PARK FOREST— In an effort to maintain student progress outside the classroom, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is launching a Summer Reading Club for children and young people who live in the 40th State Senate District.
 
Joyce is launching a Summer Reading Club to counteract summer learning loss, which occurs when students “turn off their brains” during summer months.

“Summer reading is critical in keeping our children engaged and curious for the next academic year,” Joyce said. “I am encouraging young readers to set aside 10-15 minutes a day to read and make it a part of their summer routine.”

Studies indicate that 2 months of reading skills and 2 ½ months of math skills are lost over a single summer.

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books and return the form to Joyce’s office by Aug. 11. Participants will receive a gift card and certificate from Senator Joyce. 

CHICAGO HEIGHTS – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is cautioning residents to be on alert for multiple texting and emailing scams claiming to be from the secretary of state’s office seeking personal information to defraud Illinoisans.

“There has been an increase in text and email scams trying to take advantage of individuals during tough times,” Joyce said. “Please stay vigilant, and don’t let your guard down against the very real risk of fraud and identity theft.”

According to the secretary of state’s office, scammers are sending unsolicited text messages and emails claiming to be from the Illinois Secretary of State. In some instances, the scammers copy the Secretary of State website logos and masthead to appear official.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the Senate’s passage of a balanced state budget, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Esssex) praised investments in agriculture and farming families included in the plan:

“As our state continues to move forward from the pandemic, this budget addresses the issues our communities are facing every day and demonstrates the state’s investment in recovery now.

“I’m proud to support a balanced, responsible budget that keeps our farming families in mind, increasing funding to programs that help our agricultural industry continue to thrive. This plan puts our entire state—including our rural communities—on the path to real, lasting recovery.”

SPRINGFIELD – After speaking with many constituents who were having trouble renewing license fees for their small trailers, Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) became a lead co-sponsor on Senate Bill 58, which creates a new registration class for small trailers, lowering the cost of the fee for licensing a small trailer from $118 to $36.

“The fee hike on one class of trailer license plates is unfair and unacceptable, which is why I supported legislation to create a more reasonable registration system,” Joyce said. “By reversing the increase, we can give Illinois residents the chance to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.”

The legislation designates all trailers that weigh 2,000 pounds or less as “utility trailers” and sets the utility trailer registration fee at $36. Fees were increased on these trailers in 2019 as a part of the Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure plan.

The measure applies only to trailers primarily designated for personal use.