SPRINGFIELD - In order to offer much needed relief to Illinois property taxpayers, the Illinois State Senate passed a measure that defers tax sales and gives counties the ability to extend homestead exemptions and waive late fees.

“Communities I represent pay up to three times the national average on property taxes, which can be a huge financial burden,” State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) said. “We have to offer as much relief as we possibly can, especially knowing the hardships many are facing right now.”

Senate Bill 685 gives chief county assessment officers the authority to approve homestead exemptions without applications in 2020 for people who have disabilities, are veterans with disabilities, and senior citizens who qualifies for assessment freezes.

Exemption extensions permitted if:

• The county board has previously declared a local disaster related to COVID-19; 
• The owner of the property as of Jan. 1, 2020 is the same owner as of Jan. 1, 2019;
• The applicant for the 2019 taxable year has not yet asked for the exemption to be removed for the 2019 or 2020 taxable year;  
• The exemption for the 2019 taxable year has not been determined to be an erroneous exemption.

Read more: Joyce: Property tax relief will help ease financial hardships

ESSEX - The National Weather Service is forecasting major river flooding over the next several days for portions of the Illinois River, including in Grundy County. State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is pleased that nearly 60 Illinois National Guard soldiers for State Active Duty to assist with the state’s response efforts.

Both Grundy County and the governor have issued disaster declarations to provide additional resources for the local flood response. These declarations will ensure state support to communities that are shoring up local levees to protect against rising river levels.

“We have to respond quickly to rising water levels,” Joyce said. “Flooding is always unpredictable and dangerous, so I appreciate the efforts of the National Guard to support our local first responders.”

The service members called to active duty will see a change in normal operations to address the COVID-19 environment.  All guardsmen will be tested for COVID-19 prior to deployment into the local communities. Additionally, they will be issued personal protective equipment to use while working in conditions where they cannot appropriately implement social distancing procedures, and they will be housed within the community to ensure the virus is not being brought into the affected communities.

Read more: Joyce commends move to send National Guard to Grundy County to help with flooding

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is promoting the state’s new Get Hired Illinois web portal, which connects workers with available job opportunities and a new partnership with Coursera to provide Illinoisans with professional development.

“I know many have lost their jobs during these unprecedented times,” Joyce said. “I encourage everyone who has lost their job to use this new website to help find work.”

The Get Hired portal combines resources from the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide information on both unemployment and job opportunities in one location. The page is designed for job seekers of all levels and backgrounds and allows employers to upload jobs, virtual career fairs, and training opportunities.

Job seekers and employers can access the page here.

Nearly 60,000 job opportunities across a range of industries are currently available on the Get Hired portal, and more will be made available in the coming weeks. Additionally, more than 70 employers have committed to hosting virtual job fairs through the site.

The state is also launching a new partnership with Coursera to provide professional development opportunities for individuals looking to navigate new career pathways. After completing these online programs, participants will have the opportunity to continue their studies at a local community college or university, or to connect with employers through their local workforce boards.

Unemployed Illinois residents can access the Coursera platform on Illinois WorkNet beginning June 1, 2020.

PARK FOREST - State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex)  highlighted that the Illinois Secretary of State’s office will help commercial drivers continue delivering and producing essential goods.

There are three Commercial Drivers License facilities now open to meet the demand being placed on commercial and agricultural enterprises delivering and producing essential goods.

“Farmers and truck drivers heavily rely on vehicles that require a CDL,” Joyce said. “We need to keep these testing facilities open during this crisis to ensure essential products are delivered safely.”

 While only a limited number of facilities are set to reopen, the secretary of state’s office will be taking the necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of employees and applicants.

The locations and hours of the facilities open include:

• Springfield Dirksen, 2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Marion, 1905 W. Rendelman St., Tuesday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m.-noon 
•  West Chicago, 120 Powis Rd., Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

CDL driving tests will be conducted by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 217-785-3013. All other CDL transactions will be first-come, first-served. For more information, please visit cyberdriveillinois.com.