PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is promoting the state’s new Get Hired Illinois web portal, which connects workers with available job opportunities and a new partnership with Coursera to provide Illinoisans with professional development.

“I know many have lost their jobs during these unprecedented times,” Joyce said. “I encourage everyone who has lost their job to use this new website to help find work.”

The Get Hired portal combines resources from the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide information on both unemployment and job opportunities in one location. The page is designed for job seekers of all levels and backgrounds and allows employers to upload jobs, virtual career fairs, and training opportunities.

Job seekers and employers can access the page here.

Nearly 60,000 job opportunities across a range of industries are currently available on the Get Hired portal, and more will be made available in the coming weeks. Additionally, more than 70 employers have committed to hosting virtual job fairs through the site.

The state is also launching a new partnership with Coursera to provide professional development opportunities for individuals looking to navigate new career pathways. After completing these online programs, participants will have the opportunity to continue their studies at a local community college or university, or to connect with employers through their local workforce boards.

Unemployed Illinois residents can access the Coursera platform on Illinois WorkNet beginning June 1, 2020.

PARK FOREST - State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex)  highlighted that the Illinois Secretary of State’s office will help commercial drivers continue delivering and producing essential goods.

There are three Commercial Drivers License facilities now open to meet the demand being placed on commercial and agricultural enterprises delivering and producing essential goods.

“Farmers and truck drivers heavily rely on vehicles that require a CDL,” Joyce said. “We need to keep these testing facilities open during this crisis to ensure essential products are delivered safely.”

 While only a limited number of facilities are set to reopen, the secretary of state’s office will be taking the necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of employees and applicants.

The locations and hours of the facilities open include:

• Springfield Dirksen, 2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Marion, 1905 W. Rendelman St., Tuesday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m.-noon 
•  West Chicago, 120 Powis Rd., Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

CDL driving tests will be conducted by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 217-785-3013. All other CDL transactions will be first-come, first-served. For more information, please visit cyberdriveillinois.com. 

PARK FOREST - In order to maintain a safe roadway for all, Senate Agriculture Committee member Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) emphasizes that drivers should use caution and best judgement when they encounter slow-moving farm equipment on the road. 

Even though many Illinoisans are at home to slow the spread of COVID-19, farmers and farm hands are tasked with essential work during the 2020 planting season. This means drivers traveling for essential needs are sharing the road with farm machinery.

“Farmers are extremely busy during this time with spring planting, meaning farm equipment will be out on the roads,” Joyce said. “I know there is much less traffic this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, I still urge everyone to be courteous of farmers using the roads to move their farm equipment.”

Visibility is key to road safety. All agricultural vehicles using the public roadways must display the fluorescent orange Slow Moving Vehicle triangle. Additionally, tractors and other self-powered farm vehicles must have proper lighting. According to Illinois law:

• Lighting is required from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise.

• There should be two white lamps on the front of the vehicle, visible from at least 1,000 feet to the front of the vehicle.

• There should be two red lamps on the rear of the vehicle, visible from at least 1,000 feet to the rear of the vehicle.

• There should be at least one flashing amber signal lamp on the rear of the vehicle, mounted as high as possible and visible from at least 500 feet, which can be used during daylight as well.

PARK FOREST - Unfortunately, many scamming predators take advantage of troubled to seek new victims, especially seniors. State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) urges everyone to use their best judgement when responding to personal information and money requests.

Some of the most common scams seen by Raoul include:

•   Emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and other health care organizations, offering to share information about the virus.

•   Emails asking for the verification of personal data, including Medicare or Medicaid information, in exchange for receiving economic stimulus funds or other benefits from the government.

•   Email phishing scams, text messages from unknown sources which may include hyperlinks to what appear to be automated pandemic updates, or interactive infection maps.

•   COVID-19 vaccinations and home test kits that are made online, in stores, through electronic messages or over the phone.

For more information or to report scams connected to COVID-19, please visit the attorney general’s website: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/.