PEMBROKE – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is working to improve quality of life for Pembroke residents.

For decades, residents of Pembroke Township have been using stoves and electric space heaters in order to warm up their homes. Winters are often brutally cold in Kankakee and Grundy counties, which causes many residents to live in dangerously cold temperatures.

“Most communities have had access to natural gas for heating and cooking since the 1920s,” Joyce said. “It’s shameful that Pembroke doesn’t already have access to this basic service.”

In an effort to give the community of Pembroke a helping hand, Sen. Joyce introduced the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program.

What: Due to concerns of coronavirus (COVID-19), coffee an conversation on Saturday, March 14, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Stefari Café (150 N. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee) is cancelled.

When: Saturday, March 14, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Where: Stefari Café, 150 N. Shuyler Ave., Kankakee

Details: CANCELLED!

UNIVERSITY PARK – Seniors are often to the target of scams via the internet, on the phone and even in person.

In an attempt to warn seniors about how to avoid frauds, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) has been attending many senior events and touring senior high-rise buildings, such as Thornwood House Apartments in Chicago Heights.

“I’m committed to protecting seniors,” Joyce said. “I want to help make sure they don’t fall victim to scams and frauds.”

Sen. Joyce is a chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 3439, an initiative of Secretary of State Jesse White to help prevent investment fraud by allowing brokerage firms to delay or stop transactions if they believe the money is being transferred to a con artist.

“We want to make sure senior investors are given every protection possible under the law,” White said. “I will continue to work with Sen. Crowe and Joyce to further strengthen investor protections as we move forward.”

According to the FBI official website, seniors are less likely to report a fraud because they often don’t know they have been scammed. 

SPRINGFIELD – Future Farmers of America visited State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) on Agriculture Day.

Future Farmers of America travel to Springfield every year to talk to their elected officials about legislation that would help future farmers.

“I was once an FFA student. It taught me so many valuable lessons that I still hold and apply to my life as a farmer and state senator,” Joyce said.