UNIVERSITY PARK – After months of using bottled water and special filters, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced that Aqua Illinois will make it easier for University Park residents to access clean drinking water.

Sen. Joyce helped negotiate an agreement with Aqua Illinois, University Park’s water supplier, that focuses on supplying safe and clean drinking water to residents while the company resolves ongoing lead-contamination issues.

“We should be able to take safe, clean water for granted,” Joyce said. “The residents of University Park deserve affordable, convenient access to drinking water that isn’t contaminated with toxic lead.”

Read more: Joyce negotiates easier access to clean water for University Park

Essex – three local parks will receive over $800,000 to make some major improvements and renovations, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced today.

The money comes from a grant that is part of the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The program is providing more than $28 million to support 87 park projects across the state.

“Parks are wonderful. They are a great resource for everyone in the community,” Joyce said.

The OSLAD program began in 1987 and has invested $419.4 million in 1,765 local park projects. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax.

Parks receiving the grant include:

• Somonauk Nature Adventure Park – $395,000.00
• Homewood Estates Park – $295,700.00
• Sgt. Means Park Phase 1 – $175,700.00

ESSEX – Eighteen local school districts will be receiving around $22,000 in grants from the Illinois secretary of state’s School Library Grant program, Senator Patrick Joyce announced today.

The purpose of the grants awarded by the Illinois State Library are to help public schools expand the collection of library books and materials for students.

“Reading is an essential part of education. I’m happy knowing so many excellent schools in the South Suburbs, Kankakee and surrounding communities will benefit from these grants,” Joyce said. “The support brought by the School Library Grant program will help our children and grandchildren have more access to books now and in the future.”

Schools receiving school library grants include:

• Kankakee SD #111 – $3430.50
• Flossmoor Elementary School District #161 – $1675.50
• Manhattan Elementary School District #114 – $1099.50
• Bradley Elementary School District #61 – $951.75
• Peotone CUSD #207U – $1,017.00
• Herscher CUSD #2 – $1,215.00
• Coal City CUSD #1 – $1571.25
• Wilmington CUSD #209U – $906.00

ESSEX – Beginning in 2020, child-care providers who participate in the Child Care Assistance Program will see reimbursement rates go up 20% in rural counties, Gov. JB Pritzker announced this week. Child-care providers in Grundy County will be included in the program.

“Early childhood development is an essential part of every family’s life,” State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) said. “It’s important that everyone has access to affordable day cares across the state."

Access to day cares is a difficult issue, especially for low-income and single parents. Residents of rural communities often struggle find child-care providers for their children.

Read more: Grundy County child-care facilities will receive a monetary boost in the new year