KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is joining the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in hosting a household hazardous waste collection event for Kankakee County residents on Saturday, May 22 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“This event will allow area residents to dispose of their household waste safely and properly, at no cost to them,” Joyce said. “I encourage folks to participate, as this event will lead to safer homes and a cleaner environment for our community.”

Each year, the Illinois EPA coordinates with local municipalities to conduct one-day collection events providing free household hazardous waste disposal services to residents. The first of these collections began in November 1989. Since then, over 401,350 households have participated in 449 events, with more than 78,100 drums of material collected.

Residents participating in these events are encouraged to bring chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides and pesticides, old or outdated medication, and similar hazardous household products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be brought to the collections. Items not accepted include latex paint, explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals and business wastes.

JOLIET – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) was proud to join Lion Electric Company, a Canadian-based electric vehicle company, on Friday to announce the building of its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Will County.

“I am pleased to welcome Lion Electric to Will County, as it will add to our state’s industry-leading capabilities,” Joyce said. “This facility will allow us to increase our contribution to the local economy and provide employment opportunities in our community.”

Lion Electric will be investing $70 million in the facility, which will be the largest of its kind in the nation. Nearly 750 new jobs will be created as a result of the move, and the facility is projected to produce 20,000 electric vehicles annually.

“I’m proud that our community will serve as a destination for this manufacturing company and will create high-quality jobs,” Joyce said. “I look forward to watching this project unfold and the facility grow for years to come.” 

The plant is anticipated to come online in the second half of 2022.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS – To address a growing need for residents in the Chicago Heights area to have convenient access to driver services, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) and State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) will join Secretary of State Jesse White to announce the opening of a new driver services facility at Prairie State College.

“This is an important announcement for the residents of Chicago Heights and surrounding areas who have been waiting much too long to have secretary of state services available close by,” Joyce said. “I have worked tirelessly with Rep. DeLuca and the secretary of state’s office to negotiate with Prairie State College to get the temporary location open as soon as possible so drivers have a convenient way to access state services. I’m hopeful we’ll get the regular driver services facility up and running soon, but for now, we’re working hard to make sure people still have access to the resources they need.”

Last summer, the Chicago Heights driver services facility was damaged by a fire and since then has been closed to the public. The closing of the Chicago Heights facility forced motorists to go out of their way to other secretary of state facilities in Midlothian, Joliet, Naperville and Bradley to seek out services.

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) and State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) are partnering to host a virtual workshop on Monday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m. to encourage Illinoisans to pursue careers in the trades.

“A career in the trades gives a person the opportunity to gain experience and education, learn practical and useful skills, and avoid student loan debt,” Joyce said. “With so many jobs in the trades in high demand, I encourage those looking for an alternative career path to sign up for this virtual event.” 

Attendees will be able to learn about the skilled trades and find out how to join a union, as well as connect with apprenticeship directors and contractors.

“Over the course of the past two decades we have seen an influx of qualified tradesmen and women into our workforce. More and more, young people are seeking alternatives to traditional higher education and are finding viable career paths through trades programs,” Hastings said. “It is my hope that people of all ages can use this event to their advantage and learn more about the incredible opportunities available to them in this field.”