in which an employer and a labor union agree on the extent to which employees are compelled to join the union and pay union dues.

Non-members in a collective bargaining unit still receive the benefits of collective bargaining agreements, including the higher wages and benefits that unions earn through the bargaining process. Right-to-work laws effectively serve to increase the non-member proportion of the labor force, reducing the bargaining power of the collective.

“Workers in all industries should have the right to organize and bargain for better wages and conditions,” Villivalam said. “Illinois is one of the last bastions of the labor movement, and we must act to preserve and protect it.”

Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 11 passed the Illinois Senate and awaits consideration in the Illinois House.

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Monday that local governments he represents in Cook and Will Counties will receive more than $50 million in the latest round of Rebuild Illinois infrastructure grants.

“The Rebuild Illinois program represents the state’s commitment to restoring our aging infrastructure,” Joyce said. “The projects ahead will not only create safer smoother, safer and more accessible transportation options for drivers, but will also provide jobs in our community and across the state.” 

The funding is being distributed in an effort to ensure that local governments have the necessary resources to repair and maintain infrastructure, as well as create jobs and boost the economy on a local level. Cities and municipalities may choose to use the grant for road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs, with financial oversight from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“Investing in these crucial improvements now will make the lives of our residents and visitors easier for years to come,” Joyce said. “Our communities will soon receive the much-needed upgrades and advances necessary to continue driving development.”

This funding comes as the fourth of six rounds of grants totaling $1.5 billion through the Rebuild Illinois program. Those interested can find a complete list of awards here.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the closure of Rich East High School in 2020, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) moved a measure through the Senate Education Committee Tuesday to prevent schools from closing without public input.

“Closing a neighborhood school is not only an educational issue, but a community issue as well,” Joyce said. “When schools close in rural communities, it can mean kids have to travel much farther to get to class every day—that can take a toll on students and their families.”

In 2019, District 227 was faced with the decision to close one or more of their three schools due to a lack of funding, declining enrollment and aging facilities. The Rich Township High School District in Cook County voted to close Rich East High School, which served Matteson, Park Forest, Olympia Fields, Chicago Heights and Richton Park residents. This decision forced these students to move to either Rich Central or Rich South High Schools.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) joined State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) and Secretary of State Jesse White Monday morning to announce a new driver services facility at Prairie State College opening Tuesday, May 11. 

“Following the damage and closure of the Chicago Heights driver services facility, Rep. DeLuca and I went straight to the secretary of state’s office and Prairie State College requesting immediate action,” Joyce said. “No one should have to take a day off work or wait hours to access these vital services. The Prairie State facility is conveniently located less than three miles from the former facility, and I’m confident it will serve the community and surrounding areas well.”

Last summer, the Chicago Heights driver services facility was damaged by a fire and since then has been closed to the public. The closing of the Chicago Heights facility forced motorists to go out of their way to other secretary of state facilities in Midlothian, Joliet, Naperville and Bradley to seek out services.

“This is an important first step toward bringing much-needed services back to the residents of Chicago Heights and surrounding communities,” DeLuca said. “The people have waited far too long and have rightfully begun to run out of patience. Thanks to the leadership at Prairie State College and our partners at the Secretary of State for helping Senator Joyce and me to bring these services back to the community where they are needed. The next step will be to get the construction completed on the permanent Chicago Heights facility on 209^th Street, but until then, this temporary facility will be a huge help.”

Joyce and DeLuca heard residents’ frustrations and worked together to advocate for a temporary facility so residents could quickly access the services they need. The legislators are pleased to see the Prairie State College site open this week, and both say they are confident the facility will serve the community well until construction is finished at the permanent site.

The Prairie State College facility will be open Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Customers can obtain a REAL ID driver’s license, renew their driver’s license or ID card, purchase their license plate sticker or apply for a temporary parking placard for persons with disabilities, in addition to other services.

State Senator Patrick Joyce (far right) attends a ribbon cutting ceremony to announce the opening of the Prairie State College driver services facility in Chicago Heights on Monday, May 10, 2021. He is joined by (from left to right) Prairie State College Board of Trustees member Bishop Ronnie White, State Representative Anthony DeLuca, President of Prairie State College Tom Saben, and Secretary of State Jesse White.