KANKAKEE — With support from State Senator Patrick Joyce, five public libraries in the 40^th Senate District are set to receive more than $219,000 in funding through library and literacy grant programs.

“Many libraries are able to expand their services because of funding through these state programs,” said Joyce (D-Essex).  “From events to books, libraries are one of the best things about a community, and it’s imperative we give them the funding and support they deserve.”

The programs are administered through the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, who has awarded nearly $22 million for library services and $6 million for literacy programs throughout the state. The following organizations in the 40^th District will receive funding:

• Bradley Public Library District - $8,410
• Kankakee Public Library - $34,000
• Joliet Junior College -$34,888
• Kankakee Community College - $68,000
• Prairie State College - $74,311

The goal of the grants is to enhance online catalogues, support day-to-day operations, expand interlibrary loan programs and equip vision-impaired individuals with narrations of newspaper content. The literacy grants are designed to promote basic reading, math, writing and English language skills.

“Equipping our libraries with the resources they need to increase services and expand offerings is essential to enhancing the accessibility of learning materials for all Illinois residents regardless of their geographic location, accessibility needs, income status or educational level,” Giannoulias said. “Meanwhile, increasing the state’s literacy level results in opportunities for individual success and makes communities stronger.”

For more information about the library and literacy grant programs, click here.

KANKAKEE – In an effort to address the ongoing teacher shortage, State Senator Patrick Joyce joined the Illinois State Board of Education in announcing $7.4 million in funding for grants to help prepare high school students for careers in education.

“Teachers are assets to our children and schools,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We need career and technical education programs so our state has valuable educators who care about the future of our students.”

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Education Career Pathway Grants aim to address the teacher shortage by preparing high school students for careers in education through hands-on experiences. The three-year grants — which were awarded primarily to rural, understaffed and underfunded areas — also strive to increase diversity within the state’s teacher workforce. 

ISBE provided $24.8 million through previous rounds, serving nearly 12,000 Illinois high school students across 212 school districts and three community colleges. This round of grants was awarded to 18 entities, serving 39 school districts. Kankakee Area Regional Vocational Education System, located in Joyce’s District, is set to receive funding from the grant program.

KANKAKEE — State Senator Patrick Joyce announced that 20 school districts across the 40^th District will receive over $11 million in funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“Evidence-based funding continues to show our state’s testament to provide quality education to our students,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This funding helps provide schools with the best resources possible to ensure we are giving all students a chance to succeed.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing $15 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development program, including more than $410,000 for Kankakee County.

“Programs like JTED ensure we have a well-equipped workforce while also providing opportunities for folks who have had a hard time finding employment,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We are providing people with education, skills and training that will benefit them in the long run which will in turn help our communities and lead to a prosperous economy.”

The Job Training and Economic Development program provides workforce training and wraparound services to help bolster equitable workforce recovery for Illinoisans struggling to gain meaningful employment. Funds from this program aim to address the economic impacts experienced by employers and individuals who are underemployed, unemployed or underrepresented who have one or more barriers to employment that are identified as risk factors.

This is the second round of funding from the JTED program, awarding over $15 million to 33 organizations across Illinois. Kankakee County, which falls within Joyce’s district, is set to receive over $410,000 from the program.

“The continued success of the JTED program is a testament to the importance of intentional investments in Illinois’ world-class workforce,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “This funding will support services to underemployed, unemployed and underrepresented communities and provide individuals access to good paying job opportunities.”