UNIVERISTY PARK – Governors State University is among one of 21 higher education institutions that have been awarded funding from the Illinois Board of Higher Education in the second round of Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund grants, State Senator Patrick Joyce announced Friday.

“Many of our state’s higher education students struggled with hard times academically as a result of the pandemic,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “In order for students to get back on the right track, it’s important that universities are providing resources for them in order to grow and be successful.”

This is the second round of GEER grants to Illinois institutions of higher education to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic. More than $10.5 million in grants have been distributed to 21 universities in the state, both public and private institutions. Governors State University has been awarded over $445,000 as a result of the second round of grants.

These funds will help institutions better support students in their journey toward degree completion by improving the accessibility of academic advising and counseling resources and enhancing the quality of learning through digital tools and educator professional development. Grant funds will also help institutions invest in infrastructure for mental health and wellness by addressing gaps in mental health services on campus and improving the availability of counseling services.

“College can already be a difficult transition for groups of people who have historically been left behind, and COVID did not make it any easier,” said Joyce. “I’m glad that the Board of Higher Education has acknowledged this and is enabling colleges in the state to help our students.”

For more information about the second round of GEER grants and to see a complete list of grant recipients, visit IBHE’s website.

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Railroad Association announced State Senator Patrick Joyce as a recipient of the Association’s annual Railroader of the Year Award. “Senator Patrick Joyce is a true champion of the freight railroad system in Illinois,” said Tim Butler, President of the Illinois Railroad Association. “He understands the importance of what our historic rail system means not just to Illinois, but our nation, our continent and our entire world. His hard-fought advocacy for issues promoting a robust freight rail system helps get our state’s goods to market, ensures that Illinoisans have the items they want to purchase on store shelves and continues the emphasis that rail is an environmentally-friendly method of shipping.  The Illinois Railroad Association is proud to designate him as Railroader of the Year for 2022.”

Senator Joyce, as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee in the 102^nd General Assembly, ensured that the railroad industry was included in the 2022 working group which discussed extending the sales tax exemption on bio-diesel fuel.  Through the work of Senator Joyce, the rise in bio-diesel blends over the next several years will also allow locomotives to continue using the fuel safely and help advance the railroad industry’s commitment to sound environmental policy.

 “There are many people who don’t realize the importance of our state’s railways. This is the most efficient way to move freight across land, and this major industry needs the same amount of investment as other industries in our state,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Investments in the Illinois railway system are a necessity, which is why I have always been dedicated to ensuring Illinois railroads are a priority.”

Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association, was also a recipient of the Association’s annual Railroader of the Year Award.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS – The Illinois EPA announced a combined $130,000 is coming to three communities in the 40^th District to help them identify service lines that may contain lead.

“Safe, clean drinking water is a resource that all people should have access to,” said State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex). “Lead present in drinking water has shown to be very harmful to people’s health, and with this funding, our communities will be able to ensure families won’t face this problem alone.” 

Senator Joyce voted for the legislation creating the Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act in 2021. The Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act establishes timelines and requirements for the removal and replacement of all lead service lines in Illinois and creates a low-income water assistance program to help fund financial assistance and water projects that include lead pipe replacement.

The three communities in Joyce’s district who have received Lead Service Line Inventory Grants are Chicago Heights, South Chicago Heights and Steger.

Illinois has more lead service lines than any other state in the nation, with an estimated 730,000 to 1.4 million lead service lines in the ground. There is no safe level of exposure to lead.  

“This funding will provide many communities with the necessary funding to develop a complete inventory identifying the types of water lines that exist in their drinking water supplies,” said Illinois EPA Director John Kim.

To see a full list of Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Grants, click here.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS – Construction and building trades will be expanded in the Chicago Heights area thanks to a $400,000 investment secured by State Senator Patrick Joyce for Bethel Family Resource Center.

“By expanding the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship programs, more jobs and opportunities will be accessible to our community,” said Joyce (D- Essex). “When we support apprenticeships and trades careers, we are able to open doors for people, grow our communities and fill jobs that are in high demand.”

The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship was created to promote diversity, inclusion and use of apprentices in state-funded capital projects. Comprehensive pre-apprenticeship programs help participants gain admission to apprenticeship programs, which provide a greater opportunity to obtain employment in the construction trades and secure long-term employment.

A total of $13 million for the program’s second year will expand access to the program across the state and will serve up to 1,400 pre-apprentices – a 40% increase from the program’s inaugural year. With the support of Joyce, Bethel Family Resource Center in Chicago Heights will see a $400,000 investment to continue providing these services to individuals.

“Right now, investing in apprenticeship programs and the trades industry is what communities need, especially in underserved areas,” said Joyce. “These are the kinds of investments that will bring long-term employment and benefits to folks while providing life-changing experiences for them and their families.”

Participants of the program attend tuition-free and receive a stipend and other supportive, barrier reduction services to help enter the construction industry. Upon completion of the program, pre-apprentices receive industry aligned certifications to prepare and qualify them to continue to a registered apprenticeship program in one of the trades.

Information on the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program can be found here.