Joyce announces grant money for broadband expansion

• Grant
• Broadband
• DCEO
• Connect Illinois

PEMBROKE TOWNSHIP – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging local businesses and nonprofits to apply for Connect Illinois grants to help expand broadband to underserved communities.

“Businesses and schools continue to rely heavily on internet access to coordinate virtual learning and conduct business, yet so many communities lack access to a high-speed internet connection,” Joyce said. “These grants will help us expand broadband access more quickly, efficiently and effectively across our rural communities.”

Connect Illinois is the state’s $420 million plan to provide necessary internet access to every Illinois community by 2024. In the first round of grants, funding was awarded to 28 projects across Illinois, which are expected to expand internet access to more than 26,000 homes, businesses, farms and community institutions across the state.

Eligible applicants for the second round include internet service providers, rural cooperatives, nonprofits and local governments. Awardees may receive up to $5 million per project in matching funds. All Connect Illinois projects must meet the minority business participation requirements of the State of Illinois' Business Enterprise Program.

The application for this round of grants will remain open through February 2021. More information on this grant program can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.

Joyce invites student readers to enter “Letters About Literature in Illinois” competition

• SOS
• Reading & Writing Competition

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) joins Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White to invite students in grades 4-12 to enter a statewide reading and writing competition known as “Letters About Literature in Illinois,” offered by the Illinois State Library’s Illinois Center for the Book.

“Literature is a powerful tool, and this is a wonderful opportunity for students to share their love for reading,” said Joyce. “I encourage students to participate in the competition and submit an entry.”

To participate, students must read a book of their choice and write a letter to the author about how the work changed their life or view of the world.

There are three levels of participation: Level 1 for grades 4-6, Level 2 for grades 7-8 and Level 3 for grades 9-12. The deadline to enter is Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Students can enter on their own or through their school, local library or other youth organization.

One winner will be selected from each group to receive a cash award and a plaque signed by Secretary White. Teachers of the winning students will receive a certificate and a cash award for their school to purchase books for the library.

Read more: Joyce invites student readers to enter “Letters About Literature in Illinois” competition

Joyce reminds business owners to take advantage of Business Interruption Grant program

• COVID-19
• Small businesses
• BIG Grant

KANKAKEE – As small businesses face financial uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging business owners to apply for a Business Interruption Grant (BIG). 

“Small businesses form the core of our community, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it extremely difficult for some to survive,” Joyce said. “I encourage folks that have suffered significant losses to apply for aid through the BIG program to help them through these challenging times.” 

In this round of grants, $220 million will be allocated to provide relief for all types of small businesses. Funding can be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent, utilities and other operational costs.

The BIG program is a $636 million program created to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. The program uses federal funds provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses.

Read more: Joyce reminds business owners to take advantage of Business Interruption Grant program

Joyce, DeLuca, Meyers-Martin to host flu shot clinic in Park Forest

• Park Forest
• Flu Shot Clinic
• Walgreens

PARK FOREST – As flu season approaches, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights), and State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin (D-Olympia Fields) will co-host a drive-up flu shot clinic Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 3-6 p.m. in the parking lot of Freedom Hall, located at 410 Lakewood Blvd. in Park Forest.

“Getting a flu shot is an easy way for Illinoisans to protect themselves and their families from the flu,” Joyce said. “This drive-up clinic will make getting a flu vaccine easier and more convenient for folks, while abiding by IDPH’s health guidelines.”

The lawmakers are partnering with Walgreens to host the clinic, which will be held outdoors in a drive-up format to allow appropriate social distancing. Masks will still be required, and safety precautions will be in place to promote a safe and healthy environment for everyone. Participants are required to bring their insurance card and photo ID to receive a flu shot.  

"With winter approaching, it's important we are prepared, like getting an annual flu shot,” DeLuca said. “It will help keep ourselves and our family safe and healthy.”

Read more: Joyce, DeLuca, Meyers-Martin to host flu shot clinic in Park Forest