SPRINGFIELD – A Senator Patrick Joyce and Representative Fran Hurley measure to give taxpayers more opportunities to provide support and resources to first responders was signed into law Friday. 

“First responders put their lives on the line for our community and we should have an easier option to give back,” said Joyce (D-Essex).

House Bill 4161 aims to increase donations to the 100 Club of Illinois by making a convenient donation option on individual state income tax returns. The 100 Club of Illinois is a nonprofit that provides resources, financial support, training and moral support to both the families of first responders killed in the line of duty and active duty first responders. All sworn federal, state, county and local first responders stationed in Illinois are included.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will now have more access to mental and behavioral health specialists thanks to a law signed Friday supported by State Senator Patrick Joyce.

“This new law provides more access to mental health treatment,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “The aim is to break down barriers so people can get care when they need it.” 

In Illinois, there are only 14 behavioral health care professionals for every 10,000 Illinois residents. Many people are forced to wait longer for essential treatment or forego health care entirely because of this gap. This can be detrimental to their mental and physical well-being.

To address these issues, the new law focuses on expanding the current workforce. It accelerates the process for out-of-state clinicians applying for licensure in Illinois, as well as streamlines requirements for social workers, professional counselors, and clinical psychologists with licenses that have been inactive for five years. Additionally, it includes initiatives to support diversity in the mental health field, establishes tax credits, and includes provisions to improve quality and access to care for those seeking assistance.

The law, filed under Senate Bill 3617, takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – To assist the Illinois State Police curb the rise in carjackings, State Senator Patrick Joyce supported a new measure that will give more counties across the state expanded access to funding for expressway cameras.

“The Illinois State Police have had great success using expressway cameras to track down carjackings in process,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We want every part of Illinois to have access to the best technology to deter crime.”

Cameras are an important resource for law enforcement to investigate crimes that occur on the road. Under current law, the Illinois Department of Transportation must use revenue from the Road Fund to fund any cameras on expressways under their jurisdiction. House Bill 4481 expands the funds available for cameras by including expressways under the Illinois Tollway Authority’s jurisdiction. The Tollway must include funds intended for cameras in their annual budget request.

SPRINGFIELD – New law supported by State Senator Patrick Joyce, makes opioid overdose reversal drug, naloxone, more accessible was signed into law on Thursday.

“As we continue to deal with the ongoing opioid crisis in Illinois, it is important to have lifesaving medication available,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “I supported this law because it will save lives.”

House Bill 4408 prohibits insurers and Medicaid from charging a copay for naloxone – an opioid suppressant. Naloxone can be lifesaving for people overdosing on opioids, but can often be inaccessible with a cost of up to $140 for two doses.

More than 75,000 people died from an opioid overdose in 2020 – and in one out of three cases, a bystander was present who could have saved the person’s life, had naloxone been accessible. House Bill 4408 is another step toward saving lives from the deadly effects of opioids.

“In order to help people struggling with addiction, we need to keep them alive,” said Joyce.

House Bill 4408 is now signed into law and is effective Jan. 1, 2024.