UNIVERSITY PARK – With support from State Senator Patrick Joyce, Governors State University will receive $129,169 to address student homelessness and help provide necessities many students lack.

“College students should be focused on their school work, not wondering where they will sleep that night,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “I’m hopeful that with this funding, Governors State will be able to look into the concerns that have surfaced around student homelessness and be able to put a plan into effect.”

The End Student Housing Insecurity grants were awarded by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and will be used to support ongoing efforts to address systemic causes of student homelessness and basic-needs insecurity. Governors State University is one of 10 institutions chosen by the IBHE.

The grants were awarded by a competitive application process, based on the school’s ability to address primary causes of homelessness and basic-needs insecurity, and to help students overcome barriers to graduation. The investment to Governors State University is just one step in the state’s higher education plan to close equity gaps for students.

“When students are lacking essential needs or struggling with housing issues, it creates a major burden on top of their coursework and can result in poor performance,” said Joyce. “These students deserve a secure and supportive environment that allows them to thrive academically, and this funding aims to make that happen.”

For more information on the End Student Housing Insecurity grants, click here.

SPRINGFIELD – Beginning Jan. 1, there will be an easier process to obtain a hunting, fishing, trapping and sportsmen’s license, thanks to State Senator Patrick Joyce.

“There are many people who participate in these activities in our state, but it’s common that some forget to renew their licenses every year,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “By changing the expiration date on licenses from one year to three, it allows people to enjoy these activities without having to question if they renewed their license for the year.”

The new law allows Illinois residents to obtain a three-year fishing, hunting, sportsmen’s combination or trapping license at three times the cost of an annual one.

“This is a common-sense change that is guaranteed to save hunters, anglers and trappers time while supporting our state’s conservations efforts,” said Joyce.

House Bill 3677 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Patrick Joyce to help solve Illinois’ firefighter shortage will go into effect Jan. 1.

“Firefighters, both full-time and volunteer, are essential first responders, and we cannot afford to continue to see declining numbers in these positions,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This law is a step in the right direction to help tackle the shortage we have seen for almost a decade.”

The new law creates the Firefighter Training Leave of Absence Act, which allows state employees leave from their job to attend firefighter training.

Fire departments across the state have faced a shortage of new recruits and volunteer firefighters in recent years. Along with Senate Bill 1611 to help combat this issue, Joyce also sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 7, which created the Recruiting and Retaining Public Employee Firefighters and Paramedics Task Force to identify solutions to the shortage of eligible applicants for the positions.

“Not everyone can easily take the time off they need to complete the training courses to become a volunteer firefighter,” said Joyce. “I’m hopeful this law will encourage more people to complete the training so we can begin to see more recruits and help communities feel safe.”

Senate Bill 1611 takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

MANHATTAN – With support from State Senator Patrick Joyce, Manhattan Park District will receive a $200,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for recreational development projects at Round Barn Farm.

“Investing in our parks and trails is an investment in the well-being of our communities,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “These are spaces for folks to engage in recreational activities and come together as a community. It is necessary we continue to provide funding for them so they can stay accessible.”

More than $3.7 million was awarded to 19 different communities, which will be used to help meet the growing demand for improved trails and outdoor recreational facilities. Grants may be used for land acquisition, trail construction and rehabilitation, purchase of equipment for trail development and maintenance, restoration of areas damaged by unauthorized trail use, construction of trail-related support facilities such as parking and restrooms, and educational programs

The 19 recipients were recommended for funding by the Illinois Greenways and Trails Council, overseen by IDNR, and is made up of representatives of statewide motorized and non-motorized user organizations, state agencies, organizations involved in greenways and trails and metro-area greenways and trails coalitions.

“We are very pleased to receive the RTP grant for the Round Barn Farm Trail improvements. We thank the State of Illinois and the Federal Recreational Trails Program for recognizing the benefits these trails will bring to Round Barn Farm Park, our residents and future trail connections in our region,” said Jay Kelly, executive director of Manhattan Park District. “We want to also thank our legislators, Senator Patrick Joyce and Representative Anthony DeLuca, in supporting the Manhattan Park District in their efforts in Springfield.”

To see a full list of recipients, click here.