MONEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce joined Voortman Steel Machinery leadership and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to announce the expansion of the Voortman Steel company in Monee.

“Bringing Voortman Steel to the district is proof that Illinois has the tools and leadership available to attract new business to the state,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This expansion will bring economic growth and good-paying jobs to the area while strengthening our business and manufacturing industries. This is big for the 40^th District and all Illinoisans, and I’m proud to have worked hard alongside others to make it a reality.”

Voortman Steel Machinery is a global leading manufacturer of CNC steel processing machinery and software solutions, catering to diverse industries. To meet increased customer demand, Voortman’s expansion aims to grow the company’s workforce – benefiting the area by creating new jobs and moving more manufacturing supply chains to Illinois.

As part of the state's comprehensive incentive package, Voortman received an Economic Development for a Growing Economy tax credit and has committed to making a $51.4 million investment, creating 51 new full-time jobs and retaining 40 full-time jobs. In calendar year 2023, companies in the EDGE program committed nearly $900 million in investments in Illinois communities across the state.

“As we break ground today, we’re not just laying the foundation for a building. We’re laying the foundation for a brighter more prosperous future for the area. We’re showing everyone that economic growth and working with local and state government can go hand in hand,” said Voortman Steel Machinery President Ben Morrall. “To everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring us to this moment – the architects, the engineers, the city planners, local government, governor’s office and countless others – thank you. Your vision and dedication have made this possible.”

KANKAKEE – In an effort to address the amount of food deserts in the state, State Senator Patrick Joyce joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing a second round of grant funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative’s New Stores in Food Deserts Grant Program.

“The amount of food deserts in the region is depriving people and families from fresh food options,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “The Grocery Initiative Act gives us the opportunity to upgrade existing stores and create new ones that are easily accessible. With this second round of funding from the program, it’s important all eligible entities apply so we can ensure residents have food on their tables.”

Under the Grocery Initiative Act, DCEO is required to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to grocery stores located in or to be located in a food desert. 

The New Stores in Food Deserts Program awards will support the establishment of new grocery stores in USDA-defined food deserts. These grants will fund construction and renovation costs for new stores, as well as many first-year operations costs, such as employee wages, utility costs, initial inventory of food and more.

WILMINGTON – State Senator Patrick Joyce and State Representative Anthony DeLuca joined the Illinois Department of Transportation in announcing the start of the Illinois 53 resurfacing project in their districts..

“We have advocated for this project to move up on IDOT’s priority list – and it’s now becoming a reality,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We know this route is heavily traveled in Will County and with construction now starting, we can hope to see improvements, more accessibility and safety factors soon.”

The project consists of resurfacing Illinois 53 starting at Baltimore Street from Water Street (Illinois 102) to Wilmington-Peotone Road/Kankakee River Drive in Wilmington. The construction will include new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and is expected to be completely in early December.

“I appreciate that IDOT is prioritizing this project and plans to have it completed by winter,” said DeLuca. “Through Rebuild Illinois, we continue to make responsible, forward-thinking investments in our local infrastructure that meet the transportation demands of today and tomorrow.”

“I appreciate that Senator Joyce and Representative DeLuca work to represent their entire district and recognize how important this resurfacing project is for Wilmington,” said Will County Board Public Works and Transportation chair Joe VanDuyne. “I’m proud to collaborate with them to deliver results like this for our constituents.”

The public can expect daytime intermittent lane closures, delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and strips in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly $9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation.

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.