Joyce encourages residents to apply for early childhood scholarship opportunity

• education

ESSEX – State Senator Patrick Joyce is encouraging early childhood education workers who want to pursue additional credentials or earn a degree in early childhood education to apply for a scholarship opportunity.

“Illinois is currently experiencing a shortage of early childhood educators in school districts all around the state,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Being an educator is a very impactful career. I strongly encourage residents to consider applying for this grant program.”

While the initial deadline for the 2022-23 scholarship has passed, the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is encouraging individuals to apply. After other financial aid is received, the ECACE can cover up to the total cost of an awardee’s attendance at select schools – including tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies. Recipients of the scholarship are expected to continue or return to teaching early childhood care and education in Illinois after their study is completed.

“This program is beneficial to those who have early childhood care experience who wish to acquire additional skills or want to obtain a college education,” said Joyce. “There is no better time than now to take advantage of this program so the state can see sufficient numbers of early childhood educators.”

For more information about the program, eligibility details and an online application, visit https://www.isac.org/ECACEscholarship.

Communities eligible for complete assistance through OSLAD program

• IDNR

ESSEX – State Senator Patrick Joyce is encouraging communities with economic challenges in the 40th District to apply for assistance through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program. The program, which usually requires matching funds for projects, now offers complete assistance for distressed communities.

“These grants are direct investments in improving the lives of local residents,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “These funds could help attract more visitors, and in turn spur economic growth.”

The FY 23 budget allocated $56 million for OSLAD, the largest single investment in the program’s history, allowing the Department of Natural Resources to assist more communities than ever before. OSLAD requires grantees to provide matching funds for development projects, however with this investment the program is offering complete funding for economically disadvantaged communities.

Applications are being accepted through Sept. 30, 2022 and should be submitted to IDNR. For more information on the OSLAD program, visit IDNR’s website.

Joyce highlights new funding opportunity for construction apprenticeship programs

• DCEO

ESSEX – The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced a grant program involving $15 million in Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship funding to expand job training and career opportunities. State Senator Patrick Joyce is encouraging organizations in the construction industry to apply for this grant opportunity.

“This is a great program that could really benefit small businesses that qualify across our communities,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “The funding has the chance to help people within local organizations expand their opportunities while also boosting the economy of the state .”

The Illinois Works Program was created in 2019 and is designed to promote diversity, inclusion and use of apprentices in state-funded capital projects.

This year, the state budget allocated $8 million in funding for new organizations that train, educate and help prospective workers navigate the job search process, and $7 million for programs that currently receive funding but have exceeded performance benchmarks.

“I think it is important for businesses, as well as employees, to feel fulfilled and uplifted in their careers,” said Joyce. “I am inviting organizations in the area to apply for this funding that could really help them in the long run.”

For more information, visit the DCEO website.

Joyce hosts roundtable to discuss future of ag

• Agriculture

SPRINGFIELD – To kick off Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair, State Senator Patrick Joyce hosted a roundtable with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos along with other agriculture professionals to discuss future ag policy.

“As a fourth generation farmer, I know how important ag policy is for farmers and consumers,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Farm bills govern nearly 100% of agricultural and rural policy for the next five years, which is why it’s so important for Congress to work with the ag community and our state legislators to get it right.”

The hour-long discussion was hosted and moderated by Joyce and Bustos. Representatives from the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Department of Agriculture joined the discussion to share their thoughts about different portions of the current farm bill and what changes they believe should be made in the next federal farm bill, set to be filed and discussed in 2023.

The group discussed input costs, preserving federal crop insurance programs, and increasing market access for commodities, among other items important to the Illinois agriculture community.

“Family farmers across our state rely on farm bill programs for certainty and peace of mind during the growing season and beyond,” said Joyce. “We owe it to them to gather their input and use it to bring forth policy that works for growers and producers throughout Illinois.”

The current congressional farm bill was signed into law in 2018 and is set to expire in October of 2023.