Joyce encourages businesses to apply for PPP loans

• PPP
• Small businesses

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging small businesses to apply for COVID-19 relief funds through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.

“This program is a great opportunity for businesses to gain some financial certainty while they try to weather this pandemic,” Joyce said. “I strongly encourage small businesses to contact their banks before the Aug. 8 deadline to see if they are eligible to benefit.”

The application period has been extended to allow more businesses to apply for a portion of $10 million in relief funding. Loans will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and may be used to keep employees on the payroll and pay overhead expenses.

More than 27,000 Illinois businesses have already taken advantage of the loans – saving an estimated 1.36 million jobs – according to the Small Business Administration.

PPP loans have an interest rate of 1% and can be fully forgiven if they are used for eligible costs, including payroll, rent, utilities or interest on mortgages. To find participating lenders, business owners and managers can visit the Small Business Administration’s website here.

Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163 receives grant to improve broadband access

• Grant
• Broadband
• Park Forest
• Chicago Heights

PARK FOREST – A new state grant will expand access to high-speed internet for students and families in Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Monday.

“People living in rural areas deserve reliable internet access,” Joyce said. “Especially during this pandemic, when working and learning from home has become the norm, it’s important that we expand broadband internet service so no community is left behind.”

The Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163 is one of 12 organizations to receive a grant from the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through the Illinois Connected Communities program, created to help build broadband capacity in underserved areas.

In addition to an award of up to $15,000, the 12-month program provides free expert consultation to enable each Illinois Connected Community to complete a plan for expanding broadband that identifies actions to improve internet access in the areas of community and economic development, education, civic engagement, healthcare, agriculture, and more.

The program directs $150,000 in state-funded small grants for community and local government partners to help improve access to high-speed broadband in their communities. The state grants will be matched by $150,000 in philanthropic funds.

These grants will help lay the groundwork for individual communities to play a part in Connect Illinois, a $420 million program to bring basic internet access to all communities by 2024. Connect Illinois contemplates a second round of grants later this year.

Joyce reminds residents taxes are due July 15

• Tax Day

PARK FOREST – With the income tax filing deadline approaching, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Park Forest) is reminding residents to file their state and federal taxes on or before July 15.

“Because of COVID-19, the filing deadline was extended to July 15,” Joyce said. “While the extension provided taxpayers a few extra months to make payments during this pandemic, the deadline is almost here, and I am urging residents to file their 2019 income taxes as quickly as possible.”

According to the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR), the fastest, most secure way to receive a refund is to file a tax return electronically and request a direct deposit into a checking or savings account. Taxpayers may file and pay their IL-1040 for free through MyTax Illinois. Taxpayers who have already filed a return can check their status at www.MyTax.Illinois.gov.

For the most up-to-date information, forms, schedules and instructions for the 2019 tax year, please visit IDOR’s website at tax.illinois.gov.

Kankakee Community College receives grant for adult literacy program

• Secretary of State
• Adult Literacy Grant

KANKAKEE – Kankakee Community College has been selected to receive a grant for more than $67,000 from the Illinois Secretary of State to develop their adult literacy program, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Park Forest) announced Friday.

“The importance of literacy cannot be overstated,” Joyce said. “During these challenging times, helping someone read and write effectively or acquire basic math skills will give them the tools to take steps toward a better career and a better life.”

According to the Secretary of State’s office, more than 13,500 students will be served by adult literacy programs throughout Illinois. Supported by $5.6 million in state funds, the programs will depend on nearly 6,000 volunteer tutors to provide skills training for students.

Adult literacy projects focus on improving reading, writing and math and are targeted at Illinois adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at a beginning level.

Joyce urges skilled tutors interested in volunteering to contact the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline at 800-321-9511.