KANKAKEE — During this holiday season, State Senator Patrick Joyce is encouraging people to write uplifting notes to veterans as part of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs 2023 Operation Rising Spirit campaign.

“It is the little notes and gestures like this that help uplift our veterans during the holiday season,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This campaign continues to provide our former service members with comfort and a sense of appreciation this time of year.”

Operation Rising Spirit launched in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to support residents who were unable to visit friends and family. The campaign was successful in encouraging veterans and facilitated their connection with the community. During the 2022 holiday season, IDVA distributed over 5,000 letters to veterans in the state’s care.

“I encourage all individuals and organizations to participate in this year’s campaign so we can provide our veterans with joy and support,” said Joyce.

To participate, people can mail letters directly to IDVA, or submit on the IDVA website. Letters will be divided equally between the state’s five veterans’ homes. If mailing, send letters to:

Crystal Womack

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Central Office

833 S. Spring St.

Springfield, IL 62794-9432

KANKAKEE – With support from State Senator Patrick Joyce, three communities in the 40^th District will receive funding for new emergency vehicles through the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program.

“First responders are the backbone of our communities, and providing them with necessary resources is crucial for ensuring public safety,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This funding is significant for our emergency first responders so they can carry out their duties effectively and respond promptly to all situations.”

The Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program are designed to assist departments or cities in purchasing emergency vehicles that they may not otherwise be able to afford.

Under the FTRL program, fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments may apply for up to $350,000 in low-interest or no-interest loans for purchase of a fire truck or brush trucks. Under the ARLP program, units of local government and not-for-profit ambulance service providers can apply for no-interest or low-interest loans of up to $200,000. The communities in Joyce’s district receiving loans include:

• City of Kankakee: $350,000 (FTRL)
• Village of Crete: $350,000 (FTRL)
• Manteno Community Fire Protection District: $200,000 (ARLP)

“Without programs such as our Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan, many departments would have to continue to repair vehicles that are not reliable anymore and never be able to afford a new fire truck or ambulance,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera. “The OSFM thanks Governor Pritzker for his commitment to our first responders and safety of our state’s residents.”

For a full list of recipients, or to learn more about the loan programs, click here.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce supported a new law signed Friday that will strengthen regulations for farm mutual insurance companies.

“Our farm mutual insurance companies need to have access to reinsurance in order to keep them up and running effectively,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This new law takes policyholders into consideration because they could also be at risk if catastrophe strikes.”

Prior to this new law, the Illinois Department of Insurance required unlimited catastrophic aggregate reinsurance coverage. Currently, only one company offers contracts that meet the DOI’s requirements, and as a result, many farm mutual insurance companies struggle to find reinsurance coverage.

Farm mutual insurance companies will now be required to have and maintain adequate catastrophic reinsurance rather than unlimited catastrophic reinsurance. This change ensures farm mutual insurance companies and their policyholders can continue to be protected from financial losses in the event of a natural disaster or other costly incident.

“This legislation strikes the right balance between protecting policyholders and ensuring the financial health of farm mutual companies,” said Joyce.

Senate Bill 765 was signed Friday and takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce supported a measure that will enable the state to explore new clean energy options and create jobs in the energy industry.

“When the moratorium is lifted, the state will be able to explore new nuclear technology, which will create new jobs,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This is another testament to our state’s goal to be a leader in energy production.”

Under current law, there is a nuclear moratorium in place that prohibits construction of a new nuclear plant in Illinois and bars the Illinois Commerce Commission from issuing a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a new nuclear facility.

Earlier this year, Joyce supported a nearly identical measure — Senate Bill 76 — which was later vetoed by the governor due to concerns that the bill would open the door to costly large-scale plants that could result in state bailouts to remain in operation. After weeks of negotiations between environmental and labor groups, the new measure, House Bill 2473, would still lift the nuclear moratorium, but it clarifies it will only be for small modular nuclear reactors.

“As legislators, we need to make sure Illinois evolves and is a leader in clean energy,” said Joyce. “If we are going to achieve this goal, it is necessary to modernize our policies.”

House Bill 2473 passed the Senate Wednesday and heads to the House for further consideration.