Joyce launches annual summer book club for students on break

KANKAKEE – To prevent the “summer slide,” State Senator Patrick Joyce is launching a Summer Reading Club for children and young people who live in the 40th District.

“It can be easy for young students to drift away from reading when the school year ends,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Reading over the summer helps students stay in a routine that can last for the rest of their lives.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Joyce’s district office by Aug. 21. Participants who complete the readings will receive a certificate and an invite to a pizza party thrown by Joyce.

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Joyce advances bill to protect crematory operating standards

SPRINGFIELD – In Feb. 2025, a whistleblower came forward sharing pictures and describing a gruesome scene at Crown Cremations and Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights ─ prompting an investigation from the Office of the Comptroller that discovered the crematorium improperly stored over 100 bodies.  In response, State Senator Patrick Joyce advanced a bill through committee that would expand the Comptroller’s powers to investigate crematory’s operations.

“When we send our loved ones to be cremated or buried, it is a very sacred task,” said State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex). “With this legislation we are empowering the Comptroller’s Office to ensure the best practices are followed within the funeral industry.”

House Bill 4695 would expand the Comptroller's powers to investigate a licensed crematory, their records or any other aspects of crematory operation as the Comptroller deems appropriate. It would permit the Comptroller to perform an unannounced inspection of the premises. As part of its investigations, if the Comptroller finds any violation or wrongdoing under the grounds for dismissal that constitute an imminent danger to the public, the Comptroller could suspend the crematory’s license. The bill also implements additional penalties for violations.

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Joyce calls for legislative action on firefighter shortage after task force findings

SPRINGFIELD – After reviewing findings released by the Recruiting and Retaining Public Employee Firefighters and Paramedics Task Force, State Senator Patrick Joyce is calling for legislative action that would address the shortage of firefighters and paramedics in the state.

“With this task force we were able gather voices from every angle to bring grounded solutions to the table,” said Joyce (D-Essex), who served as co-chair of the task force. “We had members from both sides of the aisle, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, Illinois Municipal League and more.”

Read more: Joyce calls for legislative action on firefighter shortage after task force findings

Joyce measure to expand mental health counseling to coroners passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce passed a measure through the Senate that would ensure county coroners and medical examiners are able to receive mental health counseling if needed. 

“Coroners are critical in assisting law enforcement and our judicial system,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “By taking care of these employees we can prevent turnover and burnout.”

Senate Bill 2770 would add coroners, deputy coroners, county medical examiners and deputy county medical examiners to the definition of first responders for the purpose of providing them mental health counseling without any cost-sharing.

Coroners and medical examiners, like other first responders, are regularly exposed to traumatic scenes. This legislation would ensure they have access to no-cost mental health counseling, promoting workforce well-being and retention.

Read more: Joyce measure to expand mental health counseling to coroners passes Senate