KANKAKEE – Kankakee County will receive more than $635,000 in construction funding over the next three years, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced.

“Transportation infrastructure is crucial to our community’s economic growth and quality of life,” Joyce said. “This funding from the Rebuild Illinois program will allow our community to address some much-needed infrastructure improvements throughout Kankakee County.” 

Rebuild Illinois has allocated $1.5 billion in funding specifically for municipal- and county-level projects. Infrastructure investments improve safety, quality of life and the economy, which contributes to the revitalization of communities across the state.

“These vital infrastructure investments have a significant impact on the health and well-being of a community,” Joyce said. “This investment will ensure Kankakee County’s infrastructure remains in good shape.” 

Projects are selected and managed locally in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Transportation, and may include road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs.

A complete list of local agencies and awards can be viewed here.

PARK FOREST – The Indigo Nation Homeschool Association in Park Forest has been selected to receive a grant to help students go on field trips to learn more about biodiversity in Illinois, and State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) extends his congratulations. 

“This grant program is a tremendous opportunity for kids to get excited about science,” Joyce said. “We have great natural resources in this state and I’m glad to see the Indigo Nation Homeschool Association will be receiving a grant.”

This year, the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program awarded 37 field trip grants totaling $34,000 across the state. This program allows Illinois teachers to apply for funds to take students on a field trip to study Illinois’ natural resources. As a result of the program, more than 2,000 students will visit state parks, museums and other natural resource locations in the coming school year to gain hands-on experience with nature and conservation in Illinois.

The program began in 2001 and has awarded over $1.3 million to nearly 120,000 students. More information about the grant program is available from the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Education at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 217-524-4126. A full list of this year’s grant recipients can be found on IDNR’s website.

BRADLEY – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded grants to 13 Illinois communities to invest in housing improvement projects, and State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is pleased to see the Village of Bradley selected to receive $550,000.

“Through the Housing Rehabilitation Grants program, Illinois is working to provide assistance to residents here in the Village of Bradley and to the most vulnerable homeowners across our state,” said Joyce. “This program prioritizes projects that have fallen into a state of disrepair and provides an opportunity to restore properties to their maximum potential. Seeing that these projects are completed doesn’t just benefit the homeowner, but the entire community.”

Housing rehabilitation grants are designed to assist low- to moderate-income homeowners with improvements to ensure safe and sanitary living conditions. The funds can be used for a range of projects, including structural work, electrical, plumbing, new appliances, flooring, ADA and accessibility accommodations, and more. Homeowners work through their local unit of government to apply for the grant, and up to $50,000 may be spent on each home.

“DCEO is committed to addressing the most urgent economic development needs facing our communities – including helping low-income Illinois residents have and maintain a safe place to live,” said DCEO Acting Director Sylvia Garcia. “Through the Housing Rehabilitation program, we are leveraging federal dollars to fund projects that will not only bring homes up to code but will stabilize neighborhoods and improve quality of life for communities across the state.”
 
Joyce reminds communities that are interested in taking advantage of the program to apply in the next round of funding. Find more information on the program here.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) advanced a measure through the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee Thursday to prevent children’s lemonade stands from being shut down for not having a permit.

“This bill is inspired by 12-year-old Hayli Martinez, whose lemonade stand in Kankakee was flagged by local officials and shut down,” Joyce said. “I introduced this legislation last year after hearing Hayli’s story from a concerned constituent. Unfortunately, the bill lost momentum due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we are on track to pass Hayli’s Law this spring.” 

Under this bill, the Illinois Department of Public Health, a local health department or public health district may not regulate the sale of lemonade or non-alcoholic drinks or mixed beverages by a person under the age of 16 years. This bill would also prevent authorities from requiring a permit for children to sell lemonade on private properties or in a public park.

Senate Bill 119 cleared committee 7-0.