Joyce measure to alleviate Illinois teacher shortage signed into law

• education
• SB 1989

PARK FOREST – A comprehensive proposal by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) aimed at eliminating Illinois’ teacher shortage was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

“The teacher shortage in Illinois is a crisis, and this new law offers strategies to reverse the trend,” Joyce said. “As school districts return to in-person learning this fall, this new law will grant retired teachers the ability to substitute teach for more hours without impairing their retirement status.”

Currently, Illinois law allows retired teachers to substitute teach for up to 120 days or 600 hours without jeopardizing their retirement status. Because retired teachers often return to work as substitute teachers, Joyce’s initiative would create a yearly, rather than lifetime limit: Retired teachers could substitute teach for 100 days or 500 hours each school year beginning July 1, 2023.

“This new law will allow school districts to increase the pool of qualified substitute teachers while allowing former teachers to maintain their retirement status, ensuring the most qualified professionals are teaching our children,” Joyce said. 

The legislation – Senate Bill 1989 – was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.

Joyce encourages job seekers to apply to seasonal snow and ice removal positions

• IDOT
• Snowbirds

PARK FOREST – To help job seekers find employment, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging qualified individuals to apply for seasonal snow-and-ice removal positions with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“We depend on our snowplow drivers to keep our roads safe during the winter season,” Joyce said. “This is a great opportunity for job seekers to find employment through IDOT – I encourage job seekers and especially veterans to submit an application.” 

Through the department’s annual “snowbird” program, temporary snowplow drivers are hired every year on a full-time and on-call basis. To be considered, applicants must have a commercial driver’s license. A pre-employment physical, vision test, and drug and alcohol screening are also required.

Applicants will be selected based on availability, job-related experience and qualifications. Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates can find additional information, including details on the application process, pay and the potential for benefits, here. Job postings will be made available the week of Aug. 23.

Joyce-sponsored bill to lower license fees for small trailers signed into law

• SB 58
• Trailer Plate

PARK FOREST – Registration fees for small trailers will be $36, a significant decrease from the current $118, thanks to a new law backed by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex).

“After speaking with many constituents who were having trouble renewing licenses for their small trailers, I became a lead co-sponsor of this new law to create a more reasonable registration system,” Joyce said.

The new law classifies all trailers weighing 2,000 pounds or less as “utility trailers” and sets the utility trailer registration fee at $36. Fees were increased on these trailers in 2019 as a part of the Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure plan.

The measure applies only to trailers primarily designated for personal use.

The legislation also removes the $10,000 cap on sales tax credits on vehicle trade-ins. The cap, which has been in effect since 2020, required sales tax to be applied to any trade-in with a value above $10,000, costing residents hundreds of dollars more when purchasing a new vehicle.

“By reversing the fee hike on one class of trailer license plates, we can give Illinois residents the chance to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets,” Joyce said. “Drivers can finally breathe a sigh of relief under this new law.”

The legislation – Senate Bill 58 – was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.

Joyce calls for action to pass a responsible energy package

• Energy

MORRIS – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) remains a strong advocate for creating a responsible energy package that will protect jobs and secure Illinois’ clean energy future.

“Closing our nuclear plants is something our communities cannot afford or survive—the cost of doing nothing at this crucial time is simply too great,” Joyce said. “With so much at stake, it’s vital that we act now to protect workers who will lose their livelihoods if we don’t take action soon.”

In 2020, Exelon announced it planned to close two Illinois nuclear power plants because of a drop in revenue and energy costs. Immediately after the announcement, state lawmakers began work on an energy bill they hope will keep the plant open, but discussions are still ongoing.

Read more: Joyce calls for action to pass a responsible energy package