KANKAKEE – As people begin their holiday shopping, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) urges them to patronize Kankakee and Will County local businesses, especially on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28.

“Small Business Saturday is an important part of the holiday season for small merchants, especially as they work to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19,” Joyce said. “These folks need our support now more than ever, and you can help make an impact by shopping and buying local this holiday season.”

Joyce reminds residents that Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate and support the small, family-run shops that do so much throughout the year for the community. Joyce added that supporting small does not just mean shopping at brick-and-mortar stores. Residents can show their support through online sales, ordering carryout from a locally owned restaurant or buying a gift card for a friend.

KANKAKEE -- State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) joins Dr. Michael Anderson, an Infectious Disease Physician serving the Kankakee region, to discuss the health care industry’s pandemic challenges, flu season, Thanksgiving guidance and ways communities can reduce the spread of COVID-19.

PARK FOREST – While Thanksgiving celebrations may be smaller this year, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) joins the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office in sharing tips to ensure families stay safe in the kitchen.

“With many families changing their plans and staying home this Thanksgiving, they could be preparing this traditional meal for the first time,” Joyce said. “It’s important for families to take precautions to avoid fire hazards while cooking to prevent an accident.”

According to National Fire Protection Association and National Fire Incident Reporting System data, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 166,100 home fires per year involving cooking equipment. Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment, with four times the average number occurring.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing food, not just during the holiday season but all year:

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) encourages fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services to apply for the State Fire Marshal’s Small Equipment Grant Program. The program provides $3.3 million in funding across the state for firefighting personal protection equipment (PPE), infection control items and other small equipment.

“Many fire departments and ambulance services are struggling to pay for things like masks, gloves and other PPE,” Joyce said. “They need this equipment to do their jobs safely, so I encourage them to apply for this grant program.”

The program awards grants of up to $26,000. Fire department, fire protection district and township fire department applicants are required to have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for a minimum of two years prior to applying. Ambulance services applying must be volunteer, non-profit, stand-alone emergency medical service providers not tied in any financial or legal manner to a fire department.

Applications for the Small Equipment Grant Program must be postmarked no later than Jan. 29, 2021. More information on the program can be found on the state fire marshal's website.