SPRINGFIELD – A measure reducing the registration fee for older Illinoisans was signed into law this month under legislation supported by State Senator Patrick Joyce.

“This new law is especially helpful to those on fixed incomes,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We are all facing the burden from rising prices and inflation, it’s good to provide relief where we can.”

The measure would reduce the vehicle registration fee for vehicle owners and their spouses from $24 to $10 if they qualify or have been approved for benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability Property Tax Relief Act.

Under the act, an individual qualifies if they are 65 years of age or older or if a single person’s income is less than $33,562 a year and less than $44,533 for a couple.

The legislation is effective Jan. 1, 2023.

KANKAKEE – To encourage summer reading, State Senator Patrick Joyce is launching a Summer Reading Club for children and young people who live in the 40th State Senate District.

“The goal of this club is to prevent the summer slide by keeping kids engaged and rewarding them when they meet the goals,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “I’m looking forward to hosting this program again this summer and hope to have even more participation than last year.”

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

“This program will help kids make reading into a habit and prepare them for the upcoming school year,” said Joyce. “I hope the reading club boosts healthy brain development and lifelong learning.”

To receive a book club form, visit SenatorPatrickJoyce.com to download and print the form. Parents can also call Joyce’s Kankakee or Chicago Heights offices at 708-756-0882 to request a copy by mail.

Joyce urges interested residents to call his office with any additional questions.

SPRINGFIELD – Future Farmers of America chapters across Illinois will soon see more financial assistance thanks to grants that would be paid out through the Future Farmers of America Fund created through legislation championed by State Senator Patrick Joyce.
 
“As lifetime FFA member myself, I am proud to champion legislation that has full support across the board,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “FFA taught me so many valuable lessons that I still hold and apply to my life as a farmer and state senator – and I want to provide those same opportunities for other students across our state.”
 
House Bill 5400 also allows the Illinois Secretary of State to issue FFA universal specialty license plates. The funds collected from the distribution of the decals will then go into the Future Farmers of America Fund. Anyone can apply for and be issued one of the plates for an additional $25 to their standard vehicle registration fee. For the original issuance, $10 will go to the FFA Fund, and for renewals $23 will go to the fund.

KANKAKEE – Over 125 businesses in Kankakee, Will and southern Cook counties were awarded nearly $4 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Patrick Joyce.

“This is good for our small business community and will help boost our local economy,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “I will continue to advocate for investment in our area.”

A total of $3,925,000 was awarded to 128 businesses in the 40^th Senate District. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons, and disproportionately impacted areas.

With strong leadership from Joyce, Illinois earned two-notch bond upgrades from two major credit rating agencies this month – and received the upgrade by all three major credit rating agencies in less than a year. This marks the sixth credit upgrade the state has received in the last year, as a result of the state paying down its bill backlog from over $16 billion to less than $3 billion in a course of just a few years.

Due to fiscal responsibility, the state saw an increase in funds available to assist small businesses.

Small businesses can visit the DCEO website for additional resources or contact DCEO’s First Stop Business Information Center Services at 800-252-2923 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..