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.

SPRINGFIELD – To modernize the way the Illinois State Police processes and issues FOID cards and concealed carry licenses, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) supported FOID modernization legislation which would speed up processing and improve public safety.

“One of the top issues I have heard about during my time in the Senate is the huge backlog of applications for folks trying to renew their FOID cards,” Joyce said. “This legislation streamlines the process, brings down the backlog and focuses more resources on enforcement.”

The bill seeks to protect communities by enhancing existing background check protocols—a measure meant to more effectively ensure that firearms are kept out of the wrong hands.

For gun owners with a history of safe and responsible ownership, the legislation would offer the option to apply for an automatically renewing FOID card by voluntarily submitting fingerprints. FOID cards and concealed carry licenses would also be condensed into one document and license holders could opt for a digital copy, making it easier for gun owners to keep their licenses with them at all times.

“It’s clear that the system currently in place is not working, and it’s long past time to get the Illinois State Police back on track in a way that supports law-abiding gun owners,” Joyce said. “I’m proud to see this legislation advance.” 

House Bill 562 passed the Senate with a vote of 40-17.