SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to address the substitute teacher shortage in Illinois, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) has introduced a bill that would increase the number of hours a retired teacher may work without impairing their retirement status.

“The pandemic has put a strain on the already-shrinking pool of teachers,” Joyce said. “As more school districts transition from remote learning to in-person instruction, some will be faced with challenges in hiring substitute teachers.”

Currently, Illinois law allows retired teachers to substitute teach for up to 120 days or 600 hours without jeopardizing their retirement status. Because retired teachers often return to work as substitute teachers, Joyce’s initiative would create a yearly, rather than lifetime limit: Retired teachers could substitute teach for 100 days or 500 hours each school year beginning July 1, 2023.

“There’s no question that something must change,” Joyce said. “The goal of this legislation is to increase the pool of qualified substitute teachers for school districts while allowing former teachers to maintain their retirement status.”

Senate Bill 1989 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday and now goes to the full Senate.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is reminding motorists who have been unable to visit a driver services facility to renew their driver’s licenses and purchase vehicle stickers online, especially while the Chicago Heights driver services facility is closed.

“Until drivers in Chicago Heights have a convenient facility to visit to renew and pay fees, I encourage folks to take full advantage of the online services available on the secretary of state’s website,” Joyce said. “While we work to reopen the facility in Chicago Heights, this is the best option for drivers.”

Online transactions can be conducted on the secretary of state’s website at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

The secretary of state offers a wide range of services online, including purchasing license plate stickers and renewing driver’s licenses and ID cards.

To renew license plate stickers online, residents will need a registration ID and PIN, which are located on the renewal notice and registration card – which most people keep in their vehicle’s glove compartment. Vehicle owners may then visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com and click on “License Plates Renewal” under Online Services.

BRACEVILLE – To improve public infrastructure in the Village of Braceville, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) secured a $454,165 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to help the village make much-needed improvements to stormwater drainage systems.

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the Village of Braceville has been selected to receive CDBG funding for the east side of town storm water improvements. The grant is designed to assist low- to moderate-income communities with improvements that remove conditions detrimental to public health and safety.

“This grant helps the village continue to move forward with public infrastructure improvements,” Joyce said. “I applaud village officials on being proactive in applying for state funding opportunities, and I look forward to seeing this project develop.”

Throughout the grant application process, Joyce advocated on behalf of the village at the state level to help Braceville secure funding. Joyce believes this boost in funding will bring a welcome change to the community.

All grants this year are for water and sewer projects. To learn more about the CDBG program visit DCEO’s website.

PEMBROKE – Residents of Pembroke Township could heat their homes more cleanly and efficiently under legislation from State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex). The measure, which would help bring a natural gas pipeline to the area, cleared the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee Thursday.

This legislation would create the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program, administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The program would distribute grants for the construction of new natural gas pipelines and infrastructure in Pembroke Township.

“No natural gas pipeline serves Pembroke Township, which forces 2,100 residents to rely on propane, wood-burning stoves and electric space heaters,” Joyce said. “Not only would this pipeline make residents’ lives easier, but the installation would also help bring new jobs to Pembroke.”

At a December 2019 meeting, Nicor officials identified 400 homes and 22 businesses in the village for service in the project, estimated to cost $8 million. While residents would be able to opt in or out of service, Joyce secured $1 million in state funding last year that will cover residents’ costs if they choose to convert their homes to natural gas service.

“The effort to bring natural gas to Pembroke dates back a couple of decades,” Joyce said. “I’m thrilled to be the sponsor of this transformative legislation.”

Senate Bill 2393 moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.