KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce announced that the Bourbonnais Township Park District will receive a total of $200,000 in funding for the Perry Farm Multi-Use Trail Extension.

“One of my favorite things to do is to spend time outdoors,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Anytime we are able to secure funding for improvements of outdoor recreation, I’m all in. I cannot wait to see the new developments for this trail!”

The funding is from the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, administrated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. All funds for the program come from a percentage of motor vehicle title fees, providing a maximum grant award of $200,000 per project for development projects, with no maximum grant award limit for land acquisition projects.

The Bourbonnais Park District will allocate this funding to provide a safe trail connection to the many businesses and attractions of West Bradley and South Bourbonnais, improve non-motorized traffic safety, and encourage more and safer bicycle and pedestrian traffic in the area.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS – To provide local seniors with information and different resources available to them, State Senator Patrick Joyce is hosting a Senior Citizen Resource Fair on Oct. 17 in Chicago Heights.

“More times than not, our senior population is unaware of the resources that are available to them,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This event will be a time for seniors to engage with different community providers and learn about all the organizations and services they can benefit from.”

The Senior Citizen Resource Fair will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Prairie State College Conference Center, located at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights. There will be organizations and community providers to inform residents on resources available to them in the area.

Residents with questions can reach out to Joyce’s district office at 708-756-0882.

RICHTON PARK – To provide local residents with information and assistance regarding mental health, State Senator Patrick Joyce will partner with State Senator Michael Hastings and State Representatives Anthony DeLuca and Debbie Meyers-Martin for a Mental Health Resource Fair.

“Your mental health is just as important as your physical health,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This event will be a great opportunity for residents to discover different resources available to them regarding their mental health.”

The Mental Health Resource Fair will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 5-8 p.m. at Richton Park Village Hall, located at 4455 Sauk Trail. There will be 20-minute presentations on child mental health and teen mental health, and South Suburban NAMI will be there to discuss their local resources.

Residents with questions can reach out to Joyce’s district office at 708-756-0882.

KANKAKEE – Three communities in the 40^th District will receive funding for affordable housing and community revitalization through the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Strong Communities Program, supported by State Senator Patrick Joyce.

“There are vacant properties all over the region that are not serving their purpose, communities or residents,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “It’s funding like this that allows local governments to restore these neighborhoods and other community areas in order to make them purposeful once again.”

The Strong Communities Program is designed to support local revitalization efforts and attract further investment in communities that may lack the resources needed to tackle vacant, abandoned and deteriorated properties.